During MagicCon Atlanta 2025, Wizards of the Coast took the spotlight to disclose all of the upcoming sets for tabletop gaming in 2026, and they also unveiled a new wave of MTG X Final Fantasy cards.

The first day of MagicCon Atlanta 2025 showcased prominent figures in MTG as they announced an impressive seven sets scheduled for release in 2026, but they had more in store. By the conclusion of the opening preview, WOTC revealed that MTG X Final Fantasy is returning to retail with exciting new products, artwork, cards, and card treatments that are sure to delight Final Fantasy fans.

On December 5, 2025, Magic: The Gathering will introduce several Scene Boxes, a Chocobo Bundle, and the Magic: The Gathering FINAL FANTASY VII Commander Deck – Game Edition. Below is a list of what fans can expect from each of these products, along with pricing information for the holiday season.

MagicCon Atlanta 2025 – All Final Fantasy Announcements

Scene Boxes – Each Scene Box features six new-to-Magic cards that depict a scene from a Final Fantasy title. Scene Boxes have been designed for Final Fantasy I, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy IX, and Final Fantasy XV. Each Scene Box includes six artwork cards that can be showcased on a provided easel and three MTG Final Fantasy play boosters. The price for each Scene Box is $41.99 USD.

Chocobo Box – The Chocobo Box revealed at MagicCon Atlanta 2025 comprises 10 MTG Final Fantasy play booster packs, 32 Final Fantasy (16 foil, 16 non-foil) landmark basic lands, 10 Chocobo Track foil borderless basic lands, 2 out of 20 possible Chocobo track foil borderless Chocobo Bundle cards, a “Birds of Paradise” promo card showcasing “Paradise Chocobo,” 1 of 24 cards from the Non-foil category in the Magic: The Gathering Scene Boxes mentioned earlier, and a Chocobo-themed click wheel. Each Chocobo Bundle will be available for $109.99 USD MSRP.

Magic: The Gathering FINAL FANTASY VII Commander Deck – Game Edition: This bundle contains the complete Limit Break Final Fantasy VII Commander Deck, including an online download code for the original FINAL FANTASY VII video game, a promo card featuring Cloud, Midgar Mercenary, while otherwise retaining the same mechanics as the original release. Each Game Edition commander deck will cost $99.99 USD.

Now that all the products have been disclosed, every new Final Fantasy card artwork treatment has been displayed at MagicCon Atlanta 2025, and it can all be viewed in the gallery below.

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The Xiaomi 17 series is now officially launched, merging elegant design, cutting-edge camera technology, and high-capacity batteries, all centered around the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

Following the reveal of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, numerous smartphone manufacturers have showcased their newest flagship devices, and Xiaomi is among them. The firm formally presented the Xiaomi 17 series during its launch event on September 25, unveiling three variants: the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. Each one is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.

Though the entire line appears impressive, the spotlight was on the innovative Xiaomi 17 Pro, which boasts distinctive OLED displays embedded in the rear camera modules, providing users with a fresh interaction method with their smartphones. The 17 Pro features a 2.66-inch secondary display, whereas the 17 Pro Max comes with a larger 2.9-inch screen.

These rear displays fulfill a variety of roles, including customizable wallpapers, real-time notifications, sticky notes, and media controls, reinventing the conventional camera protrusion into an interactive interface. According to Xiaomi’s presentation, this design aspect removes traditional bezels around the primary display, achieving a super-slim 1.18-millimeter bezel width across all three variants.

As if that weren’t sufficient, Xiaomi also revealed a specialized case for the Xiaomi 17 Pro that enables the phone’s back to act like a handheld gaming device, complete with controls and the capability to play games on the secondary display. While the accessory might resemble a concept suitable for an April Fools’ announcement, Xiaomi has assured that it is a legitimate product, demonstrating it during their press briefing.

