FTS: Arc Games' Underwater Adventure "NAUTUS" Begins PC Closed Beta Aug. 31, Sign Up Now!

QUIRKY UNDERWATER ADVENTURE NAUTUS GETS STEAM CLOSED BETA PLAYTEST, SIGN-UP NOW

 Closed Beta Testing Kicks Off August 31, Sign-Up Now at playtest.playnautus.com

In Development from Magic Design Studios, the Indie Studio Behind Have a Nice Death & Unruly Heroes

LOS GATOS, Calif. – Aug. 24, 2026 – Arc Games, a leading publisher of AA and indie titles for PC and consoles, and Magic Design Studios, the indie developer behind acclaimed titles Have a Nice Death and Unruly Heroes, are excited to announce that NAUTUS, the recently announced charmingly quirky underwater adventure, will soon have a Closed Beta Playtest via Steam, with sign-ups available now via playtest.playnautus.com.

The Closed Beta Playtest will begin Monday, August 31, at 7 AM PDT. Magic Design Studios is looking for fans of Dave the Diver, Subnautica, Terraria, and SteamWorld Dig to join the playtest and provide valuable feedback via Discord to help shape the game and be part of its development journey from the very beginning.

Excited to jump into this adventure? Follow and wishlist the game today on Steam! 

ABOUT THE CLOSED BETA PLAYTEST

Sign up for the Closed Beta Playtest and get ready to dive into NAUTUS for the first time ever via Steam starting on Monday, August 31, at 7 AM PDT! This playtest gives players a proper introduction to the game to experience its unique dual-layered gameplay loop:

• On the Surface: Catch your breath, meet and help quirky amnesiac locals, customize your tropical home base, manage resources, and engineer specialized submarine upgrades.
• Below the Surface: Pilot your upgradeable submarine into a beautiful yet dangerous underwater abyss, encounter mutant marine life, navigate environmental hazards, and gather rare materials to craft advanced machinery and gear.

During the playtest, you’ll create your own character, step into the world of NAUTUS and begin your adventure. You’ll meet eccentric locals, like the mayor and Mr. Golden, unlock your own submarine, explore the game's first biome, tackle main and secondary quests, and dive deep into core progression systems. Players can brave the ocean depths entirely on their own, or team up with up to three friends in four-player online co-op to uncover the mysteries of NAUTUS together!

ABOUT NAUTUS

From the indie studio behind Have a Nice Death and Unruly Heroes comes NAUTUS, a quirky underwater adventure where the surface is your cozy sanctuary, but the ocean floor is a whole different beast. Explore the abyss in your upgradable submarine, face strange creatures, gather resources, and recover mysterious artifacts to uncover what happened to the N.A.U.T.U.S. research team and your missing uncle. Return to the surface to craft, build, and befriend its eccentric inhabitants before diving even deeper -- solo or with up to three friends in online co-op.

Game Features

• Explore the Deep Unknown: Navigate breathtaking coral reefs, sunken pirate shipwrecks, and uncharted underwater anomalies that even the local N.A.U.T.U.S. scientists refuse to approach. Make sure to be ready to fight and capture strange creatures that should never have existed!
• Pilot Your Own Upgradable Submarine: Craft specialized modules, protective equipment, and vital weaponry as you take control and update your own submarine. Advance your tech to dive deeper into hostile trenches and defend against aggressive, mutant marine life.
• Adventure Solo or Dive into Online Co-Op Multiplayer: Uncover the mystery of NAUTUS and brave the ocean depths entirely on your own, or team up with up to three players in four-player online co-op and dive into this offbeat adventure together.
• Meet, Befriend and Uncover the Mysteries of a Quirky Cast of Inhabitants: Meet eccentric, amnesiac locals like a tanning-obsessed diver and a quirky expedition chief. Collaborate with them on unique and useful projects and recover lost artifact stones to cure their bizarre phobia of the ocean and restore them to their true selves.
• Solve a Sunken Mystery: Investigate the sudden disappearance of your uncle, Bernard Torpedo, by hunting for ancient relics, hidden clues, and secrets buried in the abyss. Will you uncover the mysteries of your uncle and this mysterious island?
• Develop and Customize a Unique Outpost: Transform a secluded tropical outpost into a thriving home base of your own. Set up vital crafting machinery to refine rare materials gathered from the deep, manage your resources strategically, and build the essential infrastructure needed to fuel your next sub-aquatic expedition.

