It was wonderful to see the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro console a few weeks ago. For those interested in the in-depth technical aspects of PS5 Pro, we’ve put together a video describing the bits and bytes behind the console: how it came together, how it works, and why it’s the first step in an exciting new journey for gamers. You can watch below!
Note: the below video is focused on the technology behind PS5 Pro and doesn’t feature new game announcements or new gameplay footage.
In the presentation, you’ll learn what the “advanced” in “Advanced Ray Tracing” really means, the difference between FLOPS and TOPS, and some of the challenges involved in developing the efficient machine learning hardware needed for PSSR – the AI-driven upscaling featured in PS5 Pro.
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At the end of the presentation, I also do something that we typically don’t do at SIE – I touch on how our learnings with PS5 Pro will fuel our future ambitions in our never-ending quest to push the boundaries of play. AMD has been a fantastic partner for SIE for many years now, and I’m honored to announce that we have begun a deeper collaboration with a focus on Machine Learning-based technology for graphics and gameplay. Both AMD and SIE share many of the same goals related to advancing the medium of video games. Watch the presentation to learn more about this exciting plan!
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We also did an encore presentation of this lecture before an audience including journalists from Digital Foundry, IGN, and Wccftech. Keep an eye out for their coverage, and more discussion of RDNA, ray tracing, and machine learning.
The polls for the PlayStation Game of the Year 2024 awards closed last week and with the numbers crunched – totalling over 1.6 million votes globally – we can reveal this year’s top contenders across the 19 categories, as shaped solely by your choices. While four titles earned trophies per category, there were numerous games that received support from players worldwide, either through selecting from shortlists or write-in options. A thank you to those who voted, and of course, to those creators and teams whose creativity and craft has been shared and enjoyed on PlayStation consoles the world over.
Before we dig into the winners, a quick reminder on the category guidelines:
As with the majority of the other categories, Best Multiplayer Experience focuses on titles released in 2024. Best Ongoing Game focuses on titles that have seen new, large scale content or game-changing updates launch over this past year.
Best Rerelease is categorized as titles that, in the main, feature upgraded visuals and some QoL improvements but otherwise hew close to their original launch version. This category does not include full-scale remakes of older titles. Those are eligible for Game of the Year consideration.
Due to the polls closure date, some titles weren’t eligible for inclusion. Those titles will be eligible in next year’s Awards.
If a title won a Platinum Trophy in a category any previous year, it won’t be eligible for inclusion in the same category this year to allow other titles a chance to shine. As such Grand Theft Auto VI isn’t included in The Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond category – as it earned the Platinum in 2023’s Awards.
Congratulations to everyone who released titles this year.
Best New Character
Platinum Trophy: Eve (Stellar Blade)
Gold Trophy: Jane Harrow (Call of Duty: Black Ops 6) Silver Trophy: Emmrich Volkarin (Dragon Age: The Veilguard) Bronze Trophy: Ryoma Sakamoto (Rise of the Rōnin)
The Best New Character category received the highest number of write-in votes, so a shout out to – amongst others – Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Strohl, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail’s Wuk Lamat, and Helldivers 2’s General Brasch, all of whom have fans across the globe. The majority of the votes however were split between Stellar Blade’s Eve, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s Jane Harrow, Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Emmrich Volkarin and Rise of the Rōnin’s Ryoma Sakamoto.
Best Story
Platinum Trophy: Silent Hill 2
Gold Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Silver Trophy: Stellar Blade Bronze Trophy: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
The Best Story category had strong competition this year, including new gripping narratives in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Stellar Blade. Two unforgettable remakes duked it out for top position: Silent Hill 2 and Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. The votes for number one were remarkably close.
Ultimately, James Sunderland’s surreal return trip to Silent Hill took the top spot. Bloober Team and Konami’s remake of this PS2 classic captured the dreamlike essence of the original title while enhancing it with high-fidelity facial capture to add extra nuance to the town’s troubled visitors. We’ll see Silent Hill 2 in our restless dreams for years.
Best Graphical Showcase
Platinum Trophy: Black Myth: Wukong
Gold Trophy: Astro Bot Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade
You know that moment when you’re playing a game and you just have to stop and say wow? 2024 has been choc-full of those thanks to a line-up of gorgeous games which have pushed the boundaries of what is possible graphically. Adventures like Stellar Blade and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth brought a realistic style to their fantastic worlds, while the bright and playful planets inhabited by Astro and his bot buddies captured the hearts (and eyes) of gamers everywhere.