The Xiaomi 17 series further debuts the company’s new Jinshajiang battery technology, which employs L-shaped packaging and boasts a 16 percent high-silicon content. The standard Xiaomi 17 is equipped with a 7,000 mAh battery, surpassing the Pro model’s 6,300 mAh capacity, while the Pro Max showcases an even more remarkable 7,500 mAh capacity. During the launch demonstration, Xiaomi highlighted the standard model’s stamina by directly comparing it with Apple’s iPhone 17 in a prolonged video playback evaluation, with the Xiaomi device lasting longer than the iPhone, even when the Apple model was aided by a 5,000 mAh MagSafe battery pack.

All three versions support 100-watt wired charging through both Xiaomi’s proprietary standard and the universal PPS protocol, alongside 50-watt wireless charging. The Surge G2 battery management chip is crafted to ensure long-lasting battery health, preserving at least 80 percent capacity after 2,000 charging cycles.

As anticipated, Xiaomi put substantial focus on the camera technology in the 17 series. Each model encompasses a triple 50-megapixel rear camera setup developed in collaboration with Leica. The primary sensor features Light Fusion 950L technology, yielding 16.5 stops of dynamic range. Both Pro models incorporate floating periscope telephoto lenses, providing 5x optical zoom. The Pro Max sets itself apart with enhanced low-light performance, courtesy of its f/2.6 aperture telephoto lens, as opposed to the Pro’s f/3.0 aperture.

On the display front, the Xiaomi 17 series utilizes the brand’s M10 screen luminescence technology, which the company claims delivers the industry’s highest luminous efficiency at 82.1 cd/A. The Pro Max introduces a separately arranged RGB pixel stack that prevents pixel pooling while consuming 26 percent less power than traditional 2K displays. All models feature 6.3-inch LTPO OLED screens, except for the Pro Max, which expands to 6.9 inches.

In the Chinese market, pricing begins at 4,499 yuan (around $630 USD) for the base Xiaomi 17, with the 17 Pro starting at 5,499 yuan (approximately $770 USD) and the 17 Pro Max at 5,999 yuan (about $840 USD). The devices will be available through Mi.com, Xiaomi Stores, and other official channels starting from September 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

For international audiences, global availability remains uncertain. Based on previous releases, however, some models are anticipated to launch in Europe during spring 2026, likely aligning with the Mobile World Congress trade show in late February. The company may also introduce a more powerful Xiaomi 17 Ultra variant at that time.

The Xiaomi 17 series poses a direct competition to Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup and Samsung’s Galaxy S series. With features like secondary displays, substantial batteries, and advanced camera systems, the new flagship range emphasizes Xiaomi’s commitment to innovation in a fiercely competitive smartphone landscape. Stay tuned to CGMagazine for further updates, including reviews as we test the devices.

Enthusiasts of Pokémon TCG Pocket can anticipate broadening their digital assortments with the newly announced Deluxe Pack ex expansion. Revealed on the official Pokémon site, the Deluxe Pack ex is not a completely new card collection, but a randomized assortment from previous expansions—ranging from the Genetic Apex line to the ongoing Wisdom of Sea and Sky—with every pack assured to include one card of four-diamond rarity or greater.

Moreover, packs may offer new “parallel foil” cards that introduce a distinctive shine effect to earlier lower-rarity cards, in addition to previously issued cards featuring entirely new artwork. It is crucial to emphasize that this expansion will be time-limited, operating from September 29th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. EST until October 29th, 2025, at 1:59 p.m. EST. The trailer does indicate that the expansion will be accessible once more in the future.

The release won’t be restricted solely to past expansions. A new Raichu ex event will debut alongside the fresh Booster Packs—though the timing is yet to be announced. Players can anticipate a Raichu ex drop event showcasing a new promo card, a Bonus Week event, and a wonder pick event featuring accessories that highlight Kanto classics, among other surprises!