NAUTUS is available to follow and wishlist now on Steam. For more information, please visit playnautus.com.

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FTS: Arc Games Announces "NAUTUS," an Island Adventure From the Makers of "Have a Nice Death" (PC)

  

FROM THE CREATORS OF HAVE A NICE DEATH COMES NAUTUS: A CHARMINGLY QUIRKY ISLAND ADVENTURE GAME 

Cozy Above. Dangerous Below. Get Ready to Dive into NAUTUS in Steam Early Access Next Year! 

LOS GATOS, Calif. – Aug. 14, 2026 – Arc Games, a leading publisher of AA and indie titles for PC and consoles, and Magic Design Studios, the indie developer behind acclaimed titles Have a Nice Death and Unruly Heroes, are excited to announce NAUTUS, a charmingly quirky island adventure where the surface is your cozy sanctuary, but the ocean floor is a whole different beast. This new, dual-layered, offbeat adventure is set to launch in Steam Early Access in 2027 -- with the release timing for the game to be revealed at a later date.

In NAUTUS, players arrive at the remote N.A.U.T.U.S. research station following an unsettling radio message from their uncle, Bernard Torpedo. Upon arrival, they discover the resident scientists have lost their memories and developed a paralyzing fear of the ocean. As the only one willing to brave the depths, players must pilot an upgradable submarine, encounter mutant marine life, and recover mysterious artifact stones to restore the locals' memories and uncover the truth behind their uncle's sudden disappearance.

The game features a distinct dual-layered gameplay loop:

• Dangerous Below: Take the helm of your submarine and plunge into the ocean abyss. Navigate uncharted trenches, vibrant coral reefs, and sunken pirate shipwrecks as you battle and capture bizarre mutant creatures. Uncover hidden artifact stones and haul back rare materials to craft specialized sub upgrades, gear, and advanced machinery.
• Cozy Above: Return to the surface to catch your breath, build, and unwind. Befriend eccentric island locals and take on quests to help restore their true selves, strategically manage your resources, and expand your tropical outpost into a thriving hub designed to power your next dive deep into the unknown.

Get ready to dive into and explore NAUTUS when it launches in Steam Early Access next year!

ABOUT NAUTUS

From the indie studio behind Have a Nice Death and Unruly Heroes comes NAUTUS, a charmingly quirky island adventure where the surface is your cozy sanctuary, but the ocean floor is a whole different beast. After getting an unsettling radio message from your uncle, you’ll go out on an adventure where you arrive at the remote N.A.U.T.U.S. research station only to find the local scientists have lost their memories and developed a paralyzing phobia of the ocean. As the only one brave enough to face the deep, you must take the helm of an upgradable submarine, encounter and, at times, fight off mutant creatures and recover hidden, mysterious artifact stones to restore the inhabitants’ memories and uncover the truth.

Between riveting yet fascinating expeditions into the underwater abyss below, you'll return to the vibrant surface to catch your breath, befriend quirky scientists, and manage your resources. Blending exploration, action, and deep crafting, you’ll gather materials to upgrade your submarine and gear so you can plunge even deeper into the unknown—with the option to develop on the island to customize your home base over time.  Take on this charmingly quirky journey solo, or team up with up to three friends in online co-op. Prepare to enter a dual-layered world that is full of adventure, mystery and wonder!

Game Features

• Explore the Deep Unknown: Navigate breathtaking coral reefs, sunken pirate shipwrecks, and uncharted underwater anomalies that even the local N.A.U.T.U.S. scientists refuse to approach. Make sure to be ready to fight and capture strange creatures that should never have existed!
• Pilot Your Own Upgradable Submarine: Craft specialized modules, protective equipment, and vital weaponry as you take control and update your own submarine. Advance your tech to dive deeper into hostile trenches and defend against aggressive, mutant marine life.
• Adventure Solo or Dive into Online Co-Op Multiplayer: Uncover the mystery of NAUTUS and brave the ocean depths entirely on your own, or team up with up to three players in four-player online co-op and dive into this offbeat adventure together.
• Meet, Befriend and Uncover the Mysteries of a Quirky Cast of Inhabitants: Meet eccentric, amnesiac locals like a tanning-obsessed diver and a quirky expedition chief. Collaborate with them on unique and useful projects and recover lost artifact stones to cure their bizarre phobia of the ocean and restore them to their true selves.
• Solve a Sunken Mystery: Investigate the sudden disappearance of your uncle, Bernard Torpedo, by hunting for ancient relics, hidden clues, and secrets buried in the abyss. Will you uncover the mysteries of your uncle and this mysterious island?
• Develop and Customize a Unique Outpost: Transform a secluded tropical outpost into a thriving home base of your own. Set up vital crafting machinery to refine rare materials gathered from the deep, manage your resources strategically, and build the essential infrastructure needed to fuel your next sub-aquatic expedition.

