Streamer Acai completed a full 74 songs on Guitar Hero 2 perfectly this weekend, never missing a note, getting a full-game combo streak. Spotted by a ResetEra user, they've apparently become the first in the world to complete the challenge. 

Acai tweets an excited all-caps message, "GUITAR HERO 2 PERMADEATH COMPLETE. 74/74." The full run is over eight hours long and they're absolutely locked in throughout. Amazingly, it only took them just over a dozen attempts. Their stream says 15, but the congratulatory challenge screen reads 17, so maybe one or two were just trial runs to get a feel for how the challenge works.

The message reads: "Holy shit you did it! With no misses too? WOW." Wow indeed. I've played Guitar Hero at an arcade, and it's tough as nails. I did okay, but I can't imagine ever being good enough to play the entire game perfectly.

As Acai got to the last few songs, chatters in his stream were going wild. Before the final attempt, he'd only managed to get halfway, 37 songs out of 74. When he finally completes the last song he shouts: "I fucking did it! I fucking did it!" with a look of disbelief on his face.

To play, you'll need a modded Xbox 360, and TheGamer notes Acai used a modded guitar, too. So, it'll be hard for you to recreate this feat just on a technological level, but even if I had all the right tools I doubt I'd be able to pull it off.

If reading about Guitar Hero has got you in the mood for some great tunes, check out our list of the best gaming soundtracks.

We tend to have more time available for gaming during the winter months when it's nicer to stay indoors, so you want to be able to escape the cold outside by wrapping up warm and getting absorbed into some snug experiences. Cosy games such as Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing are perfect for this, as you can immerse yourself in another world or get lost in story-driven games that can be played in many different ways.

It's crucial to get the vibe right, so as well as using the escapism provided by games with a deep narrative or immersive world to explore, there are also ways to turn your entertainment setup into a cosy gaming cocoon with some smart tech. In addition to a soft blanket and a selection of your favourite snacks, you can set the atmosphere by changing the colour of the lighting to a warm glow with the help of some smart bulbs. These can be controlled straight from your phone, or if you add in a smart speaker as well then you can go completely hands-free with voice activation.

If you're staying in contact with friends during the winter months by playing together online or streaming gameplay, then a reliable internet connection is a vital part of your setup. The EE Wifi 7 router is perfect for maintaining a stable connection online, so you can avoid lag ruining your good times in whatever virtual world you choose to meet up in. You'll want to be able to chat to your friends while you make new stories together, so if you need a gaming headset or any other kit then visit the EE Game Store for a wide selection of accessories.

With the right environment you can get away from the grey and miserable weather outside by curling up on the sofa and dimming the lights, whether you're playing the latest PlayStation 5 release on the big screen or a handheld adventure on the Nintendo Switch. Find your perfect escape this winter, through a cosy gaming setup enhanced by smart tech.

We've recapped the biggest announcements from The Game Awards 2024 below. You're also welcome to keep reading beyond that to follow the live blow-by-blow recap of everything that happened at the event.

Everything Announced At The Game Awards 2024

• Naughty Dog's next game kicks off a new "franchise" with a sci-fi PS5 romp packing the studio's "wildest, most creative story" and "deepest gameplay" yet
• First look at The Witcher 4 shows Ciri is the star but that sure sounds like Geralt at the end to me
• It took 18 years, but an Okami sequel is finally in the works at Capcom under original director Hideki Kamiya
• Borderlands 4 debuts at The Game Awards with a proper gameplay trailer showcasing the new Vault Hunters
• FromSoftware's next game is Elden Ring: Nightreign, a "standalone" 3-player adventure coming 2025 – so was Hidetaka Miyazaki just kidding about no Elden Ring 2?
  • Elden Ring: Nightreign network test coming next year, giving players an early taste of the unexpected "survival action" roguelike
  • Elden Ring spinoff Nightreign is a co-op roguelike with battle royale and Monster Hunter juice, but FromSoftware says it's "not what we'd consider a live service game"
• 100 years after Super Earth saw them off the first time, Helldivers 2 brings back the Illuminate faction in its new Omens of Tyranny update, live now
• It Takes Two dev reveals new co-op game Split Fiction – it's out in March and you only need one copy to play with a friend
• Ico and Shadow of the Colossus director Fumito Ueda's next game is about a boy and a mech, and it's predictably gorgeous
• Shenmue lead Yu Suzuki has a new game coming next year with anime vibes cranked all the way up
• Deus Ex lead Warren Spector looked at immersive sims and "thought we could do better" – enter Thick as Thieves, a PvPvE "stealth action game, with a capital S and a capital A"
• The team behind stellar Metroidvania Blasphemous is making the first 2D Ninja Gaiden game in 29 years
• PC gamers really ate at The Game Awards: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth PC release date finally set for next month
• Palworld's big Feybreak update adds the "harshest" island yet this month, and it's 6 times bigger than the last one
• I didn't expect the Cyberpunk 2077 vibes in former Payday devs' new co-op heist game Den of Wolves, which just got its first gameplay trailer
• The Last of Us gets yet another re-release as Part 2: Remastered heads to PC
• A 29-year-old PC racing game going cyberpunk anime with Troy Baker, Initial D drifting, and cutscenes from the Metroid: Other M studio sure wasn't on my Game Awards bingo card
• More than 50 million people played Overcooked, so its devs are teaming up with the No Man's Sky team for a "Luigi's Mansion meets Overcooked" adventure
• Like a Dragon studio RGG reveals its first new IP in 6 years: it doesn't look like Yakuza, and it's set in 1915 Japan
• After 18 years, Capcom's classic PS2 series Onimusha has come full circle because the new one that was just announced looks kinda like Sekiro
• Splitgate 2 gets new gameplay trailer at The Game Awards, and the 4v4 portal shooter has never looked so ridiculously fun
• We just got our first proper look at The Outer Worlds 2, coming 2025 - and Obsidian's RPG sequel is coming to PS5 too

And we're off! We've still got some time until the show kicks off so if you've not done that run to the shop to stock up on snacks, now is the time.

We're due to get a "full world premiere reveal" of Mafia: The Old Country at the big show, though a YouTube ad may have given away the release window. Interestingly, if that window turns out to be true, then the game might not be too far away from another Take-Two published game, GTA 6.

Before we continue, here are the nominees from all the major categories.

Game of the Year

• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio

Why yes, that is Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree among the gang. A first for The Game Awards, expansions and the like are up for the top prize this year.

Best Game Direction

• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio

Best Narrative

• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metaphor: ReFantanzio
• Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
• Silent Hill 2

Best Art Direction

• Astro Bot
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Neva

Best Score And Music

• Astro Bot
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Silent Hill 2
• Stellar Blade

Best Audio Design

• Astro Bot
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Silent Hill 2

Best Performance

• Briana White, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Hannah Telle, Life is Strange: Double Exposure
• Humberly González, Star Wars Outlaws
• Luke Roberts, Silent Hill 2
• Melina Juergens, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2

Innovation In Accessibility

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Diablo 4
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• Star Wars Outlaws

Games for Impact

• Indika
• Neva
• Life is Strange: Double Exposure
• Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
• Tales of Kenzera: Zau
• Closer the Distance

Best Ongoing

• Destiny 2
• Diablo 4
• Final Fantasy 14
• Fortnite
• Helldivers 2

Best Community Support

• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Final Fantasy 14
• Fortnite
• Helldivers 2
• No Man’s Sky

Best Independent Game

• Animal Well
• Balatro
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
• Neva
• UFO 50

Best Debut Indie Game

• Animal Well
• Balatro
• Manor Lords
• Pacific Drive
• The Plucky Squire

Best Mobile Game

• AFK Journey
• Balatro
• Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
• Wuthering Waves
• Zenless Zone Zero

Best VR/AR Game

• Arizona Sunshine Remake
• Asgard's Wrath 2
• Batman: Arkham Shadow
• Metal: Hellsinger VR
• Metro Awakening

Best Action Game

• Black Myth: Wukong
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Helldivers 2
• Stellar Blade
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Best Action / Adventure Game

• Astro Bot
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• Silent Hill 2
• Star Wars Outlaws
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Best RPG

• Dragon’s Dogma 2
• Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio

Best Fighting Game

• Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
• Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
• Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
• MultiVersus
• Tekken 8

Best Family Game

• Astro Bot
• Princess Peach: Showtime
• Super Mario Party Jamboree
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• The Plucky Squire

Best Sim / Strategy Game

• Age of Mythology: Retold
• Frostpunk 2
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Manor Lords
• Unicorn Overlord

Best Sports / Racing

• F1 24
• EA Sports FC 25
• NBA 2K25
• Top Spin 2K25
• WWE 2K24

Best Multiplayer

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Helldivers 2
• Super Mario Party Jamboree
• Tekken 8
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Best Adaptation

• Arcane
• Fallout
• Knuckles
• Like a Dragon: Yakuza
• Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

Most Anticipated Game

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• GTA 6
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
• Monster Hunter Wilds

Content Creator of the Year

• CaseOh
• IlloJuan
• Techno Gamerz
• TypicalGamer
• Usada Pekora

Best Esports Game

• Counter-Strike 2
• DOTA 2
• League of Legends
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Valorant

Best Esports Athlete

• Neta '33' Shapira (DOTA 2)
• Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen (Counter-Strike 2)
• Jeong 'Chovy' Ji-hoon (League of Legends)
• Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok (League of Legends)
• Mathieu 'ZyWoO' Herbaut (Counter-Strike 2)
• Zheng 'ZmjjKk' Yongkang (Valorant)

Best Esports Team

• Bilibili Gaming (League of Legends)
• Gen.G (League of Legends)
• NAVI (Counter-Strike)
• T1 (League of Legends)
• Team Liquid (DOTA 2)

Players' Voice

• Black Myth: Wukong
• Genshin Impact
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Wuthering Waves
• Zenless Zone Zero

Phew! After going over all the nominees, you can see why The Game Awards last as long as they do - especially when you factor in the musical acts and trailers. If you haven't been counting, Astro Bot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth lead on nominations with seven each. Then you've got Metaphor: ReFantazio with six, and so on.

As for who the big winners might be, FF7 Rebirth and Helldivers 2 won big at this year's Golden Joysticks, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the same here. Mind you, Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is running in more categories here, so that'll likely influence how it all plays out. As ever, we need only wait and see.

If you're looking for something a wee bit different from The Game Awards, an indie is kicking off The Game Awards for Games Who Can't Afford the Game Awards tomorrow. The show will spotlight over 70 indie games across various genres and hand out some very serious awards – like the 'Most Likely to Make You Quit Your Job and Become an Artist' prize. Serious business.

Back to the actual Game Awards, one game we know we're seeing is Borderlands 4. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford initially told us all about the new trailer sooner than he was allowed to, but has since shared more – with The Game Awards' blessing, we presume. Expect "a lot of in-game footage" and "a sick, never-before-seen original cinematic sequence" that'll bridge the gap between Borderlands 3.

One of tonight's award nominees has made a pre-show announcement, and, well, I think it's best you just watch the clip.

Now that we're getting closer to the show, more teases are rolling in. In fact, Sifu developer SlowClap says "expect to be surprised." What could the team be cooking?

We're getting to see some Game Awards royalty tonight as It Takes Two director Josef Fares is popping up to reveal his next game and hopefully say something on camera he shouldn't.

"A lot of people say I'm cocky, but it's impossible to not be cocky when you have a game like this in front of you," he says. "I'm telling you. You will see what I mean when you play it."

I don't know when we'll actually play what the team is working on, but it sounds like we'll certainly be seeing it in a few hours time.

I don't know about you, but I'm personally interested in the game reveals that we don't know about yet. Partly because I'm nosy, but also because Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier has said on Kinda Funny Games Daily that “there are at least two things that will make you guys, reacting, say ‘holy shit, I can’t believe it’s here.'"

What's excellent news for a few fandoms likely means three-inch deep clown makeup for everyone else, but I am ready.

And now, a changing of the guard! A fond farewell to deputy news editor Iain Harris as he departs for a much-deserved rest.

I (US managing editor Rollin Bishop) will be your guide into the depths of The Game Awards proper from here on in. Get comfy; we've got some ways to go yet as the preshow proper doesn't even start for nearly three hours yet.

In a clearly important update deserving of its own entry, Final Fantasy 16's Ben Starr will be in attendance at The Game Awards tonight. He also appears to have learned his lesson.

Just under two hours left! Not long now. How we feeling out there?

In a somewhat shocking turn of events, it actually feels like Ole Geoff has managed to keep a pretty tight lid on things this year. It's at this point in the night, I feel, that I'd usually be perusing a hefty list of leaks. Not this time! Neither the same quantity nor quality seem to be making the rounds. At least there's something to be said for surprises, assuming there are some good ones.

Maybe I've jinxed it at this point? Though there's really not that much time left to have something really spicy make the rounds. Given all of the moving parts, it's genuinely kind of impressive that nothing major has had anything more than wild, speculative rumors.

I am also, however, fully prepared to find a hat to eat if the deeply unserious rumors about a Half-Life 3 announcement turn out to be real.

Less than an hour to go! Still time to get in some absolutely wild predictions. Death Stranding 4? Unicorn Overlord DLC? The Last of Us 3? Maybe Lethal Company will add Geoff as an NPC.

Also, there's Steam drops this year! For No Man's Sky and Helldivers 2, if you're fancy like that.

Just 15 minutes to go before The Game Awards 2024 starts in earnest! Reminder that this thing is actually several hours long, so get your snacks and drinks now. And, you know, maybe use the bathroom. It's good to be prepared.

Game File's Stephen Totilo is reporting that winners tonight will be given a whopping "45 seconds to make their acceptance speeches" as opposed to what was apparently "about 30" previously. Time will tell, I guess! And folks will be told on time.

As noted by staff writer Dustin Bailey (in the strictest confidence), this pre-roll music ahead of the preshow is way too stressful.

And here we (preshow) go...

Sydnee Goodman is here to introduce the preshow and stress just how this is an "extension" of the regular show because of how busy and packed it is! Starts off by talking about Snoop Dogg performing, which, sure.

Game from The Game Kitchen is up first here. Is that... Shinobi? (I'm bad at recognizing ninja games.)

I am being told this is "Ninja ****in Gaiden man," which, it is indeed! Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is the title. Coming Summer 2025 from publisher Dotemu.

And we have our first winner too! The award for Best Fighting Game goes to Bandai Namco's Tekken 8! Katsuhiro Harada is up to talk about updates and says not to ask him for "beeeeep."

We got a new cozy game here. One Move Away, coming 2025. Seems to be... about packing a car? Got a nice little aesthetic to it with strong colors.

Slay the Spire 2 looking good! Lord, let this release soon. All the classic deckbuilding seems to be here with some new doodads and classes. The art is quite similar to the original. First look at gameplay here, coming to early access in 2025.

And another award! Batman: Arkham Shadow picks up Best AR/VR Game. Not exactly shocking. The developers thank the voice cast and others. Good for them!

And now some look into Treesplease Games (if I caught the name correctly.) Talking about climate collapse, using games for creating awareness. The dev's game Longleaf Valley is about restoring and saving a national park, which actually translates to... planting actual trees? Neat!

New Dave the Diver DLC! Expansion? Dave the Dive In the Jungle. Game's good; always happy to have more of a good game. Coming "Late 2025."

Warren Spector's Thick as Thieves is up! This seems to be the official reveal of what appears to be a multiplayer stealth action game about... stealing stuff. You're thieves. "Seems to be" and "official" here because we've heard about Thick as Thieves before, but this is certainly the best look yet – even if this seems to be cinematic footage rather than gameplay.

And directly into a bunch of esports awards! League of Legends takes Best Esports Game, Faker takes Best Esports Athlete, and T1 takes Best Esports Team. Not exactly shocking.

...This is the Secret Level Pac-Man? It looks like it!

Shadow Labyrinth is the official name, coming 2025. I don't know what to do with this information; I actually quite liked that episode and said as much in my Secret Level review.

An anime game for mobile from Yu Suzuki called Steel Paws! Looks neat, but hard to say... what it's about.

Another award! Games for Impact goes to Neva! Well deserved. Our Indie Spotlight coverage called it "an utterly moving and beautiful adventure."

Some quick Tales of the Shire footage, March 25, 2025. Sure looks like Tales of the Shire!

And then Stalcraft Operations! I don't... know what I was looking at beyond that it seemed to be about some kind of mining operation gone wrong. 2025 release!

Midnight Murder Club here from Velan Studios. Looks to be in the same vein as Phasmophobia or Lethal Company. Get spooked together, get murdered together. Crossplay beta available now! Early access in February 2025.

Somebody just yelled out that they love Sydnee. Good for her. I have to imagine this is a wildly stressful job.

Next award! Innovation in Accessibility. And the award goes to... Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown! Hell yeah. What a great game. Ubisoft devs accepting talk about how accessibility just reinforces a good game. "A passion project made by an incredible team."

And now something from the folks that made Core Keeper. Once again, we are digging. Looks multiplayer, kind of a bit Terraria with better lighting. Kyora, wishlist on Steam today. How greedily and deep did they delve?

Best Family Game goes to... Astro Bot! Not exactly surprising, even in a stacked category. Thanks from the folks accepting to Team Asobi. "Making a family game is important because we are forming the first gaming memories of people." Notes that it's a privilege; the award is for the kids and the parents out there.

Somehow two further World Premieres before the main show? First up: Sloclap has something to announce. It's... a soccer game? (Sorry, sorry; football. Please don't fire me, Josh.)

Rematch is the name! Summer 2025. It kind of looks like... Rocket League with no cars. I realize that's just soccer, but still. (Shoot, football. I realize that's just football.)

Last World Premiere for the preshow now! Solasta 2 featuring... I am honestly not sure what I'm looking at. A bunch of weird critters attacking a fortification. We do love an RPG! And the actual gameplay looks to be closer to Baldur's Gate 3 or Divinity Original Sin 2 than not. So, I'll take it. Early Access 2025.

That's it for the preshow! Quick, use the bathroom.

Never mind, don't use the bathroom. There's absolutely no time. Geoff Keighley takes the stage.

Because I know everyone wants to know: his shoes seem to be bedazzled. They're glittering and sparkling. Cute.

Keighley starting with basically shouting out how cool gaming and gamers are, despite the challenges. Goes over nominees, welcomes father of the PlayStation, Ken Kutaragi. Fallout and Arcane's Ella Purnell also here. And... Josef Fares.

Wow. Sooner than expected, we have The Muppets. Statler and Waldorf are giving Geoff the business and telling him to wrap it up. Topical.

I think... I love this? The most relatable trait of Geoff is his love for The Muppets.

Bethesda's Todd Howard and Troy Baker take the stage! Is Troy really tall or is Todd really small? Who can say.

Todd asks: "Troy, have you ever won this award?" And then a joke about "best Indy performance" and indie games. And now.... Harrison Ford? Contractually obligated Harrison Ford is here!

"Thank you, thank you very much. While you're on your feet, let's give a big round of applause to these guys for the Great Circle," says Ford. Compliments Troy on playing Indy, says if he'd known Troy was so good he would have done it himself.

Ford introduces the nominees for Best Performance! And the winner is... Melina Juergens, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2! I think Harrison said "Melinda," but that's fine.

Melina thanks all the nominees, team at Ninja Theory, cast, crew, stunt team. "They've all done such a great job!" Thanks collaborators and supporters. Finishes with a congrats to The Game Awards itself for 10 years. 10 years!

Geoff back on the mic! Says he traveled the world to talk with developers about what's coming next, not just next year but beyond. Introducing a game from a previous GOTY winner... "Here's a look at The Unexpected." I didn't expect that.

Someone's being given a bath. I know I joked earlier, but I can honestly say I didn't expect this. Blades are sharpened, there's a voiceover about how lovely this person is. "Today's the day... you fill out your destiny."

OH WAIT THIS IS CD PROJEKT RED? IGNORE ALL MY PREVIOUS SNARK!

Holy cow. There's a witcher! This is a witcher game? What's going on. Someone's being sacrificed. I've lost the plot a bit by being shocked at what this is and who it is from.

