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Hytale’s Chapter 1 Update Introduces Goblins, First Major Boss, and Handcrafted Dungeon Scheduled for October Release

After months of smaller patches, Hytale‘s early access phase is getting its inaugural Chapter update, confirmed release date and all. Chapter 1 is out on October 12th, and it’s a bundle of (mostly goblin-related) firsts: chiefly the game’s first “handcrafted” dungeon, a gruesome underground lair, and Hytale’s first bonefide boss fight, against a flamethrowing gob-king.

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Armed Fantasia: Colourful JRPG Cancelled After Four Years of Delays and Legal Issues Following Successful Kickstarter Campaign

Armed Fantasia, a JRPG pitched as a spiritual successor the PS2-era roleplaying series Wild Arms – and led by former Wild Arms producer Akifumi Kaneko – has been cancelled. Digital Bros, the parent company of Armed Fantasia publishers 505 Games, announced in a financial statement that it was one of several games for which “The Group decided to discontinue development,” the others being a sequel to F2P strategy game Battle Islands and action RPG Directorate Novitiate, which had already revealed its own demise in May.

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Arc Raiders Explores New PvE Mode in Response to Player Demand for Cooperative Gameplay

Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios is bowing to the pacifists and trialing a PvE mode in their extraction shooter. If you play between October 13th and 20th, you’ll be able to flick a toggle that means you load either into the traditional world of Arc Raiders, where human players vie for the valuable scraps left behind in a ruined world watched over by killer robots, or a slightly safer version where the machines are still deadly but the humans can’t hurt you.

“We’re seeing a large and growing group of Raiders who come to the Rust Belt for the co-op and the ARC, not fighting with other Raiders,” Embark say in the post announcing the trial. “That group has become a core part of our community, so it’s important we learn how to support them properly rather than leave them working around the game.”

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“Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2 Guarantees to Rekindle My Fond Memories”

**Anticipating Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2: A Journey Back to Night City**

We are merely a month away from the eagerly awaited launch of *Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2* on Netflix, set for October 20. For those who have not yet experienced the inaugural season, the first ten episodes present a captivating tale set against the dynamic and harsh landscape of Night City, a location brimming with both potential and anguish. With the success of the initial season, enthusiasts are curious whether the next chapter will attain comparable emotional peaks and devastating valleys.

Created by Studio Trigger in partnership with CD Projekt Red, the series faithfully represents the sprawling urban scenery of Night City. The intricate animation encapsulates the spirit of the *Cyberpunk 2077* game, enabling viewers to identify iconic sites as seen in the latest trailers. Even in the absence of the game’s lead character, V, *Edgerunners* stirs nostalgia for a world that has become known to numerous players, reminiscent of a dystopian nightmare region that strangely feels like home.

The inaugural season of *Edgerunners* significantly contributed to the resurgence of *Cyberpunk 2077*, which initially faced a tumultuous launch in 2020. Following extensive updates and the debut of a current-gen port, the game has regained its prominence. Although the upcoming season does not shoulder the responsibility of redeeming the game’s name, it beckons both new and returning viewers to savor the nostalgia derived from the hours spent navigating the neon-lit avenues.

Having extensively explored Night City since its inception, including taking part in a podcast focused on discussing the game, I often find myself revisiting the realm through screenshots—a digital scrapbook filled with memories of encounters with various characters and immersive tales. The haunting tune of the song “I Really Want To Stay In Your House” echoes as I reminisce about those experiences, allowing me to relive the emotional voyage that *Edgerunners* captured without needing to engage in the gameplay itself.

Despite its somber environment, Night City possesses an allure that pulls many back. *Edgerunners 2* promises to further explore the mythology of this city, scrutinizing the unyielding grip of capitalism on its residents. With its chrome-plated façade hiding a deteriorating core, the city exemplifies a contrast of beauty and despair, and the new ensemble of characters is expected to resonate profoundly with viewers before inevitably encountering tragedy.

