The visionary behind Death Stranding  and Metal Gear  shared details about his next career moves in a new interview with Variety , revealing a closer connection to the entertainment industry. Kojima has signed with talent agency WME, which Variety describes as his "liaison in the world of TV and film." Kojima also outlined the future of his studio, Kojima Productions, breaking it down into three phases. The first phase, he said, centered on Death Stranding—establishing it across global platforms like Apple, PC, and Sony. "This part is not necessarily difficult," Kojima remarked. Of course, the upcoming Death Stranding  sequel is a key part of that expansion, with its release planned for next year. But Kojima's second phase aims to bring his work into "different forms of media: movies, anime, TV dramas, etc." He emphasized that it’s about "expanding the game IP to other media," and said that his vision for Kojima Productions isn't limited to just video games. He sees the potential for creating new intellectual property across various mediums, whether it’s through games, films, anime, or something entirely new, which leads into his third phase. The third phase, while more open-ended, involves collaborating with global talent to create something innovative, with "digital" being the central concept. "It could be a movie, a game, or something else entirely," Kojima hinted, adding, "I can’t die until then! I’m not trying to do anything too extraordinary!" While there was little update on the previously announced Death Stranding  movie, Kojima did confirm he won’t be directing it himself but will oversee the plot and help shape the project. There's speculation around Jordan Peele potentially being involved, but Kojima emphasized his close connections with other filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro, Nicolas Winding Refn, and George Miller, all of whom he talks to about future collaborations. As for the merging of games and film, Kojima believes that while they are currently distinct, the lines between them will soon blur. "It’s not about making a video game out of Nope or having Jordan adapt Death Stranding," he said. "It’s about creating something new together." Kojima also teased that several Death Stranding  adaptation projects are already in the works, along with an original movie script he's written. However, he clarified that due to his busy schedule, he won’t direct it himself—calling it a "test" for his broader plans. With Kojima pushing boundaries in both video games and film, it’s clear there’s much more to come from his ever-evolving creative vision.

The Silent Hill series, first released by Konami in 1999, forever changed the horror gaming genre. The original PlayStation game followed Harry Mason as he searched for his missing daughter in a fog-shrouded town filled with grotesque creatures and disturbing imagery. Known for its psychological depth, Silent Hill became an unsettling experience that blurred the lines between reality and nightmares. Subsequent games, like Silent Hill 2  and Silent Hill 3 , pushed narrative boundaries, introducing deeply personal stories tied to the characters' traumas. In Silent Hill 2 , James Sunderland returns to the cursed town after receiving a letter from his deceased wife, uncovering dark secrets along the way. Silent Hill 3  reintroduced Heather, the adopted daughter of the first game's protagonist, delving into her haunted past. In 2004, Silent Hill 4: The Room  deviated from its predecessors, focusing on Henry Townsend's bizarre imprisonment in his apartment, which could only be escaped through a mysterious hole in his bathroom. Though it wasn't initially conceived as a Silent Hill game, it maintained the franchise’s signature psychological horror. Unlike many video game series, Silent Hill didn't rely on recurring characters. Instead, the haunted town itself became the central figure, drawing in individuals with unresolved pasts, offering players a deeply atmospheric, terrifying journey through existential dread. As the series gained a cult following, Silent Hill transitioned to the big screen with a 2006 film adaptation that aimed to capture the same eerie tone and atmosphere that had made the games so beloved.

Metaphor: ReFantazio  generated significant buzz online thanks to its classic Atlus style and the strategic release of an extensive free demo prior to launch. The game also benefited from a marketing partnership with Xbox, which ensured that all general trailers and various out-of-home advertisements prominently featured Xbox branding. While this deal aimed to boost visibility and appeal, the key question was whether it would translate into strong sales. On PC, the game has performed well, showing robust sales figures and high engagement, particularly impressive for a new IP. However, the console market has presented a different story. Despite topping the Japanese Top Paid charts, Metaphor: ReFantazio has struggled to gain traction in the US, ranking only 15th, lagging behind other new releases such as Undisputed , DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO , New World: Aeternum , and Starship Troopers: Extermination . In the UK, the situation is even more pronounced, with the game placed 24th, trailing behind budget releases like Squirrel with a Gun  and Heavy Cargo: Truck Simulator . Although Metaphor: ReFantazio has been slowly climbing the UK chart, it's unlikely to achieve the dominance that pre-release hype might have suggested. Comparing its performance on PlayStation, the game sits at 6th in Japan, 15th in the US, and 16th in the UK for digital sales—indicating a softer reception overall. Given that 91% of Xbox games are now sold digitally (compared to 78% on PlayStation), the Xbox version was expected to lead the charge, but that has yet to materialize. Regardless of these numbers, Atlus maintained its reputation for exceptional music, which has been one of the highlights of Metaphor: ReFantazio.

