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A trailblazer in fan communication, Dear U has officially begun the expansion of its messaging platform, Bubble, into the Western market with J Balvin and Peso Pluma.
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Billboard can exclusively share that starting Sept. 30, the Latin music powerhouses will be the “first of many artists outside of Asia” to engage with fans through Dear U’s newly launched U.S. version of the platform. The duo joins a large number of K-pop artists using the Bubble platform (also known as “the bubble”) to share private messages, voice notes, video content, and behind-the-scenes moments with subscribers including chart-toppin acts like Stray Kids, (G)I-DLE, BLACKPINK‘s Jisoo and Lisa, as well as a handful of Korean actors, athletes and content creators.
Since launching its artist-to-fan messaging service in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic era of social distancing, Dear U’s various Bubble apps have become a top marketing and social tool in the K-pop and Asian entertainment industries, currently connecting more than 600 artists to communicate directly with some of their most dedicated fans. With the company reporting over 73 percent of its two million paid subscribers living outside of Korea, introducing these two chart-toppers mark a significant shift to expand its offerings to the Western landscape successfully.
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“While the entertainment market continues growing, the service industry leveraging fandoms has not received as much attention,” Chong-oh An, the CEO of Dear U, tells Billboard. “In Korea, where fandom culture is fully established, Dear U has built a business model to harness this culture. Our aim is to introduce a fresh perspective to the global entertainment landscape and bring new excitement to fans around the world.”
While platforms like HYBE’s Weverse launched services like Weverse DM as a paid messaging service in 2023, Bubble was first to market in 2020 in launching the service for a slate of artists under the SM Entertainment roster. Dear U’s major shareholders are SM Entertainment (home to groups and Bubble users like NCT, aespa and Lucas) and JYP Entertainment (J.Y. Park, TWICE and ITZY), with the companies also featuring some of their international acts like SM’s China-focused boy band WayV and JYP’s Japan-based girl group NiziU partaking in the platform.
With a combined 13 No. 1s on the Hot Latin Songs chart, 50 Billboard Hot 100 entries between them, as well as highly dedicated fan engagement across their social media accounts, J Balvin and Peso Pluma are seen as ideal partners for Dear U’s next phase with Bubble.
“For me, it has always been important to be connected to my fans, La Familia,” says current Billboard cover star, J Balvin, in a statement. “I love reading comments and conversations so it’s exciting to communicate with fans no matter what their first language might be. This is why the Bubble is the perfect platform to keep in touch.”
“Peso Pluma wouldn’t exist without our dedicated fans who have supported us since the very beginning,” the 25-year-old Mexican rapper-singer adds. “Even though we don’t speak the same language, our music is crossing borders and I’m always excited to find new ways, such as through this partnership with Bubble, to connect with them.”
Teasing that Bubble’s services will “continue expanding into different genres across Western markets with major superstars,” the international, U.S. app can be downloaded here or for Android here. Fans can subscribe to an artist’s Bubble platform, which costs $4.99 per month per artist. Read on for more insight into Bubble’s big moment from Dear U’s CEO Chong-oh An.
Billboard: Congratulations on the latest news about the expansion and new offerings with Dear U. What does this moment signify for the company?
Chong-oh An: This moment signifies Dear U’s global expansion to the Western market. While the entertainment market continues growing, the service industry leveraging fandoms has not received as much attention. In Korea, where fandom culture is fully established, Dear U has built a business model to harness this culture. Our aim is to introduce a fresh perspective to the global entertainment landscape and bring new excitement to fans around the world.
Why were J Balvin and Peso Pluma the right partners to kick off the expansion?
Both of these artists are extremely popular, beloved, and influential. But they also bring unique cultural significance and strong fan engagement to the table. J Balvin and Peso Pluma frequently interact with their followers on social media, creating a sense of community and loyalty that aligns perfectly with Dear U’s mission to enhance artist-fan communication.
J Balvin and Peso Pluma are huge names in the Latin market and community. Was there a specific reason you wanted to team with Latin artists after primarily focusing on Asian and K-pop talent?
