Magic: The Gathering players can now attempt to order five different brand-new products as part of the latest The Hobbit-themed superdrop.

Secret Lair x The Hobbit: A Marvelous Mathoms Superdrop

Magic: The Gathering’s latest Secret Lair drop went live today and brought a ton of new The Hobbit-themed cards out to tempt Lord of the Rings fans with limited quantity rare products.

The A Marvelous Mathoms Superdrop went live for pre-orders this morning and actually includes five unique products, each with a different theme and art style.

Here is a full breakdown of each product and which Magic: The Gathering cards players can find in them:

• Secret Lair x The Hobbit: He Who Walks Unseen
  • 1x Arcane Heist, 1x Contentious Plan, 1x Curiosity, 1x Solve the Equation, 1x Windfall
• Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Second Breakfast and Beyond
  • 7x Food Token
• Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Over the Edge of the Wild
  • 1x Cloudshift, 1x Tocasia’s Welcome as “Quite a Merry Gathering”, 1x Stony Silence, 1x Imp’s Mischief, 1x Seize the Spoils
• Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Smaug’s Spoils
  • 1x Fellwar Stone as “Erebor Heirloom”, 1x Lightning Greaves, 1x Liquimetal Torque, 1x Sol Ring, 1x Thought Vessel
• Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Desolation
  • 1x Defile, 1x Diabolic Intent, 1x Dread Return, 1x Mirkwood Bats, 1x Read the Bones

Secret Lair x The Hobbit: He Who Walks Unseen will be available exclusively in Out of Sight edition for $59.99, while all other Secret Lair x The Hobbit drops will be available in Foil ($39.99) and Non-Foil ($29.99) while supplies last.

For every $199 spent, orders will also come with a promo Arcane Signet as “Heart of the Mountain”, featuring the gemstone found deep beneath the Lonely Mountain, while supplies last.

As always, Secret Lair drops are really targetted for the collectible and superfan market and the average Magic: The Gathering player probably won’t make a grab for these products unless there happens to be a particular hard to find card in one that they’ve been searching for.

The A Marvelous Mathoms Superdrop follows the recent Secret Lair Commander Deck: Hatsune Miku which went up for sale on August 10. That first of its find Secret Lair Commander Deck ended up being incredibly successful thanks to the popularity surrounding both the 100-card format and Hatsune Miku.

It will be very interesting to see how well these The Hobbit products sell now that they have the spotlight. Be sure to check back soon for lots more Magic: The Gathering news and updates.

Magic: The Gathering is available now at local game shops and digitally through Magic Arena.

The post Magic: The Gathering Just Released Five New The Hobbit Drops With Super Rare Cards and Art appeared first on VICE.

New Fortnite Sprite Variants are reportedly being added in Chapter 7 Season 4 following the August 20 update. According to dataminers, Fortnite Override will not only feature new Fortnite Sprites, but players will have even more variants to track down if they want to complete their collection. Sprites have also received a major redesign for the new season.

New Fortnite Sprite Variants Are Coming in Chapter 7 Season 4

Epic Games recently revealed the 8 new Fortnite Sprites being added in Chapter 7 Season 4. However, up to this point, it wasn’t clear whether Sprite Variants would also be returning. Would we have to hunt down Gummy, Galaxy, and Gem variants in Fortnite Override again? If a new leak is to be believed, there will actually be even more variants to collect next season.

This latest update comes from FNBRIntel, who claims that Epic is adding new Fortnite Sprite variants in Chapter 7 Season 4. “Sprites will still have variants in Season 4, including new ones!” Interestingly, this seems to imply that all seven Sprite Variants from Chapter 7 Season 3 will also be returning.

Here is a list of the Fortnite Sprite Variants potentially returning in Chapter 7 Season 4:

• Gold
• Gummy
• Galaxy
• Gem
• Holofoil
• Cube
• Quack
• New Chapter 7 Season 4 Variants

Of course, the biggest mystery is what the new Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprite Variants will actually look like. With Fortnite Override launching on August 20, we fortunately shouldn’t have to wait much longer to find out.

Fortnite Sprites Have a New Design in Chapter 7 Season 4

The Fortnite Override trailer also appears to confirm that Sprites are getting a new redesign in Chapter 7 Season 4. In the new gameplay footage, the Sprites appear to be cubes that look like backpacks.

For example, there is a scene where Jonesy picks up the Fortnite Sonic Sprite. However, instead of the cute Sprite hovering over the player’s back, it now looks like a blocky backpack that is strapped to you.

The new Fortnite Sprite look might be in reference to Fortnite Override’s gaming legends theme. After all, the season has a Tetris crossover and features many pixel/cube-based gaming aesthetics.

At the time of writing, it’s unclear if all Fortnite Sprites in Chapter 7 Season 4 will have the new cube-look design. However, the 8 new Sprites revealed so far do appear to have this new look. With new Sprites, additional variants, and a complete redesign, it looks like collectors will have plenty to track down when Fortnite Override launches on August 20.

The post New Fortnite Sprite Variants Leaked for Chapter 7 Season 4 appeared first on VICE.

Epic Games has officially revealed the final Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass skins lineup. After several skins leaked early over the weekend, the new Fortnite Override Battle Pass trailer gives us our first proper look at every outfit players can unlock when the new season launches on August 20.

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Trailer Reveals All Chapter 7 Season 4 Skins

Epic Games released a new Fortnite Override Battle Pass trailer on August 17, finally confirming the Chapter 7 Season 4 skins lineup. The new footage gives players a closer look at all eight outfits featured in the upcoming pass, including the long-awaited Sonic skin and the return of Geno.

The reveal is particularly notable because images of the full Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass had already leaked early online. However, the latest trailer now gives us official confirmation of the final lineup, the official names of the skins, and which unlock order they will appear in the Fortnite Override Battle Pass.

Here is the complete Fortnite Override Battle Pass lineup and their unlock levels:

• Bastian (Level 1)
• Grace Crowne (Level 10)
• K1TTYW1NS (Level 10)
• Wrixel (Level 35)
• Mali (Level 35)
• Phantom (Level 60)
• Geno (Level 60)
• Sonic (Level 85)

You can see the full Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle pass skins in their 3D models in the screenshot below:

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass has one gaming Collab

Unsurprisingly, Sonic is easily the biggest addition to the Fortnite Override Battle Pass. The SEGA mascot has been heavily featured throughout Epic Games’ Chapter 7 Season 4 marketing campaign so far, which has also revealed a Green Hill Zone location and a Tails Sidekick.

The other major character in the pass is Geno, who appears to play an important role in the new season’s storyline. The Fortnite Override trailer previously showed the character alongside Doctor Eggman as gaming worlds begin colliding with the Battle Royale island.

Interestingly, the Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass only features a single gaming collab. Epic Games had previously revealed collaborations with Persona 5, Mega Man, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Pac-Man, Kingdom Hearts, and several other gaming franchises. However, only Sonic will be included in the $8.99 pass.

Most of gaming legends characters this season appear to be separate Item Shop releases rather than Battle Pass rewards, meaning Fortnite Override could have a steady stream of Gaming Legends cosmetics throughout the season.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 officially launches on August 20, 2026. With the Battle Pass lineup now confirmed, players only have a few more days to wait before Fortnite Override goes live and they can unlock them.

