# **Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania DLC Set for October 31 Launch**

In celebration of its second anniversary, **Poncle**, the studio behind the indie sensation **Vampire Survivors**, has unveiled an expansive new DLC dubbed **Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania**, set to launch on **October 31**. This eagerly awaited expansion will be accessible on **PC**, **mobile**, and **consoles**. The DLC serves as a tribute to **Konami’s Castlevania** franchise, merging two beloved universes in an exhilarating crossover packed with extensive content for aficionados of both series.

## **An Extensive Content Release**

Poncle has touted the **Ode to Castlevania** DLC as featuring “an utterly massive amount of content,” and based on the information shared so far, this claim holds true. The DLC will bring forth:

– **An expansive new map**: The largest arena ever included in *Vampire Survivors*, inspired by Dracula’s famed castle.
– **20 fresh characters**: Followers of *Castlevania* will recognize beloved figures such as the whip-wielding **Belmonts** (Simon, Richter, Trevor, and Sonia) and the formidable **Belnades** clan (Sypha, Yoko), along with other iconic personas like **Maria Renard** and **Charlotte Aulin**.
– **40 new weaponry options**: Gamers can look forward to an array of novel instruments for destruction, including **eight whips**, spells, magical artifacts, projectiles, and glyphs. Classic *Castlevania* weapons like **Alucard’s sword, spear, and shield** will also feature prominently.
– **30+ new musical compositions**: The DLC will showcase a blend of remixes and original pieces from the *Castlevania* soundtrack, enhancing the game’s gothic ambience.

## **A Homage to Castlevania’s Heritage**

The **Ode to Castlevania** DLC goes beyond a mere content enhancement; it honors the *Castlevania* legacy, which has established itself as a pillar of gothic horror in gaming since its inception in 1986. The *Castlevania* franchise is renowned for its immersive settings, challenging gameplay, and unforgettable characters, many of whom will appear in this DLC.

The **Belmonts**, celebrated for their whip skills, are integral to the *Castlevania* lore. Players are likely to assume the role of these legendary vampire hunters, encompassing **Simon**, **Richter**, **Trevor**, and **Sonia Belmont**, as they navigate Dracula’s fortress. The **Belnades** clan, noted for their magical abilities, will also be pivotal, with figures like **Sypha Belnades** and **Yoko Belnades** joining the action.

Additionally, players can anticipate encounters with *Castlevania’s* renowned foes, including **Mudmen**, **Fleamen**, and **fearsome specters**. The DLC hints at a confrontation of good versus evil beneath the moonlight, with players unleashing a new array of weapons against the undead menace.

## **A New Terrain: Dracula’s Fortress**

One of the most intriguing features of the **Ode to Castlevania** DLC is the new terrain, which Poncle describes as the largest map ever developed for *Vampire Survivors*. This arena is set within **Dracula’s castle**, a key locale in the *Castlevania* series for many years. The castle is expected to be laden with traps, secrets, and a variety of adversaries, providing players with a challenging and immersive gameplay experience.

The DLC’s description highlights the vastness of the new map, stating that players will confront a “hellish horde” of enemies on their quest through the castle. The combination of *Vampire Survivors’* fast-paced mechanics and *Castlevania’s* gothic design is certain to offer a distinctive and exhilarating experience for players.

## **Timing and Pricing Details**

The **Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania** DLC will launch on **October 31** across various platforms, including **PC (Steam)**, **Nintendo Switch**, **Xbox**, **PlayStation 5**, **PlayStation 4**, and **mobile**. The DLC will be priced at **$3.99** / **€3.99** / **£2.99**, delivering a wealth of content at an accessible price point.

Release times for the DLC across different regions include:

– **11am UTC**
– **11am GMT**
– **12pm CET**
– **4am PDT**
– **7am EDT**
– **8pm JST**

**Hazelight Studios’ Upcoming Game: Industry Insider Shares Title and Fascinating Gameplay Insights**

Admirers of Hazelight Studios, the innovative team behind hit cooperative games like *Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons*, *A Way Out*, and *It Takes Two*, have been eagerly anticipating updates on the studio’s forthcoming endeavor. Last Thursday, Josef Fares, the writer and director of these cherished titles, took to his X (previously known as Twitter) account to hint at the new game. In his enigmatic message, Fares suggested that the upcoming title would be “S**** ******N,” igniting a flurry of speculation among fans and industry observers.