The previously noted witcher prevents the young girl from getting eaten, seems like. Tells her to run and tell the village; tell her father. Starts into the darkness and roots; roots and hands(?) reach out to snap her up.

And now the witcher is a'witchin'. Nice swordplay, but still gets knocked away. The beast has the advantage – a hag? But now, witcher signs and hag's on the defensive. All cinematic but still.

I mean, that's Ciri right? Whoever it is, she decapitates the hag. She returns to the village, and someone has stabbed the girl in the heart. Her father cradles her as she dies. Ciri(?) is straight up not having a good time. "There are no gods here; there are only monsters."

It is Ciri! It is The Witcher 4! Geoff confirms both! What a time to be alive.

And now: something else. Bandai Namco, "standalone" game from FromSoftware!

This kind of just... looks like more Elden Ring? Am I misremembering what Elden Ring looks like? I'm not, right? With maybe a stronger focus on multiplayer.

"Stand tall, the night is far from over" a voiceover states while big dark creatures are fought with bows and swords and magic. Also a Cerberus-lookin' dog monster. "Band together and prepare to claim the life of the Night Lord."

Elden Ring: Nightreign. Coming 2025. Nice.

No stopping now! Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is coming to PC! January 23, 2025. It's the game you know and love, but on PC.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle accolades trailer, looks like. You know what? Troy does do a good job at voicing Indy. I'll say it.

There's some kind of cat and dress up game. Catly. Like if Infinity Nikki was about pets in large part. Looks... shiny.

And now, a trailer about Path of Exile 2. Just kind of an ad as early access is available now. Sure.

Raised by Wolves and House of the Dragon's Abubakar Salim here to introduce the award for Best Action game. Cracks an admittedly pretty good joke about not crying about his dead dad – his words – this time.

And the winner is... Black Myth: Wukong! Good for them. "Thank you everyone, we are deeply honored to received this award." We gave it a 4 out of 5 in our Black Myth: Wukong review so hard to complain.

What I will complain about is the weird, high-pitched squealing that has somehow snuck into the audio mix.

Ends with a joke how the game is not hard and good for beginners. Nice.

And now, something Geoff really hyped up. A game to capture everyone's imagination. From the creator of Ico (OK Geoff you were right, fine) comes.... something. There's a weird countdown voiceover. Sci-fi vibes with someone climbing a big metallic thing. Is this a mech? Let this be a mech.

The countdown ends and the mech(?) is blasted away by... something. But the protagonist gets away, Gurren Lagann-style, but zooming off with just the head. Game is currently untitled, but... I'm into it. Gimme the mech, I'll pilot the mech. Happily.

And now we get a performance of the Civilization 7 theme! Time to crank up your speakers and hit the bathroom quickly if needed.

Music's good! But in case this isn't your thing, here's that first look at The Witcher 4 which I will be looking at again and again.

The Outer Worlds 2! Looks good. Looks like... The Outer Worlds, But More. 2025 release. Obsidian did a solid job with the original, and hopefully the sequel just... tightens things up, you know? That's all I really need.

Josef Fares is up! "This is some next-level shit!" New co-op adventure from Hazelight. Classic Josef. More curses than other words was the vibe.

Split Fiction! Seems to be a sci-fi game about two writers that can simulate their stories and bring them to life. They accidentally end up the same simulation, and they find out their stories are about to get stolen. To save them, they'll need to escape to reality by going through their own worlds. One writer does sci-fi, one does fantasy, and so... things get wild.

Each level has unique mechanics. For example, you hatch dragons that grow over time in one level to the point where you can fly them. Then there's a... well, it's a Metroid-ball level where the balls then become exosuits. Then you play as pigs which eventually apparently become sausages. Well.

Split Fiction releases March 6, 2025, which Josef says is two months from now. I'm not sure if that timeline works out. But it's close. Also, the protagonists are named after Josef's kids! Cute.

And now, an ad for Lenovo laptops, I think. I'm going to be honest, I was chuckling so hard as Josef Fares that I missed Geoff's intro to this. And now an ad for... Nintendo Switch? I think?

FragPunk gameplay trailer showing off mechanics of the cards and guns. March 6, 2025, free to play. Honestly, I love the aesthetic, but the cards seem like the sort of thing you actually need to play for yourself to understand.

And now... weird zombies? I've forgotten how long it's been since an actual award during this award show. Anyway, shooting these weird zombies in Killing Floor 3 with arrows does look satisfying.

Geoff actually address the elephant in the room! Industry-wide layoffs! "As a show, we kind of struggle how to address these struggles in a constructive way." Says they've discovered a way to tackle. Introduces TGA's "first-ever Game Changer."

Lots of folks talking about how this game changer changes the game. Amir Satvat, who leads a games community and helps folks find jobs. He's getting an award! That honestly does feels genuinely like a feel-good kind of thing. Circumstances being what they are, this is nice and earnest. "No, you're breathtaking," says Amir. Genuine chuckle from me there.

"This has serious consequences," says Amir of all the layoffs. "You can't make great games without great people." He's got a point!

Says all his life, he just wanted to be part of the games industry. "It felt a world away," he says while growing up, "but not any more."

And we're done! Now more trailers. Lots of mechs, including some bestial-looking ones? Wargaming title here. Looks a bit like Transformers meets Zoids meets Hawken. Hard to parse the gameplay from cinematics, but certainly looks interesting. I do love Pacific Rim.

Steelhunters! Not sure on the spelling; this is what they get for doing all caps. Playtest available now!

Next up: some kind of survival, exploration game? The Long Dark 2! Blackfrost is the official name, apparently. Surviving in the snow and woods and all of that. Very moody.

Randy Pitchford is here for Borderlands 4! Says we all know why he's here. I guess that's probably true. He's here for Borderlands 4! "As you wish," he says as he turns around to show a 4 on his back.

This first bit of footage in the Borderlands 4 trailer is of what looks to be mechanical Psychos? The mobs from the previous games got their hands on a buncha mechines it kind of seems like. There's a whole metallic vibe to everything. Looks like our first look at the new heroes and, of course, Claptrap.

Borderlands 4 is out 2025! And the trailer seems to be live already publicly, so that's nice.

Final Fantasy 16's Clive comes to Tekken 8 "next week." Good for him.

And now: awards from Geoff. Most Anticipated Game goes to... GTA 6. Shocker. I'm shocked.

Best Multiplayer Game goes to Helldivers 2! Best Community Support goes to Baldur's Gate 3! Once again, shocker.

Oh he's still going. Best Art Direction goes to... Metaphor: ReFantazio.

A new look at Splitgate 2 gameplay! Game's coming 2025. Portals and so on. I don't know, man. It looks like Splitgate, which was pretty all right? I'm OK with there being another one.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard accolades trailer seemed to just... be another accolades trailer? And now: more mechs! Is this Mecha Break?

It is Mecha Break! I like what I could see there when it wasn't completely obscured by particle effects. Now a trailer about how much better Star Wars Outlaws is now with updates under its belt.

A quick Fortnite ad for OG and now: a performance from Arcane, the League of Legends animated show. As a notorious Arcane liker, I'm here for this. The live version is going pretty well so far!

Having these Arcane images of young Vi and Powder projected onto the giant walls of this theater... Gosh, what a show. (Our Arcane season 2 review gave the latest episodes a 4 out of 5.)

And now, an announcement prepared just for The Game Award's 10th anniversary. Something from RGG Studio. So, something Like a Dragon? Holy wow, no, new Virtua Fighter!

"New full entry" says Geoff. There's apparently going to be a Virtua Fighter presentation tomorrow with more. What a world.

And now, something set in 1915. Is this also RGG Studio? Lots of brawling with weapons and the like. Maybe this one is Like a Dragon. (If I keep guessing Like a Dragon, I will eventually be right.) Project Century, it's called. Neat!

And Hideo Kojima is here! Geoff's bestie! "First and foremost, congratulations of TGA's 10th anniversary." How kind.

"I've had the privilege of participating since the very first TGA." Kojima goes on to talk about how it's a celebration and an event, and that TGA now serves as a bridge between entertainment mediums: film, music, and so on. "I'm looking forward to supporting that too."

Kojima is here to introduce the nominees for Best Game Direction, which makes sense. I just thought he was here to hype up Geoff. This is even better.

And the winner is... Astro Bot! "We didn't have a speech ready for you for this one," I think he just said. Actual laugh out loud from me. "You are all game directors back home," he says of the team back home. The awards chyrons move so fast that I'm lucky to even catch a partial name.

Huh. Turok Origins. Fast-paced, moody third-person shooter looks like from Saber. The gameplay is chopped up in a way that makes it difficult to tell how it actually works, but I do like what I saw.

Actual Helldivers 2 guy on stage here to canonically introduce a new announcement for the game. A new faction? Freedom's been stolen. How dare they.

Vehicles! New critters! Major update out... now? On PC and PS5. Omens of Tyranny. Gosh, this looks good. You don't have to take my word for it; watch for yourself.

Warframe creative director Rebecca Ford here to introduce the last trailer for Warframe: 1999 which releases tomorrow apparently! December 13. It's a wild throwback update that looks at some of the origins of Warframe proper.

First look at new Palworld update. I don't personally world pals, but seems... neat? More critters, more weapons. More is good. Palworld Feybreak is out December 23, 2024.

And now... an anime gacha game. Wuthering Waves, I think, but honestly it could b–it's Wuthering Waves. The title just happened. Looks as good as it ever did.

And here's the "Everything's an Xbox" ad which... fine. I'm so tired. I am not currently watching this on an Xbox.

The Shovel Knight folks are here to introduce the nominees for Best Debut Indie Game. This is a shockingly competitive category, honestly.

And the winner is... Balatro! Not shocking. Similarly, not shocking, and not shocking to see Wout accepting the award instead of LocalThunk. The dev, through Wout, thanks all of the other nominees. There's a joke about giving the award away to Arco.

And now, something from Capcom. Looks like more Nioh? Onimusha Way of the Sword! Lots of sword action. 2026.

And now, the Russos are here for an update on The First Berserker: Khazan. The trailer is dark and moody and already kind of bloody? A lot is going on here. Lots of fighting and blood and I've sort of lost the plot. March 27, 2025 release date.

A new stylish anime-inspired game set in the world of Dungeon & Fighter, called Arad. Seems a bit like Genshin Impact mixed with Granblue Fantasy? Honestly, not terrible influences. Lots of slick combat and designs.

A new look at Dying Light: The Beast. Some kind of experimentation is happening while a dude waxes poetic about "divine calling" and the like. Classic. But I suspect that experiment might gone wrong! First-person gameplay exploring deeply spooky, uninhabited areas filled with angry-looking zombies. Coming Summer 2025.

More awards! Best Action/Adventure Game goes to Astro Bot! Best RPG goes to Metaphor: ReFantazio! Content Creator of the Year goes to Caseoh! Best Sports/Racing Game goes to... EA Sports FC 25. Oh lord he's still going. Best Sim/Strategy Game is Frostpunk 2.

Statler and Waldorf are back honestly... doing some good bits about commercials whether Kojima knows he is also friends with Geoff. Immediately segueing into: another trailer from Crytek with... Post Malone? I think.

Post Malone's Murder Circus. It was Post Malone. I'm going to need... some time to process that. Anyway, it's for Hunt: Showdown, I guess?

An ad for EA saying happy holidays followed by Meta wanting people to buy the Quest 3 followed by Fortnite once again. Hyping up the Ballistic mode this time.

Netflix's Squid Game is here. This is awkward. This looks to be in support of the mobile game, which releases December 17. The song – you know the one – and the dudes in the uniforms and everything. Squid Game Unleased releases December 17 while Squid Game season 2 hits Netflix on December 26, 2024.

Snoop Dogg is here to talk about nominees for Best Ongoing Game. Sure. My eyes hurt.

"Man, them is some dope-*** trailers," he says after the nominees are revealed. "I don't have a game, cuz. Yet," he notes when someone shouts about him winning. But Helldivers 2 ultimately takes the win! "Well, I did not expect that," Mikael Eriksson, who is accepting for Arrowhead, says.

"We are very committed to keep going with this game for many years to come," he says. Probably a lot of folks excited to hear that! Fortnite Festival shoutout, then talk of Snoop returning later to play music.

And now: something new and charming from the folks that made Overcooked. Kind of unclear what's going on, but apparently the screen is split and different puzzles can be solved by folks on either side. Stage Fright, the game is called. "This would have never happened at E3" from one of the characters earned a solid chuckle from me.

A Game of Thrones game from Netmarble (which almost certainly means mobile) featuring characters like Jon Snow as well as what appears to be some new folks fighting the creatures from beyond The Wall. "Like it or not, winter is coming," says Snow. Releasing in 2025. Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is the name.

A trailer for Monster Hunter Now Season 4. I don't know, man.

Double Dragon: Revive looks solid in a new trailer, but not much to really hype up. Looks like a new 3D brawlers! Releasing October 23, 2025.

And now, something distinctly anime where a big bug literally ate someone's head. But don't worry! The king of the humans is here to duke it out! "Arise," he says, and a bunch of monsters join his ranks. This is a Solo Leveling game apparently?

And now, a wild-looking racing game! Screamer, out 2026. Seems a bit anime, a bit Road Rash. Into it.

Last of Us Part 2 Remastered comes to PC on April 3, 2025. Looks like Last of Us Part 2, but remastered!

The two Last of Us Dinas, Isabela Merced and Shannon Woodward, are here to do a bit about both being Dina before introducing the nominees for Best Adaptation.

And the award goes to... Fallout! Jonathan Nolan talks, pokes fun at how he was prepared to heckle Ella Purnell about winning for Arcane instead. "Thank the fans of Fallout: New Vegas for not burning my house to the ground." Thanks Todd, everyone else involved. Mr. Todd Howard also thanks everyone and then Jonathan Nolan – then everyone that's worked on the games.

Den of Wolves gameplay up next! Looks like folks doing all sorts of fixer jobs. First-person shooting, busting into vaults. Looks pretty hectic and fast-paced. Developed by 10 Chambers and the designer of original Payday. Early access... 202... something? Kind of a tease.

Zenless Zone Zero trailer showcasing a new characters followed by Honkai: Star Rail covering an upcoming update. Hoyoverse certainly isn't just sitting on its hands. Very pretty, but hard to tell what's going on if you aren't already familiar with these games. "Amphoreous: The Eternal Land." All right.

And now, Snoop Dogg is back to perform just like Geoff said he would! And so he is. 45 minutes or so left, folks.

Here's that Last of Us Part 2 Remastered for PC announce if you're not one for music.

You know what? That was pretty good. I didn't think it was going to be bad but the musical breaks are always exceedingly strange at The Game Awards. I love music! But it always sticks out here.

"We are far from done!" says Keighley. Geoff, please. I have a family, Geoff.

Ads for, in this order: Lego Fortnite Odyssey, Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, PC Game Pass, Batman: Arkham: Shadow. Then Amazon itself for deals. Then nominees for Best Score and Music! An award, as a little treat.

And the winner is... Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth! Naoki Hamaguchi is here to accept. "Thank you so much everyone... I'm so excited, I have no words."

Thanks the team for all of their work and how it's an honor to accept the award. "This is my very first time attending The Game Awards here today, and I am so honored and pleased to receive this award." Talks about being pleased to announce the PC version.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds... exists! Brief trailer showing Shadow in a car. Sure, yes. I'll play that.

Mafia: The Old Country trailer! Some stabbing, some talking. It pretty much... looks like Mafia in Italy? That's what it is, right?

Awards! They happen! Best Independent Game goes to Balatro. Best Mobile Game goes to... Balatro. Best Audio Design goes to Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Still more! Players' Voice goes to Black Myth: Wukong.

Infinity Nikki is here now to show... gameplay set to the game's intro song? I've not played a ton of the game quite yet, but I recognize a lot of this already. Some of the intro cutscene bits are here but at different times?

More ads! Mafia, the franchise, is on sale. Something about Steam Deck, Google Play Games coming to PC. In beta, that last one. Seamlessly sync across mobile and PC!

Aaron Paul and Laura Bailey are here. They're doing a bit where Paul is hyping up how cool Bailey is, which she is. She calls him Evan, says everyone loved The Wire. "That's TV, and this... is video games, OK? This is art." Laura... Thank you.

New world premiere trailer about a washed-up superhero that loses his mech and has to play dispatch for other heroes. Some fun animation, something of a visual novel? Game's officially called Dispatch, from Adhoc, the dev made up of former Telltale folks. I would like to buy this now, please.

Sam Lake is here to both 1) do a bit in black and white where he's thinking about the nominees for Best Narrative and 2) how he felt the urge to dance.

And the winner is... Metaphor: ReFantazio! What a night for this (and Balatro) this is turning out to be. "I think storytelling is a really important part of games." Nice.

Geoff is really hyping this next thing up. I privately speculated "Half-Life 3?" before the big drum came out and... well, it's probably not Half-Life 3.

Holy hell it's an Okami sequel! With Hideki Kamiya! My lord. Lordy lordy lordy. Need to run around the house real quick. New studio for Kamiya, Clovers.

Yes, yes, more of Crimson Desert from Pearl Abyss. Great graphics, flying dragons, coming late 2025. I'm struggling to recover from the Okami sequel reveal.

Fortnite ad. Then more Statler and Waldorf. Doing jokes about games. Complaining about how long the show is. "Look at him just standing there!" they say of Geoff... just standing there.

Geoff is getting very emotional about the industry and awards. But also: here's the Okami sequel trailer.

Geoff is really hyping up this last world premiere. Don't let me down, Keighley. The teaser starts with floating in space, broken moon of some kind. Cut to a Porsche spaceship, anime on TV. Someone is shaving their head.

There's a call on the TVs. There's some kind of tracking being down to a planet where nobody leaves. "He's not worth it," the person on the TV says. This... looks like an original IP? Geoff said that, right?

Lots of brands here. Porsche, Adidas, Sony. Looks like this is the new Naughty Dog?? First-party Sony! Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Our friend taking the contract fights a machine-looking thing with a wild-looking sword. Neil Druckmann directed, score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Wild times.

Swen Vincke is here to hand out Game of the Year. He makes some strong comments about making games and people who make them loving games, respecting players, and not looking for a quick buck. Also, more than one mention of talking longer here because he could and cashing in his credits from last year.

And now: a lovely medley celebrating all of the GOTY nominees. Can you keep a secret? This is maybe my favorite thing from The Game Awards so far this year.

And the winner of Game of the Year is... Astro Bot! Sebastian Brueckner, Nicolas Doucet, Junko Sano, and Masayuki Yamada take the stage to accept.

"It was just about the kids, especially. We had the huge privilege of potentially be the first game in the hands of children." Thanks entire Asobi team, people that believed in Astro as a character. Thanks everyone that helped celebrate 30 years. Talks about platformers over history, manages to not say the word "Nintendo" while absolutely talking about and paying tribute to Nintendo.

...and that's it! It's over. For a 10th anniversary show, it really felt like it, huh? Also: please let The Muppets roast Geoff every year.

This year, the PC Gaming Show Most Wanted takes place on December 5 at 12pm PST / 3pm EST / 8pm GMT / 9pm CET. You're spoiled for choice where to watch it, too, as you can tune into Twitch, YouTube, and more at the links provided. Dedicated streams with localized subtitles like Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and more will also be provided.

The PC Gaming Show Most Wanted is presented by regular host Frankie Ward and narrated by Baldur's Gate 3's Amelia Tyler. Expect new trailers, announcements, and behind-the-scenes visits to various studios across the globe. 

Highlights include a quick-fire question-and-answer session from Avowed game director Carrie Patel, more on sci-fi RPG Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, and much more, like another look at Killing Floor 3, The Thing: Remastered, and BioWare veteran Mike Laidlaw's next game Eternal Strands.

And then you've got the "Most Wanted" part, naturally. A group known as "The Council," which includes over 80 industry luminaries and content creators, is voting to decide what 25 PC games are worth your attention next year. On said council, you've got a range of well-known industry devs like Doom's John Romero, Fallout and Wasteland veteran Brian Fargo, and many more.

Who knows, maybe some of what you'll see will join our best PC games list in the not-so-distant future.