The post Fortnite Override Battle Pass Trailer Confirms Final Chapter 7 Season 4 Skins appeared first on VICE.

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A new leak from a reliable source claims to confirm two earlier rumors about a 2023 Blizzard game finally making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2 this fall.

Leak: Diablo IV Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 September 15

Diablo IV released three years ago at this point, but Nintendo gamers have still been waiting to get in on the action. The title is already available on PC and in the PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems, but some new leaks and rumors suggest that it will finally be arriving on a Nintendo device as well in just a month.

The new information comes from DealLabs, who are claim to have information to confirm that the Age of Hatred Collection is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and will include the base game as well as the major expansions Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred.

According to the intel from DealLabs:

“As promised, we’re back with new details on the release of Diablo IV on Switch 2. It will indeed be the Age of Hatred Collection , available in both physical and digital editions for €69.99 / $69.99 / £62.99. As a reminder, this collection includes the base game as well as the major expansions Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred.”

The leak went on to dive into details surrounding the release date, as well:

“As for the release date, it’s finally set for September 15, 2026. The official announcement date remains unknown, but it could well coincide with the opening of pre-orders , scheduled for September 12, 2026, according to our latest information. This date is significant, as it corresponds to the opening of BlizzCon 2026, which will be held from September 12 to 13, 2026.”

Readers should keep in mind that this information is still unofficial and Blizzard and Nintendo have not actually confirmed any details about this release at this point. If the leak does end up being accurate, it does seem likely that the new version of the game would be announced at next month’s BlizzCon event and released very shortly afterwards.

With BlizzCon just around the corner, it will be very exciting to see what else Blizzard has been working on behind closed doors. World of Warcraft Classic fans are still hoping to learn more about the mysterious Camelot. Additionally, there’s always the hope that Blizzard might suprise fans with a brand-new game reveal, rather than just new content and expansions for its many existing live service games.

Be sure to check back soon for more and Blizzard news and updates.

Diablo IV is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series consoles. The Nintendo Switch 22 version has not been officially announced at this point.

The post Leak Offers More Evidence of Blizzard Hit Coming to Switch 2 in September appeared first on VICE.

Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing is in full swing after the game just got a new PlayStation commercial. The August GTA 6 PS5 ad gives us our most up-to-date look at the game’s graphics yet.

New GTA 6 PlayStation Commercial Debuts on PS5

Sony surprised players today by releasing a new GTA 6 PlayStation commercial on their social media platforms. The new advertisement will reportedly play on television and online markets. Before you get too excited, the Grand Theft Auto 6 ad does not feature new gameplay or story footage. Every clip in it was featured in previous trailers.

However, it does feature the most up-to-date GTA 6 footage we currently have. The trailer specifically includes the cutscene where Jason is riding his motorcycle under a plane. And the second clip features Lucia driving a getaway car, while Jason jumps on the back of the vehicle to try to get inside of it. The new GTA 6 commercial is a part of PlayStation’s “It Happens on PS5” advertisement campaign.

In May, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick had revealed that Rockstar Games had entered an exclusive marketing partnership with Sony for the new Grand Theft Auto title. Zelnick also said that more GTA 6 trailers would be released after the Netflix First Look stream on August 27. This new PS5 commercial appears to be a part of those plans.

Was GTA 6 Graphics Downgraded?

While the GTA 6 PlayStation commercial didn’t feature new footage, it does feature the game’s most recent build we know of. As a result, eagle-eyed fans have been going over the footage to see whether the game has had any “downgrades” from what was shown off in the Trailer 1 and 2. The verdict? Players seem to be split on it.

The Jason and Lucia driving scene in particular has received criticism from some fans. For example, on Reddit one user wrote “Dang those graphics in image look kinda rough.” Another player critical of the game’s graphics exclaimed “Image two already looks like a downgrade from the trailers.”

However, not everyone agreed with the downgrade claims. Many argued that the footage in the PS5 Commercial is direct rips from GTA 6 trailer 2, meaning there would be no change. In all fairness, both scenes are also in motion, which makes it hard to really get an idea of the quality. Regardless, it appears that Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing is now beginning to roll out.

The next big preview of the game comes with the GTA 6 Netflix stream on August 27. The Grand Theft Auto 6 Extended Look event is expected to bring gameplay footage and new story details. It’s also rumored to be episodic and could run as long as an hour when combined. However, Rockstar has not confirmed this yet. So as of now, it’s just speculation.

The post New GTA 6 PlayStation Commercial Shows Latest Graphics appeared first on VICE.

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The voice actor behind Resident Evil Requiem’s Grace Ashcroft will reportedly be the new voice of Tides of Annihilation protagonist Gwendolyn. According to a new report, Angela Sant’Albano is replacing Jennifer English in the major role.

Angela Sant’Albano Reportedly Replaces Jennifer English in Tides of Annihilation

In July, Jennifer English revealed that she had stepped down from her role in Tides of Annihilation. The Baldur’s Gate 3 actress explained that she was leaving the game to focus on her mental health. With Tides of Annihilation already pretty far into development, many wondered who would voice the new heroine. If a new report is to be believed, it’s the voice actor behind Grace Ashcroft from Resident Evil Requiem.

According to the report, Resident Evil Requiem’s Angela Sant’Albano will replace Jennifer English as the voice of Gwendolyn in Tides of Annihilation. The casting rumor first started after fans noticed that Sant’Albano had recently followed the Tides of Annihilation social media account following English’s departure. However, it now appears that Gwendolyn’s motion-capture artist may have also confirmed that Sant’Albano is the new voice.

In a post on X, Gwendolyn mocap artist Jennifer Prime responded to a fan who claimed that the Tides of Annihilation protagonist would now be played by Sant’Albano. In response, Prime wrote: “Yep!!! but this time, no more screaming ‘LEON!!!!’”

That response pretty much appears to confirm the casting. However, it should be noted that neither Angela Sant’Albano nor Tides of Annihilation developer Eclipse Glow Games has officially announced the change.

Was Tides of Annihilation’s Gwendolyn redesigned?

Following the recent casting news, many players believed that the Tides of Annihilation protagonist Gwendolyn was also given a new face. In a recent demo shown at an event in Shanghai, users claimed that the new protagonist had a redesigned appearance. At the time of writing though, it’s unclear whether the design is connected to the rumored casting of Sant’Albano or if it’s even true.

According to Jennifer Prime, Sant’Albano is only providing the voice of Gwendolyn and is not doing the mocap work. “Its mainly the voice as Jen English isn’t doing it anymore the fundamentals are still there,” Prime explained. That said, it’s not uncommon for a studio to base aspects of a character’s design on the voice actor, even if they aren’t the person performing the motion capture.

It should be reiterated that Gwendolyn’s new face has not been confirmed to be based on Angela Sant’Albano or even changed. It could just be lightning. As mentioned earlier, it’s also not 100% confirmed that the Grace Ashcroft actress has even been cast in the role, even if the source behind the claim appears legitimate.

All this to say, take this latest rumor with a grain of salt until Eclipse Glow Games makes an official announcement. For the record, I hope it’s true, as Angela Sant’Albano’s performance as Grace Ashcroft is one of my favorites this year.