Perhaps one of the most memorable of those moments is the opening of Black Myth: Wukong, which sees you raising your staff in a stunning fight amidst the clouds. But that’s just the beginning; the action epic’s towering mountains, dense forests and glistening snowfields really highlighted just how beautiful PS5’s visuals can be, helping it claim this year’s Platinum trophy.
Best Art Direction
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Silver Trophy: Silent Hill 2 Bronze Trophy: Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
The games of 2024 brought top-tier artistic visions to life, from harrowing horrors to fantastical creatures. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero captured the source material perfectly, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth featured top-tier character and boss design, while Silent Hill 2 beautifully recaptured the moody atmosphere of the PS2 original with a fresh aesthetic.
However, Team Asobi’s Astro Bot leaped up to claim top prize in the category. The platforming adventure’s Bots sport loving homages to classic game characters decked out in gear that thoughtfully distills the original character design. Each stage is a visual banger to boot, including inventive knife-juggling ghosts, traditional Japanese architecture, and outlandish sci-fi contraptions. Congrats to Team Asobi.
Best Audio Design
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Silent Hill 2 Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade
This year our ears rang with clashing metal, buzzing gadgets, and small towns creaking and moaning, breathing detailed life into the environments we played through. But it was Astro Bot’s all-encompassing auditory adventure that blasted it to the top spot. From Astro’s pitter patter adjusting to whatever terrain he crossed, to the squishes, bangs, and pows of his power suits, every level filled players’ ears with a galaxy of sound.
2024 featured stiff competition in the soundtrack department. Astro Bot introduced new tracks we’ll be humming well into 2025. Silent Hill 2 brilliantly recaptured Akira Yamaoka’s eclectic and moody sounds, and Stellar Blade’s soundtrack was, well, stellar.
However, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth secures the top position for Best Soundtrack. It’s no wonder, as the original PlayStation game is considered to have one of the greatest soundtracks in the history of the medium. Each track in Rebirth is stunningly fleshed out with broader instrumentation, from the soothing town of Kalm to the rousing boss battles against Sephiroth. This year, one of the best soundtracks ever only got better.
Best Use of DualSense
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Stellar Blade Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Bronze Trophy: Silent Hill 2
If you’ve heard the clash of Eve’s blade ring out from its speaker, or felt the pitter-patter of the rain in Silent Hill, you know how much more immersive the DualSense can make your games. And this year, many developers made the most of its features to make their games more terrifying, challenging and enjoyable.
With Astro Bot, winner of this year’s Platinum trophy for use of DualSense, Team Asobi built on what they created in the past. From rolling Astro around in a LocoRoco-inspired world to clearing the path with a blow of your breath, every element of the adventure is developed with the controller in mind, adding to the enjoyment of an already joyful game.
Best Accessibility Features
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: The Last of Us Part II Remastered Silver Trophy: Silent Hill 2 Bronze Trophy: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
Team Asobi has not only crafted an epic, nostalgic adventure paying homage to PlayStation’s extensive 30-year history, they’ve also championed accessibility by design! High contrast visuals, a streamlined, Access Controller-friendly control scheme, and truly unique implementation of haptic feedback with visual cues in tow, ensure players can explore a bevy of vibrant worlds alongside Astro.
Best Multiplayer Experience
Platinum Trophy: Helldivers 2
Gold Trophy: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Silver Trophy: Fortnite Bronze Trophy: Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Dispensing peace doesn’t come easy, but the taste of liber-tea is that much sweeter when shared with a team. This year players united under the Helldivers 2 flag of democracy to fight off bots and bugs. Whether you dropped in with friends or completed mission objectives with strangers online, we salute you.
Best Ongoing Game
Platinum Trophy: Fortnite
Gold Trophy: Final Fantasy XIV Online Silver Trophy: Call of Duty Bronze Trophy: No Man’s Sky
Nothing lasts forever, but some games have evolved into an ever-growing ecosystem. Constant updates bringing new fierce competitions in Gran Turismo 7, rebuilding a universe from the ground up in No Man’s Sky and exploring new frontiers in Final Fantasy XIV Online.