Cyber Monday gaming deals are still going strong, although we're now in the final couple of hours of the sale, so if there's something that catches your eye, you'd do well to consider pulling the trigger before it's too late.

We've been tracking incredible gaming deals across every platform - which means that whether you're looking for a bargain on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5 or Xbox Series X, we've got something for you below.

If you somehow missed it, 2024's Cyber Monday gaming deals begin today (December 2) and will likely carry over into the following week to some degree. The best offers are likely to only be available on Cyber Monday itself, but plenty of others should stick around.

Regardless, we're here to bring you the best offers as they surface. The GamesRadar+ team and I have been reporting on these events for years now, and even though Cyber Monday often isn't quite to the same scale as Black Friday gaming deals the weekend before, it still provides some of the best prices of the year. It's always worth a solid perusal, just in case.

Now that it's Cyber Monday, we've gathered some of the better deals that are already available. Some of these deals will likely stick around for a few days after the big event, though we'd still suggest pulling the trigger on anything that's really caught your eye.

Quick links

• Amazon: record-low headset prices
• Best Buy: accessories from $4.99
• Dell: up to $1,000 off Alienware
• Newegg: up to 54% off components
• Walmart: games from $8.95

UK

• Amazon: games from £13.96
• Argos: Switch bundles in stock
• Currys: £50 off PS5
• Very: up to 30% off tech and gaming

Today's best Cyber Monday gaming deals

PS5 deals

Nintendo deals

Xbox deals

Cyber Monday gaming deals FAQ

Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday cheaper?

Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday are cheap, as retailers often run pretty much the same deals for both events. However, there's far more choice available on Black Friday - stock hasn't run out yet and retailers are attempting to compete in a much more cutthroat arena. The sale is far more popular, which means flash sales, bundle offers, and extra gift card temptations will be more widespread. That tends to make Black Friday the cheaper sale overall, even if many prices stay the same over Cyber Monday.

Are games discounted on Cyber Monday?

Video games themselves rule the roost on Cyber Monday. This is where you'll find the majority of download discounts and even some record low prices on physical copies as well. We've seen this time and time again, so while we don't recommend waiting past a record low price on a new release over Black Friday, you're likely going to have plenty to choose from if you do miss out on the main event.

Do consoles go on sale on Cyber Monday?

Consoles are a little trickier to predict than games. After all, this is the first year we're heading into Cyber Monday gaming deals with both the PS5 and Xbox Series X having already dropped to record low prices in the past. We would expect these consoles to go on sale for Black Friday, but we anticipate stock might not hold out for Cyber Monday.

What to expect from Cyber Monday gaming deals

Cyber Monday can be a something of a whirlwind because everyone's rushing to secure the fast-evaporating deals left over from Black Friday. With that in mind, having an idea of what's to come will help give you an edge over the competition. Here's what we've found in our years covering the event:

We're also rounding up all the Cyber Monday gaming PC deals and Cyber Monday Meta Quest deals we expect to see, as well as everything we can anticipate from Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals as well.

Gift cards don't get deals too often but thanks to Cyber Monday you can now get 15% off Roblox ones right in time for the holiday season. If, like me, you want to sneak some Robux into a family member's card or stocking, you can now grab a $50 gift card for just $42.50 at Amazon, saving you $7.50 in the process, and the deals continue for the $75 and $100 cards too.

Don't expect to receive a small plastic card in the post if you pick up some of these discounted gift cards. Unlike the best Cyber Monday gaming deals, there's no physical element to be found here. Once purchased you'll receive a pin code in your inbox, which can be redeemed on the Roblox website. If you still want to personalize this on Christmas day, I recommend writing the redeemable code in a card, or even adding it to their account in secret on the big day.

How to redeem Amazon Robox gift cards

If you pick up any of these gift cards, you'll need to redeem them before you can go on a Roblox spending spree. Luckily the process is pretty simple, and I'm here to tell you how. (Feel free to share this valuable knowledge if you're gifting any of these gift cards to a loved one. I promise I won't take any credit so you can take all the glory for yourself.)

• Receive your Robox gift card PIN code
• Visit the Roblox website at Roblox.com/redeem
• Enter your pin on the website
• Click 'Redeem' to add Robux to your account

Check out our best Cyber Monday deals hub, where we've gathered all the best discounts on console bundles, brand-new games, controllers, and accessories, but be fast, as these deals won't be around for much longer.

The Golden Joystick Awards 2024 will kick off on Thursday, November 21, at 8am PST / 11am EST / 4pm GMT / 5pm CEST. You can watch the showcase on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Steam, and more.

Watch the Golden Joystick Awards LIVE below

This year, over 125 games, studios, hardware, and TV shows are represented across 21 categories, with the winners decided by the public, such as Ultimate Game of the Year, Most Wanted, Best Gaming Hardware presented by EE Game Store, and Studio of the Year. Then you've got three categories decided by an expert panel of journalists and content creators: the Streamer's Choice Award, Breakthrough Award, and Critics' Choice.

There are also new awards to reflect the times, such as Still Playing - PC & Console and Still Playing - Mobile. You can also vote for the Best Game Adaption, which honors the best game adaptation to the silver screen that year.

So far, Astro Bot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth lead the shortlist with six nominations each, followed by Helldivers 2 with five nominations and Balatro with four nods.

As for who is presenting this year, Final Fantasy 16 Clive Rosfield actor Ben Starr is hosting, though you'll also see plenty of familiar faces such as Baldur's Gate 3 stars Neil Newbon and Samantha Béart and much much more. 

To break up the action, you've also got video game composers Lucia La Rezza and Mark Choi, who will perform music from several games featured in the award categories alongside some classics for good measure.

You can see all the Golden Joysticks 2024 award categories and nominees here.

Leading the field with seven nominations apiece are PlayStation exclusives Astro Bot and FF7 Rebirth, narrowly ahead of Metaphor: ReFantazio with six nominations. Those three games are up for the big Game of the Year award, joined by Black Myth: Wukong, Balatro, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

The Game Awards have been around for a while now, though this year's nominees were always going to be a bit different. That's because, per the website FAQ page, "expansion packs, new game seasons, DLCs, remakes, and remasters" are eligible for a judge's consideration. Shadow of the Erdtree's position in the main GOTY award is testament to that, as are Silent Hill 2's various nods across the categories.

"The Game Awards aims to recognize the best creative and technical work each year, irrespective of the format of that content's release," the website reads. "Expansion packs, new game seasons, DLCs, remakes, and remasters are eligible in all categories, if the jury deems the new creative and technical work to be worthy of a nomination. Factors such as the newness of the content and its price/value should be taken into consideration."

The call makes enough sense, especially in a year where the likes of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Silent Hill 2 Remake have landed to critical acclaim. How many awards will either snag? You have just under a month to find out who will win what. The Game Awards kick off on December 12 and will be available to watch on YouTube and Twitch.

The Game Awards 2024 nominees

• Game of the Year
  • Astro Bot
  • Balatro
  • Black Myth: Wukong
  • Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Best Game Direction
  • Astro Bot
  • Balatro
  • Black Myth: Wukong
  • Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Best Action/Adventure Game
  • Astro Bot
  • Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
  • Silent Hill 2
  • Star Wars Outlaws
  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• Best Role-Playing Game
  • Dragon's Dogma 2
  • Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Best Fighting Game
  • Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
  • Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
  • Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
  • MultiVersus
  • Tekken 8
• Best Action Game
  • Black Myth: Wukong
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  • Helldivers 2
  • Stellar Blade
  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
• Innovation in Accessibility
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  • Diablo 4
  • Dragon Age: The Veilguard
  • Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
  • Star Wars Outlaws
• Best Family Game
  • Astro Bot
  • Princess Peach Showtime!
  • Super Mario Party Jamboree
  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
  • The Plucky Squire
• Best Sim/Strategy Game
  • Age of Mythology Retold
  • Frostpunk 2
  • Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
  • Manor Lords
  • Unicorn Overlord
• Best Sports/Racing Game
  • F1 24
  • EA Sports FC 25
  • NBA 2K25
  • TopSpin 2K25
  • WWE 2K24
• Best Ongoing Game
  • Destiny 2
  • Diablo 4
  • Final Fantasy 14
  • Fortnite
  • Helldivers 2
• Best Performance
  • Briana White (Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth)
  • Hannah Telle (Life is Strange: Double Exposure)
  • Humberly González (Star Wars Outlaws)
  • Luke Roberts (Silent Hill 2)
  • Melina Juergens (Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2)
• Best mobile game
  • AFK Journey
  • Balatro
  • Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
  • Wuthering Waves
  • Zenless Zone Zero
• Best Art Direction
  • Astro Bot
  • Black Myth Wukong
  • Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio
  • Neva
• Best Score & Music
  • Astro Bot
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio
  • Silent Hill 2
  • Stellar Blade
• Best Audio Design
  • Astro Bot
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
  • Silent Hill 2
• Best Adaptation
  • Arcane: League of Legends
  • Fallout
  • Knuckles
  • Like a Dragon: Yakuza
  • Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
• Best Narrative
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio
  • Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
  • Silent Hill 2
• Games for Impact
  • Closer the Distance
  • Indika
  • Neva
  • Life is Strange: Double Exposure
  • Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
  • Tales of Kenzera: Zau
• Best Community Support
  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • Final Fantasy 14
  • Fortnite
  • Helldivers 2
  • No Man's Sky
• Best Multiplayer
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  • Helldivers 2
  • Super Mario Party Jamboree
  • Tekken 8
  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
• Best Independent Game
  • Animal Well
  • Balatro
  • Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
  • Neva
  • UFO 50
• Best Debut Indie Game
  • Animal Well
  • Balatro
  • Manor Lords
  • Pacific Drive
  • The Plucky Squire
• Best VR/AR Game
  • Arizona Sunshine Remake
  • Asgard's Wrath 2
  • Batman: Arkham Shadow
  • Metal Hellsinger VR
  • Metro Awakening VR
• Content Creator of the Year
  • CaseOh
  • IlloJuan
  • Techno Gamerz
  • Typical Gamer
  • Usada Pekora
• Most Anticipated
  • Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
  • Ghost of Yotei
  • Grand Theft Auto 6
  • Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
  • Monster Hunter Wilds
• Best Esports Game
  • Counter-Strike 2
  • Dota 2
  • League of Legends
  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
  • Valorant
• Best Esports Athlete
  • 33
  • Aleksib
  • Chovy
  • Faker
  • ZywOo
  • ZmjjKK
• Best Esports Team
  • Bilibili Gaming (League of Legends)
  • Gen.G (League of Legends)
  • Navi (Counter-Strike)
  • T1 (League of Legends)
  • Team Liquid (Dota 2)

The best games I've played in 2024 did not come out in 2024 – this is your sign to tend to that backlog.

Thanks to JorRaptor on Twitter, we know that Guerrilla is hiring a release QA intern. This role requires someone with "both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to ensure the game is prepared for launch." The candidate must also be "Available for an Internship during the first half of 2025," meaning a game would likely come out in the latter half of the year.

Before you rush off to apply, this job is only open to people "Currently enrolled in a Dutch school within a relevant field of study." In the true spirit of an internship, it seems aimed at young people with a passion for the industry.

The internship could focus on the rumored Horizon MMO being worked on by NCSoft. According to a report from South Korean outlet MTN, Sony and NCSoft have teamed up to work on an untitled game known as Project H.

There's also a chance the job opening at Guerrilla is for its own internal multiplayer Horizon game. Rather than a sequel or just a third single-player entry, Bloomberg's Jason Schrier says, "Horizon Online is their next product."

Guerrilla Games studio director Jan-Bart van Beek has spoken about the series of the future before, saying, "As people probably already know, we're also going to be working on a multiplayer game."

It's unclear whether Guerrilla and NCSoft are working together on one multiplayer Horizon game or if both studios are building different projects. Sony has repeatedly said it plans to go all-in on live-service games, but it might risk spreading Horizon too thin if players have to split their time. It's more likely NCSoft is being brought on for a mobile version of a game or Guerrilla is supportting it in a full MMO.

If you want to play with a friend, check out our list of the best co-op games of all time.

For $100, you too can be the proud owner of an admittedly adorable little interactive clock. Its whole deal, it seems, is making waking up "fun" by waking you up with sounds and noises from different Nintendo games, which will respond to your movements as you wake up, and give you a victory fanfare when you eventually get out of bed. 

It does this using a motion sensor, which producer Yosuke Tamori clarifies in an 'Ask the Developer' interview "maintains privacy since it doesn't use a camera." Product director Tetsuya Akama adds that it's a radio-wave sensor that "can recognize very subtle movements" without the need to film any video. Even so, the device will be watching out for your movements – a promotional video shows that more sounds will play during your alarm when you start moving, and that it'll stop itself once you leave your bed. 

Otherwise, Alarmo offers hourly chimes to play throughout the day, as well as sleep tracking records, and soothing sounds to sleep to. At launch, there'll be 35 different themed scenes to choose from, from games like Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and somewhat amusingly, free updates for the clock have already been announced, so you'll be able to download more (including from Animal Crossing: New Horizons) as they become available. There are no actual games included, nor a reward system, as Akama suggests that "once the rewards stop, you may lose your motivation to wake up."

It's a cute idea, although quite an expensive one, and one that won't work exactly as intended if you have more than one person in a bed – its product page suggests using the 'Button Mode' in this case, which'll basically make it function like a regular alarm clock. From now until mid January next year, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers in the US and Canada can buy the clock before it becomes available to the general public.

Be sure to check out our list of upcoming Switch games for 2024 and beyond to see what games are on the horizon, or our roundup of the best Switch games you can play now. 

We've been sifting through the multitude of deals for the bargains you've been dreaming of. Whether you're after PS5 games, rare Nintendo Switch first-party discounts, PC peripherals or a new Xbox controller, we've got only the best and most worthwhile offers listed below. We've been following all these events for years now, and we watch bundle, accessory, and game prices all year round. That means we can spot the deals that need your attention.

Keep in mind that Amazon Prime Day usually requires an Amazon Prime subscription to make the most of the best deals. If you're not already a member, you can sign up for a free trial.

Without further ado:

PS5

Xbox

PC

Gaming headsets

FAQ

Voting is now live in 19 categories, including ‘Console Game of the Year,’ ‘PC Game of the Year,’ ‘Best Multiplayer Game,’ and more. If you want to have your say, you've got until Friday, November 1, to make your opinions heard. This year, new categories have been introduced, such as 'Best Soundtrack,' 'Best Audio Design,' and 'Best Indie Game – Self Published,' as we look to celebrate a wider range of releases from 2024. 

Click to vote in the Golden Joystick Awards 2024!

There's plenty to get through, but here are some highlights you might find interesting. Astro Bot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth lead the shortlist with five nominations each, followed by Helldivers 2 with four nominations and Balatro with three nominations. Naturally, Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree made the shortlist, as well as scores of other amazing games. 

If you're wondering where 'Ultimate Game of the Year' is, don't worry. That shortlist will go live on Monday, November 4, with voting in that category opening the same day. The winners for all the categories will be revealed in a star-studded award ceremony in central London and live-streamed globally on Thursday, November 21, 2024. 

You can check out the full Golden Joystick Awards 2024 categories and shortlists below, and then be sure to head over to the official page to cast your votes. It's well worth doing – not only will you make your voice heard in the world's longest-running public-voted games awards show, but you'll also be able to claim a free gaming ebook created by our friends here at Future. 

Golden Joystick Awards 2024 nominations

Best Storytelling

• 1000xResist
• Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
• Tactical Breach Wizards

Best Multiplayer Game

• Abiotic Factor
• EA Sports College Football 25
• Helldivers 2 
• Sons Of The Forest
• Tekken 8
• The Finals

Best Visual Design

• Astro Bot
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Harold Halibut
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Best Indie Game

• Animal Well
• Arco
• Balatro
• Beyond Galaxyland
• Conscript
• Indika
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
• Thank Goodness You’re Here!
• The Plucky Squire
• Ultros

Best Indie Game - Self Published

• Arctic Eggs
• Another Crab’s Treasure
• Crow Country
• Duck Detective: The Secret Salami
• I Am Your Beast
• Little Kitty, Big City 
• Riven
• Tactical Breach Wizards
• Tiny Glade
• UFO 50

Still Playing Award - PC and Console

• Apex Legends
• Counter-Strike 2
• EA Sports FC 
• Dota 2
• Fortnite
• GTA Online
• Minecraft
• Naraka: Bladepoint
• Roblox
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
• Valorant
• Warframe

Still Playing Award - Mobile

• Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile
• Free Fire
• Honkai: Star Rail
• Roblox
• Marvel Snap
• Monopoly Go!
• Mini Motorways
• PUBG: Battlegrounds
• Squad Busters
• Star Wars: Hunters
• Subway Surfers
• The Sims Mobile

Studio of the Year

• 11 Bit Studios
• Arrowhead Game Studios
• Capcom 
• Digital Eclipse
• Team ASOBI
• Visual Concepts

Best Game Expansion

• Alan Wake 2 Expansion Pass
• Destiny 2: The Final Shape
• Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
• Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
• God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla
• World of Warcraft: The War Within

Best Audio Design

• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Robobeat
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
• Star Wars Outlaws
• Still Wakes the Deep

Best Soundtrack

• A Highland Song
• Astro Bot
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Hauntii
• Silent Hill 2 
• Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance 

Best Lead Performer

• Cody Christian as Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Kaiji Tang as Ichiban Kasuga in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Humberly Gonzalez as Kay Vess in Star Wars Outlaws
• Luke Roberts as James Sunderland in Silent Hill 2
• Melina Juergens as Senua in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
• Sonequa Martin-Green as Alvilda in Asgard’s Wrath 2

Best Supporting Performer

• Abbi Greenland & Helen Goalen as The Furies in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
• Briana White as Aerith Gainsborough in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Dawn M. Bennett as Aigis in Persona 3 Reload
• Debra Wilson as Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad
• Matt Berry as Herbert in Thank Goodness You’re Here!
• Neve McIntosh as Suze in Still Wakes the Deep

PC Game of the Year

• Animal Well
• Balatro
• Frostpunk 2
• Satisfactory
• Tactical Breach Wizards
• UFO 50

Console Game of the Year

• Astro Bot
• Dragon’s Dogma 2
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Helldivers 2
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Best Early Access Game

• Enshrouded
• Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
• Hades 2
• Manor Lords
• Lethal Company
• Palworld

Best Gaming Hardware

• Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
• Backbone One (2nd Gen)
• LG UltraGear 32GS95UE
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
• Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra
• Steam Deck OLED

Best Game Trailer

• Caravan Sandwitch - Launch Trailer
• Death Stranding 2 On The Beach - State of Play Announce Trailer
• Helldivers 2 - “The Fight for Freedom Begins” Launch Trailer
• Kingmakers - Official Announcement Trailer
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VII - Narrator Reveal Trailer
• The Plucky Squire - Launch Trailer

Most Wanted Game

• Atomfall
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Deadlock
• Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• Exodus
• Fable
• Ghost of Yotei
• Grand Theft Auto VI
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Light No Fire
• Mafia: The Old Country
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• Skate.
• Slay the Spire 2
• South of Midnight

Additional category winners – including 'Breakthrough Award' and 'Critics Choice Award' will be selected by a panel of journalists from brands including gamesradar.com, pcgamer.com, FGS, Edge magazine and Retro Gamer, plus Future’s trusted network of freelance writers. These winners will be revealed on the night. 

"It's common for publishers to reassess their participation in events like Gamescom each year," one of the events directors, Tim Endres, tells GamesRadar+ before this year's event kicked off. "Nintendo's and Sony's absence isn't a negative sign. Nintendo participated in the first edition of Gamescom Latam this year, showcasing its ongoing engagement with Gamescom. Also, they returned in 2023 after a four-year hiatus, and 2K, as well as EA, are coming back in 2024, too.

"So, a company not being present doesn't mean they will never join again. It might just not fit their current marketing or release plan."

Touching on Gamescom Latam, the trade show has recently expanded beyond Germany into Latin America and Asia. While the lingering effects of COVID-19 have partly caused some other events like E3 to close their doors, one of Gamescom's directors, Stefan Heikhaus, tells us that expansion makes sense regardless as it strengthens the brand by ensuring a grander reach.

