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14 Dec 2024

Charli XCX Joins ‘The Gallerist,’ Starring Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega

Charli XCX, who hosted SNL last month, has another acting credit in the pipeline. The Brat hitmaker joins the cast of the upcoming film The Gallerist, directed by Cathy Yan.

Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega were previously announced as stars of the movie, which is in pre-production and expected to begin shooting at the end of 2024.

Charli, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Sterling K. Brown, Zach Galifianakis, Daniel Brühl and Catherine Zeta-Jones round out the cast, Deadline reported on Friday (Dec. 13).

The Gallerist was co-written by director Yan and James Pedersen. The storyline involves a gallerist conspiring to sell a dead body at Art Basel Miami. Producers include Ash Sarohia and Jonathan King from Concordia Studio, Sophie Mas and Portman from MountainA, Tom McCarthy and Rae Baron from Slow Pony, and Zola Elgart Glassman. MRC is set to finance the film.

Singer-songwriter-actor Charli has a number of movie roles lined up following a successful run with her latest album, June’s Brat (which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, making it her highest charting album to date) and its October companion release, Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat. Her name is credited among the cast of the films 100 Nights of Hero, Erupcja, Faces of Death, I Want Your Sex, Mother Mary and Sacrifice, all currently in post-production. She’s also guest starring on the Amazon comedy series Overcompensating. Charli is repped by CAA.

On Friday, Billboard announced that Charli’s SWEAT Tour with Troye Sivan is headed to virtual reality, in partnership with iHeartMedia and Meta and produced alongside OBB Media. Charli xcx & Troye Sivan Present SWEAT in VR will be available exclusively on Meta Quest devices starting Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The show was filmed during one of Charli and Troye’s performances at the KIA Forum in Los Angeles in October.

13 Dec 2024

Hip-Hop Wired Presents: CRT FRSH [Certified Fresh] Playlist 12.13.24

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CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wired’s playlist where we attempt to showcase music we believe is “Certified Fresh,” is back again as the holiday season is in full swing. Now that we’re nearing the end of the year, we’re trimming down the CRT FRSH playlist and updating the concept with our latest drop which we hope you all enjoy.

Disclaimer:

The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We don’t take payments nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision we’re going for and don’t seek to waste the listener’s time. Further, we don’t stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether it’s young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say.

I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I don’t segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to it. — D.L. Chandler

Can you believe it’s already the middle of December? This year breezed by and we’ll soon be sharing our top Hip-Hop albums of the year but first, let’s check out our latest playlist.

We open up this update with “Xmas Time” from GloRilla and Kehlani, a timely track for all the gift-giving that’s set to happen next week. We follow that up with “Knock It Off” from The Alchemist and Roc Marciano’s newest collaborative effort, The Skeleton Key. Lil Baby is gearing up for his upcoming WHAM: Who Hard As Me album and “Insecurities” is a song from November we missed then but are loving right now.

Boldy James, who is always dropping quality music, collaborated with Harry Fraud for their The Bricktionary album, and “Rabies” is a cinematic track with a blistering verse from Black Soprano Family boss, Benny The Butcher. Bossman DLow had a busy year with two albums, and we’re featuring “Mo Chicken” alongside French Montana from his Dlow Curry album. From there, the talented Azizi Gibson teams up with the equally dope duo The Underachievers for the haunting “Street Lament.”

A major shoutout to the rest of the artists on the playlist, including Kendrick Lamar, Freddie Gibbs, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Kota The Friend, SALIMATA, Future, Cordae, Skyzoo, Crimeapple, and more.

This will be the last playlist update for the year so we hope you rock with this for a bit until we come back fresh, no pun intended, at the top of the year.

—

Photo: Getty

13 Dec 2024

Jay-Z & Attorneys Slam ‘Inconsistencies’ in Rape Allegations & Civil Lawsuit

Jay-Z’s attorneys have written a letter to a New York courthouse revealing that the rapper intends to “immediately” file a motion to strike a recent complaint accusing him of raping a teenager 24 years ago.

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In the letter obtained by Billboard, the legal team cited a new NBC report on Friday night (Dec. 13), in which the accuser — identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit filed against Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) and Diddy — recalled the “catastrophic event,” while also acknowledging a number of inconsistencies in her original account. “I have made some mistakes,” she shared, noting that while she still stands by her accusations, there are a few details that are unclear.

One of the inconsistencies is that the woman originally said her father picked her up after the assault, but he denied that. She also claimed she spoke to singer Benji Madden at the event, though he wasn’t in New York at the time of the party.

The letter from Jay-Z’s attorney took aim at Doe’s attorney Anthony Buzbee. “Given today’s relevations, Mr. Buzbee almost certainly failed to undertake a reasonable inquiry into the facts before filing the complaint,” the message reads. “He should never have brought the claims.”

The letter concludes by noting that Jay “intends to file immediately a motion to strike the first amended complaint.”

In a press statement, Jay-Z echoed the sentiments of his attorney. “Today’s investigative report proves this ‘attorney’ Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame. This incident didn’t happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press. True justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesn’t realize it yet, but, soon.” 

His lawyer Alex Spiro added, “It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press. We are asking the Court to dismiss this frivolous case today, and will take up the matter of additional discipline for Mr. Buzbee and all the lawyers that filed the complaint.” 

Over the weekend, Jay-Z was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty alongside Diddy. The shocking civil case was filed by an anonymous accuser and Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, whom Jay called a “deplorable human.”

The rapper also denyied all of the allegations against him when news broke. “You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all ‘celebrities’ are the same,” Jay-Z said. “I’m not from your world. I’m a young man who made it out of the projects of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theorists … will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable. I look forward to showing you just how different I am.”