The artwork in Nautus is absolutely beautiful. It looks like it was ripped straight out of a storybook!

I can't wait to dive in! - Blu | SDGT Entertainment

NAUTUS is available to wishlist now on Steam. For more information, please visit playnautus.com.

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Centipede Swarm crawls onto Amazon Luna for Game Night... you ready?

 

One of the best things about SDGT Entertainment's Summer of Gaming is discovering games that bring people together, and the latest addition to Amazon Luna's Game Night lineup does exactly that.

Now available for Amazon Prime members, Centipede Swarm takes Atari's legendary arcade classic and transforms it into a colorful, fast-paced cooperative experience built for modern families and friends. Instead of a lone player battling bugs across a simple screen, this new version turns the action into a chaotic multiplayer adventure where up to four players work together to survive waves of glowing insect enemies and take down a massive evolving Centipede boss.

For parents who grew up feeding quarters into arcade machines, Centipede Swarm offers a wonderful opportunity to share a piece of gaming history with their children. The original Centipede was one of the defining arcade experiences of the early gaming era, and this modern reimagining keeps the spirit of that classic alive while making it more accessible and exciting for today's players.

What makes Centipede Swarm especially appealing is how easy it is to jump into the action. As part of Amazon Luna's Game Night collection, Amazon Prime members can start playing without purchasing additional hardware or the game itself. Players can use their smartphones as controllers and join in on the fun, making spontaneous family game nights easier than ever.

And if your little gamer doesn't have a cellphone yet, don't worry. Amazon Luna also supports the Amazon Luna Controller, allowing younger players to join the fun without needing their own mobile device. That means parents, kids, siblings, and even grandparents can all jump into the same game and enjoy the experience together.

The gameplay itself strikes a nice balance between accessibility and excitement. Players move freely around a dynamic battlefield, blasting through swarms of enemies while coordinating with teammates to survive increasingly difficult encounters. The result is a roguelike game that's simple enough for newcomers to understand but hectic enough to keep experienced players entertained.

In an age where entertainment often pulls family members into separate rooms and separate screens, Game Night titles like Centipede Swarm remind us that gaming can still be a shared activity. Whether you're introducing your kids to a classic arcade franchise or just looking for a fun way to spend an evening together, this is the kind of title that feels right at home during Summer of Gaming.

So if you're already an Amazon Prime member, gather the family, grab a controller (or a phone), and see how long your team can survive the swarm. You might come for the nostalgia, but you'll stay for the laughs, teamwork, and memorable moments that happen when everyone plays together. Game on, and don't forget the snacks!

*Play Centipede Swarm on Fire TV or Fire TV Stick through the Luna app.

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NBA THE RUN Is Taking Its Shot at Arcade Basketball Greatness... will they Succeed?

The modern sports gaming landscape is packed with simulation experiences that strive for realism, but there's always been something special about arcade basketball. The oversized dunks, the fast-paced action, the larger-than-life personalities, and the ability to jump into a game with friends and immediately have fun are what helped define classics that players still talk about decades later.

That's exactly the space NBA THE RUN is aiming to occupy, and if the newly revealed roadmap is any indication, the team behind the game is showing no signs of slowing down.

In fact, they're making it clear that launch day was only the opening tip-off.

"We're committed to making a legendary game and evolving NBA THE RUN over time – we've said this from the jump," the developers stated while unveiling their post-launch plans. While they admit they aren't ready to reveal every detail they're working on, what they've shared paints a picture of a game that plans to keep growing throughout Summer of Gaming and well into 2027.