"We've identified Latin America and Asia as two particularly exciting regions for the gaming industry," Heikhaus says. "These markets are crucial for many of our exhibitors, and we're committed to supporting them as they expand into these areas.

"Our events in these regions not only help strengthen the Gamescom brand but also reinforce the significance of the event in the global market. Gamescom now extends over several months and spans various locations around the world."

A greater presence on the yearly calendar thanks to multiple shows and other additions like Opening Night Live means Gamescom looks bigger and different than it did 10 years ago, though the next decade could make the show just as unrecognizable. For the organizers behind Gamescom, though, the ambition remains to adapt and grow.

"Nobody can say at the moment what Gamescom will look like in 10 or even more years; the games industry is simply developing too quickly and dynamically for that," Heikhaus says. "But our ambition will remain the same: We want to continuously develop Gamescom further so that it is as responsive as possible to these dynamic developments and is the best possible event for both the games industry and the community.

"The basis for the success of Gamescom is this adaptability and the many different offers for all target groups in the games world. We work on this year after year and will continue to do so in the future."

Check out our new games in 2024 feature to see some of the games we saw at Gamescom last month.

We've been tracking Black Friday gaming deals for years now, and we watch for PS5 deals, Xbox Series X deals and Nintendo Switch deals all year round. That means we've picked up a thing or two about the year's biggest sale season, and we're using all that intel to make sure we highlight only the most notable bargains.

We're rounding up a large variety of PS5, Xbox, Nintendo and PC gaming discounts in our dedicated Australian Cyber Monday gaming deals hub. Just want the best of the best? Here's our top six Black Friday gaming deals that are still on offer.

6 best Black Friday gaming deals still available

• For stacks more Cyber Weekend deals, visit our Best Cyber Monday gaming deals hub

Black Friday gaming deals - what to expect

While video game deals themselves get plenty of airtime, accessories receive the lion's share. Headsets, hard drives, and more are typically cut by huge amounts during the sale, and that makes it the best time to grab any peripherals you've had your eye on.

The best offers often feature subscription services like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass, though. These always seem to get money off toward the end of November (as was the case again in 2023), and it's a great opportunity to renew your membership - or start a new one - ahead of the new year.

We've listed a few specifics based on platform below.

Nintendo

This could be a big one. While we've accepted now that we likely won't have a Nintendo Switch 2 until 2025, this could be the original model's final hurrah. That's not to say the standard, OLED, and Lite consoles won't stick around once the new release hits the shelves, but this is the last year they'll be top dogs. That means we could see a little extra wiggle room on the RRP itself.

2024 has been a pretty average year for Nintendo Switch console bargains, but you'll usually find both the OLED and vanilla models for less than the RRP in Australia. We're hoping to see more dramatic discounts (something like AU$450 for the OLED model would make us happy) but for the most part, it'll be software and accessories that'll get the more substantial cuts.

PS5

2024 was an excellent year for PS5 deals in general. Not only is stock no longer an issue, but we saw the very first price cuts ever on the full console over the summer and two day-one bundles on the new PS5 Slim over Black Friday. Straight discounts didn't hit during the event itself, but that could change this year. After all, we've got the PS5 Pro to contend with on November 7 - a particularly impressive mid-cycle refresh. No, we're not expecting that $699.99 price tag to waver on Black Friday itself, but we could be in with a shot at some bundle deals. Instead, the PS5 Slim could well drop to its own record-lows again, having previously been spotted at AU$650 this year so far.

If you have any gaps in your game library from the past year or so, Black Friday PS5 deals offer you a chance to catch up. Everything from hot new releases to old favorites are discounted throughout the event, but it's well worth keeping a close eye on games released in the first half of the year for the biggest savings. Last year Hogwarts Legacy, Dead Island, Final Fantasy XVI, and Resident Evil 4 Remake all saw record low prices for the first time during Black Friday gaming deals. Of course, the usual classics are generally discounted during this time as well.

Of course, if your library's all stocked up there are plenty of PS5 accessories to refresh your setup. The DualSense controller is likely to be a front runner this year, after enjoying low prices of AU$79 throughout 2024. We're expecting costs to settle back to this position come November as well. However, if you're after something a little out of the box we'd also recommend keeping a close eye on the Victrix Pro BFG. Our favorite PS5 controller of the lot, it's already cheaper than the DualSense Edge and could be primed for its first major discounts this Black Friday.

Xbox

We also saw the Xbox Series X take its own price cuts over the course of last year with AU$50 off the console. Discounts haven't been as abundant in 2024, but we're hoping for prices to hit around AU$699 during Black Friday, though the Xbox Series X tends to receive fewer discounts compared to its stablemate the Xbox Series S.

If you're already set for a console, though, we tend to see both first-party and third-party Xbox games go for very cheap during Black Friday. More reliable is the Xbox controller, which you can usually nab for AU$69 during big sale events.

PC

It's all about hardware for PC gamers. Keyboards, mice, headsets, and mics from across the spectrum get massive reductions of up to 60% or more, while prebuilt rigs also drop a few hundred dollars on the regular. In much the same way, laptops are worthy contenders for a saving. These machines receive some of the most noteworthy discounts of Black Friday, and those reductions are available everywhere from Amazon to Newegg. Considering the high price of the top gaming laptops to start with, Black Friday is the perfect opportunity to buy them as a result.

Black Friday gaming deals - FAQ

The Black Friday gaming deals aren't going to be the only good offers for the rest of the year: make sure you check out our regularly updated best gaming deals in Australia page.

The Mobile Gaming Show, presented by Future Games Show, was a fun look at what's best and what's next in mobile gaming. Our perception of gaming on the go continues to evolve, and this 30 minute showcase is a fantastic reflection of that. Anyway, keep scrolling to find everything announced in the Mobile Gaming Show. 

EVE Galaxy Conquest

Developer CCP Games showcased a gorgeous cinematic trailer confirming that EVE Galaxy Conquest is set to release for Android and iOS devices on October 29, 2024. This brand new free-to-play strategy game is set to take the player-driver action that made Eve Online so legendary and shift it onto mobile devices, ensuring that you're never never too far from connecting with New Eden. Pre-registration is open now, so get in early and earn some rewards. 

Warframe mobile

Warframe has gone from strength-to-strength since its launch in 2013, with the beloved MMO finally landing on iOS earlier this year. Digital Extremes joined the Mobile Gaming Show to share an updated look at the game in action, showcasing the parity the studio is striving for between platforms – key, given that there's full crossplay and cross-save support here. The studio also announced that Warframe 1999 will land for Warframe mobile as a free update this winter, a new campaign questline which will star MGS host Ben Starr!

Age of Empires Mobile

Viewers of the Mobile Gaming Show were treated to a brand new look at Age of Empires Mobile. Developer TiMi Studio Group was on-hand to provide some additional context for this ambitious undertaking, with senior game designer Peter Hu promising that the "building, gathering, expanding, and battling" elements that helped make the series so iconic will be kept intact for this pocket-sized tactical venture. The game is set to launch on October 17 on Android and iOS, and pre-registration is now open. 

Songs of Conquest

Following its successful launch on PC and console, Songs of Conquest is coming to mobile in early 2025. Developers from Lavapotion were on hand to share a new look at the turn-based strategy experience on the platform – which, if you are yet to sample it, is heavily inspired by '90s classics like Heroes of Might and Magic 3. Everything we're seeing of the conversion is exceptionally promising and we're keen to see more of it, it looks a perfect fit for smaller pick-up-and-play sessions. 

Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Following its launch onto Apple Arcade in 2023, this delightful cozy adventure has been absolutely swallowing spare time for the staff here at GamesRadar+. Well, there's no chance of us walking away from Hello Kitty Island Adventure anytime soon, with its appearance in the Mobile Gaming Show acting as a dangerous reminder that the newly released 2.0 update adds new events, characters, and a City Town region.

Monument Valley

When UsTwo launched Monument Valley in 2014, the studio established itself as one of the most important developers working in the mobile space. From Assemble with Care to Alba: A Wildlife Adventure and beyond, UsTwo has constantly pushed boundaries. The team is hard at work on Monument Valley 3 right now, which is set to land later this year, and joined the Mobile Gaming Show to talk through the philosophy which guides its approach to making absorbing, imaginative mobile experiences. 

Dunk City Dynasty

An exceptionally energetic trailer for Dunk City Dynasty hit the Mobile Gaming Show, a fresh look at the first streetball Mobile game officially licensed by the NBPA. It's free-to-play, offering up 3v3 streetball where you can take control of some of the most famous faces from basketball. This new offering from NetEase Games is hitting iOS and Android devices in 2025, and you can pre-register now to ensure you don't miss a beat. 

Dungeon Clawler

Dungeon Clawler had one of the most chaotic trailers in the Mobile Gaming Show and you love to see. Offering up a hybrid of roguelike systems, claw machine action, and in-depth deckbuilding, Dungeon Clawler is now on its way for mobile. While developer Stray Fawn is yet to announce a release date, you can head over to dungeonclawler.com/mobile to sign up for a beta to try it for yourself. 

Gordian Quest

A roguelite, party-based, deck-building RPG? Gordian Quest is saying all the right things as this Ultima-inspired experience finally makes its way to mobile devices. Following a successful PC release in 2022. The Mobile Gaming Show was graced with a new trailer, promising that the title will launch on iOS and Android this winter. 

Blasphemous

When Blasphemous landed in 2019, the metroidvania was an indie hit – with players falling in love with its atmospheric style and challenging combat. Five years later, developer The Game Kitchen has answered our prayers with news that the game is coming to mobile devices! With support for touch-controls of a gamepad and the inclusion of all DLCs from day one, Blasphemous is sure to be one of those mobile games that decimates your spare time. It's coming to iOS and Android soon, and you can pre-order it now.   

Cassette Beasts 

Cassette Beasts was one of Gamesradar's favorite indie games of last year. It's an exceptionally fun adventure where you collect these rad little monsters and send them out into turn-based battles in a lushly presented open world. If there was any complaint, it's that you had to put the controller down eventually. Well, Bytten Studio has announced that Cassette Beasts is coming soon to iOS and Android, so that problem is about to be solved!

If you'd like to relive our reactions you are more than welcome to, or you can go ahead and check out our more condensed rundown of the biggest announcements and the reveals we guarantee your friends will be talking about tomorrow. However you want to get caught up, I think it's safe to say that's there's some pretty great upcoming PS5 games on the way. 

State of Play September 2024 recap begins below

Hello there, and welcome to the GamesRadar+ live coverage of the PS5 State of Play for September 2024.

With little under four hours to go before the anticipated PlayStation stream kicks off, I'm going to be running you through key predictions and getting you up-to-speed on everything you need to know!

While we always need to take any PlayStation State of Play leaks with a grain of salt – I promise you right now that every single list that's floating around on social media right now is false – this one is confirmed: Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered. 

The legendary Soul Reaver series is set to make a return on December 10, and will be available for digital download on PS5 and PS4. This doesn't replace my burning desire for a full series reboot, but it will be fun to return to this world with remastered graphics and key quality-of-life improvements.

In fact, if you're looking for a little more information on Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered I've got you covered. (And by "I've got you covered" I actually mean "Dustin Bailey has got you covered" as he's written a lovely news story covering the leaked announcement in greater detail. 

There were rumors coming into State of Play that we should expect a remaster announcement, and I do wonder whether Soul Reaver is it. Sony is currently kicking off its 30th anniversary celebrations though, so there's plenty that could make a splash from the back catalog.  

If you put me on the spot for a wishlist, it might look something like this: 

1. Killzone Shadow Fall remastered
2. Folklore remastered
3. Infamous Second Son remastered
4. The Last Guardian Remastered
5. Knack remastered Bloodborne Remastered

Naturally, there are plenty of remaster rumors out there right now. The most popular seem to surround Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) and Days Gone (2019). Now, on the one hand, these titles are technically playable on PS5 already through backwards compatibility and do still play exceptionally well – Guerrilla Games and Bend Studio make excellent games – so perhaps remasters are premature. 

Then again, I do understand the desire on Sony's part to bring these franchises forward – ensuring that players new to the platform are able to connect with these excellent experiences in the best way possible. If I had to pick one over the other, I think I'd lean towards Days Gone; Bend Studio has been exceptionally quiet since 2019, and if a remaster affords the team some additional time to deliver whatever it's working on next then that's fine by me. 

The Horizon Zero Dawn remaster does seem exceptionally likely though. It was discovered on September 19 that the rumored game has been ESRB rated for PC and PS5 (a listing which was later pulled offline). As for Days Gone, it could just be wishful thinking – a lot of people loved Deacon St. John's cameo in the exceptional Astro Bot, after all. 

In fact, speaking of the best PS5 game of 2024 so far: If you're still deciding whether you should buy it or not, perhaps our five-star Astro Bot review will help. 

A buddy just text me to say that, after almost 12 months of me banging on about how incredible Alan Wake 2 is, they have finally picked it up. I'm not telling you to emphasise the point that peer pressure works, but rather because it reminded me that the second DLC expansion is due to launch in October.

Alan Wake 2: Lake House will apparently explore the mysterious FBC facility situated on the shores of Cauldron Lake, which is currently locked behind an inaccessible area. I actually think it's quite likely that we'll get a first look at the expansion here at State of Play. So this is my first bold State of Play prediction: Lake House will get a firm release date, and a trailer which shows Alan Wake / Saga Anderson connecting with Jesse Faden through the veil. 

Will Death Stranding 2: On the Beach appear in the PS5 State of Play? The highly anticipated platform exclusive is currently scheduled to land in 2025, but Kojima Productions is yet to put a firm date on it yet. Here's my second State of Play prediction for the night: Death Stranding 2 will get a Q2 release date here tonight, which should keep it well clear of GTA 6 hitting in the fall. 

I'll tell you why I believe Death Stranding 2 will have a big showing, and it has everything to do with the Tokyo Game Show. Hideo Kojima was set to deliver a 60-minute 'PlayStation Presents Death Stranding 2: Special Stage!!' presentation on September 29 at the event, but this has recently been increased to 90 minutes. It could signal that there's going to be plenty to talk about this week… or maybe Kojima wants to just have a longer conversation with some of the cast, who knows!

The PlayStation State of Play will air in under 60 minutes! Which means we've still got plenty of time to talk about the, you know, state of play for Sony heading into the final stretch of 2024.

I know I said earlier that I was pretty confident we'd get a Death Stranding 2 release date tonight, but I'm already wishing I could backtrack on my bold prediction there. It's way more likely that we'll see Lego Horizon Adventures... which is apparently due for release later this year. 

I hope the game does land in the weeks ahead, because everything we played of it out at Summer Game Fest was rather delightful. 

I would think that almost everything shown during this PlayStation State of Play will come equipped with a PS5 Pro label. The PS5 Pro pre-orders go live on Thursday and, given the exceptional price of entry ($699.99 / £699.99) I personally believe that Sony still has a lot of work to do to really sell the benefits of this more powerful console. Expect a lot of talk about framerates and performance settings throughout this broadcast, and a lot of rather dazzling particle effects. 

Looking for more on the system? We've got a list of the confirmed PS5 Pro enhanced games, and the specs compared between PS5 and PS5 Pro. 

Realistically through, it's going to take a new first-party release from PlayStation Studios to really push this system – and that could be a long time coming. I'm keen to see what the likes of Guerrilla Games, Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Sucker Punch, and Sony Santa Monica can do with this thing... but it appears that new titles from these teams are still a long way off. 

It's probably worth emphasising that PS VR 2 has a role to play in today's showcase. I have to say that I've been pretty underwhelmed with the system from what time I've had with it since its release in 2023 – in spite of all its promise, and the exceptionally talented developers working behind the scenes to deliver fantastic virtual reality experiences. At this stage, I don't know what's going to draw me back into the platform though... 

Okay, I do know. It's Half Life: Alyx. Just let us have this one Valve. PlayStation started putting its first-party games out on Steam. It's time to return the favor. 

We are now 20 minutes out, so fair warning for all of you: If PlayStation announces any of the following I will be the most insufferable boy on Planet Earth. 

1. SOCOM 2 remastered (with full online support)
2. A new Warhawk game, because why not.
3. The return of Eye of Judgment
4. Killzone, in any capacity

I know it's more likely that Sony announces it has acquired Xbox than any of those becoming a reality right now, but it's fun to dream. 

The pre-roll has officially begun. You've got fewer than 10 minutes to grab a drink, run to the bathroom, and get yourself ready for what I imagine will be a fairly breakneck showcase. 

Watch the PS5 State of Play here

Oh, and if you're reading this while at work... don't worry, I'll keep you updated with all of the biggest PS5 news out of this thing!

The PlayStation State of Play is officially underway! Good luck, everyone – and may your wildest predictions come true. 

Sony is kicking things off with a delightful PlayStation Studios sting, featuring adorable 10 adorable new bots – including Helldivers figures! There's a free DLC landing later this year, which also includes five all new speedrunning levels. It looks rad. 

There's a pretty awesome horror game up next from Moon Hood Studios. It's entirely handmade with clay, and coming to PS5 and PS VR 2. Details are still light on the ground for The Midnight Walk, but Sony says we should anticipate more details later this year. 

Hell Is Us just showed up. Looks pretty interesting – 3rd-person action-adventure game that focuses on exploration. I'm still keen to see more of this one, although I do like the idea of getting lost in that semi-open world. 

Okay, so it's not Half-Life Alyx, but it might be the next best thing! A brand new look at Metro Awakening, which has just received a release date for PS VR – coming November 8, 2024. Listen, I love me some Metro so I'll happily take what I can get. It looks proper lovely. 

Metro Awakening has been followed by a new look at Archeage Chronicles, a longstanding MMO franchise which is heading in a new action-RPG direction – still need more details on that one. 

Never let a good controversy keep you down! Even with Nintendo challenging the studio over its similarities to Pokemon, Palworld is out right now on PS5! 

We're getting some quickfire updates now: 

1. Fantasian Neo Dimension is coming December 5 for PS5
2. Lunar Remastered Collection coming to PS5 and PS4 in Spring 2025
3. TMNT: Shredder's Revenge DLC is out later today
4. Sonic X Shadows Generations is getting a Sonic The Hedgehog 3 movie pack on December 12.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is up now, a new extended look at the game in action. BioWare is really pushing this new PS5 RPG ahead of its release on October 31, 2024. 

I have to admit, I'm really coming around on this new Dragon Age game. The shift towards action-RPG combat models looks pretty stunning, and I'm continually impressed by the visual direction BioWare is driving towards. 

GamesRadar+ recently unleashed a deep-dive on the game, and you can read all of our impressions over in the Dragon Age: The Veilguard Big Preview coverage hub.

As I predicted earlier! Alan Wake 2: Lake House DLC makes an appearance, taking us inside the Cauldron Lake FBC facility. This is where Remedy will further tangle the worlds of Alan Wake and Control, and I really can't wait to see more on that one. 

The new story expansion will launch this October!

Hitman: World of Assassination is coming to PS VR 2 this December, which is a pretty neat idea! Devil will be in the detail on that one, but keen to get my hands on.

We knew about this one already. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1+2 remastered is coming December 10 and (honestly) looks pretty damn crisp. The news leaked earlier today, but we're still super excited about that one over here. 

The first game from the Blumhouse Games horror initiative – Fear the Spotlight – is coming to PS5 on October 22. Worth keeping an eye on this one, especially if you're a fan of low-poly PS1-style horror games!

Epic Games is bringing a splitscreen mode to Lego Fortnite this October! Always keen for more couch co-op games, so I'm totally here for that one! 

Dynasty Warriors Origins is launching on Jan 17, 2025, for PS5. And yes, it has suitably outrageous scale. 

Okay, Monster Hunter Wilds is now on screen which means it's time to pause and get lost in another lush Capcom world. It's difficult to describe just how good this game is shaping up... if there's anything capable of drawing attention off of GTA 6 in 2025, it may well be this. 

Monster Hunter Wilds is hitting PS5 on February 28, 2025. 

REPEAT

Monster Hunter Wilds is going to release on PS5 on February 28, 2025. 

This is exceptionally good news. 