Jay-Z continued: “My only heartbreak is for my family. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence.”

13 Dec 2024

Key Album Genre Charts Evolve & Expand in 2025

Beginning in January, Billboard will roll out updates to some of its weekly album charts.

Commencing with the Billboard charts dated Jan. 18, 2025 (reflecting the Luminate tracking week ending Jan. 9), six longstanding album genre charts will transition from sales-only rankings to consumption-based tallies, and expand their depths. Plus, three album genre charts that were already consumption-based will also increase their depths.

Consumption-based album charts rank the most popular titles of the week by equivalent album units earned, as compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.

The first Billboard album chart to transition from a traditional album sales-based ranking to a consumption-based tally was the overall all-genre Billboard 200 in December 2014. The bulk of Billboard’s album genre charts migrated to a consumption-based ranking in January 2017. (With the January 2025 updates, essentially all of Billboard‘s genre album charts will have migrated to consumption-based ranking.)

Lastly, the Heatseekers Albums chart, which ranks the week’s most popular albums by new and developing acts, will be retired, beginning with the Jan. 18, 2025-dated list. Billboard will continue to chart new and developing acts on its weekly Emerging Artists chart, which launched in 2017. The Emerging Artists chart ranks the most popular developing artists of the week, using the same formula as the all-encompassing Billboard Artist 100, which measures artist activity across multiple Billboard charts, including the Hot 100 and Billboard 200. (The Artist 100 lists the most popular acts, overall, each week.) However, the Emerging Artists chart excludes acts that have notched a top 25 entry on either the Hot 100 or Billboard 200, as well as artists that have achieved two or more top 10s on Billboard’s “Hot” song genre charts and/or consumption-based “Top” album genre rankings.

Here’s a recap of the changes to Billboard’s album genre charts beginning with the charts dated Jan. 18, 2025:

Bluegrass Albums – Transitions from a 10-position album sales-only chart to a 15-position consumption-based chart, ranking albums by equivalent album units.

Blues Albums – Transitions from a 10-position album sales-only chart to a 15-position consumption-based chart, ranking albums by equivalent album units.

Cast Albums – Transitions from a 10-position album sales-only chart to a 15-position consumption-based chart, ranking albums by equivalent album units.

Classical Crossover Albums – Transitions from a 10-position album sales-only chart to a 15-position consumption-based chart, ranking albums by equivalent album units.

Traditional Classical Albums – Transitions from a 10-position album sales-only chart to a 15-position consumption-based chart, ranking albums by equivalent album units.

Kid Albums – Transitions from a 15-position album sales-only chart to a 25-position consumption-based chart, ranking albums by equivalent album units.

New Age Albums – Expands from 10 to 15 positions, remains a consumption-based chart, ranking albums by equivalent album units.

Tropical Albums – Expands from 20 to 25 positions; remains a consumption-based chart, ranking albums by equivalent album units.

World Albums – Expands from 15 to 25 positions; remains a consumption-based chart, ranking albums by equivalent album units.

As with all genre consumption album charts, the rankings for the above album genre charts will be inclusive of both current and catalog titles.

13 Dec 2024

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Drops Bail Appeal, Will Remain in Jail Until Start of Trial

Sean “Diddy” Combs has dropped his appeal to be released on bail, according to court documents filed on Friday (Dec. 13). The voluntary dismissal means the hip-hop mogul will remain behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until the start of his criminal trial in May.

“Mr. Combs does not seek to appeal the district court’s denial of his renewed motion and hereby moves to voluntarily dismiss the appeal,” reads the document filed by his attorneys.

The filing comes more than two weeks after a Manhattan federal judge turned down Combs’ request to be released on bail ahead of trial, arguing there was “compelling evidence of Combs’s propensity for violence” as well as evidence that he poses “a serious risk of witness tampering.” Combs’ lawyers had argued that the hip-hop star could be released on a $50 million bond and be confined to house arrest with “near-total” restrictions. In response, prosecutors alleged that Combs had been attempting to “subvert the integrity” of the case from jail and that he would continue to do so if released.

Among other arguments against Combs’ release, the judge in the case cited evidence that the rapper had “initiated and had unexplained communication” with a witness who had been called to testify before the grand jury and had likely violated prison rules since his September indictment.

Combs is charged with running a wide-ranging criminal enterprise with the goal of satisfying his need for “sexual gratification.” Allegations include that Combs held “freak off” parties during which he and other participants would drug victims and coerce them into having sex.

Combs’ trial is currently slated to begin on May 5.

13 Dec 2024

The Games Awards 2024: ‘Onimusha: Way of the Sword,’ ‘Virtua Fighter’ is Back, Naughty Dog Unveils New Game & More Announcements

The Game Awards 2024 wasn’t just about celebrating the year in video games and handing out trophies. It also has become the night when we can expect to have our minds blown by some big announcements, and this year, Geoff Keighly came with the fire.

On a night when PlayStation’s least popular mascot, Astro Bot, secured a Game of The Year win thanks to Team Asobi’s fantastic platformer and Balatro, an Indie poker roguelike, continued to captivate gamers, Keighly made sure that his annual awards show delivered the goods regarding game announcements.

In what was easily the best Game Awards show in a long time, numerous beloved franchises returned, and other massive announcements from your favorite video game studios.

So, let’s jump into them.

It’s been nearly two decades since the last installment in the popular Onimusha franchise, but our patience is finally being rewarded when the game arrives in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

Based on the trailer, the legendary Oni Gauntlet, the mystical tool that helps the heroes in the Onimusha games take on the demons, can be seen on a yet-to-be-revealed lone samurai who is tasked to save the world like those who rocked the gauntlet before him.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword takes place in Kyoto during the early Edo period. In this time of relative peace for Japan, Malice has befallen the ancient city. Twisted into an eerie and unsettling place, Kyoto has been infested by the demonic Genma. In the debut trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword, a lone samurai armed with the Oni Gauntlet engages in fierce, blood-soaked sword fights with these hellish creatures from another world.