Our goal is to help connect artists with their loyal fans around the world, regardless of genre or market. Latin music has truly gone global over the past few years, and we are providing a platform to connect these passionate fanbases. J Balvin’s contributions to the global reggaeton movement and Peso Pluma’s fresh influence in regional Mexican music will help the platform cater to not only a large number of fans, but also a wide array of music tastes, languages, and cultural backgrounds. They will help us break barriers with fan connection.
Dear U’s story is interesting because it launched Bubble in 2020 when the digital conversation was so prevalent, yet the company continues to expand today. What did the pandemic teach you?
The pandemic required us to create innovative ways to connect artists and fans that we’ve continued to use today. Because artists have fans across the world and can’t always be physically present to engage with them, we’re proud to help bridge that gap and create connection.
In your opinion, what’s a very special or highly engaging moment an artist can have on their Bubble compared to traditional social media platforms?
Artists see their bubble subscribers as true superfans. With bubble, they can share intimate moments – from behind-the-scenes photos, selfies, and audio messages to polls about dinner or outfit choices. Even during [professional] breaks, artists can maintain this closeness by sharing personal snapshots, like photos from family trips. More than public social media, this exclusive content fosters a more personal and intimate connection, allowing fans to feel included in their favorite artist’s life.
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Source: Kojima Productions / Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
TGS (Tokyo Game Show) has come and gone, and we got a minor update on Hideo Kojima’s next video game opus, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
We have no idea when Death Stranding 2: On The Beach will arrive, which makes us all want a PS5 Pro. Hideo Kojima knows the game’s release date but can’t tell us yet due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
During a panel for the forthcoming sequel to his post-apocalyptic walking simulator, which stars Norman Reedus as the game’s main protagonist, Sam Porter Bridges, Kojima revealed that he could yet give a firm release date “in preparation” for the release date. Still, we can expect it to arrive at “some point next year.”
“I haven’t said the release date today, but the release date has already been decided, and I’m currently working on it in preparation for that,” VGC reports.
He continued, “Since we are talking about 2025, it will be released next year, so we will announce it at some point next year. But, due to some unforeseen circumstances, we cannot announce it today.”
The panel also featured roughly 20 minutes of gameplay footage that also showed off DS2’s photo mode, which looks like it will probably take the title of the greatest photo mode ever.
We also learned that Elle Fanning will be joining the all-star cast for the game as a character named Tomorrow. Joining Reedus and Mad Max director George Miller.
Kojima Hints At His Age Catching Up With Him
Kojima didn’t reveal those “unforeseen circumstances,” but he admitted to not being at his best due to his age.
“Yes, I got tired today, and my back still hurts. So, I’m gonna watch a movie by a director I love. I guess I’m getting old,” Kojima wrote on his English account on X, formerly Twitter.
Kojima’s back could be hurting for having to carry the industry on his back for so long.
Just saying.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. This merch is sick!
2. Hideo Kojima continues to innovate in the video game space
3. This is so crazy
4. Kojima the goat!
5. We all do!
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Hosting a party requires a few must-have supplies to turn the night from fun to unforgettable. Instead of investing in a […]
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Source: CHRIS DELMAS / Getty / Disney Plus
The days of your homie, cousin, or boo thang sharing your Disney+ account for free are coming to an end.
Disney Plus is following Netflix’s example by cracking down on account and password sharing. Its new “paid sharing program” is rolling out to subscribers in the US and other territories.
The paid sharing program was teased during earnings calls earlier this year and is now a reality, with subscribers getting options from which they can choose.
The idea of the program is to convert those using other people’s accounts into paid subscribers.
Per THR:
The paid sharing program has a couple of options for users, per a blog post published Wednesday: People sharing an account with someone outside their household can add that person as an “Extra Member” for $6.99 per month for Disney+ Basic, or $9.99 for Disney+ Premium, both discounts to the normal retail price. Only one Extra Member will be allowed per account, and it is not available as part of the Disney Bundle.
