In a recent meeting with investors, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa discussed the challenges arising from increasing game development expenses for the Nintendo Switch 2. He recognized that these expenses might result in elevated software prices, which could potentially diminish the gaming demographic. To address this, Furukawa highlighted that Nintendo’s development teams are investigating methods to preserve their classic game-making style while adapting to longer and more intricate development timelines.

Furukawa proposed that creating games with shorter development cycles, while still introducing fresh elements, might be a viable solution to escalating costs. He also underscored the need for essential investments aimed at enhancing development efficiency, although he did not provide specific details.

The use of AI in game development continues to be a contentious issue at Nintendo. Furukawa perceives potential for creative applications of AI, whereas Shigeru Miyamoto has shown a preference for alternative strategies. In spite of worries about development efficiency leading to crunch periods, Nintendo has historically succeeded in steering clear of these problems.

On the topic of pricing, Furukawa mentioned that the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 corresponds to the gaming experience it provides. While Nintendo has lowered console prices in the past, optimistic sales forecasts for the Switch 2, which are expected to exceed 5.4 million units, indicate that a price reduction is improbable in the near term.

The renowned asymmetric multiplayer experience has gained some notoriety for its crossovers within the horror genre, and now, Dead by Daylight has latched onto another.

Shared on Twitter, the official Dead by Daylight account unveiled a notable image that aficionados of Robert Kirkman’s pivotal graphic novel—or AMC’s enduring adaptation—will immediately identify. However, for those who might not be in the know, the image explicitly highlighted that it is a partnership with The Walking Dead.

At this juncture, information is limited, and the post indicates that fans will need to wait until July 8th, 2025, for further updates. If the revelation mirrors many of Dead by Daylight’s earlier partnerships, players could likely encounter some of the series’ cherished characters as Survivors, alongside its most formidable adversaries as Killers—Neagan would certainly appear to be an obvious choice in this scenario.

The announcement comes on the heels of yet another eagerly anticipated Dead by Daylight collaboration, particularly with Five Nights at Freddy’s, featuring the rundown pizzeria as a setting, Springtrap as a Killer, and even a surprising outfit with Matthew Lillard. Behaviour Interactive invested considerable effort into honoring the series’ rich lore while also crafting a credible environment, so it stands to reason they will replicate this with The Walking Dead.

It’s incredible to witness the journey Dead by Daylight has taken since its modest launch in 2016. Adopting the successful formula of asymmetric multiplayer horror established by games like Friday the 13th: The Game—albeit launching prior—it has significantly outlasted other entries in the genre and achieved remarkable success. Not only has it seen collaborations with legendary horror film franchises such as Scream, Child’s Play, and A Nightmare on Elm Street, but it has also incorporated characters from Silent Hill, Resident Evil and Castlevania.

At Summer Game Fest 2025, we faced a slew of “unannounced” appointments, which can be a bit of a risk. Fortunately, one of my slots turned out to be *Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School*, and the series has been a blast so far, so I was eager to dive into the newest installment. I first experienced the original *Escape Academy* at Summer Game Fest 2022, so it felt nice to maintain that tradition.

Initially, I was teamed up with a stranger, which can complicate co-op puzzles, but they didn’t arrive. Instead, I had the opportunity to enjoy a solid 30 minutes of *Escape Academy 2* with none other than CGM’s editor-in-chief, Brendan Frye. We settled down with an early section of the game, equipped with pen and paper, and engaged in some playful bickering throughout the entire session—not much has changed.

As we entered the first room, our objective was to uncover the names of the school’s founders to make our escape. While rummaging through walls, drawers, and boxes for clues, we encountered combination locks, an overhead projector—I hadn’t seen one of those since high school—and a machine to input names as we discovered them. It was a fairly typical escape room, though *Escape Academy 2* introduced jumping, which was an exciting twist.

### “Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School is completely open world, bringing an entirely new level of adventure to the franchise.”