With constant innovation, never-ending stories, and a whole galaxy to explore there was one game that has withstood the test of time above the rest. Fortnite. Whether it’s dancing with Snoop Dogg, tackling teams with the TMNT, or just hanging with your best friends and anime characters, Fortnite appeals to the imagination of us all. Add in modes like LEGO, car racing, and even an FPS, and you have a game that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Best Expansion
Platinum Trophy: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
Gold Trophy: God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide Bronze Trophy: Alan Wake 2: The Lake House
Wanted to explore more of Kratos’ history? God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla delivered. Craved a new Final Fantasy XVI story? 2024 had you covered. Needed more Alan Wake in your life? Yup, got that too.
There was no shortage of expansions of already fantastic games this year. God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla took you to the trials of the Norse afterlife, while Alan Wake 2: The Lake House acted as an unnerving addendum to an already terrifying adventure. Meanwhile, we left the Lands Between to journey to the Land of Shadow in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. Easily one of the biggest expansions of the year, it brought dozens of new enemies and bosses to face, a whole new map to explore and countless new ways to grow your Tarnished’s armoury. The sheer amount of content aside, Shadow of the Erdtree also introduced one of FromSoftware’s most challenging boss fights ever, adding a delicious and deadly cherry on top of an incredible adventure.
Best Sports Game
Platinum Trophy: EA Sports FC 25
Gold Trophy: WWE 2K24 Silver Trophy: F1 24 Bronze Trophy: NBA 2K25
High-scoring action was plentiful for sports game players in 2024. F1 24’s improved Dynamic Handling dazzled adrenaline junkies with realistic heart-pumping races, while WWE 2K24 came off the top rope to deliver nostalgia by bringing back fan-favorite match types.
The competition was strong but EA Sports FC 25 took home the chip, securing the Best Sports Game title for 2024. The new FC IQ feature overhauled tactics and delivered the most strategic control over gameplay in the franchise’s history. EA Sports FC 25 also made it easier to pick up and play with friends in the 5v5 Rush mode, as smaller teams bring more time on the ball for players who want to be close to the action.
Best Rerelease
Platinum Trophy: The Last of Us Part II Remastered
Gold Trophy: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Silver Trophy: Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Bronze Trophy: Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
The Last of Us Part II Remastered kicked down the door at the beginning of 2024 with its impressive visual enhancements, crisp frame rate, and new No Return mode that offered new challenges once players completed the emotionally charged story. Crisp foliage, dense shadows, and detailed character design pushed this release to be players’ definitive version of the game.
Best Independent Game
Platinum Trophy: Balatro
Gold Trophy: Palworld Silver Trophy: Phasmophobia Bronze Trophy: Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 (Flat Version)
The frights of Phasmophobia and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 kept players on their toes, and monster-taming adventure Palworld helped them build community. But this hand ultimately went to Balatro, which built a deck of roguelite fun that turned poker on its head and kept players locked into its hypnotically fun gameplay loop all year.
Immersive horror frights proved a strong draw for PS VR2 players. Despite launching this time last year, Resident Evil 4 VR Mode is still a vivid memory for many, pulling in the majority of player votes as Capcom sublimely adapted the thrills of its survival horror franchise for VR. Vertigo Games brought the post-apolycaptic world of Metro to VR, adding in immersive features while retaining that franchise’s taut, oppressive atmosphere. Phasmophobia proved supernatural escapades are best with company, and Cooking Simulator VR delighted with its culinary chaos.
Best PS4 Game
Platinum Trophy: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Gold Trophy: Metaphor: ReFantazio Silver Trophy: Sonic X Shadow Generations Bronze Trophy: Persona 3 Reload
Some of 2024’s best games launched on both PS5 and PS4 this year. Atlus delivered two RPG bangers with Personal 3 Reload and Metaphor ReFantazio. Sega also expanded on its hedgehog love letter in Sonic X Shadow Generations, featuring a new campaign. What a year for Sega!
Despite the strong competition, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 secures the Best PS4 Game victory this year. Treyarch and its development partners delivered a gripping, action-packed campaign, ushered in the return of round-based Zombies mode, and offered the endless excitement of genre-defining multiplayer. Congrats to the Call of Duty developers for this year’s achievement.