In the end, *Edgerunners 2* presents a compelling incentive to revisit *Cyberpunk 2077*. It invites fans to mount their motorcycles once more or re-explore well-known locations, allowing both nostalgia and the thrill of new narratives to rekindle the passion for this uniquely constructed universe. As the premiere draws near, excitement mounts—not solely for the new stories to be unveiled but for the opportunity to reconnect with a world filled with vibrant chaos and emotional intricacy.

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Skyblivion Approaches Release as Developers Launch Recruitment for Final Marketing Efforts

Skyblivion, that massive Oblivion remake mod which was originally set to release last year, finally seems to be on the verge of arrival. While they’ve still yet to put a full release date on it, the mod’s creators have announced that they’re looking for voluteers to join their comms team and contribute to a final push to get the word out about their creation.

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State of Decay 3 Development Studio Was Close to Being Acquired by Splash Damage Before Agreement Fell Through

**Undead Labs and Its Path to Autonomy During Xbox’s Corporate Transition**

Undead Labs, the esteemed studio recognized for the successful *State of Decay* series, has recently undergone a crucial shift in its corporate trajectory. Acquired by Xbox in 2018, the studio was on the verge of being purchased by Splash Damage, the developer known for *Gears Tactics*. This potential acquisition was a component of Xbox’s extensive “reset” strategy aimed at reorganizing its corporate structure. Nevertheless, the agreement ultimately collapsed, as reported by *Kotaku*, affirming speculation surrounding the destiny of Undead Labs.

In an announcement on Tuesday, the leadership of Undead Labs disclosed that the studio has evolved from operating under Microsoft’s umbrella to achieving complete employee ownership. This transformation marks a significant moment in the studio’s timeline, empowering it to shape its future while maintaining focus on the development of the eagerly awaited *State of Decay 3*.

The anticipated acquisition by Splash Damage involved support from private equity firm Emona Capital, the same entity backing Secret Mode, the publisher behind the forthcoming *Star Wars: Galactic Racer*. However, no definitive reasons have surfaced regarding the failure of the deal, leaving many industry insiders contemplating the ramifications of such prominent corporate shifts.

Following the unsuccessful acquisition, the leadership and personnel at Undead Labs united to reclaim control over their studio. This tactical decision enables them to independently guide the ongoing development of *State of Decay 3*, although details concerning its publisher remain unannounced. Despite this optimistic development, the transition to autonomy was tinged with recent layoffs at Undead Labs, mirroring a prevalent trend observed in comparable corporate transitions, such as that of Double Fine.

As the gaming industry processes these changes, other studios like Ninja Theory, which encountered a similar scenario with acquisition discussions that did not succeed, are facing even more severe outcomes, including potential shutdowns. This highlights the unstable nature of the gaming industry’s landscape during times of corporate restructuring.

All these occurrences are part of a larger narrative within Xbox’s continuous modifications, which have included numerous layoffs and shifts in management as the company strives to adapt under new leadership. Asha Sharma, the recently appointed head, is set to implement additional changes before the year’s conclusion, indicating that more developments may be forthcoming for Xbox and its associated studios.

In conclusion, Undead Labs has emerged from a difficult corporate period with renewed independence, committed to bringing *State of Decay 3* to realization while navigating the intricacies of an ever-evolving gaming industry.

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Total War: Shogun 2’s Complete Edition Introduces 50 New Minor Factions While Incompatible with Existing Mods; Legacy DLC Offered for Free to Players Retaining the Previous Version

If you recently glanced at Total War: Shogun 2 and thought “gosh, lovely hip-and-gable roofs on that miniature of the temples in Kyoto, but this could really do with oh, let’s say 50 additional groups of quarrelsome swordsmen”, then congratulations, Creative Assembly are adding “50+” minor factions in Total War: Shogun 2 Complete Edition, an all-in-one remaster hamper due to launch on 13th October via Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store and GOG.

