• Crazy Taxi: World Tour has been announced and it launches in 2027
• The game will feature multiplayer modes for the first time
• Series creator Kenji Kanno says some staff have experience with multiplayer games, and "with their knowledge, we were able to create a multiplayer mode"

Sega has officially announced Crazy Taxi: World Tour, an all-new installment in the classic driving action series, launching for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC in 2027.

Revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, the game will be led by the original Crazy Taxi creator, Kenji Kanno, and take players on a story-driven campaign around the globe as longtime series protagonist Axel, who is chasing down mysterious masked villains who stole his beloved taxi.

The trailer, set to the iconic track 'All I Want' by The Offspring, showcased new game features such as brand-new maps and missions, vehicles and customization, and an Arcade mode that captures the thrills of the original games.

"This new title, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, is not just a recreation of the original Crazy Taxi gameplay," Kanno said in a Q&A after the reveal, "But there's a story mode that expands on the world and background of the characters within Crazy Taxi. Players can expect a lot of content."

The series creator added that while there are fans of the series who will be excited to get their hands on World Tour, the game will also appeal to the younger generation and those who aren't familiar with the series at all, revealing that many of the staff who developed the game are young, too.

"Our staff with the development of World Tour, there's actually a lot of very young staff in their twenties, and it's not just old people like me," Kanno said. "We basically all just sit on the same table and really work together to make a game that would appeal to all generations".

Unlike earlier entries in the Crazy Taxi series, World Tour will also be the first game to feature multiplayer modes, which Kanno knows has been highly requested from long-time fans.

"There will be multiplayer, and even when I created the original [Crazy] Taxi back in 1999, a lot of our players were like, 'Hey, I want to play this game with my friends', but you know, back then we were limited by the technology," he said.

"But now in 2026, even in our development team, there are a lot of our staff who have experience with multiplayer games. So with their knowledge, we were able to create a multiplayer mode for Taxi as well.

"We have the focus on the single player story mode part of the game, but we have a multiplayer mode for those who want to be more hardcore [...] But of course, both are very fun modes."

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1094) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• ASTERISK
• AXE
• ANGEL
• SURPRISE
• SECRET
• TRADEMARK
• BONE
• DOVE
• DEGREE
• PASSWORD
• LAMB
• KEYS
• BABE
• SKINS
• EXPONENT
• SPOILER

NYT Connections today (game #1094) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW The appearance of purity
• GREEN: Sssh don’t tell a anyone
• BLUE: Known for the shorter version
• PURPLE: Tools of the melodic trade

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1094) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: SYMBOLS OF INNOCENCE
• GREEN: THINGS YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO REVEAL
• BLUE: THINGS REPRESENTED IN SUPERSCRIPT
• PURPLE: SLANG FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1094) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1094, are…

• YELLOW: SYMBOLS OF INNOCENCE ANGEL, BABE, DOVE, LAMB
• GREEN: THINGS YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO REVEAL PASSWORD, SECRET, SPOILER, SURPRISE
• BLUE: THINGS REPRESENTED IN SUPERSCRIPT ASTERISK, DEGREE, EXPONENT, TRADEMARK
• PURPLE: SLANG FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AXE, BONE, KEYS, SKINS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

My detours today included ways to get into a door (KEYS, PASSWORD, AXE), terms of endearment (BABE, ANGEL) and the one that cost me a mistake, ways to protect something (PASSWORD, TRADEMARK, SECRET, KEYS).

Fortunately, these avenues didn't take me too far off course and I even managed to get a purple first. 

KEYS, SKINS and AXE I knew were musician slang for piano, drums and guitar, but BONE was a new one; I was expecting a percussion instrument before I googled it and found out it was short for trombone.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, June 8, game #1093)

• YELLOW: LANDFORMS BY WATER DELTA, ISLAND, ISTHMUS, PENINSULA
• GREEN: SLANG FOR HEAD COCONUT, DOME, MELON, PATE
• BLUE: THINGS THAT CAN BE SPIKED MOHAWK, PUNCH, SEA URCHIN, VOLLEYBALL
• PURPLE: "THE ____ MAN" MOVIES ELEPHANT, INVISIBLE, OMEGA, RUNNING

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1093) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• INVISIBLE
• MOHAWK
• ISLAND
• PUNCH
• VOLLEYBALL
• ELEPHANT
• COCONUT
• DELTA
• PENINSULA
• PATE
• SEA URCHIN
• MELON
• OMEGA
• ISTHMUS
• DOME
• RUNNING

NYT Connections today (game #1093) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Geographical locations
• GREEN: AKA Your noggin
• BLUE: Share something sharp in common
• PURPLE: Films with same gender in title

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1093) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: LANDFORMS BY WATER
• GREEN: SLANG FOR HEAD
• BLUE: THINGS THAT CAN BE SPIKED
• PURPLE: "THE ____ MAN" MOVIES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1093) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1093, are…

• YELLOW: LANDFORMS BY WATER DELTA, ISLAND, ISTHMUS, PENINSULA
• GREEN: SLANG FOR HEAD COCONUT, DOME, MELON, PATE
• BLUE: THINGS THAT CAN BE SPIKED MOHAWK, PUNCH, SEA URCHIN, VOLLEYBALL
• PURPLE: "THE ____ MAN" MOVIES ELEPHANT, INVISIBLE, OMEGA, RUNNING

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

I was going great until I hit a wall with my final eight tiles. 

Then it took me four guesses before I got SLANG FOR HEAD, as I was convinced I was looking for something to do with tropical island life or things you need for beach parties. I got there eventually.

I should have known it was going to be a tough day after LANDFORMS BY WATER was revealed as a mere yellow; ISTHMUS seemed pretty obscure. Then, I thought I was home and dry after getting the purple group of THE ____ MAN MOVIES thinking The Omega Man would have caught some people out.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, June 6, game #1091)

• YELLOW: TRANSLUCENT, AS FABRIC GAUZY, GOSSAMER, SHEER, THIN
• GREEN: SPEAK EXPRESS, STATE, UTTER, VOICE
• BLUE: DEMOLISH GUT, LEVEL, TOTAL, TRASH
• PURPLE: MUSIC GENRE SUFFIXES CORE, POP, STEP, WAVE

• Persona 6 has officially been announced
• The game is in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC
• A teaser trailer hints at a new "pulse-pounding, supernatural adventure"

Atlus just officially announced Persona 6 at the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 with an ominous teaser trailer.

While the trailer didn't give away too many details, it does seem like the renowned role-playing game (RPG) studio will be leaning into the horror elements a bit more than it has before.

"An entirely new story is about to unfold. The highly anticipated next chapter of the iconic RPG series delivers a bold, new standalone story blending heartfelt daily life and new characters with pulse-pounding, supernatural adventure," the trailer description reads.

"Whether it’s your first Persona game or you’ve been here since the beginning, this one’s for you."

A release date has not been shared at this time, but we do know that it will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.

During the Xbox Games Showcase, Atlus also announced that Persona 4 Revival will launch on February 18, 2027, and shared a brand new gameplay for the remake of the 2008 game that boasts improved performance, modern graphics, and gorgeous cutscenes.

