Microsoft has announced that the Xbox Developer Direct will be taking place on January 22nd, and has confirmed Fable, Forza Horizon, and Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation will all have gameplay shown. Both Fable and Forza Horizon 6 are pencilled in to launch this year, so we should get release dates for both at Developer Direct, and we may also get a release date for Beast of Reincarnation.
In the announcement post, Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor In Chief, said, “2026 is going to be an incredible year for Xbox players – you might even call it a… fabled year. To celebrate, we’re kicking it off with the fourth installment of our Developer_Direct broadcast on January 22, bringing you news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year. Presented by the game creators themselves, Developer_Direct will once again give you an inside look at not just the games, but the studios working to bring them to life. Fittingly for Xbox’s 25th anniversary year, that includes the return of some of our most legendary franchises, which rub shoulders with a brand new title from one of Japan’s most beloved studios.”
The Xbox Developer Direct will be streaming on January 22nd at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK.
Pathologic 3 – the first proper release of the year (HypeTrain Digital)
Get the latest video game release date information for 2026 in our detailed schedule for upcoming titles, starting this week with Pathologic 3.
As usual for the start of the year, we don’t know too much about video game release dates beyond the next few months, but there are some that have already staked out a specific launch time, including 007 First Light, PlayStation 5 exclusive Saros, and Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight.
Of course, the biggest game of the year is set to be Grand Theft Auto 6, although that’s assuming it sticks to its current release date, which is by no means guaranteed.
We’ll update this list of upcoming titles every week, usually on Thursday, and you’ll find it’ll quickly begin to fill out with new releases, especially once Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have their first preview showcases of the year.
Friday 9 January 2026
Pathologic 3 (PC)
Saturday 10 January 2026
Code Violet (PS5)
Monday 12 January 2026
Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (PC) Big Hops (NS/PS5/PC)
Wednesday 14 January 2026
Cassette Boy (PS4/XO/NS/PS5/XSX/PC) Streetdog BMX (PC)
Thursday 15 January 2026
The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Beyond The Horizon (PS4/NS/PS5/NS2/PC) Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (NS2)
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Friday 16 January 2026
BrokenLore: Unfollow (PS5/PC)
Tuesday 20 January 2026
2XKO (XSX/PS5/PC) MIO: Memories In Orbit (NS/PS5/XSX/PC)
Thursday 22 January 2026
Sega Football Club Champions (PS4/PS5/PC/iOS/Android) Hermit And Pig (PC) Arknights: Endfield (PS5/PC/iOS/Android) Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade (XSX/NS2) Dynasty Warriors: Origins (NS2)
Friday 23 January 2026
Escape from Ever After (PS4/XO/NS/PS5/XSX/PC) Banquet For Fools (PC)
Monday 26 January 2026
Highguard (PS5/XSX/PC)
Tuesday 27 January 2026
Speedball (PS5/XSX/PC)
Wednesday 28 January 2026
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin (PS5/PC/iOS/Android)
Thursday 29 January 2026
I Hate This Place (NS/PS5/XSX/PC) Cairn (PS5/PC) Dark Auction (NS/PS5/PC) Dusk Index: Gion (NS/PS5/XSX/PC) Dispatch (NS/NS2)
Friday 30 January 2026
Code Vein 2 (XSX/PS5/PC) The 9th Charnel (PS5/XSX/PC)
Tuesday 3 February 2026
Aces Of Thunder (PS5/PC) Unemployment Simulator 2018 (PC)
Thursday 5 February 2026
Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined (NS/XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) Deus Ex Remastered (NS/XSX/PS5/PC)
Mario Tennis Fever (NS2) Ride 6 (PS5/XSX/PC) BlazBlue Entropy Effect X (PS5) Disciples: Domination (PS5/XSX/PC) ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard (PS5/XSX/NS2/PC) Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties (PS5/XSX/NS2/PC)
Friday 13 February 2026
High On Life 2 (PS5/XSX/PC) Reanimal (XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azume (PS5/XSX)
Other video game release dates 2026:
27 February – Resident Evil Requiem (XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) 27 March – 007 First Light (XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) 24 April – Pragmata (XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) 30 April – Saros (PS5) 29 May – Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight (XSX/PS5/PC) 9 September – Phantom Blade 0 (PS5/PC) 19 November – Grand Theft Auto 6 (XSX/PS5)
Resident Evil Requiem is out relatively soon (Capcom)
Let’s all take this as a learning experience (Embark Studios)
A good Samaritan looking to save someone from peril instead found a very loud Arc Raiders player.