The ongoing speculation about Xbox's plans to release some of its games on rival platforms shows no signs of slowing down. Following some questionable rumors online, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella seems to have inadvertently dismissed suggestions that this strategy is losing momentum. A leaker known as eXtas1s recently claimed that "Project Latitude" — Xbox's initiative to bring first-party titles to Nintendo and Sony platforms — has been "paused" or is "slowing down." According to them, this is due to negative reactions to the announcement that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle  would be coming to PS5 shortly after its Xbox launch. However, in a broader report on Microsoft's fiscal year 2024, Nadella appeared to indicate that the company's strategy remains unchanged. "We brought four of our fan-favorite titles to Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation for the first time, as we continue to extend our content to new platforms," he stated, emphasizing Microsoft's goal of bringing "great games to more people on more devices." While the rumor claimed that Project Latitude hasn’t been entirely shelved, it suggested a slower pace of releases, with series like Gears of War  and Halo  remaining "red lines" — implying they will stay exclusive to Xbox. Ultimately, it seems there is no "pause" on Project Latitude, though the timeline for more Xbox titles appearing on PS5 remains unclear. If, as Nadella suggests, the strategy is still in place, we may learn more in the new year following the release of Indiana Jones .

If a new Killzone  title ever emerges from Sony in the future, it's unlikely to come from the original developer, Guerrilla Games. After the release of Killzone: Shadow Fall  on the PS4, the studio shifted its focus to the Horizon  series, a decision that appears to be final. Guerrilla Games' art director, Roy Postma, mentioned in an interview that the team was "done with it" when it came to Killzone. In fact, the studio intentionally moved in the opposite direction with the vibrant world of Horizon compared to the darker tones of Killzone. Postma explained that this shift was deliberate, telling The Washington Post: "As a studio, we needed to refresh the palette... it was, by choice, the opposite of Killzone." Postma’s comments came during an interview about LEGO Horizon Adventures , revealing that LEGO approached Sony after the release of the Tallneck LEGO set. Reflecting on the transition from the gritty world of Killzone to the colorful, post-apocalyptic setting of Horizon, Postma said, "I think the themes in this story — like having a found family and finding your place in the world — are relatable for all ages." Guerrilla Games developed Killzone  titles between 2004 and 2013, releasing five entries across four consoles. Fans have speculated about a possible Killzone  revival, especially with Sony's recent focus on live-service games, but nothing has materialized. Instead, Sony launched and quickly pulled Concord , while finding success with Helldivers 2  earlier this year. Upcoming live-service titles include Fairgame$  from Haven Studio and Bungie’s Marathon .