In addition, users sharing an account can also subscribe to Disney+ themselves, and can transfer an eligible profile to the new account to keep their watch history and settings.
According to the Disney+ help center, “Disney+ will automatically detect and establish your Household based on your subscription activity, linked devices, and internet connection among other factors.” If it thinks you are watching outside your household, you may need to enter a one-time password to verify that you are adding a location to your household, or that you are traveling away from home.
Nobody Is Feeling This Decision From Disney Plus
As you can imagine, subscribers are not feeling the idea, especially since they are subject to annual price hikes.
“This is why people pirate bc of you dumbass companies not letting password sharing,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another user noted, “This is why I stick to Blu Rays and DVDs.”
Disney+ isn’t winning anyone with this decision; you can see more reactions in the gallery below.
2. Lol, well damn
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Source: Sony / PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection
Did you get one? Today was the pre-order day for the PS5 Pro and the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection Bundle, and as expected, getting your hands on any of the items was a challenge.
When the PS5 Pro was first announced, the reception was not exactly what PlayStation was hoping for after the lead system architect for the PS5 proudly unveiled the mid-cycle refresh for the PS5.
Gamers immediately balked at the disc-less console’s $699.99 / £699.99 / €799.99 / ¥119,980 price tag, which Sony argues is worth it for the upgraded GPU, advanced ray tracing and AI-driven upscaling to a plethora of games.
While many at the time asked, “Who is this made for?” the announcement of the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection PS5 Pro $999 bundle made the divisive console a bit more attractive to those who were on the fence about dropping $700 bucks on a gaming console.
Then Tuesday’s State of Play event announced Ghost of Yotei, the sequel to 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima, and showcased other PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced games, making the PS5 Pro sound like a worthy purchase.
A Long Wait To Be Disappointed, Only To Be Disappointed
This leads us to today’s pre-order event. When the PlayStation website opened the virtual queue, many were greeted with a message telling them their wait to purchase a PS5 Pro or anything from the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection was “more than an hour.”
Some even waited more than 2 hours only to strike out, as Kinda Funny’s Tim Getty revealed in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “Over 2 hours of waiting and alas no PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Bundle is in my future. Boo.”
Scalpers Got Their Hands On PlayStation 30th Anniversary PS5 Pro Bundle & Base Console
Others believe the pre-order vent had scalpers written all over it because, as an article by GameRadar+ pointed out, the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection sold out and immediately landed on eBay.
The prices on resale sites are absurd. One post on X shared a screenshot of PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle Pre-Orders going for £9,999.99 with the caption, “You know what. £699 doesn’t seem so bad.”
Some Folks Did Get Their PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection PS5 Pro Bundles & More
Some were rewarded for their patience, landing a bundle, console, DualSense controller, or PS5 Portal, as our very own Bernard “Beanz” Smalls did.
Another user shared their success, claiming they got a PS5 Pro for themselves and helped two friends get lucky.
So, congratulations to those who got a PS5 Pro, the limited-edition bundle, or accessories. For those who missed out, better luck next time.
Also, to Sony, get your sh*t together. The pre-order experience shouldn’t be so frustrating in 2025.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Damn shame
2. Confusion
3. Ridiculous
4. We agree
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Source: Sucker Punch Productions / Ghosts of Yotei
Well, that didn’t take long. The “go outside and touch grass brigade” is already BIG MAD that Ghost of Yotei, the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, will have a woman taking center stage in another video game.
Yesterday during PlayStation’s latest State of Play event, Sucker Punch Productions announced its highly anticipated follow-up to 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei.
The game which arrives in 2025, will be Sucker Punch Productions first game specifically built for the PS5 console. It will also pivot from Tsushima’s protagonist, Jin Sakai, and introduce a new female samurai hero named Atsu.
Playing Atsu will be actor Erika Ishii, best known for their work in Apex Legends as Dimension 20 member Valkyrie and as one of the many voices of Rook in the forthcoming title, Dragon Age: The Veilvguard.
