Latest Version of Batman: The Killing Joke Listed at $17,000

## Key Highlights from the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest Keynote

The keynote presentation at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest was a pivotal occasion for fans, brimming with announcements that signal a promising future for the beloved MMORPG. With its next significant expansion and various quality-of-life enhancements on the way, here are the essential insights to take away from the two-and-a-half-hour talk.

### Evercold Expansion Launching in 2027

The eagerly awaited expansion, named **Evercold**, was officially revealed and is scheduled for release in January 2027. The reveal showcased an electrifying teaser trailer and concept art that highlighted beloved elements, including a charming cat-plush village. This expansion signifies the commencement of a new saga in FFXIV’s rich lore, vowing to transport the story into unexplored realms.

### Enhancements for Casual Gamers

Aware that numerous players balance FFXIV with their real-world jobs, Square Enix is rolling out new features to suit a wider range of play styles. A redesigned user interface will make it easier to claim daily bonuses from roulette activities, assisting players in managing their gaming time more effectively.

### Introduction of Seasons

The game’s patch cycles are being rebranded as **seasons** to enhance player clarity. While the fundamental mechanics will largely stay the same, this rebranding aims to improve communication within the player community, as players will refer to these phases more routinely.

### Quality of Life Improvements

Quality of life modifications are set to elevate the gaming experience. Players can now display their highest item level across various jobs, facilitating smoother job transitions without extensive grinding. This single update is anticipated to boost flexibility in gameplay, making it less tedious to explore different classes.

### Character Customization Upgrades

Exciting advancements in character customization were revealed. New features such as **character action skins**, color selection tools, and layered face paint options are among the upgrades aimed at enhancing personalization. These new features will provide players with greater freedom to showcase their unique styles in-game.

### Revamped Battle Experiences

A new intermediate difficulty setting for eight-person raids is on the way. Moreover, developers hinted at modifications to the progression pathways of 24-person raids, targeting to enhance the overall experience. More information will be shared in future Fan Fests.

### Removal of Data Center Boundaries

One of the most groundbreaking announcements was the removal of regional data center restrictions. This change allows players to collaborate across North American data centers, fostering a more inclusive gaming atmosphere. This is especially advantageous for players who may have started on different servers from their friends.

### Upcoming Job Additions

The new expansion will bring additional jobs, including a tank and a ranged physical DPS. Additionally, a new limited job known as **Beastmaster** is set to launch in Patch 7.56, affording players even more options for their journeys.

### New Job System

Players will have the choice between **Reborn Mode**, which maintains the current combat mechanics, and **Evolved Mode**, a streamlined combat style intended to simplify rotations and reduce inputs. Future job introductions will exclusively feature Evolved Mode, indicating a shift in the game’s design philosophy.

### Level Cap Increase

The maximum level cap will be raised to **110**, providing new opportunities for players to engage with the game.

### Introduction of New Content

As anticipated with a major expansion, new dungeons, FATEs, and raids are on the way, including a remarkable ultimate raid featuring the character Kefka. PvP content will also undergo rejuvenation for an enhanced battle experience.

### Collaboration with Neon Genesis Evangelion

A significant crossover event is forthcoming, with FFXIV partnering with **Neon Genesis Evangelion** for a series of raids. This has thrilled fans and highlights the game’s openness to merging various genres and communities.

### Transition for PS4 Players

Yoshi-P indicated that the game is becoming too expansive to fully run on the PS4. While the transition won’t be immediate, players should gear up for an upgrade as the game’s size continues to expand post-Evercold.

### Updated Free Trial

The FFXIV free trial is now extended to cover content up to its third expansion, **Shadowbringers**, allowing new players to explore a wider range of content without monetary commitment.

### Upcoming Patch Schedule

The next wave of patches will commence with **Patch 7.5** on April 28, followed by additional patches through September, ensuring a consistent flow of updates to keep the community engaged.

### Switch 2 Compatibility

In an unexpected twist, FFXIV will be accessible on the upcoming **Switch 2**, with an early access phase kicking off in August, although some pricing concerns linger.

### Future Announcements

Finally, the keynote wrapped up with a call for future announcements. More insights regarding new jobs and features are anticipated at forthcoming Fan Fests in Berlin and Tokyo, sustaining excitement and anticipation within the community.

In summary, the Fan Fest

**Discovering Diana and Pragmata: An Odyssey of Time and Emotion in Capcom’s Anticipated Release**

Within the vast dimensions of video game storytelling, few tales capture the awe and curiosity of childhood as adeptly as Capcom’s forthcoming title, *Pragmata*. Central to this adventure is Diana, a young robotic companion who gazes at the universe with the wonder typical of a child navigating a new playground. Across the game, players observe her pure amazement, especially when she encounters holographic depictions of both recognizable and fantastical elements—such as a cat or a meticulously recreated Times Square.

Diana’s journey unfolds against an abandoned lunar facility, serving as a surreal reflection of Earth’s lively cityscapes. This contrast between the known and the unknown constitutes a vital aspect of *Pragmata*’s appeal, enabling players to introduce her to various terrestrial relics, from playground equipment to classic televisions, stirring feelings of nostalgia for a past age.

The emotions surrounding *Pragmata* go beyond simple gameplay mechanics. The title has been likened to the visuals and design philosophies of gaming in the early 2000s—an era marked by creative enthusiasm and groundbreaking gameplay. Many label *Pragmata* as a nostalgic nod to when games radiated a sense of unrestrained creativity, sidestepping the jaded limitations of current AAA development. This spirit, viewed as untouched by modern commercial pressures, resonates with a deeper connection to the joy of gaming, as players traverse its vivid environments and engage with touching narratives.

As players assume the role of Hugh, clad in a hefty exosuit, the dynamic between him and Diana becomes tangible. The game’s preliminary impressions showcase how Hugh, while protective, also honors Diana’s independence, cultivating an intriguing father-daughter-like bond. Their exchanges are filled with warmth and mutual admiration, allowing for moments of humor amid the tumult of combat and adventure.

*Pragmata* presents an exceptional mix of gameplay mechanics, fusing puzzle-solving with action-driven elements. Players must navigate complex, grid-based hacking challenges while battling gigantic robotic foes. The rush of hacking these adversaries, all while dodging their attacks and coordinating timed moves, adds richness, encouraging players to test various tactics and strategies. Each foe brings unique challenges, urging players to adapt, employ diverse approaches, and ultimately uncover new methods to overcome obstacles.

The game transcends mere adrenaline-pumping sequences; it emphasizes the emotional bonds formed between its characters. Hugh’s conversations with Diana offer a glimpse into their developing relationship and establish a tone that contrasts with the conventional, often rough, male protagonists in gaming. Moments like Diana presenting Hugh with a drawing symbolize childlike innocence and affection, reinforcing the overall theme of warmth in human relationships.

In summary, *Pragmata* holds great promise as it readies to step into the gaming arena. With its blend of nostalgic visuals, innovative gameplay mechanics, and emotionally rich characters, it serves as a testament to the profound emotional stories that games can deliver. As players join Diana on her quest of exploration in a fantastical reinterpretation of Earth, *Pragmata* is set to evoke wonder, nostalgia, and meaningful connections in an ever-evolving industry.

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