 Building Momentum With Today's 3-Point Shot 

Before players even reach the major content drops scheduled for later this summer, the development team is delivering another update focused on stability, gameplay tuning, and quality-of-life improvements. Hopefully it's nothing but net.

The latest patch tackles issues that could impact the overall experience, including crashes tied to stat reporting and soft lock situations involving simultaneous forfeits. The update also introduces improvements to KO Solos, targeted player switching, front-end navigation, audio polish, and gameplay balancing.

Perhaps most importantly, the developers continue refining ruleset rarity to create more variety from match to match. For a competitive arcade experience that thrives on unpredictability and excitement, keeping gameplay fresh is essential.

It's another sign that the team isn't simply adding content—they're actively refining the foundation underneath it.

 July's Update Is Just the Warm-Up 

The first major content drop arrives in July.

While details remain limited, players can expect three new NBA stars to join the roster.

The developers teased the announcement with a playful question: "Is it feeling drafty in here?"

Whether that hint points toward recent draft selections or another surprise entirely remains to be seen, but adding new players so soon after launch demonstrates a commitment to keeping the roster evolving alongside the community.

For newcomers considering their first trip onto the court, July may be an ideal time to... jump in.

August is where things really start getting interesting.

NBA THE RUN's first official season, Summer Heat, launches in August and extends into September. The development team says they've been gathering community feedback and are working to make the season a major step forward for the game.

"We've gathered up a lot of community feedback and we're tackling as much as we can for this Season – we want to make this big."

If the planned features arrive as expected, they may accomplish exactly that.

One of the most requested additions is the new Drive Camera. Rather than presenting the action from the existing viewpoint, this camera angle shoots down the court to create a more modern basketball gaming feel.

For players who grew up with classic arcade basketball but appreciate contemporary presentation, this could be one of the most impactful additions coming this year.

Then there's the Summer Heat Championship Belt.

Instead of simply grinding matches for stats, players will have a visual symbol of their accomplishments that evolves throughout the season. In true arcade fashion, it's designed to be shown off.

The game is also receiving a Communication Wheel that allows players to celebrate, react, and interact using quick emoji-based responses after completing a Run.

While simple on the surface, features like this help create memorable moments between teammates and rivals alike.

 More Ways to Play 

Summer Heat isn't just about cosmetic rewards.

The upcoming Practice Mode may become one of the most valuable additions for dedicated players. This is something we recommended because... ball hogs need to understand that you can't be effective while ignoring your team. I've been bumped out of tournaments more than once because of ball hogs, so... this will be awesome.

Rather than waiting for specific courts or rulesets to appear naturally, players will be able to practice on any court or ruleset of their choice in either Solo or Squad play.

Want to master Triple Threat strategies with friends?

This mode is being built specifically for that purpose.

The game is also expanding its ruleset lineup with two new additions.

Block Party rewards defense by removing a point from opponents every time a player records a block.

Meanwhile, All the Fire adds an extra point whenever a fire shot connects.

Combined with ongoing balancing adjustments, these additions should create even more variety during online sessions.

 New Courts, New Rewards, New Reasons to Return 

No arcade sports game survives without fresh content, and... Summer Heat appears ready to deliver.

Players can look forward to a brand-new New York City court inspired by basketball culture, complete with both daytime and tournament variants.

The in-game shop is also receiving additional jerseys, dunks, taunts, banners, badges, and other customization options.

The developers are even targeting leaderboards as a stretch goal for the season.

The appeal is obvious.

Who doesn't want to know how they compare against friends—or the self-proclaimed GOATs of The Run?

 Looking Beyond Summer 

The roadmap becomes less specific after Summer Heat, but that's hardly a bad thing.

The team has already confirmed that new seasons will continue arriving every two to three months, bringing additional players, features, modes, rulesets, and gameplay improvements.

Several highly requested features are also actively being explored.

Ranked play and ladders remain on the roadmap for later this year, potentially giving competitive players an official progression path.

Voice chat is another priority, allowing teammates to coordinate strategies while giving rivals an opportunity to engage in a little friendly trash talk.

Then there's perhaps the most ambitious feature of all.

Campaign Mode.

The developers revealed they are working on a campaign experience playable solo, locally with friends, or online. They're also being realistic about the timeline... something we urge gamers to acknowledge (or expect the results of a rush job).