Consider us hyped; 2026 can’t come soon enough. Below, you can watch the trailer for the reveal of Onimusha: Way of the Sword.

One of the many pleasant surprises on the night came from SEGA. The iconic 3D fighting game franchise Virtua Fighter is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and what better way to do this than with a new game, Virtua Fighter Project?

The brief teaser shows a mystery fighter wearing a fedora before he is eventually seen fighting Sarah Bryant, a longtime character from the franchise. SEGA released no other details about the game. A VF Direct shared more information about the game and the announcement of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown Version 2.0, a free update that will only be available for 5 days.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. was also announced and will finally bring the fighting game to Steam. It’s currently in open beta if you’re eager to take this one for a spin.

Also announced on the heels of the Sonic The Hedgehog 3 The Movie’s release Sonic Racing: Crossworlds was announced. The brief teaser of Shadow The Hedgehog in his vehicle before he pulled off. According to a press release, the game “features a distinct racing mechanic that promises to transport Sonic racing fans into a new dimension.”

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, creators of the Like a Dragon franchise, is still hard at work and teased a “brand-new concept, Project Century.” 

The team behind Blasphemous is bringing us a brand new chapter in the iconic Ninja Gaiden franchise called Ragebound. DOTEMU, the Paris-based publisher doing the lord’s work bringing back all the fire side scroller beat ’em up games, is also attached to this latest game.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is described as a brand new sidescrolling adventure in the franchise that will dive into the untold chapter of the Ninja Gaiden saga. It features old-school gameplay with a brand-new polish, displayed in spectacular pixel art.

Our story begins when Ryu Hayabusa journeys to America to honor his father’s will. While he is away, the barrier between the human and the demon worlds suddenly shatters, unleashing a terrifying army upon the Hayabusa Village, which now faces an unprecedented threat in Ryu’s absence.

Naughty Dog is taking its act to outer space for its brand new franchise, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Naughty Dog Head Neil Druckmann revealed the game is currently in development for the PlayStation 5 console and that the studio has been working on the game since 2020.

While not revealing everything about the game’s plot, Druckmann gave a brief description:

Intergalactic stars our newest protagonist, Jordan A. Mun (Tati Gabrielle), a dangerous bounty hunter who ends up stranded on Sempiria – a distant planet whose communication with the outside universe went dark hundreds of years ago. In fact, anyone who’s flown to it hoping to unravel its mysterious past was never heard from again. Jordan will have to use all her skills and wits if she hopes to be the first person in over 600 years to leave its orbit. 

Druckmann also revealed that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will score the game’s soundtrack. The game developer did not provide information on the release window.

There were plenty of other big announcements during The Game Awards 2024; you can see the rest in the gallery below.

1. The Witcher 4

No Gods, Only Monsters

The Witcher IV is an upcoming single-player open-world RPG from CD PROJEKT RED, the creators of Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The beginning of a new saga, and a follow-up to one of the most acclaimed RPGs of all time, Ciri takes center stage as the protagonist, embarking on her own journey to become a professional monster slayer.

2. The Outer Wilds 2

In true Obsidian Entertainment fashion, you carve your path through Arcadia, a colony teeming with factions, intrigue, and chaos. It’s also home of skip drive technology and where the fate of the entire colony – and the galaxy – rests. As a daring, undeniably good-looking, and questionably competent Earth Directorate agent, you’re tasked with uncovering the source of devastating rifts threatening the entire galaxy. Talk about stakes (not to be confused with raptidon steaks, those are very different)!  The choice of how to deal with the rifts is up to you. “Your worlds, your way,” as we say at Obsidian.

Are the rifts the only thing threatening Arcadia? Of course not! That would be too easy. A factional war between the “benevolent rulers” known as the Protectorate, a rebellious scientific religious order, and a corporate mega power has the colony torn apart. Each is trying to close or control the rifts for their own good/monetarily profitable needs. Church, state, and capitalism! Who will win?! Well, that’s really up to you. This is your game. We’ve said the choices were yours the whole time. See that Obsidian motto above? Yeah, you get it.

Wishlist the game today on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows PC, and Steam, and stay tuned for more updates on The Outer Worlds 2 — we can’t wait to share what’s next with you. The galaxy is yours to explore; the only question is, how will you shape it?

The Outer Worlds 2 will be released in 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5. It will also be available on day one with Game Pass.

3. Den of Wolves

Swedish game developer 10 Chambers premiered the first gameplay trailer for their upcoming game Den of Wolves during The Game Awards 2024. The game is led by Creative Director Ulf Andersson, creator of the critically acclaimed heist games Payday: THE HEIST and PAYDAY 2. The trailer opened with a sweeping shot of Midway City’s corporate-dominated skyline, where massive skyscrapers bearing the logos of powerful corporations pierce the clouds, setting the stage for this ambitious new cooperative heist game. Then it jumps right into gameplay heisting.

4. Splitgate 2

1047 Games unveiled a new trailer and a fresh look at its portal-jumping first person shooter, Splitgate 2, during The Game Awards and teased a new game mode tonight in an eye-popping new trailer. Keeping with its fast and frenetic pace from the game’s popular alpha earlier this year, Splitgate 2 heads to full launch in 2025 on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. OG Aces and would-be glory seekers who missed their opportunity to go hands-on with the game and join their favorite faction last summer won’t have to wait long either; another Splitgate 2 alpha is on the way early next year. Wishlist Splitgate 2: https://www.splitgate.com/.