There were a few minor quality-of-life concerns, such as being unable to navigate between one of the desks and the teacher’s desk, along with numerous items in the room that weren’t related to the puzzles. Naturally, that’s meant for misdirection, but I think I clicked on the same apple water bottle around 20 times while inspecting the desks. A handful of clues might still require clearer hints during development, but these could become more evident as you experience the game, considering we were only given a brief segment to explore.

Typically, I might suggest, “Why not create new levels instead of a new game,” especially since *Escape Academy* isn’t particularly old. However, Coin Crew Games has completely redesigned the entire map, and *Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School* is entirely open world, introducing a fresh sense of adventure to the series. If you’re like me, you may have no idea what an open-world escape room entails. Fortunately, I’m here to share that!

Essentially, it’s akin to attempting to move from Point A to Point B in your home as a busy mom with a bunch of children. You can’t simply traverse the house. First, you need to locate someone’s missing sock, unlock three doors, grab a snack, and complete a multitude of tasks before finishing the one at hand. More specifically, before we could access the headmaster’s office, we needed to locate our locker (which involved a puzzle), navigate to the bookstore (which entailed several puzzles), and purchase our books (which, of course, necessitated another puzzle). I think you understand the gist.

### “For those who appreciate a slow burn or genuinely love puzzles, Escape Academy 2 will undoubtedly fulfill that need.”

For those who appreciate a slow burn or truly enjoy puzzles, *Escape Academy 2* will undoubtedly satisfy that desire. Every aspect presents a challenge—and that was just the journey from the original room to the office. Upon arrival, some familiar characters appeared, along with a few newcomers. The game offers a brand new narrative and an explorable campus, so the volume of content in this latest version should be abundant. We were also interrupted by various side quests that we skipped for time’s sake—but that simply means there’s even more content for players to anticipate.

Brendan and I played in couch co-op mode, of course, but the game will also provide online co-op. Coin Crew Games and publisher iam8bit have done everything possible with *Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School* to deliver fresh content, innovate over the original, and ensure that playing with friends is as straightforward as possible. Although there’s no release date announced, I’m eagerly looking forward to heading back to school (truly, not having a September release date—even in 2026—would seem like a major oversight here!)

Fifty years back, *Dungeons & Dragons* set the foundation for the whole tabletop RPG landscape, spawning countless adventures—and various games that take different paths within that framework. Few titles have distinguished themselves like Darrington Press’ *Daggerheart*, which officially debuted just over a month ago.

Similar to other prominent *D&D* alternatives, *[Daggerheart](https://www.daggerheart.com/)* has effectively emerged from the extensive legacy of the original game, yet unlike *Pathfinder*, it did not rise from an earlier iteration of *D&D* but instead from a highly influential community of *D&D* players: [Critical Role](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/tv-series/the-legend-of-vox-machina-series-review/). What initially started as a bunch of voice actors live-streaming their personal game has evolved over a decade, culminating in the establishment of Darrington Press, the game publishing arm of Critical Role Productions, in 2020.

Now, the company’s flagship TTRPG system is available to players far and wide, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. But what makes *Daggerheart* one of the fiercest contenders to *Dungeons & Dragons*’ dominance in the space?

## A Formidable Team of Developers

First and foremost, the creative team behind *Daggerheart* was remarkable from the start. The lead designer is Spenser Starke, who had earlier crafted *Kids On Brooms* for Renegade Studios and *Alice Is Missing*, a silent yet collaborative game played through text messages. After joining Darrington Press, Starke directed design for their previous TTRPG, *[Candela Obscura](https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/buyers-guides/tabletop-games-2023/)*, a game centered around paranormal exploration with [strong Lovecraftian or dark fantasy themes](https://darringtonpress.com/candela/).

Matthew Mercer, Critical Role’s principal Dungeon Master, contributes his vast experience as an additional Game Designer, and his distinctive style of running adventures is reflected throughout much of the text. The credits are similarly packed with seasoned tabletop creators of various kinds, enriching the game with a wide range of viewpoints.