Following the trailer reveal, Ishii took to social media to express their excitement for being in the game, writing in a post on X, formerly Twitter, “I’ve dreamed of this my entire life. But I still can’t believe I’m part of art like this. I am the Ghost of Yōtei.”
Here Come The Haters
Of course, as expected, an annoying subset of the gaming community is trying to take Ishii’s joy by calling their casting and the fact Ghost of Yotei is another “woke” decision.
“Apparently, in Ghost of Yotei, a progressive activist known for hating the police and telling straight women who disagree with LGBT to log off is not just the VA for the game; she is also the face and mocap of the new Sucker Punch title. It’s an asset Ready to save money,” one ridiculous post on X read.
Another dumb a** post read, “Ghost of Yotei actor Erika Ishii wants to abolish the police, while starring in a game about playing a samurai which is the equivalent to a peace keeping officer in Japan at the time. I’m sick of activism in gaming dude. These people can’t be serious. The game takes place in 1602, Atsu would’ve been a police officer/samurai in Japan at the time. And if they’re a ronin that’s even worse.”
Bruh.
It’s not all negative; there is plenty of excitement for Ghost of Yotei.
We will be supporting the game as well.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
3. Can’t wait
4. They need to go touch grass ASAP
6. Calling it early
Source: Sucker Punch Productions / Ghost of YōteiThe PlayStation had something to say during its latest State of Play presentation. PlayStation saved the best for last with the announcement of Ghost of Yōtei, the long-awaited sequel to Sucker Punch’s epic samurai adventure, Ghosts of Tsushima.Ghost of Yōtei introduces a new hero, Atsu, and is the studio’s first game built from the ground up for the PS5 and, of course, the PS5 Pro.“This is also Sucker Punch’s first game built from the ground up for PlayStation 5, and we’re excited to build on the visual foundation we established in Ghost of Tsushima by making the world feel even more real, Andrew Goldfarb, Sucker Punch Productions Community Manager said on the PlayStation Blog. “We have massive sightlines that let you look far across the environment, whole new skies featuring twinkling stars and auroras, even more believable movement from wind on grass and vegetation, and more improvements we’ll share in the future. Our new setting also gives us the opportunity to introduce new mechanics, gameplay improvements, and even new weapons.”Goldfarb says to expect more information on the game that arrives in 2025.Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered was one of the worst-kept secrets coming into today’s State of Play, so seeing it wasn’t a shocker.When it launched on the PS4 seven years ago, the game was already deemed a graphical masterpiece, and it looks even better now that it has been remastered to take advantage of the power of the PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles.Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered launches on October 31. The captivating story and awe-inspiring post-apocalyptic world returns alongside a host of technological improvements, visual enhancements, and upgraded features. It also includes The Frozen Wilds content, a vast expansion featuring additional lands, skills, weapons, and machines. Take a look at the announcement trailer below.Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered features over 10 hours of re-recorded conversation, mocap and countless graphical improvements that bring the game to the same visual fidelity as its critically acclaimed sequel Horizon Forbidden West. The game’s lush world includes frozen mountains, dense jungles, and arid deserts with stunning new visuals and 4K1 graphics and travelling between settlements is now lightning-fast.The story’s many compelling characters have been upgraded, bringing them in line with current generation advances in character models and rendering. We hope that improved animation, lightning, textures and more will make new and existing fans excited to dive into the action!The audio in the game has also been enhanced. It takes advantage of the PS5 DualSense controller with native support for PlayStation 5 Pro.The game will also be released on October 31. For those who already own it, upgrading to the remastered version will only cost $9.99.We got our fourth trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds, which will be released on February 28, 2025. The latest trailer shows off the game’s main monster, which serves as the catalyst for the events in the game’s main story, leading to the formation of the Forbidden Lands Research Commission.Monster Hunter Wilds is a beautiful-looking game that delivers the monster-hunting fun that fans of the franchise have come to expect.Keep it locked on HHW Gaming because we went hands-on with Monster Hunter Wilds and will share our thoughts in the coming days.Until then, you can see the other announcements from the State of Play in the gallery below.