5. One Move Away

Playstack and Ramage Games revealed One Move Away, a unique first-person narrative-driven puzzle game that turns the act of packing into a heartfelt journey. Launching in 2025 for PC and consoles, One Move Away explores life’s pivotal moments through the lens of moving, both physically and emotionally. 

Moving isn’t just a task, it’s an experience. One Move Away celebrates your personal style, whether you carefully stack every box or cram items in and hope for the best. Every packed car boot is a puzzle, but how you solve it is entirely up to you.

As you progress through three interwoven storylines, you’ll feel the thrill of a leap into the unknown and the quiet ache of returning to a familiar place that no longer feels the same.

Through over 20 handcrafted levels, One Move Away delivers cozy gameplay with emotional depth.

Coming 2025

One Move Away is set to release in 2025 on PC and consoles. Whether you’re drawn to thoughtful puzzles or resonant storytelling, this cozy adventure promises to stay with you long after you pack the final box.

6. Mecha BREAK

Amazing Seasun Games just released the latest trailer for Mecha BREAK during tonight’s The Game Awards livestream, revealing a Spring 2025 release window and new features coming to the game’s large PvPvE extraction game mode. Mecha BREAK will release on PC and Xbox with three ways to play: 6v6 Battlefield, 3v3 Arena, and the tactical co-op PvPvE mode, with more exciting updates to come.

Mecha BREAK’s unique mech-centric gameplay will feature these three distinct game modes at launch, along with additional out-of-combat explorable areas and gameplay mechanics coming in the future. The new PvPvE extraction game mode will be showcased in upcoming beta tests, taking place on a massive map with rewards earned by defeating NPCs and capturing strongholds. Additionally, players are able to team up with other squads to challenge giant boss mechs for even higher-tier rewards, introducing tactical competition between different squad groups.

The latest additions to PvPvE include swappable weapon pickups and weaponized gliders, enabling players to dynamically enhance their mech’s capabilities, like healing, sniping, and laying down suppressive fire, to give them a tactical edge. Strategic planning is key in Mecha BREAK, so effective communication with teammates is essential to leading them to victory. Prepare for adrenaline-pumping battles, lightning-fast maneuvers, and explosive firepower.

In post-release updates, Mecha BREAK will receive a walkable space station complete with a hangar, a tactical command center, private living quarters, a shooting range, and more explorable spaces. Amazing Seasun Games have previously shared some early looks at the walkable station areas and teased plans for an ambitious new game mode that allows players to exit their mech’s cockpit to engage enemies. This is part of a long-term development plan for Mecha BREAK, a hybrid of the best aspects of mech combat with infantry combat.

Mecha BREAK is coming to PC and Xbox in 2025. Keep an eye out for the next round of beta testing soon. In the meantime, wishlist Mecha BREAK on Steam and Xbox today.

7. Screamer

Milestone, one of the leading and longest-established racing game developers globally, unveiled a teaser trailer announcing the return of Screamer, the 1995 title that pushed the boundaries of racing games, set a new benchmark in the genre, and brought the excitement of virtual races from arcades into players’ homes.

Embracing the trailblazing spirit of the original, Milestone has reimagined its most iconic IP, combining over 30 years of expertise in racing games to craft a brand-new experience with standout fighting mechanics destined to leave a lasting impact on the genre, just as the original did in the ’90s.

This brand-new Screamer seamlessly blends high-octane arcade action with revolutionary gameplay dynamics and a deep storyline enriched by interwoven character arcs. Drawing inspiration from anime and manga from the ’80s and ’90s, the game’s narrative and visual framework will be its beating heart and soul. The game features contributions from industry-leading partners, including animated cutscenes created in collaboration with Polygon Pictures—one of the oldest and most renowned Japanese animation studios—and the acclaimed American actor Troy Baker, one of gaming’s most recognizable voices.

Combining plot themes of human will, revenge, love, and greed with classic sci-fi imagery, Screamer immerses players in the clash between personal desires and external forces that seek to control them. This journey unfolds through the eyes of a diverse cast of characters involved in a street racing tournament organized by a mysterious figure.

Scheduled for release in 2026, Screamer will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

8. Borderlands 4

Today, 2K and Gearbox Software released the first look at Borderlands® 4 showcasing new details from one of the most highly anticipated games coming in 2025. Revealed at The Game Awards, a new trailer introduces The Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. A world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing mayhem across Kairos, the most dangerous planet discovered so far in the Borderlands universe.

Borderlands 4 is the most ambitious Borderlands to date, lovingly hand-crafted by the development studio that first forged the looter shooter genre. The title evolves the series’ gameplay and storytelling in new ways while delivering on the quintessential Borderlands experience fans know and love, including:

  • Intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons on an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.
  • The deepest and most diverse Vault Hunter skill trees of any Borderlands title yet, giving players an unprecedented level of expression through their builds. Paired with the most expansive loot chase yet, players will have all the tools they need to seek out and perfect the build that best matches their style.
  • Players will be able to seamlessly travel between zones and become immersed in a more dynamic world featuring events and discoverable side missions that encourage and reward exploration.
  • New traversal mechanics add to the exploration for loot and add new dimensions to combat. A vehicle that can be summoned almost anywhere will have players racing across the beautiful vistas of Kairos in style.
  • Fight solo or in co-op with up to three other players in this immense sci-fi adventure, packed with free-form combat and exploration, pulse-pounding boss fights, infinitely varied loot drops, and an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters new and old.

Borderlands 4 will launch in 2025 on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. It is available to wishlist now.

9. Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – “Rediscover Hope” Opening Cinematic

2K and Firaxis Games debuted today the in-game opening cinematic to Sid Meier’s Civilization VII at The Game Awards 2024. During the show, in-person attendees were treated to an epic live orchestral performance accompanying the cinematic, featuring music specially composed by GRAMMY® award-winning composer Christopher Tin.

Voiced-over by Civilization VII-narrator Gwendoline Christie (“Game of Thrones,” “Star Wars” franchise), the opening cinematic takes viewers on a journey through the Ages. As a lone farmer uncovers a buried and rusted saber, we see its history unfold. The saber passes from one generation to the next, across different cultures and regions of the world, illuminating a central theme of the game – that history is built in layers. 

In addition to the opening cinematic, the main theme for Civilization VII, “Live Gloriously,” was also revealed. Composer Christopher Tin shares: “With ‘Live Gloriously,’ I wanted to capture universal themes of hope, heroism and mortality that have resonated across history. You’ll hear words from The Iliad, Beowulf, Popol Vuh and Ramayana, delivering a beautiful sense of gravity and emotion that embodies the story of humanity.”

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII launches on February 11, 2025 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, and Mac and Linux via Steam.

10. Kyora

Publisher Chucklefish and studio Pugstorm announce that they are working together on a new title, KYORA. Shared in a 1 minute teaser at the Game Awards, KYORA is a 2D sandbox adventure for 1-8 players, where every pixel can be shaped, mined, built or destroyed.

From the creators of the multi-award-winning mining sandbox, Core Keeper, comes an all-new mystical multiplayer adventure… 

Cross into a realm of ruins, where every pixel is a tool to create something new. Mine precious resources, craft physics-altering wands, take on powerful bosses, and build your base by terraforming the world around you. 

  • Explore KYORA

Journey into the unexpected, in a procedurally-generated open world. Carve into the earth or sculpt toward the sky in search of magical materials. Craft matter-manipulating wands, upgrade your gear, and take on the powerful bosses in control of each biome: the Heralds.

  • Manipulate Every Pixel
    Let loose your sandbox creativity with pixel-by-pixel terraforming. Build bridges to new areas, sculpt and customise your dream base with terrapixel materials, or even use your terraforming powers mid-battle to construct platforms and cover. 

  • Craft, Build & Upgrade

The world of KYORA is filled with secrets. The further you venture, the more dangers await. To survive KYORA’S forest-cloaked ruins and cross its blistering desert sands, you’ll need to use each biome’s resources to your advantage. Gather materials, forge powerful weapons and armour, plant seeds and cook up recipes to help you traverse the wilds.

  • Team Up With Friends

It’s dangerous to go alone! Bring your buddies with you to combine skills, creating fun synergies between wand abilities, in up to 8-player online co-op gameplay. 

KYORA will be coming to early access on Steam.

11. Rematch

Rematch is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC next year. Set in vibrant virtual reality arenas, the gameplay flows with no fouls and no offsides, and the action never stops. Players control only one player on the team in an immersive third person perspective, swapping roles as the situation evolves: from striker to defender, down to a uniquely designed goalkeeper position featuring specific abilities. Each match is an intense showdown, in which players need both split-second reactions and tactical teamplay to prevail. 

Built entirely for online multiplayer, Rematch emphasizes precise and reactive gameplay, balanced for a fair competitive experience. Players can expect a level playing field where skill is the deciding factor: from mastering the aim and shoot mechanics, to timing a powerful volley kick, all the way to reading the game dynamics and making the perfect pass. 

In addition to its competitive 5v5 game mode, the title will offer quickplay game modes, along with fresh seasonal content planned post-launch, including new game modes and unique cosmetic options that allow each player to customize their character with style.

Wishlisting is available now on Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam. Visit www.playrematch.com to register for Beta invites, and follow @PlayRematch on Twitter/Bluesky/Instagram for more information. 

12. Solasta

Indie studio Tactical Adventures unveiled Solasta II, the ambitious sequel to their beloved tabletop-inspired RPG. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, Solasta II is set to launch in Early Access on PC in 2025, with a free playable demo due for release early next year. Tactical Adventures are excited to work with the community once again to refine and shape Solasta II into the ultimate TTRPG experience.

Decades after the events of Solasta: Crown of the Magister (2021), Solasta II transports players to the vibrant high-fantasy realm of Neokos—a land of breathtaking beauty teetering on the edge of ruin at the hands of Shadwyn, an all-powerful being brought to life by Amelia Tyler (Baldur’s Gate 3, Hades II). As her endless tide of corruption spreads across the continent, a band of valiant adventurers rises to the challenge. While navigating towering landscapes to contending with political factions vying for power and fighting fearsome foes, players must make wise decisions to end an ancient feud before it engulfs the lands in bloodshed and strife.

Mathieu Girard, Creative Director, shared, “Our team of 35 combines deep expertise with a passion for crafting immersive and challenging gaming experiences. With our first game, we started as a Kickstarter success story, building on the SRD 5.1 ruleset to create a tactical RPG that has resonated with over 1.5 million players. Now, with Solasta II, we’re taking all that even further – pushing the system with fresh takes on tactical depth, fun and accessibility. Players will explore Neokos, a new continent brimming with magic, colossal landscapes and discover unprecedented lore, while facing the growing force of Shadwyn, a charismatic villain driven by a relentless desire to reclaim her lost power.

This project is powered by ambition, respect for our players and a shared belief in the strength of what we’re building together. We can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it and tell us what they think!”

Players will roll the dice with the D20 system, create their party and embark on a quest filled with strategy, magic and intrigue. With Solasta II, Tactical Adventures aims to deliver a truly immersive experience featuring deep tactical combat and a wealth of exciting features.

