Game Updates
Ongoing coverage on Game Updates.
Latest coverage
Riftbound’s Card Templates Are Getting A Big Overhaul in 2027
Riftbound, Riot Games' trading card game, is set to receive significant changes to its card templates and mechanics starting in January 2027 with the release of its sixth set, Legacy. These updates, detailed in a recent State of the Game update, aim to improve clarity and player experience, including changes to how Legend cards are acquired and how the term "play" is defined for card effects. The developers are prioritizing player feedback in these ongoing adjustments.
Albion Online reverses its dynamic spawn rate scaling, brings back the Divine Challenge and Ol’ Betsy
Sandbox Interactive has reversed changes to Albion Online's dynamic spawn rates following player backlash, aiming to maintain the game's economic balance. The company stated that community feedback is a top priority. Additionally, the Divine Challenge event has returned, offering rewards like learning points and a Divine Owl mount, while August's referral reward is the Ol' Betsy cow skin for the transport ox.
Wisdom of Nym: The highs and lows of Final Fantasy XIV’s crescent-filled patch 7.55
This article discusses the recent patch 7.55 for Final Fantasy XIV, focusing on the new relic weapon quest and the North Horn open-world content. While the relic quest is praised for its wrap-up and engaging design, the North Horn's grind for cosmetic rewards is criticized for lacking a clear purpose beyond repetition. The author also touches on the surprisingly serious narrative turn in the latest Hildibrand quests.
Seasons are coming to Escape from Tarkov, with more customization and swathes of new gear
Escape from Tarkov is introducing a new season system with update 1.1.0.0, offering players regular opportunities to start fresh characters and earn exclusive rewards. This update also includes a character creation system with stat customization, allowing players to balance positive and negative traits to suit their playstyle.
Half-Life Alyx gets new Steam branch, and the rumors are already swirling
Valve has added a new 'previous_release' branch for Half-Life Alyx on Steam, sparking rumors of upcoming major changes or updates. This move could be related to engine improvements, the new Steam Frame VR headset, or potentially even hints towards future Half-Life titles.
Grim Dawn offers an answer to its final expansion's most controversial addition
Crate Entertainment has released a major post-release update for Grim Dawn's latest expansion, Fangs of Asterkarn, addressing community feedback. The update introduces an optional toggle to disable the contentious 'Dread' enemy, rebalances early game bosses, and adds an alternative evade direction control. The developer also noted a new all-time concurrent player record for the game.
Crimson Desert Update Revamps Trading With 133 New Posts, 24 New High-Value Goods, and More
Crimson Desert's latest patch, version 1.16.00, overhauls the trading system with 133 new trading posts, 24 new high-value goods, and increased profits. Wagons will no longer disappear after deliveries to royal trading posts, and their prices have been quadrupled. Pearl Abyss also committed to further support in August and September, including story improvements.
Escape From Tarkov is adding a battle pass - but don't panic, you won't have to pay
Battlestate Games has announced that Escape From Tarkov will introduce a free battle pass system called Kord Breach with its upcoming patch 1.1 on August 3. The battle pass progression and rewards will be available across all game modes and can be earned through normal gameplay by collecting 'TerraGroup documentation' found during raids. The update also includes new weapons, gear, and various quality-of-life improvements.
v0.2.0 - Content Complete news - The Harbinger of the Deep
CraftedCircuitry announced that content additions for The Harbinger of the Deep are complete, with the focus now shifting to polishing the game. The v0.2 update includes all endings and route initial content, along with a new 'Power Healing' mechanic. The game is also participating in the Philippine Game Developers Expo Steam Festival and the Monochropoly Festival.
Pixion Games Opens Fableborne Season 5 Guild Registration Before Aug. 12 Launch
Pixion Games has opened guild registration for Fableborne Season 5, which launches on August 12. This season introduces Equipment and Glyphs for upgrades, and workers will now have health bars affecting resource output. Guilds will compete for a prize pool funded by webshop revenue, with Season 4's pool reaching 1.66 million POWER.
