Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. has announced today that its popular game eFootball be hosting a major Manchester United-focused competitive campaign. Players around the world will have the chance to compete in order to become the official Manchester United representative in the eFootball Championship 2026.

For interested fans, the online qualifiers for the event are now live for the in-game Club Event “eFootball Championship 2026 Manchester United.” Participating in the event will give players the chance to represent the Red Devils on the global esports stage, which in turn determines the official Manchester United representative for the eFootball Championship 2026.

KONAMI says that in the previous season, 36.3 million players competed in Club Events, with the journey starting all over again this year. All players need to do to have a chance is download eFootball for free and enter the “Match” hub to potentially start your future eFootball legacy.

Two tournaments are slated for fans to compete in: the ’eFootball Championship 2026 Open’ and the ‘eFootball Championship 2026 Club Event.’ The former is for all users, and the latter is used to determine each eFootball partnered club’s number one fan. If you manage to succeed in these events, you will be able to compete for the title of ‘World’s Best eFootball player’ at the ‘eFootball Championship 2026 World Finals’ expected for the summer of 2026.

Surpassing 950 million downloads, the game’s reach has been cemented since its days before its rebranding as PES. In celebration of that fact and to support the current campaign, eFootball has added the Manchester United Club Pack featuring the club’s starting XI, as well as legendary players from the club’s past. Big Time player George Best has been added, along with Epic’s Peter Schmeichel and Bryan Robson.

Players can also enjoy a fresh stadium, FC Barcelona’s newly renovated home, Spotify Camp Nou. The stadium is so far only available for mobile players, but PC and console players will soon be able to play a match in the Barcelona icon in a coming update. Using the new stadium, players can experience more of what the game has to offer by participating in the campaign, where daily log-ins and progressing through in-game events can unlock special goal effects and tickets offering the chance to win up to 1,000 in-game coins.

Compete, play, and enjoy yourself in eFootball’s newest campaign, and maybe even try to get that spot representing Manchester United. 

The critically acclaimed rhythm action game Hi-Fi Rush is getting a physical release. KRAFTON Inc., the game’s publisher, announced that pre-orders for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions are now open.

Hi-Fi Rush was originally developed by Tango Gameworks and released in 2023 to very high praise for its poppy artstyle and amazing soundtrack. Hi-Fi Rush is different from other rhythm games, requiring you to time your attacks to the beat of the game in order to do major damage. Currently sitting at an overwhelmingly positive rating on Steam, Hi-Fi Rush previously won Best Audio Design at The Game Awards 2023 and the Animation Award at the 20th BAFTA Games Awards, and has since gained a cult following. 

After partnering with Limited Run Games for the physical release of the acclaimed title Hi-Fi Rush, three distinct editions have been produced. These include the Rhythm Edition, the Smidge Edition and the Project Armstrong Edition, each offering its own set of content.

The Rhythm Edition includes the Hi-Fi Rush Deluxe version along with three DLC costume packs: Bossplay, Traditional Grab and Teamplay. Stepping up to the Smidge Edition adds several extras on top of the Rhythm Edition’s contents, including a three-disc DVD soundtrack featuring developer liner notes and a custom storage box themed around the character Smidge.

Last but certainly not least is the Project Armstrong Edition, named after the program that gave Chai his rock n’ roll powers in the game. This Edition includes everything in the Smidge Edition, plus a mini replica of Chai’s guitar, a plush of the robot 808, a 90-page art book, a spinning MP3 player pin badge, and a numbered certificate of authenticity. 

Fans waiting to pre-order any of these editions will be glad to know that the final date for purchase will be March 1st. You can’t just find this offer anywhere, though. Make sure to visit the Limited Run Games official website for the official purchase pathway. 

The Sims 4 is trading suburban drama for crowns and castles in the sweeping new Royalty & Legacy expansion, set in the coastal kingdom of Ondarion. The expansion allows players to guide their Sims through a royal lifestyle that unfolds across generations in the lavish new world. Build a dynasty, practice the new swordsmanship skill, and plot against your noble rivals in a royal playground.

The new Sims 4 land of Ondarion introduces three distinct regions to rule over: Dambele, a centre of art and culture; Verdemar, a land shaped by heroic outlaws and cunning nobles; and Bellacorde, a region defined by romance and opulence. Also introduced is a new Backroom lot type. By day, the space can be customized for studying, exercise or displaying artifacts, depending on how players choose to build it. When night falls, the lot transforms into a lively nightclub designed for royalty to gather and socialize.

Every region of The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy’s Ondarion is home to noble houses waiting to be engaged with, while the kingdom’s throne itself remains vacant, awaiting its next ruler. New Powershift mechanics offer several possible paths to power. Some Sims may attempt to pull the legendary sword from the stone, while others may charm a magical frog; each choice leads to unpredictable outcomes. Sims can also consult a magic mirror to uncover hidden truths about the land and its ruling forces.