We’ve all been guilty of getting too heated while playing video games, especially multiplayer ones like Fortnite and Call Of Duty, which might lead to the odd scream of panic or regret – which can be a bit of a shock to anyone within hearing distance.
Worst case scenario, neighbours could come round knocking at your door, to complain about the noise. Although in the case of one Arc Raiders player, their neighbour went so far as to kick the door in.
However, this wasn’t out of anger. The player was screaming so loud that the neighbour assumed they were in legitimate danger and needed help.
Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter where you explore a post-apocalyptic Earth for materials and resources, while contending with enemy robots as well as other players.
According to dreamthorp on Reddit, he was in the middle of an extraction when he was attacked by an enemy, prompting him to instinctively yell for help over voice chat.
He was so loud that a neighbour heard and as can be seen in footage from a doorbell camera, knocked on the door to see if he was okay. Clearly, dreamthorp didn’t hear them, as he kept screaming, and the neighbour, assuming the worst, forcefully broke in.
The footage cuts out before the impact of their kick but according to dreamthorp, that’s because the kick damaged the playback. The neighbour happens to be a professional firefighter, so they have experience in this sort of thing.
‘My heart just about jumped out of my chest when I saw the door bulge like an explosion was behind it,’ said dreamthorp, admitting that he was far too loud. ‘I’m used to playing at my office after hours where I can be as loud as I want. After that I practically had the mic on my lap.’
From the sound of things, dreamthorp and the neighbour took the situation in stride, with the former buying the latter some beer as an apology. Although considering dreamthorp was housesitting for someone else, that conversation is bound to be more awkward.
Regardless, other Redditors have praised the neighbour for their quick action considering he thought someone was legitimately in need of help, calling him a ‘real one’ and a ‘good man.’
One Redditor said that they tend to get so loud when playing video games, they made a point to inform their neighbours to avoid similar scenarios: ‘Every once in a while, they’ll hear me yell at Arc [Raiders] or Rocket League or something. They know I’m having fun and are chill with it.’
Arc Raiders is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Embark Studios)
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ARC Raiders design lead Virgil Watkins is teasing some major changes to the game with its next balance update, adjusting both the Kettle rifle and Trigger Nades. The shooter from Embark Studios has been one of the biggest breakout stories in the gaming industry throughout recent months, with the game seeing huge success following its late October launch. ARC Raiders saw player counts on Steam that rivaled mega-popular franchises like Battlefield and Call of Duty after its debut, and has already sold more than 12 million copies. A big reason for that sustained success has been Embark's support for the game.
Final Fantasy 14 players who have not played the critically acclaimed MMORPG in some time now have a window to do so, as Square Enix launched a free login campaign for players to enjoy. The Final Fantasy 14 free login campaign is a limited-time offer that gives inactive players a few days of game time, allowing them to experience the game's latest content.
Overwatch 2 Season 20 heralded the arrival of the game’s first official melee damage hero after nearly a decade since the franshise began. Vendetta is a deadly combatant who can annihilate squishy targets with Palatine Fang, her vicious hardlight greatsword. Featuring high damage output, decent defensive options, and excellent mobility, Vendetta brings a playstyle reminiscent of DPS Doomfist from before he was made a tank in Overwatch 2: a high-commitment dive hero that can quickly delete an entire team if given the chance.