Recently, DeNA mentioned in an investor meeting that they were investigating novel methods of “enhancing the collection experience” and ensuring player retention, which appears to be the initial approach to this. This aligns with a significant overhaul of the game’s trading system, which has swapped out the widely criticized trade currency for the game’s considerably less valuable Stardust. Nevertheless, the consistent release of new expansions and improvements to the battle system’s easily exploitable Meta have contributed to making the game significantly more user-friendly since its launch.

Pokémon TCG Pocket is accessible on Android and iOS devices.

At the yearly Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm presented its latest and most sophisticated PC System on Chip (SoC) to date, the Snapdragon X2 Elite. This chip is set to offer not just outstanding gaming performance but also remarkable efficiency for Windows laptops. Qualcomm has invested substantial resources into improving the Windows experience, ensuring the platform can meet modern gaming requirements.

The Snapdragon X2 Elite is centered around the third-generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU, an ARM-compatible processor featuring up to 18 cores and the capability to achieve boost frequencies of up to 5.0 GHz. Qualcomm claims these processors are the “fastest and most efficient” for Windows PCs, fine-tuned for both stationary and mobile applications. For gamers, this translates to the opportunity to enjoy demanding games with smooth responsiveness, whether at home or away.

A significant enhancement in the Snapdragon X2 Elite is the upgraded Qualcomm Adreno GPU, which is vital for enhancing gaming performance on Snapdragon-driven PCs. The GPU now provides a 2.3-times improvement in performance per watt and efficiency compared to older models, guaranteeing smoother gameplay and longer battery life. It is compatible with the latest game APIs, including DirectX 12.2 Ultimate and Vulkan 1.4, which improve visual quality and realistic effects in supported games.

Efficiency remains a central priority for Qualcomm, with the X2 Elite promising multi-day battery life for gaming laptops. Kedar Kondap, senior vice president and general manager of compute and gaming at Qualcomm Technologies, remarked, “Snapdragon X2 Elite reinforces our leadership in the PC sector, delivering monumental advances in performance, AI processing, and battery longevity to provide the experiences that consumers expect.”

During the keynote address, Qualcomm revealed new collaborations to enhance gaming capabilities on Snapdragon devices, including partnerships with Epic Anti-Cheat. This initiative means that Fortnite will soon be playable on Snapdragon devices running Windows, with the feature currently in beta testing and anticipated to launch shortly. Moreover, Qualcomm is partnering with Razer to optimize Razer Synapse for Snapdragon, boosting performance for Razer peripherals and further refining the gaming experience.

AI acceleration is yet another fundamental aspect of the X2 Elite’s gaming features. The integrated Hexagon NPU provides up to 80 TOPS, facilitating advanced AI-driven functionalities like real-time upscaling and intelligent frame generation, which improve visual quality and frame rates. The platform’s bandwidth and memory enhancements allow gamers to experience high-resolution gaming, supporting up to three 5K displays at 60 Hz or 4K at 144 Hz without compromising performance.

Qualcomm further emphasized how the NPU can directly enhance gaming experiences. The company announced collaborations with developers to take advantage of on-device AI workflows utilizing the NPU. Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition will harness these capabilities for real-time character recognition and is set to be available for Snapdragon on September 30.

Additionally, Qualcomm is collaborating with streaming software such as Voicemod to provide real-time voice alteration using the NPU. This feature enables players to modify their voices during gameplay without affecting performance, as all processing is managed by the Snapdragon NPU. The demonstration showcased how this feature ensures smooth performance, representing an exciting progression for gamers.

Devices equipped with Snapdragon X2 Elite chips are anticipated to launch in the first half of 2026, promising a blend of speed, graphics excellence, and superb battery life for a new wave of gaming laptops. For gamers already utilizing first-generation Snapdragon X-based devices, certain new features and software are beginning to roll out, offering a preview of what Snapdragon on Windows can accomplish.

Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions have commemorated the studio’s 10th anniversary with a grand Beyond the Strand livestream, showcasing all the announcements.