• A new gameplay trailer for Metro 2039 has been released
• The first-person action game will feature "a return of close and claustrophobic stealth-action gameplay" and a new protagonist
• Metro 2039 launches in February 2027

4A Games has revealed a brand new gameplay trailer for Metro 2039, as well as a February 2027 launch window for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and Series S.

Unveiled during the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, the three minutes of gameplay footage captured in-engine offers the first look at Hunter, the new Fuhrer, "who has washed the Metro in lies and propaganda to gain the ultimate power."

The trailer showcases "a return of close and claustrophobic stealth-action gameplay, tunnel and surface exploration, iconic Metro mechanics, and diegetic survival elements."

Thanks to impressive graphical fidelity, environments and characters look ultra-realistic as players traverse a post-apocalyptic Moscow, dark rooftops and tunnels, and take down enemies in first-person shootouts.

Fans also got a glimpse at the new stealth weapon, The Shatun, as well as a new breaching charge for their arsenal, which will be used as they delve deeper into Metro 2039's environment.

"The Metro has been transformed by a powerful new regime and its leader, the fanatical Spartan leader known as Hunter," the new description reads. "Metro 2039’s protagonist, The Stranger, is consumed with anger and hatred, chastising the Fuhrer for his lies and hypocrisy. As part of the Spartan Order, Hunter was a legend, a high-ranking, experienced Ranger, who swore to protect the Metro.

"What’s left of the Spartan Order as he knew it lies in ruins, and where the Spartans were once considered selfless protectors, the Stranger believes Hunter has become the very enemy the Spartans used to fight..."

• Xbox has revealed a new limited edition Series X console
• It's based on the classic translucent green colorway of the original Xbox
• It features special 25th anniversary branding

Xbox has revealed a cool limited edition Xbox Series X console as part of the Xbox Games Showcase 2026.

Designed to celebrate the brand's 25th anniversary, the new Xbox Series X 25 Limited Edition is based on the iconic translucent green look of the original Xbox. The system's Xbox button lights up in green, which is intended to pay homage to the classic Xbox start up animation, at least according to VP next generation Jason Ronald in a new Xbox wire post.

"You’ll also discover a few hidden surprises throughout, as a thank you to the community," he teases.

Alongside the console we're also getting a special edition 25th anniversary Xbox Wireless Controller. It's translucent green as well, with loads of little details to help it look a bit like the legendary old 'Duke' pad — albeit thankfully much slimmer.

The controller will be bundled with the limited edition console, but is also available to buy separately if you want to secure one without having to refinance your house.

I'm only assuming the limited edition console will be pricey though, as Microsoft hasn't released any information regarding pricing yet.

"The console and controller will be available together in select markets as a limited edition collection in November," the post continues. "We’ll have more to share on pricing and preorder availability at select retailers soon."

The console will also be given free to fans attending Xbox Fanfest at Summer Game Fest 2026 today"?"The console will also be given free to fans attending Xbox Fanfest at Summer Game Fest 2026 today"?

• Ninja Theory has announced the next Hellblade game, simply titled Senua
• The game will launch in 2027
• It will be playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC

Ninja Theory has just announced Senua, the next game in the Hellblade series, and it's launching in 2027.

The studio unveiled the game at the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 with a gorgeous cinematic trailer that features our first look at some brutal third-person gameplay.

"Announcing Senua, a new action-adventure set in the Hellblade universe," the video's description reads.

"Senua, a Celtic warrior, is trapped between life and death in a fractured vision of purgatory. She must fight to reach the afterlife and reunite with those she loved and lost, battling forces that threaten everything she believes in."

The game doesn't have a set release date just yet, but we do already know that it won't be an Xbox console exclusive. You'll be able to play it on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.

"Senua is a single player action-adventure game and a bold new chapter in Senua’s story," the studio said.

"It builds on the emotional depth and cinematic presentation of the Hellblade series, while expanding the gameplay with varied and exciting tactical combat — including encounters against multiple enemies with multiple weapons — alongside exploration, puzzle-solving and greater player agency.

"Designed for both longtime Hellblade fans and players new to Senua’s world, the game is set within a fantastical, evolving reality shaped by her perception, and delivers an action and gameplay focused journey that expands on the heart of the franchise."

• Persona 4 Revival finally has a release date
• The upcoming remake will drop on February 18th, 2027
• It will be available as part of Xbox Game Pass

Huge news fellow Adachi lovers: Persona 4 Revival has a release date at long last, so we finally know exactly how long we have to wait until we get to see our beloved cabbage-loving detective once again.

As revealed in a new trailer shown as part of the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, the upcoming Persona 4 remake will launch on February 18th, 2027. The trailer confirmed that it will come to Xbox Series X and Series S, in addition to PC. The title will be available as part of the Xbox Game Pass service.

It wasn't clear from the information displayed on screen whether the game will also come to other platforms, though I wouldn't be surprised if PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 versions of the game are also on the cards.

The trailer showed off plenty of superb looking in-game footage, with a blend of the turn-based combat, some exploration, and a lot of lavish animated cutscenes.

The original version of Persona 4 launched back in 2008 and takes place in the fictional Japanese town of Inaba. The lovely rural locale is rocked by a series of sinister murders, which the high school student protagonist soon discovers are all connected to a mysterious television channel known as the Midnight Channel.

Although the more recent Persona 5 is definitely the recipient of much more attention, Persona 4 still has plenty of fans that adore its unique setting and memorable cast of characters.

This includes the iconic bumbling police detective Tohru Adachi (my personal favorite), who appeared briefly in the new trailer complete with his trademark suit and slightly unsettling smile...

• Gears of War: E-Day will officially launch on October 6, 2026
• The Coalition shared an extended gameplay trailer as part of the Xbox Game Showcase 2026
• Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed the game will launch as an Xbox console exclusive

Microsoft has officially confirmed a release date for Gears of War: E-Day and stated that it will be an Xbox console launch exclusive.

The announcement comes from the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, where developer The Coalition shared an extended look at gameplay and confirmed that the game will launch on October 6, 2026.

At the end of the reveal, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said a few words and confirmed that the game will be an Xbox console exclusive. This means the game won't be coming to PlayStation 5 and will only be released for Xbox Series X and Series S.

"For the past 25 years, Xbox has delivered some of the greatest games of all time, games that changed what was possible and games that brought players together, and games that defined generations," Sharma said.

"Xbox was built on the spirit of creativity and heart, and as we kick of the show with Gears of War: E-Day, it's only fitting that as we return to Xbox, we return to Gears. So today, we are announcing, that Gears of War: E-Day will be an Xbox console exclusive."

Gears of War: E-Day was revealed back in 2024 and stars a younger Marcus Fenix in a new story set 14 years before the original game.

"Experience the brutal horror of Emergence Day through the eyes of Marcus Fenix in the origin story of one of gaming's most acclaimed sagas," the description reads. "Fourteen years before Gears of War, war heroes Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago return home to face a new nightmare: the Locust Horde. These subterranean monsters, grotesque and relentless, erupt from below, laying siege on humanity itself."