You can get your pre-order in for Monster Hunter Wilds starting today, which includes a suitably ridiculous Guild Knight Set of armor which opts for style over versatility... which is classic Monster Hunter. 

"Look at those chompers!" Lego Horizon Adventures is potentially closing out this State of Play, and I'm not upset with it. The game is set to launch on November 14, with pre-orders going live on October 3.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is real! 

It's coming to PS5 and PC on October 31, 2024. If you own the original game you'll need to pay a $10 price of entry. Highlights here include a promise of visual fidelity on-par with Horizon Forbidden West, and over 10 hours of re-recorded dialogue. Look I won't lie to you folks, I'll probably play it again. 

I got so distracted with how pretty Horizon Zero Dawn looked that I almost missed the biggest news of the State of Play: Stellar Blade is getting a photo mode and a Nier crossover. Yep, you heard me. 

We're in quick-fire territory now: Dino Crisis and Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain are joining the Classics Catalog soon on PS Plus Premium... look, juice the Dino Crisis numbers and we might get a sequel, you know what to do. 

Oh nice! Last of Us: Part 1 comes to PS Plus Game Catalog on September 26 in celebration of Outbreak day. 

Okay, this is not a drill. Something big is happening...

Ghost of Tsushima 2 has just been announced.

Sucker Punch has completely blown expectations out of the park here. Set 400 years later, Ghost of Tsushima 2 is offering up another utterly stunning world to explore from this early look.

The Ghost of Tsushima 2 title is Ghost of Yotei. And the best news yet, it's coming in 2025. 

Here's the Ghost of Yotei trailer you are no doubt looking for. 

Right, that's it for the State of Play showcase, everybody!

That was a really solid showcase. I'm surprised by how much of it was focused on October, but we did get some nice hits for 2025. I suspect that it's the release date for Monster Hunter Wilds and the announcement of Ghost of Yōtei which reverberate the loudest. 

Actor Ben Starr – best known for his wonderful performance as Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy 16 – will be on hand to guide you through the Mobile Gaming Show. Starr says: "Great news folks! I am hosting the Mobile Gaming Show on September 26 when I will be bringing you exclusive reveals, developer interviews and all the latest news from the world of mobile. Join me then. I can’t wait!" 

The 30 minute broadcast will feature studio visits to some of the best mobile developers and exclusive interviews, new trailers, exciting reveals, and more as we explore the constantly expanding smartphone gaming space. You can watch the Mobile Gaming Show on YouTube, Twitch, X, Facebook, and right here on GamesRadar. 

How to tune into the Mobile Gaming Showcase 2024:

Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Time: 10am PT, 1pm ET, 6pm BST and 7pm CEST
Streaming on: Streaming on YouTube, Twitch, X, Facebook, GamesRadar

As we gear up to the Mobile Gaming Show, GamesRadar+ has launched a dedicated Mobile Gaming Week which is designed to showcase some of the mobile games we can't stop playing, the best titles on Apple and Android, and some of the upcoming games you just can't ignore. We'll be launching new articles all week and collecting the in our dedicated Mobile Gaming Week coverage hub.

Hosted by actor Ben Starr, who turned in an incredible performance as Clive Rosfield in last year's Final Fantasy 16, the debut Mobile Gaming Show presented by Future Games Show will feature exclusive reveals, trailers, developer interviews, and deep dives into the most exciting mobile games of 2024. The digital showcase will run for 30 minutes, and include insight from publishers such as Digital Extremes, CCP Games, NetEase Games, and more. 

"Mobile is now the world's most popular gaming platform with billions of people playing games on their phone every day," says Jake Tucker, Editorial Director of the Mobile Gaming Show. "The Mobile Gaming Show will shine a spotlight on some of  the very best mobile games available and the people that make them. We'll also look at the most innovative and exciting titles coming soon that demand your attention. Join us on September 26 to discover the mobile games that everyone will be playing in 2024 and beyond!"

The Mobile Gaming Show will air on Thursday, September 26 at 10am PT, 1pm ET, 6pm BST and 7pm CEST on YouTube, Twitch, X, TikTok, and Facebook – you can also watch the show right here on GamesRadar+. 

The Mobile Gaming Show is presented by the Future Games Show, the world’s biggest quarterly video game showcase which brings viewers world premieres, exclusive game demos and new trailers from upcoming AAA and indie studios. Averaging around 40 million total views per show, with over 120 million views in 2023. The Future Games Show has featured more than 500 games, from big budget franchises such as Lords of the Fallen and Warframe, to acclaimed indies, including thrilling driving adventure Pacific Drive, and the world premiere of action racer Resistor.

For more information, please visit futuregamesshow.com. And for sponsorship and partnership inquiries, please email Melissa Makhmaltchi: melissa.makhmaltchi@futurenet.com.

This year's show features over 50 titles from various developers and publishers, including 2K, Tripwire Presents, Plaion, Nacon, and Rebellion. It's not just games, though. Prime Video is also jumping in to share an exclusive look at The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2. You won't just see the best upcoming games on PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC, but streaming too.

All of this wouldn't be complete without someone to oversee proceedings, so we're drafting in Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V actors Alex McKenna and Ned Luke.

Sound good? Read on to find out where to find your Future Games Show stream of choice and when it kicks off.

How to watch The Future Games Show Summer Showcase 2024

You can watch The Future Games Show at Gamescom on Twitch, YouTube, and more on August 21 at 1pm PT, 4pm ET, 9 pm BST, and 10pm CEST. The links are above, though we've also included an embed on this trusty page in case you want to bookmark it and come back later.

As for what games we'll see, highlights include two deep-dive interviews with the team behind Civilization 7, a look at Greedfall 2, and much more. Regular sections like Ones to Play are returning, featuring games with demos you can play once the show wraps up. You've also got the Indie Elevator Pitch that spotlights up-and-coming indies and another section called Ones to Watch that's all about games the FGS team reckon are, surprisingly, games to watch.

Once the show is done, the Future Games Show Expansion Pack returns once more to offer exclusive developer interviews, more surprise reveals, and a special guest or two may even pop up.

To keep up with all the latest Future Game Show updates, you can check in on this orange website or follow along on Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.

While showcases like Opening Night Live and Future Games Show offer a blitz of news, Xbox at Gamescom is a deeper dive into the new games and updates on the horizon, featuring oodles of in-depth dives and developer interviews. It's so in-depth, in fact, that we're getting three Xbox at Gamescom streams over three days.

The highlights of Wednesday's stream include Starfield: Shattered Space, Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, Stalker 2, Atomfall, and more. Thursday picks things up with Star Wars Outlaws, World of Warcraft: The War Within, Fallout 76: Milepost Zero, and then some. Finally, Friday's stream shines the spotlight on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed, and much more.

While there are three different streams to cover many, many games, keeping tabs on it all isn't too bad. Read on to find out and where you can watch each Xbox at Gamescom stream.

Xbox at Gamescom 2024 stream start time

The Xbox at Gamescom stream starts at 6am PT, 9am ET, 2pm BST, and 3pm CEST on August 21. While that's only day one, the good news is that the second stream on August 22 and the third one on August 23 all start at the same time. All you have to do is remember the time that applies to you.

Xbox at Gamescom 2024 stream – how can I watch it?

You can find an Xbox at Gamescom stream on YouTube and Twitch. Each will go live just before the start time above. Thankfully, while we are getting three different streams on three different days, the link remains the same, so you won't need to go searching. 

4 years after Ark 2 was announced, Xbox announces a playable demo at Gamescom only to immediately un-announce it.

Host Geoff Keighley has been setting expectations online, revealing that we're getting a two-hour show focusing on gameplay reveals, new game announcements, and more. In fact, we're also getting some non-game announcements, so here's hoping for a movie tidbit or two.

Getting into more detail on that, Keighley teases airtime for the likes of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Monster Hunter Wilds, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and much more. What we're not getting, though, is Hollow Knight: Silksong. You'd be used to that by now, though Keighley has put us out of our misery early – unless it's all a rouse, hm?

Thankfully, we don't have long to wait and see what's actually going on. Read on to find out when Gamescom Opening Night Live starts and where you can watch it.

Gamescom Opening Night Live countdown

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 start time

Opening Night Live starts at 11am PT / 2pm ET / 7pm BST, 8pm CEST on August 20. Keighley has previously revealed that the show will last around two hours, so do make sure you're hydrated, stocked up on snacks, and all that good stuff.

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 stream – how can I watch it?

You can watch Gamescom Opening Night Live on YouTube, Twitch, or Twitter at the links above. In fact, we've embedded one on the streams above so can bookmark this page and return when the time comes, if you so fancy.

That's not all! The Future Games Show at Gamescom kicks off on Wednesday, August 21, at  1pm PT, 4pm ET, and 10pm CEST. You'll also have Xbox at Gamescom from August 21 to August 23.

Chargers like the Acefast Desktop Power Station Z4 are a testament to the benefits of Gallium Nitride (GaN) tech, and I honestly believe they make the best gaming desk even better. The last thing you want cluttering your picture-perfect setup is a spaghetti monster consisting of handheld and accessory chargers, and that’s inevitable if you’ve got a PC and need to juice upyour gaming handheld, smartphone, or anything else with a chonky battery. Up until now, I’ve been persevering with having multiple adapters at my feet, and thanks to the whopping 218W abilities of Acefact’s mighty GaN supply, I’ll never need to torment my tootsies ever again. 

Priced at $89.99, the Power Station Z4 isn’t remotely a cheap charging solution, and you’ll also need to pick up some USB-C cables for your devices. So, if merging all your chargers into something smaller than most Steam Deck docks isn’t a personal priority, then I won’t blame you for sticking with separate adapters. However, now that I’ve tested Acefast’s solution, this Power Delivery hub justifies its premium price tag through its versatile charging abilities, and it also understands the assignment when it comes to stylish subtlety. 

Specs

The Power Station Z4 is an outright testament to the benefits of GaN chargers, not least because we’re talking about 218W via a single brick. I’m actually even hesitant to use old terms like “brick” since the hub itself isn’t remotely large, measuring in at around 3.5 inches wide and 4 inches deep.

Despite its incredibly compact size, Acefast has also managed to squeeze a 1.3-inch color TFT display onto the front of the device that serves as an incredibly useful visual aid when toggling between all the different wattage options this charger provides. There are multiple ways to divvy up the 218W this hub can pump out through its three USB-C ports and single USB-A port, in turn allowing it to be more efficient when bulk charging devices. 

Design

If I’m being honest, Acefast didn’t really need to make the Power Station Z4 pretty. I mean, the main goal of most chargers is to simply provide power to connected devices and blend into the background. Yet, this GaN hub makes sure to give you something eye-catching to look at if you happen to glance in its direction by pairing its grey housing with a transparent front panel. 

I’m a 90s child, so I inherently have an infinity for transparent tech. Don’t get me wrong, I also think making the entirety of a device translucent can result in tacky vibes, but the Z4 reveals just enough to put on an intriguing show. Even if you have no idea what the difference between a resistor, a capacitor, and an IC chip is, you’ll still have lots of fun peering within when connecting things to the front. I’m trying to resist referencing that video with Swedish pop sensation Bjork peering inside a TV, but I’m sure you get the idea.

Despite boasting its own aesthetic, sticking with grey also allows the Z4 to blend in with the vibe of your specific surface. I’ve currently got it parked on the Flexispot E7 Plus, and the small block looks like a natural inclusion rather than something out of place. If the small illuminated screen on the front feels visually disruptive to your setup, you can also switch it off by holding down the button on front, so you won’t even have to compromise on functionality to achieve your desired look.

The Z4 manages to keep just enough weight to keep it feeling sturdy and secure at 1.44 lbs (655g). That heft, combined with cross-bar rubber feet at the bottom, keeps it from skating around your desk whenever you move a cable – a pet peeve of mine that can make me feel too nervous to use hubs like this. I’m charging the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro using the hub as I write this, and having dropped my phone off of the desk with the cable attached just moments ago, I can confirm the Z4 barely moved an inch. Instead, it sort of just hung onto the device while it precariously dangled for a few seconds, saving it from clattering onto the floor. 

Features

Naturally, the Power Station Z4’s main draw is multi-device charging, but it’s the way it supplies juice that’s the star feature. Rather than just sticking with fixed wattage for each port, you can toggle between four configurations that divide power up differently. Here’s a small table with each configuration to better illustrate what I mean before I dive into the “why” of it all:

Having the ability to decide output levels for each port is a huge win on the versatility front, as it increases your chances of providing exactly what your chosen devices require. For example, I charge my gaming laptop, Steam Deck OLED, phone, and wireless earbuds regularly, and ‘Mode A’ allows me to do all three at while meeting fast charging requirements. However, since I review handhelds, there have been instances when I’ve been looking to charge the Deck alongside two rivals and lower wattage accessories, which is where ‘Mode B’ comes into play. 

I could spend all day coming up with ridiculous charging examples that apply to me, but the core idea is that you won’t have to compromise on power to fast charge four devices. If, for whatever reason, you need to charge two laptops using power delivery, you will have to dial things back to three ports to hit 100W on the first two – hardly a compromise considering the outcome. 

Performance

When checking whether the Acefast Z4 Powerstation lives up to my performance standards, I set out in search of three things. The first was reliability, as fancy chargers are only worthwhile if they can consistently deliver what your device requires. Secondly, I wanted to ensure I couldn’t feel too much excess heat coming from the hub – something that might be harmless but could make players feel paranoid about leaving it on. Lastly, I considered whether the setup of the charger is actually handy in real life rather than just impressive on paper. 

I’m thrilled to report that the Z4 managed to impress me on all fronts, leaving no concerns or wants tied to the experience it provides. I was able to make good use of all four wattage modes on multiple occasions, and it’s something of a godsend for charging up everything before heading out for the day. The part that impresses me most is being able to satiate the needs of premium handhelds like the Ayaneo Flip DS while still charging other power-hungry devices like an Asus TUF Dash F15, as it feels like there’s got to be a catch somewhere.

In my spare time, I love to head out to the woodland near my house and go for short hikes. I originally started doing it as a way to escape screens when off-duty, but the escapade has turned into me often sitting on tree stumps with a handheld. Of course, using portable PCs in a realm devoid of power outlets means I have to rely on power banks, not to mention I also end up using earphones so as not to disturb the squirrels with game noise (or creep anyone out on the nearby path).

Simply put, my backpack ends up full of things that need charging, which used to mean having a whole power strip of chargers hooked up to various doodads. Those days are long gone thanks to the Z4, as I now just neatly place everything I need on my desk and neatly connect everything up. Sometimes the devices in question need a boost change, and being able to select one of those four aforementioned modes has completely eliminated the need to reach for any other adapters. 

Should you buy the Acefast Desktop Powerstation Z4? 

 I can think of multiple types of player that’ll benefit from what the Acefast Desktop Powerstation Z4 has to offer, especially those of you who now have a gaming handheld in their lives. At full price, it’s safe to say it’s not a casual purchase, but it can make all the difference to the way you charge your devices. Whether you’re a big advocate for desk cable management or just have plenty of gadgets thirsty for juice, this all-in-one charger will supply everything you need. 

In case it wasn’t obvious, I now use this charger for all gaming desk gadgets, and I don’t think I could go back to using separate adapters.

How I tested the Acefast Desktop Powerstation Z4 

For around two months, I used the Acefast Desktop Powerstation Z4 to charge all my devices at my desk. My shortlist of gadgets includes handhelds like the Steam Deck and Ayaneo Flip DS, laptops like the Asus TUF Dash F15, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, and other accessories like wireless earbuds. I used all those devices to assess the reliability and functionality of the charging hub while keeping a look out for any flaws or caveats related to usage.

For more information on how we test accessories, take a peek at our GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

Looking to ditch your chair? Check out the best standing desk options for ways to game on your feet. Alternatively, swing by the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck dock if you want more add-ons for your surface.

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Sign up for a print subscription now and you can pay just £17.87 every six months. With 13 issues of SFX a year, that works out at about £2.75 per mag – a big saving on the usual shop price of £5.50. 

Not a fan of paper? You can always choose a digital-only subscription, for £14.30 every six months. 

Tempted? Then why not join thousands of other loyal readers right now? Please note: these prices are only available to new UK subscribers. 

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This year's virtual showcase, set to kick off on August 21 at 1pm PT, 4pm ET, 9pm BST, and 10pm CEST, highlights the best across PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC. That means you can expect to see over 50 games from developers and publishers such as 2K, Tripwire Presents, Plaion, Nacon, and Rebellion. 

Better yet, as the Civilization 7 team is helping present the showcase, you'll also get two deep-dive interviews with Firaxis Games itself, digging into the iconic 4X strategy series' latest entry. It's not all games, either, as Prime Video will be on hand to share an exclusive look at The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2.

When the time comes, the show will broadcast on Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, and more.

"I'm pumped up to announce that I'll be hosting the Future Games Show at Gamescom with Alex McKenna," Luke says. "We'll be showing off some world premieres and going hard on some of 2024's hottest new games. Check out Alex and me on August 21 for all the up-to-the-minute gaming intel. Let's Go!"

McKenna adds; "I am so pleased to reveal I’ll be joining Ned Luke to host the Future Games Show at Gamescom later this month. It’s going to be an exciting mix of games from indie to blockbusters you don’t want to miss.  Join us on Wednesday, August 21!"

To keep up with all the latest Future Game Show updates, you can check in on this orange website or follow along on Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.

The final day of 2024's Prime Day gaming deals are upon us, so it's time to start nabbing any tempting discounts you've had your eye on - you won't have much more time. Want to pick up a few games, accessories, or even a console? Time to get a groove on, because Amazon's Big Deal Days are coming to a close tonight on October 9.

GamesRadar+ is rounding up the very best Prime Day gaming deals as and when we find them to make sure you don't miss out. That includes some top-tier Prime Day PS5 deals alongside the very best Lego Prime Day deals on sets like Super Mario's Piranha Plant, killer Prime Day gaming laptop deals, and more. Just don't hang about now we're in the second day, because who knows when stocks will run out before the clock chimes midnight? 

I've made sure that you'll find loads of options below to consider before then, of course. Prime Day gaming deals traditionally see an array of savings that should give you something to get excited about regardless of your platform of choice. Want to know what you should prioritize? I've listed some hints and tips further down the page garnered from years of covering sales just like this, so lets get to all the top Prime Day gaming deals of Fall 2024.

Quick links

US

• PS5 Slim: Digital Edition bundle for $499
• Nintendo Switch OLED: Renewed model for less than$300
• Xbox Series S: Save $15 on the console
• PSVR 2 (renewed): $425 on Amazon
• Meta Quest 3S: Currently $299.99
• PS5 games: Save on Final Fantasy & more
• Switch games: Money off Mario & Zelda
• Xbox games: Prices slashed by up to 60%
• PS5 controllers: Victrix Pro now $25 off
• Switch controllers: Discounts of up to $20
• Xbox controllers: Save up to $15
• Headsets: Get up to $20 off
• SSDs: Save up to $40 on WD Black

UK

• PS5 Slim: Digital model for $50 off
• Xbox Series S: Save £13 on the console
• Nintendo Switch: Browse the deals
• PSVR 2: £50 off Sony's headset
• PS5 games: Big discounts on EA Sports
• Switch games: Up to £10 off
• Xbox games: Savings on Star Wars & more
• PS5 controllers: Save £5 on DualSense
• Xbox controllers: Cuts up to £20
• Switch controllers: Discounts up to £10
• Headsets: Up to £50 off big brands
• SSDs: Get up to £30 off WD Black

Best Prime Day gaming deals

Prime Day gaming deals: FAQ

What to expect from Prime Day gaming deals 2024

Those on the hunt for Prime Day gaming deals are casting a wide net so to help you narrow your catch, we're rounding up everything we expect to see on a platform basis. You'll find our predictions for the biggest discounts in the worlds of PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC just below. 

PS5

The PS5 Slim has already seen some fantastic bundles in the first months of 2024, with a $50 discount and a free copy of Spider-Man 2 in the US and record-low bundle prices of £409 in the UK. Last year's Prime Day PS5 deals took place before we even saw any discounts on the previous model - so we've come a long way since then. We're hoping for these bundles to return to the shelves during Amazon's summer sale in 2024, so expect to see some solid savings up for grabs. 