The post Resident Evil Requiem’s Grace Ashcroft Actor Reportedly Joins Tides of Annihilation appeared first on VICE.

Fortnite Holo Hours is happening today as part of Sprite Spree Week. The special event features Holofoil Sprites alongside several major bonuses that make collecting and leveling up Sprites much easier. Here is when Fortnite Holo Hours starts in every region and everything included on August 17.

What Time Does Fortnite Holo Hours Start Today?

The Fortnite Holo Hours start today at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET on August 17, 2026. Unlike previous Power Hours, the event will run for a full 24 hours before ending at the same time on August 18.

Holo Hours is the second daily event featured during Fortnite Sprite Spree Week. Throughout the event, players can track down Fortnite Holofoil Sprites while taking advantage of faster leveling, free resummoning, and several other bonuses.

Depending on where you live, Holo Hours may begin late at night or during the early hours of August 18. To make the schedule easier to follow, we have created a table below showing the Fortnite Holo Hours start and end times for every major region.

Fortnite Holo Hours Schedule for Every Region

Region	Start Time	End Time
PT (West Coast US)	August 17 at 6:00 AM	August 18 at 6:00 AM
ET (East Coast US)	August 17 at 9:00 AM	August 18 at 9:00 AM
UK (BST)	August 17 at 2:00 PM	August 18 at 2:00 PM
Europe (CEST)	August 17 at 3:00 PM	August 18 at 3:00 PM
Brazil (BRT)	August 17 at 10:00 AM	August 18 at 10:00 AM
Japan (JST)	August 17 at 10:00 PM	August 18 at 10:00 PM
South Korea (KST)	August 17 at 10:00 PM	August 18 at 10:00 PM
Australia (AEST)	August 17 at 11:00 PM	August 18 at 11:00 PM
New Zealand (NZST)	August 18 at 1:00 AM	August 19 at 1:00 AM

All Fortnite Holo Hours Rewards and Bonuses

The Fortnite Holo Hours rewards include free Sprite resummoning and double Sprite XP throughout the 24-hour event. These bonuses are part of Sprite Spree Week and will make it much easier to collect and level up Sprites before Chapter 7 Season 3 ends.

The biggest change is that Sprites no longer cost Sprite Dust to resummon. This means you will no longer permanently lose a Sprite after it disappears during a match, as you can immediately summon it again without paying a penalty.

Sprites will also level up twice as quickly during the event. Resting beside a campfire provides double Sprite Experience as well, giving players another easy way to level up their collection.

Here is everything included during Fortnite Holo Hours:

• Sprites cost no Sprite Dust to resummon, meaning you no longer lose them.
• Sprites level up twice as quickly.
• Resting beside a campfire grants double Sprite Experience.
• Players can earn a Lucky Item Locator by completing daily quests.

These bonuses will remain active for the entire Holo Hours event, so players have a full day to take advantage of them.

Which Sprites Are Featured During Fortnite Holo Hours?

There are 11 Holofoil Sprites featured during Fortnite Holo Hours on August 17. This makes today one of the best opportunities to find these rare variants before Chapter 7 Season 3 ends.

Here are all the Sprites featured during Fortnite Holo Hours:

• Holofoil Batman Sprite
• Holofoil Water Sprite
• Holofoil Fire Sprite
• Holofoil Ghost Sprite
• Holofoil King Sprite
• Holofoil Zero Point Sprite
• Holofoil Striker Sprite
• Holofoil Grim Sprite
• Holofoil Air Sprite
• Holofoil Seven Sprite
• Holofoil Peely Sprite

How Long Does Fortnite Holo Hours Last?

Fortnite Holo Hours lasts for 24 hours, starting at 6 AM PT on August 17 and ending at 6 AM PT on August 18. This gives players an entire day to search for Holofoil Sprites and use the special Sprite Spree Week bonuses.

Unlike previous Power Hour events that were divided into shorter sessions, you won’t need to log in during a specific two-hour window. As long as you play before Holo Hours ends on August 18, you will be able to participate in the event.

With Chapter 7 Season 3 ending soon, Holo Hours is one of the final opportunities to expand your Sprite collection before Fortnite Override launches on August 20. Between the free resummoning, double Sprite XP, and Lucky Item Locator reward, today is a great time to jump back into the Battle Royale.

The post Fortnite Holo Hours Start Times – Sprite Spree Week Schedule (August 17) appeared first on VICE.

Eight new Fortnite Sprites are being added when Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 launches on August 20. The new Sprites were revealed in the official Fortnite Override trailer, including Sonic, Tails, Klombo, and several other fan-favorite characters. Here is every new Fortnite Sprite confirmed for next season so far.

All 8 New Fortnite Sprites Coming on August 20

Eight new Fortnite Sprites are coming to the game in the major August 20 update. The Sprites were revealed today in the official Fortnite Override trailer. So far, the new Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprites includes Sonic, Tails, Klombo and more.

There is even a new Sprite based on a Victory Crown, as well as several other fan-favorite Fortnite characters. For your convenience, here is the complete list of new Fortnite Sprites confirmed for Chapter 7 Season 4 so far:

Complete List of Fortnite Override Sprites Confirmed So Far

• Sonic Sprite – Lets you use Sonic’s Spin Dash and boosts your sprinting speed.
• Tails Sprite – Lets you hover through the air.
• Jazz Jackrabbit Sprite – Power TBA.
• Klombo Sprite – Power TBA.
• Bushranger Sprite – Power TBA.
• Killswitch Sprite – Power TBA.
• Victory Crown Sprite – Power TBA.
• Battle Pass Skin Sprite – Power TBA.

Fortnite Override Sprites First Look

As mentioned above, we still don’t know what most of the new Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprites actually do. Based on the preview we got of them in the trailer, however, we can determine that the Sonic Sprite lets you run fast, while the Tails Sprite allows you to hover through the air. And well, that’s kind of obvious.

Although their abilities haven’t been fully revealed yet, we do have our first look at what the new Fortnite Override Sprites look like.

Sonic Sprite

Tails Sprite

Jazz Jackrabbit Sprite

Klombo Sprite

Bushranger Sprite

Killswitch Sprite

Victory Crown Sprite

Battle Pass Skin Sprite

Epic Games will likely reveal the remaining Sprite abilities before Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 launches on August 20. Either way, Sonic’s Spin Dash and Tails’ hovering ability already show that Override Sprites will offer more unique powers than the ones currently available in the game.

The post 8 New Fortnite Sprites Revealed for Chapter 7 Season 4 appeared first on VICE.

Epic Games has officially released the Fortnite Override trailer, revealing all of the gaming crossovers coming to the battle royale in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4. Here is every collab confirmed so for the major August 20 update, including which characters are in the Battle Pass and which cosmetics are expected to be released in the Item Shop.

Fortnite Override Trailer Reveals Chapter 7 Season 4 Collabs

After months of anticipation, Epic Games has finally released the Fortnite Override trailer and key art, showcasing what players can expect from the next season. The promotional video confirms every major gaming crossover that will be featured in the August 20 update, including Sonic, Persona 5, Mega Man, and more.

However, Epic also finally confirmed that the long-rumored Kingdom Hearts Fortnite collab is real. In the official key art, we can see the Fortnite Sora skin and Keyblade pickaxe in action. The trailer also featured some additional surprises as well, such as Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon.

