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# Katsucon 2026: An Enthusiastic Tribute to Cosplay and Culture

The 2026 convention season has commenced, ushering in the dynamic realm of cosplay once again. As enthusiasts prepare their outfits and bring beloved characters to life, Katsucon stands out as a key event on the calendar. This yearly gathering, which highlights not only cosplay but also Japanese culture and entertainment, is set against the picturesque backdrop of the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, just a stone’s throw from Washington, DC.

## What is Katsucon?

Since its launch in 1995, Katsucon has been a cherished fixture within the cosplay community. The convention prides itself on catering to “multicultural enthusiasts,” offering a rich variety of activities and experiences for attendees. One of Katsucon’s distinguishing features is its cozy ambiance, enabling fans and cosplayers to interact closely with special guests and one another, nurturing a strong sense of community.

This year’s occasion promises a thrilling roster, featuring notable guests from fan-favorite anime and gaming series, including Justin Briner from *My Hero Academia* and Michelle Rojas from *Date a Live*. The convention also hosts the widely enjoyed Saturday Masquerade, where cosplayers can proudly display their impressive work on stage, alongside a more laid-back event for those who prefer having their costumes evaluated without the theatricality.

## Cosplay Themes of 2026

With each new year, Katsucon introduces exciting trends to the cosplay landscape. Following 2025’s abundant costumes inspired by titles like *Marvel Rivals*, *Overwatch*, and *Elden Ring*, the essence of 2026 centers around emerging favorites such as *Dispatch*, *Expedition 33*, and *It Takes Two*. Nevertheless, timeless franchises like *Naruto*, *Zelda*, and *League of Legends* continue to have a strong presence.

### Featured Cosplays

The skilled photographers from Mineralblu have captured mesmerizing moments from Katsucon 2026, showcasing some of the most remarkable costumes:

– **Blonde Blazer – *Dispatch***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Malevola – *Dispatch***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Aliens**
*© Mineralblu*

– **Turbo Granny – *Dandadan***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Expedition 33**
*© Mineralblu*
*© Mineralblu*

– **Doomslayer – *Doom***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Rodimus Prime – *Transformers***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Lux – *League of Legends***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Link – *The Legend of Zelda***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Hinata, Sakura & Ino – *Naruto***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Naruto – *Naruto***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Hyaku Shiki – *Gundam Zeta***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Riyo – *Gachiakuta***
*© Mineralblu*

– **KPop Demon Hunters**
*© Mineralblu*

– **Predator**
*© Mineralblu*

– **May & Cody – *It Takes Two***
*© Mineralblu*

– **Peak**
*© Mineralblu*

## Conclusion

Katsucon 2026 transcends being merely a meet-up for cosplayers; it serves as a jubilant celebration of creativity, culture, and camaraderie. From awe-inspiring costumes to captivating panels, it presents a wide array of experiences, encouraging fans to express their enthusiasm for their favorite characters and franchises. As the convention season unfolds, Katsucon establishes a notable standard for the events to follow.

Earlier this week, the operator of ROM distribution site and self-described “video game preservation service” Myrient announced plans to shut it down as of the end of this month. They advised folks to download any files from the collection that said folks were keen to hold onto ahead of the closure. A group of volunteers have decided to take that to another level, working together to archive all of Myrient’s files so they can be preserved for posterity.

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Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has its own dedicated Steam listing once more, separate from follow-up Counter-Strike 2, which was neatly slotted over the top of CS:GO on release a few years ago.

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Including how to create your own gang.

The post Bizarre Lineage Gangs – Gang Shop Stock, Contracts, and How to Join appeared first on Gamezebo.

Have you ever noticed your next company-wide meeting’s due and thought the following: ‘Oh, we should post an image prominently featuring a screen from a game rumoured to potentially be getting the remake or remaster treatment, but solely to illustrate how much we love meetings’? Well, Iron Galaxy Studios – co-developers of Skyrim‘s Switch port and support studio on Fallout 76 – say was what happened late last week. The studio say their social media posts featuring Fallout: New Vegas‘ ‘Please Stand By’ screen have “nothing to do with anything Fallout being worked on”.

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Are titles worth it?

The post All Rogue Piece Titles and How to Get Them appeared first on Gamezebo.

### Controversy Surrounding the UI in Marathon’s Pre-Launch Server Slam

One of the most extensively debated issues during the pre-launch server slam for Bungie’s upcoming title, *Marathon*, was the user interface (UI). Players engaged in thorough discussions about the design aspects of the UI, emphasizing problems such as unclear menus, layers of text boxes, and a disorganized inventory system. The term “fontslop” emerged as a central point of debate, creating a rift among fans regarding the interface’s effectiveness and visual appeal.