It wasn’t long before a trustworthy industry insider, *billbil-kun*, appeared to decode the hint. As per *billbil-kun*, the game’s title is likely *Split Fiction*, which aims to redefine co-op gaming experiences in thrilling new ways.

### A Fresh IP Featuring Dynamic Split-Screen Gameplay

Hazelight Studios’ official X account also shared a teaser image that has sparked additional speculation. The image, a plain sheet with the title “New IP” beneath the “Title” header, displayed a lengthy dash in place of the game’s name, along with a potential release timeframe of “202*.” Surrounding the document were sticky notes with various doodles, including sketches of screens being divided in different orientations. These illustrations have led enthusiasts and insiders to believe that the game will incorporate a dynamic split-screen mechanism, a signature aspect of Hazelight’s prior releases.

In *A Way Out* and *It Takes Two*, Hazelight Studios employed a vertical split-screen format to let two players engage with the game concurrently, even in online mode. However, the new illustrations indicate that *Split Fiction* might elevate this concept further. The designs showcase three distinct split-screen arrangements: horizontal, vertical, and diagonal, suggesting a more adaptable and dynamic approach to cooperative gameplay.

What adds to the intrigue is the potential for the screen to be partitioned into six segments, as hinted by a torn fragment of the teaser image. This could mean that *Split Fiction* will accommodate more than two players, potentially allowing as many as six players to enjoy the screen at the same time. Should this be accurate, it would mark a revolutionary step forward for the split-screen format, which has typically confined itself to two or four players in most titles.

### What Could *Split Fiction* Entail?

Although the title *Split Fiction* has not been officially validated, the name itself provides intriguing hints about the possible themes and dynamics of the game. Hazelight Studios is recognized for its robust storytelling focus, and the term “Fiction” in the title implies that narrative will again be pivotal. The “Split” segment of the title could refer not only to the split-screen gameplay but also to a narrative unfolding from multiple viewpoints, akin to *A Way Out* and *It Takes Two*.

In *A Way Out*, players embodied two escaped convicts, each with distinct storylines and gameplay mechanics. In *It Takes Two*, participants guided a married duo through a whimsical realm as they sought to repair their fractured relationship. Both titles leveraged split-screen elements to enhance storytelling, enabling players to experience various narrative facets simultaneously. It’s plausible that *Split Fiction* will expand on this premise, providing players with numerous interconnected narratives that evolve concurrently.

### A New Chapter in Co-op Gaming?

If the rumors hold any truth, *Split Fiction* could signify a remarkable advancement for cooperative gaming. Hazelight Studios has already established itself as a frontrunner in the genre, with *It Takes Two* earning Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021 and selling over 20 million units globally. The studio’s dedication to pioneering gameplay and heartfelt storytelling has garnered a devoted following, and *Split Fiction* may well be its most ambitious undertaking yet.

The prospect of six-player split-screen gameplay is especially exhilarating. While a host of contemporary games have transitioned away from split-screen in favor of online play, Hazelight has persistently advocated for the joys of couch co-op. If *Split Fiction* does indeed permit six players to engage on a single screen, it could reinstate the social, in-person gaming experiences that many players have longed for in recent times.

### What Lies Ahead for Hazelight Studios?

For the moment, Hazelight Studios is keeping most specifics regarding *Split Fiction* a secret. The teaser image’s tentative release date of “202*” indicates that the game may be set to debut anytime within the next few years, but fans will likely need to remain patient for an official reveal. With the studio poised to celebrate its 10th anniversary in November, there’s buzz that an announcement trailer or showcase could be forthcoming.

What remains clear is that Hazelight Studios has yet to falter in the eyes of players, and expectations for

# Bloober Team’s *Silent Hill 2* Remake Patch 1.04: Bug Corrections and Technical Enhancements

Bloober Team, the creators of the eagerly awaited *Silent Hill 2* remake, have promptly responded to several gameplay and technical challenges that arose following the game’s launch. With the release of Patch 1.04, the team has resolved a range of bugs and glitches, enhancing the overall experience for players. This update not only addresses some amusing in-game peculiarities but also improves performance, especially for those utilizing advanced graphics settings and playing on the Steam Deck.