Kojima Productions hosted a major livestream last night prior to Tokyo Game Show 2025, titled Beyond The Strand. This event served as a celebration for the studio’s tenth anniversary, where Kojima also offered intriguing glimpses into future game projects from the studio. This includes the previously mentioned OD and PHYSINT (unveiled at The Game Awards and Sony State of Play), which remain shrouded in mystery despite the additional information shared during the event.

In addition to game developments, Kojima Productions announced a Sake brand partnership, provided a brief update on the A24-developed Death Stranding film, revealed a collaboration with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group on a credit card, named the upcoming Kojima Productions anime adaptation, Death Stranding: Mosquito, and more. All game-related announcements from the Beyond the Strand livestream are detailed below.

Beyond the Strand – The Premier Trailer for Xbox Game Studios’ OD

The Beyond the Strand livestream opened with Hideo Kojima and Xbox head Phil Spencer, who revealed the first trailer for OD, Kojima Productions’ horror project under Xbox Game Studios. OD was introduced at The Game Awards alongside Director Jordan Peele as a working horror project that remained fully enigmatic until gameplay was showcased at Beyond the Strand. Phil Spencer described the game as “truly visionary,” stating that “Kojima is innovating in gameplay, story, and player engagement” on stage, to which Kojima concurred, affirming, “this is totally different,” in reference to gameplay mechanics in OD.

The gameplay segment began with unsettling imagery and foreboding [REDACTED] statements, as the character moved unsteadily toward lighting candles. The matchbox used is clearly marked “missing,” while a hand clad in a hoodie reaches out to ignite each candle. One candle chillingly resembles a baby’s head and begins to bleed profusely when the match is drawn along the candle’s scalp. Following baby cries and the pooling blood from the candle, the audience sees the character, portrayed by Sophia Lillis, who appears horrified until she is abruptly taken from behind, concluding the trailer.

Lillis will star alongside Udo Kier and Hunter Schafer, and it is not for the faint of heart. Kojima mentioned prior to the trailer, “I want to scan a ghost for the first time, and I want to get an award for that,” and he may have been entirely serious.

Beyond the Strand – Additional Insights on Physint

Initially announced a year ago at a Sony State of Play, Physint looks to be a return to fundamentals for Kojima as an espionage title enveloped in secrecy, with Beyond the Strand revealing more details eagerly awaited by fans ahead of its release. Kojima stated he was still in the conceptual stage, focusing on characters and narratives, so not much was disclosed outside of an official game poster (viewable below) and some cast details.

The cast revealed thus far includes: Charlee Fraser (from Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Don Lee aka Ma Dong-seok (known for Marvel’s Eternals), and Minami Hamabe (from Godzilla Minus One). The conclusion of the Physint segment at Beyond the Strand displayed Hamabe’s character in-game, showcasing the in-game technology set to be used in the new title.

Beyond the Strand – A24’s Death Stranding Progressing

Confirmed at the close of 2022, a film adaptation of Death Stranding was announced, and since then, no updates on production had emerged until Beyond the Strand. A24’s Sam Hanson took to the stage during the showcase to discuss the project, revealing that the film is still slated for a 2027 release and will introduce a new story within the Death Stranding universe. Hanson also remarked, “We’re trying to unearth another narrative in the same universe that is both accessible to newcomers who haven’t played the games before, but will still provide something for those who are very familiar with the games,” likely following a similar approach as Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us, but with a new narrative situated within the universe rather than a direct retelling of events.

Beyond the Strand – Death Stranding: Mosquito Reveal Trailer

Following the announcement that A24’s film adaptation remains in development, a theatrical anime adaptation was unveiled. The working title for this anime is Death Stranding: Mosquito, and it represents a new animation project helmed by director Hiroshi Miyamoto and writer Aaron Guzikowski (with Hideo Kojima credited as Producer).