Best PS5 Game
Platinum Trophy: Astro Bot
Gold Trophy: Black Myth: Wukong Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Bronze Trophy: Stellar Blade
Great gaming experiences launched across the entire stretch of 2024, and four in particular were seemingly top of mind for many voters. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s lavish and expansive RPG adventure kicked things off back in February. Stellar Blade’s sci-fi action unleashed itself on PS5 two months later, with Black Myth: Wukong’s own take on tight combat mechanics leapt into the fray in August. But it was the platforming adventures of Astro Bot, released in September, that netted the majority of votes.
Studio of the Year
Platinum Trophy: Team Asobi
Gold Trophy: Bandai Namco Silver Trophy: Shift Up Bronze Trophy: Arrowhead Games
No video game would exist without talented people and teams pouring their passions into the medium. Every year, we are privileged to experience the imagination and ideas that took years to bring to life. We had one of the greatest satire multiplayer experiences, a new staple in the action-adventure genre, and a team putting out multiple hits in a calendar year. Still, the studio that captured the hearts of players was Team Asobi.
Through Astro Bot, Team Asobi tapped into the simplistic yet hard-to-master, joy of playing a video game. From invoking feelings in seasoned gamers they may have forgotten, to being a new gamer’s first magical experience. They prove to players they have the talent to bring out the best in the art form.
Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond
Platinum Trophy: Ghost of Yōtei
Gold Trophy: Marvel’s Wolverine Silver Trophy: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Bronze Trophy: Monster Hunter Wilds
Hotly-anticipated heavyweights line the horizon of 2025 onwards. Players haven’t long to wait either: Monster Hunter Wilds launches in just over two months. While its beast-fighting delights kickstart the year, Sucker Punch’s latest adventure will bring sword clashes, exploration and more to 2025 in the form of Ghost of Yōtei. And with Insomniac’s and Kojima Production’s latest works also part of PlayStation’s future, there’s a lot to be excited about.
Experience the magic of the holidays in Stellar Blade. Xion, adorned with warm, festive lights, is ready to welcome you with the spirit of hope and humanity. Join us for a special event designed to bring joy and comfort to your everyday life. A Xion filled with seasonal romance awaits you on December 17!
Holiday scenery in Xion
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A colorful Christmas tree brightens Xion, transforming the once cold city square into a cozy, festive space with warm lights and decorations. The Last Gulp, where Xion’s citizens gather after peace is restored, is also decorated for the holidays.
In the camp, the seasonal BGM ‘Dawn (Winter)’ and ‘Take me away’ create a relaxing atmosphere. These romantic tunes will enhance your holiday relaxation by melting away battle tension.
A surprise gift from Santa
A new mini-game has arrived in Xion, offering a break from survival struggles. Enjoy the gameplay and earn rewards upon completion.
The Santa Dress for Eve is designed as an adorable and festive appearance. The I’m No Santa costume for Adam has a humorous twist. Complete the look with the Santa Girl hairstyle and personalize it with accessories such as Snow Crystal Glasses, Wreath Earrings, and Sleigh Ear Cuffs.
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The newly added Rudolph Pack cosmetic for the Drone is an endearing item reimagining Rudolph leading Santa’s sleigh. With a red nose and cute horns, this Drone is sure to brighten up your holiday.
Set the season as you please
On/Off feature has been newly added for the seasonal events and NieR:Automata DLC content. You can now enjoy the game whenever and however you want.
Always with a heart full of gratitude
Create unforgettable memories with these gifts prepared in Stellar Blade this cold winter. The dev team put extra touch to this update to deliver a joyful holiday to all. May the streets of Xion that were once cold, and empty be filled with the wonders of the season.
We strive to bring joy to your life. Have a warm and happy holidays with Stellar Blade!
Hi everyone! Hope you have been having good holiday season so far!
We are happy to share the Holiday Sale in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam that will feature discounts on PlayStation peripherals (e.g.: PS VR2 and DualSense wireless controller) and select blockbuster PS5 titles (e.g.: ASTRO BOT and Stellar Blade).
Holiday Sale 2024 promotion starts from December 19th 2024 till January 1st 2025, just in time for holiday gifting season, in participating retailers: https://www.playstation.com/local/retailers/.