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom features 152 Shrines in total, with 120 located on the Surface and 32 in the Sky. While there are no Shrines in the Depths, you'll find Lightroots there, which serve as fast travel points, similar to Shrines. Each Shrine offers a mini-dungeon filled with puzzles and rewards, including at least one Treasure Chest and a Light of Blessing. Jinodok Shrine (-1256, -1486, 1008) The Jinodok Shrine  is situated in the South Hyrule Sky Archipelago , west of Great Sky Island  and southwest of the Hyrule Field Skyview Tower . Here’s how to navigate to this shrine and what to expect inside: Finding the Shrine: Location : Head to the South Hyrule Sky Archipelago . You can reach this area by using the Hyrule Field Skyview Tower  to launch yourself into the sky and then gliding toward the shrine location. Activate the Green Hand : Upon approaching the shrine, look for the green hand, which you can activate for instructions on how to proceed. Follow the Green Beam : After activating the hand, a green beam of light will appear, guiding you in the direction of the sky crystal needed to access the shrine. Shrine Challenge: Rauru's Blessing The challenge in Jinodok Shrine  is titled Rauru's Blessing , which is more straightforward than typical shrine puzzles. Here’s what to expect: Blessing Challenge : In this type of challenge, the primary task usually involves navigating through a short area or collecting items rather than solving intricate puzzles. Simple Navigation : You might need to follow the green beam of light to find the sky crystal  or other objectives related to the shrine. Minimal Obstacles : There are often minimal obstacles or combat challenges, making this shrine more about exploration and collection. Shrine Rewards: Diamond Upon completing the challenge, you will be rewarded with a Diamond . Diamonds are valuable items that can be used for crafting, upgrading equipment, or selling for a high price, making them quite beneficial for your adventure. The Jinodok Shrine  provides a relatively simple yet rewarding experience with Rauru's Blessing , allowing players to enjoy the exploration of the South Hyrule Sky Archipelago  and leave with a precious Diamond ! Taunhiy Shrine (-2400, 0824, 0615) The Taunhiy Shrine  is located on a Sky Island  in the Central Hyrule Sky . Here’s how to access it and what to expect from the shrine challenge: Finding the Shrine: Launch from Lindor’s Brow Skyview Tower : Start by launching into the air from Lindor’s Brow Skyview Tower . Once in the sky, pull out your paraglider and glide towards the large Sky Island with a ring portal  visible on it. Activate the Ring Puzzle : When you land on the island, you'll find a green hand field  that initiates the falling rings puzzle. After activating it, head to the edge of the island and prepare to leap off. Guide Link through the Rings : As you leap off the island, use your paraglider to guide Link through all the falling rings. If you miss a ring or fall, you can land on the island with water below. There’s a Zonai construct  nearby that will reset the puzzle and warp you back to the top for another attempt. Complete the Rings : Once you successfully pass through all the rings, the Taunhiy Shrine  will appear on the Sky Island near the Zonai construct. Shrine Challenge: Combat Training: Archery Once inside the Taunhiy Shrine , you’ll face a challenge called Combat Training: Archery , where you’ll be tested on your ability to use a bow in combat situations. Here’s what to expect: Archery Skills Test : You'll engage in combat where your archery skills are essential for hitting targets and defeating enemies. This could involve moving targets or using your surroundings to your advantage. Focus on Precision : The challenge will likely require precise shots, including possibly aiming at weak spots of enemies or hitting targets from a distance. Shrine Rewards: Strong Construct Bow Upon completing the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with a Strong Construct Bow . This bow, crafted from Zonai materials, offers increased durability and strength, making it highly effective in ranged combat. The Taunhiy Shrine  provides both an exciting sky-diving ring puzzle and a rewarding archery combat challenge, culminating in the acquisition of a Strong Construct Bow  to enhance your combat capabilities! Simosiwak Shrine (0163, 1972, 0759) Simosiwak Sh rine is located in the North Hyrule Sky Archipelago , directly above the Great Hyrule Forest . This sky shrine offers a unique challenge and a valuable reward for those who manage to complete it. Finding the Shrine: Launch from a Skyview Tower : The best way to reach the shrine is by launching from a nearby Skyview Tower  to gain height, and then gliding toward the North Hyrule Sky Archipelago. Navigate to the Great Hyrule Forest Sky Island : Once you're in the air, glide over the Great Hyrule Forest and head for the island floating above it in the sky. Shrine Challenge: Proving Grounds: Lights Out The challenge inside the Kiuyoyou Shrine  is titled Proving Grounds: Lights Out , a combat trial with a twist. Here’s what you can expect: Combat in Darkness : In this trial, the environment will likely be shrouded in darkness or feature low visibility, forcing you to rely on limited light sources, your hearing, and awareness to navigate and fight enemies. Inventory Stripped : As with all Proving Grounds  challenges, you'll be stripped of your equipment and have to make use of the weapons and items scattered throughout the shrine. Stealth and Strategy : The darkness may give an advantage to stealth tactics. Using your surroundings to sneak up on enemies or set traps could be key to overcoming this challenge. Manage Resources : Collect any glowing or illuminating items you find along the way to help guide you through the shrine and assist in locating and defeating enemies. Shrine Rewards: Bright Elixir Upon completing the Lights Out  trial, you'll be rewarded with a Bright Elixir , which is useful for navigating dark areas. This elixir grants visibility in pitch-black environments, making it easier to explore caves or shrines with low visibility. The Simosiwak Shrine  provides a thrilling, tactical combat challenge in near-total darkness, and the Bright Elixir  reward is perfect for future explorations of dark areas in Hyrule ! Mayam Shrine (0340, 2814, 1821) Mayam Shrine is locate d on a cross-shaped island  in the North Hyrule Sky Archipelago . To access this shrine, you’ll need to complete The North Hyrule Sky Crystal Shrine Quest , which involves finding and transporting a sky crystal to unlock the shrine. Finding the Shrine: Launch from Thyphlo Ruins Skyview Tower : Head to the Thyphlo Ruins Skyview Tower  and launch yourself into the sky. Glide south  toward the cross-shaped island  in the North Hyrule Sky Archipelago . Activate the Shrine Pad : Upon landing on the island, interact with the shrine pad, which will initiate The North Hyrule Sky Crystal Shrine Quest . A green beam of light will guide you to the location of the sky crystal , which you’ll need to transport back to the island to activate the shrine. Shrine Challenge: Rauru's Blessing Once you’ve completed the quest by bringing the crystal back, the Sihajog Shrine  will appear, and you will receive Rauru’s Blessing . In this type of shrine, there is typically no additional puzzle to solve, and the reward is given immediately upon entering. Shrine Rewards: Magic Rod As a reward for completing the shrine, you’ll receive a Magic Rod , a versatile weapon that allows you to cast elemental spells when fused with different materials, adding a strategic element to your combat options. The Mayam Shrine offers a straightforward quest to unlock it via the North Hyrule Sky Crystal  and rewards you with a powerful Magic Rod , enhancing your magical combat abilities!

