Naraka: Bladepoint is approaching its fourth anniversary, and it’s celebrating with another Naraka Fest Direct. There will be news, reveals, updates, and details about upcoming in-game events and new content, and IGN will host a livestream of the show. We have all the info you need to watch the show live, as well as some ideas of what to expect to be shown.
Naraka Fest Direct Date, Time, and How to Watch
If you’re in the United States, this will be a nighttime show. It’ll begin on Tuesday, July 1 at 9 p.m. Pacific, which means it’ll be at midnight that night in the Eastern time zone. You can watch it live on any of these IGN channels:
If you can’t stay up late to watch it live, that’s okay. We’ll save the show in its entirety on our YouTube page, same as we did for last year’s Naraka Fest. So it’ll be waiting for you the next morning.
What to Expect from the Naraka Fest Direct
Before last year’s show, we already knew about the new map, Perdoria, that was being added. So we knew a deep dive into its details was approaching. This time around, we’ve gotten trailers letting us know big changes are coming. Naraka’s very world is breaking apart and a shift is rewriting every reality. In the midst of all that chaos, we can see a lightning-like figure traversing different timelines. Is that a hint about a new hero being introduced? We’ll have to wait and see.
Could those big, world-shaking changes also mean a new mode is on the horizon? Naraka: Bladepoint has kept its players engaged through its four-year run by consistently introducing new modes, like the recently added PvP mode Blessed Brutality. Could there be another new mode coming? What about collabs? There have been a bunch of collaborations to this point, ranging from other games (like The Witcher 3) to real-life figures (like fighter Buakaw Banchamek). Maybe there’s another one on the way. You can also bet on there being in-game events and rewards to celebrate the game’s fourth anniversary, but you’ll have to tune in on July 1 to see what they are.
Takaya Imamura — a video game designer and manga artist perhaps best known for his work on F-Zero, Star Fox, and The Legend of Zelda — has said that despite his lofty credits, there were “so many amazing people” in Nintendo, he felt “inferior” enough that it was a relief to eventually leave the company.
“There were so many incredible people at Nintendo,” Imamura wrote on X, as spotted and translated by Automaton, “and I remember constantly wondering how I could demonstrate my own worth in such an environment,” adding there was always “a sense of inferiority lingering somewhere.”
“When I left the company, it’s true that I felt a sense of freedom, as if I had been released from the inferiority complex I’d carried for years,” Imamura added. “But at the same time, there was also a loneliness in thinking, ‘I won’t be able to work with these people anymore…’ That said, with only a few years left until retirement anyway, and since game development often takes many years, I felt a stronger desire to move forward at my own pace, doing more freely creative things.”
While reading that may come as a surprise, it seems that sentiment is shared by many former Nintendo employees. One former Nintendo designer, Shinji Watanabe, who now heads up Epsilon Software, followed up to liken his former colleagues to “celestial beings,” whilst Ken Watanabe, who worked at Nintendo for 10 years before branching out an an indie creator, concurred, said: “There really is nothing but amazing people [at Nintendo]. Trying to find a way to stand out among them was both draining and fulfilling.”
On the subject of Nintendo… did you know Super Mario Strikers — or Mario Smash Football, as it’s known in Europe — is joining Nintendo Switch 2‘s Nintendo Switch Online GameCube library next week? It’s the first game to have been added to the library since Switch 2 launched earlier this month. And don’t forget, an extremely cool replica GameCube controller is also available for maximum nostalgia…
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
It’s the first big discount the game has had since its release earlier this year, and comes courtesy of Amazon’s early Prime Day sales.
Dropping from $70, that’s a sizable $20 off the list price, and an increasingly more appealing price point for anyone previously unsure of Ubisoft’s latest open-world RPG.
I will defend this game till my dying breath. I’ve spent so much time just chilling and exploring the open-world landscape, and it’s honestly become a comfort game since I cracked it open.
If you’re after something meaty, with a seriously satisfying gameplay loop and some proper stealth challenge, especially with the new Nightmare difficulties, Assassin’s Creed Shadows absolutely delivers.