The concept behind Mosquito is that the animation

In a stunning development, Annapurna Interactive unveiled a live showcase this evening, revealing three exciting new indie titles in production from the publisher at TGS 2025.

Annapurna Interactive announced last week that a live showcase would take place, and today it was broadcasted to indie gaming enthusiasts worldwide as part of the Tokyo Game Show 2025 (TGS 2025). Renowned for delivering a multitude of indie titles to gamers across the globe, Annapurna Interactive showcased three significant upcoming indie-developed games, allowing fans a glimpse of what lies ahead for the publisher. The showcase was concise, running for around 15 minutes, and can be viewed in its entirety below.

Leanne Loombe, the Head of Games at Annapurna Interactive, stated, “From the delightful puzzle adventure D-topia, to the engaging and innovative turn-based musical RPG People of Note, and a heartfelt homage to the classic action-adventure genre with Demi and the Fractured Dream, these games reflect our commitment to supporting exceptional developers who are expanding the horizons of artistic storytelling,” during the reveals at TGS 2025.

All the showcased titles are outlined below, and for those attending TGS 2025, they are available for play on the show floor.

D-topia

For fans seeking a puzzle-adventure experience from Marumittu Games, D-topia is an exciting option. Players will take on the role of a maintenance worker (known as a Facilitator) at the D-topia residential facility. Here, players will address the concerns of citizens by solving puzzles and unearthing the secrets of an ostensibly perfect society overseen by A.I. D-topia is fundamentally a puzzle-adventure game, emphasizing exploration and choices that reveal the humanity within this ‘perfectly happy’ world as the story unfolds. The game is set for release by Annapurna Interactive in 2026.

People of Note

Conversely, for indie game enthusiasts desiring a turn-based musical RPG from Iridium Studios, People of Note may be the answer. This adventurous musical narrative unfolds through the prism of a turn-based RPG. The game is a fully realized musical disguised as an RPG. Its storytelling is conveyed through choreographed musical sequences, and both the battle system and mechanics hinge on an interactive series of musical expressions and abilities performed by the characters. People of Note is scheduled for a digital-only release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

Demi and the Fractured Dream

The final indie title unveiled during the Annapurna Interactive showcase at TGS 2025 is an action-adventure game by Yarn Owl, titled Demi and the Fractured Dream. Players will take on the role of Demi, a voidsent seeking to escape his cursed fate in the world of Somnus.

Guided by a mysterious voice and assisted by the acolyte Mergo, Demi embarks on a treacherous journey through diverse landscapes, all in pursuit of fulfilling his destiny. Demi and the Fractured Dream pays homage to classic action-adventure games that combine hack-and-slash combat with puzzles and platforming, while also delivering a compelling narrative. The game is expected to release in 2026 for PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

This concludes the brief Annapurna Interactive showcase at TGS 2025. Fans seeking further information on any announced games can visit the official Annapurna Interactive website.

I had the fortune of being invited to the Nintendo suite at [PAX West 2025](https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/pax-west-2025-digimon-story-time-stranger/) to experience their offerings, but my focus was set on *Kirby Air Riders*. Just the previous week, our CGM team was noting how little we had seen or heard about it, only to soon after see the announcement for the [*Kirby Air Riders* Direct](https://www.cgmagonline.com/news/nintendo-kirby-air-riders-direct-tomorrow/) along with the PAX invitation. It felt like fate!

I wasn’t well-versed in the original *Kirby Air Ride* from 2003. My attention had shifted to Xbox after moving away from the GameCube. Please keep that under wraps. Even when I transitioned back to Nintendo, I was primarily engrossed in [*Mario Party*](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/super-mario-party-jamboree-nintendo-switch-2-edition-jamboree-tv/) games. During high school, *Super Smash Bros* (https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/super-smash-bros-ultimate-switch-review/) dominated our gaming hours, overshadowing even *Mario Kart*, so *Kirby Air Ride* never crossed my path.