**Emergence of “Fontslop”**

The conversation surrounding *Marathon*’s UI intensified after YouTuber Kelski tweeted a message that went viral, labeling the game’s interface as a potential “first-ever fontslop game.” He highlighted the “20 different combinations of fonts, boldness levels, sizes, spacing, all caps vs regular caps” that crowd a single menu page. As players expressed their views, two factions emerged: those pleading for a more streamlined, intuitive interface and others dismissing these worries, accusing detractors of being uncreative and overly familiar with the mainstream design standards seen in titles like *Call of Duty*.

**Community Reactions**

The subreddit dedicated to *Marathon* experienced a surge of conversations surrounding the term “slop.” Numerous users voiced their weariness with the term and its implications. Comments indicated a sentiment that the term had lost its significance amidst the heated debates, with players using humor to critique the phrase’s overabundance. Despite the negative undertones, some fans defended the chaos of the UI design, contending that while improvements could be advantageous, the unique style contributes an engaging element often missing in mainstream releases.

**Bungie’s Response**

Bungie, cognizant of the criticism, has acknowledged player feedback multiple times during the beta weekends. UI designer Elliot Gray addressed the commotion, recognizing areas requiring enhancement in inventory management and navigation while also affirming the studio’s dedication to preserving the unique aesthetic dubbed “the SAUCE.” This assertion, along with the hashtag #fontsloptakeover, signifies a lighthearted acceptance of the “fontslop” moniker by certain Bungie team members, reinforcing a playful rapport with the community.

Despite the humor surrounding the “fontslop” label, players are demanding specific modifications that might improve gameplay. Among these requests are clearer distinctions between gear quality in inventory icons, which currently show identical visuals for items with vastly differing attributes. Players are also seeking more succinct notifications related to contract and upgrade progress, hoping these alterations can be realized without compromising the UI’s artistic character.

**Looking Ahead**

As *Marathon* nears its launch, it’s clear that UI concerns will persist as a focus for Bungie. The team is challenged with preserving a distinctive aesthetic while enhancing functional aspects that improve player experience. The discussions and debates underscore a passionate community engaged in the game’s development, highlighting the delicate balance developers must strike between creative vision and user-friendly design. Ultimately, the results will influence not only the launch of *Marathon* but also the game’s standing within a competitive environment dominated by AAA titles with established design standards.

**Nintendo’s Indie World Showcase Highlights**

Nintendo has recently held an exhilarating Indie World Showcase, revealing a selection of upcoming independent games scheduled for release on Switch and Switch 2 in the coming months. Here are the main highlights from the event:

### **Denshattack!**
The showcase kicked off with **Denshattack!**, a thrilling public transit game where players execute stunts while maneuvering a train car over diverse and unconventional terrains. Set to launch on June 17, a demo is currently available. The Switch 2 edition will include a unique skin for the train.

### **My Little Puppy**
For dog lovers, **My Little Puppy** provides an emotional adventure centered around a dog in the afterlife on a quest to find his owner, who has just crossed over. This touching journey is scheduled to release on May 29.

### **Heave Ho 2**
The follow-up to the popular co-op platformer, **Heave Ho 2** will introduce new modes and online gameplay for players this summer, preserving the franchise’s distinctive mechanics where players form chains to overcome challenges.

### **Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault**
**Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault** is a highly anticipated top-down roguelike dungeon crawler and shop management simulator, projected to launch on Switch 2 later this year.

### **Woodo**
**Woodo** invites players into a puzzling adventure centered on creating wooden dioramas to tell stories. This title is slated for release this summer on both Switch and Switch 2.

### **Minishoot’ Adventures**
The twin-stick shooter RPG **Minishoot’ Adventures**, which received favorable reviews on Steam, is making its debut on Switch 2 today.

### **The Midnight Walk**
The critically acclaimed horror adventure **The Midnight Walk**, which launched on other platforms last year, is coming to Switch 2 on March 26.

### **Rotwood**
From **Don’t Starve** creator Klei Entertainment, **Rotwood** is an action-packed fantasy beat-em-up that is launching as a console exclusive on Switch 2 today.

### **Mixtape**
Set to launch on May 7, **Mixtape** is a coming-of-age adventure that immerses players in the realm of music videos.

### **Blighted**
Drinkbox Studios, recognized for **Guacamelee**, presented **Blighted**, their upcoming action RPG inspired by **Hades**, scheduled to release on Switch 2 this fall.

### **Deadzone: Rogue**
The sci-fi shooter **Deadzone: Rogue** features rogue-like mechanics and cooperative gameplay, set to arrive on Switch 2 on March 17, with mouse control support included.

### **Montage of Upcoming Titles**
The presentation showcased a montage of several additional games:
– **Grave Seasons**
– **Unrailed 2: Back on Track**
– **TOEM 2**
– **inKONBINI: One Store, Many Stories**
– **Outbound**
– **Ratatan**

### **Blue Prince**
Wrapping up the showcase, **Blue Prince**, a well-regarded puzzle game, is now confirmed to launch on Switch 2.