Key Features Include:

  • Complete Party Management and Customization – Create and develop your own party of four adventurers, all fully voiced and each fully customizable with unique skills and abilities.
  • 1-4 Player Online Co-op – Team up with others online to strategize and share tactical triumphs.
  • Turn-Based Tactical Combat – Master tactical combat, utilizing the full depth of the D&D 5E ruleset for immersive, strategic battles.
  • Unreal Engine 5 – Experience cutting-edge visuals and immersive environments.
  • Console Optimization – Designed for seamless play with console pads delivering an experience on par with mouse and keyboard.

 

Solasta II is in development for PC and available to wishlist now with Early Access coming in 2025. Fans can look forward to a playable demo soon and stay up to date with the latest news by signing up for the newsletter at www.solasta-game.com. They can also speak directly with Tactical Adventures through the official Discord.

13. Double Dragon Revive

Arc System Works America, Inc. announced the opening of digital pre-orders for the Standard and Deluxe editions of Double Dragon Revive, the upcoming new title for the hit fighting video game series. The game will arrive on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam on October 23, 2025.

Double Dragon Revive brings a modern belt-scroll action masterpiece from Arc System Works. Players will see Billy and Jimmy Lee return as they take on a variety of powerful foes from their past through action-packed thrills and combat. The series’ newest title will feature the same intuitive gameplay fans expect, including refined controls that leverage the technical capabilities and advanced power of today’s platforms. Updated stages are also featured throughout the game, where players will find themselves picking up scattered weapons in the middle of combat, adapting their skills, and creating new opportunities to gain an upperhand as they battle.

Fans can pre-order now on the Arc System Works site for the platform of their choice! And for those taking advantage of digital pre-orders for the Double Dragon Revive Standard or Deluxe edition, they will also receive an exclusive bonus game – Double Dragon Dodge Ball!

Get ready for a brawl!

14. Untitled Project by Fumito Ueda of GenDesign

15. ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN

NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to bring a new gaming experience.

RISE TOGETHER Join forces with other players to take on the creeping night and the dangers within featuring 3-player co-op.

Launches on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC Digital in 2025.

BECOME A HERO Take command of uniquely skilled heroes, each possessing their own abilities and distinct flair. While individually powerful, their skills grow even more formidable when united as a team.

TAKE ON THE NIGHT Overcome a relentless environmental threat that sweeps through a land that changes between each game session and defeat the magnificent boss of that night!

16. TEKKEN 8 – Clive Rosfield Gameplay Trailer

Clive Rosfield from Final Fantasy XVI is getting fired up for a fight in #TEKKEN8!

17. Shadow Labyrinth

Shadow Labyrinth is a 2D action platformer and a genre-twisting alternate take on the iconic PAC-MAN.

As Swordsman No. 8, awoken by a floating yellow orb, PUCK, on a mysterious planet amidst relics of wars past, you are chosen to become the instrument of its will. To survive you will discover many secrets, consume your enemies, and grow from prey to the apex predator as you embrace your true purpose.

18. Dispatch

Dispatch will be coming to PC and Console in 2025. Wishlist Now! https://store.steampowered.com/app/25…

Dispatch is a superhero workplace comedy where choices matter. Manage a dysfunctional team of misfit heroes and strategize who to send to emergencies around the city, all while balancing office politics, personal relationships, and your own quest to become a hero.

Developed by AdHoc Studio.

19. Helldivers 2 – Omens of Tyranny

The time has come, Helldivers. The War has changed.

These are dark times for freedom loving citizens everywhere. Our galaxy grows cold from the embrace of old enemies returning and darkens with the threat of new horrors emerging.

We must now stand together in Super Earth’s light and oppose these sinister tidings. These Omens of Tyranny.

20. Midnight Murder Club – Crossplay Beta Trailer

Midnight Murder Club is a six-player shooter-in-the-dark set in a sprawling, pitch-black mansion, where the only light you ever see comes from a flashlight piercing the darkness or gunfire piercing your heart. Turning your flashlight on lets you see which of the 30+ elaborately decorated rooms you’re currently in, but it also gives away your position to enemies who might be hiding close by. It’s the ultimate game of flashlight tag.

We have a crossplay beta that you can download and play right now*, and we’re excited to share that we’ll be launching the game in Early Access on PS5 and Steam in February 2025. Put on your mask, grab your flashlight and revolver, and quietly step into the shadows of Wormwood Manor for some tense and hilarious fun with your friends.

21. Turok: Origins

22. The Last of Us Part II Remastered – Announcement Trailer | PC Games

Play Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II Remastered, coming to PC for the first time on April 3, 2025. Bringing with it all the improvements and new modes from the PlayStation 5 version, like the roguelike survival mode No Return, Guitar Free Play, commentary, and more, Part II Remastered will allow players to experience Ellie and Abby’s acclaimed journeys, optimized and enhanced for PC.

23. Thick As Thieves – Announcement Trailer

Thick As Thieves is coming to PlayStation 5. A PvPvE multiplayer stealth game set in a 1910s metropolis filled with magic and intrigue. Hide, sneak, and steal your way through the ranks as you match your cunning against rival thieves in an immersive living world of stories and shadows. A new take on stealth from Warren Spector.

24. Mafia: The Old Country – The Initiation Trailer

MAFIA: THE OLD COUNTRY coming Summer 2025.

25. [Game of Thrones: Kingsroad]

Get ready to immerse yourself into the world of Game of Thrones like never before. Explore the vast lands of Westeros in a brand new action-adventure RPG, coming 2025!