There are still some rough edges, but none of it takes away from how immersive and enjoyable it is overall. It’s a beautiful, ambitious Assassin’s Creed game that doesn’t try to please everyone, and I respect it more because of that.
IGN’s Jarrett Green review gave it an 8 out of 10, calling Yasuke and Naoe “the strongest Assassin duo in years,” and they’re right. The way Shadows handles combat, story, and seasonal changes across its open world makes it feel more alive than most open-world games manage.
At $50, it’s an easy recommendation. And honestly, I’d defend this one even if it weren’t on sale. The fact that it’s cheaper just makes it easier for others to see what I already know: this game is worth your time.
Surprise! A new My Hero Academia game is on the way.
We learned the news during Bandai Namco’s brief teaser for its upcoming Summer Showcase, and while details were light — at least for now — we can expect more when the showcase goes live on July 2 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 9pm CEST / 4am JST.
My Hero Academia debuted in April 2016 and became an instant hit, telling the story of Izuku Midoriya as he navigates a school for superheroes after only just inheriting the world’s most powerful abilities. Alongside the eight seasons of anime, four films and myriad games have been released, too. The eighth and final series is set to air this coming October.
Bandai Namco went big on little things last week, too, confirming Little Nightmares 3 will release on October 10. And if that seems very far away, anyone who pre-orders a digital version of Little Nightmares 3 between now and launch day will get to revisit the game that started it all with Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition as an early access title.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
Dune: Awakening griefers are at it again, concocting ever-new and exciting ways to make other players’ lives miserable. And once again, the griefing concerns Ornithopters.
But despite Funcom’s mitigations, unscrupulous players have discovered another way to grief players by landing their Ornis on top of unsuspecting players — this time to prevent them from farming.
“All the griefers are now coming into Hagga to farm spice. They’re doing the same thumper and land on thopter technique they perfected in [Deep Desert]. But now they’re using it to farm all the minor nodes in Hagga,” wrote one aggrieved fan over the weekend.
“This game has some massive issues ahead. Griefers are in an all-out war against everyone else on their server, and yet there’s zero way for solos to band together to stop it. And as a Dune fan, I don’t think planting a thumper and then having four thopters land on you is part of the mythology.”
u/RandoFinder then edited their post to add: “I kept my Thopter at 730 km for 30 minutes until a spice blow, and as soon as I moved, four thopters were chasing me. JFC, y’all are pathetic. This was in Hagga. I had players tonight telling each other to doxx me when I stood up to them in Hagga chat. I’ve been in WoW general and other horrible chats, but Dune general is the most toxic chat that I’ve ever seen.”
“I think it goes without saying that PVP is PVP, and killing other players in a PVP zone is totally legitimate and expected,” responded another player. “Entrapping someone by abusing game mechanics intended to prevent grief of a similar kind, ala pinning people with ornithopters that otherwise can’t be destroyed or escaped in a PVE zone, is griefing. Griefing should be explicitly and implicitly disallowed. If you’re in a PVE zone, you should not have to worry about players killing you through an abuse of mechanics.”
At the time of writing, there has been no public response from Funcom about the issue.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
While Ubisoft keeps quiet about a potential Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake, the actor behind the game’s hero Edward Kenway has offered up some teasing words to fans.
A souped-up version of Ubisoft’s piratical Assassin’s Creed entry has been the subject of numerous leaks over the past few years, and is now widely expected among fans. But Ubisoft itself has never confirmed the project — and declined to comment on the matter when contacted by IGN last month, when an Assassin’s Creed merchandise maker also dropped an obvious Black Flag remake hint.
Now, at a fan convention, Edward Kenway voice actor Matt Ryan has given perhaps the most obvious tease so far that something is on the horizon.
“Have you beaten the game?” Ryan asks a fan, as captured on video by TikTok user therebelarchive. “Well, you might have to beat it again…”
When the fan replies “Is this true? I have to run through all of them again,” Ryan responds with a knowing wink, and then says:
“Well, especially this one. There’s a reason I say that, but I can’t say anything.”
Matt Ryan (Voice of Edward Kenway) Teases Black Flag Remaster via a fan interaction at a convention!