This Indie World Showcase offers an exciting array of titles for gamers on Nintendo’s platforms, showcasing both innovative gameplay and heartfelt narratives.

**Cyberpunk 2077: A Fresh Opportunity on Game Pass**

In the realm of gaming, few games have sparked as much debate as CD Projekt Red’s *Cyberpunk 2077*, which debuted in December 2020 to significant criticism due to various bugs and performance shortcomings. Numerous players felt let down by their experience, resulting in a notable backlash against both the game and its developers. However, following a batch of substantial updates designed to address these issues, alongside the launch of the well-received *Phantom Liberty* expansion, gamers are beginning to contemplate a return to Night City.

For those reluctant to jump back in, the forthcoming release of *Cyberpunk 2077* on Xbox Game Pass might provide the ideal incentive. Announced as part of Xbox’s March offerings, the core game will be available to Game Pass subscribers starting March 10. Though this version does not encompass the *Phantom Liberty* expansion, which can be acquired separately, players can still enjoy the essential elements of the game.

The *Phantom Liberty* expansion introduces a new narrative featuring an engaging spy thriller storyline and a supporting performance by Idris Elba, highlighting the finest aspects of the *Cyberpunk 2077* world. For players interested in experiencing the main game first, it presents a chance to assess their enthusiasm before committing to further expenditures.

**March Game Pass Lineup Highlights**

If *Cyberpunk 2077* doesn’t capture your attention, the complete March lineup is rather impressive, showcasing:

– **Available Now:**
– *Final Fantasy III* (Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
– *Kingdom Come: Deliverance II* (Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

– **March 4:**
– *to a T* (Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
– *EA Sports F1 25* (Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

– **March 5:**
– *Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf* (Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, and PC)

– **March 10:**
– *Construction Simulator* (Cloud, Console, and PC)
– *Cyberpunk 2077* (Cloud and Console)

– **March 12:**
– *Hollow Knight: Silksong* (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC)

– **March 17:**
– *Dreamworks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party* (Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Additionally, players should be aware that a number of games will be exiting the Game Pass library on March 15, including:

– *Bratz Rhythm & Style* (Cloud, Console, and PC)
– *Enter the Gungeon* (Cloud, Console, and PC)
– *F1 23* (Cloud, Console, and PC)
– *He is Coming* (PC)
– *Lightyear Frontier* (Cloud, Console, and PC)
– *Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island* (Cloud, Console, and PC)

In conclusion, the inclusion of *Cyberpunk 2077* in Game Pass on March 10 offers a timely chance for players to reconnect with the troubled RPG. With enhanced mechanics and fresh content, now is an ideal moment—if you missed previous opportunities, the time to return to Night City is here.

**U.S. Physical Video Game Sales in 2025: An Overview**

In 2025, U.S. physical video game sales experienced a notable decline, amounting to roughly $1.5 billion, signifying the lowest level recorded in three decades. A report by Circana’s Mat Piscatella reveals that this steep fall represents an 11-percent decrease in expenditure from the year prior, though it should be noted that this decline is the smallest rate observed since 2021.

Despite the apparently grim situation regarding physical media sales, there is an alternative perspective worth considering. Circana’s forecast report for 2026, released on February 11, indicates that the coming year holds the promise of reaching record levels in consumer expenditure throughout the video game sector. In 2025, total sales of U.S. video game hardware, content, and accessories hit $60.7 billion, showcasing a slight 1.4 percent increase compared to 2024. This figure is marginally below the record of $61.7 billion attained in 2021.

This contrast prompts intriguing inquiries into the differing trends in physical and overall video game sales. The report suggests that shifts in consumer behavior may be the root of this gap, emphasizing the rapid adoption of cloud gaming and the growing appeal of subscription-based services such as Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue. These changes indicate a shift away from conventional physical game purchases towards digital and subscription formats.

While Piscatella concedes that the recent drop in physical media sales is less alarming than the steep 28 percent plunge seen in 2024, it is essential to grasp the broader economic landscape. When adjusting the 1995 physical video game sales figures for inflation, it becomes clear that the situation is considerably more dire, with the total inflation rate from 1995 to 2025 estimated at about 113 percent.

Piscatella also notes that the rate at which physical sales are declining may have decelerated primarily because the market is nearing a bottom point. Elements such as the expected launch of the Switch 2 console have offered some degree of stabilization. Furthermore, a noticeable trend among Gen Z toward analog and non-connected gaming experiences has been observed, although Piscatella remains doubtful about any “dramatic shifts” within the industry.

In conclusion, although physical video game sales have reached an unprecedented low, the larger gaming market is set for possible growth in 2026, propelled by changing consumer preferences and technological innovations. The industry’s reaction to these developments will be pivotal in shaping the future of video gaming in the United States.