But what about those who already have a console under their belts? Well, games are already looking strong as well. As we've seen in previous years, the biggest discounts are going to be reserved for those long-standing entries in the catalog, but we're excited to see some serious cash off the likes of Horizon: Forbidden West, God of War: Ragnarok, Elden Ring, The Callisto Protocol, The Last of Us Part 1, and Dying Light 2. Older releases tend to do quite well in Prime Day gaming deals after all. 

However, if you're after something a little newer, it's well worth keeping a close eye on Star Wars Jedi Survivor, Resident Evil 4, Hogwarts Legacy, Dead Island 2, and Atomic Heart. We've already seen heavy discounts on these games in the first months of the year and there's likely more to come. 

Accessories like controllers and SSDs are always a Prime Day favorite and we often see the official DualSense on sale during larger holiday events. That $69.99 / £59.99 MSRP often gives way to a sale price of around $49.99 / £39.99 which is what we're hoping for this year. On the storage side, the 2TB Samsung 990 Pro is the one to watch. It's the best PS5 SSD on the market, and dropped as low as $139.99 / £129.99 over Black Friday last year. SSDs have been a little harder to discount in the first few months of 2024, but this is hopefully where we'll land in the summer. 

Watch List:

Xbox

We haven't seen too many Xbox Series X deals on the shelves in the last few months. Prime Day gaming deals might not be as kind to the flagship console as it will the cheaper S model, though. Over Black Friday last year we saw record low prices on this budget system, $219.99 in the US and £189.99 in the UK (was $299.99 / £249 respectively). This is where the bargain offers really come in handy, and where we're expecting both Amazon and Microsoft to place their discounts in the summer. Be sure to keep a close eye on other retailers here as well, last year we saw a $75 gift card available at Dell, which technically made it the best value on the shelves. 

That said, the majority of this year's Prime Day gaming deals for Xbox players will be focused on that magic Game Pass code. While discounts haven't been too appealing recently (the best we're generally able to find was $5 off a three-month subscription), these really are the holy grails of Xbox deals.

Thankfully, there's no shortage of kit. Official controllers are going to be the most interesting sellers here; the cheaper Xbox Wireless Controller, mid-range Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller, and premium Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller will likely be the stars of this year's show. The basic gamepad has been happy at a $39 / £35 sale price for a few events now, including Black Friday last year. Prime Day has never quite reached these discounts before, but we're hopeful that the age of these buttons might prevail. If you're looking to spend a bit more on one of the best Xbox Series X controllers on the market, the Elite Series 2 is where you should be looking. Unfortunately, it's not the best buy right now.

In previous years, the $179.99 / £159.99 customizable gamepad has actually raised its price from $140 to $150 over Prime Day sales. That's not a good look. Things have remained steady at $150 / £140 for some time now, and don't look likely to drop further - thanks to the new Core version with its $129.99 / £129.99 MSRP. We saw that Core controller shave $10 / £10 off its price in last year's offers but since then costs have dipped to $99 in the US so there should be more wiggle room come summer 2024.

Watchlist:

Nintendo Switch

With neither Black Friday nor Prime Day offering substantial discounts on the Nintendo Switch last year, we're looking to bundles for the best value come this summer. After all, Black Friday's suite of bundle offers threw in free games and subscriptions - and they were all available for a considerable amount of time. 

The story's a little different over in the UK where we see discounts kick the OLED model down to £299 (was £309) with a lot more regularity. The best value is still found in bundles, though - and we see far more of them year-round than we do in the US.

Of course, Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals are a lot more reliable when it comes to games. While we generally don't see the kinds of discounts we would expect from Black Friday here, we're still expecting to see some $20 / £20 discounts on the likes of Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart, and Super Mario Odyssey. Newer games walk a finer line, but with more and more titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Wonder slowly shedding their price tags we could be in for a treat in the summer.

There's also Nintendo Switch accessories like Ring Fit Adventure, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, and other gadgets and gizmos to consider. The former options regularly come in at around $59.99 / £59.99 during these larger sales events, which is a price we would be aiming for ourselves. However, if you're after the best Nintendo Switch controllers on the market we'd recommend veering away from Amazon. We typically see far better Nintendo Switch Pro Controller prices at Walmart and additional bundle deals at Best Buy in the US, whereas Amazon has yet to drop $10 off the $69.99 MSRP. Over in the UK, things are a little kinder - we could see prices get closer to that £45 record low set during the summer last year.

Watchlist:

PC

The world of the best gaming laptops is a little stagnant this year. Minor upgrades to Intel's 14th generation processors and no new GPUs mean last year's models are generally better value for money overall. Newer releases are upgrading their display tech, though - so if you're after an OLED panel make sure you're browsing 2024's roster. 

Gaming PCs are going to be a slightly different story. We rarely see too many high quality offers going on Amazon itself, however we'd heartily recommend anyone on the hunt for a permanent desktop take a look around the web in October. Retailers like Newegg and Microcenter in the US (and Ebuyer, CCL, and Overclockers in the UK) regularly look to compete during these sales. There, you'll find prebuilt machines and a range of components likely at some solid prices. Just be sure to price up a parts list before picking up an offer, just to double check you can't get it cheaper in another form. 

We're anticipating some of the most tempting offers to come from accessories, though. If you're after a new set of keys, the Asus ROG Azoth is our top contender. It's the best gaming keyboard we've tested so far, and it's regularly spotted at under $200 these days. The keyboard dropped to $209 in last year's offers but has since sailed down as cheap as $189, and we're hopeful for a return to this price in July. If you're after something a little cheaper, the HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is always a solid $100 or less option in the sales. 

Those after a new rodent will likely find plenty of the best gaming mouse models on the shelves in this year's Prime Day gaming deals. We'll be keeping a close eye on the Razer Viper V2 Pro as it's our favorite pointer available, and it's just starting to dip down to $99 (usually $149). The Razer Basilisk V3 is also a fantastic all-rounder, which we expect to see at around $50, but actually dropped to $40 in last year's Prime Day gaming deals. 

There's one headset we watch out for every year, and that's the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. It's the best gaming headset on the market right now, and recent months have been kind to that hefty $349.99 / £329.99 MSRP. We're looking chiefly at the Xbox variant, as that's got the widest compatibility - you'll find the PlayStation model slightly cheaper. So far this year, prices have dropped to $299 at Amazon, but slightly lower to $279.99 at SteelSeries direct. This is where we hope to see things in the summer. 

Of course, we're also rounding up all the staples like the best Prime Day Kindle deals and Prime Day tablet deals as well. We're also getting you prepped for this year's Prime Day iPad deals and Prime Day TV deals as well. 

If you pop over to Amazon right now, you'll find the Marseille mClassic for $79.99, as a limited-time Prime Day gaming deal has slashed 20% off the HDMI dongle. Normally, you'd have to fork out just under $100 for this Nintendo Switch accessory, and while I do hesitate to recommend it to everyone for that price, taking $20 off sends it to the top of my add-on priority list.

This isn't the first time the mClassic has dipped to under $80, and it has received smaller discounts already in 2024. Still, it's the first time the dongle has returned to its lowest price since December last year, which is a long time to wait if you've been holding off for discounts. Just keep in mind that you'll have to sign up for the subscription service to bag this sweet Prime Day Nintendo Switch deal, not to mention there's one of those pesky percentage claimed bars filling up as we speak. 

Should you buy the mClassic?

I've said this before, but I was hyper-skeptical about the Marseille mClassic before testing. For what it's worth, it feels like I wasn't the only one, as the idea of a small HDMI cable middleman magically giving your Nintendo Switch visuals a makeover sounds like a hardware snake oil pitch. However, once you get a feel for what the accessory can actually do graphically, it becomes clear that it's actually a clever way to ensure your favorite Ninty adventures don't look horrible on larger gaming TVs and high-spec monitors.

There are two main features at work when you connect the mClassic to your Switch. The first is a relatively standard upscaler that can ramp things up to 1440p if you use a compatible screen. As a main rule of thumb, I always try to avoid giving my TV big upscaling tasks, and this HDMI dongle is far more efficient in scaling lower resolutions than your big screen. 

The second is more interesting, as the mClassic uses an anti-aliasing algorithm to smooth Switch jaggies and weird effects with post-processing. It's important to note that it doesn't just make Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom look like it was made in Unreal Engine 5, but it does do a number on any unsightly edges and textures associated with the 2017 handheld. There's also a switch at the side you can toggle to apply the same processing to retro console visuals while maintaining an old-school 4:3 aspect ratio, but it does admittedly remove the pixelated charm from 8 and 16-bit systems.

The main question you'll likely be asking yourself is whether these enhancements are worth $80, and it's worth considering before clicking buy. Personally, I can't play the Switch in TV mode anymore on anything larger than a 32-inch screen without the mClassic, as my eyes instantly pick up on jagged edges and aliasing. All I'll say that is if you're never done wondering when the Nintendo Switch 2 is actually going to arrive, I'd try this gadget out as a short-term remedy.

Looking for more savings? Take a look at Prime Day TV deals and Prime Day monitor deals for excellent display discounts. Alternatively, swing by Prime Day Steam Deck deals for a bunch of portable PC price cuts.

You can currently pick up the latest entry in the series (Mirage) on PS5 for a heavily reduced $23.70 at Amazon instead of $49.99 as part of the Prime Day sale. Similarly, the Xbox version has also just dipped to $23.70 at Amazon rather than $50. So far as I can tell, that's the cheapest this Assassin's Creed game has ever been on either platform... and because it goes back to the franchise's roots with more focused, stealthier gameplay, I'm tempted.

UK Xbox players aren't enjoying the same offer, sadly, by PlayStation fans across the pond have an equally good discount. They can pick up Assassin's Creed Mirage on PS5 for £24.99 at Amazon instead of £49.99.

No matter where you're based, these are not the only offers worth keeping an eye on; there are plenty more Prime Day gaming deals where that came from.

Prime Day gaming deals at a glance

• Assassin's Creed Mirage PS5: $26 off now
• Assassin's Creed Mirage Xbox: Save $26
• Games: up to 50% off Demon's Souls, more
• PS5: save up to $60 on storage & beyond
• Xbox: up to $40 off storage
• Chairs: savings up to $60
• Controllers: up to $30 off Asus and more
• Headsets: up to $80 off

Should you buy Assassin's Creed Mirage?

As we mention in our Assassin's Creed Mirage review, this is "a compact, stealth-focused adventure that punishes anyone trying to go in loud, and it does so in a world that's always a delight to explore (and be chased through)." That in itself is a good litmus test for whether you'll enjoy the experience or not. Do you miss the old games' focus on sneaking around, or are you more a fan of the series' bombastic action? If you fall into the latter camp and can think of nothing better than whaling on a camp of goons with your swords, Mirage might not be for you.

If you like to meticulously plan your attack and move like a shadow across the rooftops, however? It'll hit the spot. The aim here was always a back-to-basics revamp that honored the franchise's origins, and that means secrecy. Fortunately enough, modern advancements make that stealth gameplay better than ever.

It also narrows its focus to a single city with a few surrounding areas, so everything feels gorgeously hand-crafted. This is a sumptuous environment to explore that feels truly alive.

In short? Stealthy gamers, sneak your way up here to get your hands on Mirage - you won't regret it.

For more offers, don't forget to check out the latest Prime Day PS5 deals. You can also drop in on our guide to the current Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals that are impressing us.

Don't get me wrong. I've been covering sales like Prime Day for a long time, and there are always gaming deals that test my resolve not to give in and buy all the shiny things. But this year looks particularly good as far as discounts go, so I've gathered a handful that I think are especially enticing. These are the ones I'm personally keeping an eye on.

For a better look at the sale as a whole, don't miss our guide to the full Prime Day gaming deals - it's regularly updated with all the latest offers.

Prime Day gaming deals at a glance

• Games: up to 50% off Demon's Souls, more
• PS5: save up to $60 on storage & beyond
• Xbox: up to $40 off storage
• Chairs: savings up to $60
• Controllers: up to $30 off Asus and more
• Headsets: up to $80 off
• Board games for adults: Save up to $30
• Family board games: Up to $20 off
• 2-player board games: Get up to $15 off

For more specific discounts, be sure to drop in on our guides to the latest Prime Day PS5 deals, Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals, and Prime Day board game deals.

"We are aware that some users have been disconnected from Xbox Live," the official Xbox Support Twitter account said at 11:55am PT / 2:55pm ET / 7:55pm BT. "We're investigating! Please follow here and on our status page for updates."

At the time of writing, that status page, purportedly updated three minutes ago, is showing green across the board for the US and UK. Account functionality, friends, streaming, cloud gaming, multiplayer – all A-okay. Except they aren't. That's why we're here. 

Hopefully this thing updates again soon and we can get some detail on what monkey wrench has been thrown where, and if we're lucky, how long it will take to fix. Down Detector suggests pretty significant problems with Xbox Live, starting with the ability to log in at all. 

Anecdotally, based on early reports from Twitter and forum users as well as some of our own writers, the problem seems to be UK-heavy for the time being, but reports of US troubles are beginning to crop up as well, most recently from me, as I can't log in either.  

In the meantime, if you've already reset your console, reset your internet connection, and tried the high packet loss troubleshooting linked above, your best bet right now is, unfortunately, probably patience. 

Xbox proudly claims "no console needed" in new partnership with Amazon, which brings Xbox Game Pass to Fire TV as a "low-cost, convenient, and portable option," which does of course open your service up to connection issues like this. 

While Game Pass cloud streaming was already available on the likes of PC, Android, iPhone, and certain Samsung smart TVs, in a news post on Xbox Wire, Ashley McKissick, corporate vice president of Xbox experiences and platforms engineering, says the Fire Stick compatibility will offer a "great low-cost, convenient, and portable option to enjoy a huge library of incredible games." 

"Xbox Gaming Coming to Amazon Fire TV: Play More Games, No Console Needed," the post begins. If you don't have a compatible Samsung Smart TV, this is definitely going to be a solid alternative if you want to load up your games on a TV screen without actually owning an Xbox.

As far as affordability is concerned, it's been confirmed that the app will be available on the 2023 Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Stick 4K, which cost $59.99 and $49.99 dollars, respectively. You'll also need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription (unless you just want to play Fortnite, which can be streamed without one), as well as a Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller to, y'know, actually play the games, which will add to the cost, too. All in all though, when compared to the price of buying a whole new console, it's definitely cheaper.

The portability also sounds like it could be a major selling point. Since you can just plug your Fire TV Stick into whatever TV you want, you can easily switch devices within your own home, take it over to a friend's, or even on vacation without having to carry a bulky console around, while maintaining access to your games. 

"Over the past several years, we have been on a journey to deliver cloud gaming to more devices and to more people around the globe," McKissick writes in the news post. "We are excited to add Fire TV to our growing family of cloud gaming devices and eager to welcome new players into this experience."

An additional post from Amazon confirms that Fire TV Stick compatibility will be rolled out at some point in July, so there's not too long to wait. Being tied to Game Pass, and specifically the cloud gaming section of it, the games available will fluctuate, but given the access to major releases like Starfield and Fallout 4, there should be plenty to play. 

Be sure to check out our roundup of the 25 best games on Game Pass for Xbox and PC.

The third outing for the Future Games Show in 2024 will offer illuminating deep dives on fall's most-anticipated games, exciting world premieres and updates concerning the best and brightest indies and AA sleeper hits.

Our Summer Showcase aired in June, featuring the latest news about a selection of scintillating titles, including exclusive insights from Once Human, The Casting of Frank Stone and Eternal Strands, plus nine world premieres.

Read on for information about how you can participate in this year’s Future Games Show at Gamescom, as well as details on how to join our co-streaming program.

Future Games Show Summer Showcase breaks records

The Future Games Show Summer Showcase reached a record-breaking 11 million live show and opening weekend views, growing over 20% year-on-year.

With over 300 co-streaming partners, we're delighted that so many creators are joining us in our mission to discover something new, sharing off-radar AA games and ingenious indies with their audiences and friends.

Roger Clark (Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2) and Britt Baron (Tifa Lockhart in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth) led viewers through a meaty lineup of trailers on June 8, covering over 50 games in just under 90 minutes. 

From a first-look at gorgeous adventure Bogdan's Cross, to Goat Simulator 3’s chaotic Multiverse of Nonsense DLC, those who tuned in were treated to nine world premieres and plenty of exclusive wishlist-expanding gameplay.

How to take part in the Future Games Show

The Future Games Show is the perfect venue to debut your unannounced game, share new information about an existing title, and reach new audiences.

The Future Games Show reaches around 11 million live viewers on each broadcast and over 50 million total views across all content per show, with many titles seeing huge increases in Steam wishlists from appearing in the event.

Indie or AAA, we want to showcase the most exciting and innovative games of 2024 and beyond, with all titles considered for broadcast.

Developers can nominate their game by filling in the Future Games Show 2024 nomination form  or getting in touch via the addresses below:

Developers can nominate their game by filling in the Future Games Show 2024 nomination form  or getting in touch via the addresses below:

Editorial:
james.jarvis@futurenet.com – Executive Producer
ben.malley@futurenet.com – Producer

Sponsorship:
melissa.makhmaltchi@futurenet.com – Commercial Lead (US) 
kevin.stoddart@futurenet.com – Commercial Lead (UK)

Pitch Your Game With The Indie Elevator Pitch

Are you a solo developer or small team hoping to get your game noticed?

The FGS Summer Showcase introduced an ambitious new initiative to increase the visibility of up-and-coming indies.

Developers worldwide were called upon to create their own Indie Elevator Pitches and share their games with the Future Games Show via a brand-new video submission form. Click below to share your upcoming project:

• Share your game with the Future Games Show Indie Elevator Pitch

Regardless of where you’re at with your game’s development, if you’re working on an exciting project you’d like to share with the world, you can find out more information and send us your pitches above. Check out the video for some inspiration.

Our Humble Thank You For Raising $51k+ for Charity

Our first Future Games Show Humble Bundle was also revealed during the Summer Showcase. The Future Games Show Discovery Bundle features a curated list of games that have popped up in our events over the years, including Gloomwood, The Entropy Centre and En Garde.

The FGS Discovery Pack is Humble's best-selling bundle of the summer gaming season, raising over $51k for charity. Sadly, the bundle has now finished, but look out for news of a fresh bundle during our Gamescom event on Aug 21.

A (Brief) History of the Future Games Show

The Future Games Show is GamesRadar's flagship games showcase, which has featured over 600 games from the industry’s leading developers and publishers, including Capcom, Private Division, Square Enix, Team17, Sony, Thunderful, Xbox, Sega, Frontier, Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, Paradox Interactive, Devolver, and many more leading developers.

The event is broadcast live on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook and all major streaming platforms, and hosted by famous video-game voice actors. Our Summer Showcase was hosted by the rootin’-tootin’ duo of Roger Clark (Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2) and Britt Baron (Tifa Lockhart in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth), who sat down for an illuminating interview after the show, which you can watch here:

A selection of previous hosts include Nolan North and Emily Rose (Uncharted), Ben Starr and Samantha Béart (FFXVI & Baldur’s Gate 3), David Hayter and Debi Mae-West (Metal Gear Solid), and Troy Baker and Laura Bailey (The Last of Us 2).

If you’re keen for more details, check out everything you need to know about the  Future Games Show right here and watch highlights from previous shows.

How to watch the Future Games Show

The Future Games Show will broadcast three events in 2024:

• Future Games Show: Spring Showcase - March 21, 2024
• Future Games Show Summer Showcase - June 8, 2023 
• Future Games Show @Gamescom - August 21, 2024

You can watch future events by subscribing to the offical FGS YouTube and TikTok channels, GamesRadar's Twitch, our Facebook page, YouTube channel, Twitter, and the website, GamesRadar.com. 

Join the Future Games Show co-streamer program

The Future Games Show invites you to join our co-streamer program for 2024, joining a rapidly growing family of over 150+ creators, with benefits including:

• Early access to show partner information and announcements
• Special logos and co-streaming assets
• A chance to enter VIP co-streamer programs with merchandise from featured partners, including the Future Creators program working with key partners

The official co-streamer program is open to anyone, whether you’re an established broadcaster, or starting to grow your community.