— YT.com/Super DropKick (@SuperDropKick17) June 29, 2025
While Ryan is likely aware of the ongoing speculation around a Black Flag remaster, could his involvement in it extend beyond seeing his prior work re-released? Reports have suggested Ubisoft is working on a substantial re-working of Black Flag — does that mean Ryan himself is involved, re-recordling dialogue, or contributing to new story elements?
With no all-new Assassin’s Creed game set for the end of this year, fans believe the Black Flag remake would be well positioned to arrive in time for the holidays. Here’s hoping Ryan isn’t made to walk the plank for dropping this latest hint, and it’s not too long before Ubisoft makes the remake official.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Sega has addressed Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition’s rocky launch, extending its refund policy for the game, offering a 50% upgrade path discount, and promising a string of patches.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition is a re-release of Relic Entertainment’s 2011 action game, Space Marine. Both Games Workshop and publisher Sega are not calling this a remaster. Instead they point to quality-of-life and graphical improvements “that take the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine experience to the next level.”
These include higher fidelity and improved textures, 4k resolution, “improved” character models, a modernized control scheme and interface overhaul, and remastered audio.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition launched on June 10 across Xbox Series X and S and PC, and straight into Game Pass (there’s no word on a PS5 version). While it appears to be going down okay on Game Pass, on Steam, where Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition costs $39.99 / £34.99, it has a ‘mostly negative’ user review rating.
In a post on Steam, Sega said “we’ve heard your concerns around pricing,” and outlined the steps it was taking. To start, it has extended its refund window for Master Crafted Edition to July 10. This means that if you bought the game you can get a full refund, regardless of playtime, as long as you request it before 6pm BST / 10pm PST on July 10, 2025 (when the Steam Summer Sale ends).
Meanwhile, there is, as so many fans had asked for, now a 50% upgrade discount. If you own Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Anniversary Edition, you’re eligible for a 50% discount when buying the Master Crafted Edition until 6pm BST / 10pm PST July 10 2025 when the discount offer ends.
Yes, that means if you already bought the Master Crafted Edition and qualify for the discount, you’ll need to request a refund manually via Steam Support (before July 10) then re-buy the game at the discounted price.
“We know this situation has been frustrating for some of you, and we’re sorry for the confusion it’s caused,” Sega added. “We hope this approach offers a workable solution while we continue improving the game itself.”
Speaking of which, Sega released the patch roadmap for Master Crafted Edition. It includes a number of improvements all due out in the coming weeks. Highlights include user interface enhancements, fixes for the game running on Steam Deck, and networking improvements. The details are below.
“We’ll continue listening, improving, and communicating as these changes go live,” Sega concluded. “Thanks for sticking with us.”
Warhammer 40,000 video games have been on a great run lately, with the likes of Space Marine 2 leading the charge of well-received, successful titles. Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition is a rare misstep, then, ahead of the launch of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Definitive Edition later this year.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition Patch Roadmap
🌍 Localisation
• Updated Dutch, Polish, and Italian translations.
• Improved localisation for game modes, controller options, and key terms (e.g. Skar Boyz).
🧭 UI/UX Enhancements
Major improvements to chat input, scoreboard layout, and HUD elements.
Added glow effects, spacing fixes, and better alignment across menus.
Improved mission selection, unlock notifications, and subtitle persistence.
Added new button prompts, SFX, and controller glyphs (including Steam Deck and Switch Pro).
Fixed softlocks, graphical glitches, and input issues in various screens.
⚔️ Gameplay Fixes
Fixed softlock in Exterminatus wave 5.
Restored coop live tokens and fixed weapon wheel ammo display.
Improved challenge decorators and shield visualisers.
Fixed campaign info and map loading inconsistencies.
Legacy black screen issue fixed
🎮 Platform & Controller Support
Steam Deck now launches correctly.
Improved controller disconnect handling on PC.
🌐 Networking
Fixed session code visibility in streamer mode.
Improved EOS invite handling and native session stability.
Disabled team auto-balancing during gameplay.
Enhanced P2P connection handling to prevent lobby splits.
🛠️ Technical & Build
Moved local user profile data to AppData to prevent config crashes.
