TheHiddenController

A brand-new wave of game development is on the horizon 🌊

Atlantis Studio has officially launched, bringing together top-tier talent from Ubisoft, Ready At Dawn, and Midgar Studios. Based in the South of France, the studio is co-founded by Ru Weerasuriya (of The Order: 1886 and Echo VR) and Nico Augusto. Their mission? To build immersive, next-gen games using Unreal Engine 5.

The team is already hiring and teasing a debut project reveal “soon,” with Summer Game Fest being the most likely stage. With such a stacked lineup of devs and a commitment to creativity, Atlantis could quickly become one of the industry’s most exciting new studios.

7 Essential Tips to Survive Elden Ring: Nightreign

Elden Ring: Nightreign flips the formula with a multiplayer-focused, roguelike twist—and it’s not pulling any punches. Whether you're a hardened Souls veteran or just getting your Tarnished boots muddy, this new take on the Lands Between demands a fresh strategy.

From choosing the right character to knowing when to split from your team, communication and quick decision-making are key. You'll also want to take advantage of Wending Graces, plan your upgrades at churches, and stop hoarding items—you won't carry them into your next run.

Here are 7 must-know tips to help you survive the madness of Nightreign and come out on top.

A Beautiful Loss: EA’s Canceled Black Panther Game

In a move that shocked the gaming world, EA has canceled its ambitious Black Panther single-player game. The team behind the project—including artists and designers—are now mourning the loss of a title they describe as “stunning,” “detailed,” and “rich.”

This wasn’t just another superhero game. It was a heartfelt, AAA-level tribute to Wakanda that never got its chance to shine. Developers have shared emotional goodbyes, calling their time on the project one of the most meaningful of their careers.

With other superhero games like Wonder Woman also being scrapped, it’s a tough moment for fans—and a reminder of how fragile even the most promising projects can be.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Just Dropped a Massive Update—Here’s Everything New

Ubisoft just rolled out update 1.0.5 for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and it’s more than just your standard bug fix. This patch brings a lot to the table—whether you're here for the quests, the parkour, or the unexpected horror crossover.

🐶 Thrown to the Dogs — Once a pre-order exclusive, this quest is now available to all players. Help a loyal dog avenge his master and unlock Tsuki-maru as a pet.

🎭 Dead By Daylight Collaboration — An eerie new quest pits you against an otherworldly threat in Harima. Complete it to earn a new trinket, banner, and themed cosmetics for your characters.

🎲 Balatro Trinket — A nod to the hit roguelike, this new item gives you a legendary perk that adds unpredictability to combat.

🏃 Parkour Overhaul — New vertical jump mechanics, improved sprint toggling, and enhanced side/back ejects make traversal smoother than ever.

📸 Photo Mode Upgrades — Capture Feudal Japan like never before with new poses, lighting, music, stickers, and customization options.

Whether you're playing for the lore, the loot, or the atmosphere—this update has something for everyone.

WRC Games Find a New Publisher After EA Exit – Here's What's Next Just weeks after being dropped by EA, the official WRC rally game series is making a comeback—with a new publisher and a bold new vision. French studio Nacon has secured the rights to develop and publish WRC games through 2032, with a complete franchise reboot set to launch in 2027.

While the dev team hasn’t been officially named, all signs point to Kylotonn—the same studio behind WRC 10 and WRC Generations. Nacon promises updated rallies, real-world teams, official sponsors, and a fresh direction that aims to reignite the series for a new generation of sim racers.

Mortal Kombat 1’s DLC Era Ends — So What Comes Next? NetherRealm Studios has confirmed what many suspected: Mortal Kombat 1 is no longer getting any new DLC. While the Definitive Edition bundled everything released so far, it also signaled the end of the road for fresh characters and story content.

The studio says they’ll continue supporting the game with balance updates, but their focus is shifting to their next major project. That’s big news for fans who’ve been holding out hope for Injustice 3 or an even bloodier Mortal Kombat 2.

This also comes on the heels of the Mortal Kombat 2 movie reveal, which hits theaters October 24. With Floyd the pink ninja being the last hidden surprise in MK1, all signs point to a new chapter ahead—for both the games and the franchise as a whole.

