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| (Image Source: Rappler/Sandfall Interactive) |
Independent French video game developer Sandfall Interactive has taken home the ‘Game Of The Year’ award at The Game Awards 2025 held last December 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California, USA for its debut game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. To celebrate this monumental milestone and as a sincere ‘Thank You’ to the passionate global community of fans for their unwavering support, Sandfall Interactive and publisher Kepler Interactive have released a free game update which adds new content and surprises for fans of the smash-hit reactive turn-based RPG.
Now available across all platforms and regions, the update introduces a host of much-requested new content including:
• A new, playable environment, taking the characters of Expedition 33 to 'Verso’s Drafts’ - a whimsical storybook adventure with ties to a young Verso. Players will encounter celebratory Gestrals, surprising new locations and an encounter with a sinister, powerful presence...
• New music tracks by Lorien Testard, the award-winning composer behind the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 soundtrack, which are also now available on digital streaming platforms.
• Challenging boss battles for late-game players to overcome within the Endless Tower. Besting these powerful adversaries will reward players with powerful new Pictos, costumes and gear.
• A much-requested official Photo Mode, allowing players to pause the action and commemorate their favorite moments from the game’s story and battles.
• New text and UI game localizations into Czech, Ukrainian, Latin American Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian, bringing the total number of supported languages to 19.
• Added FSR 4 support including AMD temporal upscaling for sharper visuals and frame generation for smoother gameplay on compatible GPUs.
• New Quality of Life improvements, other new features and further improvements to the game’s performance across platforms, including on handheld PC systems.
Alongside today’s ‘Game of the Year’ win, Expedition 33 was awarded 'Best Game Direction' and 'Best Narrative' among others at The Game Awards 2025 and was nominated for a record-breaking 12 categories in total.
Since launching in April, Expedition 33 has gone on to receive widespread critical acclaim and accolades around the world. As one of the best-reviewed new releases of 2025, the game has gone on to sell over 5 million units across digital download and retail and has inspired a whole new generation of artists, cosplayers and fans with its breathtaking artistry, immersive world and exciting turn-based combat. The game’s publisher, Kepler Interactive, has been a champion for Sandfall Interactive’s artistry and talent in creating a truly cultural experience, and the game sits proudly among their other award-winning and celebrated titles including Sifu and Rematch (developed by Sloclap), Tchia (developed by Awaceb), Pacific Drive (developed by Ironwood Studios) and many more. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via GOG, Steam and Epic Games Store. For more information, visit http://www.Expedition33.com.
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Capcom Announces Mega Man™: Dual Override At The Game Awards 2025
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| (Image Source: GamingTrend/Capcom Co. Ltd.) |
At The Game Awards 2025, a leading global video game developer and publisher Capcom unveiled Mega Man™: Dual Override, the twelfth mainline installment in the classic Mega Man™ series. The iconic franchise will make its highly anticipated return in 2027 when the all-new action platformer launches for Nintendo Switch™ 2, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. This month, Capcom will host a special boss design contest for Mega Man: Dual Override where fans will have the chance to help Dr. Wily create a brand-new Robot Master to appear in the game. For details on how to enter, check out the contest’s official website at https://www.capcom-games.com/megaman/do/en-us/contest/.
In 2027, Capcom will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mega Man series. The Blue Bomber first began busting bots in 1987 and instantly captivated players with rewarding gameplay, colorful characters, and rockin’ music. Since then, the franchise has sold more than 43 million units worldwide and jumped beyond the world of games into comics, TV series, and more. To celebrate the reveal, Mega Man™ 11 will receive a special discount on digital storefronts over the coming days. For a limited time, players can look forward to picking up the acclaimed title on sale for under US$5 via the PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, Xbox Store, and Steam. Mega Man 11 is also expanding its arsenal of language options. Brazilian Portuguese and Latin American Spanish speakers can look forward to new localizations in an update going live later tonight. To learn more about Mega Man: Dual Override, visit the official website at capcom-games.com. For the latest updates and everlasting peace, follow the Mega Man social accounts on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook.
Also at The Game Awards 2025, Capcom announced Leon S. Kennedy’s return in Resident Evil™ Requiem. The publisher also revealed PRAGMATA™ launches on April 24, 2026. The ceremony honored Resident Evil Requiem, Monster Hunter Wilds™, Capcom Fighting Collection™ 2, and the Devil May Cry™ Netflix series with award nominations. Popular rock band Evanescence provided a special live performance of their song “Afterlife” from the Devil May Cry Netflix series and revealed Season 2 premieres on May 12, 2026. Finally, stars from the cast of Capcom and Legendary Entertainment’s upcoming Street Fighter™ film including Andrew Koji (Ryu), Noah Centineo (Ken), Callina Liang (Chun-Li), Cody Rhodes (Guile), and Jason Momoa (Blanka) took center stage to present an award and showcase a sneak peek of the movie.