## Tackling Gameplay Bugs

It’s typical for new games to debut with bugs, spanning from minor irritations to game-impeding concerns. Thankfully, Bloober Team has exhibited commitment to swiftly remedying these matters. Patch 1.04 fixes numerous gameplay bugs that players faced in the *Silent Hill 2* remake.

A particularly amusing bug involved protagonist James Sunderland teleporting through a peephole in the Brookhaven Hospital section, which has now been corrected. Another snag had James becoming trapped in a window close to Neely’s Bar, halting player progress. Additionally, a bug where a wooden plank would manifest during James’ death sequence has been resolved, enhancing immersion.

The patch also addresses various issues tied to enemy behavior, including difficulties encountered during the Abstract Daddy boss encounter, where the foe wasn’t striking James accurately. Other significant fixes include rectifying collision detection issues in Brookhaven Hospital and ensuring that James no longer plummets through the map when approaching Laura from specific angles.

## Technical Enhancements and Visual Upgrades

Apart from gameplay corrections, Patch 1.04 introduces a wealth of technical enhancements, specifically for users with advanced graphics settings. The patch diminishes visual glitches when utilizing the latest iteration of Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), a technology that boosts performance by employing AI to upscale lower-resolution visuals. Players can now activate DLSS frame generation from the menu while using DLSS for supersampling, resulting in more fluid gameplay.

Nvidia Reflex, a feature designed to minimize input lag, is now operational when DLSS frame generation is activated, further enhancing the game’s responsiveness. For AMD users, support for AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) 3.1.1 has been added, along with the option to enable AMD Fluid Motion Frames for supersampling. These additions guarantee that players with both Nvidia and AMD hardware can enjoy an optimized and visually impressive experience.

Players on the Steam Deck will also observe enhancements in performance and optimization, making the game more user-friendly on the handheld device. The patch resolves stuttering issues associated with sky map generation and incorporates an option to toggle HZB culling, which can aid in alleviating stuttering for some AMD and Intel GPUs.

## A Prosperous Launch and Upcoming Prospects

The *Silent Hill 2* remake, launched on October 8th, has achieved both commercial and critical acclaim. The game has surpassed 1 million copies sold across both physical and digital platforms, reflecting the lasting allure of the *Silent Hill* franchise. Fans have lauded the remake for remaining faithful to the original while enhancing nearly every facet, from visuals to gameplay mechanics.

CGMagazine’s Editor-in-Chief Brendan Frye awarded the game a stellar 9/10 review, asserting, “This is *Silent Hill 2*, as you recall it, but superior in almost every aspect.” The remake has reignited interest in the franchise, and many fans are optimistic that Bloober Team will persist in developing more *Silent Hill* installments in the future.

Nevertheless, Bloober Team has already disclosed that their attention is turning towards a new project: *Cronos: The New Dawn*, a sci-fi survival horror title. While fans might feel let down that more *Silent Hill* games aren’t immediately forthcoming, the team’s dedication to providing high-quality horror experiences remains steadfast.

## Patch 1.04 Notes: A Detailed Overview

Here’s an extensive list of the modifications and corrections introduced in Patch 1.04 for the *Silent Hill 2* remake:

### **Technical Corrections**
– **Nvidia DLSS**: Reduced visual glitches when deploying the latest DLSS version.
– **DLSS Frame Generation**: Introduced an option for frame generation in the menu when utilizing DLSS for supersampling.
– **Nvidia Reflex**: Now operational with DLSS frame generation enabled, lowering input lag.
– **AMD FSR 3.1.1**: Enabled support for AMD’s newest FidelityFX Super Resolution version.
– **AMD Fluid Motion Frames**: Added a menu option to activate this feature when using FSR 3.1 for supersampling.
– **Intel Nanites**: Updated to accommodate upcoming driver enhancements.
– **Steam Deck Optimization**: Enhanced performance and optimization for Steam Deck users.
– **Stuttering Resolutions**: Fixed