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1092) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• POP
• GUT
• SHEER
• STATE
• UTTER
• WAVE
• LEVEL
• STEP
• TOTAL
• EXPRESS
• THIN
• TRASH
• GOSSAMER
• CORE
• VOICE
• GAUZY

NYT Connections today (game #1092) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: See through material
• GREEN: Say something
• BLUE: Wreck it
• PURPLE: Partial sound categories

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1092) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: TRANSLUCENT, AS FABRIC
• GREEN: SPEAK
• BLUE: DEMOLISH
• PURPLE: MUSIC GENRE SUFFIXES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1092) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1092, are…

• YELLOW: TRANSLUCENT, AS FABRIC GAUZY, GOSSAMER, SHEER, THIN
• GREEN: SPEAK EXPRESS, STATE, UTTER, VOICE
• BLUE: DEMOLISH GUT, LEVEL, TOTAL, TRASH
• PURPLE: MUSIC GENRE SUFFIXES CORE, POP, STEP, WAVE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Of all the MUSIC GENRE SUFFIXES, I reckon WAVE is the most common — Synthwave, Darkwave, Coldwave, Chillwave, Emowave, Doomwave, Dreamwave, Retrowave, New Wave, Old Wave… you can basically put any word in front of it and invent a movement. CORE, on the other hand, is harder to attach.

Having said all this I was with a journalist the other day who claims that he invented the term Brit POP — a genre which originally put hundreds of other vaguely similar guitar bands under the same umbrella. Now it’s an era that is synonymous with just one act, Oasis. 

I went to see Oasis once in the early 2000s and myself and the other inebriated people I was with thought it would be amusing to just sing the name “Barry” to every single one of their lyrics. It must have been very annoying. Such an act today would get us thrown out of Great Britain for treason.

Anyway I digress…

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, June 6, game #1091)

• YELLOW: PILLAR POLE, POST, SHAFT, STAKE
• GREEN: INDICATE, AS EMOTIONS BETRAY, DISPLAY, EXPRESS, REGISTER
• BLUE: KINDS OF LIZARDS BASILISK, DRAGON, MONITOR, SKINK
• PURPLE: _____TABLE DINNER, DRAFTING, ROUND, TIMES

• Final Fantasy 7 Revelation has been announced at long last
• The third and final installment of the remake trilogy launches in Spring 2027
• Vincent Valentine and Cid will both be playable

Square Enix has officially announced Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, the third and final installment of its Final Fantasy 7 remake series.

Unveiled during the Summer Game Fest 2026 live show as a big final surprise, we were treated to not one, but three separate trailers for Revelations before game director Naoki Hamaguchi and voice behind Vincent Valentine, Matthew Mercer, confirmed a Spring 2027 release date for all platforms. This means that it's coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on the same day.

"I’m beyond excited to announce Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, launching simultaneously across all platforms in Spring 2027," Hamaguchi said in a press release.

"I’m truly grateful to our fans who believed in this story and supported us for so many years. In this title, centered around 'resolve,' Cloud and his companions will confront their respective convictions and continue their journey towards the final battle that will determine the planet’s fate. All the stories and emotions accumulated over the years will culminate in the most satisfying way with this experience, brought to you as the series’ final chapter. Please look forward to it."

Alongside the reveal trailer, fans were also offered an extended look at gameplay, showcasing Cloud, Tifa, Barrett, and the rest of the gang as they explore new regions and defeat the enormous Weapons awakened to protect the Planet.

The world can be freely explored via the Highwind airship this time around, and players can freedive and drop in via parachute anywhere to make a quick landing almost like the start of a Fortnite match.

"With Meteor descending and enormous Weapons unleashing terror, the planet’s conflicts are many, and the party will need to divide and conquer," Square Enix said.

"Choose where to go, who to help and in what order as the planet itself fights for survival. Make one last stand alongside a beloved cast of legendary heroes, making decisions along the journey that can impact aspects of their stories."

In Revelations, Vincent and Cid will finally be playable and also have their own synergy abilities. Vincent is a deft gunslinger with fast gunplay and a bestial transformation ability, while Cid can close distances for powerful single-target lance strikes or sweeping area-of-effect damage.

A new Functional Integrated Tactile suit wear, aka FIT system, has also been added and offers more customizable play style options, as well as gives each character a new look.

“As creators, we have carefully built and nurtured the Final Fantasy 7 series over many years, expanding it through numerous spin-off titles along the way," said creative director Tetsuya Nomura.

"Over time, we believe each fan has developed their own unique interpretation of the story, and our goal has been to bring all of these Final Fantasy 7 stories together so that they ultimately converge in the final chapter of the Remake Series. While there may be a mix of excitement and uncertainty, we are confident that this journey will remain an unforgettable experience for years to come. Thank you sincerely for joining us and being part of this journey over so many years."

The Summer Game Fest 2026 live show has ended, and what a show it was! The annual event is one of the biggest in the gaming calendar, and we went in expecting a barrage of new game reveals and exciting announcements.

This year certainly delivered, and was jam-packed with exciting reveals ranging from the announcement of the long-awaited third instalment of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy to a brand new Stellar Blade game.

There's no need to worry if you didn't manage to watch the show, as we were there live in Los Angeles to bring you the very latest news! Read on for a no-nonsense list of everything that was announced, plus my live reactions to the event as it happened.

Everything announced at Summer Game Fest 2026 live showcase

Here's a summary of everything that was shown in the order that it happened.

• Resident Evil Veronica (Code Veronica remake) - coming 2027
• Mighty Cuphead Adventure - in development
• Alien Isolation 2 - in development
• Gen Atlas - in development
• Blood Message - in development
• Stranger Than Heaven - Out January 15, 2027
• Haex - Coming 2027
• Dead by Daylight - 10th anniversary update will add Longlegs content
• Mortal Shell 2 - beta release
• Sand Raiders of Sophie - server slam open now
• New Assassin's Creed Black Flag Remake trailer - out July 9
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The Last Ronin - in development
• Fortnite Runners Chapter 7 Season 3 - releasing today
• Gundam Rogue Orbit - Coming 2027
• An Egg Streamly Hard Game - Out July 24, 2027
• Crossfire - in development
• Control Resonant - Out September 24, 2027
• Guild Wars 3 - in development (beta begins Fall 2027)
• Star Wars Galactic Racer - Out October 6, 2027
• End of Abyss - Out October 1, 2026
• Last Harbor - in development
• Virtua Fighter Crossroads - Coming 2027
• Runescape Dragonwilds - Out September 15, 2026
• The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales - Out June 18, 2026
• Orbitals - Coming summer 2026
• Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions - Out June 11, 2026
• Soulframe - in development
• Grounded 2 - update out August 11, 2026
• Mafia The Old Country: Man of Honor expansion - Out August 14, 2026
• 1666 Amsterdam - in development, early access in 2026
• Saw Genesis - in development
• Lords of the Fallen 2 - Coming Fall 2026
• Star Wars Zero Company - Out August 27, 2027
• The Blood of Dawnwalker - Out September 3 + sequel teaser
• Among Us Story On Guard - in development
• 007 First Light - new story mission in development
• Final Fantasy 14 - coming to Nintendo Switch 2
• Turok: Origins - coming to Nintendo Switch 2
• Armatus - coming to Nintendo Switch 2
• Gothic Remake - available now
• Aion 2 - Coming September 2026
• Wuthering Waves x Cyberpunk Edgerunners update
• Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance - Coming 2027
• Swords of Legend - in development
• Hot Wheels Infinite Rush - Out September 29, 2026
• Sonic Racing CrossWorlds - Year Two roadmap
• Attack on Titan 3 - Out July 1 2026
• Clutch - Spring 2027
• Chronicles Medieval - early access 2026
• Sea of Remnants - in development
• Hitman 3 - The Wizard DLC play for free from June 5 to July 5
• Palword 1.0 update - Out July 10
• The Wolf Among Us 2 - Coming 2027
• The Wolf Among Us Remastered - Coming holiday 2026
• Stellar Blade Bloodrain - in development
• Street Fighter 6 Year 4 + Final Fantasy 7 collaboration - coming soon
• Final Fantasy 7 Revelations - Coming spring 2027

Summer Game Fest 2026 date and start time

The Summer Game Fest live showcase event started on June 5, 2026 at 5PM ET / 2PM PDT / 10PM BST / 11PM CEST.