Terraria 1.4.5.7 is almost here, with gassy greatswords and trick projectiles
The next update for Terraria, version 1.4.5.7, is nearing completion and will introduce new weapons like a redesigned Chlorophyte Claymore with a damaging gas effect and a trick projectile arrow. The patch will also implement crossplay and is expected to launch simultaneously across PC, console, and mobile platforms. Re-Logic is also planning future updates and is working with DR Studios to define the roadmap for subsequent content.
Mistfall Hunter’s Best Class Just Got Even Better
Bellring Games has released an update for its extraction brawler Mistfall Hunter, enhancing the Withered Knight class with a polearm and shield weapon set and increased damage. The July 30 patch also addresses numerous bugs, including visual discrepancies, connection issues for console players, and game crashes, aiming to improve the overall player experience.
Morning Patches
This article notes a "Summer Scrub" update for Dota 2, alongside mentions of MAME version 0.289 and unofficial game patches. It appears to be a brief update log or news brief.
SWTOR’s GU 8.0 has hit the PTS as Broadsword talks overworld difficulty toggles and the new operation
Broadsword has released Game Update 8.0 for Star Wars: The Old Republic to the Public Test Server, featuring the new Children of Nul operation, class balance passes, and quality-of-life improvements. A significant addition is the overworld difficulty toggle, allowing players to adjust combat challenge in non-multiplayer areas across Story, Veteran, and Master difficulties. The update also includes persistent stronghold decorations and new ventures.
All Genshin Impact 7.0 livestream codes
miHoYo has released livestream codes for Genshin Impact's upcoming 7.0 update, which will introduce the new Snezhnaya region. Players can redeem these codes for Primogems and Mystic Enhancement Ore. The article provides instructions on how to redeem the codes both in-game and online, emphasizing that they typically expire within a day.
Diablo 4 Season 15 will let you grab its rarest items much earlier, and you can finally bring old characters along too
Blizzard Entertainment has detailed upcoming changes for Diablo 4 Season 15, focusing on making the rarest 'mythic' items more accessible through various crafting and upgrade systems. The update also introduces new mechanics like 'Soul Splinters,' 'challenge dungeons,' and 'overland ambushes,' alongside a 'Rebirth' feature allowing players to bring old characters into the new season.
Deltarune's "last patch" before Chapter 6 offers "Nicer or Meaner" modes for Chapter 5's Shadow Crystal boss, with a sweeter reward if you up the difficulty
Deltarune has received its final planned patch before Chapter 6, version v0.0.253, which includes bug fixes and new difficulty options for the Chapter 5 Shadow Crystal boss. Players can now choose 'Nicer' or 'Meaner' modes for the fight, with the 'Meaner' option increasing damage and speed, and offering a different post-fight cutscene reward.
Evening Patches
Official patch notes have been released for Path of Exile's Curse of the Allflame expansion, version 3.29.1. Additionally, the PIGFACE Crafting Update is now live, and version 8.0 content for Star Wars: The Old Republic is available on the Public Test Server.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2’s Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has a couple of issues
The newly released Xenoblade Chronicles 2 "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" offers significant technical upgrades, including 4K resolution and 60fps performance. However, players have reported issues with audio mixing, specifically loud footsteps and quiet battle music. A more critical glitch affects New Game+ saves, where the third accessory slot can be unexpectedly removed, potentially due to amiibo usage.
Blizzard is keeping secrets about Diablo 4's next season until BlizzCon, but you can still try some of it out next…
Blizzard Entertainment is withholding full details about Diablo 4's upcoming Season 15 until BlizzCon in September, but some new features are available for testing. The season will introduce "Challenge Dungeons" and "Overland Ambushes" as new open-world events, alongside new and returning seasonal items, including "Soul Splinters" and classic Unique items from previous Diablo titles. A Public Test Realm for Season 15 will be available from August 4 to August 11.