🚚 Deliver At All Costs: When Chaos Meets Confusion

I just finished Deliver At All Costs and honestly? I’m torn.

The game kicks off with so much promise—chaotic courier jobs, destructible environments, and a stunning recreation of 1950s small-town America. For a while, it’s pure fun. You're flinging statues across farmland and dodging birds while delivering helium balloons like you're in a cartoon fever dream.

But the deeper you get, the more it starts to feel like a tug-of-war between two totally different games. One wants to be an over-the-top arcade driver. The other wants to tell a serious, emotional story. Instead of blending them, Deliver At All Costs sort of stumbles through both.

There’s some genuinely great stuff here—the soundtrack is perfect, the vibes are on point, and a few missions made me laugh out loud. But there’s also clunky voice acting, repetitive quests, and a story that doesn't fully come together until it’s almost too late.

🕹 Splitgate 2 Beta Stumbles with Server Woes

The Splitgate 2 open beta was supposed to be a major moment for fans of the fast-paced, portal-packed FPS. But instead of celebratory matches, players woke up to outages, instability, and a lot of confusion.

Servers have been down for over 14 hours, cosmetic items are missing, and Twitch Drops aren’t showing up. 1047 Games’ CEO Ian Proulx has issued a heartfelt apology, saying the team is working “around the clock” to get things back online.

It’s a frustrating start to what could have been a strong comeback for the franchise—but there’s still time. The beta doesn’t have a set end date, so fingers crossed the rest of the launch goes more smoothly.

Lost In Cult Unveils Prestige Physical Game Label “Editions”

If you love physical video games that look as good on your shelf as they play in your console, Lost In Cult just delivered something special. Their new label, Editions, is designed for collectors who want complete, offline-ready games with stunning packaging and exclusive content.

The first three games—Immortality, Thank Goodness You’re Here, and The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow—are available now in both mass retail and premium collector formats. Each Editions release includes signed cards, posters, booklets, and gorgeous original artwork across the slipcase and even the mailer box.

🕹️ Could Injustice 3 Be Next for NetherRealm?

With MultiVersus shutting down on May 30 and Mortal Kombat 1 content winding down, fans are speculating that NetherRealm Studios might finally be ready to unveil Injustice 3.

The buzz started after well-known leaker MultiverSusie dropped a series of cryptic posts referencing the word “injustice” repeatedly—followed simply by the number “3.” Combine that with WB’s transition away from its current titles, and it’s easy to see why the community is getting excited.

Creative director Ed Boon previously said the team has known what their next game would be for years and has been “working on it in some capacity.” While that doesn’t confirm anything outright, it adds weight to the theory.

With Injustice 2 leaving players on a narrative cliffhanger and interest in DC heroes still running high, a third installment would be the perfect way to fill the studio’s next-gen fighter slot.

🎮 Space Marine 2 Is Now Just $40 — Here’s Why You Should Grab It

After more than a decade, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is finally here—and it’s already on sale for its lowest price ever. Both PS5 and Xbox Series X physical editions are now just $40 (was $70) at Amazon and Best Buy.

Set two centuries after the original, this brutal sequel delivers exactly what fans hoped for: waves of Tyranids, chaotic melee action, and cinematic environments. It earned an impressive 8/10 review, praised for its fast-paced combat and jaw-dropping design.

Whether you're a longtime Warhammer 40K fan or just love a good third-person shooter, now's the perfect time to dive in. And if you're hungry for lore? Companion books like The Art of Warhammer Video Games and the Character Encyclopedia are also available for preorder.

🎮 Bungie’s Marathon Meltdown: Asset Theft, Broken Morale, and PR Chaos

Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon has just taken a massive hit—both in the public eye and behind the scenes. What was supposed to be a routine promotional livestream spiraled into a full-blown crisis when the studio’s art director, Joe Cross, emotionally confirmed the use of plagiarized assets during early development.

The asset theft scandal, traced back to an unnamed artist who added unlicensed decals in 2020, triggered outrage online after fans spotted the reused content. Twitch chat exploded with accusations, screenshots went viral, and now morale inside Bungie is being described as “chaos” by internal sources. With the game’s September 23 launch now in doubt, the team is scrambling to scrub the stolen elements and stabilize internal operations.