For your convenience, here is the complete list of every Fortnite Override collab confirmed for Chapter 7 Season 4, along with how each cosmetic can be obtained:

All Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Collabs – Complete List

Collab	Character or Cosmetic	How to Get	Release Date
Sonic the Hedgehog	Sonic Skin	Battle Pass	August 20
Sonic the Hedgehog	Dr. Eggman Skin	Item Shop	TBA
Sonic the Hedgehog	Shadow Skin	Item Shop	TBA
Sonic the Hedgehog	Rush Sidekick	Item Shop	TBA
Sonic the Hedgehog	Tails Glider	Item Shop	TBA
Kingdom Hearts	Sora Skin + Keyblade Pickaxe	Item Shop	TBA
Mega Man	Mega Man Skin	Item Shop	TBA
Pac-Man	Sidekick	Item Shop	TBA
Persona 5	Joker Skin	Item Shop	TBA
Persona 5	Morgana (Backbling or Sidekick)	Item Shop	TBA
Spyro the Dragon	Spyro Sidekick	Item Shop	TBA
Crash Bandicoot	Crash Bandicoot Skin	Item Shop	TBA
99 Nights in the Forest	The Deer Skin	Item Shop	TBA
Tetris	Tetris Skin	Battle Pass	August 20
Screamer	Hiroshi Jackson Skin	Item Shop	TBA
Street Fighter	Returning Skins	Item Shop	TBA
The Witcher	Geralt Skin	Item Shop	TBA
Tomb Raider	Lara Croft Skin	Item Shop	TBA
Halo	Master Chief Skin	Item Shop	TBA
Honkai: Star Rail	Blade and Kafka Skins	Item Shop	TBA

The Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass will be available as soon as the Override update launches on August 20. However, the Item Shop skins are expected to be released gradually throughout the season, so players may have to wait a little longer for certain crossovers.

Epic Games should reveal additional details about each collaboration closer to its Item Shop release date. We will update this guide as soon as the prices, bundles, and complete cosmetic lineups are confirmed.

The post Fortnite Override Trailer Confirms All Chapter 7 Season 4 Collabs appeared first on VICE.

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Dungeons and Dragons players who want to further explore the world of Eberron can now dive deeper into the setting with tons of new player creation options.

Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone Adds Tons of New Player and DM Resources

Dungeons and Dragons recently took the stage at Gen Con 2026 and announced a huge roadmap of content coming to the game in the next years. From a World of Warcraft crossover to the return of the Dark Sun campaign setting, there was a bit of something for everyone.

As players wait for those next major sourcebooks and adventures to arrive, there is still plenty of other content to check out. Fans of the Eberron campaign settings may be excited to learn that a new partnered content release is bringing 254 new pages of Eberron content to the game.

“Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone is a comprehensive guide to Western Frontier, describing its towns, themes, customs and denizens in addition to options for players and Dungeon Masters. This includes a detailed exploration of the town of Quickstone, the ideal hub for a campaign on the frontier, as well as an adventure path that’s the perfect start to an Eberron campaign. Learn more about the Tieflings of the Venomous Demesne, the secretive Three Faces of Coin, the deadly cult of Orlassk, and far more. The Frontier awaits!”

The Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone content is available now on D&D Beyond for $39.99. The digital content is fully compatible with the current version of Dungeons and Dragons and offers a ton of player and DM tools to help kick off a new adventure in the Western Frontier.

Here’s a full list of everything players and DMs can find inside the Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone materials:

• 6 subclasses. Explore the Demonshard Barbarian, Nemesis Sorcerer, Bloodhound Ranger, and more!
• 6 species and 5 backgrounds that allow you to play as a denizen of Droaam. Charm foes with your voice as a Harpy, petrify enemies as a Medusa, or play a true predator as a wild Worg!
• 15 feats that support the species introduced in this book as well as options for wandslingers and Eberron’s unique druidic traditions! Hone your skills with Staff and Wand, or master the secrets of the Greensingers!
• 3 new spells and over 35 magic items including Daelkyr symbionts, treasures of Droaam, and fiendish relics!
• 25 monsters, including powerful Archfey, the Daelkyr Orlassk, and the dreadful Overlord Tol Kharash!
• Heart of Stone, an adventure path that will take player characters from 1st to 5th level!

That’s a ton of new source material for D&D players and dungeon masters to add to their tool box. Dungeons and Dragons has already promised more Eberron partnered content will be coming from Visionary Production & Design as part of the new studio partnerships deal, so this is possible the first of multiple Eberron products coming up.

“Three new studio partnerships will bring official content to more D&D settings: a return to Ravenloft and the Domains of Dread with Ghostfire Gaming in 2027; an Eberron adventure featuring the Lord of Blades from Visionary Productions in 2028; and new Forgotten Realms content from Kobold Press also coming in 2028.”

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Dungeons and Dragons news and updates.

Dungeons and Dragons is available now at local game shops and digitally through D&D Beyond, Roll20, and other similar online services.

The post Dungeons and Dragons – New Eberron Sourcebook Adds 6 New Subclasses and Species for Players appeared first on VICE.

The Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass has been leaked early after Epic Games sent teaser packages to streamers. The Fortnite Override battle pass appears to feature major gaming collabs such as Sonic and potentially Tetris, alongside several original skins.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass Skins Confirmed So Far

The Fortnite Override season officially launches on August 20, 2026. However, days before its release, the Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass was seemingly leaked early online by streamers who received gift baskets from Epic Games.

In a post on X, Littlest Snail Gaming uploaded a picture of a card that reportedly features six of the eight Fortnite Override Battle Pass skins. The biggest collab included in the pass is a Fortnite Sonic cosmetic. According to Loolo Leaks, there may also be a Tetris-inspired outfit that can be customized similarly to the Toona Fish skin from Chapter 2 Season 8.

The Fortnite Override Battle Pass skins lineup was further supported when an unfinished version of the season’s key art leaked online. By combining the two images, Fortnite dataminers have been able to compile a list of the Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass skins, which we’ll break down below with images:

All Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass Skins

Sonic Fortnite Skin

Tetris Skin

New Original Chapter 7 Season 4 Skin

Original Fighter Skin

Geno

Warrior With Shield Skin

Soldier Skin (Rumored to be Jonesy The Legend Outfit)

Kart Racer Skin

Note: We will update this list with official images and skin names as soon as Epic Games reveals them.

Most Fortnite Override Gaming Collabs wiill Not Be in the Battle Pass

Based on the images shared online, it appears that the Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass may only feature two gaming collabs. It could even have fewer, as dataminers are currently unsure whether the rumored “Tetris” skin is actually connected to the classic puzzle game or is simply a new original cosmetic.

That means the vast majority of the Fortnite Override collabs revealed so far may not be included in the pass. For example, Epic Games has already confirmed a Persona 5 Joker skin is coming. However, the character doesn’t appear to be part of the Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass based on these images.

Here are the Fortnite Override gaming collabs that will likely be sold separately in the Item Shop:

• Persona 5 – Joker
• Sonic the Hedgehog – Dr. Eggman and Shadow the Hedgehog
• Mega Man
• Crash Bandicoot
• Pac-Man
• Kingdom Hearts – Sora and the Keyblade

However, we can’t stress enough that Epic Games has not officially confirmed that all of the above collabs are receiving skins. It’s also possible that some of these cosmetics could be released through events or other promotions instead of being sold in the Item Shop.

