Metal: Hellsinger developer The Outsiders will shut down following layoffs at parent company Funcom, who are also the publishers of Dune: Awakening. The Outsiders studio founder and creative director David Goldfarb confirmed the studio’s closure in a Bluesky post.
Read up on the full statement from David Goldfarb below:
Friends–
I have not had much time to process the news but all of us at The Outsiders and Funcom Stockholm have been affected by the layoffs at Funcom and our 10 year old studio will be closing. Many of us had survived a near-death studio experience years back when Darkborn was cancelled, and because of this team’s loyalty and refusal to quit, Metal: Hellsinger was born. It will always be a high point for me personally and I will be forever grateful we got to make it and for the wonderful team and partnerships that made it happen.
We had hoped to do something even better this time—
—Things don’t always go the way you hope.
But we are not giving up, and we are going to try to continue on in some new form. If you think you can help in any way, with business leads, placement for employees, guidance, whatever it is, I would be genuinely grateful if you reach out here. Change is always tough and right now we are all hurting. Thanks so much.
Niantic and The Pokémon Company announced the “Halloween 2025 Part I” event will be held in Pokémon GO from October 21, at 10:00 a.m. to October 27, at 10:00 a.m. local time. During Halloween 2025 Part I the event, Matcha Pokémon Poltchageist and Sinistcha will make their Pokémon GO debuts, and Shiny Sinistea will appear for lucky players. Players can use 50 Poltchageist Candy to evolve Poltchageist into Sinistcha.
The GO Pass: Halloween 2025 with several unlockable bonuses and rewards after reaching Major Milestones:
Tier 1
2× Catch Candy
GO Pass Deluxe: 3× Catch Candy
Tier 2
Increased chance for Trainers level 31 and up to receive Candy XL for catching Pokémon with Nice, Great, and Excellent Throws
Tier 3
2× Candy for transferring Pokémon
Increased chance for Trainers level 31 and up to receive Candy XL for transferring Pokémon
GO Pass Deluxe: 3× Candy for transferring Pokémon
GO Pass Deluxe: Even greater chance for Trainers level 31 and up to receive Candy XL for transferring Pokémon
Several event-themed Pokémon will appear in the wild, Raids, Shadow Raids, and Field Research tasks:
Wild Encounters
Zorua, Hisuian Zorua, Greavard, Sinistea and more
Raids
One-Star Raids
Galarian Yamask
Sinistea
Poltchageist
Three-Star Raids
Alolan Marowak
Hisuian Typhlosion
Hisuian Samurott
Shadow Raids
One-Star Raids
Shadow Yamask
Shadow Phantump
Field Research Task Encounters
Sableye
Yamask
Zorua
Hisuian Zorua
Litwick
Vullaby
Phantump
Spiritomb
Complete Field Research tasks to earn Mega Energy for the following Pokémon.
Gengar
Houndoom
Sableye
Banette
Absol
The Polteageist Hat will be available for purchase in the in-game shop, and players can get event-themed stickers by spinning PokéStops, opening Gifts, and purchasing them in the shop. The event will feature a Lavender Town theme remix, and players can enjoy in-game decorations.
Lastly, Pokémon GO is available now for Android and iOS.
SEGA announced the new Minecraft Pack DLC for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launches on October 8 with playable characters Alex, Steve, and Creeper, along with a Minecraft-themed course and vehicle. The Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Minecraft Pack is included with the game’s Season Pass and Digital Deluxe Edition.
What’s more, a Minecraft Festival in-game event will also run from October 9 at 5:00 p.m. PDT / 8:00 p.m. EDT until October 11 at 4:59 p.m. PDT / 7:59 p.m. EDT.
The Season Pass also includes:
SpongeBob SquarePants
Playable characters: SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick
SpongeBob SquarePants-themed course and vehicle
PAC-MAN
Playable characters: Pac-Man and rival ghosts
PAC-MAN-themed course and vehicle
Mega Man
Playable characters: Mega Man and Proto Man
Mega Man-themed course and vehicle
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Avatar Legends
Players can expect even more free and paid DLC characters, and a collaboration between Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC is on the way. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will receive a PAC-MAN DLC Pack in early 2026, while PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC will receive a Sonic the Hedgehog DLC Pack in late 2025.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The digital Nintendo Switch 2 version launches in holiday 2025, while the physical copy will release in early 2026. Nintendo Switch users may upgrade to the Switch 2 version for $10.
The Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds single-player demo is available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Save data from the demo carries over the full game, with the exception of Time Trial records and user settings changes.
Razer has a long history of collaboration with a wide range of international brands. With each of these collaborations, they have successfully captured the theme of each brand without sacrificing the overall quality of its products. 2025 alone has been a huge year of collaborations, with multiple Razer x Pokémon collabs available now.
It only stands to reason that Razer’s newest collaboration with Sanrio’s Cinnamoroll would continue that trend, and Razer doesn’t disappoint. Razer graciously gave us early access to their Kraken V4 X headset and Ornata V3 Tenkeyless keyboard in their upcoming Cinnamoroll collaboration, and it’s safe to say they’ve made a wonderful, budget-friendly pair of products.
An Adorable Package
While I enjoy an elaborately themed headset or keyboard, there is something to be said when these collaborations don’t go overboard with their design and instead keep it elegant and simple. The headset, in particular, has a lovely, simple design with an understated powder blue color for the earpads and RGB lights. The headrest is white with some cute decals of Cinnamoroll and some fluffy white clouds. I could see how Razer could have wanted to add some flavor by adding some floppy ears to match the prolific look of Cinnamoroll, but they showed restraint and kept the design simple while still being a charming headset.
The keyboard likewise doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel and maintains a slick look. One small complaint I do have for the keyboard is with the magnetized hand rest that comes with it. I wish the magnet were just a little stronger, as I found it drifting on occasion during frequent use. This is a minor complaint, however, as the rest of the keyboard’s design and comfort are great for the price. The RGB customization that you can access through the Razer Synapse app is a nice bonus, but I found that changing the color to anything other than the light blue static clashed a bit with the rest of the design. It is nice that they gave the option to change things up for those who want to be more adventurous with their RGB settings on their keyboard.
Just What is Needed
As this is the X series from Razer, it should be understood that this isn’t meant to be a part of Razer’s premium offerings. This collaboration is meant to be more of a budget-friendly lineup for those looking for an affordable, cute headset and keyboard. The headset has 7.1 Surround, but does not have much when it comes to sound customization through Synapse. This could be underwhelming for some audiophiles out there, but I imagine the main draw for most parties for this product won’t be looking for the most in-depth audio options and will be happy with the quality for the price. After testing the mic and having multiple Discord conversations with some friends, there was a very noticeable difference in quality when I would use my usual headset versus when I would switch to the Kraken V4 X. I sounded much clearer, and, as someone with a deeper voice, my voice wasn’t nearly as tinny, giving more depth to my voice.
I have no qualms with the keyboard outside of the detachable hand rest that I previously mentioned, however. The keys have a satisfying punchiness to them as you type, and the compact size is perfect for smaller desks or those with limited space. There is just the right amount of resistance when pressing the keys that makes every stroke feel deliberate, and I rarely have a moment when I double-type a letter. The low-profile size is sleek, and the double kickstands give the perfect angle for those who prefer it. As this is a tenkeyless keyboard, there is no number pad, so it does take a minute to get used to using the number keys after primarily using the pad for so long.
Cinnamoroll Fans are Eating Well
I was a little apprehensive when I first received this collaboration for review. The design is not something I would usually go for, and since this was a collaboration with the X series from Razer, I didn’t know if there would be a noticeable drop-off in production values. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of these products and think that those looking for a comfortable and affordable cute headset and keyboard combo could do a lot worse than the Razer x Cinnamoroll Collection. Even as someone who isn’t into the more cutesy design of some gaming hardware, I’ve started using the Cinnamoroll headset over my other ones for multiplayer games due to its superior mic.