In addition, in recent weeks, Darrington Press has brought on board two particularly noteworthy figures—[Chris Perkins](https://www.cgmagonline.com/interviews/curse-strahd-interview-chris-perkins/) and [Jeremy Crawford](https://www.cgmagonline.com/interviews/jeremy-crawford-d-and-d-legacy/) as Creative Director and Game Director, respectively, after they departed from *D&D* publisher Wizards of the Coast earlier this year. As two of the industry’s most esteemed leaders over the past few decades, the exit of *D&D* translates into a direct advantage for *Daggerheart*. Todd Kenreck, the well-known face of *D&D*‘s social media, was (confusingly) let go as well and [will now be producing content independently for both games](https://www.instagram.com/toddkenreck/reel/DLkYKzUR0TF/?hl=en).

A multitude of influential forces in tabletop RPGs is rallying around *Daggerheart*, and this shared pedigree alone should catch the attention of players.

## An Abundant Core Rulebook

Regardless of the terminology a game prefers for its primary player-facing rulebook, it becomes the most crucial volume to possess, and *Daggerheart*’s Core Rulebook stands out compared to many of its contemporaries.

The core element is the hardcover book itself. With 366 pages, it encompasses all vital components for individual players and groups—efficiently fulfilling the roles of the [Player’s Handbook](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/tabletop/dnd-2024-players-handbook/) and [Dungeon Master’s Guide](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/tabletop/dnd-2024-dungeon-masters-guide/) found in other games, alongside aspects of a Monster Manual. While the enhanced layout was one of my favorite features of the 2024 edition of *Dungeons & Dragons*, perusing the *Daggerheart* Core Rulebook felt even more streamlined and effective.

The second part of the Core Rulebook offering consists of a set of cards that contain the details for all the components that create a complete character. Ancestry, Community, Subclasses, and features connected to the various Domains form this collection of 279 cards, stored in a magnet-clasped box for easy organization and transport. While information can be found in the book itself, the cards prove useful during character creation *and* as a reference throughout gameplay.

For a similar price, *Daggerheart*

Crunchyroll made waves at Anime Expo 2025 with thrilling announcements during their annual Industry Panel, exciting anime enthusiasts around the globe. Among the standout highlights was the confirmation of a new season for the cherished series “Black Clover,” which will return exclusively on Crunchyroll. Studio Pierrot, known for popular titles like “Naruto” and “Bleach,” is set to oversee the production, and attendees were treated to a teaser trailer and key visual. Yuki Tabata, the original creator, shared his excitement for the series’ 10th anniversary and the forthcoming season.

In addition to “Black Clover,” Crunchyroll revealed several other highly awaited titles. “Daemons of the Shadow Realm,” inspired by Hiromu Arakawa’s manga, is being adapted into an anime directed by Masahiro Ando. The series promises a mix of mystery and fantasy, as highlighted in the teaser trailer.

“Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4” was confirmed to stream exclusively on Crunchyroll in 2026, featuring a teaser with characters Natsuki Subaru and Emilia. “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” is also set to return for a third season, showcasing its breathtaking animation and the comeback of Eris in the teaser.

Crunchyroll additionally announced “Classroom of the Elite 2nd Year” and a new game, “Classroom of the Elite – Merge Puzzle Spacial Exam –,” which will be available to Mega and Ultimate Fan tier members. Other exciting reveals included “Sentenced to Be a Hero,” “Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider,” and “You and I Are Polar Opposites,” all scheduled to premiere in 2025 and 2026.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Ouran High School Host Club,” Crunchyroll announced a new merchandise collaboration. Moreover, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” fans can anticipate a replica of Misato Katsuragi’s iconic jacket in the Crunchyroll Store, commemorating the series’ 30th anniversary. Music fans will be thrilled with “Hiroyuki SAWANO LIVE [nZk]008,” which will join Crunchyroll’s extensive concert collection this summer.

With these exciting announcements, Crunchyroll continues to reinforce its role as a premier platform for anime aficionados, providing a varied range of content and experiences for fans everywhere.

