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Aion 2 is holding a ‘launch scale’ open stress test that anyone can hop in to this Thursday and Friday
NC America is holding an open stress test for the upcoming MMORPG Aion 2 on September 17th and 18th. Players can join by installing the game via Steam or NCsoft's Purple launcher without needing registration or keys. The test aims to evaluate server stability at a "launch scale" with a level cap of 37, though character progression will be saved between test days.
Wo Long 2 Is Coming In March 2027 – But You Can Try It Now!
Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember is set to release on March 4, 2027, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox on PC, and Steam, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. The sequel to Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty promises more intense action, expanded battlefields, and new tactical combat options. An Alpha Demo is available until September 30, 2026.
Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember has a demo out, as Koei Tecmo carve an early 2027 release date into some hulking demons from Chinese mythology
Koei Tecmo has announced that Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember will be released on March 4, 2027. An alpha demo is available on Steam from September 16th to September 30th, featuring part of the Changban stage and character creation. The game will incorporate Chinese martial arts, demons inspired by Chinese literature, and elements from the Three Kingdoms period.
Total War: Shogun 2's Complete Edition adds 50 minor factions in return for breaking your mods, but fear not, players who stick to the old version will get legacy DLC for free
Creative Assembly is releasing Total War: Shogun 2 Complete Edition on October 13th, featuring over 50 minor factions, updated graphics, and modernized controls. This edition includes the Rise and Fall of the Samurai expansions and will be available on Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, and GOG. Existing owners of the original game will receive a 75% discount on the Complete Edition, and those who stick with the older version will get legacy DLC for free.
SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition Bundles DLC and Major Upgrades
SEGA and Creative Assembly announced Total War: SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition for PC, launching October 13. This edition bundles the base game with all DLC, including Rise of the Samurai and Fall of the Samurai campaigns, alongside significant technical upgrades like improved visuals, full Japanese voice acting, and over 50 new minor factions. The package will be available on Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store.
Why the publisher of Nintendo Life is launching a new PC gaming site
Hookshot Media, the publisher behind Nintendo Life and Push Square, has launched Steam Hype, a new website dedicated to PC gaming on Valve's platform. The site aims to provide human-led curation and recommendations for both AAA and indie titles, differentiating itself from established PC gaming outlets. Despite a downturn in the games media industry, Hookshot CEO Anthony Dickens expressed confidence in the company's independent ownership model to adapt and succeed.
Steam reverses porn game rating it mistakenly gave to an indie vampire RPG, and despite the stress it was a 'net positive' overall as wishlists on Steam 'basically doubled overnight'
Valve has reversed its decision to give the upcoming RPG Nighthawks an adults-only rating, allowing it to be more visible on Steam. Publisher Wadjet Eye Games and developer Richard Cobbett expressed relief, noting the initial rating caused significant stress but ultimately led to a doubling of wishlists, which they consider a net positive despite the marketing boost being unintentional.
Scavenge the World Like Raccoons in Trash Day, a Physics-Based Co-Op Adventure
Trash Day, a physics-based co-op adventure game developed by Off By One Games, will be released on PC via Steam on October 13th, 2026. Players control raccoons scavenging for trash and can team up with up to five friends online. A free demo is available on Steam.
Roblox will allow devs to release games as standalone apps on other stores
Roblox Corporation is enabling developers to release their games as standalone applications on external platforms like Steam, the App Store, and Google Play. This initiative, announced at the Roblox Developers Conference, aims to provide developers with new tools and audiences, while maintaining similar revenue-share economics to the Roblox app. The company is also introducing new engine capabilities, AI tools, and financial offerings for creators.
Dredge Has Never Been Cheaper, So Grab This Lovecraftian Fishing Adventure At An All-Time Low
The Lovecraftian fishing adventure game Dredge is currently available at an all-time low price of $8.87 / £7.80 on Steam, representing a 65% discount. This deal makes the critically acclaimed indie title, which blends fishing mechanics with horror elements, more accessible than ever.
Valve finally backs down after age-restricting a Steam vampire RPG without any sex or nudity for having too much sex and…
Valve has removed the 'adults only' age restriction from the upcoming Steam RPG Nighthawks after the developer Wadjet Eye Games protested the classification. The game, which features mild adult situations and non-explicit nudity, was mistakenly flagged by Valve, severely impacting its visibility. While the situation caused significant stress for the developers, it ultimately led to increased awareness of the game.
Kingmakers Leads tinyBuild’s 2026 Showcase With 16 Games
tinyBuild's Connect 2026 showcase revealed updates and announcements for 16 games, including a deep dive into Kingmakers. The event also featured new titles like The Crab is Walking and Road to Jukai, confirmed release dates for several games, and detailed console ports and live-service updates for existing titles.
Brutally Hard And Tense FPS Escape From Tarkov Is Cheaper Than Ever Right Now
Escape From Tarkov, a brutally hard and tense extraction shooter, is currently available at its lowest price ever with a 30% discount on Steam. The game, developed by Battlestate Games, offers a challenging experience where players risk losing all their gear upon death. Its recent launch on Steam makes it more accessible for newcomers looking for a demanding militaristic FPS.
You Could Get The Blood Of Dawnwalker For Less Than The Price Of A Coffee With This Mystery Crate
The RPG 'The Blood of Dawnwalker' is currently available for a limited time through Fanatical's Mystery Crate for just $1, offering a chance to obtain the game for less than the price of a coffee. This deal also includes a grand prize entry for a Steam Machine and Controller.
Wardogs Sells 2 Million Copies in 5 Days as Early Access Shooter Blows Up on Steam
The early access shooter Wardogs has achieved significant commercial success, selling 2 million copies within its first five days of release on Steam. This rapid sales figure indicates strong player interest and a successful launch for the title.
Steam may have quietly improved its discoverability, and indie devs are feeling the benefit
Steam may have improved its discoverability features, benefiting indie developers who have struggled to gain visibility on the platform. Recent changes to the Discounts & Events banner, which now prioritizes personalized offers based on player interests, have led to significant increases in traffic, wishlists, and sales for smaller titles.
Curve Games partners with Wayfinder Studios to publish online co-op RPG Wyldheart
Curve Games has partnered with independent developer Wayfinder Studios to publish Wyldheart, an online co-op RPG. The partnership marks a significant investment for Curve Games following its acquisition by Nazara Technologies. Wayfinder Studios, founded by EA DICE veterans, has seen strong interest in Wyldheart with over 375,000 wishlists on Steam and successful Kickstarter funding.
Evening Reading - September 14, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Marvel's Wolverine and Final Fantasy 7, details on Diablo 5's release window, and the shelving of The Last of Us Part 2 multiplayer mod at Sony's request. It also touches on the Steam Deck pre-order availability and mentions the use of AI in content creation.
Here's the Aniimo release time for your region
Aniimo, a free-to-play monster-catching game developed by Pawprint Studios, is set to release on September 15 or 16 depending on the region. Preloads are already available, with the game size around 40GB. The title aims to capture a similar audience to Palworld but without the survival crafting elements.
Kingmakers Showcases Intense, Chaotic Battles In New Gameplay Deep Dive
Kingmakers showcases its blend of shooter and real-time strategy gameplay in a new deep dive, featuring chaotic battles with tens of thousands of soldiers and modern weaponry clashing with historical settings. While the game lacks a release date after a year-long delay, players can request access to a Steam playtest.