Developed by Wishes Ultd., Greg Lobanov, Alexis Dean-Jones, Lena Raine, Madeline Berger, and A Shell in the Pit, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top-down adventure game in a coloring book world full of vibrant, animal-like characters. In the world of Picnic Province, Chicory, superstar artist and wielder of the Brush, is missing, and all the color in the land vanished with her. As Chicory's biggest fan, players are tasked with picking up the Brush and filling in for her, using their newfound painting powers to explore, solve puzzles, make friends, and draw on anything. It's the perfect blend of The Legend of Zelda's iconic puzzle-solving progression and Animal Crossing's cozy charm, and yet it is still somehow one of the gaming industry's best-kept secrets.
HIGH Memorable characters and a clever combat mechanic.
LOW Enemies are frequently weak against words the player hasn’t found.
WTF But… what about the tournament?
Ringo is a typical 14-year-old kid. She tries to be fiercely independent, but is capable of great love and loyalty. She’s headstrong, lazy, snarky, and apparently doesn’t bathe enough. She’s also tremendously good at kicking people in the face.
Ringo dreams of two things — finding her missing brother, and someday winning the Kiai Tournament, which is the ultimate martial arts spectacle/competition/game show in the known universe.
When a mysterious ship bearing the ne’er do well Wolfe crash-lands on her planet, Ringo discovers that she carries part of the fabled Wanderstar map, which may give her both the answers she seeks and the training she needs to meet both her goals… provided evil pirates don’t get her first.
Wander Stars could be coarsely summed up as a menu-driven RPG featuring anime-inspired visuals that are a love letter to Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball), but it’s so much more than that.
For starters, when I say “menu-driven RPG,” I’m sure many will immediately picture something where players are given options to Fight, Run, Use, or Magic on opponents ad nauseum for dozens, if not hundreds of hours. Wander Stars does indeed use menus, but… not like that.
During combat, Ringo is provided with a certain number of slots where the player can place words to use for attack, defense, and modifiers, with some words taking up more of those slots than others.
For example, “Kick” does a limited amount of damage, but only takes up one word slot, while “Dropkick” does more damage, but takes up more slots.
During her journey, Ringo also learns modifiers that can increase damage or hasten a word’s cooldown time, allowing it to be used again sooner. She also learns environmental effects which can do more damage, provide buffs, or cause status effects like “blind”.
When it all comes together, Ringo may choose to perform something multipart and fancy like a “Super Fire Dropkick” on her foe, causing massive damage. It sounds complicated, but it becomes second nature almost immediately.
What’s trickier (and takes more time to master) is the other amazing trick Wander Stars’ combat has up its sleeve — the goal in every fight is not to knock opponents’ health to zero, but instead, to get them to surrender.
Each enemy has a hit point range (near death) in which they’ll immediately give up. Beating them down but then allowing foes to leave the field with their dignity intact awards Honor points, which are then used to teach Ringo more words, improve health, and give more word slots for combat.
Accomplishing this is easier said than done, though. Every opponent’s range is different, and while Wander Stars tells the player exactly how much damage a move is capable of, it doesn’t mention weaknesses and resistances until a word is used — think “Not Very Effective” or “Super Effective” from the combat in Pokemon.
Discovering how to determine a baddie’s weaknesses and then making sure not to knock them out completely is a challenge, and it turns combat from simply clicking on words into choosing the right phrase at the right time. As a result, these fights are tense in a way I’ve never experienced in an RPG of this type.
So the combat lands, but what about the script? The story delves into heady topics such as love, loss, trauma, regret and sacrifice, while maintaining a sense of wonder and a healthy dose of humor along with the introspection.