Please see below for full details of Holiday Sale 2024 in in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Singapore
Peripherals
Original SRP
Promotion SRP
PlayStation VR2
SGD 869
SGD 599
Pulse Elite Wireless Headset
SGD 199.90
SGD 173.90
Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds
SGD 295.90
SGD 256.90
PS5 Game Titles
Original SRP
Promotion SRP
ASTRO BOT
SGD 79.90
SGD 67.90
Gran Turismo® 7
SGD 97.90
SGD 40.90
God of War™ Ragnarök
SGD 97.90
SGD 40.90
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
SGD 97.90
SGD 54.90
Rise of the Ronin™
SGD 97.90
SGD 54.90
The Last of Us™ Part II Remastered
SGD 67.90
SGD 54.90
Stellar Blade
SGD 97.90
SGD 67.90
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
SGD 97.90
SGD 40.90
Helldivers 2
SGD 54.90
SGD 40.90
LEGO Horizon Adventures
SGD 79.90
SGD 54.90
Malaysia
Peripherals
Original SRP
Promotion SRP
PlayStation VR2
MYR 2,799
MYR 1,859
Pulse Elite Wireless Headset
MYR 699
MYR 609
Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds
MYR 999
MYR 869
PS5 Game Titles
Original SRP
Promotion SRP
ASTRO BOT
MYR 249
MYR 209
Gran Turismo® 7
MYR 299
MYR 129
God of War™ Ragnarök
MYR 299
MYR 129
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
MYR 299
MYR 169
Rise of the Ronin™
MYR 299
MYR 169
The Last of Us™ Part II Remastered
MYR 209
MYR 169
Stellar Blade
MYR 299
MYR 209
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
MYR 299
MYR 129
Helldivers 2
MYR 169
MYR 129
LEGO Horizon Adventures
MYR 249
MYR 169
Thailand
Peripherals
Original SRP
Promotion SRP
PlayStation VR2
THB 22,190
THB 14,890
Pulse Elite Wireless Headset
THB 5,190
THB 4,490
Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds
THB 7,790
THB 6,790
PS5 Game Titles
Original SRP
Promotion SRP
ASTRO BOT
THB 1,990
THB 1,690
Gran Turismo® 7
THB 2,290
THB 990
God of War™ Ragnarök
THB 2,290
THB 990
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
THB 2,290
THB 1,290
Rise of the Ronin™
THB 2,290
THB 1,290
The Last of Us™ Part II Remastered
THB 1,690
THB 1,290
Stellar Blade
THB 2,290
THB 1,690
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
THB 2,290
THB 990
Helldivers 2
THB 1,290
THB 990
LEGO Horizon Adventures
THB 1,990
THB 1,290
Indonesia
Peripherals
Original SRP
Promotion SRP
PlayStation VR2
IDR 10,599,000
IDR 7,319,000
PlayStation®VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle
Hey gang! This week, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi stops by to discuss his latest game, Fantasian Neo Dimension. Plus, the PlayStation 30th anniversary celebration continues as the crew shares their favorite games on PS5 and PS VR2. Through the end of the year, we’ll continue featuring picks from listeners and developers (and Kristen will return to share her top PlayStation games from the past 30 years).
Stuff We Talked About
Next week’s release highlights:
Flint: Treasure of Oblivion| PS5
Alien: Rogue Incursion | PS VR2
Interview w/ Hironobu Sakaguchi (begins at 4:41)
Special listener and developer’s favorite PlayStation games segment
The podcast crew highlights their top games on PS5 and PS VR2 (discussion to be continued…)
The Cast
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Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE
Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.
[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]
Last week, asked you to share your favorite PlayStation games, consoles, and gaming collections using #PSshare #PSBlog to celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. Here are this week’s nostalgic highlights:
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dwardlozanoshares the in-game 30th anniversary celebration in Astro Bot.
silentgear1shares their expansive PlayStation collection, which includes the full God of War gaming lineup.
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MrioMoreno5shares a collection of games across the generations that spell out PS.
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rumunskibugarinshares Castlevania: Symphony of the Night booted up on PS1, surrounded by a PS2, a PSP, and PS VR2 headset.
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UnlimitedGamesXshares their PlayStation collection laid out by era, with PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS Vita.