You can apply for the Future Games Show Official Co-Streamer Program right here. 

Future Games Show X channel

Don't forget to follow the Future Games Show Twitter channel to stay up to date with show announcements, and get in touch if you’d like to take part.

You can follow the GamesRadar Twitter channel for major FGS updates and check out exclusive previews and hands-on reports from the show.

Stay tuned to gamesradar.com for some exciting Future Games Show partner announcements and hosting details over the following weeks  

I've tried The Elder Scrolls Online a few times in the past, and while I've had some fun with it I'd always eventually bounce off in search of single-player pursuits. But after jumping back in recently to try out the new Gold Road expansion, I have to admit: The Elder Scrolls Online has come a long way in the 10 years since launch, finally finding that sweet balance between the things that made the single-player games special, and the grinding, player guilds, PvP, and hotkeys that come with the MMO territory. 

The Elder Scrolls Online is really rather good these days, even if you lean towards going it alone like me. So with eight big expansions under its belt, including the freshly released Gold Road which takes us back to Oblivion's old stomping ground of Skingrad, I want to talk about why now is a great time to jump in—even if you're not an MMO fan.

Flying Solo

First up, playing solo is totally viable. While there are world bosses, raids, and timed events that require banding with other players, the world largely scales to you. This means you can quite easily tackle the quests and storylines of the expansions by yourself, as well as take on Delves—dungeon-oriented quests designed for solo players. 

There's almost no level-gating here, so from the moment you arrive in Tamriel, you can take the boat to The Elder Scrolls III setting of Vvardenfell, the Khajit homeland of Elsweyr, the all-new Gold Road, or any of the other dozens of regions in the game, each one filled with engaging factions, sidequests, and main storylines to pursue. 

All these distinct areas look great too, thanks to the fact that The Elder Scrolls Online is probably the most presentationally polished MMO ever made. The landscapes, the soundtrack, the fully-voiced NPCs (right down to bards singing in taverns) all make for an inviting, immersive world that's genuinely fun to explore. The game's had no major graphics updates over the years—and the character animations could use a cleanup—but Tamriel's diverse locations still look stunning, and the fact that you can run it liquid-smooth at 4K resolutions on even mid-range PCs is a massive plus.

A thousand roads

There's just so much to do here; beyond the questing and exploration of the overworld, there's a well-thought-out crafting system, the Tales of Tribute card game, Scrying puzzles, and one of the most robust housing systems I've gotten to play around with. if you like digging into Elder Scrolls lore then there's tons of worldbuilding out there for you; if you're into PvP, hit up the arenas and the Alliance War—an epic-scale ongoing conflict that turns Cyrodiil into a battlefield, and almost feels like a whole separate game. Or if you want to keep things old-school then the Dark Brotherhood, Thieves' Guild, Fighter's Guild, and Mage's Guild questlines are all there. The Elder Scrolls Online basically lets you lose yourself in one aspect of the game while forgetting that the others exist.

Finally, its payment model is actually pretty fair (which is high praise for a modern MMO). The base game is super-cheap and often given away for free, but if you buy it with an expansion, you'll get all previous expansions included. So if you get Gold Road, that means you also get Necrom, High Isle, Blackwood, Greymoor, Elsweyr, Summerset, and Morrowind with it. If you've held off buying it until now, you're basically getting rewarded with a huge amount of content if you finally take the plunge.

Of course, The Elder Scrolls Online has a huge economy that lets you purchase its special in-game currency called Crowns to buy cosmetics, horses, furnishings for your home, and other extra fluff. The game doesn't push its real-world economy in your face, and that's refreshing on today's MMO scene.

The Elder Scrolls Online has grown into a big, beautiful game over the years, and with the Gold Road expansion, you get a ridiculous amount of bang for your buck. Sure, it's an MMO, so it will always want you to throw more money at it, but it's to this game's credit that you really don't have to. If you haven't played it yet, now could be the perfect time.

And what a set of reveals it was! Metroid Prime 4 is genuinely on the way, it seems like, and there's even an all-new Zelda game that's actually about Zelda. The 40-minute showcase delivered, though as previously announced there wasn't any "mention of the Nintendo Switch successor" during it. 

Below we've gathered all the important bits out of the Nintendo Direct while the blow-by-blow recap as it happened live remains underneath in case you'd like to see how it all unfolded as the Nintendo Direct was streamed.

Everything announced at the Nintendo Direct

• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, featuring Zelda as the playable lead, releases September 26
• Mario & Luigi: Brothership is an all-new RPG adventure coming November 7
• Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake launches November 14
• And surprise! Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake are also on the way for next year
• Super Mario Party Jamboree, the biggest Mario Party game yet, launches October 17 for the Nintendo Switch
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is real and really set to launch for the Nintendo Switch in 2025
• Donkey Kong Country Returns HD returns in HD for the Switch on January 16, 2025
• Nintendo Switch Online is adding Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, Perfect Dark with multiplayer, Zelda: A Link to the Past Four Swords, and Metroid: Zero Mission
• Darkest Dungeon 2 is coming to Nintendo Switch on July 15
• Stray releases for the Switch this holiday
  Tales of the Shire, the Animal Crossing-like Lord of the Rings game, also launches this holiday on the Nintendo Switch
• Metal Slug Attack Reloaded, a tower defense game, launches on Nintendo Switch today
• Nintendo Switch Sports is getting a free basketball update this summer
• MIO: Memories in Orbit, which features an android in an overgrown world where machines have gone wild, launches on the Switch in 2025
• Disney Illusion Island is getting a free update, The Mystery in Monoth, today for the Nintendo Switch
• Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics brings a whole slew of, well, arcade classics to the Nintendo Switch later this year
• Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, from the folks behind Disgaea, launches on the Switch next year
• The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- looks to be a strategy RPG from the Danganronpa creators, launching on Switch early next year
• Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven is a full remake of the original that's set to launch for the Switch on October 24
• Fantasian escapes Apple Arcade as Fantasian Neo Dimension on Nintendo Switch this winter
• Fairy Tail 2 from Koei Tecmo and Gust launches on Switch this winter
• Ace Attorney Investigations Collection brings Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor's Gambit to Switch on September 6
• Farmagia is a farming/monster battler with designs from Fairy Tail creator Hiro Mashima that's set to launch on Switch this November 1
• The New Denpa Men, which defies further description, launches July 22 for the Switch

First things first, if you'd like to watch the Nintendo Direct you'll want to head to YouTube just before 7am PT/ 10am ET/ 3pm BST. You've got 40 minutes of reveals ahead of you so bring a snack or two. 

We'll be covering the news as it happens, so don't fret if you need to step away or close a tab while watching on company time if your boss walks by.

Nintendo might not be talking about the Switch 2, but we can catch you up. After oodles of reports and rumors, Nintendo revealed on May 7 that, yes, the Switch successor is a thing and something that'll be shown off properly "within this fiscal year."

It all adds that sense of 'will they?' before each new showcase. Regarding this Direct, though, they will not. 

So what are we getting? As for first-party upcoming Switch games, it looks a tad light. Luigi's Mansion 2 HD and Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition are due this year, but we don't know of much else. Perhaps that means the Direct will be dominated by third-party games, or we could be in for some surprises. A selection of upgraded Zelda classics for Switch has been rumored for ages, after all.

One thing I'm sure many would like to see is Hollow Knight: Silksong. Mind you, the Microsoft Store recently stated that we'd have to wait another 7,974 years to play it, which is mean and perhaps a sign not to get those hopes up. Dare we dream, though?

Just under one hour to go until showtime, gang! Grab those snacks if you need 'em.

There's been some chatter online that we may see Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi's throwback RPG Fantasian released beyond Apple Arcade. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be spending the next 40 mins trying to manifest the rumor into being.

And with just over 20 minutes to go until this thing really kicks off, you're now stuck with me, GamesRadar+ US Managing Editor Rollin Bishop, for the remainder of this flight.

How are we all? Hydrated? Ready for anything? I know I am.

It does seem worth noting that I still hold the same opinion that I did at the end of May: it really feels like Nintendo might just coast directly into the Switch 2. While I'd love for some big, huge surprises out of today's Nintendo Direct, I'm also pretty content with what I already have on my Switch. (I wouldn't turn my nose up at a surprise Unicorn Overlord expansion, however.)

That said, 40 minutes is an awfully long time. And this is Nintendo we're talking about; Directs have a history of being short, sweet, and to the point. If the company is spending this long in a Direct alone, that sounds like something particularly beefy is on the horizon.

We only have 10 minutes left until we all collectively find out what, exactly, that might be.

And look, if this is the last truly significant Nintendo Direct during the OG Switch's time as the main attraction, it'd be lovely if this were a total blowout, wouldn't it? I'll ready my clown makeup, just as Mr. Harris did, but for me it'll be about Metroid Prime 4.

And here we go!

Promising start to see Luigi and Mario off the bat. A port or remake of one of the mobile RPGs, maybe?

Mario & Luigi it is! But in true-blue 3D. Looking good, fellas. How long has it been since a truly new one of these? Because that's what this actually looks like.

Gameplay here looking like a solid translation of how this worked on the handheld consoles.

Mario & Luigi Brothership is coming November 7, 2024.

First new entry and almost 9 years, according to Nintendo. Described as a seafaring adventure across multiple islands. And on to the next!

Seeing some gameplay from Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. We already knew this was coming, but it's interesting to see challenges in there.

Honestly I'm still thinking about Mario & Luigi Brothership. Look at my boys!

Fairy Tail 2 from Koei Tecmo. Launching this winter. Big year for anime games, if that's your thing.

Fantasian! It's real! It's escaping Apple Arcade!

New name though. Fantasian Neo Dimension launching this holiday.

Basketball is being added as a free update to the Nintendo Switch Sports game. Two-on-two matches with motion controls, basket challenges solo or multiplayer. Online play for the two-on-two matches. So if you've really been gunning for more sports games, look forward to this summer.

Now what is this atmospheric lovely little thing. Some kind of robotic platformer and world. Weird sad robot alert.

Mio: Memories in Orbit coming 2025.

New Disney Illusion Island update available later today! Kind of an overlooked little fun title in my opinion.

Hello Kitty game also escaping mobile next year, and Looney Tunes Wacky World of Sports coming this fall.

New crewmate and impostor roles being added to Among Us! Why this is in the Nintendo Direct, I don't know, but it's coming out later today.

Another anime-looking game called Farmagia with designs from the creator of Fairy Tail. Seems like you grow monsters in the ground like produce? And then use them to fight. A little bit Stardew Valley, a little bit Monster Rancher. But without the CDs.

November 1, 2024 on Nintendo Switch.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is also coming to Nintendo Switch! It's Donkey Kong Country Returns but in high definition. That's... that's just what it is.

Two-player local co-op! 80 levels total, including those from the 3DS version. Releasing January 16, 2025.

The time is nigh... for the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake. Looking good! But then HD-2D is basically made specifically for me.

This thing looks absolutely gorgeous, and I suspect many folks won't be familiar with the original, so they'll have plenty to look forward to when it releases for the Nintendo Switch on November 14, 2024.

Also! Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake set for 2025! Nice completion of the trilogy there.

It's just a bit of key slash concept art, but all my friends are here.

Funko Fusion is up. I... I'm sorry, the gameplay and puzzles and such all seem interesting but I can't get over my personal aversion to Funkos. September 13, 2024 on Nintendo Switch.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD! It's Luigi's Mansion 2 but in high definition. June 27, 2024, which we already new.

The New Denpa Men... This is one for our very own Dustin Bailey. Free to play, July 22, 2024 on Nintendo Switch. I'm not sure what I just saw, if I'm being honest.

Deckbuilding Metal Slug? Be still my heart. Metal Slug Attack Reloaded out on Nintendo Switch later today.

Darkest Dungeon 2 is coming to Nintendo Switch. It's Darkest Dungeon 2 on the Switch! July 15, 2024, pre-orders later today.

Zelda: A Link to the Past Four Swords is coming to Nintendo Switch Online! Metroid Zero Mission too! And N64 Mature titles are coming -- with Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. And Perfect Dark! If you can believe it!

With online multiplayer! My gods. All of this available later today.

A new Phantom Brave? What year is this?? Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is coming to Nintendo Switch. Coming 2025.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Arcade Classics is coming to Nintendo Switch this year. Whole mess (7?) of fighters and brawlers in here. That includes Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

It's a new Mario Party! Super Mario Party Jamboree. Lots of little minigames, as usual, across what appears to be new game board with some returning.

Over 100 minigames. That's a lot of ways to get mad at your friends. Up to 20 players can compete online in a specific mode (Koopathalon?). Launching October 17, 2024 for the Nintendo Switch.

And there it is, folks. They're officially doing more Zelda remakes in the style of the Link's Awakening one. Wait! No! A new game! The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom with playable Zelda.

Friendship ended with Link, now Zelda is new best friend.

The big mechanic here has Zelda creating "echoes" of various things previously encountered. Rocks you can throw, monsters that fight by your side. Different monsters are useful in different situations -- "wisdom is key after all."

With no Link, the fate of the kingdom is now in Zelda's hands. There are apparently a lot of echoes in the game to use that can be solved in different ways. (Briefly shown is making a bunch of beds to climb.)

September 26, 2024 launch for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom with a special Switch Lite as well.

And, after the reveal of a new Zelda, Just Dance 2025 Edition. Tough act to follow.

And here's Nintendo talking about Lego Horizon Adventures, which isn't exactly surprising. Locations inspired by the original game. Blast boots and gravity bombs can be used. Aloy rebuilds her home over time and can wear a bunch of outfits like... a hot dog. Two-player local or online co-op. Launching this holiday on Nintendo Switch.

Stray! On Nintendo Switch! I feel like we knew this was coming, but maybe that's just my brain making things up again. Cyberpunkish kitty platformer/puzzler on a new platform is always welcome, though. Holiday 2024 on Switch.

Tales of the Shire! It's Animal Crossing with Hobbits. Holiday 2024 on Nintendo Switch. Seems fine? Seems fine.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection! Including a title that wasn't released outside of Japan previously. New hand-drawn visuals, but you can also swap back to the sprites. A nice gallery of art and designs and music. Launching September 6, 2024 on Nintendo Switch.

Danganronpa-looking strategy RPG? Last Defense Academy?

The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy, launching early 2025 on Nintendo Switch. As expected, from the Danganronpa people.

Romancing Saga 2 remake, Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven, coming to Nintendo Switch as well. Turn-based battles "evolved" into timeline battles. Lots of decisions to be made that will change the story. Launching October 24, 2024 on Nintendo Switch.

Last announcement time! And it is...

It's real. It's really really. Metroid Prime 4 exists and they are showing it here and now. (No clown makeup for me, but apologies to Mr. Harris and his Silksong desire.)

Nothing terrible unexpected here, to be honest? It looks like a Metroid Prime game but on the Nintendo Switch. First-person camera and all.

Official title seems to be Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

Coming 2025, seems like? "Please wait a little bit longer."

And that's it! We're all done here. Whew. That was a big one.

Now, that's not to diminish any games that are set to release before the end of this year, because there are a lot of fantastic-looking new games en route. However, there's a certain gravitas to the broad strokes of next year's releases that means 2025 is going to be a huge year for the games industry. 

Xbox's sparkling 2025

Let's start with Xbox. While its Xbox Games Showcase was impressive (despite the backdrop of the recent studio closures and layoffs), it strangely failed to date the two big exclusive Xbox games due to land this side of the Holidays - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Avowed. Of course, the Avowed release date has since leaked from Obsidian itself but was hastily deleted, suggesting that Microsoft has deliberately held back the duo of dates for another announcement beat. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 of course is another of Microsoft's big focuses for 2024, with the perks of the Activision buyout now in full swing, but despite coming to Xbox Game Pass Day One, it's still legally bound to keep COD a multiplatform release - or at least for the next five years at least.

However, the Xbox Games Showcase did give us a fantastic look at what Microsoft's plans are for next year, with so many of the Xbox first-party titles featured during the Xbox Games Showcase sporting loose 2025 launch windows. Doom: The Dark Ages, with its skull-crushing gun and dragon-riding is arriving sometime next year from id Software, as is the awesome-looking South of Midnight from We Happy Few developer Compulsion Games. My own personal wishlist-topper, Fable, is also now penciled in for 2025 with developer PlayGround Games absolutely nailing the series' brief with each hilarious, but seriously moreish, trailer. 

2025 is clearly the year where all of Microsoft's investments are going to pay off. Yes, there are still some AWOL titles - Everwild, Contraband, The Outer Worlds 2 - but with its 2025 slate coupled with long-awaited fresh looks at State of Decay 3 and the Perfect Dark reboot, it finally feels like we're getting the results of Microsoft's long-term release vision in 2025.  

Nintendo and PlayStation lining up

The same can probably be said for PlayStation too, which is having probably its quietest year since the PS5 launched back in 2020. As I wrote off the back of May's State of Play showcase, while Concord and Astro Bot look great, they are a symptom of the weird year PlayStation and the PS5 is having. PlayStation has always said that it wouldn't be releasing any "major existing franchise titles" before April 1, 2025, which suggests that 2025 is going to be a more traditional year for the platform holder - even if we have much less of a clear idea what the PS5's 2025 will look like. 

It's a similar story for Nintendo too. Although it has said it is doing some kind of Nintendo Direct in June, that's yet to be dated, so we're currently a little in the dark as to what both 2024 and 2025 look like for Nintendo Switch gamers. Well, with one rather large caveat - the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo says it will announce its next-gen Switch successor "within this fiscal year" – so before March 31, 2025 – with the launch expected to fall sometime in 2025. With such a huge stake in 2025 for Nintendo, you'd imagine that this next model Switch will need to be joined with some beefy launch titles. My money's on Metroid Prime 4 and Super Mario Odyssey 2. 

2025 at large

If you look outside the platform holders too, it's even clearer that 2025 is going to be a huge year for games. The newly announced Civilization 7 was immediately penciled in for 2025, with the highly-anticipated strategy game launching simultaneously on PC and consoles for the first time. Bound to be absolutely massive on PC in particular, it's certainly going to be one to watch. 

Capcom also delivered us two utterly gorgeous Monster Hunter Wilds trailers in the last few weeks, showcasing all kinds of new features, improved graphics, and even a new monster for its open-world title. It's certainly been one of the standouts of the show for me, and not just because your Palico can apparently talk now. Knowing how fervent the Monster Hunter community is, this huge series' entry is going to cause quite the stir.

And for the shooter fans, one that stands out already for 2025 is Marvel Rivals. With so many hero shooters currently on the books for this year and next, it'll be interesting to see how another attempt at a multiplayer Marvel game holds up. 

And that's before we've even addressed the mammoth-esque elephant in the room that is Rockstar's GTA 6. Knowing how colossally Rockstar's releases usually take over the year they're released in, I'd imagine that there's going to be quite the bum shuffle of developers desperately trying to get out of the way of the GTA 6 release date. Currently, it's just set to launch sometime in Fall 2025, which could well mean that the earlier months of next year are more jam-packed with AAA releases or at least there's less of a cluster around those holiday months. It could well be that 2025 becomes a year not unlike 2023, with the likes of Baldur's Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Alan Wake 2 having been much more evenly spread throughout the year. 

For more confirmed release dates for this year and beyond, check out our comprehensive new games roundup.