1. PlayStation 5 Pro Console – Game Lineup Sizzle
Debuted during State of Play, here’s a look at some of the games that are being enhanced by the PS5 Pro – including a few titles that we’re revealing in this sizzle recap.
With the PlayStation 5 Pro console, the world’s greatest game creators can enhance their games with incredible features like advanced ray tracing, super sharp image clarity for your 4K TV, and high frame rate gameplay. That means you get to play PS5 games with the most impressive visuals ever possible on a PlayStation® console, and with 2TB of SSD storage included, your favorite games will be ready and waiting for you to jump right in for your next awesome adventure.
PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) Get super sharp image clarity on your 4K TV using AI enhanced resolution for ultra-high definition play with astonishing detail.
Optimized Console Performance Reach higher and more consistent frame rates for silky smooth gameplay with support for 60Hz and 120Hz displays.
Advanced Ray Tracing Experience next level realism with ray traced reflections, shadows, and high-quality global illumination as you explore stunning game worlds.
Feature only available on select PS5 games that have been enhanced for PS5 Pro when compared with PS5®. PS5 Pro enhanced features will vary by game. A portion of the SSD is reserved for system software and other functions so the available SSD capacity may vary.
2. Chroma Collection | PS5
Introducing the Chroma Collection – iridescent PlayStation 5 accessories that shine, shimmer, and shift colour from every angle.
Choose from the chic Chroma Pearl, vivid Chroma Indigo or fresh Chroma Teal – three mesmerizing colours for the DualSense wireless controller and matching PS5 console covers.
Pre-orders for the Chroma Collection will begin on October 3, 2024, with Chroma Pearl and Chroma Indigo accessories launching on November 7, 2024, followed by the launch of Chroma Teal accessories starting on January 23, 2025.
3. Stellar Blade – NieR: Automata DLC & Updates
Worlds collide in the upcoming Stellar Blade x Nier: Automata collaboration, coming later this year.
An all-new Photo Mode coming to Stellar Blade — choose your favorite poses, expressions, and filters to create the perfect shot!
Keep the vibe alive with the full Original Soundtrack, over 180 tracks from Stellar Blade now available on select streaming services.
4. LEGO Horizon Adventures – Pre-Order Trailer
Aloy’s colorful new adventure is coming to PlayStation 5 on 14 November, 2024! Pre-order from 3 October onwards on your platform of choice to get a LEGO version of the iconic Shield-Weaver outfit in-game.
5. Dynasty Warriors Origins – Overview Trailer
DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, coming January 17, 2025!
6. Fortnite DualSense Controller Reveal
Defy the Storm as you build, battle, create and Unleash the Fun with the DualSense Wireless Controller – Fortnite Limited Edition.
Starring Fishstick and Peely, and emblazoned with illustrations of fan-favourite characters, this colourfully vibrant eye-catching design encapsulates the wildly energetic Fortnite spirit enjoyed by players worldwide.
So, where we droppin’ today?
Pre-orders will begin on October 3, 2024.
7. Towers of Aghasba – Gameplay Trailer
Towers of Aghasba launches into Early Access November 2024.
Towers of Aghasba is an action-adventure builder game set in a unique fantasy world. Players are challenged to rebuild their civilization and the ecosystem, maintaining a balance between the two.
8. Fear the Spotlight – Release Date Reveal
Fear the Spotlight will be releasing on PS5 and PS4 October 22nd, 2024.
Fear the Spotlight is a creepy love letter to classic 90s horror experiences with a focus on rich storytelling, puzzle solving, and a tense atmosphere. This is a perfect narrative horror game for those new to the genre. Fear the Spotlight is developed by Cozy Game Pals and published by Blumhouse Games.
9. Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered
Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered launches December 10th!