How long is the Summer Game Fest 2026 live showcase?

The Summer Game Fest 2026 live was broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and lasted for two hours.

How to watch the Summer Game Fest 2026 live showcase

You could tune in to the Summer Game Fest 2026 live showcase via either the official Game Awards YouTube channel or its Twitch page.

Hello and welcome to our live Summer Game Fest 2026 coverage!

My colleague Rob is on his way over to the live event, but I'll be keeping up with the stream alongside all of you from my hotel in downtown...

We're currently waiting for the show to start, with the action set to kick off one our from now!

Let me know what you want to see!

From a new Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer to the reveal of a new Star Wars Jedi game, I've been seeing lots of speculation about what might appear in the show today.

What do you want to see tonight? Let me know in the comments of this article.

More than 145,000 viewers have tuned in

There's still a decent chunk of time to go before the show begins in earnest, but that doesn't mean that viewers aren't already flooding in to the official stream.

Over on the official Game Awards feed, I'm seeing more than 145,000 other viewers watching right now.

Just half an hour to go folks

Just 30 minutes to go until the Summer Game Fest 2026 stream begins in earnest.

Now is the time that you should be making any last minute food and drink arrangements to make sure that you don't need to get up once the announcements are underway.

At least one Star Wars game is appearing

EA has confirmed that the upcoming Star Wars game Zero Company will be shown today in a new post over on X.

It's a gritty strategy game set alongside the events of the Clone Wars that follows a cast of customizable operatives.

It sounds pretty much like a Star Wars take on the legendary Xcom strategy franchise, which is certainly an idea that appeals to me.

Look out for "a single player, narrative game" at the end of the show

A new X post from present and organizer Geoff Keighley has confirmed that the show will end on "a single player, narrative game" thanks to "feedback" - presumably some of the backlash to the announcement of failed online shooter Highguard last year.

Could this be a Grand Theft Auto 6 tease? It would certainly fit the bill, but I think that it would be best to temper expectations for now.

Here's a little peek behind the curtain at my current setup.

For some reason my hotel room doesn't actually have a desk area, and I felt a little bad chatting on a video call in the lobby...

Meanwhile here's what my colleague Rob can see! I'm not jealous...

Okay, maybe a little bit.

Just under 15 minutes to go now! Get ready everyone...

The countdown has officially begun on stream. If you haven't tuned in yet, get that tab open.

Great news!

I managed to convince Rob that he should send me a selfie from the event on the promise that it would not appear in our live coverage.

Hopefully he's too busy watching the show to see this...

We're now just a couple minutes away from the big show...

The showcase has officially begun!

The live stream has officially begun and you bet that means that presenter Geoff Keighley is on stage, looking rather stylish in a shiny crimson suit.

Here's a photo from Rob in the audience.

He's starting off by looking back at the biggest games of the year so far and praising some major sellers, including a decent handful of indie titles.

Now it's time for our first announcement!

It's something set in Paris and it's a first person game. Honestly I'm getting some Bioshock vibes from this...

I'm interested to see what it might be.

Technical difficulties? It looks like the stream jumped back a little, but I'm back in.

So far we've seen an older lady showing the protagonist around a rather dirty look apartment. The vibes are definitely a little off with this one...

Hang on... Is this a Resident Evil game?

Yep, that's the long-rumored Resident Evil Code Veronica remake - now called Resident Evil Veronica.

It's going to come out in 2027.

A message from the team behind Cuphead now, with a puppet character revealing that there's a new Cuphead game in development with more of that lovely hand-crafted art style.

Plus a surprise look at a game called Mighty Cuphead Adventure, a pixel-art retro platformer.

No release date for either of them yet...

Co-host Lucy James has just taken to the stage to reveal another game.

It's a game from both Sega and Creative Assembly, so I'm thinking a new Alien Isolation sequel!

Yep, I'm locking in my prediction now as we see plenty of Alien looking scenery and a few flashes of the Xenomorph!

That's official then. It's called Alien Isolation 2 - how exciting!

The devs are now on stage talking about the game, which will be set on a new colony world.

It seems the scope of this next game is a massive step up from the last.

Ico creator Fumito Ueda just got a shoutout and is actually sitting in the audience!

Now it looks like we're going to see his next game...

It seems to be something very sci-fi themed, with the newly shown trailer barraging us with plenty of abstract imagery on some kind of alien planet inhabited by robotic creatures.

There was a little bit of shooting, and some absolutely mega robots.

The title is Gen Atlas. You can whishlist it now.

Now we're looking at Blood Message, an upcoming action title from Chinese gaming giant Netease.

It's set in ancient China and is a narrative-driven experience with a mix of stealth and challenging combat.

The trailer confirmed that the first hands-on previews will begin tomorrow, and I'm already booked to give it a go!

Now a new trailer for Stranger Than Heaven, the upcoming historical Like A Dragon series prequel.

We're being bombarded with the names of some of the celebrities that will feature as characters and... hang on? Tupac will be in the game?

We also have a release date: January 15, 2027.

Now Snoop Dogg, who is also being featured, has come on stage to talk about the game!

He's also talking his efforts with Death Row Games, a studio working on some hip hop themed projects.

Okay, now for something a little different. A game called Heax, which comes from former Division developers.

Plenty of shooting, creepy monsters, co-op play, and some pretty mind-bending environments on show.

There's also some kind of cube, which looks important. Perhaps that's what players will be trying to get their hands on in the game.

A Dead by Daylight tease now, and it looks like it's tied in with the popular Longlegs horror movie.

Now some Mortal Shell 2, with a look at its big medieval inspired fantasy world and some more combat.

And a trailer for Sand: Raiders of Sophie, which seems to have players creating their own weird vehicles and duking it out in a desert.

Now here's a game that everybody should be able to recognize. It's the upcoming Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake!

It looks pretty slick, and I really like the updated graphics.

Now we're on to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game from action game giants PlatinumGames subtitled The Last Ronin.

Only a brief look today, so presumably it's pretty early in development.

Ben Starr is now on stage! I bumped in to him in the lift of my hotel earlier...

Starr introduced a load of new Fortnite content, which will be added in the latest Chapter 7 Season 3 update tonight.