26. Split Fiction

Jump into mind-blowing moments and experience the many worlds of Split Fiction™, a boundary-pushing co-op adventure from the studio behind It Takes Two. Master a variety of abilities and overcome diverse challenges while jumping between sci-fi and fantasy worlds!

Invite a friend to play online for free with Friend’s Pass*! As long as one of you owns the game, both of you can play.

27. STEEL HUNTERS

STEEL HUNTERS is a Free-to-Play, PvPvE shooter with futuristic mech battles. Fight to collect rare loot on an abandoned Earth, and use combat tactics to turn rivals into scrap. Choose your Hunter and playstyle to battle 5 other duo teams. Only one can extract from the Hunting Grounds.

28. Dying Light: The Beast

We just dropped a thrilling first look at Dying Light: The Beast, the upcoming standalone adventure you don’t want to miss! What was that thing in the woods? WISHLIST NOW to be the first to find out! https://go.dyinglight.com/TheBeast

Dying Light: The Beast is a thrilling standalone zombie adventure set in a tightly-crafted rural region. Play as Kyle Crane, a legendary hero who breaks free after years of brutal experiments. Now, he must realize there’s more at stake than just revenge.

29. Squid Game

The game never stops. Think you have what it takes to survive? Squid Game: Unleashed will be available to everyone to play on December 17, whether you’re a Netflix member or not. Squid Game Season 2 arrives on December 26, only on Netflix.

30. The First Berserker: Khazan

The First Berserker: Khazan launches March 27, 2025, on PC (Steam), PlayStation, and Xbox! Watch the Russo Brothers-supervised hardcore action trailer now ⚔ PRE-ORDER NOW: https://khazan.nexon.com/

The First Berserker: Khazan is a hardcore action RPG based on DNF (Dungeon & Fighter) Universe that will be available on PC Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. As Khazan, the great general of the Pell Los Empire who overcame death, players will unveil the incidents that led to his downfall and seek vengeance on his enemies. The First Berserker: Khazan launches on March 27, 2025. Free demo available starting January 16!

31. Steel Paws

13 Dec 2024

‘Mufasa:’ Lin-Manuel Miranda & More on the Soundtrack, Working With Blue Ivy | MYSK | Billboard News

‘Mufasa’ is coming to theaters on December 20th, and we had the opportunity to sit down with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Seth Rogan, Barry Jenkins, and Billy Eichner ahead of the release to get the inside scoop on what it was like to create the soundtrack for the film, work with Blue Ivy, and more!

Tetris Kelly:

Hey, it’s Tetris with Billboard News here at San Diego Safari Park at Press Day for ‘Mufasa.’ I’m talking to the cast and creators about the roaring prequel. This was director Barry Jenkins, first time with a musical, and he linked up with Disney favorite, Lin Manuel Miranda.

Lin-Manuel Miranda:

Barry’s a musical storyteller. I mean, you feel the music in ‘Beale Street.’ You feel it in ‘Moonlight.’ So his notes always made my songs better. He was very clear about what he wanted. And so I signed on because I knew I’d learn a lot from him. 

Tetris Kelly:

And of course, you’re so you know, known in the Broadway world. And now, of course, Disney with ‘Moana,’  ‘Encanto.’ So do you approach the Disney music differently than, say, Broadway? How do you change? 

Lin-Manuel Miranda:

I think the only difference is, and someone pointed this out to me I didn’t even realize it, all my stage musicals take place in New York. So Disney’s kind of my passport, you know, with Moana, I got to go to, you know, learn about the beautiful Pacific Island culture. With ‘Encanto,’ I got to go down to Colombia, learn all these different music forms that are down there. And then with this, you know, we got, I got to work with the great Lebo M on his incredible choral harmonies and his voice being, you know, really present in the music and and play with these incredible African rhythms. 

Keep watching for more!

13 Dec 2024

HYBE & K-Pop Stocks Rebound, SiriusXM Shares Fall After Release of 2025 Guidance

K-pop stocks rebounded this week from a slump caused by the country’s political turmoil. HYBE, which was also dragged down by news of an investigation of its chairman, Bang Si-Hyuk, regarding the company’s 2020 initial public offering, led the group of South Korean music companies by gaining 8.7% to 205,500 won ($143.16), bringing the stock back to its level from one month ago. Elsewhere, YG Entertainment gained 7.2% to 48,250 won ($33.61) to recapture losses from the previous three weeks while SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment had smaller improvements of 3.3% and 2.6%, respectively. 

The 20-company Billboard Global Music Index (BGMI) dropped 1.6% to 2,243.59, marking its first weekly decline in seven weeks. After reaching record highs in each of the previous five weeks, the index was overcome by the losses among 13 of its 20 stocks. The BGMI fared worse than many major indexes. In the United States, the Nasdaq composite gained 0.3% and the S&P 500 fell 0.6%. In the United Kingdom, the FTSE 100 lost 0.1%. South Korea’s KOSPI composite index gained 2.7% while China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.4%. 

Trending on Billboard

The week’s biggest gainer was Abu Dhabi-based music streaming company Anghami. In the absence of any market-moving news or regulatory filing, the company’s shares spiked 17.4% on Tuesday (Dec. 10) on heavy trading volume. On an average day, 80,000 shares of Anghami trade hands. But nearly 3.5 million shares — 5% of the company’s shares outstanding — were traded on Tuesday, and another 616,000 shares exchanged hands over the next two days.  

Other than Anghami and K-pop stocks, only two companies posted gains this week. Universal Music Group, the index’s second-largest company, gained 4.6% to 24.46 euros ($25.69), its best closing price since it lost 24% following second-quarter earnings on July 25. Warner Music Group improved 0.3% to $32.52. 