However, if you want a more direct path, The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy also introduces the swordsmanship skill, which can be trained to the series standard level 10. Sims can use it to challenge noble rivals, duel for love or simoleans, and prove their prowess in combat. Swordsmanship tournaments provide the fastest way to advance the skill. These events are held in each region, bringing local lords together to showcase their fighting skills.

If you’re not fond of the more “official” routes to lordship, Sims 4 players who enjoy a more mischievous approach will find plenty to explore through newly added secret passageways. These hidden routes provide discreet access between regions, opening the door to various schemes and misdeeds. Those inclined toward chaos may also appreciate a new dramatic demise. Meddling with cuckoo clocks scattered across the kingdom can now result in an unusual death by cuckoo bird.

Royalty & Legacy players can advance through the new noble career, rising from newcomer to kingdom leader and ultimately ruling as monarch. Progression through high society comes by gaining favour at court, forging alliances, or pursuing faster routes through strategic marriages and carefully plotted schemes. Each kingdom has only one seat of power. Securing it ensures your family’s rule for generations.

Once your lordship is established, Sim rulers can deliver grand speeches, issue decrees, and make donations to win favour among nobles or commoners. Power, however, brings risk. Excessive influence can breed jealousy, prompting rivals to attempt to damage your reputation. These conflicts can be resolved through persuasion, diplomacy or, if necessary, a swordfight.

Beware, though, rulers must also complete their royal duties each day to maintain performance and public standing. Carelessness carries consequences. A poorly timed insult or an ill-considered flirtation can cause influence to drop sharply, sometimes overnight.

When you start The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy pack, Sims can either join an existing dynasty or establish one of their own, unlocking new actions and systems tied to family power. Options such as designating an heir, usurping the family head or expelling a member from the dynasty place full control of succession and authority in the player’s hands.

Although if you want to keep your dynasty in power, The Sims 4 players will need to keep a close watch on their Sims, as forbidden romances or illegitimate children can now spark scandals across the kingdom. When scandal strikes, Sims can attempt to repair their reputation through a public apology or by writing a book about the experience for extra income. Sims 4 players who enjoy a more dramatic approach can also weaponize scandal against rivals, using it as a tool to climb the social ladder through calculated chaos.

Behind the scenes, The Sims team began working with the Pan African Gaming Group and other Simmers with ties to West African countries more than a year ago. The collaboration helped ensure Royalty & Legacy’s cultural inspirations were handled with care and authenticity.

The Sims Content creators like Plumbob Kingdom, Eva Rotky, EmeraldStories, and more all contributed their thoughts and ideas to this expansion pack. For a limited time, when you purchase the Royalty and Legacy pack, you will get a free upgrade to the Grand Bundle. The offer ends on March 15th, 2025.

The new Royalty & Legacy pack is vast, and it could already be said that it’s one of the most in-depth expansion packs in recent Sims history. With input and feedback from dedicated content creators, it’s sure to live up to expectations. The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy Expansion releases on February 12, 2026, on PC via the EA app, Epic Games Store and Steam, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. 

Acclaimed actor Ryan Hurst has been cast by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios as Kratos in the upcoming Prime Video God of War TV series. The BAFTA award-winning Hurst previously delivered a legendary voice-acting performance as Thor in God of War: Ragnarok and played the iconic character Opie Winston in the FX drama series Sons of Anarchy.

The new series has already secured a two-season order, with pre-production underway in Vancouver. Emmy Award-winning director Frederick E.O. Toye has signed on to direct the first two episodes. Toye brings experience from several critically acclaimed series, including Shōgun, The Boys and Fallout. His previous directing credits also include episodes of Watchmen, Snowpiercer and The Walking Dead.

Ronald D. Moore serves as showrunner, executive producer, and writer, best known for his work on Star Trek. Moore brings decades of experience to the production. He previously wrote for Star Trek: The Next Generation and later earned Hugo Award nominations for his work on the films Star Trek: Generations and Star Trek: First Contact.

A long list of executive producers that have also joined up includes names like Cory Barlog, the current creative director of video game development at Santa Monica Studio, and Maril Davis, a 70-episode alumna of the TV show Outlander. Cory Barlog, especially is widely credited as the one who brought the God of War franchise back into the spotlight with his passionate work on God of War (2018).

God of War follows the journey of Kratos and his son, Atreus, as they travel through the realms of the World Tree to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Ryan Hurst will most definitely do the character of Kratos justice based on his role as Thor, although living up to Christopher Judge’s performance in the games is a high bar to jump over. Fans of the game have expressed surprise at how well Thor is playing Kratos, but some remain skeptical about whether the show should even be made.

As of today, the TV series does not yet have a release date; however, with the show entering pre-production, the wait is almost over.

