Assassin’s Creed Shadows Adds Dead By Daylight Crossover, Fan-Favorite Dog Quest, and Parkour Overhaul in Major May Update

 

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows continues to evolve with update 1.0.5, bringing a blend of fan-requested features, new content, and a collaboration no one saw coming. Available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, the patch is a substantial one—ranging in size from ~3.3 GB on PS5 to ~19 GB on Xbox Series consoles—and it packs more than just technical tweaks.

Dog Loyalty and Ghostly Threats: A Tale of Two Quests

One of the biggest surprises in this update is the decision to unlock the previously pre-order-exclusive mission, Thrown to the Dogs, for all players. The quest centers around a loyal pup named Tsuki-maru who seeks revenge for his fallen master. Players who complete the “From Spark to Flame” mission can now embark on this side story and earn the canine companion as a Hideout pet.

On the opposite end of the tone spectrum, Ubisoft has thrown a curveball with a Dead By Daylight crossover event. In it, players must investigate strange disappearances in Harima, triggering a stealth-horror-style questline that diverges from Assassin’s Creed’s usual formula. Featuring spooky new mechanics, a mysterious killer, and a special Hideout reward, this limited-time event adds a welcome dose of suspense.

Loot Meets Lore: Balatro and Beyond

Rounding out the update’s new items is the Balatro-inspired “Winning Hand” amulet, which introduces a unique perk system tied to combat finishers. Random affliction effects trigger on combo enders, giving seasoned players an added layer of unpredictability in battles.

Cosmetics also play a role here—Dead By Daylight-themed outfits, weapons, and trinkets are now available in the store, including a steed named Maurice that fans of the horror franchise might recognize.

Movement Reborn: Parkour and Precision Get a Major Boost

For longtime players, the most meaningful update might be the overhaul to Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ parkour mechanics. New features include:

• Vertical Jump Mechanics: Naoe and Yasuke can now grab ledges and awnings without relying on wall runs.

• Sprint Toggle Lock: Sprint remains engaged as long as directional inputs are held during parkour sequences.

• Enhanced Ejects: Side and back ejects now cover more distance and include new animations for Naoe, improving the flow of traversal and combat positioning.

These changes make movement more intuitive and fluid, directly addressing feedback from the community since launch.

Capture the Moment: Photo Mode Gets a Massive Upgrade

Ubisoft also delivered the most expansive photo mode yet seen in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Players can now:

• Change the time of day

• Toggle facial expressions and poses

• Turn headgear on/off

• Add music while composing shots

• Use stickers, filters, and new frame options

This expanded toolkit ensures players can fully capture the vibrant (and deadly) beauty of feudal Japan in style.

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Final Thoughts

The May update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t just about patching bugs or tweaking balance—it’s a full-scale content drop that caters to explorers, combat lovers, horror fans, and creators alike. Whether you’re petting Tsuki-maru, running from unseen killers, or scaling temples with reworked parkour mechanics, this update proves Ubisoft still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

With content this varied and polish this refined, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic and supported entries in the franchise yet.

WRC Racing Games Shift Gears With New Publisher After EA Split

 

In a surprising turn of events that shook the racing sim community, the officially licensed WRC (World Rally Championship) game series has found a new home—just weeks after being dropped by Electronic Arts. The rights to develop and publish the WRC games have been secured by French publisher Nacon, who now promises to bring the franchise into a bold new era through a complete reboot beginning in 2027.

From the Pit Lane to a Fresh Starting Line

For years, the WRC video game license has bounced between publishers and studios. EA’s decision to abandon the rally series left fans and industry watchers wondering what would become of the franchise. Fortunately, WRC isn’t stuck in neutral. Nacon, no stranger to the WRC brand, has stepped up with a multi-year publishing agreement extending through 2032, aiming to reimagine the series from the ground up.

According to Nacon, this six-season deal includes full rights to the FIA World Rally Championship license for both PC and consoles. More importantly, it marks an ambitious shift in direction—what the company describes as a “complete reboot” of the series.

Kylotonn in the Driver’s Seat Again?

Although Nacon hasn’t confirmed which studio will handle development, all signs point back to Kylotonn—the team behind WRC 10 and WRC Generations. As Nacon owns Kylotonn, this would be a logical reunion and perhaps a chance at redemption. While WRC Generations garnered a mixed reception, Kylotonn has shown capability with the series in the past.