Experience the epic conflict of Kain and Raziel in original form or with remastered graphics.
Pre-order today!
10. Hitman World of Assassination – Announcement Trailer
The World of Assassination is coming to PlayStation VR 2. With 21 locations, full dual wielding and intuitive gestures, the possibilities are endless. Everything is a weapon in a creative assassin’s hands.
11. Alan Wake 2 – Lake House Expansion
Dive into a harrowing survival horror experience with the latest expansion for Alan Wake 2, set in an eerie new location on the shores of Cauldron Lake. Within the Federal Bureau of Control’s research station, the Lake House, a catastrophic event has occurred, where reckless experiments have caused reality to collide with the Dark Place.
This expansion unfolds parallel to the main game, putting you in the shoes of FBC agent Kiran Estevez, portrayed by Janina Gavankar.
12. Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Mage Build Deep Dive
BioWare breaks down the Mage build showcased in the recently revealed Dragon Battle gameplay trailer.
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, you will save the battered world of Thedas and unite the Veilguard: your team of seven companions, each with their own rich lives and deep backstories. As you become the leader, you will be able to select from different races, combat classes, customized appearances, and playstyles: all allowing you to play how you want to play.
This bold, heroic adventure is built to deliver on what BioWare is best known for: rich storytelling, fantasy worldbuilding, companions & fellowship, and a world where you matter. Dragon Age: The Veilguard arrives October 31, 2024.
13. Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Blighted Dragon Gameplay Trailer
The blighted gods have unleashed a fearsome dragon on Thedas. It’s up to you, as Rook, to use all your tactical skills and abilities in the fight – whilst commanding your companions in battle with the ability wheel – to fight smart and deliver the most devastating attacks and combos to bring the gigantic beast down.
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, you will save the battered world of Thedas and unite the Veilguard: your team of seven companions, each with their own rich lives and deep backstories. As you become the leader, you will be able to select from different races, combat classes, customized appearances, and playstyles: all allowing you to play how you want to play.
This bold, heroic adventure is built to deliver on what BioWare is best known for: rich storytelling, fantasy worldbuilding, companions & fellowship, and a world where you matter. Dragon Age: The Veilguard arrives October 31, 2024.
14. Fantasian Neo Dimension – Release Date Announcement Trailer
ANTASIAN Neo Dimension is available for pre-order on PS5 and PS4™ today, launching on December 5th, 2024.
The Father of FINAL FANTASY, Hironobu Sakaguchi, and renowned composer Nobuo Uematsu return to deliver an original RPG story.
Embark on an multi-dimensional journey to reclaim your lost memories and save the world from the mechteria infection.
15. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – Radical Reptiles DLC Announce/Launch
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge unveils a brand new Radical Reptiles DLC, available now on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Radical Reptiles introduces two fan-favorites as playable fighters: Radical surfer and trusted friend to the Turtles: Mondo Gecko Physics student turned reptilian rapscallion: Mona Lisa Whether it’s by dealing righteous damage on a skateboard or launching deadly chemical concoctions, this powerhouse duo is ready to rumble with the Foot Clan!
And that’s not all! A free update is also available for all players: a rockin’ Remix mode of the official soundtrack featuring amazing guest artists: Lead Remixer: Sean Bialo Guest Remixers Anamanaguchi – Panic In The Sky! Button Masher – Rumble In The Zoo Jake Kaufman – It Won’t Fly! Keiji Yamagishi – The Lost Archenemies Tomoya Tomita – A Few Screws Loose.
16. Lunar Remastered Collection – Announce Trailer
Get ready—The LUNAR Remastered Collection is coming to PlayStation!
Embark on thrilling adventures within the enchanting worlds of LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete! These two cherished JRPGs have delighted gamers for generations. Now, in this definitive remastered edition, experience enhanced graphics, audio, and quality-of-life improvements that make the journey even more magical!
17. Palworld – Launch Trailer
Palworld, with over 25 million players worldwide, is finally available on PS5!
Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called “”Pals”” in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!
