FTS: "John Carpenter's Toxic Commando" Gameplay Reveal Trailer Drops at Gamescom ONL, Coming 2026 (PC, PS5, XSX)

 

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando Reveals Gameplay & Release Window at Opening Night Live

Arriving early 2026, Saber Interactive’s new title inspired by ‘80s action-horror showcases infectious co-op shooting and off-road driving sim gameplay

COLOGNE, Germany – Aug. 19, 2025 – Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment have descended upon gamescom’s Opening Night Live with a first look at John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, the game where players team up with friends to battle hordes of creepy things before they infect the entire world.

Whether behind the wheel or on foot, players will face massive enemy hordes and daunting bosses, all powered by Saber's Swarm Engine, the technology behind World War Z: Aftermath and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Fully supporting cross-platform co-op, the game will give adrenaline hunters and ’80s horror fans alike tons of fear and excitement when it arrives in early 2026!

Not Just Another Mercenary Team

In the near future, an experimental attempt to harness the power of the Earth’s core ends in a terrifying disaster, turning soil to scum and the living to undead monsters. However, the genius behind the experiment has a plan to make things right: a team of highly trained mercenaries to get the job done. Unfortunately, they were all too expensive. That’s why he hired THE TOXIC COMMANDO.

Strap in for Crossplay-Ready Co-op Carnage

Play in squads of up to four players — with full crossplay support across PC and consoles — and send the Sludge God and its horde of things-that-should-never-be back to the underworld. Pick your character, choose the class that matches your playstyle, pile into your favorite ride, and unload an array of gunfire, grenades, special abilities, and freaking katanas.

The Toxic Menu:

• Buddy-movie vibes and the over-the-top humor, action, and horror of classic ‘80s cinema, inspired by and with the involvement of the legendary John Carpenter
• Teaming up with friends to face down hordes of monsters who want to eat your face
• An explosive cocktail of visceral FPS action and off-road driving on slime-corrupted terrain across massive post-apocalyptic environments 
• Upgrading your skills and testing new abilities against increasingly hardcore challenges
• Saving the planet against impossible odds

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando releases in early 2026. Wishlist it today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Epic Games Store and Steam.

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Stellar Blade on PC: A Story of Survival, Strength, and Standing Tall

Stellar Blade is available on Epic Games | Steam | PS5

In Stellar Blade, humanity isn’t just fighting for survival—it’s fighting for identity. Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth overrun by biomechanical creatures known as the Naytiba, the game follows Eve, a warrior from an off-world colony, as she descends to reclaim the planet and uncover the truth behind its fall. But this isn’t just another save-the-world scenario. It’s a journey of self-discovery, trust, and resilience

Eve isn’t alone. Alongside her are survivors who’ve carved out a fragile existence in the ruins of civilization. As she navigates the remnants of humanity’s past, she’s forced to confront moral dilemmas, forge alliances, and challenge the very systems that led to Earth’s collapse. The story is layered with themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the cost of truth—making Stellar Blade more than just a visual spectacle.

Before we dive deeper, here’s a gameplay video that showcases Eve’s combat finesse, the game’s stunning environments, and the kind of high-octane action that’s earned Stellar Blade praise:

 The Controversy: Curves, Criticism, and Character Design 

Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the backlash surrounding Eve’s character design. Some critics have taken issue with her curvier figure, sparking debates that echo the same tired arguments we’ve seen with characters like Bayonetta. But here’s the thing: body shaming under the guise of “progressive critique” isn’t progressive at all.

We’re not here to judge anyone’s decision to make changes to their body by way of surgery or to feel less or more than because of another person's body type. We believe that comparisons are the thief of Joy. I will go into depth a bit more in an episode of Blu + Gaming.

That said, what we do stand for is positivity. Women and men come in all shapes and sizes. Period. And when a game features a character with natural curves, it shouldn’t be met with hostility or low-key hate. It should be met with the same acceptance we claim to want for everyone. When it comes to certain costumes and things of that nature, this game gives you the option of choosing between costumes... and you can kick back during a people watching session and see all sorts of clothing options being worn in the real world. From the boardroom to the beach and everywhere in between. Dress codes are in place in some spaces, and it's bit more relaxed in others. The dress code is chose by developers unless the money talks loud enough for them to consider making a pivot (remember what M rated may include):

 Real Talk: Representation Matters 

Let’s get even more real. In the workplace, many women—like curvier Black women—face unfair scrutiny for having natural curves. Their bodies show well in everyday clothing, and instead of the focus being who they are when it comes to their individuality and their accomplishments on the job, there are examples of women being made to feel like they only “fit” into certain industries. This doesn't only apply to select women who judge them, and it doesn't only apply to women. That’s not inclusion. That’s discrimination. And it’s still happening today, even when it comes to natural Black hairstyles.