The Jinodok Shrin e (-1256, -1486, 1008)  is situated in the South Hyrule Sky Archipelago , west of Great Sky Island  and southwest of the Hyrule Field Skyview Tower . Here’s how to navigate to this shrine and what to expect inside: Finding the Shrine: Location : Head to the South Hyrule Sky Archipelago . You can reach this area by using the Hyrule Field Skyview Tower  to launch yourself into the sky and then gliding toward the shrine location. Activate the Green Hand : Upon approaching the shrine, look for the green hand, which you can activate for instructions on how to proceed. Follow the Green Beam : After activating the hand, a green beam of light will appear, guiding you in the direction of the sky crystal needed to access the shrine. Shrine Challenge: Rauru's Blessing The challenge in Jinodok Shrine  is titled Rauru's Blessing , which is more straightforward than typical shrine puzzles. Here’s what to expect: Blessing Challenge : In this type of challenge, the primary task usually involves navigating through a short area or collecting items rather than solving intricate puzzles. Simple Navigation : You might need to follow the green beam of light to find the sky crystal  or other objectives related to the shrine. Minimal Obstacles : There are often minimal obstacles or combat challenges, making this shrine more about exploration and collection. Shrine Rewards: Diamond Upon completing the challenge, you will be rewarded with a Diamond . Diamonds are valuable items that can be used for crafting, upgrading equipment, or selling for a high price, making them quite beneficial for your adventure. The Jinodok Shrine  provides a relatively simple yet rewarding experience with Rauru's Blessing , allowing players to enjoy the exploration of the South Hyrule Sky Archipelago  and leave with a precious Diamond !

Over 32 years, Dungeons & Dragons  (D&D) has left an indelible mark on gaming, influencing both tabletop and video games. From its first appearance in 1975 on the PLATO system, D&D pioneered the concept of RPGs and introduced features like end-game bosses. In the 1980s, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons  hit consoles, followed by landmark games like Pool of Radiance  and Eye of the Beholder  on the Apple II and DOS, respectively. The 1991 release of Neverwinter Nights  on AOL marked the birth of graphical MMORPGs, setting the stage for modern online RPGs. The critically acclaimed Baldur's Gate  in 1998 elevated the genre by merging character development with real-time and turn-based combat. By 2002, Neverwinter Nights  allowed players to create their own adventures, becoming a community-driven experience. In 2006, Dungeons & Dragons Online  (DDO) introduced real-time combat in a fully online world, encouraging teamwork and dungeon crawling with other players. With over 60 video game titles to its name, D&D continues to shape the RPG landscape, inspiring major franchises like Final Fantasy  and World of Warcraft . From its tabletop roots to virtual realms, D&D remains an iconic force in gaming, defining the evolution of role-playing games for over three decades.