18. ArcheAge Chronicles – First Announce Trailer
Unveiling ‘ArcheAge Chronicles’: Dive into a new era with ArcheAge Chronicles, the online action RPG set 50 years after the original. Embark on epic adventures, engage in enhanced combat, and explore vast, uncharted worlds filled with strategic battles and rich storytelling. Customize your housing, master life skills, and uncover new realms in this dynamic universe. Get ready to conquer challenges and unravel ancient mysteries in ArcheAge Chronicles.
19. Metro Awakening – Release Date Trailer
Pre-order to receive the exclusive Field Medic item pack, or save 10% by choosing the Deluxe Edition, including a 48-hour early access.
Metro Awakening is a story-driven first person adventure built exclusively for VR that blends atmospheric exploration, stealth and combat. Powered by the immersive features of PlayStation 5, PS VR2 and Dual Sense, Metro Awakening offers you the most immersive METRO experience yet written by series creator Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Awakening takes you deep into the origin story of Khan, one of Metro’s most beloved characters, once known as Serdar.
Driven by the need to find and save his wife Yana, Serdar is forced to embrace the unknown to battle bandits, mutants, and other lurking horrors. Reload manually, charge your gear, and scavenge to survive in this intense and immersive VR journey. Sometimes, to prevent something worse, you must become the thing we fear.
20. Hell is Us – Gameplay Reveal Trailer
If war is the closest we get to hell on Earth, it’s because Earth harbors the worst of demons: humankind.
Discover the first Gameplay footage of Hell is Us , an action-adventure game set in a war-torn country, where players must unravel the mysteries of their past and confront the human darkness that fuels the chaos.
Hell is Us will be available on PlayStation 5 in 2025.
21. The Midnight Walk – Reveal Trailer
Embark upon The Midnight Walk in this dark fantasy adventure from the minds behind Lost in Random. Become The Burnt One, befriend a lost lantern creature named Potboy, and use his flame to light your way through a conflicting world of wonder and terror. Coming to PS5 and PS VR2, Spring 2025!
22. Astro Bot – Speedrun and Special Bots Add-On Trailer
Play Will Find A Way with ASTRO BOT. Gear up for a supersized space adventure with ASTRO BOT! Charge into a brand-new, supersized adventure with ASTRO across more than 50 exciting and diverse worlds.
23. Sonic x Shadow Generations
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Source: SEGA / Sonic X Shadow Generations / Sonic Central 2024
The fourth Sonic Central livestream event was full of announcements regarding everything Sonic The Hedgehog coming in the future.
The live stream event, which kicked off Tuesday at noon Eastern time, gave fans a glimpse into the world of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
While it was short on video game-related announcements, there were still a handful of reveals involving Sonic, his buddies, plus his rival Shadow.
Sonic X Shadows Generations Gets Another Trailer & Other Goodies
A new story trailer for the upcoming game was revealed. We also got more cinematic and gameplay footage focusing on Shadow’s standalone campaign, which hints at some time-traveling adventure involving Shadow chasing down Maria.
Fans can also look forward to a 3-part animated prologue called Dark Beginnings that will “delve into the origins of Shadow’s past.” The first episode, “Shadow and Maria,” will air on 9/25, followed by episode two, “Finding The Way,” on 10/03, and episode three, “To The Ark,” on 10/10.
Those who pre-order a physical edition of Sonic x Shadow Generations will get Gerald Robotnik’s 24-page booklet when the game becomes available when the game arrives on October 25.
Sonic Teams Up With DC Comics For An Epic Crossover
Starting in March 2025, Sonic and his buddies will get a DC Comics makeover. Shadow will, of course, don the cape and cowl as Batman, Sonic will suit up as The Flash, Tails will become Cyborg, Knuckles will become Superman, Amy will become Wonder Woman, and Silver the Hedgehog will become Green Lantern.
Sonic Is Coming To Top Golf
You can join Sonic on the golf course virtually soon at a Top Golf near you. Sonic-themed virtual golf courses allow players to avoid obstacles and collect rings like the blue blur by hitting golf balls.