Still, based on the official Fortnite gift baskets sent to streamers, it looks like most of the Gaming Legends crossovers will not be included in the Fortnite Override Battle Pass. We should learn the complete lineup when the official Chapter 7 Season 4 trailer is released tomorrow on on August 16.

The post Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass Revealed – First Look at All Skins & Collabs appeared first on VICE.

The Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 key art has reportedly been leaked online. Although many players initially believed the artwork was fake, prominent dataminer HYPEX now says it is likely legitimate. If accurate, the leak reveals every major Fortnite Override collab, including Kingdom Hearts, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Sonic, and more.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Collabs Reportedly Leaked

A leaked image of the Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 key art recently surfaced on social media and reportedly reveals all upcoming Fortnite Override collabs. The artwork features numerous gaming legends, including Crash Bandicoot, Pac-Man, Spyro the Dragon and Megaman.

While the leaked key art initially had many players divided over whether it was real, prominent dataminer HYPEX says it is likely legitimate after an official Fortnite Sonic comic book also surfaced early online. The character’s design in the comics appears to match his appearance in the leaked Override image.

FORTNITE 'C7S4: OVERRIDE' UNFINISHED KEY ART

The Sonic Comics from today have confirmed it pic.twitter.com/GMYisa0fLZ

— HYPEX (@HYPEX) August 15, 2026

Here is the full list of Fortnite Override collabs coming to Chapter 7 Season 4 according to the leaked key art:

All Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Collabs

• Sonic, Shadow, Eggman, and Tails
• Kingdom Hearts (Sora and a Keyblade)
• Mega Man
• Pac-Man
• Persona 5 (Joker)
• Beyond Good & Evil (Jade)
• Spyro the Dragon
• Crash Bandicoot
• 99 Nights in the Forest (Roblox)
• Tetris
• Screamer (Hiroshi Jackson)
• Street Fighte
• The Witcher
• Tomb Raider
• Halo
• Honkai: Star Rail

Leaked Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Key Art Is Reportedly Unfinished

One reason some players initially believed the leaked Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 key art was fake is that parts of the artwork appeared unfinished. For example, Pac-Man was missing his eyes. However, it now appears that the image is a WIP, or work-in-progress, version of the season’s key art. It is still unclear how an unfinished image like this could have leaked online in the first place.

Even so, the artwork being incomplete is a bit strange, given that Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 launches in just five days on August 20. Epic Games is also releasing the first official Fortnite Override trailer on August 16, which will likely feature the completed season key art and confirm the upcoming gaming legends crossovers.

Regardless, HYPEX believes the leaked Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 key art is likely real due to the newly discovered Sonic comicbook. Still, players should take the full collab lineup with a major grain of salt until Epic Games officially confirms which characters are coming to the new Fortnite Override season launching later this week.

The post All Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Collabs Leaked – Kingdom Hearts, Crash Bandicoot, and More appeared first on VICE.

Fortnite Mythic Hours is happening today following the Unstable Story Moment live event. The special Power Hour features increased Mythic Sprite spawn rates, better loot across the Island, and several powerful gameplay bonuses. Here is when both Fortnite Power Hour today starts in every region and everything included on August 15.

What Time Is Fortnite Power Hour Today?

The first Fortnite Mythic Hour starts today at 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET on August 15, 2026. The Power Hour will begin immediately following the Unstable Story Moment Fortnite live event, giving players a reason to remain in the game after the Chapter 7 Season 3 finale concludes.

Epic Games will host two separate Mythic Hours sessions, with each one lasting two hours. The second Fortnite Power Hour today starts at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET, giving players another opportunity to participate later in the evening.

Depending on where you live, the second session may not begin until August 16. To make the schedule easier to follow, we have created two tables below showing the Fortnite Mythic Hours start times for every major region:

Fortnite Mythic Hours Schedule for Every Region

Fortnite Mythic Hour #1 (August 15)

Region	Date	Time
PT (West Coast US)	August 15	11:00 AM–1:00 PM
ET (East Coast US)	August 15	2:00 PM–4:00 PM
UK (BST)	August 15	7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Europe (CEST)	August 15	8:00 PM–10:00 PM
Brazil (BRT)	August 15	3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Japan (JST)	August 16	3:00 AM–5:00 AM
South Korea (KST)	August 16	3:00 AM–5:00 AM
Australia (AEST)	August 16	4:00 AM–6:00 AM
New Zealand (NZST)	August 16	6:00 AM–8:00 AM

Fortnite Mythic Hour #2 (August 15)

Region	Date	Time
PT (West Coast US)	August 15	6:00 PM–8:00 PM
ET (East Coast US)	August 15	9:00 PM–11:00 PM
UK (BST)	August 16	2:00 AM–4:00 AM
Europe (CEST)	August 16	3:00 AM–5:00 AM
Brazil (BRT)	August 15–16	10:00 PM–12:00 AM
Japan (JST)	August 16	10:00 AM–12:00 PM
South Korea (KST)	August 16	10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Australia (AEST)	August 16	11:00 AM–1:00 PM
New Zealand (NZST)	August 16	1:00 PM–3:00 PM

All Fortnite Mythic Hours Rewards and Bonuses

The Fortnite Power Hour today features boosted Mythic Sprite spawn rates and higher-quality loot across the entire Island. Every player will also begin each match with Seven Sliders and a Self-Revive Device, giving them an immediate traversal advantage.

Extracting a Sprite during Mythic Hours will also fully restore your health and grant the Slap effect. This should make Sprites even more useful during a match, especially when you need to quickly recover after a difficult fight.

Here is everything included in the Fortnite Power Hour today:

• Everyone starts with Seven Sliders and a Self-Revive Device.
• Mythic Sprites appear more often, with an extra boost for base Grim and Zero Point Sprites.
• All locations on the Island offer higher-quality loot.
• Extracting a Sprite fully heals you and grants the Slap effect.

Mythic Hours also officially kicks off the Fortnite Sprite Spree Week today. That means starting right now, Sprites no longer cut Sprite Dust to resummon. That means if you lose your Sprite in a match, there is no longer a penalty and you can get them back instantly. Campfires also give you double XP!

Which Sprites Are Featured During Fortnite Mythic Hours?

The featured Sprites during Fortnite Mythic Hours are the Grim Sprite and Zero Point Sprite. Although all Mythic Sprites will appear more frequently, these two variants will receive an additional spawn-rate boost during both sessions.

This makes today’s Power Hour one of the best opportunities to find the extremely rare Grim and Zero Point Sprites before Chapter 7 Season 3 ends. Players still missing either one from their collection will have four total hours to track them down across the two Mythic Hours sessions.

The boosted rates also apply to other Mythic Sprites, so you should encounter rare variants more frequently throughout the event.

How Long Does Fortnite Mythic Hours Last?

Each Fortnite Mythic Hour lasts two hours. Epic Games will host two sessions on August 15, giving players four total hours to take advantage of the increased Sprite spawn rates and special gameplay bonuses.