In an homage to many famous JRPGs, the cast of Wander Stars is a motley crew of lost souls who come together using the power of friendship to thwart a great evil. While that sounds cliché, clever writing and witty banter gives the narrative immense charm. I found myself moved by Ringo’s drive to rebuild her lost family, and Wolfe’s checkered past hides a heart that has been broken beyond measure by his choices.
It’s a credit to the writing team that the story never falls into melodrama, and they know exactly when and how to change the mood with a quick joke or a poignant peek into a character’s psyche. I can’t describe it in any more detail without risking spoilers, but it’s fantastic — my only complaints about the script are that the story ends too soon, and the ending feels like setup for a sequel. Otherwise, the narrative is superb.
My biggest complaint, and frankly the only thing preventing me from giving Wander Stars a higher rating, is the fact that in addition to being a turn-based RPG, it also has roguelike elements which mean the adventure is designed to be played in multiple runs. It’s fully expected that players complete each of the “episodes” more than once, so Ringo can unlock more words to use in later runs. The problem is that many enemies are only weak against words Ringo may not learn until much later in the campaign, often making the combat more difficult than it needs to be, especially against bosses that have ridiculous amounts of health and must be completely defeated — bosses never surrender.
That aside, Wander Stars is one of — if not the best — games I’ve played this year. It is equal parts hilarious, touching, exciting, and clever. The interactions between characters and even the enemies is consistently moving or delightful, the combat is sharp and challenging, and the art style is top-notch. It’s a must-play, but just be prepared for a bit of a grind and know that it might be tough to find exactly the right words to do the job.
Disclosures: This game is developed by Paper Castle Games and published by Fellow Traveller. It is currently available on XBX/S, PS5, PC, and Switch. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the XBX. Approximately 22 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. There are no multiplayer modes.
Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated T and contains Fantasy Violence, Language, Use of Tobacco. The game implies violence against humanoid and non-humanoid creatures. All violence is stylized, and all damage received by characters is cartoonish in nature such as large bumps on the head, or comically swollen eyes. S— is used early and often in dialogue. The storyline features a self-sacrifice of a character which may be triggering for some. Parents may wish to use caution in allowing children to experience the game based on these two factors.
Colorblind Modes: There are nocolorblind modes available.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: This game offers subtitles. The subtitles cannot be altered and/or resized. However, the UI titles can be re-colored for accessibility purposes, and the delay around subtitles can be changed as well. All dialogue is handled via subtitles. All audio cues are accompanied by a visual component. This game is fully accessible.
Remappable Controls: Yes, the controls can be remapped.
ZeniMax Online Studios has officially revealed what to expect from The Elder Scrolls Online in 2026, and there are some major changes coming to the MMORPG this year.
Elder Scrolls Online – The Beginning of Seasons
ZeniMax is making the full transition to seasonal content this year. Each season will feature a distinct theme and run for three months. The new structure begins with Season Zero: Dawn and Dusk, launching on April 2, 2026, across all platforms.
Each season can include a mix of new content, such as a new zone, dungeon, storyline, and even new classes, skill lines, or additional systems.
What sets seasons apart is that all seasonal content will be added to the base game for free. There will be no additional cost tied directly to seasonal content.
Instead, ZeniMax is introducing its take on a battle pass system called Tamriel Tomes, which will run alongside each season. As expected, Tamriel Tomes will include both a free rewards track and a premium track.
Weekly in-game challenges will allow players to progress through Tamriel Tomes more quickly.
Premium Track and ESO Plus Subscribers
Unfortunately, ESO Plus subscribers will not automatically receive access to the premium track of a season’s Tamriel Tome. Instead, subscribers earn one token for every 12 months of active subscription, which can be used to unlock a premium track of their choosing.
Season Zero: Dawn and Dusk
The first season of 2026 will launch simultaneously on PC and consoles this April and will conclude on July 8, 2026.
Dawn and Dusk introduces a new limited-time event zone called The Night Market, located in Fargrave within the Oblivion realm. This marks ESO’s first-ever event zone and will be available for seven weeks, featuring challenging PvE encounters and exclusive rewards.