That said, their recent track record raises fair concerns. Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, another Kylotonn project, has struggled to gain traction. Its “mostly negative” reception on Steam has been attributed to server instability, lack of offline play, and uninspired grind mechanics. It remains to be seen whether lessons have been learned—or if this reboot will repeat the past.

The FIA’s Seal of Approval

The FIA, the governing body of the World Rally Championship, seems content with the move. In a joint statement, officials highlighted Nacon’s “vision for the franchise” and their proven experience with rally games. Clearly, the decision to partner with Nacon wasn’t just a business transaction—it was a strategic pivot designed to preserve the brand’s integrity while exploring a refreshed creative direction.

What to Expect from the New WRC Games

The next chapter for WRC games is still being written, but early details suggest a feature-rich experience. Players can expect official teams, rallies, vehicles, sponsors, and eSports integration. With a focus on innovation and long-term planning, this reboot isn’t just a replacement—it’s an overhaul.

The exclusivity window gives Nacon plenty of time to experiment and evolve the franchise beyond its current limits. And with sim racing continuing to thrive on platforms like Steam and console marketplaces, the demand for a polished, competitive WRC title has never been higher.

Final Thoughts

While there’s reason for cautious optimism, the pressure is undeniably on. Rally fans are notoriously passionate—and skeptical. With a clean slate and a six-year runway, Nacon now holds the keys to what could either be the rebirth of rally gaming… or another missed opportunity.

Let’s hope they keep it between the ditches.

Mortal Kombat 1 Bids Farewell to DLC: What This Means for Fans and the Future of NetherRealm

 

The battle may not be over, but the chapter certainly is.

After a flurry of speculation and community requests, NetherRealm Studios has officially confirmed that Mortal Kombat 1 will no longer receive additional DLC content. Despite a recent digital release of the Definitive Edition—which includes the full base game, the Khaos Reigns expansion, and multiple fighter packs—this marks the final form of the game’s evolution. While ongoing support through patches and balancing updates will continue, the door has now closed on new characters and story content.

A Fanbase That Refused to Tap Out

The Mortal Kombat community isn’t shy when it comes to voicing their desires. The release of the Definitive Edition earlier this month reignited hope for further expansions, but also prompted a tidal wave of questions: Was this the last hurrah for MK1? Could there be more hidden characters or storyline surprises? Social platforms lit up, and fans made it clear—they weren’t ready to stop fighting.

NetherRealm responded directly via the game’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying their position: While they remain committed to supporting the game through maintenance and balance fixes, no new DLC characters or chapters will be produced going forward.

The Curtain Call: Floyd and Final Flourishes

If you were hoping for one last surprise, you might find some solace in the earlier addition of Floyd, a pink ninja tucked away in MK1 as a hidden battle. While unorthodox and humorous, this secret fighter may very well be the studio’s final wink to players before turning the page.

The choice to end content updates now isn’t entirely surprising. Studios often must weigh fan expectations against development resources, and NetherRealm appears to be redirecting those resources to its next major title.

What's Next for NetherRealm?

The official announcement was careful to avoid confirming what comes next, but speculation has taken a predictable turn. Many expect Mortal Kombat 2 to be the logical next entry, while a vocal segment of the community continues to campaign for Injustice 3, which has been absent from the spotlight since Injustice 2 released in 2017.

Whether it's another bloody brawler or a return to DC’s superpowered arena, NetherRealm has clearly set its sights on something big. As one update put it, the team is shifting focus to "make [the next project] as great as we possibly can."

Beyond the Game: Mortal Kombat’s Media Expansion

While the game enters its final support phase, the franchise is far from dormant. Warner Bros. recently dropped new images for the Mortal Kombat 2 movie, which is set to hit theaters on October 24. With a stacked cast and high expectations following the 2021 film, the cinematic universe is gearing up for a brutal comeback of its own.

Final Thoughts

For players, the end of DLC for Mortal Kombat 1 may feel abrupt, but it’s part of a larger strategy—one that could usher in a new era of innovation from one of the most storied fighting game studios in the industry. Whether the next title features fireballs, frost daggers, or Kryptonian smackdowns, one thing is certain: NetherRealm is far from finished.

So, sharpen your blades, crack your knuckles, and keep an eye on the shadows—because something new is coming, and it’s bound to hit hard.

Splitgate 2’s Beta Stumbles Out of the Gate with Major Server Issues

 

Fans eagerly awaiting the launch of the Splitgate 2 open beta were met with disappointment this week as widespread server instability and technical problems plagued its release. What was meant to be a triumphant return for 1047 Games’ beloved arena shooter instead turned into an apology tour as developers scramble to bring the game back online.