The game's latest end of season live event will kick off later today!

A sci-fi title from Bandai Namco up now, apparently connected to a massive franchise though I'm not entirely sure what it might be from the look of it so far...

We also saw a little bit of gameplay with some third-person hack and slash combat.

That's Gundam Rogue Orbit, releasing in 2027.

A solo dev project is up now and it's a physics platforming game about geese that has you and other players trying to transport fragile eggs.

I can't lie, I'm not that keen on this one. It looks pretty generic and dull. It drops on July 24, 2026.

We just got a trailer for Crossfire, a third-person action game that looks almost like Uncharted crossed with Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon.

It contained plenty of intense third-person shooting, loads of modern military gear, and some glimpses of action set pieces.

It seems like it will be part of the long-running online Crossfire series, which are online shooters with a massive community in Asia.

Now we're getting a fresh trailer for Control Resonant, with a slightly more extended look at its twisted vision of Manhattan.

It finally arrives on September 24 this year.

A surprise MMO announcement now, with the reveal of Guild Wars 3!

It was just a cinematic trailer, but I liked what I saw.

I've never been much of an MMO guy, but maybe now is the time to go check out some of the older Guild Wars titles. I know the first game was re-recently re-released, presumably in anticipation of this reveal.

The game will come to both PC and PlayStation 5 but there's no word of a release date quite yet.

Some exciting pod racing action on the stream now, with a new trailer for Star Wars: Galactic Racer.

It looks pretty sick, with loads of fast-paced action as you speed around different planets.

The trailer also showed that Sebulba from the film series will be in the game!

That was followed by a brief look at End of Abyss, a kind of creepy looking Little Nightmares-esque title being published by Epic Games.

Then, keeping with the horror theme, was a title called Last Harbour - an unsettling aquatic adventure.

How here's a big announcement for fighting game fans: we're getting a look at the next Virtua Fighter title.

It's called Virtua Fighter Crossroads and is being developed by the team behind the Yakuza games. The trailer looks surprisingly cinematic for a fighting game, which suggests that story might be a big focus.

Virtua Fighter Crossroads will release some time in 2027.

More details will be shown in a dedicated showcase later today.

Now a new trailer for RuneScape: Dragonwilds, which brings the popular MMO franchise to console for the first time.

This game is already out in PC early access over on Steam, and seems to have been received pretty well so far. It's sitting at an overall "very positive" rating on the platform.

A load of Nintendo Switch 2 games being shown, with a sizzle reel of major titles including cute anime co-op adventure Orbitals.

A new trailer for Soulframe, the upcoming MMO from the team behind Warframe.

No major news on it apparently, but I do like the look of everything that's been shown so far.

A new trailer for Grounded 2, which we now know is coming to PlayStation 5!

A trailer then announced that a Mafia: The Old Country expansion will drop on August 14, 2026.

It's called Man of Honor and will tie in with the very first game in the series.

A very cool looking witch game up now, and I'm really liking the look of it!

We're seeing loads of creepy black cats, sinister rituals, and weird magic.

The game is called 1666 Amsterdam, and can be wishlisted right now.

You'll even be able to download and play a 30 minute prologue today!

Another sizzle reel of the game now, showing the fact that you can play as a cat!

Hang on... Billy from the Saw franchise is on stage now. Are we about to see the announcement of a new Saw game?

Yep, that's exactly what it is. Saw Genesis is an upcoming horror game that ties in to the long-running movie franchise.

Only cinematics have been shown so far, so it's hard to tell exactly what kind of game this well be.

Okay, we're seeing some gameplay now. It looks like the game is set some time in the First World War, which is definitely an interesting creative choice.

It was also confirmed that this will be a multiplayer game, in a 3v1 format.

A new trailer for Lords of the Fallen 2, with some big environments and a look at some of its characters.

It was only a short trailer, though.

Here's that Star Wars Zero Company trailer that I mentioned earlier.

It looks like my description that it was a Star Wars take on Xcom was pretty spot on - with the trailer showing off the huge depth of squad customization and giving us an early look at some of the battles players will have to fight through.

The trailer ended with the reveal that Anakin Skywalker will appear in the game!

A dark fantasy title now, centred around vampires. I'm thinking this is going to be Blood of Dawnwalker, which is set in 14th-century medieval Europe.

It was indeed The Blood of Dawnwalker. Interestingly there were glimpses of a modern day narrative as well, which seemingly will be a separate title.

A new standalone Among Us game? This is certainly a surprise!

It's a stylized mystery game by the looks of it, and is titled Among Us Story On Guard.

Now there's some kind of on-stage Among Us skit, and honestly I'll just spare you the details because it's a little cringe.

Speaking of cringe, it's being followed up by a trailer for an animated series based on the game.

It's meant to be a comedy series I suppose, though the jokes don't seem particularly funny...

It's streaming now on Paramount+.

Our first tease for some 007 First Light DLC! That was certainly fast.

It was a very short trailer, but certainly gives those currently playing through the game something to look forward to.

Now a quick Gothic Remake trailer. The game is out right now.

A stylish action game is being shown now, with flashy characters duking it out against monsters and even flying mechanics.

It's a sequel apparently, called Aion 2, though I must admit I'm not exactly familiar with the original game.

The Wuthering Waves X Cyberpunk 2077 collab is being shown now, with a little trailer highlighting returning Edgerunners characters like Rebecca and Adam Smasher.

A release from Capcom now, by the looks of it something in the Monster Hunter series.

New DLC for Wilds perhaps?

It's a big Wilds expansion called Ascendance, seemingly focusing on a new region and introducing new creatures!

It's about time we got our first soulslike game, so here it is!

I'm honestly surprised it took this long for us to get one.

That was one long, soulsike bossfight!

The game is called Swords of Legends and is inspired by Chinese myth.

Now here's something a bit more light-hearted! A new Hot Wheels game, with loads of toy cars zooming around what looks to be an open world map.

I'm getting some surprising Forza Horizon vibes from this one, which is definitely a good thing.

That was Hot Wheels Infinite Rush and it will be out on September 24 this year.

Trailer highlighting loads of exciting crossover content coming to Sonic Crossworlds, and a new indie game called Pico Park starring the blue hedgehog and his friends.

An Attack of Titan game from Koei Tecmo now - apparently depicted the series' entire story from start to finish!

It's called Attack on Titan 3, with more information to come in July it seems.

A look at Clutch now! This game comes from ex Forza Horizon devs, and combines intense sports racing with seedy underworld activity.

We've been seeing lots of the game on social media over the last few weeks, with posts from official accounts highlighting the high level of car customization that will be available to players.

The game will also feature some unique tools for drivers to use, like grapple hooks.

It's out Spring 2027 per this trailer.

A medieval combat title now, which almost looks like a cross between Total War and Mount and Blade - two series that I absolutely love.

The game is called Chronicles Medieval, and will come out in early access in 2026.

The next announcement is a big new trailer for Sea of Remnants, a huge open-world pirate adventure that I flew out to China to play last year.

I'm really looking forward to this one. It's really ambitious, with a big cast of companion characters to recruit and a really stylish puppet-inspired art direction.

Pre-registration is open now, if you want to be among the first to play.