Added memory safety for loadouts and improved fade animations.
🔊 Audio & Visual
Fixed missing or duplicate SFX events.
Updated button textures and fixed VFX issues.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
The weekend is officially here, and we’ve rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for Sunday, June 29 below:
Assassin’s Creed Shadows for $49.99
You can take home Assassin’s Creed Shadows this weekend for just $49.99. This is still one of the biggest games of the year, and you are guaranteed to keep occupied for hours. In our 8/10 review, we wrote, “By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade.”
Steam Summer Sale – The Best Deals Today
The Steam Summer Sale is officially live, and this is easily one of the best times of the year to score deals on PC games. Many of the biggest RPGs to release on PC in 2025 are discounted, including Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and more. Plus, you can score incredible games like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy or Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy for under $6.
Twin Peaks: From Z to A Blu-ray Set for $52.51
Twin Peaks is one of the most beloved projects of the late David Lynch, inspiring countless creatives across TV, film, and even video games. Currently, the Twin Peaks: From Z to A Blu-ray set is discounted to $52.51. This 21-disc set includes all three seasons of Twin Peaks, the Twin Peaks: Fire Walks With Me film, and over 20 hours of special features.
Berserk Complete 1997 Series Blu-ray for $38.97
Berserk is one of the best beloved manga series of all time, and while there have been a few anime adaptations, it wasn’t until 2024 when you could score the entire 1997 series on Blu-ray. This weekend, you can score the Complete Blu-ray, which includes all 25 episodes in both English and Japanese, for $38.97. If you’ve yet to enter the world of Berserk, this can be an excellent entry point.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Out Now
After almost six years, the sequel to Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding is finally available. I was a huge fan of the original game, and Australia has been an absolute treat to explore so far. The combat and gameplay have seen vast enhancements overall, and the story is sure to interest even players completely unfamiliar with the first game.
Save on LEGO Sonic The Hedgehog
Woot has a solid discount on the LEGO Sonic The Hedgehog: Super Sonic vs. Egg Drillster set. This 590 piece set includes three minifigures and four characters, for a total of seven Sonic characters included. With the Speed Sphere, you can launch Super Sonic into the air and break down the walls of lab, making this a unique and must-own set for Sonic fans!
Flow 4K Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order
Flow was a standout movie of 2025, with the film taking home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. This is a unique movie for a number of reasons. For one, there is no dialogue spoken throughout the entire movie. Instead, Flow manages to tell its story through animals and a desperate fight for survival. While The Criterion Collection 4K Blu-ray of Flow is priced at $49.99 normally, you can secure your copy for pre-order for $34.99 at Amazon this weekend.
The Best Deals on Mario Games for the Switch Today
Mario games rarely go on sale, but you can save on Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, Super Mario Odyssey, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopes this weekend. If you just picked up a Nintendo Switch 2 and did not own a Switch, these are excellent titles to get started with.
Tokyo Xanadu eX+ for $29.99
The ultimate version of Tokyo Xanadu is available for only $29.99 this weekend, and this is a great deal you do not want to pass over if you own Nintendo Switch. Tokyo Xanadu eX+ includes all DLC released for the game, as well as a new localization, new playable characters, new mods, and even new scenarios. For $29.99, you can easily spend hundreds of hours with this one.
F1 25 for $49.99
If you’re still reeling for more after watching Joseph Kosinski’s F1 this weekend, you can head over to Amazon and pick up F1 25 for only $49.99. You can become the Owner of your own Formula One team, allowing you to make key decisions and manage your drivers and team. Additionally, a story mode awaits that sees you fighting for a chance to take home the World Championship title.
Death Strading 2: On The Beach 3xLP Up for Pre-Order
On Friday, Mondo revealed and opened pre-orders for the 3xLP Death Stranding 2: On The Beach – Original Video Game Score. Composed by Ludvig Forssell, this 3xLP includes 32 tracks from the score, with three unique discs: two unique black and white swirl discs and one zoetrope disc. This item is set to ship out in November 2025, but don’t hesitate to secure your pre-order early!