You’ve likely been hearing a lot about Ubisoft recently, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. The company is currently facing significant internal turmoil, prompting an ongoing investigation. Stock prices have dropped following the disappointing performance of Star Wars Outlaws  and the delayed release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows . Adding to the tension, CEO Yves Guillemot has controversially blamed gamers for the poor sales of Star Wars Outlaws . It was widely anticipated that Star Wars Outlaws  would struggle in sales, despite its status as a major release. Ubisoft recently acknowledged that Star Wars Outlaws  failed to meet sales expectations, creating further challenges for the company. Instead of accepting responsibility, Guillemot appeared to place the blame on the fans. During a recent investor call, Guillemot suggested that delivering a game with solid quality is no longer enough, claiming that gamers now have extraordinarily high expectations that are difficult to meet. "In today’s challenging market, delivering solid quality is no longer enough." –Yves Guillemot This comment has been interpreted as a deflection, with Guillemot seemingly blaming the player base for the game’s failure. Even before the launch, Star Wars Outlaws  faced criticism, leading many to predict its underwhelming sales. In response to the struggles with Star Wars Outlaws , Ubisoft delayed Assassin’s Creed Shadows  in an effort to refine the game further, hoping to meet the lofty expectations of today’s gaming community. Guillemot emphasized the importance of striving for excellence in all aspects of development. This suggests that improvements are being made for the upcoming Assassin’s Creed  title, with Ubisoft working to avoid another misstep. While Guillemot’s comments about unrealistic gamer expectations have sparked debate, there is some truth to the idea that today’s market demands more from developers than ever before, making it increasingly difficult to satisfy the audience.

The launch of Star Wars Outlaws  was riddled with problems, prompting Ubisoft to implement significant changes. The game was not well received by the general public, with gamers worldwide giving it low scores. Unsurprisingly, after a full month on the market, Star Wars Outlaws  has only sold one million copies. This is far below Ubisoft’s expectations, which explains recent comments describing the game’s performance as "softer than expected." It’s also a factor in the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which was pushed back from November 2024 to February 2025. While we haven't been able to confirm Ubisoft’s sales targets for Star Wars Outlaws , sources close to the game confirm that global sales have just surpassed the one million mark. For context, we reported in January 2024 that three months after its release, Assassin’s Creed Mirage  had sold five million copies. Early trailers and demos of Star Wars Outlaws  generated excitement, with fans eager to explore a vast, open-world environment in an original storyline. However, as the release date approached, enthusiasm dwindled, with late-stage gameplay videos failing to ignite anticipation.

Bethesda’s games are often “irresponsibly large”, but there’s a reason behind it, according to Todd Howard, the executive producer and director at Bethesda Game Studios, who recently served as game director for Starfield . In an interview with BAFTA he spoke about his work, explaining that the studio's games are so massive because they seldom cut content. “As the director, my job is a bit like a film director,” he said. “I bring together all the elements—art, cinematography, and the technology our engineers create to bring these worlds to life. Then there’s the writing, quest design, level design—it’s a unique position where I get to work with many talented people and unify it all.” With a smirk, he added: “We actually cut very little from our games at Bethesda, which is why they end up being irresponsibly large.” Starfield’s  first major expansion, Shattered Space , is out today for Xbox Series X/S and PC. The DLC is included in the Premium and Constellation Editions of Starfield  or can be bought separately for $29.99 / £29.99. Howard has compared the scope of Shattered Space  to Fallout 4’s   Far Harbor  expansion, and he hopes to release Starfield  story expansions annually.

When Palworld  launched for PS5 a few days ago, it notably skipped Japan, prompting many to speculate that Nintendo's influence was behind the absence of a Japanese release. However, the game made its way to Japanese PS5 consoles today, less than two weeks after its global launch. While some pundits and analysts rushed to predict that Nintendo’s recent lawsuit would have dire consequences for developer PocketPair, the Tokyo-based studio seems unfazed and is continuing its operations as usual. Today, PocketPair announced the Japanese PS5 release via their official Discord server, and the game is now available on the Japanese PlayStation Store. Local players have responded positively, giving the game an impressive rating of 4.87 out of 5 stars, with 93% of 4,685 players awarding it five stars. The developer issued an apology for the delay and pledged to continue delivering "large-scale and exciting updates" for the PS5 version to enhance players' enjoyment. Palworld  is currently available on PC, Xbox, and PS5, as well as through Game Pass. Since it's still in early access, the developers have been consistently updating the game, adding new content and improving the experience. Recently, PocketPair addressed rumors of a potential shift to a free-to-play model, reassuring fans that no such change is planned. However, they are considering releasing skins and DLC in the future to support ongoing development.