Oh nice, a Hitman announcement now - presumably a new Elusive Target update.

Yep, that's exactly what it is: a new celebrity Elusive Target starring Wiz Khalifa!

No, this isn't a Pokemon announcement... This is something to do with Palworld - maybe a new update?

Yep, the survival game is getting a 1.0 version on July 10!

A very long-awaited announcement now, with a fresh trailer for The Wolf Among Us 2!

It's been so long that I honestly forgot this one was even happening, but it looks like just what fans have been waiting for.

Hopefully this trailer will end on a release date!

No release date, but it will be out in 2027.

Oh, and the original game is being re-released later this year with a new remaster so you can experience it all over again!

Now we're getting a look at something that seems like it might be a Stellar Blade sequel. Color me intrigued...

We're seeing the protagonist walking through a busy city, and then fighting all kinds of disgusting parasite creatures.

The more I see, the more I'm convinced this is a Stellar Blade game.

It is indeed Stellar Blade, and a sequel called Stellar Blade Blood Rain!

It said to star a new protagonist, and follow on from the events of the last game.

A look at upcoming content for Street Fighter 6 with its fourth year, featuring loads of new fighters.

We've got Yasmine, Arjun, Bosch, and even Tifa from Final Fantasy 7 all on the way!

I've been playing loads of Street Fighter 6 recently, so I'm glad to see that it's going to be getting more updates.

Okay, Geoff is teeing up the final announcement... What do we think it's going to be?

It's the long-awaited third entry in the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy!

We're getting a beefy trailer here, showing Cloud and friends facing off against a variety of big bosses.

The title? Final Fantasy 7 Revelation!

The devs have taken the stage to confirm that the game will be launching simultaneously on all platforms, so no PS5 exclusivity this time around.

The central theme of the game is apparently "resolve", with the remake series coming to its long-awaited narrative conclusion.

Now we're getting another trailer, going into the story in greater depth.

The game takes place in the series' most expansive open world, which players can explore in the Highwind airship.

You'll be able to dive from the Highwind using a parachute, almost like dropping from the battle bus in Fortnite.

The hybrid battle system is back, though has apparently been upgraded this time around with the ability to switch between characters seamlessly.

Fan-favorite character Vincent Valentine will be playable too, voiced by Matt Mercer.

Cid Highwind, your airship's pilot, will also join you in battle.

A third Final Fantasy Revelation trailer? This one showing a flashy in-game cutscene.

And finally we know that it will drop in Spring 2027! It's coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC - all on the same day!

And that's a wrap! What did you think of the this year?

I thought it was definitely a step up from last year, though I'm not a huge Final Fantasy fan so I can't say I found the Revelation announcement that exciting. The Code Veronica remake news was awesome to see though, even if it has been rumored for ages!

Need a recap of everything that was shown? Head back up to the top of this page for a full list.

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1091) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• DINNER
• EXPRESS
• POST
• ROUND
• DRAGON
• REGISTER
• TIMES
• SHAFT
• DISPLAY
• MONITOR
• STAKE
• SKINK
• BETRAY
• BASILISK
• DRAFTING
• POLE

NYT Connections today (game #1091) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Vertical objects
• GREEN: Show one’s feelings 
• BLUE: Reptiles
• PURPLE: Add some furniture you sit up at

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1091) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: PILLAR 
• GREEN: INDICATE, AS EMOTIONS 
• BLUE: KINDS OF LIZARDS
• PURPLE: _____TABLE

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1091) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1091, are…

• YELLOW: PILLAR POLE, POST, SHAFT, STAKE
• GREEN: INDICATE, AS EMOTIONS BETRAY, DISPLAY, EXPRESS, REGISTER
• BLUE: KINDS OF LIZARDS BASILISK, DRAGON, MONITOR, SKINK
• PURPLE: _____TABLE DINNER, DRAFTING, ROUND, TIMES

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Fail

My first mistake was thinking POST, TIMES, REGISTER, and EXPRESS all referred to newspaper titles but this wasn’t where my game fell apart.

After seeing the KINDS OF LIZARDS and PILLAR I was left with eight tiles. Normally in this scenario I manage to cobble a group together through a process of elimination but today I failed to see two tiles in common, let alone three or four.

Of the two groups I really should have spotted ___TABLE; instead, I got hooked on there being a group about sports or signing up for something.

After a few clueless guesses I crashed out — the first time I’ve crashed out since March. I hope it wasn’t as frustrating for you.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, June 5, game #1090)

• YELLOW: ASSOCIATED WITH HANSEL AND GRETEL BREADCRUMB, FOREST, OVEN, WITCH
• GREEN: BIT OF CEREAL CLUSTER, FLAKE, LOOP, PUFF
• BLUE: DEMI MOORE MOVIES DISCLOSURE, GHOST, STRIPTEASE, THE SUBSTANCE
• PURPLE: ENDING IN METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION INCUBUS, OSCAR, QUATRAIN, SITUATIONSHIP

• Control Resonant art director Elmeri Raitanen confirms it was always the plan to make a game starring Dylan next
• Raitanen explains that creating the world of Control was the priority
• This allowed the team to create more "organic characters"

Remedy Entertainment has confirmed that it was always the plan to make a Control game starring Dylan.

That's according to Control Resonant art director Elmeri Raitanen, who told TechRadar Gaming in an interview at a preview event just before this year's Summer Game Fest that a game starring Dylan as the playable protagonist was a concept the studio always had in mind.

However, Raitanen said building Control's "high level" world came first and foremost, even when making the first game starring Dylan's sister Jesse, because it allowed for more creative opportunities.

"The high-level idea in building the world of Control, and the Control franchise, of course, is that we want to be like 'world first', as I think it creates more organic characters," Raitanen explained.

"So we create the world, and then there are opportunities to have these different lenses into it, or different stories. So, the first one was Control [which] was Jesse's angle into it, and now we're looking at the other side of the fate and coin, so to speak, so Dylan's point of view."

He stressed, "It has always been the high-level plan of Control as a world, [and how] we approach these things."

Lead level designer Anne-Marie Grönroos also added that there is a "symmetry" between the two games, explaining that Jesse is an outsider who steps inside the Oldest House in the first game, whereas in Resonant, Dylan is the one who leaves and experiences Manhattan for the first time as an adult, and it's someplace "he doesn't belong."

"Then things that are mundane to us and actually strange to him," Grönroos said.

Control Resonant launches on September 24 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

Remedy has previously confirmed that while Jesse will appear alongside her brother in the sequel, she won't be playable.

• Remedy says wanted to make sure Control Resonant's melee combat was "fun to play on a very visceral level"
• The idea of Dylan's shapeshifting weapon was originally planned for Control
• Because Dylan is a melee-oriented brawler, it needed to double down, "because this is the first melee game Remedy has ever done so far"

Control Resonant is the first melee-focused game Remedy has made, and according to art director Elmeri Raitanen, it was vital to make sure it was satisfying to play "on a very visceral level."

Speaking in an interview with TechRadar Gaming at an event just before this year's Summer Game Fest, Raitanen, alongside lead level designer Anne-Marie Grönroos, discussed how Dylan's fast, melee-oriented combat in Resonant was designed.