The psychological/paranormal thriller game series makes a significant return. The Silent Hill f developers and producer presented previously unseen footage and addressed fan inquiries from social media during the Konami panel at Anime Expo 2025 this weekend. Attendees of Anime Expo were treated to insights regarding the upcoming Silent Hill entry from notable guests: series producer Motoi Okamoto, Silent Hill f script writer Ryukishi07, and renowned series musical composer Akira Yamaoka. The panel occurred at the JW Marriott Platinum Ballroom in downtown Los Angeles.

Silent Hill f follows Hinako Shimizu, a teenage girl grappling with societal expectations, as she maneuvers through her hometown of Ebisugaoka, now enveloped in fog and experiencing a chilling transformation. Players will need to uncover secrets, confront otherworldly dangers, and face choices that will influence Hinako’s destiny.

The creative team behind the new entry in the Silent Hill franchise discussed behind-the-scenes details about the creation of this eerie new world and responded to selected fan questions from social media. Okamoto-san, Ryukishi07-san, and Yamaoka-san began expressing their enthusiasm with Anime Expo participants. “This isn’t a live concert, but we’re excited to show you what we’ve prepared,” Yamaoka-san remarked.

One of the main initial inquiries fans raised about Silent Hill f was regarding its setting in Japan. Okamoto-san clarified, “Silent Hill has always blended both Western and Japanese influences. We believe we lost some Japanese elements along the journey. Therefore, we aimed for a fully Japanese theme for this one.” This was a valid viewpoint as the creators sought a fresh backdrop, opting for a familiar environment. Kanayama, Gero in Gifu Prefecture, inspired the game’s location. Ryukishi07 selected it for its architecture and “labyrinthine” streets, as referenced in the Silent Hill Transmission video from March 13, 2025.

Okamoto-san addressed a fan inquiry about whether Silent Hill f would incorporate more psychological or paranormal aspects. He made an amusing analogy, stating that Silent Hill f is akin to “a tossed and mixed salad.” Numerous ingredients are combined into a salad, resulting in a chaotic mix initially. However, if one allows the salad to sit for a while, specific components start to separate, revealing layers. Okamoto-san suggested there may be more lurking behind the fog in the game than meets the eye.

Then, Ryukishi07-san elaborated on his character development process for Silent Hill f’s cast. “For character creation, I aimed to divide and compartmentalize them this time—each character has unique characteristics.” He further mentioned how this was “a complex, thoughtful inspiration for the game.” A video showcased Hinako interacting with a classmate while walking through a rice paddy, illustrating some of the richer character exchanges with the protagonist and other residents of the town.

Next, Yamaoka-san discussed his vision for the game’s audio, focusing on music. He remarked, “I wanted to adopt a truest Japanese methodology, not just by incorporating some Japanese instruments. Instead, my emphasis was on Japanese styles and nuances.” Subsequently, Yamaoka-san responded to a fan question regarding whether he drew from older influences for Silent Hill f’s music or if he found new inspirations. “Silent Hill has existed for 25 years. When I began, my aim was to constantly break boundaries, and I was commended for

The fairy dust has settled, and a victor has arisen from Disney Lorcana‘s inaugural World Championship.

Ravensburger hosted the event at Walt Disney World from June 28-29, with 28 competitors invited to take part after qualifying through local events. Attendance was restricted to maintain “the best VIP experience [players] could possibly have,” but live streams on Twitch allowed more than 130,000 viewers at home to witness the historic event.

In the end, it was Dinh Khang Pham (“DKP”) from Germany who claimed the title of the world’s first Disney Lorcana World Champion, triumphing over Edmond Chiu in a 5-round contest. The format was a Triple Deck Challenge, demanding players to win three games each with a different deck, and although Chiu gained an early advantage, DKP managed to reverse the situation and clinch the third win with an Amethyst and Steel deck (specifically acquiring the last 2 lore he needed with Giant Cobra—Ghostly Serpent).

Beyond the historic honor of being Disney Lorcana’s first champion, DKP also received a trophy and a unique World Champion 2025 golden promo variant of Mickey Mouse—Brave Little Tailor. (As he noted on social media, this golden card pairs well with another extremely rare card he recently acquired: the most sought-after collector’s item from Magic: The Gathering—Final Fantasy, the serialized 1/77 Gold Chocobo variant of Traveling Chocobo.)

