Ultrakill Returns with New Content Featuring Lies, Portals, and Non-Euclidean Spaces in Its Latest Hellworld Update

**Larian Studios: Advancing Companion Dynamics in RPGs**

Larian Studios, famous for its achievements with titles like *Baldur’s Gate 3* and the upcoming *Divinity*, recently conducted a Reddit AMA where the team shared their perspectives on narrative and character development. The discussion spanned a wide range of subjects, including the studio’s creative implementation of generative AI, ambitions for future endeavors, and insights gained from their thirty-year experience in game development.

A key takeaway from the AMA was the emphasis on enhancing the dynamics of companion relationships within their titles. Senior writer Kevin VanOrd highlighted the necessity of developing deeper, more intricate interactions among companions, striving to go beyond simple exchanges to forge genuine connections that reflect authentic friendships and rivalries.

### Companions and Their Relationships

VanOrd identified two primary areas for enhancement: improving companion interactions and adopting a more gradual approach to romantic relationships. He pointed out the studio’s objective to enable companions not only to develop relationships with the player but also to establish significant connections with one another. This signifies a wish for characters to feel more woven into the narrative rather than functioning as standalone figures.

Inspired by successful games like *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*, he noted that RPGs can greatly benefit from depicting character relationships that naturally evolve, regardless of the player’s influence. Scenarios like a mutual interest between characters can provide substantial backstory and enrich their interactions.

### Managing Romance in Upcoming Titles

Another important point raised was the pacing of romance in *Baldur’s Gate 3*. Certain players believed that characters like Gale and Halsin declared their affections too soon, resulting in a view that the romantic aspects felt somewhat contrived. To address this, Larian Studios acknowledged that rapid expressions of love were initially tied to a glitch in the game’s approval mechanism, and they are dedicated to embracing a more nuanced strategy in *Divinity* and forthcoming titles. The goal is to cultivate player relationships more subtly, encouraging a sense of organic development.

By considering players’ feedback regarding the sometimes overwhelming romantic pursuits, Larian aims to construct a more immersive emotional journey where players perceive their interactions with companions as significant and earned.

### Conclusion

The insights shared by Larian Studios in their recent Reddit AMA highlight a growing understanding of character dynamics in contemporary RPGs. By concentrating on more profound companionship interactions and reimagining the way romance develops, Larian is not only striving to enhance player engagement but also to transform the narrative frameworks that characterize role-playing games. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the studio’s dedication to refining character relationships signifies a major advancement toward creating more realistic and compelling storytelling in the genre.

Leaks and analyst predictions have enthusiasts excited about the potential for one last surprise content update to *The Witcher 3*. *Helldivers 2* will keep evolving in astonishing ways. An older mobile JRPG that inspired two fantastic console spin-offs is at last making its way to PC in the West next year. This is the latest version of Morning Checkpoint, *Kotaku*’s daily summary of gaming news and culture.

With only a few days remaining in 2025, I’ll be dedicating at least one of those to cleaning my PS5. It powered down from overheating three times during my *Nightreign* session last night. The Everdark Balancers couldn’t compete with the massive dust bunnies lurking inside my console.

## Speculation continues about new *Witcher 3* DLC

Polish insider Borys Nieśpielak initially suggested this past summer that the long-standing game would receive more content, noting earlier this month that he anticipated some form of teaser at the Game Awards. We didn’t see one, but that hasn’t silenced the speculation. Now Polish Noble Securities analyst Mateusz Chrzanowski is predicting a new DLC as well.

“We foresee an additional paid expansion (DLC) for *The Witcher 3* to be launched in May 2026. We predict sales of 11 million copies at USD 30 each next year. We estimate the production costs at PLN 52 million,” he stated in a memo earlier this month, according to a Google translation (via *Dexerto*). “The release should initiate the actual marketing campaign for *The Witcher 4*.”