You don’t need to participate in both sessions, but joining each one will give you the best chance of finding the featured Grim and Zero Point Sprites. The second session is also useful for anyone who misses the first Power Hour following the Unstable Story Moment live event.

With Chapter 7 Season 3 coming to an end, Mythic Hours is one of the final major events before Fortnite Override launches on August 20. Between the boosted Mythic Sprite rates, improved loot, and free Self-Revive Devices, players will have plenty of reasons to jump back into the Battle Royale after today’s live event.

The post Fortnite Power Hour Today: Mythic Hours Start Times and Featured Sprites appeared first on VICE.

Square Enix has revealed new Kingdom Hearts 4 gameplay and story details following its major D23 presentation. Alongside confirming a late 2027 release window, the publisher released an official game summary explaining Sora’s new journey and launched the sequel’s PS5 wishlist page.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Story Details Reveal Sora’s Mission in Quadratum

Square Enix surprised players at D23 by revealing that the Kingdom Hearts 4 release date is set for late 2027. However, following the event, an official KH4 wishlist page also went live on the PlayStation Store, revealing new details about the game’s story and combat.

According to the PS5 page, Sora will be on a separate journey to find his way home after awakening in Quadratum. Meanwhile, Donald and Goofy will travel to the Underworld to find clues about his disappearance, seemingly setting up their encounter with Hades.

Here is the full Kingdom Hearts 4 game summary:

“As the Kingdom Hearts series approaches its 25th anniversary, a new adventure begins. Our hero Sora awakes in the unfamiliar world of Quadratum. As he looks for a way to return from this modern metropolis to his own world, his friends Donald and Goofy head for the Underworld in hopes of finding a clue to his whereabouts.

The dynamic, fast-paced battle system allows you to effortlessly combine attacks and magic, as well as build combos with a brand-new battle feature. Change the Keyblade Sora wields to unleash unique attacks, matching the flow of battle to your own strategies and play style.”

Interestingly, the description also confirms that players will be able to change Sora’s Keyblade during combat to unleash unique attacks. The popular weapon feature originally made it’s debut in 2019’s Kingdom Hearts 3, and is set to return. In KH4, it appears weapon swapping will play a major role in the sequel’s combat system.

New Kingdom Hearts 4 PS5 Screenshots Reveal Improved Visuals

In case you missed it, we also got a new Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer revealing that Pixar’s Coco is the game’s first new Disney world. Following its release on social media, Square Enix also uploaded several new KH4 screenshots to the PlayStation Store.

Technically, most of these images were already shown during the June Nintendo Direct trailer. However, the screenshots released on August 15 are substantially higher resolution, giving us a better look at the PS5 version of Kingdom Hearts 4 and its improved visual fidelity.

If you want never-before-seen footage, though, you can check out the new Kingdom Hearts 4 Coco trailer, which features additional story cutscenes with Sora and Mickey. It also reveals Sora wielding a new Keyblade inspired by Miguel’s guitar from the Pixar film.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Is Now Available to Wishlist on PS5

Finally, you can now wishlist Kingdom Hearts 4 on PS5 through its official PlayStation Store page. Unfortunately, we still can’t pre-order the game, as it currently only has a “late 2027” release window.

The new store listing should be updated once Square Enix announces an exact release date. For now, fans finally have a new trailer, official gameplay and story details, and confirmation that Kingdom Hearts 4 is arriving next year. Considering we’ve been waiting since 2019 for a new mainline Kingdom Hearts game, this has been a pretty incredible week for fans.

The post Square Enix Reveals New Kingdom Hearts 4 Gameplay and Story Details appeared first on VICE.

Square Enix has finally revealed the Kingdom Hearts 4 release date at D23. The much-anticipated sequel will launch late next year, and its first Disney world is based on the popular Pixar film Coco.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Release Date Is Late 2027

Square Enix has confirmed that the Kingdom Hearts 4 release date is set for late 2027. The Japanese publisher revealed the long-awaited launch window during the Disney Entertainment panel at the D23 convention in Anaheim, California.

Following the presentation, Square Enix uploaded a new Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer showcasing new story and gameplay footage from upcoming sequel. More importantly, the trailer ends by confirming that the game will finally launch near the end of 2027.

Although an exact release date wasn’t announced, this is still a major update for fans who have been waiting years for the sequel. KH4 was originally revealed in April 2022 before disappearing for several years.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Trailer Reveals Coco World

Square Enix also revealed that the first Disney world in Kingdom Hearts 4 is based on Pixar’s Coco. The colorful new level will allow players to explore the Land of the Dead from the beloved 2017 animated film.

The new trailer gives players their first look at how familiar characters and locations from Coco will look in the 2027 RPG. The footage also shows Sora obtaining a new Keyblade based on Miguel’s iconic guitar from the Pixar film. Unsurprisingly, the Coco’s vibrant world looks absolutely gorgeous in the new Kingdom Hearts 4 engine.

While this is the first official Disney world revealed for KH4, there are still many additional crossover levels that have yet to be revealed. Regardless, Coco feels like the perfect Disney world for Square Enix to reveal first. The Pixar film’s themes surrounding memories, family, and the afterlife also seem like they could connect heavily to Sora’s story in Quadratum.

After years of waiting, we finally know when Kingdom Hearts 4 will launch and have our first look at one of its Disney worlds. With a late 2027 release window now confirmed, it appears Square Enix is finally ready to reveal more about Sora’s next adventure.

The post Kingdom Hearts 4 Release Date Revealed Alongside First Disney World appeared first on VICE.

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Epic Games has revealed more details about the Sonic Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 collab, including a Tails Sidekick. Players will be able to get Sonic’s flying fox companion when Fortnite Override launches on August 20.

Tails Sidekick Confirmed for Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4

Epic Games has confirmed that Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 will feature a Sonic Tails Sidekick. The reveal was a bit of a surprise to fans, as a Sonic Fortnite collab had already been announced in a previous Fortnite Override trailer. However, it now appears that the SEGA crossover will be heavily featured throughout the upcoming season.

The new Sonic Fortnite Override teaser released today shows Peely traveling through the Green Hill Zone POI. Classic Sonic music then begins playing before we see Tails’ iconic twin tails spinning as the player flies across the map. It’s currently unclear whether this is a hint at a new Tails item or a Chapter 7 Season 4 traversal mechanic.

However, the official Sonic social media account confirmed that a Tails Sidekick will be featured in the upcoming Fortnite Override season. Here is what the account wrote after the teaser trailer went live: “That’s one trusty Fortnite sidekick… You wanna fly high, Tails?”

All Sonic Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Features Revealed So Far

As of the time of writing, Sonic skins have not yet been confirmed for Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4. The first Sonic Fortnite teaser appeared to reveal a Spindash or running item that lets players move like Sonic. Today’s trailer also seems to show a Tails hovering or flying ability.

That said, here is everything revealed for the Sonic Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 collab so far:

Sonic Spindash Ability

Tails Sidekick and Hovering Ability

Green Hill Zone POI

Dr. Eggman Clouds

Based on how Epic Games has been releasing its Fortnite Override teasers, we will likely get another Sonic trailer before Chapter 7 Season 4 launches on August 20. Perhaps the next reveal will finally confirm whether a Sonic skin is also being added to Fortnite.