Players will choose one of three unique factions and experience new stories, characters, quests, and even new in-game home rewards tied to the event.
Because The Night Market is limited-time content, ZeniMax confirmed that similar event zones will return in future seasons. This gives players another chance if they missed the event or want to experience it again with a different faction.
Update 49 Launches on March 9
Ahead of the first season, Update 49 launches on March 9 and focuses heavily on quality-of-life improvements. ZeniMax is addressing long-standing player requests, including free skill and attribute respecs directly from the UI, faster riding skill progression, increased furnishing limits, and more.
Combat and Class Changes
Update 49 and Season Zero will also bring notable combat adjustments and class refreshes. During the first season, the Dragonknight class will be the primary focus, receiving visual updates across several abilities along with reworks to its core skill lines.
The Two-Handed weapon skill line is also getting a visual refresh, and Werewolves will see visual improvements later in the season, including the addition of a female werewolf model.
PvP is receiving attention as well, with the introduction of the Vengeance PvP Progression system. This new system allows players to rank up, earn rewards, and unlock unique passive abilities through PvP play.
Season Zero and Beyond
ZeniMax also shared a broader look at ESO’s 2026 roadmap, confirming plans for both Season One and Season Two.
Season One Includes:
New system: Sage’s Vault
Multi-stage cooperative events (dynamic world events)
New in-game event: High Seas of Tamriel
New Trial: Crimson Veldt
Warden class refresh (visual and balance improvements)
Season Two Includes:
Return of The Night Market event zone
Solo Dungeons: Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices
Large-scale world events in Skyrim (dynamic storms)
Sorcerer class refresh (visual and balance improvements)
Greymoor DLC added to the base game
In 2024, ZeniMax moved away from traditional annual expansions and shifted toward seasonal content in 2025, featuring two major drops through a paid content pass. They also finally added subclassing last year. Now, in 2026, the studio is committing fully to a seasonal structure.
From what I’m seeing, this looks like ZeniMax’s attempt to make The Elder Scrolls Online more accessible to newcomers and returning players. Picking up the 2025 premium content pass now grants access to previous expansions, making it easier to catch up without feeling buried by years of content.
Seasons, meanwhile, seem designed to strengthen the base game as they roll out, rather than endlessly expanding the backlog for new players. Whether this approach actually works is another question. The 2025 content plan didn’t land particularly well for its community, and it remains to be seen if this seasonal model will fare any better.
For a full rundown of everything planned, you can see the official 2026 reveal below.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Xbox has revealed wave 1 of PC and Xbox Game Pass titles for January 2026. This batch features 11 titles.
Xbox and PC Game Pass for January 2026 Wave 1 - Notable Picks for this Month
The first wave has some interesting additions, with Resident Evil Village standing out the most. It’s the perfect game, considering the next mainline entry in the Resident Evil series, Resident Evil Requiem, is releasing this February.
There’s also Star Wars Outlaws, but I’m not all that enthusiastic about it, as I gave it a 2/5 when I played it at launch. It received a series of patch updates and improvements, so it could be a better experience for Star Wars fans.
The day one title for this wave is Mio: Memories in Orbit, a metroidvania action platformer that looks visually stunning thanks to its unique hand-drawn world.
Here’s the full list.
Games with * are not new titles added, as they are just now available on a different game pass tier.
January 2026 Game Pass Games – Wave 1
Available Now
Brews & Bastards (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
January 7
Atomfall (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – Now with Game Pass Premium
*Lost in Random: The Eternal Die (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – Now with Game Pass Premium
*Rematch (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) - Now with Game Pass Premium
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) - Now with Game Pass Premium
January 8
Final Final Fantasy– (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
January 13
Star Wars Outlaws (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
January 15
My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
January 20
Resident Evil Village (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
MIO: Memories in Orbit (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) - Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, day one title
Games Leaving Game Pass on January 15
Flintlock The Siege of Dawn (Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Neon White (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
Road 96 (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Ascent (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
The Grinch Christmas Adventures (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Highguard, the upcoming free-to-play PvP “raid” shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, made its debut as the final reveal at The Game Awards 2025.