Beyond the two products I tested, Razer also has the Razer Cobra – Cinnamoroll Edition, the Razer Gigantus V2 – Medium – Cinnamoroll Edition, and the Razer Kraken V4 X – My Melody Edition. Razer didn’t cut corners with its latest collaboration, making this a must-purchase for anyone who loves Sanrio or Cinnamoroll. Even if you’re someone who isn’t a huge fan of Sanrio, this is a collection that can easily transform and join your setup with ease.
Disclaimer: Razer provided the Razer Kraken V4 X – Cinnamoroll Edition and Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless – Cinnamoroll Edition for review purposes.
Cortopia Studios has announced that the gameplay reveal for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City will take place at New York Comic Con. The panel will take place on October 10 at 12:45 PM EDT.
Ace St. Germain, Beyond Frames Entertainment CEO and Creative Director on the title, said the following about the announcement: “Before we show Empire City to the world, we wanted to share it directly with the fans. With the Turtles’ roots in New York, there’s no better place for this special look than New York Comic Con.”
Cortopia Games has previously worked on VR games such as GORN. Its next game, Empire City, will feature the four playable turtles in an action-adventure filled with advanced combat and parkour. Empire City joins the long list of recent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games such as Splintered Fate, Mutants Unleashed, Shredder’s Revenge, and Tactical Takedown.
Recently, we reviewedTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown and rated it a 2.5/5. We described it as a game that “pays homage to the early cartoon origins of the four brothers and crafts a mediocre game around them. The fast pace of the story and lack of thematic depth are disappointing, and a few long levels can make gameplay feel tedious at times. Fans of the series will find some enjoyment inside this world, but I recommend new fans steer away from this one.”
Lastly, the Steam page describes Empire City as follows:
A brotherhood in the shadows. A city on the brink.
In the vacuum left by Shredder’s demise, the Foot Clan’s grip tightens on the streets you once called home. It’s time to reclaim what’s yours. Don the mask of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, or Michelangelo in the first ever Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles VR game.
SEGA and the International Olympic Committee have announced a multi-year licensing deal between the Olympics and Sonic the Hedgehog. Key art for the collaboration has been released.
While SEGA and IOC have not yet confirmed what it will make as a result of the collaboration, the former has stated that “Through the forging of the agreement with the International Olympic Committee, SEGA and the IOC will explore opportunities to license the designs for select merchandise collaborations, inviting like-minded brands to join in this unique fusion of sports and video games.” Shuji Utsumi, President and COO, Representative Director of SEGA CORPORATION said the following about the collaboration:
“We’re committed to fostering respectful and inclusive communities across the globe at SEGA. Partnering with the International Olympic Committee allows us to bring those values to the forefront, especially with the Five Rings program, and celebrate the innovative and diverse spirit both of these brands promote.”
We're excited to announce our upcoming "Olympic Rings" licensing collaboration with the International Olympic Committee celebrating the Olympic Brand and Sonic the Hedgehog!
The last time SEGA and the Olympics collaborated was on the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Gamesfranchise. Last year, the series franchise came to an end for the foreseeable future. The reason is due to the Olympics wanting to explore NFTs and eSports instead.The Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games franchise initially began in 2007 to coincide with Beijing Olympics in 2008.
The series would release new entries every two years to coincide with both the Winter Olympics and Summer Olympics. They’ve released over the years on the Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS. The most recent entry released in 2020, commemorating the Tokyo Olympics that same year.
SEGA and the IOC will reveal more about the licensing agreement between Sonic the Hedgehog and the Olympics at a later date.
Riot Games has released the official cinematic trailer for 2XKO, which confirms that Warwick will join the game’s roster. The trailer also features the track, “Ties That Bind,” by Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox.
The beautifully animated trailer highlights characters such as Ekko, Ahri, Yasuo, Warwick, and more. Check out the full cinematic trailer for 2XKO below:
Recently, Riot Games announced that 2XKO, which is a free-to-play tag-based fighting game, is getting new skins for Vi, Ekko, and Jinx inspired by the popular Arcane animated series with the new Ultra Starter Pack. The 2XKO Ultra Starter Pack will release alongside the early access version of the game.