This isn’t just about gaming. It’s about the broader cultural lens through which we view women’s bodies. When a character like Eve is criticized for her shape, it sends a message that women with certain body types are only acceptable in limited contexts. Differences exist.

So here at SDGT Entertainment, we embrace differences. Whether you’re slim, curvy, athletic, or anywhere in between—be the best “You” that you can be. And if you’re vibing with Stellar Blade and want to get the game on PC, enjoy!

 5 Tips to Elevate Your Stellar Blade Experience on PC 

Master the Parry System – Timing is everything. Learn enemy patterns and strike with precision.

Explore Thoroughly – Hidden lore and upgrades are tucked away in every corner. Don’t rush.

Customize Eve’s Gear – Tailor her loadout to match your combat style. Flexibility is key.

Engage with NPCs – Side quests reveal deeper layers of the story and unlock valuable resources.

Play with Purpose – Whether you're here for the action or the narrative, enjoy to the fullest:

• If you play with a PS5 controller (i.e. HexGaming Phantom for PS5 & PC)... you will get sound feedback through the controller's speaker
• You'll enjoy the action even more with surround sound speakers or hi-res headphones

So there you have it. Stay positive, enjoy Stellar Blade on PC, and game on! Oh... wait wait... if you didn't know, all the new PC content is also available on PS5!

 + Sophi 

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Take control with the AJAZZ AKP153 Studio Controller

Dear Developers, Let’s talk legacy... Tripwire Interactive’s legacy, to be precise!

Killing Floor 3 is available now on PC | PS5 | XSX

When Killing Floor launched as a mod for Unreal Tournament 2004, few could have imagined that a gritty wave-based shooter would morph into one of the most iconic co-op franchises in modern gaming. But Tripwire did more than build a hit—they evolved! They didn’t stay comfortable as a talented mod team (and this is no smoke against mods). They transformed into a full-fledged studio. And in doing so, they showed the entire gaming community what’s possible when you treat modding as a launchpad, not a finish line.

This kind of evolution is one SDGT Entertainment has been championing for over a decade. There’s nothing wrong with being a modder—it’s an incredible space to sharpen your skills, test your chemistry with collaborators, and build proof of concept. But... when you put your best into building someone else’s IP—like the countless hours poured into remaking Super Mario 64—you run the risk of watching your passion vanish with a takedown notice. It’s no shade toward Nintendo... because they’re legally protecting their property—but it is a reality that talented devs have learned the hard way.

Tripwire made a smarter play: they took the DNA of their mod, repackaged it into a fresh universe, and walked into the industry like a badass... with their own IP! That gave them full freedom to expand, hire, iterate, and grow a fanbase that’s now excited for Killing Floor 3—a blood-soaked, tactically rich nightmare set in 2091. And they did it on their own terms!

So to all modders reading this: Don’t trash your efforts! Reshape them. Build something original that reflects your skill and vision. Tap into free tools like Unreal Engine, train with resources offered by Epic Games and other dev-friendly companies + courses. Every major studio started somewhere. Tripwire started in the trenches—just like many of you. We're no different!

Stay passionate, stay strategic, and keep building. We look forward to checking out your game one day... just like we’re doing with Killing Floor 3 today!

Unreal Fest Orlando 2025: Your Gateway to Game Development Greatness!

 + Sophi 

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Summer is here, join the club and save big!

Take control with the AJAZZ AKP153 Studio Controller

FTS: Smilegate to Publish Absurd Ventures' AAA Open-World "A BETTER PARADISE" Game

 

Smilegate to Publish Absurd Ventures’ AAA Open-World Game Set in the A BETTER PARADISE Universe

 Smilegate expands partnership with former GTA creative director Dan Houser for global AAA publishing

New game set in A BETTER PARADISE universe in development, funded by Smilegate

August 6, 2025 – Smilegate today announced that it has signed an agreement with Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures to globally publish the studio’s upcoming AAA, open-world, sci-fi action-adventure game, set in its mind-bending A BETTER PARADISE universe. The partnership follows Smilegate’s strategic investment in Absurd Ventures, announced last year.