It was the “we have one last thing to show” moment in the show that is meant to land hard before the Game of the Year presentation. Instead, it left people scratching their heads.
Fast forward three weeks after the reveal, and there’s been nothing but silence from the developers. No follow-up. No sense of urgency. No visible marketing push to support the game.
That’s especially strange when you consider that Highguard is reportedly set to release this month, on January 27.
A Missed Opportunity to Build Momentum
Landing the final slot in The Game Awards felt like there was a clear plan to follow up on such a commitment, yet we barely see anything. No Developer updates, deeper breakdowns, or at least something to remind people the game exists. Not even early content creator access for them to show the game to their communities.
All we have is a single announcement trailer on the game's official YouTube channel, and social media barely has anything during the game's release month.
That’s very unusual, considering this game is free-to-play and is a newly formed studio. On top of that, the reception of the reveal wasn’t all that kind online, as it’s echoing a similar response to when Concord’s gameplay reveal was shown. We all know how that turned out.
Was the negative reaction online enough for Wildlight to quietly rethink their rollout? Or are they gambling everything on a surprise-heavy launch day reveal?
It could start next week, dumping one piece of information after another until release, but time is running out as people are slowly forgetting. In today’s market, a pre-launch communication plan is essential, especially now, considering everyone’s knee-jerk reaction to Highguard was mainly “Oh, another hero shooter?” They are against people not excited, but disappointed at what they saw.
It’s puzzling, really, as this is from the developers who worked on Apex Legends and Titanfall. That puts even more weight, and quite frankly, it would have been a solid hit if they just decided to shadow drop the game after the show, like how Respawn Entertainment shocked the world with Apex Legends, slowly cementing their spot in the battle royale genre.
Either way, the silence is a red flag, and if Highguard struggles out of the gate, this early lack of communication will be one of the first things people point to. It was given a rare opportunity, and it’s looking that they failed to capitalize on it, or at the very least maintain a solid momentum.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Square Enix announced that a playable demo for Dragon Quest VII Reimagined will be released on January 7, giving players a chance to try the game ahead of its worldwide launch on February 5 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and February 6 for PC.
While Square Enix has not stated how long the demo will be, they did mention it to be “several hours” long, but progress is expected to carry over to the full game. This suggests that players will be able to experience the opening portion of the remake.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a remake of Dragon Quest VII, originally released in 2000. The new version features a diorama-style visual presentation, modernized gameplay mechanics, and a more streamlined story. Developed by Hexadrive alongside Square Enix, the remake aims to preserve the core essence of the original while appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
In a recent interview with Gamesbeat, Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund confirmed that Arc Raiders uses an aggression-based matchmaking system alongside player skill. In short, players who regularly engage in PVP are more likely to be matched with others who do the same, while those who avoid PVP tend to be grouped together.
This detail surfaced during a casual interview featuring Söderlund and Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney as they played several matches with GamesBeat’s Dean Takahashi.
Arc Raiders Matchmaking Prioritizes Skill, Then Player Aggression
Söderlund noted that the system is “not an exact science.” Player skill remains a core matchmaking factor, but aggression is layered on top to help shape lobby behavior. While it’s not perfect, the explanation provides some clarity for a community that has long speculated about how matchmaking works.
Before this confirmation, players believed matchmaking might be based on gear value, raw skill, or hidden MMR systems. Aggression as a tracked factor, however, was a theory that many had only recently begun testing and discussing.