2XKO enters early access on October 7 for PC. A full release of 2XKO is also planned for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and the ongoing 2XKO closed beta test will be held until October 7 on PC. There will be cross-platform progression, which means players who start on PC can keep their progress when switching to console.
Lastly, here’s an overview of 2XKO, via Riot Games:
About 2XKO
Duo Play
2XKO is a free-to-play fighting game with explosive 2v2 gameplay and fast, intuitive controls. Play solo to control both champions on your team, or grab a friend to duo with.
Legendary Fighters
Explore a roster of iconic champions from League of Legends and Arcane, each with fresh move sets inspired by the MOBA and reimagined for fighting games.
Ranked Ladder
Ranked matches offer a true test of skill for players ready to compete. Queue up, climb the ranks, and earn your place at the top of the leaderboard.
Chugong and DUBU’s Solo Leveling webcomic is getting its first-ever exhibition in Seoul’s Duex Hongdae venue, aptly titled “Solo Leveling Exhibition.” Solo Leveling Exhibition will be held from November 22, 2025 to March 1, 2026.
LiSA and Stray Kids member Felix performed the opening theme song “ReawakeR.” Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition and renowned anime composer Hiroyuki Sawano produced the opening theme song. TK from Ling Tosite Sigure performed the Solo LevelingSeason 2 -Arise From The Shadow- ending theme song “UN-APEX.”
As previously announced, Netflix announced a Korean live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling is in the works at Kakao Entertainment and SANAI PICTURES. Renowned actor Byeon Woo-seok (20th Century Girl, Lovely Runner) is leading the cast as Sung Jin-woo. The live-action series will be co-directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo.
Solo Leveling: ARISE is available now for Android, iOS, and PC via Windows. Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE launches on PC via Microsoft Store and Steam on November 17, followed by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2026. Netmarble is also developing Solo Leveling: KARMA, a roguelite action RPG for Android, iOS, and PC.
The staff for the Love Live! franchise announced the new Hasu no Sora Jōgakuin School Idol Club 3D anime film premieres in spring 2026, titled Love Live! Hasu no Sora Jōgakuin School Idol Club Bloom Garden Party. A new key visual for the Hasu no Sora Jōgakuin School Idol Club 3D anime film was also released.
The Love Live!Hasu no Sora Jōgakuin School Idol Club idol group includes Kaho Hinoshita, Sayaka Murano, Kozue Otomune, Tsuzuri Yugiri, Rurino Osawa, Megumi Fujishima, and more. The members will likely all reprise their roles in the upcoming movie. Haruko Iizuka is the project’s character designer in the Link! Like! Love Live! smartphone game app.
What’s more, fans can look forward to the second Love Live Nijigasaki High School Idol Club film, which premieres in Japanese theaters on November 7. There will be screenings at Marunouchi Piccadilly with cast members in attendance. What’s more, there will be live showings at other theaters, along with cheer screenings in 27 theaters starting November 14. Attendees can receive one of four different gift sets.
The first film in the trilogy premiered on September 6, 2024 in Japanese theaters with MX4D, 4DX, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Cinema. A third Love Live Nijigasaki High School Idol Club film will screen at a later date to close out the trilogy, which is set after the previous two anime seasons and the Next Sky OVA project.
The staff of Umamusume: Cinderella Gray has confirmed that Tomoyo Takayanagi and Naomi Ōzora perform the second cour’s ending theme song “Futari.” In addition, the staff released the Umamusume: Cinderella Gray second cour’s creditless opening sequence, featuring “Spurt Syndromer” by 10-FEET.
Yūki Itō and Takehiro Miura are the directors of the anime at Cygames, with Aki Kindaichi handling series compositions. In addition, Takuya Miyahara and Keigo Sasaki are the anime’s character designers. Masafumi Sugiura and Junnosuke Itō are credited for screenplay and manga planning, respectively.
Additional staff members include:
Chief Animation Directors: Yōsuke Fukumoto, Akira Takata and Atsushi Komori
Color Key Artist: Nanako Okazaki
Art Director: Osamu Hasada
3D CG Director: Nobuyuki Kamiya
Compositing Director of Photography: Akane Fushihara