This seems both hard to accept and not entirely impossible. The only known update CD Projekt Red is currently pursuing for the 2015 open-world RPG is mod support for the console edition. A new content expansion, regardless of its size, would undoubtedly help increase sales of the current-gen version while the studio develops *The Witcher 4*. The sequel still seems so distant it might be a PS6 title.

## The original *Granblue Fantasy* is at last arriving on Steam over a decade later

The 2014 mobile RPG that led to spin-offs *Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising* and *Granblue Fantasy: Relink* will be accessible for the first time in the West on PC starting March 10, 2026. It’s a turn-based game with summons, classes, and multiplayer raids that features contributions from former *Final Fantasy* composer Nobuo Uematsu and art director Hideo Minaba.

## Nvidia’s GeForce Now streaming service broadens its monthly limits

A 100-hour monthly cap used to apply solely to new subscribers. Now it will apply to all users, *PCMag* reports. GeForce Now participants will need to pay an additional fee each month to continue streaming games beyond that limit. The cost will be $3 for an extra 15 hours on the performance plan ($10 a month) and $6 for another 15 hours on the Ultimate plan ($20 a month). This shift indicates Nvidia is likely to seek to manage costs as the program expands.

## *Helldivers 2* may introduce “sequel-level” features such as eight-player missions

“There’s actually a lot of [new features], and I believe the community is quite adept at identifying the direction they want the game to take considering the sequel-like approach,” creative director Johan Pilestedt remarked during a recent Arrow Game Studios livestream (via *Gamesradar*). “Eight-player missions would be one of those,” he added. “Larger open-world maps where you might encounter other Helldiver teams to tackle greater challenges together. Operations that influence other teams as well would represent those kinds of high-level features.”

## Will we catch a glimpse of Arkane’s *Blade* game in 2026?

Most likely not, but one should never say never. “The team is diligently working, and everyone is incredibly proud and pushing themselves,” director Dinga Bakaba mentioned on X during the holiday break in response to a fan. “Please be patient; it will be a special game, and we all hope it meets the high standards we’ve set for ourselves and for you all.” We will likely still see it before the actual movie escapes Hollywood’s development limbo.

## *Nier* fans are bracing for letdown

Series producer Yosuke Saito recently hinted at something for the game’s ninth anniversary. “We’re also preparing just a little something, so please don’t get too excited with anticipation,” he told *4Gamer*, according to *Gematsu*’s translation. Perhaps it’s only a “little something” because Square Enix is finally allowing director Yoko Taro full creative freedom to produce his next game.

## *Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora* is

### The Meta Quest 3S: Your Portal to Virtual Reality Gaming

The Meta Quest 3S has become a remarkable gateway for fans keen to delve into the world of virtual reality (VR) gaming. With its affordable price tag and an extensive game library, it offers a smooth introduction for beginners. At present, the headset is available at a reduced price, enhancing its appeal. The 128GB model is listed at $250, reduced from $300, while the larger 256GB version costs $350 instead of $400. Importantly, the 256GB variant comes with the action-filled game *Batman: Arkham Shadow* at no additional charge.

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Another noteworthy game is *Marvel’s Deadpool VR*, which immerses players in the hectic mindset of their beloved wisecracking antihero as they combat waves of foes, all narrated by the renowned actor Neil Patrick Harris. Although it’s not part of the Meta Quest+ subscription, this title represents one of the flagship VR games of 2025 and is definitely worth checking out.

#### Improved Hardware and Features

The Meta Quest 3S represents a significant step forward compared to its predecessor, the Meta Quest 2. It features the state-of-the-art Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, boosting performance and delivering smoother gameplay. Moreover, the headset’s new exterior sensors facilitate full-color passthrough, enabling users to stay aware of their real-world surroundings while immersed in VR experiences. A newly integrated action button streamlines the shift between virtual reality and mixed reality environments, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

With discounts up to $50 currently offered, there has never been a better moment to invest in the Meta Quest 3S. The 128GB version is available for just $250, while the 256GB model is priced at $350, making it a prime choice for those eager to explore the vibrant realm of VR gaming.

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