Splitgate 2, the sequel to the hit portal-based FPS, entered its open beta phase with high expectations. Built in Unreal Engine 5 and boasting a fresh suite of maps, modes, and an expansive custom map editor, the game’s return was supposed to mark a bold new chapter for the franchise. But those hopes were quickly dashed. Within hours of going live, players began reporting serious issues—cosmetic items were missing from inventories, Twitch Drops failed to activate, and most critically, servers became unreliable or went completely offline.

At the time of reporting, Splitgate 2’s servers had been down for over 14 hours. While 1047 Games has not offered a precise timeline for recovery, they’ve promised to keep players updated and are “working around the clock” to fix the issues. CEO Ian Proulx posted a video statement expressing regret, stating, “This is not the spot we thought we’d be in 24 hours after the launch of the beta.” He noted that the team had been preparing for this moment for over a decade, making the disruption especially difficult to process. “I don’t know what to say, I’m so sorry,” he added.

The developers have assured the community that all earned or purchased cosmetics are still intact, and no progress has been lost. Proulx emphasized that all items will become available once the technical problems are resolved. A more detailed update is expected later today, May 23, with hopes of clarifying when players will be able to jump back into the game.

While the beta’s rocky start is a frustrating setback for fans, there is still room for optimism. The beta has no fixed end date and is planned to run until the game’s full launch later this summer. That gives 1047 Games time to right the ship and deliver the polished experience players were hoping for.

In the meantime, those looking to pass the time can explore other free PC games or browse what’s coming later in 2025. The Splitgate 2 team remains committed to making this beta a success, and with continued transparency and effort, they may yet turn this stumble into a strong second wind.

Bungie’s Marathon in Crisis: Asset Theft Scandal Shakes Studio Morale and Future Launch Plans

 

The gaming world is reeling this week after shocking revelations from Bungie, the Washington-based studio behind the highly anticipated extraction shooter Marathon. A disastrous livestream and a damning asset theft admission have placed the company under intense scrutiny, threatening both internal morale and the game's future release.

🎥 A Livestream That Backfired

What was meant to be a standard promotional livestream turned into a full-blown PR catastrophe. Bungie’s visibly distressed art director, Joe Cross, was forced to confront a chatroom storm and read out a statement confirming asset theft allegations that had surfaced earlier in the week. This dramatic event not only highlighted the studio’s internal turmoil but sparked widespread debate across the gaming community.

💥 The Root of the Scandal

The controversy stems from claims that a graphic designer’s work was plagiarized during the early development stages of Marathon. As Cross explained, an unnamed artist imported graphic elements into a decal sheet in 2020 without securing proper permissions. These decals — icons, symbols, and text elements — made it into the alpha build of the game and were publicly showcased, triggering the backlash.

Bungie responded by accepting responsibility and promising to overhaul their internal review processes, emphasizing that such oversights will “100% not happen again.”

📉 Studio Morale Hits Rock Bottom

Forbes, citing internal sources, described the situation at Bungie as “chaos.” Morale among developers is reportedly in "free fall" with fears that Marathon won’t meet its scheduled launch on September 23. The studio is now racing to scrub any plagiarized art from the game, throwing timelines and confidence into disarray.

The community’s reaction has been one of disappointment and disbelief, amplified by viral screenshots of Twitch chat spamming accusations like “PLAGIARISM_WILL_MAKE_ME_GOD.”

🕹️ A Game Already Struggling

Even before this scandal, Marathon was fighting an uphill battle. Feedback on the alpha has been mixed, and competitors like Arc Raiders are quickly rising in popularity, threatening to overshadow Bungie’s offering. This latest blow may be the tipping point for a game that’s now facing both creative and reputational challenges.

🤔 Why Not Just Cancel the Livestream?

Fans and industry insiders alike are puzzled by Bungie’s decision to proceed with the livestream, especially after acknowledging the risks of showing gameplay containing potentially infringing assets. Many ask: why not postpone or cancel the stream entirely?

Instead, what unfolded was a painful public apology wrapped in a stream of vitriolic commentary, leaving more harm than good in its wake.

🛠️ Bungie's Next Steps

Bungie has committed to fixing the issue, implementing stronger checks, and reevaluating creative approvals. While damage control is underway, the question remains: can Marathon recover from this setback?