Current plans place the mode in 2027, but if executed properly, it could transform NBA THE RUN from a multiplayer-focused arcade experience into something far more expansive.

 A Small Team With Big Ambitions 

Perhaps the most encouraging part of the roadmap isn't any single feature.

It's the attitude behind it.

"Hopefully you're as excited as we are for what's in store for Year One of NBA THE RUN. We may be a small team, but we've got a ton of passion for this game and community."

That's a message arcade basketball fans have heard before from some of the genre's most beloved developers.

NBA THE RUN isn't trying to become a one-and-done release. It's trying to become a destination.

The combination of regular patches, seasonal content, roster additions, competitive features, community engagement, and a future campaign mode suggests a team that understands what keeps players coming back.

For longtime fans of fast-paced arcade hoops, the future looks promising.

For newcomers searching for a basketball game that prioritizes fun, personality, and pickup-and-play action, now may be the perfect time to lace up and hit the court.

After all, if the roadmap delivers on its promise, NBA THE RUN could spend the next year proving that its biggest shots are still ahead.

NBA THE RUN's available on PS5, Xbox, and Steam. Let's RUN, and don't forget... teamwork!

 + Sophi 

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FTS: World War Z's "Limitless Strain" Update Out Now on PC, PS & Xbox

 

WORLD WAR Z’S NEW “LIMITLESS STRAIN” UPDATE IS OUT NOW ON PC, PLAYSTATION & XBOX

Push your skills to the limit with new mutators, weapon perks, challenges and more for Saber Interactive’s ultimate co-op shooter!

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – June 18, 2026 – The battle lives on! Saber Interactive has launched the new “Limitless Strain” Update for World War Z, the ultimate co-op zombie action game. Downloadable for free for all players on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, today’s update elevates the battle against the undead to new heights with seven new Horde Mode daily challenges, six chaotic mutators, three unlockable custom frames, seven bonus weapon perks and more. There are also new premium weapon skin DLC packs to grab today, as well!

World War Z now features Xbox Play Anywhere support, allowing owners of digital copies of World War Z on the Microsoft Store for either Xbox or PC access to both the Xbox and PC (Windows 10/11) versions of the game at no extra cost. Xbox Play Anywhere also supports cross-saves for game progress, saves, and achievements, as well as the ability to swap between console and PC while retaining universal access to all purchased content under the same account.

The Limitless Strain update introduces seven new deadly weapon perks to enhance your loadouts. Three new customized frames are also available to unlock after completing special milestones in game. And the bar has been raised with new Daily Challenges for Horde Mode for those brave enough to take them on. Do you have what it takes to survive?!

A brand-new set of six mutators is now available, as well, including:

• Lethal Fumes: Booster infects nearby zombies after death

• Still Alive: Zekes only die from shots to the head (Private Lobby only)

• Deafening Scream: The Screamer's sound is deafening at any distance

• Power Cut: Electric grids are shut down during the wave

• Overheat: A stationary machine gun can overheat, making it unable to fire

• Copycat: During the wave, only one type of special zombie appears

Also releasing today are two new weapon skin DLC packs, available for $4.99 each:

• Chibi Bunko Weapon Skin Pack: Inspired by WWZ playable character Bunko Tatsumi, this colorful skin pack offers bold new looks for the 1911 Protector Pistol, TMP5 SMG, HAMR-17 Battle Rifle, ACW-20 Grenade Launcher, and RPG4 Rocket Launcher.

• Chibi Daniela Weapon Skin Pack: Packed with a bright punch, cover your loadout with flashy new looks for the Mini-21 Scout Rifle, Dunali SxS Double-Barreled Shotgun, LAR Battle Rifle, BSS-2 Multi-Barreled Shotgun, and SchreiTech Forest Warrior Chainsaw.

Powered by the next generation of Saber’s dynamic Swarm Engine™, World War Z lets you play solo with AI squadmates or in co-op for up to four players with full crossplay between PC and consoles. Take on hordes of ravenous zombies on screen at once in New York, Moscow, Jerusalem, Tokyo, Marseille, Rome/Vatican City, and the Kamchatka peninsula, as well as DLC campaign episodes in Las Vegas, Arizona, and the world of AMC’s The Walking Dead!

World War Z is available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

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