A BETTER PARADISE is an expansive universe created by Absurd Ventures, the company founded by Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser, the former creative director and lead writer of the GRAND THEFT AUTO and RED DEAD REDEMPTION franchises, among others. Building on the studio’s talent for crafting incredible narrative worlds and characters, A BETTER PARADISE has already spawned a hit audio fiction series, A BETTER PARADISE Volume One: An Aftermath, which debuted at the top of Apple’s Fiction charts and won the 2024 Signal Award for Best Episode of Scripted Fiction. Absurd Ventures is also releasing a novelization of the first volume of A BETTER PARADISE’s story, due out in October 2025.

Currently in early development, the video game is being written and creative directed by Houser alongside his worldbuilding and creative team which includes longtime collaborators Lazlow, and Michael Unsworth. The game’s development at Absurd Ventures is being led by veteran studio head Greg Borrud who was previously General Manager of Niantic and co-founder of Pandemic Studios. Houser and Borrud have been building an elite team at Absurd Ventures studios and the A BETTER PARADISE game project boasts senior game development talent with previous experience from Bungie, Treyarch, Respawn, Insomniac, Riot, and more, with lead credits on best-in-class action and adventure games such as Call of Duty, Destiny 2, Valorant, Spider-Man 2, Hogwarts Legacy, and many others.

With a top-tier development team, Absurd is officially in development on this new AAA game, driven by an ambitious and exciting creative vision. The company expects Smilegate’s expertise and experience, as proven by its success in the global gaming industry, to bring strong synergy to their strategic publishing partnership. Following its equity investment in Absurd Ventures last year, Smilegate plans to make a full-scale investment, including development funding, into the A BETTER PARADISE project to help ensure its global success. 

Sung Joon-ho, CEO of Smilegate, said:

“We are thrilled to take on this new challenge in the global AAA game market alongside Dan Houser and Absurd. We are confident that the strong storytelling of the ABP universe combined with the development capabilities of the Absurd team will result in an outstanding title. We are a company with a developer-first DNA and truly understand what development studios need,” he emphasized. “Through our partnership with Absurd, we will fully support the A Better Paradise game project and do our utmost to help create a new title that will be loved by players around the world. Smilegate will leverage its extensive experience and success in global markets to ensure the ABP project becomes a beloved success worldwide.”

Dan Houser, founder of Absurd Ventures, stated:

“Absurd Ventures was set up to tell new and different kinds of stories, and to create what I hope are interesting and compelling original experiences. This new game is an opportunity to go somewhere entirely different and to take players on an entirely new adventure. I am excited to be going on this journey with the amazing team that we are building here at Absurd Ventures and am grateful that we are partnering with Smilegate who really understand and support our vision.”

Kwon Hyuk-bin, Chief Visionary Officer of Smilegate, added:

“Dan Houser and I have formed a deep friendship through our shared interest in games and the future, and I find it especially meaningful that we are now able to share our creative visions through this collaboration on the A Better Paradise project,” he stated. “We’re excited to present a title that reflects the vision we’ve often discussed—one that we hope will deeply resonate with gamers around the world.

Through this joint project, Smilegate aims to grow beyond Asia and become a major player in the global gaming industry.

Absurd Ventures was advised by Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, P.C. and Fenwick & West LLP in connection with the transaction. Smilegate was advised by DLA Piper.

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FTS: Lovecraftian Horror Sim "Static Dread: The Lighthouse" Out Now (PC)

 

LOVECRAFTIAN HORROR SIM STATIC DREAD: THE LIGHTHOUSE OUT NOW ON STEAM

Guide helpless ships through the all-consuming abyss - or be lost to the encroaching darkness!

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Aug. 6, 2025 – Indie game publisher Polden and developer solarsuit.games is thrilled to launch Static Dread: The Lighthouse on Steam today! This dark horror sim inspired by both Papers, Please and the unknowable terrors of H.P. Lovecraft combines lighthouse-keeping gameplay with survival horror elements and atmosphere, plus multiple endings to discover. Watch today’s new cinematic launch trailer to prepare yourself for your time at the lighthouse!

Static Dread: The Lighthouse combines ancient Eldritch horrors with the eagle-eyed observation of Papers, Please. As a lone lighthouse keeper, it’s up to you to maintain the beacon of an ancient lighthouse after calamity has befallen the world. But beware…mariners report encounters with creatures beyond the reach of science, and ships have been drifting back from distant waters completely empty, their crews vanished without a trace…

As your duties grow more perilous with each night, the fate of the nearby town and passing vessels are in your hands. Meet a variety of strange characters and make difficult choices that will determine their fortune. Survive Lovecraftian terrors, use your radio to guide the ships entrusted to you through the abyss, and don’t let the shadows consume you.

Static Dread: The Lighthouse is available on Steam today for $9.74 with a 25% discount until August 20 (Standard price $12.99).

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