The post Sonic Fortnite Collab Reveals Tails Sidekick for Chapter 7 Season 4 appeared first on VICE.

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The current Fortnite season ends soon, with Chapter 7 Season 3 concluding on August 19 in Pacific Time. Here is when Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 downtime starts and the final deadline to complete your Sprite collection before the current season ends.

When Does Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 End?

The current Fortnite season ends on August 19 at 11:00 PM PT / August 20 at 2:00 AM ET. According to dataminers, this is when Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 Runners will officially conclude and the Battle Royale will go offline for Chapter 7 Season 4 server maintenance.

This means you only have a few days left to finish your Sprite collection. Thankfully, Epic Games is launching the five-day Fortnite Sprite Spree event, which will make it easier to find rare variants before the season ends.

For those who don’t want to miss their last chance to collect all Chapter 7 Season 3 Sprites, we’ve created an easy-to-read table showing when the current Fortnite season ends in every region:

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Downtime Start Times

Region	Date	Time
Pacific Time (PT)	August 19	11:00 PM
Mountain Time (MT)	August 20	12:00 AM
Central Time (CT)	August 20	1:00 AM
Eastern Time (ET)	August 20	2:00 AM
Brazil (BRT)	August 20	3:00 AM
United Kingdom (BST)	August 20	7:00 AM
Europe (CEST)	August 20	8:00 AM
Turkey (TRT)	August 20	9:00 AM
United Arab Emirates (GST)	August 20	10:00 AM
China (CST)	August 20	2:00 PM
Japan (JST)	August 20	3:00 PM
South Korea (KST)	August 20	3:00 PM
Australia (AEST)	August 20	4:00 PM
New Zealand (NZST)	August 20	6:00 PM

When Does the New Fortnite Season Start?

The Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 release date is Thursday, August 20, 2026. However, at the time of writing, Epic Games has not confirmed exactly when the new season will start.

As mentioned above, Fortnite Override downtime is expected to begin at 2:00 AM ET, but we don’t know how long server maintenance will last. Chapter 7 Season 3 downtime lasted approximately five and a half hours.

Using the same timeframe gives us the following estimated Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 start times:

Estimated Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Start Times

Region	Date	Estimated Time
Pacific Time (PT)	August 20	4:30 AM
Mountain Time (MT)	August 20	5:30 AM
Central Time (CT)	August 20	6:30 AM
Eastern Time (ET)	August 20	7:30 AM
Brazil (BRT)	August 20	8:30 AM
United Kingdom (BST)	August 20	12:30 PM
Europe (CEST)	August 20	1:30 PM
Turkey (TRT)	August 20	2:30 PM
United Arab Emirates (GST)	August 20	3:30 PM
China (CST)	August 20	7:30 PM
Japan (JST)	August 20	8:30 PM
South Korea (KST)	August 20	8:30 PM
Australia (AEST)	August 20	9:30 PM
New Zealand (NZST)	August 20	11:30 PM

However, these are only estimates based on the length of previous Fortnite Chapter updates. Server maintenance could be shorter or longer depending on how much time Epic Games needs to launch Chapter 7 Season 4. We will update this article once the official Fortnite Override start time is confirmed.

The post When Does the Current Fortnite Season End? Chapter 7 Season 4 Downtime Start Time appeared first on VICE.

The latest D&D Beyond Drop has arrived and it is jam-packed with adventure materials for DMs and players to prepare for JRPG-inspired encounters in the sewers.

D&D Beyond August Drops for DMs

Dungeons and Dragons DMs take inspiration from all kinds of places when developing plot and encounter ideas for their one-shots or campaigns. In addition to movies and TV, it’s also very common to borrow tropes and ideas from video games.

This month’s D&D Beyond Drop runs with that idea and provides a massive list of resources for Dungeons and Dragons fans that are all inspired by JRPG sewer levels. The sewers-themed drop includes multiple maps that can be used individually or pulled together to form a full sewer dungeon for players to scour.

Here is the full list of new resources available to D&D Beyond subscribers who check out the August Drop for DMs:

Monsters

• Sovereign Ooze Vassal (CR 4). These oozes were once discarded, magical experiments that have been animated and given life by a magical spark. Artist Credit: Alejandro Pacheco
• Sovereign Ooze Lord (CR 9). The result of two Sovereign Ooze Vassals merging, these oozes gain a more evolved intelligence and seek to further its agendas. Artist Credit: Alejandro Pacheco
• Sovereign Ooze Monarch (CR 17). The outcome of two Sovereign Ooze Lords merging; these oozes carry out the will of a greater power or try to consume all organic matter. Artist Credit: Alejandro Pacheco

Maps

• Sewer Dungeon Entrance. One of the many entrances to this sprawling sewer dungeon; can you find your way to the surface? It can be found under Dungeons > Sewers. Cartographer Credit: Gerralt Landman
• Sewer Dungeon Inner Chambers. There are many twists and turns within this sprawling sewer system – can you find all the secrets hidden within? It can be found under Dungeons > Sewers. Cartographer Credit: Gerralt Landman
• Sewer Dungeon Boss Chamber and Exit. The end is finally in sight! Weirdly, there’s a big open space in the middle before the exit, and piles of skulls that can be found around it… Is that a save point and a chance to regain all my HP?! It can be found under Dungeons > Sewers. Cartographer Credit: Gerralt Landman
• Sewer Dungeon Combined. This is a combined version of the previous three maps, placed together for your convenience. It can be found under Dungeons > Sewers. Cartographer Credit: Gerralt Landman
• Neighborhood along City Walls. This sprawling urban neighborhood is perfect for a city encounter. It can be found under Urban > Street. Cartographer Credit: Chippy

Stickers

• 13 Sewer Stickers. We have 13 sewer stickers as part of this Drop as well! These are focused on letting you customize and change things about the sewer maps we’ve provided so that you can tailor it to fit your needs! Artist Credit: Gerralt Landman

D&D Beyond August Drops For Players

This month’s drop isn’t only for DMs, though. In addition to the monsters, maps, and stickers, this drop also includes a decent list of resources for players, as well. Players with access to the August Drop can check out the following Magic Items, feat, and background:

Magic Items

• Alarm Pylon. A large post that allows you to set a specific trigger if someone casts a specific type of spell; if a creature takes damage; or if an object takes damage.
• Silencing Satchel. A satchel that inflicts a silencing hex on an enemy, sealing their mouth completely shut.
• Sync Ring. While wearing this ring, whenever you write something, a copy of the writing will also appear in a specified blank book.
• Unraveling Cloak. A cloak that allows you to unravel its fabric to be used as a thread that you can follow. Highly recommended for labyrinths.
• Wand of Misdirection. A wand that allows you to cast Mislead up to 4 times a day.

Feat

• Fey Tormentor. Develop your Fey pact by learning how to confound and curse your enemies!

Background

• And just to make sure that you’re feeling adequately inspired when exploring the sewers – we’ve also added 4 new vermin-inspired character sheet backdrops!

That’s everything included in this month’s Drop, but D&D fans should keep an eye out for more content when September arrives.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Dungeons and Dragons news and updates.

Dungeons and Dragons is available now at local game shops and digitally through D&D Beyond, Roll20, and other online services.