Spotify, the hottest music stock of 2024, had a losing week for the first time since September. The streaming company’s share price dropped 3.1% to $483.31, finishing the week 4.6% off its all-time high of $506.47 set on Dec. 4. Still, investors have renewed faith in Spotify after the company improved its margins and bottom line while maintaining the same rapid growth rate before it laid off nearly a quarter of its workforce in 2023. Spotify shares are up 157.2% year to date and the company’s market capitalization briefly surpassed $100 billion a week ago. 

Live Nation shares fell 0.6% to $135.95 despite more analysts raising price targets on the concert promoter’s share price this week. Wolfe Research increased its price target to $160 from $152. JP Morgan upped its price target to $150 from $137. And Roth MKM raised Live Nation to $152 from $132. Live Nation’s stock is up 45.2% year to date and is one of the best performers on the BGMI.

SiriusXM had the week’s biggest loss after dropping 14.8% to $24.11. On Tuesday, the company announced guidance for 2025 revenue that would represent a 2% decline from full-year 2024 revenue guidance. The company also revealed it is doubling down on in-car listening and refocusing on satellite radio after its year-old streaming app delivered disappointing results. Following the news, Seaport Global lowered its recommendation on SiriusXM’s stock to “neutral” from “buy.”

In other stock moves, German concert promoter CTS Eventim fell 4.9% to 34.37 euros ($36.10). The company announced this week that it acquired a 17% stake in French ticketing company France Billet. Lastly, New York-based live events company Madison Square Garden Entertainment dropped 8.5% to $34.37 and radio giant iHeartMedia was down 12.3% to $2.29. 

13 Dec 2024

Taylor Swift, Drake, Sabrina Carpenter & More Top Billboard’s Top 10 Artists of 2024 | Billboard News

Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Zach Bryan and more fill up the remaining five spots in Billboard’s Top 10 Artists of 2024. With hits dominating the Hot 100 throughout 2024 along with albums that have reigned the Billboard 200, each artist has earned their well-deserved slot. 

Do you agree with the top five? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Tetris Kelly:

All week we’ve been counting down the year’s biggest acts on Billboard’s Top Artists chart for 2024 and now we’ve made it to our top 5. Starting us off, coming in at No. 5? Sabrina Carpenter! What a year it’s been for Sabrina Carpenter on the Billboard charts. She landed her first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with ‘Short N’ Sweet’ and notched a dozen top 40-charting songs on the Hot 100 – including her first top 40 hit with “Feather,” her first top 10 with “Espresso” and first No. 1 with “Please Please Please.” Next up, coming in at No. 4 on the year’s biggest acts on Billboard’s Top Artists chart for 2024 is Drake. It wouldn’t be a year-end top 10 top artist ranking without Drake. During the 2024 chart year, Drake charted nine albums on the weekly Billboard 200. Over on the Hot 100 chart, Drake logged 37 charting songs, with four spending time in the top 10. Holding down the No. 3 spot is Zach Bryan. Zach was crushing it on the Billboard charts this year. Over on the Billboard Hot 100 during the 2024 chart year, Bryan logged 23 titles, including a pair of top 10-charting tunes: “I Remember Everything,” and “Pink Skies,” which debuted and peaked at No. 6 in June.

Keep watching for more!

13 Dec 2024

Paula Abdul Settles Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against ‘American Idol’ Producer Nigel Lythgoe

Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show.

Abdul filed a notice of settlement of the case in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday. It still must be approved by a judge.

“I am grateful that this chapter has successfully come to a close and is now something I can now put behind me,” Abdul said in a statement Friday. “This has been a long and hard-fought personal battle. I hope my experience can serve to inspire other women, facing similar struggles, to overcome their own challenges with dignity and respect, so that they too can turn the page and begin a new chapter of their lives.”

In his own statement, Lythgoe said, “We live in a troubling time where a person is now automatically assumed to be guilty until proven innocent, a process that can take years. That is why, like Paula, I am glad to be able to put this behind me. I know the truth and that gives me great comfort.”

The court filing said the settlement was unconditional, but did not reveal the terms, and Abdul’s attorney Melissa Eubanks said she could not comment on them.

The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other competition show, “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Lythgoe said at the time that he was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations, which he called “an appalling smear.”

After other lawsuits were filed alleging sexual misconduct, Lythgoe stepped down in January from his role as a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance.”

The 75-year-old English-born producer has been a prominent TV producer for decades in both the U.K. and the U.S., working on reality competition shows including “American Idol.”

The Associated Press generally does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault unless they come forward publicly, as Abdul has done.

Abdul, a Grammy and Emmy-winning singer and dancer, said in the lawsuit that she remained silent for years about the alleged assaults out of fear of retaliation by “one of the most well-known producers of television competition shows.”

She alleged that the first sexual assault occurred while Abdul and Lythgoe were on the road filming auditions for an early season of “American Idol,” which premiered in 2002.

Abdul says Lythgoe groped her in the elevator of their hotel after a day of filming and “began shoving his tongue down her throat.” Abdul pushed him away and ran to her hotel room when the elevator doors opened.

“In tears, Abdul quickly called one of her representatives to inform them of the assault,” the lawsuit says, “but ultimately decided not to take action for fear that Lythgoe would have her fired.”

Abdul starred as a judge for the first eight seasons, leaving in 2009.

In 2015, Abdul became a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance,” appearing alongside Lythgoe.

Around that time, Abdul alleged in the lawsuit, Lythgoe forced himself on top of her during a dinner at his home and tried to kiss her. Abdul said she again pushed Lythgoe away and immediately left.

Abdul left that reality show after two seasons. She has not worked with Lythgoe since.

In a statement at the time of the suit, Lythgoe said “While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue.”

This story was originally published by The Associated Press.