This PR disaster lands at a rough time for Marathon, which was already facing mixed feedback and rising competition from titles like Arc Raiders. The big question now? Can Bungie win back trust—and salvage this project—before it’s too late.

🎮 The Ryu Number: How Every Character Eventually Leads Back to Street Fighter’s Ryu

In today’s entertainment multiverse, where every character seems one crossover away from fighting Goku, a bizarre but hilariously accurate theory has emerged: the Ryu Number.

Inspired by “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” the Ryu Number measures how many steps it takes to connect any fictional character (or real person) to Street Fighter’s Ryu. Thanks to decades of cameos, collabs, and chaotic IP crossovers, the number is usually… surprisingly low.

🕹 Banjo connects to Ryu via Smash Bros. 🃏 The joker card from Balatro has a Ryu Number. 🇺🇸 Even Richard Nixon? Ryu Number: 2.

It’s absurd. It’s hilarious. But it also says something real: video games have become so interconnected and self-referential that everything eventually circles back to Ryu. It’s the ouroboros of gaming synergy — and somehow, it works.

If nothing else, we now live in a timeline where you can say “Nixon connects to Ryu” and be factually correct.

🌀 Esquie Is the Emotional Rock of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

In a game built on grief, surrealism, and fading hope, Clair Obscur gives us something rare — a character who makes us smile, laugh, and feel safe all at once. His name is Esquie.

You meet him early on, shouting nonsense (but heartfelt) passwords from inside his nest. He joins your team not as a fighter, but as your mount — and yes, he yells “Exploration!” every time you ride. His flapping arms and cheerful nonsense bring joy to even the darkest moments.

But Esquie isn’t just comic relief. He’s the anchor of Verso’s story. Through their deepening friendship, we see sides of Verso that no one else reaches. Together, they joke, swim, gather rocks, and share secrets — including a conversation about being “Whooo” and “Wheee,” perfectly capturing the game’s emotional tone.

When Verso’s true identity is finally revealed, it’s Esquie who offers unwavering love: “You’re my friend.” No hesitation. No doubt. Just the purest form of loyalty.

Esquie is more than a side character — he’s a gentle, goofy reminder that kindness can exist in even the bleakest worlds.

🕹 Bungie’s Morale Is Reportedly in “Free Fall” Over Marathon

Things are looking rough at Bungie.

A new report by Forbes journalist Paul Tassi has revealed that employee morale is tanking after Marathon—Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter—landed in controversy over stolen artwork. Artist ANTIREAL accused the studio of plagiarizing her work. Bungie admitted fault and blamed a former employee, but this isn’t the first time the studio has been accused of asset theft—it’s allegedly the fourth in five years.

Now, developers and fans alike are questioning Marathon’s entire direction. One insider claimed, “The vibes have never been worse,” and everyone’s wondering what happens to Bungie if this game fails—something the studio reportedly can’t afford.

Despite this, there’s no confirmed delay of the September release date, though marketing efforts like a planned trailer drop have already been pulled.

It’s clear Bungie needs more time to get Marathon back on track, but whether Sony and Bungie leadership will make that call remains to be seen.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Is Already a Steam Bestseller 🔥

SNK’s legendary fighting series Fatal Fury is officially back—and fans are making their excitement loud and clear. City of the Wolves has already climbed to the top of Steam’s bestseller chart, and the game isn’t even out yet.

The upcoming release features a bold new visual style, updated mechanics, and the return of fan-favorite fighters like Terry Bogard and Rock Howard. It’s been over two decades since the last mainline entry, and this new chapter is looking like a true revival of SNK’s fighting legacy.

Whether you're in it for nostalgia or looking for a fresh fighter to master, City of the Wolves is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year.

Do Sierra’s Classic Games Still Hold Up in 2025? 🕹️

Before quicksaves and cinematic cutscenes, there were parser commands and punishing puzzles—and Sierra was the king of it all.

In this new review, we revisit iconic titles like King’s Quest, Space Quest, and Leisure Suit Larry to see if they’re still enjoyable in 2025. The pixel art charm, clever writing, and unforgiving logic are all still there—but so are the clunky controls and insta-deaths.

For retro gaming fans or anyone curious about the roots of narrative-driven games, Sierra’s catalog still has plenty to offer—if you’re up for the challenge.