After roughly 30 minutes of gameplay alongside a group of fellow journalists, it was evident that we should have been competing in high school as well. *Kirby Air Riders* delivers a speedy, frenetic experience that’s ideal for friendly rivalry. However, Nintendo refrained from calling it a racing game. Instead, *Kirby Air Riders* was labeled a “vehicle action game,” which I can understand.

To get started, Nintendo guided us through a series of tutorials covering maneuvers like the Charge Boost and Spin Attack. Mastering the controls in *Kirby Air Riders* proved challenging. The machines move forward automatically, and I kept attempting to push ahead with the control stick, which negatively affected my performance. The staff next to me repeatedly reminded me to stop, yet I didn’t fully grasp it during the session.

The Spin Attack was another technique that I found hard to perfect, and once more, I struggled. Shifting the stick side to side rapidly initiates a spin that can break items or damage foes. With additional practice, it may become more manageable, but at that moment, it felt chaotic. I would have preferred a straightforward button press, a combo, or even a full-circle spin of the stick, as that seemed to align with what I observed on screen. It was not intuitive, indicating that I clearly require more practice.

Following that, we transitioned to racing. The game features 12 characters from the outset, including Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, Bandana Waddle Dee, Chef Kawasaki, Magolor, Gooey, Waddle Doo, Knuckle Joe, Susie, Cappy, and Starman. Certain characters offer alternate colors or styles. Each of Kirby’s colors bestows a unique ability, while the others simply look fashionable and maintain their original powers—like Chef Kawasaki’s “Super Spicy Cooking.”

Our initial area resembled a straightforward dash to the finish, akin to *Mario Kart* or *Sonic Racing: Crossworlds*. With this type of game, there’s frequently so much occurring simultaneously—I felt quite overwhelmed—that it can be challenging to grasp everything in a brief demo. Players can choose their track, rider, and vehicle.

The selection of vehicles includes both new and returning ones, such as the Chariot, Paper Star, Wheelie Bike, and Warp Star. Each vehicle has a distinct feel, making it worthwhile to try them all. The City Trial mode we experienced provided an excellent chance to experiment. In this mode, you roam around a city, gathering floating items. You can switch machines, withstand random events, and accumulate boosts and bonuses, which adds to the chaotic feel of the mode.

As I mentioned earlier, things progress swiftly in *Kirby Air Riders*, and sometimes those items amplify the speed. At one point, I must have collected something, as I found myself moving so quickly that even the Nintendo representative struggled to keep up with me. The silver lining is that, despite not being able to switch machines, I definitely amassed the most items.

After five minutes of sheer frenzy collecting power-ups, we were transported to a stadium for a battle. This mode accommodates 16 players online or eight locally, and in our case, we went to whichever stadium we selected. If you coordinated with the group, you played together; if not, it was a solo session. A key point to remember: If you were on a ground vehicle, picking an air stadium was not advisable.

Despite being in pre-Alpha, *Screamer* is developing into the sort of unconventional racing experience I seek in a genre I typically overlook.

In the realm of racing games, I generally prefer arcade-style racers that prioritize fun over realism. Unfortunately, most alternative racers tend to drift into the [kart racer genre](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/mario-kart-world-nintendo-switch-2/), which I do enjoy, but now and then, you crave something different, and *Screamer* satisfies that desire with its anime-inspired characters and distinctive battle mechanics that differentiate it from the rest.

The early access version of *Screamer* features 9 playable characters and 9 race tracks or courses. The characters in *Screamer* are divided into two categories: Members and Leaders, where Members comprise the majority with 4 unique figures, while Leaders consist of 3. There doesn’t appear to be much that sets Leaders apart from Members, as each character has a unique ability in addition to the standard boost, shield, and attack mechanics incorporated in the game.

Unique abilities vary widely from a Hype meter that, when in the lead or altering your racing position, offers the player a quicker sync rate, which translates in-game to a faster meter for shields, boosts, and attacks. Other characters, like Hiroshi, have the advantage of a double boost that can be activated through a prompt following the initial boost.