Everything announced at the Ubisoft Forward 2024

• New Star Wars Outlaws look teases just how open the open world game is, and Nix remains the star
• Star Wars Outlaw's fan-favorite creature Nix is more than an adorable companion, its director sees him and protagonist Kay as "one character"
• Here's our Star Wars Outlaws preview too - "In Star Wars Outlaws, I escaped an Imperial space station, swiped a relic, and fell in love with Kay and Nix's teamwork"
• XDefiant Season 1 coming July 2, with more details on the GSK faction, new maps, weapons and more on July 1
• Skull and Bones S2 out now, S3 is called Dragon's Wake
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is getting even tougher in a free update out now, with story DLC coming to the Metroidvania in September
• Dead Cells developer's Prince of Persia roguelike is getting a brand-new biome with enemies, weapons, and more in its first free update, Temple of Fire
• Ubisoft drops magical hourglass, announces 2026 release for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake is "now entering full production" after rebooting development last year
• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Story Pack 1: The Skybreaker is coming July 16 and yes, the humans are being a nightmare again
• Year 2 details outlined for The Crew Motorfest and The Chase Squad is coming in November
• Anno 117: Pax Romana will "deliver a Roman gaming experience unlike anything you have ever played" on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2025
• Assassin's Creed Shadows' dynamic weather system has a massive impact on gameplay
• New Assassin's Creed Shadows gameplay shows how the RPG's protagonists differ when it comes to assassinations, and I can't wait to slay as stealth queen Naoe
• Our Assassin's Creed Shadows preview - "I watched the same mission play out in Assassin's Creed Shadows in two very different ways and now I can't stop thinking about the possibilities"

With the show happening soon, let's recap what we do know about the games we're seeing today, shall we?

Okay, let's start with Xdefiant. Ubisoft has said it's one of the three games definitely featuring in the main Ubisoft Forward showcase today, so it'll be interesting to see what updates it has for this free-to-play shooter. 

XDefiant hasn't been out long, debuting on May 21 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and it's an arena-based FPS. 

Our take on it is that XDefiant is a throwback to a golden generation of Call of Duty, a kind of glorious return to 2015 with XDefiant offering Black Ops 3's specialists in all but name. 

I wonder whether the developer will talk about skill-based matchmaking or SBMM? 

The game actually opens with SBMM but only up until you reach level 25, after which point the game completely opens up. Players are loving the SBMM-free life, and Ubisoft said it's all intentional. 

It's there initially to let players learn the fundamentals against people of their own level, but then once you're a pro - or as close as you'll ever get - you can unleash yourself across the full gamut of players. 

Interestingly, Ubisoft has already detailed the Year 1 XDefiant Roadmap, including four unique seasons and the factions, weapons, and other content they'll introduce. 

However, it could well be that we actually get the details for Season 1 at Ubisoft Forward, letting players learn more about Faction Codename Ruby and the weapons, maps, and Battle Pass that'll drop. 

Then we've got Star Wars Outlaws, the brand new Massive Entertainment title, and very first open-world Star Wars games. 

The game was initially revealed this time last year with a lengthy trailer, developer commentary and other beautiful news nuggets. 

We also got this 10-minute gameplay walkthrough, which outlined all sorts of the game's features, including its morality system, planet traversal, and more. 

Interestingly, we did get another new Star Wars Outlaws trailer at Summer Game Fest on Friday, and through that we got confirmation that Lando is coming. 

So we already know quite a bit about the game. Our own Heather Wald, thinks that Star Wars Outlaws being sandwiched between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi is a stronger pull than the Force, for example. While elsewhere we've had the lead dev explain how relationships with criminal factions "lends itself very well for an open-world game"

I'd quite like to hear more about the morality system, especially as a sucker for that kind of gameplay, but also after Massive said that the Reputation system will change "the gameplay around the story" rather than "the story itself".

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the other sure fire bet for this event, with the game only officially revealed in April. 

We already know that it's featuring a duo of protagonists - Yasuke and Naoe, the Samurai and shinobi partnership. 

Set in Feudal-Japan, you'll be able to play as both of them, each with their own set of abilities and play styles. It's not quite as clear cut as Naoe's stealthy, and Yasuke's more about the action, but that's certainly a part of it. 

Here's the world premiere trailer if you want to catch up.

Personally, I'm just hoping for a new Rayman game...

Let's head over to the Ubisoft YouTube channel to catch the pre-show. Plus if you watch on Twitch you can grab some Ubi goodies. 

First up we've got Skull and Bones' water guy on creating the oceans and seas in the game. 

A musical interlude you say?

Little trailer here for an indie game 'Supported by Ubisoft', This Bed We Made. 

GamesRadar's Jasmine played it and loved it, saying "this sapphic murder mystery game had me uncovering scandal after scandal as a snooping hotel maid in 1950s Montreal".

Cheeky little segment for Just Dance VR: Welcome to Dancity, coming October 15. 

Coming to all platforms September 24, it's Monopoly! Literally just called Monopoly. 

King of the Hat is out now, and another indie game supported by Ubisoft. 

That was essentially just a long explanation of what you do in Rainbow Six: Siege... 

Anyone else get massively excited that this was Hollow Knight?

10 minutes to go until the main Ubisoft Forward show.

You can play BattleCore Arena for free now in Early Access on PC. 

I wonder if we'll get to see anything of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake or Splinter Cell today?

Assassin's Creed Mirage coming to iOS today - play the beginning now for free. 

Hey, where's Assassin's Creed Jade?

okay here we go!

Hollywood Chamber Orchestra here to kick us off with some bops

Star Wars Outlaws is up first, and here's a look at Kay at an arcade.

She's at a bar, looking for someone - a gun slinger - who can treat her some new tricks. 

Nice walk through your ship here too. 

Each planet has its own system to explore, and ways to earn credits. 

You can choose to engage in combat or ignore it - especially when it's some randomer who needs help. Can impact your reputation with syndicates - for better or worse. 

At one point they approach a Hutt territory planet, and just literally fly straight down to the planet's surface. Way more No Man's Sky than Starfield. 

Fly straight to Mos Eisley. 

Exploring Tatooine on a speeder biker following some intel that leads us to a warehouse. Scopes out the place using some binoculars. 

Nixx can attack on your behalf and also sense nearby enemies with a little pulse when asked. He protecc he attac.

Someone comes through the door while lockpicking and everything goes into full combat. 

Can call the speeder to you?

That was a nice little slice of mission walkthrough there. 

Loved the Western influences in some of the standoffs too - very Mandalorian. 

Julian Gerighty from Massive here now chatting about the game. 

Looks like this is another new trailer, again featuring Lando. More of an overview trailer. 

NIX CAN PLAY DEAD

'It's up to you where your loyalties lie'

Here's that mission walkthrough to watch again later

Aaaaand here's this overview trailer too 

XDefiant's new faction - GSK - unveiled. 

three new weapons, one new map per month (Clubhouse, Daytona, Rockefella). 

New Mode - Capture the Flag. 

New Ranked progressions. 

"AND MORE"

Coming July 2, full reveal for GSK faction coming july 1. 

Skull and Bones Season 2 being outlined now. New story arch, new ship called The Brig, new sea monster the Megalodon - Lestari, new summer fiesta and dragon's regatta seasonal events. 

Added community requested features like fleet management. 

New solo and PvE game modes added. 

New ship upgrades, offering further playstyle diversity. 

Season 3 is called Into the Dragon's Wake. New sea lord and activities, stories and rewards. New legendary sea monster, the flying dragon. New 5v5 PvP mode with that too. 

Skull and Bones Season 2 out now. 

Brand Director for Prince of Persia here now with 'three surprises'

First update available for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. New amulets, outfits, divine trials, bosses revisited. 

Plus glimpse at story DLC. 

Mask of Darkness story DLC coming September 2024. 

The Rogue Prince of Persia - first update is about to release. 

New Biome called Temple of Fire. Available now. 

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time in 2026. 

OOFT what a tease. 

How long has that Sands of Time remake been in development now, eh?

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Story Pack 1: The Skybreaker coming July 16. 

The Crew Motorfest final update of the first year coming in July. 

Year 2 Motorfest - more seasons, new content, and more. 

Brand new Hawaiian island being added for free. Made in Japan Vol 2 also coming. 

The Chase Squad coming November 2024 to The Crew Motorfest. 

Anno: 117 Pax Romana coming 2025.

Fan-favorite setting that's been highly awaited. Coming to both PC and console. 

You can choose your starting province for the first time in the Anno series. 

Dedicated Live Stream for Anno on June 18.

Here's the reveal trailer for that, which is just an old Roman man talking to some sheep.

Taiko Project now beating some drums for Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Charles Benoit - the Assassin's Creed game "we've wanted to make for a very long time"

Little recap on the two characters now. 

In the winter ice may prevent you from going underwater. Heavy rain helps you blend or get away from enemies. At night, extinguish lights or braziers to escape.

You can pet the Shibas. confirmed. 

Looking at the game from Yasuke's point of view. 

Assasinate Fujioka is the mission. He's harrassing the people of the Dyeing District in the town of Fukuchiyama. 

Using clues to find the target. 

Combat with Yasuke is slow and deliberate, big heavy weapons. Very Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

Switches to a katana. Much more slick and speedy than the big spiked bat he had before. 

Special abilites on the R2 as we've come to expect from the RPG Assassin's. 

And now here comes Naoe. 

Choice whether to play as Naoe or Yasuke. 

Playing as Naoe now - "I won't be alone in there. It'll be me and the shadows". 

Love the swing of a rope into a blade takedown. 

She can move prone, which is pretty new for the Assassin's Creed series. Threw something for a distraction, and then used a chain to whip around the neck of an enemy. 

Very classic Assassin roof takedowns. 

Can kill people through screen doors, and also flip to the ceiling to get out of sight. 

Lord Hayashi is the target here. 

Throwing knife takes out an enemy. 

Moves into the water to swim up to a target. It's raining, does that help muffle the sound? Breathing pipe like a reed to stay under water. 

She gets spotted, and then uses a ball on a chain to deal damage to multiple enemies at once. 

Can scale walls. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows deep dive coming in the post show so stay tuned. 

We're into the post show now, and starting with Assassin's Creed Shadows. 

Wildlife more a key part of the game, and will move through the seasons like the game. Expect puppies in the spring!

- Yasuke's spiked bat is good for removing armor. Yellow bar on the enemy is the armor.
- Attacking and defending charge up your ability meter
- Posture system, can lead to executions, but also exposes yourself

Yasuke and Naoe both have their own stories and their own life. Can switch between the characters at any point - apart from during infiltrations. 

New features - Spy Network. Helps you find your objectives. 

Naoe has a dynamic view of the enemies.

Each of Naoe's weapons has a unique assassination style. 

New animations to make her feel more agile and shinobi-like. More parkour flourish basically. 

In interiors there are good places to hide, but the ceiling beams are a really good way to lie in wait for assassinations. 

Thunder storms cover your steps and action. 

Full extended deep dive here:

Star Wars Outlaws deep dive through that gameplay we saw before now. 

Kessel Sabacc the card game getting a little showcase. 

Reminder, after 41 years, Star Wars Outlaws is the first video game to feature the franchise's iconic but nearly abandoned card game.

Turns out you can cheat too. 

Jawa trading is a thing in Star Wars Outlaws. 

Stacked bounty board on Tatooine that even sports Kay's own picture. 

Kay can hold her own in combat, including taking down a Deathtroooper with a electric baton. 

A lot of creature reveals in that developer deep dive. Here's the full developer breakdown for you:

Division details here: 

And that's a wrap on the main show and post-show. Let's do a little recap of everything announced at the top shall we?

Ubisoft says we're kicking things off early with a pre-show that focuses on updates to live games before we roll into the main show itself, which features a "deeper look" at games yet to come from the developer. Think "Star Wars Outlaws, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, XDefiant, and more."

Ubisoft is also offering incentives for those who tune in on Twitch, be it with Ubisoft or anyone co-streaming through the "Special Events" category. Twitch drops are enabled and there are nine to earn, with each unlock coming after you've spent a certain amount of time watching a stream. 

Doing so for 15 minutes gets you Rainbow Six Siege's Ultra Top Fan Charm for example, whereas committing for one hour nabs you The Crew Motorfest's Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (1968), Assassin's Creed Valhalla's Yurei Bushido Gear Set, and Assassin's Creed Shadows' Koi Uchide-no-Kozuchi trinket. There's plenty more between all of that, too.

Getting all of that, though, means watching the Ubisoft Forward stream itself. Read on to find out how to do just that.

Ubisoft Forward 2024 start time

This summer's Ubisoft Forward stream starts at 12pm PDT / 3pm EDT / 8pm BST / 9pm CEST on June 10. It follows a 30-minute pre-show that focuses on updates to games that have already been released. Ubisoft hasn't revealed how long this one will run for, though we typically find that giving yourself two hours leaves you covered.

Ubisoft Forward 2024 stream – how can I watch it?

You can find a good Ubisoft Forward 2024 stream on YouTube, Twitch, and more. Watching along on Twitch comes with decent in-game goodies if you like a Twitch drop or two, but any is fine if you aren't fussed about the cosmetics.

Ubisoft adds that YouTube viewers have the option of watching with English subtitles, audio description, and American Sign Language. As the show rumbles on, you can catch clips on YouTube that feature subtitles in various languages, from French and Italian to Korean and Japanese.

What else will be there? Check out our Summer Game Fest 2024 predictions for a definitive list of absolute guesswork. We're bound to get one or two right, aren't we?

You can find everything announced at the Xbox Games Showcase directly below or carry on reading for the blow-by-blow of how it all played out. 

Everything announced at Xbox Games Showcase

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 coming October 25, early access back for pre-order customers
• Doom: The Dark Ages takes the FPS icon off the rails with a giant mech, a blade shield, and a shotgun that shoots bones
• 4 years after its reveal, State of Decay 3 is back with a first look at its gorgeous and emotional open-world zombie action
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard features returning faces from Dragon Age 2 and Inquisition, and they're not alone
• A surprise Starfield patch is coming today, and it looks like a different RPG in the new trailer for the Shattered Space DLC
• You'll be able to play as a ghoul in Fallout 76 early next year and channel your inner Walton Goggins from the Fallout TV show
• Expedition 33 is a French JRPG with Paper Mario-style combat and some of the most beautiful surreal visuals I've ever seen in a game
• South of Midnight, the upcoming action-adventure game from the ex-Arkane dev behind We Happy Few set in the Deep South, finally gets a release window
• World of Warcraft: The War Within kicks off the MMO's Worldsoul Saga in August
• Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater got a new trailer but no date still
• Sea of Thieves Season 13 coming July 13 - at least for Xbox and PC (no mention of PS5)
• Hyped Soulslike riff Flintlock: Siege of Dawn sets release date for next month
• Age of Mythology Retold is coming September 4, 2024
• The Perfect Dark reboot suddenly resurfaces, and now somehow looks like a Deus Ex game with "elements of first-person shooters, immersive sims, and stealth-action"
• Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred announces October release date in gnarly new cinematic that will have you reaching for the sick bag
• Fable joins GTA 6, Monster Hunter Wilds and more in 2025's already packed game release schedule
• Fragpunks is a 5v5 hero shooter with gameplay-changing cards and it's coming 2025
• Winter Burrow is a survival game starring a tiny mouse that's definitely going to make me cry
• Mixtape is the new Annapurna game that explores memories through music set in the early 90s - and of course it has a banging soundtrack
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 coming November 19, 2024 with a huge range of aviation careers
• You can play all of the Elder Scrolls 6 DLC for free with a limited time ahead of the Gold Road June 18 launch
• Life is Strange: Double Exposure is bringing the series' first protagonist, Max Caulfield, back for a new adventure in October
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle got a very Uncharted-like new trailer but still no actual release date
• Mechabreak is coming 2025, with a beta this August
• Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, a game about a pirate warrior with cursed blood, is coming in 2025
• Avowed's new story trailer sets up a grand RPG adventure with factions vying for control over a beautiful magical world
• Atomfall is Rebellion's new absolutely mad-looking game coming in 2025
• Assassin's Creed Shadows' Naoe recalls the series' stealthier, RPG-less roots with a hidden blade, hood, and an awesome grapple
• New Stalker 2 trailer shows the monsters and mayhem of its open world, and the weapons you'll have to defend yourself
• Xbox reveals three new consoles out later this year, says it's "hard at work on the next generation"
• Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel set 14 years before the original action game, and yes, Dom is back

So with around two hours left to go until the Xbox Games Showcase, let's take a little walk around the Xbox gardens to see what we could expect to pop up at today's event. 

Let's start with the biggest rumor but also potentially most interesting, and that's the reports that Xbox could be about to reveal an Xbox handheld console. 

Now, it's a little farfetched perhaps, but rumors of an Xbox handheld have been doing the rounds for a number of years now. 

What's not clear is what kind of form that could take. A mini Series S? An Android powered streaming device? A cloud-based dedicated console? Or a genuine Game Pass powered Steam Deck rival?

Now myself and our Hardware Editor, Phil, agree that if an Xbox handheld finally shows up during the Xbox Games Showcase, we hope it’s not a PlayStation Portal rival. I just want to be able to access my Game Pass games on a plane, train, or anywhere I damn please. Please. 

I personally think it's pretty unlikely that Xbox announces new hardware today, but hey I've been wrong before. I personally would love to see the controller refresh that was detailed in the documents that were leaked as part of the Activision acquisition. 

That is said to retain the same design as the current pads, but be quite the upgrade in terms of features. It'll allegedly have Xbox Wireless 2, Bluetooth 5.2 and Direct-to-Cloud functionality to improve overall connectivity and reduce latency regardless of what you're connected to. 

But, more importantly for my wireless loving ass, it'll apparently include a rechargeable, swappable, battery as standard. Goodbye AA batteries, be GONE. 

According to that report, it's also supposedly going to include wide "build improvements" and "improved longevity", with things like new modular thumbsticks, haptic feedback, quieter buttons, and more.

The docs had it listed as a May 2024 launch, but seeing as those docs were from May 2022 no doubt things have changed since then. 

The report goes though that this snazzy new Universal Controller will be sold standalone but also debut with the Xbox Series X refresh that was also detailed in the leak. 

The big takeaways from that leak were that it's going to ditch the chunky cuboid design, and opt for a tall cylindrical shape that completely ditches the disc drive.
It'll still have a power button, pairing button, and USB-C port but it's unclear how much difference there will be in size between the two from the concept designs alone. 

We also don't know what the price difference will be - good or bad. The documents say it'll be the "same great price", but again these are from 2022. The RRP of the Xbox Series X is still $499, but if you get a good deal you can get one now for around $399. 

In his predictions for this Xbox Games Showcase, our own Xbox expert (Xpert?) Josh West said he wants to see a little less conversation and a little more action, please.

So now, we basically just need some games. 

So what about those games, then eh? Let's leave Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 out of this chat as we absolutely know it's getting a full reveal at its dedicated post-show Direct. 

My personal pick would be to see more of Fable. We got that epic full trailer at last year's event complete with Richard Ayoade as Dave the giant and 'vegetable enthusiast', but we've not heard anything about the game since. 

We got some glimmers of gameplay from this trailer, some magic use and combat, but we did get a fantastic sense that new developer Playground Games (of Forza Horizon fame) is going to retain the British sense of humor that's always been a staple of the series. 

Another game that was showed off for the first time at last year's Summer Game Fest Xbox Showcase was South of Midnight. 

Honestly one of my favorite trailers for some time, it's got that creepy cool vibe going on with promises of "a fantastical and macabre third-person action-adventure set in the American Deep South".

Another one from last year's showcase was Clockwork Revolution. Another very cool trailer that gave serious BioShock vibes. Again no details on this one since then either. 

Of course, all eyes will be on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which only got fully revealed with its title earlier this year. It's currently got a loose release window of this fall, but I'd imagine that will get fully confirmed at today's showcase. 

In development at MachineGames, the game's story will take place between the Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade movies, around 1937. It'll start at the iconic Marshall College where Jones teaches, but from there, we'll be traveling the globe for answers, including the Vatican, Egypt, and the Himalayas.

The gameplay looks great - as you'd expect from FPS experts MachineGames - with plenty of stealth and puzzle solving in between taking out Nazis with your gun and whip. While the majority is first-person, the game will also occasionally pull back to third-person to let you take in Indy in his full splendour. 

Let's take another look at that reveal trailer shall we?

State of Decay 3 should also be a contender to appear at the Xbox Games Showcase today. There was a leak that seemingly confirmed a trailer is set to drop today, which is good because we've not heard from developer Undead Labs for years now. 

There's also STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. With its release date currently set for September 5, I wouldn't be surprised if we got a new trailer today at the Xbox Games Showcase, detailing more about this highly-anticipated new game.