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
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THEME: Astro Bot – Winter Wonder Level SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 18, 2024
Next week, we’re blasting back into Astro Bot to explore the newly released Winter Wonder level. Share moments jumping through the snow and presents using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
As 2024 comes to a close, we can’t help but look back at an incredible year of gaming. The PlayStation Blog team wants to thank you for the moments we’ve shared this year, and across PlayStation’s last 30 years.
Before we press start on a new year, we’ve gathered some season’s greetings from our talented friends and colleagues from across the industry.
Citizens of Super Earth! Do not fear the resurgence of Illuminate scum – the Helldivers will be ready to fight them in the streets, at your doorsteps, and on the city borders and boundaries! The Ministry of Defense is authorizing the sale and distribution of the Urban Legends Premium Warbond* to all Helldivers, available starting now!
You’ve been fighting in swamps, deserts, and frozen wastelands with our finest weapons. But what kind of kit do you need to make a dent in the invading forces when it comes to your own streets?
Fighting in colonies means narrow streets and close encounters, so we’re introducing our first melee secondary weapon with the SQC-19 Stun Lance. This extra-large poker will give you good range and pairs perfectly with the SH-51 Directional Shield stratagem.
We think you’re going to appreciate some stationary firepower–something you can call down into a city center to put a dent in those Illuminate Harvesters. The E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement will allow you to liberate even the most heavily armored of enemies using the most democratic of firepower.
But what if you’re facing down a horde of Voteless and the Anti-Tank just won’t take out enough of them at once? I know what I’m going to call down: the A/FLAM-40 Flame Sentry. A stationary, high-powered flamethrower turret. Be careful with this one, though, Helldiver–if the red ammo canister takes too much fire, the whole sentry will go up in flames, taking anyone nearby with it.
While you’re busy holding off the onslaught with the shield and lance, you can get some additional help from the new Armed Resupply Pods booster, which upgrades your resupply pods with a tiny top-mounted turret to fend off stragglers while you make your way to the ammo drop. Just remember to keep your head down on approach!
Turn yourself into an immovable object for the enemy with the SR-18 Roadblock heavy armor. With a crested, Spartan-style helmet and imposing pauldrons to bulk up your shoulders, you’re sure to look the part.
But if you’re feeling like you need an agile light armor to move fast in the streets, there’s also the SR-24 Street Scout that’s giving some S.E.A.F trooper vibes. Both of these armors feature the Siege Ready passive, which increases your primary weapon reload speed by a whopping 30% and your primary ammo capacity by 20%!
Urban Legends has two capes with a gray and yellow color scheme that looks great with either armor set: the Greatcloak of Rebar Resolve with an extra large skull design, and the sleek, asymmetrical Holder of the Yellow Line cape.
The Illuminate threaten our colonies with slavery and death. We have chosen our words carefully–perhaps they should have done the same. The “This is Democracy” emote will show those squids that Super Earth will not be conquered.
There are also coordinating player cards for Rebar Resolve and Holder of the Yellow Line, as well a new set of urban camouflage patterns, Concrete Jungle, for your hellpods, shuttle, exosuit, and the brand new FRV which will be available soon! And like our previous Warbonds, we’re including plenty of Super Credits to unlock.
The citizens of Super Earth’s colonies will rest a little easier knowing you’re armed with the latest from the Ministry of Defense. Gear up, Helldivers, and make the streets safe again with Urban Legends–available today!
*Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock.
We’re back! You have been dying to know what’s next for us, and I’m thrilled to finally be able to answer: Naughty Dog’s next game is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, currently in development for the PlayStation 5 console. We’ve been working on this brand-new adventure since 2020! This game is shaping up to be our wildest, most creative story yet. If you haven’t already, check out the announcement trailer:
Intergalactic stars our newest protagonist, Jordan A. Mun, 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.
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Beyond that, we’re keeping everything about the story under wraps – at least for now. What we can tell you is that this game lives up to the Naughty Dog tradition of creating an emotional, character-driven epic journey. Our narrative goals are rivaled only by our gameplay ambitions. This will be the deepest gameplay in Naughty Dog’s history, taking our learnings from our previous franchises and pushing them beyond anything we’ve ever done before.
Jordan is played by the talented Tati Gabrielle, who leads a stellar cast (pun intended!). Eagle-eyed players might spot some of the other cast members in the trailer. We’ll reveal more of our ensemble down the line.