That said, Söderlund didn’t go into specifics. It’s still unclear what actions actually count as “aggressive.” Does firing first matter more than defending yourself? Does retaliating against an attacker push you into more PvP-heavy lobbies? With skill seemingly taking priority, aggression appears to function as a secondary modifier rather than a defining rule. How they define “skill” is also something we don’t clearly understand.
If this system works as intended, it could meaningfully shape how the community approaches each match. A matchmaking system that naturally forms PvP-leaning and PvE-leaning lobbies without splitting the player base into separate modes could significantly contribute to long-term retention for the online game.
It’s also worth noting that Arc Raiders hasn’t slowed down as we enter 2026. While other shooters like Battlefield 6 have seen player numbers decline despite strong post-launch support, Arc Raiders has reportedly retained over 300,000 concurrent players on Steam months after release. That kind of staying power puts it closer to Helldivers 2’s early success than most modern shooters.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Capcom revealed that their upcoming sci-fi game Pragmata will launch on April 24, 2026. It was revealed during The Game Awards 2025 show, and they also announced a playable demo of the game is available on Steam right now.
Capcom also confirmed that Pragmata is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, in addition to previously announced platforms.
The Steam demo, titled the Sketchbook Demo, offers a small portion of the game designed to highlight its combat systems, with a few surprises for players who complete multiple playthroughs. Capcom also confirmed that demos for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 will be released at a later date.
Pragmata Pre-order Details
With the release date announced, Capcom also shared pre-order details. Players can now pre-order Pragmata in either a Standard Edition or a Deluxe Edition, which includes additional digital content.
Pre-order Bonus
Pre-ordering Pragmata on any platform grants the Neo Bushido & Neo Kunoichi Outfit Set.
Deluxe Edition
The Pragmata Deluxe Edition includes the Shelter Variety Pack, which adds alternate cosmetic outfits for Hugh and Diana. It also comes with a weapon skin, additional emotes for Diana, extra background music for the Shelter, and a 75-page in-game digital artwork library.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Developer Team Cherry announced that Hollow Knight: Silksong has surpassed seven million sales since its release in September 2025. Alongside the milestone, the studio confirmed it is working on the game’s first expansion, titled Sea of Sorrow, which is scheduled to release sometime in 2026.
Details on the expansion are still limited, but Team Cherry says Sea of Sorrow will introduce new areas, tools, bosses, and more. The real surprise is that the expansion will be free for all owners of the game, which feels especially generous given how much content Silksong already offers and its current price point across platforms.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
During The Game Awards 2025, Blizzard revealed the next expansion for Diablo IV. Lord of Hatred will close out the game’s main storyline, bringing players face-to-face with Mephisto once again.
The expansion wraps up the current Diablo IV arc, adds a new region called Skovos, introduces sweeping gameplay changes, and brings in two new classes: the Paladin and a second class Blizzard hasn’t revealed yet.
Below is a breakdown of everything coming in the expansion.
AGE OF HATRED’S CULMINATION
FACE THE LORD OF HATRED
In the aftermath of Vessel of Hatred, this next chapter drives players toward their final stand against Mephisto, whose deception and spreading influence threaten to twist Sanctuary into a world consumed by malice. As Hell’s legions surge and the ancient Pools of Creation draw Mephisto ever closer, the fate of humanity hangs by a thread. To stop him, the Wanderer must embrace an old foe long believed to be dead. Lilith returns, her prophetic last words echoing true, forcing a perilous alliance bound by necessity rather than trust. With time and allies running out, the Wanderer is in a desperate race to stop Mephisto before hatred reshapes the world forever.
POWERFUL NEW CLASSES
The Lord of Hatred expansion answers years of community demand with two distinct new classes, dramatically broadening how players shape their playstyle, identity, and mastery in Sanctuary.
The Paladin rises as the realm darkens, wielding hammer, shield, and Holy Light to smite Mephisto’s demon army with righteous fury. Through melee combat and divine abilities, the Paladin empowers players to strike with both unwavering faith and overwhelming force.