Some characters, like Frederic, possess more aggressive combat-oriented abilities that enable him to deliver a powerful strike or attack, which in turn provides an additional boost to his sync gauge. If he gets knocked out, it triggers an AoE effect that can damage nearby racers.

Core abilities in *Screamer* remain consistent across all characters, yet unique modifications give them a distinct feel depending on the driver chosen, ultimately making the gameplay feel [fun and chaotic](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/sonic-racing-crossworlds-ps5/), all while steering clear of conventional power-up items, which is quite refreshing.

The racing experience in *Screamer* strikes a solid balance between realism and arcade-style fun, emphasizing drag-style drifting that often requires players to maneuver both analogue sticks through tight corners. Although intended for offensive use, the strike ability in *Screamer* can also be utilized effectively to give the player a major boost, useful when in first place, as the attack leverages the car itself, meaning it can’t be sent back like in your favorite kart racer.

“The racing experience in *Screamer* strikes a solid balance between realism and arcade-style fun.”

Each vehicle feels unique. Slower, bulkier cars provide enhanced handling and greater resistance to explosions, while others function more like race cars, offering superb traction and elevated top speeds. These faster vehicles help maintain a lead but make players more susceptible to rear attacks.

A neat feature in *Screamer* is the [Evangelion](https://www.cgmagonline.com/tag/neon-genesis-evangelion/)-themed hexagonal graphic that appears on-screen when a car behind the player executes a strike move. The anime-inspired design also extends to the racers themselves, who each possess unique and vibrant personalities, even though they are represented only as static PNG images without voice acting.

The stages in *Screamer* so far feel notably varied, although the urban tracks, such as the San Francisco-inspired nighttime bridge and the futuristic city, seem to stand out more at this stage. Other, more natural settings, like the wooded areas, come off as fairly plain by comparison, but for a Pre-Alpha build, it fulfills its purpose. Visually, *Screamer* showcases [cel-shaded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cel_shading) vehicles layered over traditionally textured environments, which effectively captures the anime aesthetic the game aims for. If you’re of a certain age, you might recall the [racing game](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/turtle-beach-velocityone-f-rx-wheel/), *Auto Modellista*, which evokes memories of the cars seen in *Screamer*.

“Visually, *Screamer* showcases cel-shaded vehicles layered over traditionally textured environments, which effectively captures the anime aesthetic the game aims for.”

Upbeat and techno tracks contribute to *Screamer’s* character, ultimately conveying an early 2000s nostalgia, in the best sense. With *Screamer* set to launch sometime next year, I eagerly anticipate diving into it.

New Resident Evil Requiem Leaks Uncover Various Timelines and Action-Oriented Gameplay for Leon S. Kennedy

Speculation is rife regarding the forthcoming zombie-horror title from Capcom, as its protagonist makes a return to Raccoon City. Fresh leaks related to Resident Evil Requiem have disclosed multiple timelines, with the majority of Leon S. Kennedy’s gameplay emphasizing action. Furthermore, reports suggest players will control various characters, including Leon. Capcom has not yet validated this feature, but an insider has shared additional insights about Leon’s anticipated gameplay.

A recent update by DuskGolem on X (previously Twitter) reveals that “most (but not all) of Leon’s gameplay takes place in 2020, while most (but not all) of Grace Ashcroft’s gameplay occurs in 2028.” Additionally, the insider notes that Leon will have “greyed hair” in Resident Evil Requiem, and while his gameplay will center around “more action, it will also be more focused on horror & atmospherics” compared to Resident Evil 4.

The insider further mentioned that while there will be exaggerated elements, they won’t reach the extremes of “Salazar’s statue in RE4 or the Heisenberg cyber zombies & mecha tank fight in RE8.” The tweet also includes a video elaborating on more Requiem Leon leaks from DuskGolem. True to Capcom’s style, players can anticipate entertaining moments akin to Chris Redfield punching a massive boulder or Leon executing unnecessary backflips in Resident Evil Requiem.

