007: First Light — A Tactical Preview Worth the Watch

IO Interactive’s 34-minute gameplay reveal of 007: First Light offers a focused look at what players can expect from this upcoming stealth-action title and it's bad ass. Known for their work on the Hitman series, IO is applying their expertise to the Bond universe with precision and flair. If I had to imagine IO Interactive making their own spy-based action adventure game... it would look just 007: First Light:

As you see, the gameplay reveal highlights a blend of stealth, tactical movement, and cinematic execution. Players navigate multi-path environments, disable security systems with gadgets, and engage in hand-to-hand combat when necessary. The pacing is deliberate, encouraging thoughtful play that reminds me of Hitman with 10 times the action. It almost feels like Hitman meets Just Cause, and I can't wait... to play! I'm keeping my expectations realistic while also wondering how IO Interactive will treat the life cycle of this game.

Lighting, sound, and environmental design play a role in how missions unfold. The game rewards patience and planning, with reactive AI and layered objectives that evolve as players progress. We've seen situations shift in Hitman... so we'll see how this all translates when it comes to the action.

 Presentation and Immersion 

Camera work is tight and purposeful, keeping the player grounded in the moment. Voice acting and mission scripting reflect the tone of a young Bond—(someone) controlled, clever, and relentless from what I see. You still get the tension of Hitman in this game as well, and I'm trying not to put this in those shoes at all... but they aren't bad shoes to model Bond's spy-friendly shoes after.

 Why We’re Excited 

• Tactical depth without overwhelming complexity (sometimes this got to me in Hitman)

• Strong visual and audio direction (feels like it could be a 007 film)

• A fresh take on Bond that respects the legacy (they went back far enough to justify differences)

• IO’s proven track record with stealth mechanics (duh of the day)

007: First Light isn’t trying to be everything—but what it appears to have going is something that has turned my head and people already know IOI. This was the perfect project for them. Will that make it the perfect game? I have no idea, but we shall see! 007: First Light drops on March 27, 2026 on PC | PS5 | XSX | NS2!

If they stick the landing, this could be one of the most grounded and satisfying stealth titles of the year. On that note, wouldn't it be cool to see Avalanche Studios (the dev team behind Just Cause) make a move to develop a... Mission Impossible game?

 + Sophi 

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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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FTS: "Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition" Announced, Launching Oct. 24 (Consoles)

 

FAST & FURIOUS: ARCADE EDITION ANNOUNCED, LAUNCHING OCTOBER 24, 2025, ON CONSOLES

High-Speed, Adrenaline-Fueled Arcade Racing Comes Home!

MINNEAPOLIS – Aug. 13, 2025 – Get ready to hop into the driver’s seat of one of the most thrilling action franchises in the world! Inspired by the saga from Universal Pictures, Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition brings the high-octane excitement of the original Fast & Furious arcade title home to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S on October 24, 2025! Race through exciting environments in single-player, or grab a friend and experience the nonstop arcade rivalry in two-player split-screen local multiplayer!

Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition delivers high-speed racing and pedal-to-the-metal action straight from the arcade to consoles! Hit the road in legendary cars including the Dodge Charger, Corvette Z06, Shelby GT500 KR, Ford GT, Bronco DR, Jeep Wrangler and more - plus customize your car with unique color schemes.

Race through each of the original arcade game’s tracks solo or in split-screen with a friend and discover destructible environments, branching paths, and sneaky shortcuts that can shake up any race and reward risk-takers. Take on thrilling challenges with high-stakes objectives like intercepting a missile in the Swiss Alps or grounding a plane in the heart of Hong Kong.

Key Game Features

• High-Speed, Adrenaline-Fueled Arcade Racing - Race across high-intensity tracks in licensed supercars with cinematic style, drifting, nitro boosts, and precision driving that captures the thrill of the original arcade classic.
• The Top-Tier Arcade Racer, Brought to Consoles - Experience the full-throttle thrills of the arcade game at home, now optimized for consoles and with the same explosive action that made the original a fan favorite in arcades.
• Race Iconic Vehicles - Hit the road in 8 legendary cars including the Dodge Charger, Corvette Z06, Shelby GT500 KR, Ford GT, Bronco DR, Jeep Wrangler, and more.
• Customize Your Look, Your Way - Style your ride with custom vehicle color schemes that let you stand out on the track and represent your personality.
• Race Together in Local Multiplayer - Grab a friend and hit the track with 2 players in split-screen local multiplayer, bringing the arcade rivalry home with side-by-side action and nonstop competition.
• Dominate Fierce High-Intensity Courses - Burn rubber through all the original tracks in bold, diverse environments that push your driving skills to the limit.
• Tackle Secret Missions Around the World - Complete bonus challenges with explosive objectives like stopping a missile in the Swiss Alps or grounding a plane in Hong Kong.
• Unleash Chaos with Hidden Shortcuts - Discover destructible environments, branching paths, and sneaky shortcuts that shake up every race and reward risk-taking drivers.

Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition launches on October 24, 2025. It is developed by Cradle Games and published by GameMill Entertainment, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences.

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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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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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