The post Dungeons and Dragons Offers Players JRPG-Inspired Free Drop of Monsters, Sewer Maps, and Magic Items appeared first on VICE.

Beast of Reincarnation ended up being one of my favorite games this year. For me, it captured the world and atmosphere of NieR: Automata while delivering a compelling story that felt like Princess Mononoke meets Blade Runner. So, I was incredibly honored when I was given the opportunity to interview Beast of Reincarnation director Kota Furushima. During our discussion, the Game Freak developer opened up about Emma’s hair, her beloved sidekick Koo, and how the team balanced the game’s difficulty.

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Brent Koepp: Koo plays an important role in combat, but he is also central to the game’s emotional story. How did you make him feel like a genuine companion rather than simply another weapon or ability for the player?

Kota Furushima: Our primary focus was staying true to the core concept.

That concept was: “To experience the reliability, warmth, and even the loneliness of a partner while journeying through a harsh world together.”

We believe that every element of the game—from combat to the narrative—should embody this concept. Consequently, we designed the game to ensure Koo always feels like a “partner” in every situation.

In combat, we aimed to create moments where Koo saves the player from a tight spot while Emma desperately holds off enemies closing in on her in real time. We also implemented a slow-motion mechanic that allows players to formulate strategies calmly, even when facing a crisis.

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BK: Traversal plays a big role in Beast of Reincarnation. What were the biggest challenges of using Emma’s hair as a system for climbing and exploring the map?

Kota Furushima: Actually, the movement system using Emma’s hair was prototyped before the combat system, and we felt confident about it right from the start.

The game’s world features significant verticality, and Koo often spots items or enemies at high elevations before Emma does. So, how does Emma get there? We realized we needed an ability that would allow her to traverse cliffs or leap to high places, which led to the current design.

In short, this system was born out of the challenge of figuring out how to best utilize Koo within the game world.

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BK: Game Freak is traditionally known for games with more colorful and stylized graphics. What was the biggest challenge in creating a much more realistic world for Beast of Reincarnation?

Kota Furushima: From a technical standpoint, there were many things we had to learn from scratch, which simply required a great deal of time and effort. While the game is themed around plants, we constructed the environments using a wide variety of flora to authentically capture the dense, lush vegetation unique to Japan.

We faced challenges in determining the right mix of plant varieties—balancing visual authenticity (evoking the feel of the Japanese countryside or mountain forests) with technical optimization requirements.

We also faced challenges in building the teamwork necessary to co-develop the game while sharing know-how with our development partners. It required careful, deliberate communication to ensure that team members from diverse backgrounds shared a unified vision.

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BK: Beast of Reincarnation manages to be challenging while still being approachable for players who may struggle with intense action games. What was the most difficult part of finding that balance?

Kota Furushima: The hardest part was fine-tuning the balance to steer players toward the game’s core concept. Discussions about “difficulty” often tend to focus on the target audience, but at one point during development, we nearly lost sight of our concept while adjusting the difficulty level.

We had to step back and remind ourselves: “The difficulty needs to be set so that players make the most of Koo—meaning, it must guide them toward the core concept.”

If enemies are too weak, there’s no need to rely on Koo; if they’re too strong, Emma gets defeated instantly, preventing the player from experiencing mechanics like Koo healing her when her health drops. We focused heavily on finding that perfect balance.

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BK: Is there a feature or part of Beast of Reincarnation that the development team is especially proud of but that hasn’t received much attention from players?

Kota Furushima: The murals found throughout the game world. These murals actually depict stories that aren’t told in the main narrative. I encourage players to explore the world and unravel its mysteries and history.

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Beast of Reincarnation is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. You can check out our review of the game here.

The post Beast of Reincarnation Interview: Game Freak Reveals How Koo Helped Balance the Game’s Difficulty appeared first on VICE.

Luna dropped the full list of titles coming to the game streaming service in the second half of August and one of the most popular modern Assassin’s Creed titles is going to be available to play at no additional cost for Amazon Prime subscribers.

Luna Adds Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Mirage In August

Although services like Xbox Game Pass, Nintendo Switch Online, and PlayStation Plus are certainly far more popular with console gamers, many Amazon customers also have access to a large library of streaming titles that they might not even be aware is included in their Amazon Prime subscription.

Amazon Prime members gain access to a decent amount of titles through the Luna service. Luna has done a pretty good job of securing attractive titles over the last few months and late August appears to be another drop that could get some extra attention.

Although there’s a lot to check out, one of the biggest highlights is definitely the inclusion of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Although the Ubisoft title is six years old at this point, it’s still a fan-favorite and well worth checking out for any gamers who may have slept on it when it first released. Assassin’s Creed Mirage will also be arriving later this month.

Luna didn’t release a specific date yet, but did confirm that the title will be available to stream sometime in August for Amazon Prime members. Subscribers should keep an eye on the Luna Standard library for new additions in the coming weeks.

Here is the full list of new additions to Luna Standard this month:

• Now Available: Bluey: The Videogame – Playtime with the Heeler crew is now bigger and better, with new characters, minigames, unlockables, and collectibles to discover. Join Bluey, Bingo, Mum, Dad, plus her cousin Muffin and Uncle Stripe in interactive adventures set across iconic locations. Whether solo or in co-op, experience the joy of Bluey’s world with your family and friends.
• Now Available: Disney/Pixar Brave: The Video Game – Brave: The Video Game invites players to run, jump and battle their way through the rugged landscape of mythical and mysterious Scotland. By using their wits and bravery, gamers will also be able to wield a sword and bow and arrow to defeat fierce enemies, break a magical curse and save a kingdom.
• Now Available: Disney/Pixar: WALL-E – WALL-E follows the story of a small, sentient robot whose sole purpose is to clean up Earth’s voluminous garbage. Based on the 2008 computer animated film from Pixar Animation Studios, the video game version of WALL-E involves playing as the lonely robot as he navigates a trash-tainted world and begins an unlikely trek across the cosmos.
• Coming this month: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Become Eivor, a legendary Viking warrior, driven from Norway by endless wars and dwindling resources in ninth century AD. Players can relive the ruthless fighting style of Viking warriors and partake in political alliances to influence the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
• Coming this month: Assassin’s Creed Mirage – Follow Basim Ibn Is’haq, a young thief with a mysterious past who joins the Hidden Ones in Alamut on a quest for answers, in ninth-century Baghdad at the peak of its Golden Age.

Additionally, Prime subscribers can also access the following PC titles during August:

• Right and Down (August 6, GOG)
• Hiveswap Friendsim (August 6, GOG)
• Pyramids and Aliens: Escape Room (August 13, GOG)
• Airship: Kingdoms Adrift (August 13, Epic Games Store)
• Steelrising (August 13, Epic Games Store)
• Royal Romances: Forbidden Magic (August 20, 3P)
• Spray Paint Simulator (August 20, Amazon Games App)
• Havendock (August 27, Amazon Games App)
• Clash: Artifacts of Chaos (August 27, Epic Games Store

Be sure to check back soon for more news and updates on the Luna catalog and the Assassins’ Creed franchise.

Amazon Prime subscribers can check out the full Luna GameNight and Luna Standard library of games now.

The post Amazon Prime Subscribers Gain Access To Two Assassin’s Creed Games This Month appeared first on VICE.