This Legend of Zelda canvas wall art is the perfect gift for any Zelda fan. It recreates the timeless Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai, but with a fun Wind Waker twist. It’s the same exact art, but now Link and the King of Red Lions are sailing in the foreground. It’s silly, fun, and a great mash-up of the famous painting and one of the best Zelda games of all time. If you’re looking for a great Legend of Zelda gift for yourself or the Nintendo fan in your life, this is definitely worth considering.
The Legend of Zelda Great Wave off Kanagawa Canvas
There are 16 different versions of the print, with five main configurations. There’s regular gallery wrapped, black-framed, 3-piece, 4-piece, and 5-piece versions to pick from, so you have plenty of variety to find the right one for your nerdy interior decorating. Each of the divided versions come in medium and large versions, and the gallery wrapped and black-framed styles come in five sizes.
They vary in price between $39.99 and $29.99. The 24 by 18-inch gallery wrapped version is 7% off, now at $69.99 while the 4-piece medium is also 7% off, bringing the price to $129.99.
Now is the perfect time to pick one of these up, since The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has gotten a second wind (nailed it) on Nintendo Switch 2. You can access the game on the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube app along with Soul Calibur 2 and F-Zero GX, with many more to come. The Wind Waker is one of my personal favorites, and we gave the 2002 original a 9.6, saying that it’s “a masterful achievement — a shining example, in fact, of how video games should be made and a case study for developers wondering what makes a compelling game”.
Want codes for Grow a Garden? Well, a code redemption system is finally here! It was added to the popular gardening experience as part of the Lunar Glow event. This big change means it’s likely there will be codes released in the future, so IGN will now keep you covered as and when new codes are released!
Working Grow a Garden Codes (June 2025)
I’m sorry to say that even with the new Bizzier Bees update, there still currently no active Grow a Garden codes! As soon as new ones are announced, we’ll update this article to include the new ones. For now, check out all there is to do in the new Bizzier Bees and Friendship Update.
Expired Grow a Garden Codes (June 2025)
Unfortunately, these codes have now expired:
LUNARGLOW10 – This gave players 3x Seed Packs.
How to Redeem Grow a Garden Codes
Now that there’s a code redemption system in the Roblox experience, here are the steps you need to follow to use Grow a Garden codes:
Launch the Grow a Garden Roblox experience
Look in the top left corner to find the Settings cog next to the icon of the backpack
Click settings and scroll down to the bottom
Copy and paste codes from this article into the Redeem Codes box
Press claim and enjoy your goodies!
Why Isn’t My Grow a Garden Code Working?
There are usually two reasons why a code isn’t working. It’s either because:
The code is expired
The code has been entered incorrectly
If a code has been entered incorrectly or is expired, it will say the “code is invalid.” To stop this from happening, we’d recommend copying and pasting the code directly from this article. We check and test each of the codes before we add them to our articles. However, when copying them, you can sometimes accidentally include an extra space somewhere, so always double check there’s no additional spaces!
Where to Find More Grow a Garden Codes
If new codes are added to the game, we’ll update this article, so you can always check back here and keep up-to-date with the latest codes. Grow a Garden has its own dedicated Discord server where codes will be announced, as well as game updates.
What is Grow a Garden in Roblox?
Grow a Garden is a new Roblox experience that’s become incredibly popular since it launched. The gardening simulator allows players to show off their green fingers, as you buy seeds and plant a variety of crops from basic carrots to exotic dragon fruit trees.
As fruit and vegetables finally sprout, you’ll be able to harvest them to sell for Sheckles. To go from a beginner gardener to a pro worthy of awards, you’ll want your crops to experience mutations that increase their value. This can happen randomly, with Gold and Big mutations being down to chance, while weather events like snow can increase your luck of a Frozen mutation. There’s also gear, and even pets now, that can affect how fast your crops grow, their value, and more.
When is the Mega Harvest Update in Grow a Garden?
Grow a Garden hosts new events each weekend, where players can come together and try out the fresh content for the ever-expanding game. The next update is planned for Saturday June 28, 2025 and is being called the Mega Harvest. While we don’t know much yet besides the fact that the Summer Harvest event is being extended, we can guess that there will be new seeds, new pets, even more craftable items to come.
Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.