“It was absolutely exhilarating to witness DKP’s victory with so many Disney Lorcana TCG fans watching live on Twitch,” remarked Ravensburger’s Elaine Chase, Chief Marketing Officer for TCGs, Elaine Ch. “As a former competitive TCG player, it nourishes my soul to see so many contenders striving for the title of World Champion and the exclusive Golden Mickey Mouse Card.”

With this competitive season now in the annals of history, Ravensburger has started unveiling plans for the next season, with Challenge qualifiers scheduled in North America and Europe from now until next summer:

Europe:

– Challenge: Bologna Fiere, October 3-5 2025
– Challenge: Ghent Flanders Expo | March 6-8 2026
– Challenge: Dortmund | June 5-7 2026
– Championship: September 11-13 2026, Location TBD

North America:

– Challenge: Milwaukee, WI | October 24-26 2025
– Challenge: Richmond, VA | January 9-11 2026
– Challenge: Indianapolis, IN | June 19-21 2026
– Championship: August 28-30 2026, Location TBD

Additional regions will be added in the upcoming season, including events in Japan, China, and Australia. Ravensburger backs these qualifier events with rewards and promotional materials.

“We’re thrilled to support all types of Disney Lorcana TCG play moving forward,” stated Senior Tournament Manager, Steven Cooper. “That includes a variety of events that Ravensburger is backing that don’t fit into categories such as in-store play or Disney Lorcana Challenge. We aim to schedule more events like this globally in 2026 and beyond!”

A new chapter is set to begin for Disney Lorcana competitive or organized play. The arrival of the game’s forthcoming set, Fabled, in September will signal the game’s first-ever set rotation, with the first four sets “rotated out” of eligibility.

NVIDIA GeForce NOW is relentlessly broadening its cloud gaming portfolio, and on this GFN Thursday, the platform has introduced an additional 20 games, featuring the freshly launched “Little Nightmares III.” For those who may not know, GeForce NOW provides members with the opportunity to enjoy the latest games and content without having to wait for updates or patches. This is accomplished by integrating games into their cloud streaming platform, allowing members to play for a subscription fee, given they possess the game on a compatible platform. Users can tap into the capabilities of an advanced GeForce RTX GPU directly from the cloud without any installation or setup. GFN Thursday signifies the introduction of more titles to the service, and on July 3, 2025, NVIDIA GeForce NOW has incorporated 20 additional titles.

On this GFN Thursday, the newly launched “Little Nightmares III” and “Wuchang: Fallen Feathers” are now available on the platform, letting players access them on the release day. With the service now compatible with Steam Deck, players can jump in without any installation on a handheld device. The July 3, 2025, lineup includes:

**GeForce NOW – July 2025 GFN Thursday Releases**

– *Little Nightmares II* (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
– *Figment* (New release on Epic Games Store)
– *Clicker Heroes* (Steam)
– *Fabledom* (Steam)
– *Rogue: Genesia* (Steam)
– *Schedule I* (released on Steam)
– *The Ascent* (New release on Xbox, PC Game Pass, July 8)
– *Every Day We Fight* (New release on Steam, July 10)
– *Mycopunk* (New release on Steam, July 10)
– *Brickadia* (New release on Steam, July 11)
– *HUNTER×HUNTER NEN×IMPACT* (New release on Steam, July 15)
– *Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition* (New release on Steam, July 15)
– *DREADZONE* (New release on Steam, July 17)
– *The Drifter* (New release on Steam, July 17)
– *He Is Coming* (New release on Steam, July 17)
– *Killing Floor 3* (New release on Steam, July 24)
– *RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business* (New release on Steam, July 17)
– *Wildgate* (New release on Steam, July 22)
– *Wuchang: Fallen Feathers* (New release on Steam and Epic Games Store)
– *Battle Brothers* (Steam)

For further details on NVIDIA GeForce NOW releases or to register, enthusiasts can check out the official [NVIDIA website](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce-now/).