The studio’s reputation, especially among indie creators and digital artists, now hangs in the balance. How Bungie navigates this period could either define a successful comeback story or serve as a cautionary tale for years to come.

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🎯 Final Thoughts

This situation underscores the importance of ethical creation, transparent development processes, and proper attribution in the gaming industry. Bungie’s ordeal serves as a powerful reminder that cutting corners — even in early production — can have massive consequences years down the line.

Whether Marathon rebounds from this controversy depends not only on technical fixes and PR but on regaining the trust of its team, players, and the wider creative community.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Becomes a Steam Bestseller Before Launch

Fatal Fury is officially back—and it’s already a hit. SNK’s upcoming fighter, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, just landed a top spot on Steam’s bestseller chart, despite not even being released yet.

This marks the long-awaited return of the Fatal Fury series, which helped define the fighting game genre in the ‘90s but hasn’t seen a mainline entry since 1999’s Garou: Mark of the Wolves. With City of the Wolves, SNK is clearly tapping into nostalgia while introducing a fresh look and modern mechanics to appeal to both veterans and new players.

What’s driving the buzz?
Aside from the built-in legacy, fans have responded positively to the game’s stylized visuals, revamped combat system, and the return of beloved characters like Terry Bogard and Rock Howard. Pre-release trailers and gameplay footage show a game that balances flash with substance—classic 2D fighting energy paired with new generation polish.

Even without a firm release date, City of the Wolves has climbed the Steam charts, sharing space with major AAA titles and showing that the fighting game community is hungry for more classic SNK energy.

This strong pre-launch performance bodes well for the game’s eventual release and for the future of legacy fighters making comebacks. With Street Fighter, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat continuing to evolve, SNK is making a bold move to reclaim its spot in the genre’s spotlight.

If the early momentum is anything to go by, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves could be one of the biggest fighting game stories of the year.

🔗 Read the full article on EventHubs

Fortnite Is No Longer Available on iOS Worldwide—Here’s What Happened

Fortnite fans hoping to play on iPhones just got hit with some frustrating news: the game is being pulled from iOS worldwide. Epic Games announced that it will no longer be updating or supporting the Fortnite app on Apple devices outside of the EU, and even within the EU, the situation is looking grim.

This move comes after an intense, years-long legal battle between Epic and Apple that started in 2020. Epic challenged Apple’s App Store policies and fees, accusing the tech giant of monopolistic practices. While the courtroom drama has had its share of twists, this latest development signals a major shift in strategy from Epic.

In the EU, Apple is rolling out new regulations to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which is supposed to open the door for alternative app stores and payment systems. Epic hoped to use this opportunity to bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe—but Apple threw another wrench in the plan by terminating Epic’s developer account. Although the European Commission pressured Apple to reverse the decision, the damage was done.

As a result, Epic says it no longer has a reliable path forward to bring Fortnite back to iOS outside of the EU, and even inside the EU, the landscape remains uncertain. The company has officially pulled the plug on updates and support for iOS players worldwide. That means no new seasons, no patches, and no access to the game on iPhones or iPads going forward.

For mobile gamers, this is another reminder of how platform control can affect what we play and where. And for Epic and Apple, it’s just the latest chapter in a messy, high-stakes standoff that’s far from over.

🔗 Read the original report on The Verge

SEGA Is Bringing Back Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio – With a Fortnite-Style Twist

 

SEGA is digging into its legendary vault, and it’s about to get loud, fast, and a little rebellious. According to a new report, the company is actively working on reboots of two cult classics: Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio. But this time, they’re not just aiming for nostalgia—they’re aiming for Fortnite-level popularity.

Both titles are reportedly being rebuilt with a modern, live-service approach, targeting global audiences and social gaming elements. Think open-world gameplay, bold art styles, high-energy soundtracks, and online multiplayer all wrapped into one chaotic, stylish package.

If you grew up racing through city streets to drop off passengers in Crazy Taxi or tagging graffiti in futuristic Tokyo with Jet Set Radio, you already know these games thrived on pure personality. Now, SEGA seems set on reviving that same spirit—but reimagined for today’s gamers who crave social interaction and ongoing updates.

This move is part of a larger strategy by SEGA to reboot several legacy franchises. Whether this Fortnite-inspired format will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—SEGA isn’t playing it safe.

🎮 Stay tuned for updates as these reboots take shape. It looks like the Dreamcast era might be ready to dominate all over again.