Compared to Jesse's fighting style in Control, which is more fluid and tactical with her Service Weapon gun, Remedy knew it needed to make Dylan's combat fast and brawly while traversing the warped world of Manhattan.

"This game specifically has always been about movement," said Raitanen, "and we wanted to make sure that Dylan is a little bit, well, not a little bit, quite a lot faster than Jesse is actually, and jumps higher and has more capabilities of moving around in the environment.

"So, movement definitely has been one of the big things that we looked into, and partly because of the melee, as well — you need to be able to close the distance quickly and [keep the] melee combat fun."

Grönroos added that the team wanted the scale of the game to be bigger, to have an "epic scale," to accommodate Dylan's melee combat.

"Having a lot of verticality in the levels," the developer explained, was important, "so Dylan needs to be able to stay airborne, fight enemies at all airborne, and he needs to be able to climb back up if he falls down."

Instead of a Service Weapon like Jesse's, Dylan will wield a shapeshifting melee weapon called the Aberrant, offering players more variety in fights to experiment with.

According to Raitanen, this idea was conceptualized during the development of Control, when the team considered letting Jesse's Service Weapon transform into a sword.

"The seed [for] melee combat was already sown during Control," he said. "I think we were looking a little bit into, 'Could Jesse's Service Weapon already turn into a sword in there?' and they were [the combat design team at Remedy] like, 'Hey, that's a super cool idea, but we can't make it work in here with these metrics we haven't parameters at play.'"

"But it was always in the back of Mixer's [Creative Director, Mikael Kasurinen] head," he continued, "Maybe next time, maybe Dylan fights dirty and [he's a] really melee-oriented brawler, and so this is that something that we needed to double down, because this is the first melee game Remedy has ever done so far.

"So we really needed to make sure that this is something that works and is fun on a very visceral level, when you do it, and [it can be] like popping bubble wrap."

Control Resonant launches on September 24 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

What you’re reading started as yet another takedown of Universes Beyond.

Maybe not a takedown, but certainly something fuelled by fatigue.

After Magic: The Gathering’s Secret of Strixhaven set, I was riding high. The original Arcavios visit — Strixhaven: School of Mages — was the very first MtG pack I ever opened, and I instantly fell in love with the world and art (the sweet-looking Mystical Archive cards certainly helped, too). Last year, I even ran a short Dungeons and Dragons campaign set in Strixhaven. That’s how much I loved the cards.

This return, now as an over five-year veteran, was delightful. Thanks to Wizards of the Coast, I’d been sent several packs to open and experience the set a little early, and I dropped into a few prerelease events as well, and just like the original set, the world felt so alive. The splashy elder dragon cards truly feel like ancient masters of magic — my friend’s Prismari deck proved just that with a turn 4 win the other night, and Lorehold has been a serious upgrade to my Quintorious commander deck — and the paradigm mechanic truly captures the sense of freedom and immense joy when your final project is complete.

Prepared was also a major hit, for both limited play and several of my constructed decks.

Then I turned my attention to what’s next, and I deflated. Reality Fracture is our last in-Universe set of the year, surrounded by three external IP: The Hobbit (which, after Lord of the Rings, I’m actually quite excited for), Star Trek (I’m not a Trekkie, and it doesn’t feel like quite the right fit for Magic’s fantastical worlds), and, on June 26, Marvel Super Heroes.

Urgh.

Analysis/subhead section

As a comic book reader and long-time MCU fan (I think I’m one of the few remaining people who still watch everything Marvel releases), this MtG Marvel collab should be a slam dunk. However, after Magic’s Spider-Man set flopped (another set that should have easily won me over but was troubled by development issues that I don’t have time to explain), my desire to return to Earth-616 was nonexistent.

Then I heard Mark Rosewater speak about the cards.

A little inside baseball: before major set releases, members of the press and influencers get a sneak peek at the set. We tune into a stream hosted by the set’s leads — which for Marvel included Magic: The Gathering Head Designer — to see a few cards that showcase the set’s mechanics, art treatments, and the overall vibes of what’s to come. That’s how articles and videos get published within seconds of the debut stream going live.

I’ve attended quite a few now, and I’ve yet to hear someone talk with as much palpable excitement as Rosewater had for Marvel. It was infectious.

Rosewater explained that for Marvel, he was the SME, or Subject Matter Expert. The person at WotC who deeply understands the external-IP they’re working with and who will make sure the cards reflect the characters, moments, and worlds they portray. And Rosewater is clearly a Marvel expert.

Every card that was showcased he couldn’t help but drop in explanations for why each had the effect it did — of course Tony Stark can Improvise — or why the precise wording of new abilities was the way it was — such as Worthy’s definition being written to allow Thor and Captain America to lift Mjolnir, but not Kingpin — and how he helped tweak effects that didn’t quite work — Hulk’s original Enrage effect didn’t have him get stronger, despite anger fuelling his ferocity in the comics.

This exuberance was a delight to behold, and I realized not long into the presentation that it had rubbed off on me. I was excited for Marvel. In fact, I was excited for everything coming down the MtG pipeline.

Now, there are some unresolved troubles with the game’s pace of sets. For a start, Standard is a nightmare to stay on top of. I love playing it on Arena (Magic’s digital client), but it’s so incredibly pricey in paper, and with such a wealth of cards at our disposal, the format is more unwieldy than it should be.

Secondly, six or seven Standard sets a year leaves no room for others. I love alternative draft formats like Battlebond’s take on Two-Headed Giant, or any Commander draft. I want these to return, but it doesn’t seem there’s space for them amid the noise.

Equally, seeing the joy of Rosewater, I do get the appeal of introducing so many external worlds into this game so newcomers, and long-time fans of both franchises, can play with and as characters they know and love.

Sure, it’s not always for me, but the excitement I had for Strixhaven is clearly matched by others with a love for Marvel Super Heroes, The Hobbit, and Star Trek (and whatever comes next).

Ahead of its June 26 debut, there will be numerous prerelease events in the weeks before, including a new Avengers Academy to get new players up to speed. I’ve signed up for my local prerelease Sealed already, and I plan to soak up the atmosphere, focus on the fun, and maybe brew up a Daredevil, Man Without Fear deck (Born Again Season 3 can’t come soon enough).

• The PC Gaming Show returns this Sunday, June 7
• The show will feature more than 50 games, including a look at Total War: Warhammer 40,000 and a new project from the creator of the Citizen Sleeper series
• You can tune in on the likes of YouTube, Twitch, and more when the show starts at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm BST

The summer gaming showcase season is giving us plenty of terrific and exciting streams to watch this month, and the PC Gaming Show this weekend is another such showcase that you'll not want to miss.

Featuring more than 50 PC games from a host of publishers and developers including Wizards of the Coast, Remedy Entertainment, and Devolver Digital, viewers will also get the chance to see behind the scenes of some games, win big in a competition, and more.

Highlights will include the chance to win a custom gaming rig in a retro-inspired Silverstone case, an interview and behind-the-scenes look at Total War: Warhammer 40,000 — which I am incredibly keen to see — two world premieres from Critical Reflex, and the reveal of a new project from the creator of the Citizen Sleeper games.