This fancified and expanderised, 64-bit edition of the 2011 strategy game will include both the Rise and the Fall of the Samurai DLC expansions, together with updated lighting, shadows and textures. Also: “modernised controls”, which makes me frown a little in the absence of details, together with 1440p and 4K UI scaling, and Japanese and Chinese voice acting and localisation.

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15 Priciest Cards from the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration, Highlighting a $4,000 RGB Mew

## The Pokémon TCG’s 30th Celebration Set: A New Chapter for Collectors

The launch of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) 30th Celebration set has ignited enthusiasm and curiosity among both collectors and players. This set has captivated attention not only for its nostalgic features but also for its remarkable pull rates, enabling fans to secure cards at more accessible prices compared to earlier sets.

### The Influence of Pull Rates and Resale Markets

Traditionally, the Pokémon TCG market has been burdened by scalpers and resellers who acquire vast amounts of new sets for profit, leading to escalated prices during the initial release phase. Recent sets like Ascended Heroes have showcased top cards listed for hundreds to over a thousand dollars shortly after their debut. Conversely, the 30th Celebration set has seen its key cards stabilize below $100 soon after launch, excluding the sought-after Classic Collection. This change suggests a potential relief for regular customers as future releases and reprints become accessible.

The trend observed in recent years has shown that while certain card prices may stabilize, many inflated prices post-release often experience significant declines. As collectors evaluate their choices, patience is crucial when it comes to buying individual cards, as waiting a month or two could result in significant savings.

### Pricing Trends of the 30th Celebration Set

At present, the priciest card within the main set is the Mew ex Special Illustration Rare, valued at approximately $152. This price dramatically contrasts with earlier sets, where top cards frequently debuted at prices exceeding $1,000. The standout feature of the 30th Celebration set is the comparatively economical pricing across its range, allowing younger players and collectors to engage more fully in the Pokémon card phenomenon.

Within the Classic Collection, which highlights 30 cherished Pokémon with a unique “30th” stamp, certain cards are proving difficult to acquire, resulting in higher values. For example, the Crystal Lugia is currently priced at $280, surpassing even the legendary holo Charizard, which is valued at $185. Notably, only a few cards in this subset exceed the $100 threshold, reflecting a trend towards greater accessibility in the market.

### The Enigma of the RGB Mews

One of the most intriguing aspects of the 30th Celebration set is the undisclosed RGB Mews—three cards that have yet to be officially recognized by The Pokémon Company. These cards, marked by their distinctive designs and scarcity, embody the allure surrounding certain collectibles. With prices averaging around $4,000 due to their extreme rarity, these cards have become subjects of speculation and intrigue among collectors, creating an enigma within the current set.

### Top 15 Highest-Priced Cards from the Set

As collectors explore the 30th Celebration set, here are the top 15 highest-priced cards currently available, along with their respective prices:

1. **Crystal Lugia – Classic Collection**: $280
2. **Charizard Base Set – Classic Collection**: $185
3. **Mew ex SIR**: $150
4. **Gengar ex SIR**: $126
5. **Magikarp – Classic Collection**: $107
6. **Pikachu ex Night**: $103
7. **Mew ex Future Rare**: $103
8. **Jirachi ex SIR**: $101
9. **Mewtwo ex SIR**: $85
10. **Pikachu ex Daytime**: $81
11. **Gengar Prime – Classic Collection**: $79
12. **Mewtwo ex Future Rare**: $72
13. **Sylveon ex SIR**: $65
14. **Pikachu & Zekrom GX – Classic Collection**: $53
15. **Shining Celebi – Classic Collection**: $46

### Conclusion: A Promising Outlook for Collectors

The Pokémon TCG’s 30th Celebration set signifies a pivotal moment for collectors and players, providing a feasible path to obtaining sought-after cards without succumbing to exorbitant market prices. As the enthusiasm around this set continues, the combination of nostalgia and accessibility creates an ideal landscape for enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you’re an experienced collector or a novice in the Pokémon card realm, the 30th Celebration set offers an inclusive atmosphere for enjoyment and discovery.