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Our incredible voyage into the cosmos also needs an equally incredible soundtrack. As tremendous fans of their work, I’m excited to announce our collaboration with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross who’ll be scoring Intergalactic! The guys are cooking, and the trailer is just a small tease of their work for the game.
We know you’re eager for more – and trust us, we’re very eager to share more with you. For now, though, it’s time to put our heads back down and keep cranking away on Jordan’s adventure.
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On behalf of the entire team at Naughty Dog, thank you to all our fans! Your support allows us to work on our dream games, bringing these wonderful new worlds and characters to life. We can’t wait to show you more!
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.
The Illuminate return
Missing for almost a century, the Illuminate will challenge our recruits more than the other factions they have faced. They are advanced, highly-intelligent beings wielding powerful technology that appears to average citizens like a kind of dark magic.
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At the end of the First Galactic War, the Helldivers worked together to eradicate the Illuminate. We believed we were successful, and for nearly 100 years, we have lived in relative peace, holding the Terminid and Automaton threats at bay. Thanks to our continued recruitment and training of new Helldivers, we have held these two fronts with complete, unmitigated success.
But now the Illuminate have emerged seemingly out of nowhere. Even though we don’t know the true origin of the invasion, we have no choice now but to suppress three factions in the Galactic War.
The Illuminate are spreading through mind control, abducting citizens of weaker dedication to democratic ideals and brainwashing them for a dark purpose which is still yet unknown to us. These mind-controlled citizens have been twisted and corrupted into a menace we call The Voteless–Super Earth’s own people turned against the principles of Democracy and fair elections, losing their ability to vote entirely.
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The intentions behind the Illuminate invasion are still unclear. Right now, they remain as smaller bands of insurgents, staging attacks, building mysterious structures, and abducting citizens before disappearing again.
It’s up to us to stop them from getting their totalitarian tentacles any deeper into Super Earth’s domain.
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The fight at our doorstep
Omens of Tyranny is bringing the fight into the streets, with new mission areas inside Super Earth’s many colonies.
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Our colonies are being ravaged by these invaders, turning our once bright and sunny streets filled with smiling citizens into dark ruins, overrun by Voteless and Illuminate. Arm yourselves with your trusted tools of destruction and rid our colonies of this scum.
But it won’t be easy. Gone are the wide-open spaces that Helldivers are accustomed to fighting in. Cities mean closer quarters, dark alleys, and forked paths where one wrong turn means meeting a horde of Voteless to liberate. You’ll need your best and brightest squad to navigate them carefully.
Go easy on the gun, Chief
With all these new developments, there won’t be time to take driver’s ed. courses, Helldiver. A Fast Recon Vehicle “FRV” will now appear in the colonies, ready to plow through the Illuminate at high speed.
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Keep following the Major Orders issued by Super Earth High Command and you will get the keys to your very own FRV–a brand new, top-of-the-line manual transmission reconnaissance and combat vehicle. The whole squad can ride together, and your passengers can even lean out of the windows to lay down some suppressive fire as you shift gears and speed to your next destination. Just one question left: Who’s driving?
There’s more to discover yet, and we can’t wait to get you back into the fight.
The newest major update for Helldivers 2, Omens of Tyranny, featuring the return of the Illuminate faction, is now live! High Command has ordered all Helldivers to report to their Super Destroyers – it’s time to give these squids hell.
Eliminate bugs, bots and squids with the Super Earth Ministry of Defense’s sleek new DualSense Wireless Controller – Helldivers 2 Limited Edition, sporting the iconic yellow and black armor paint scheme.
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The DualSense wireless controller – Helldivers 2 Limited Edition will be available in limited quantities for $84.99 / €84.99 / £74.99. Pre-orders start on December 20, 2024 at participating retailers, with launch on February 6, 2025. The exact launch date and availability for the controller may vary by country/region.
direct.playstation.com Purchase Information
Starting Friday, December 20 at 10am ET in the U.S. and 10am local time in the U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Portugal, players will be able to pre-order the DualSense wireless controller – Helldivers 2 Limited Edition exclusively through direct.playstation.com.
Helldivers 2 soundtrack now on vinyl
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Suit up, Helldivers! The Helldivers 2 (Original Game Soundtrack) vinyl is being prepared for deployment.