Here's the YouTube link to bookmark now ahead of time.

In terms of key details and how to watch the show, you'll need to tune in at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm BST this Sunday, June 7 to be in prime position for the start of the show. However, for keen watchers, there will also be a bonus 30 minutes before this for a talk-show-inspired pre-show hosted by Elz and Frankie Ward.

When the main show kicks in, Frankie Ward, Mica Burton and Sean 'Day[9]' Plott will take you through all the announcements, news and features.

You can watch the show on the likes of Twitch, YouTube, X, Facebook, PC Gamer, GamesRadar+, Steam, Bigo Live, Bilibili, eCLUTCH, Ginx.tv, GameSpot, and IGN International and many more.

• The Xbox Game Pass lineup for June has been announced
• The selection features nine games, including Herdling, Total Chaos, Beastro, and more
• Persona 5 Royal headlines the collection this month

Microsoft has announced the Xbox Game Pass lineup for the first half of June ahead of the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase.

The selection offers nine games so far, across different Game Pass tiers, including the day-one releases Solarpunk, which launches on June 8, Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions, coming June 11, and Junkster, arriving on June 16.

Also available is Herdling, the new adventure game from Firewatch publisher Campo Santo, where players must find, tame, care for, and guide a herd of horned beasts called Calicorns to a mountain peak.

TechRadar's Managing Editor, Social & Engagement, Josephine Watson, reviewed Herdling, describing it as "a surprisingly well-rounded atmospheric adventure that belies its short play time" that is "undoubtedly an indie gem, but not without its flaws."

Total Chaos, a survival horror from the creator of Turbo Overkill, as well as boxing game Undisputed, a cozy life sim and deck-building adventure, Beastro, and Frog Sqwad, a co-op extraction puzzle-platformer, are all coming to the service too.

Finally, Persona 5 Royal, the award-winning role-playing game (RPG) from Atlus, headlines the collection for this month. It's one of my absolute favourite RPGS that expands on the original 2017 release with more dungeons, new characters and relationships, and a story that will steal your heart.

As Microsoft mentions in the Xbox Wire post, five games will leave Game Pass on June 15, including Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Warhammer 40K Space Marine: Master Crafted Edition, so save on these games while you can.

Xbox Game Pass titles for June 2026

• Herdling (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – Available now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate, and PC Game Pass
• Total Chaos (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – Available now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate, and PC Game Pass
• Solarpunk (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – June 8 for Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass + day one on Game Pass
• Undisputed (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – June 8 for Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass
• Persona 5 Royal (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 9 with
  Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass
• Beastro (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – June 11 with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
• Frog Sqwad (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – June 11 with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
• Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions (Game Preview) - (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – June 11 with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass + day one on Xbox Game Pass
• Junkster (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – June 16 with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass + day one on Xbox Game Pass

• The Future Game Show Summer Showcase airs on June 6
• The show will feature new trailers from more than 40 upcoming games
• An extended look at Exodus gameplay will follow the main show

The annual Future Game Show Summer Showcase is almost here, and alongside new trailers and game announcements, this year, a special extended look at Exodus will be featured.

To get ready for the event, here's everything you need to know about Future Game Show Summer Showcase, including when and how to tune in, and what games to expect.

Start time

The Future Games Show Summer Showcase returns on Saturday, June 6 at 12PM PT / 3PM ET / 8PM BST / 9PM CEST.

The show will be hosted by actors Alix Wilton Regan, best known for her role in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Cyberpunk 2077, and the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and The Last of Us, Death Stranding, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle star Troy Baker.

Where to watch

You'll be able to tune in to the showcase on the Future Game Show's official Twitch, YouTube, X / Twitter, and TikTok, as well as Steam, Epic Games Store, Facebook, and more.

Like most gaming showcases, we expect the broadcast to begin a countdown up to 30 minutes beforehand, so we'd recommend tuning in a little earlier before it officially begins.

What to Expect

This year's showcase will feature 10 world premieres, exclusive game demos, developer interviews, and new trailers from more than 40 upcoming games, including some of the most anticipated titles coming later this year.

Some games already confirmed include IllFonic's single-player horror game, Halloween: The Game, which launches on September 8, as well as a new trailer for the tactical first-person shooter from Team 17, WARDOGS.

A new gameplay trailer for Annimo, a new creature-catching open-world role-playing game (RPG), a release date announcement for the first-person psychological horror Don't Fret, a new gameplay trailer for the horror RPG, The Pines, and more will also be featured

FGS Live from Los Angeles will immediately follow the Summer Showcase and feature even more world premieres and exclusive trailers, as well as additional news and interviews, including from Perfect Garbage, the developer of the highly anticipated farming, murder-mystery sim game, Grave Seasons.

Viewers can expect a new gameplay trailer for the horror roguelite Shark Dentist, new gameplay from the team-based shooter Terminal War, and a gameplay reveal for the action-adventure RPG Alkahest.

What's more, fans can also expect a dedicated, extended gameplay reveal for Exodus, Archetype Entertainment's upcoming sci-fi action adventure RPG, scheduled to launch in 2027.

• A new Nintendo Switch 2 model with a replaceable battery will be released soon
• The new model will be sold to meet the new EU Batteries Legislation
• The new regulations come into effect in February 2027

Nintendo has announced that it will soon release a revised Switch 2 model with a removable battery in Europe to meet new regulations.

In a recent post on its website (via The Verge), Nintendo said it will comply with a new regulation called the EU Batteries Legislation, which was passed in 2023 and requires companies to make products with built-in batteries replaceable by February 18, 2027.

"Nintendo of Europe ('Nintendo') and its products are in compliance with all applicable European Union directives and regulations," the company said. "Many of those are aimed at environmental protection as well as consumer health and safety with respect to the manufacture, supply and use of Nintendo products."

While the company didn't specify the Switch 2 itself, it did confirm "current products with model numbers starting with ‘BEE'" will see revisions, which would include the Switch 2, which has a model number of BEE-001.

Other Switch 2 accessories, like the Joy-Con 2 controller and Switch 2 Pro Controller, also have model numbers beginning with BEE (BEE-012 and BEE-014, and BEE-008) and have built-in batteries, suggesting they could also get revised models.

"The Batteries Regulation aims to reduce the environmental impact of the manufacture, distribution, use, disposal and recycling of batteries and rechargeable batteries,” Nintendo said. "In doing so, it forbids the supply of batteries and rechargeable batteries with certain hazardous metal content and sets out requirements for batteries' labelling, safe removal from appliances, collection and recycling.

"Nintendo products are fully compliant with these requirements, and Nintendo cooperates fully with authorised regional institutions to facilitate the proper collection and environmentally sound recovery or disposal of its batteries.

"In addition, the Regulation requires that from February 18th, 2027, batteries integrated into certain appliances and sold in the EU must be easily replaceable by end-users at any time during the lifetime of the product. Nintendo is implementing measures to comply with these requirements by preparing versions of products to meet the Regulation."

For now, there's no word on what the new Switch 2 model will look like or if it will see a price increase.

Last month, Nintendo announced that the console will see a considerable price hike, rising in the US from $449.99 to $499.99 effective September 1, 2026, as a "response to various market conditions."