The video emphasizes that Leon’s gameplay won’t offer an open world, but there will be several expansive levels. Leon will also utilize a vehicle for travel in “at least one of the levels.” This aligns with the trend from recent titles and Resident Evil 4. DuskGolem has also heard rumors suggesting that Leon will be unveiled for Resident Evil Requiem at the Tokyo Game Show 2025, along with a new trailer, and that pre-orders will begin at that time; however, none of their direct sources have insider knowledge of Capcom’s marketing strategies.

As of now, no updates have been provided regarding Grace’s gameplay, apart from her timeline supposedly set in 2028. For those who may have missed it, Grace is the daughter of Raccoon City reporter/investigator, Alyssa Ashcroft, who survived the city’s outbreak and subsequent bombing in 1998. A newspaper clipping in Resident Evil 7 also mentions Alyssa, indicating that the report was published in January 2016. Alyssa is a playable character in Resident Evil Outbreak as well as Resident Evil Outbreak File #2.

The only confirmed detail about Grace is that she works for the FBI and is assigned to investigate the mysterious death at the Wrenwood Hotel—the same location where her mother passed away eight years earlier. If the leaks regarding Resident Evil Requiem hold true, Leon might be connected to Alyssa’s impending demise. It raises the question of whether she could be the first individual Leon loses as he ages in his profession. Or does Leon meet his end alongside her? No legacy character has yet been killed off, so could this be the shocking twist the series requires? Until Capcom makes an official announcement, the veracity of the leaks remains uncertain, and we will all have to wait for further developments.

A fresh update is set to arrive in Fortnite this December, allowing creators to sell in-game Fortnite items directly to fellow players, alongside giving players the option to pay for enhanced visibility on the new marketplace.

Beginning in December, Fortnite participants will have the ability to establish their own marketplaces, selling items directly from their islands to other players. This innovative feature paves the way for new revenue opportunities, as players can also pay for advertising placements on the ‘Sponsored Row’ to increase their marketplace’s visibility. This update follows the recent V-Bucks enhancement, enabling fans to buy items with an exact V-Bucks amount without leftover change.

To mark this new development, Epic Games has revealed that players will receive 100 percent of their earnings from sales on the marketplace until the end of 2026. Typically, developers earn 50% of the V-Bucks value after the first year has passed. The announcement also specifies key fees that creators must pay to list their items on the marketplace, indicating that when Epic Games states creators will receive 100 percent of their earnings until the end of 2026, it actually means 74 percent (as by their calculations, 50 percent translates to 37 percent on in-game sales profits).

This news comes in conjunction with the latest update on Battle Island, referred to as Fortnite Delulu. The update allows players to join limited-time game modes and communicate with each other via proximity chat. Items offered in the new in-game marketplace can range from power-ups and weapons to cosmetic items, typically staying within the confines of the creator’s island. In addition to selling items, creators can also pay to promote their stores in a new Sponsored Row, granting them increased visibility in the game’s Discover menu.

Alongside the marketplace update, Fortnite is revising its engagement payout structure to incorporate user acquisition rewards. Creators will continue to earn payouts based on player interaction on their specific islands. The new payout structure allocates 40 percent of net revenue from Fortnite’s Item Shop and related real-money transactions into the engagement pool, which is then distributed among creators and Epic’s islands.

According to Epic Games, the updated engagement payout formula now encompasses the following aspects: Minutes Played, New User Acquisition, Lapsed User Engagement, Playtime Related to V-Bucks Spending, and Island Retention, making Fortnite islands function similarly to other online economies. Players who attract new users to Fortnite will be rewarded by Epic Games.

The upcoming Fortnite update is scheduled to be implemented in-game in December 2025. Fans can visit the Epic Games website for further details in the meantime.