A Behind The Scenes Look At Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is shaping up to be the biggest film in the movie franchise. Not only are all the favorites from the first two films returning, but you can now add Keanu Reeves to the mix, voicing fan-favorite Shadow The Hedgehog.
No new footage from the film was shown, but the team behind the project promised plenty of easter eggs for fans to look out for and shared more information on the film’s plot.
Also announced was Sonic Rumble coming this winter to PC and mobile; Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is getting more Sonic downloadable content, a Sonic motorbike helmet, LEGO collaborations, and more.
Plenty of Sonic for the foreseeable future.
On this episode of Check The Tech, AI expert Brandon Johnson shares his picks for the latest back-to-school tech. From everyday tools that just make life easier, to gadgets that inspire even the most tech-savvy, there’s something here for everyone.
Johnson is a Senior AI Solutions Architect at NVIDIA, which develops the technology that powers everything from ChatGPT to movies that we watch. “NVIDIA is everywhere,” he tells Check The Tech host Sara Lovestyle. “Everyday I work with engineers at other companies to help them solve problems.” From developing self-driving cars to enhancing early detection in cancer patients, Johnson’s job is to work alongside engineers to solve these complex problems using NVIDIA’s technology.
With a steady flow of new tech products hitting the market, Johnson curates a list of the ones you need to know. Discover the latest tech on his radar this back-to-school season.
Perplexity redefines the search engine experience. Instead of producing a list of search results, Perplexity streamlines the process of finding information online. “Once you type in a prompt and you search for something, it synthesizes all that information, condenses it and gives it back to you,” says Johnson. He uses the $20 Pro version, but a free version is available too.
While the Perplexity search engine is a more user-friendly option, Johnson’s next pick is a bit more in-depth: the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin. “It’s basically what we use to program robots,” he explains. “This is going to be for my nerds, people who like to code and things like that. If you want to get hands-on, this is usually where we recommend starting.”
When Johnson wants to unplug, he has a gadget for that. The Light Phone’s minimalist design offers an alternative to app-loaded smartphones. “The only thing you can do is call and text,” he says. “It is very minimalist. Sometimes you want to unplug, so this is the best way for me to personally unplug.” The Light Phone III is available for preorder and will include a new camera feature.
Johnson’s last pick is a must-have for any college student — a good pair of headphones. The AI specialist loves his AirPods Max headphones for its long battery life, which will definitely come in handy for busy students on the go.
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Source: Sony / PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection
For now, the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection has silenced the negative discourse around the PS5 Pro.
On Thursday, Sony unveiled its fantastic homage to the PS One, putting a retro spin on the base PS5 Slim and recently announced PS5 Pro consoles and accessories.
“To celebrate this 30th anniversary milestone, we had to create something that honored the history and joy that PlayStation has brought us all,” PlayStation platform business CEO Hideaki Nishino said in a video announcing the collection.
Both consoles and all of the accessories are in the iconic PlayStation gray. The chef’s kiss is the addition of the old-school PlayStation logo and a USB-C charging cable that looks like the PS One’s controller cord.
Source: Sony / PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection
The PS5 Pro bundle will feature two DualSense Edge controllers, a controller charging stand, a console stand, a sticker, and a matching cover for those who purchase the Pro removable disc drive.
Source: Sony / PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection
The iconic PS One touch also blesses the PS5’s remote play companion, the PlayStation Portal, and the DualSense Edge pro controller.
We Expect This Bundle To Be Pricey
Sony has not revealed a price for this bundle, but we will not be shocked if it costs an arm and a leg. Pre-orders for the bundle begin on September 26th, and if you want one, you had better move fast because Sony is only making 12,300 of these bad boys.
The response to the collection, specifically the PS5 Pro, has been night and day compared to the fallout when the mid-gen refresh was first announced.
LOL.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Yes, yes they did
2. Pretty much
3. PlayStation got one here