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Reap What You Saw: KRAFTON And Neon Giant Reveal NO LAW At The Game Awards 2025
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| (Image Source: KRAFTON Inc.) |
KRAFTON Inc., the publisher of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, recently revealed NO LAW, a first-person open-world shooter RPG set in the gritty cyber-noire city of Port Desire. The game is being developed by Neon Giant, the Swedish studio behind The Ascent, and made its world premiere during The Game Awards 2025. NO LAW is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. In NO LAW, players step into the boots of Grey Harker, an ex-military veteran who left his war-torn past behind for a quiet life tending his plants until trouble finds him again. When his peace is violently shattered, Harker must rely on his black-ops instincts and custom hardware to take back what was stolen and confront the city that wronged him.
Set against the backdrop of Port Desire, a sprawling port carved into the cliffs of a restless sea, NO LAW invites players into a world built on neon sleaze instead of regulation. The city is a hub of import and excess, overflowing with colorful characters whose motives are as murky as the smog-filled skyline. From the rooftop gardens to the alleys below, every inch of Port Desire is alive, reactive, and waiting to be shaped by the player’s choices. Every decision carries weight. Help a friend in need or silence an enemy permanently; take the tactical route through the shadows or unleash chaos in open combat. Even in a city of no laws, actions still have consequences. Each playthrough reveals new possibilities, allies, and outcomes, making NO LAW an immersive shooter defined as much by its story and morality as its firepower. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, NO LAW blends visceral first-person combat with deep player agency. Whether you favor precision, stealth, or destruction, your approach defines the experience. Master advanced military upgrades, experiment with sci-fi tools and vertical movement, and turn every mission into a personal story of revenge, consequence, and survival.
“NO LAW represents the next step for us as a studio. With The Ascent, we built a strong foundation for how we approach worldbuilding, systems, and storytelling. This new project takes everything we’ve learned and applies it to a completely different kind of experience — one that’s bigger, more reactive, and more personal than anything we’ve done before,” said Neon Giant Managing Director Claës af Burén. Following the success of The Ascent, NO LAW marks a new creative chapter for Neon Giant under KRAFTON’s growing portfolio of global studios. The game continues KRAFTON’s vision of supporting distinctive, high-quality experiences that push the boundaries of gameplay, technology, and world-building.
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Zenless Zone Zero Showcases First-Ever Dual-Form Void Hunter At The Game Awards 2025
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| (Image Source: XboxEra/HoYoverse) |
Global entertainment brand HoYoverse took the stage at The Game Awards 2025 to present a stunning new trailer for its urban fantasy action RPG Zenless Zone Zero. The showcase spotlighted the upcoming Agents Ye Shunguang and Zhao while also offering a teaser of the dreamy faction, the Angels of Delusion. Zenless Zone Zero is an urban fantasy ARPG from HoYoverse, set in a world where contemporary civilization has been ravaged by a calamity known as the "Hollows". In New Eridu, the last beacon of civilization, players take on the role of a Proxy, joining forces with a diverse cast of agents to explore Hollows, battle formidable enemies, complete commissions, and uncover the hidden truths behind the city's survival. The game features a vibrant atmosphere, a unique art style, thrilling action that blends accessibility with depth, and an immersive urban life experience.
The new trailer featured at TGA 2025 delivered the global gameplay premiere of Ye Shunguang, an upcoming Void Hunter from Yunkui Summit. As Zenless Zone Zero's first-ever dual-form agent, she dominates the screen with a striking, sword-driven combat style that shifts seamlessly between two distinct forms, enabling aerial bursts and ruthless finishing strikes. Meanwhile, the familiar agent Zhao — an adorable yet cunning rabbit Thrien — weaves swiftly across the battlefield, unleashing attacks with her massive greataxe. The trailer concludes with a surprise teaser of an upcoming live performance, presented by the long-awaited faction known as the Angels of Delusion, hinting at major revelations in future chapters. Fueled by the incredible support and passion of our global community, Zenless Zone Zero has continued to grow and evolve over the past year. Looking ahead, the team remains dedicated to bringing joyful experiences to Proxies through unique artistic design, exhilarating combat, and sustainable long-term operations. With more dynamic characters and refined gameplay on the way, Zenless Zone Zero is approaching its ultimate goal: bringing the excitement of action games to a wider audience globally.
Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.4 "On the Precipice of the Abyss" is currently available for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PC, iOS, and Android. The game is rated Teen by the ESRB and is also classified as PEGI 12. For more information, please visit the official website at https://zenless.hoyoverse.com/ or follow @ZZZ_EN on X (Twitter).
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Umamusume: Pretty Derby Wins Best Mobile Game At The Game Awards 2025
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| (Image Source: App Trigger/Cygames Inc.) |
Video game publisher and developer Cygames Inc. is proud to announce that its popular title Umamusume: Pretty Derby has been awarded Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2025, marking a major milestone for the hit multimedia franchise and its continually growing global audience. The English version is available on iOS, Android, and PC via Steam🄬 and Google Play Games. Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a simulation game and part of the Umamusume Project, a multimedia franchise produced by Cygames which consists of anime, manga, music, and games that tell stories of characters inspired by racehorses. Along with their classmates and trainers, the Umamusume work towards every racer's dream — winning the Twinkle Series.
“We are deeply honored to announce that Umamusume: Pretty Derby has been awarded Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards. This milestone achievement would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our fans around the world and the unwavering dedication of our development and operations teams. This recognition marks an important step forward for our company, and we remain committed to delivering innovative, best-in-class entertainment experiences that resonate with audiences globally. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our amazing community and look forward to continuing this journey together,” said Cygames America CEO Motohiro Okubo. Following the premiere of its popular anime adaptation, the game first launched in Japan in 2021, blending character-driven storytelling, training simulation, and competitive racing featuring characters who embody the names and spirits of legendary racehorses. The game has rapidly become one of Cygames’ biggest success stories spawning music releases, live events, and an internationally expanding fanbase. With its consistent content updates, high-quality animation, and performance focused gameplay, the game continues to grow and garner widespread acclaim.
In addition to its prestigious win at The Game Awards 2025, Umamusume: Pretty Derby has continued to earn multiple industry honors, including Best Mobile Game at Thailand Game Show, the Best Game Award from Google Play, the Excellence Prize at Japan Game Awards, and several Famitsu Awards recognizing its character design, live operations, and ongoing community engagement. Players from around the world have also unanimously hailed the merits of the game, giving the title “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews on Steam, 4.5/5 on App Store, and 4.4/5 on Google Play.
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iam8bit, Video Game History Foundation And Mega Cat Studios To Bring Long-Lost NES Game Xcavator Back To Life
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| (Image Source: iam8bit) |
iam8bit has partnered with the Video Game History Foundation, Mega Cat Studios, and Retrotainment Games to bring legendary programmer Chris Oberth’s long-lost NES game Xcavator back to life with the upcoming release of Xcavator 2025 (NES Cartridge). This one-of-a-kind premium physical release comes with an NES cartridge of the game and a brand-new manual featuring further insights into the game and Oberth authored by the team at the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF). In addition, 100 percent of the profits will go to supporting the VGHF’s mission to preserve and celebrate the history of video games. Fans of video games and their preservation can now pre-order the product for $100 at iam8bit.com until January 10, 2026 with the physical game expected to ship in Q2 2026. Supporters of the VGHF can also donate to the team’s Winter Fundraiser event here.
Originally developed at Incredible Technologies Inc., the company behind coin-op classics like Golden Tee Golf, Big Buck Hunter and more, Xcavator was shopped around to multiple publishers across the country in 1991 but never found a home and was quietly archived and never looked at again. After the original source code was donated by Oberth’s family to the VGHF, the game was rebuilt in partnership with Mega Cat Studios and Incredible Technologies agreed to donate the rights to the VGHF to preserve the game IP and aid the charity’s fundraising for its work within the videogames industry. Through a collective effort rooted in passion and altruism, Xcavator is now finished, staying true to Oberth’s original vision, using the same tools that would’ve been used to fully develop the title in 1991. "The original Xcavator prototype is a rare glimpse at the struggles of an indie developer trying to break into the console industry during the 8-bit golden age. The world wasn't ready for it in 1991, but thanks to Oberth saving his work — and to his family for getting it into archivist hands — 2026 will be the year that his work will finally see the light of day. This is an important piece of game history and we’re proud to be able to raise awareness for it with the help of everyone involved," said Video Game History Foundation Founder and Director Frank Cifaldi.
iam8bit worked with Retrotainment to produce a classic gray NES cartridge. The cartridge will be packed in with a 14-page manual, authored by the VGHF. Retro gaming fans who grew up in the NES era will find a lovingly crafted nod to manuals of the past with an additional special segment of the book dedicated to the history of Xcavator, Oberth, the studio and more, making for a release that players and retro enthusiasts can display proudly for years to come.