After the electric atmosphere of CES, GeForce NOW has announced that Devolver Digital’s Quarantine Zone: The Last Check will be among 9 new games coming to the video game streaming service.

Quarantine Zone: The Last Check, Star Wars Outlaws, The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon, Styx: Shards of Darkness, Styx: Master of Shadows, Guild Wars: Reforged, Mon Bazou, Tavern Keeper, and Waterpark Simulator will all be added to GeForce NOW this week.

GeForce NOW is a video game cloud streaming service made by hardware giant NVIDIA, which lets subscribers play games like Arc Raiders and Baldur’s Gate 3 on demand. The service also offers features from NVIDIA, like GeForce RTX and their NVIDIA Blackwell RTX servers for very fast streaming.

This week, Quarantine Zone: The Last Check will be hitting the service. It is Devolver Digital’s newest game, where you take control of a checkpoint in a post apocalyptic zombie outbreak, make sure your outpost stays safe with upgrades, state-of-the-art screening technology, and first-person shooter action.

One of the most notable additions is Star Wars Outlaws. This is the Star Wars game we all wanted as kids, incorporating criminal reputation mechanics, space dogfights, and a very cool droid partner in a galaxy-spanning effort to make one last score. GeForce NOW also introduces The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon, whichis a milestone entry in the Trails series, letting you explore the vast Calvard Republic as three playable characters that fight in both real-time and turn-based battles.

Two games from the Of Orcs and Men franchise, Styx: Shards of Darkness and Styx: Master of Shadows, have also been added to GeForce NOW’s library. The Styx games are a stealth lover’s dream franchise; both are successors to the 2012 video game of the franchise’s namesake. Play as the experienced goblin assassin, Styx, as he navigates the world with his wits, stealth, and magic, all in order to prevent the Elves and dwarves from enacting their dubious plans.

The legendary MMO Guild Wars: Reforged is an unexpected addition that has been remade for the modern age and modern hardware. Experience fighting warbands, rival gangs, and crossing inhospitable terrain in the world of Ascalon, perfect for scratching that MMO itch.

Three indie games, Mon Bazou, Tavern Keeper, and Waterpark Simulator, are now all residents of GeForce NOW’s library. Mon Bazou is a My Summer Car-esque game where, in place of finland you survive and thrive in 2005 Canada by selling maple syrup deliver pizzas and more in your effort to build and customize your race car. Tavern Keeper lets you build, customize, and stock your very own tavern, although be prepared to fight the dirt, heat, noise, and sickness that come with owning a medieval establishment.

And finally, Waterpark Simulator gives you the full waterpark experience where you are the boss. Keep your attendees in line by making them shower, tazing the belligerent and stocking your stalls while customizing your park to exactly the specifications you want.

Enjoy these newly added games on GeForce NOW today, along with the upcoming native apps on Linux and Amazon Fire TV and the newly added flight control support.

And for fans of Microsoft Flight Simulator, you can also enter to win a T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition and one month of GeForce NOW Ultimate.  Just follow Thrustmaster and GeForce NOW on socials and repost the giveaway before January 24th for a chance to win.

Marvel Games and NetEase Games have announced the official launch of the newly established Marvel Rivals Professional League. The award-winning PvP hero shooter Marvel Rivals has gained significant traction across the gaming industry since its release in December 2024.

With an all-time Steam player peak of 642,333, Marvel Rivals has shattered its own records multiple times and has significantly surpassed player counts for other hero shooters such as Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends. In its first month alone, Marvel Rivals peaked at more than 400,000 concurrent players, a level of success that quickly sparked interest from the esports community.

In the past, NetEase organized the Marvel Rivals Championship, which launched in 2024, the game’s release year, and featured a prize pool of approximately $450,000. The newly announced professional league offers increased support for participating teams and an uncapped prize pool of up to $3 million.

The league will include teams from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Pacific region and China. This year’s season will be played in three stages. The opening stage runs from May to June, followed by the mid-season finals in August.

Stage two will run from September through October, culminating in the grand finals in late November. Beginning this year, nearly all Ignite Series tournaments, along with the mid-season finals, will serve as qualifiers for the grand finals.

League points will be awarded based on final placements in stage one, the mid-season finals and stage two. Teams can secure a spot at the global finals either by winning the stage two playoffs or by finishing near the top of the overall league standings.

To enhance the competitive experience and support a sustainable development pipeline, the Marvel Rivals Esports team has introduced a promotion and relegation system. Under the new structure, teams can earn points throughout the Marvel Rivals Championship 2026. At both the mid-season finals and the conclusion of the season, top Championship teams will have the opportunity to compete against league teams for an official league position.

This year, NetEase has also collaborated with organizations across regions to launch the Marvel Rivals Esports Partner Teams Program. Selected teams will share revenue from in-game team-themed content and receive comprehensive support. Submission date ends January 15th.