A second, yet-unrevealed class looms on the dark horizon—its power undeniable, its arrival poised to reshape the battlefield when Lord of Hatred launches in April.
DANGEROUS LANDS
Skovos, the ancestral birthplace of the first civilization and the former home of Lilith and Inarius, stands as Sanctuary’s oldest and most storied region. Now ruled by The Oracle and the Amazon Queen, this never-before-seen in-game land blends volcanic coasts, storm-lashed forests, and waterlogged ruins steeped in forgotten lore.
As the Wanderer embarks on their journey through Skovos, each expedition will reveal new towns, dungeons, and monsters. Players will test their mettle against sinister cultists, oceanic horrors, and lingering shadows of Hell.
SKILLS & ITEMIZATION
The Lord of Hatred expansion delivers one of the most comprehensive gameplay evolutions since launch.
Deeply reworked Skill Trees introduce new class-specific variants and expanded level caps, offering fresh buildcraft and strategic depth across all eight classes.
A new Loot Filter empowers players to target desired gear more efficiently.
Enhanced crafting systems, including the return of the iconic Horadric Cube, reinforce experimentation and progression, while the new Talisman unlocks powerful set bonuses, expanding late-game customization in meaningful, class-defining ways.
OVERHAULED ENDGAME
After the campaign's dramatic finale, players can tap into a revitalized endgame, built around player choice, mastery, escalating challenge, and ever-more rewarding loot.
War Plans let players craft their own endgame progression path, selecting favoured activities and layering strategic modifiers as they push toward high-value rewards.
The Echoing Hatred stands as the Age of Hatred’s ultimate test: a relentless gauntlet of demonic hordes designed to challenge even the strongest builds.
Players seeking respite from demon-slaying can experience
How to Play the Paladin Early
It’s simple: pre-order the Lord of Hatred expansion to instantly unlock the Paladin class in the game’s latest season as those with the new expansion can get early access to the new class.
Pre-ordering, or even just owning the Standard Edition ($39.99) after launch, will also give you access to the first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, which is a solid bonus for those who skipped it last year.
Diablo IV Lord of Hatred Edition Breakdown
Deluxe Edition (59.99) Includes: Mini Chimera Pet Skorch, the Skartaran Basilisk Mount Bundle, the High Heavens Guard Cosmetic Bundle, a Premium Battle Pass Bundle, and more when the expansion launches.
Ultimate Edition ($89.99) Includes everything from the Standard and Deluxe Editions, plus: the Umbral Knights Armor Bundle (six class sets), 3,000 Platinum, the Steed of the Shining Realm Bundle, Tymn, Echo of the Spire Back Trophy, the Ascent of the Just Town Portal Skin, and more when the expansion launches.
Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions also include access to Vessel of Hatred.
Diablo IV’s Lord of Hatred expansion will launch on April 28 on consoles and PC.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
It’s a neat addition for Flight Simulator fans, offering a tour of Hawkins and several iconic locations from the show across five missions. The timing is perfect as the show is currently on its fifth and final season with half of the season already available on Netflix, with the rest releasing in a few weeks’ time.
The expansion is free for all owners of the game. You’ll get a look at the town and take on rescue-focused missions tied to the damage seen in the series.
How to Get the Stranger Things Expansion Pack
To access the Stranger Things pack in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, head to the in-game marketplace after updating your game. Search for the expansion, download it, and you’re set.
For those looking to jump into Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 through the PS5, you can check out my review here. I did have issues with the game as a new player. At its core, it’s still a solid flight simulator for those passionate about aviation, and it actually knows a thing or two about actual flying.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
The beloved Persona series of video games is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary and all eyes are on Atlus and its plans for the franchise in 2026. A snippet taken from the Asian Google web listing seems to indicate that we should eventually get a look at the long-awaited next game in the Persona series,… Read More »Persona 30th anniversary site teases the next chapter for the series
