Counter-Strike surfing is a modded game mode for Valve’s bomb defusal FPS in which players skate through obstacle courses by means of a Source engine physics glitch. It has a proud history dating back to 2004, when modder Charles “Mariowned” Joyce discovered that it was far more enjoyable to slide off roofs than shoot people in his custom map Killbox. So he made a new map dedicated to sliding, The Gap. Thus the greasy chute that led to Alice0 (RPS in peace) hailing CS surfing as “the esport we deserve” in 2020.
People have crafted their own versions of the mode in games like Roblox, and Proper Game Developers such as Blizzard have seemingly taken inspiration – Overwatch‘s Lucio is surely a love letter to the mode. Now here comes SurfsUp, a free-to-play surfing game in the Godot Engine. Released this month, it’s been favourably compared to surf maps in Valve’s Counter-Strike 2, and is worth a pop even if you have no prior experience of counters or striking. Also, to clarify, it has nothing to do with that licensed penguin game for Xbox 360. Stand down, Cody Maverick groupies.
Sega has just earned itself a big win by confirming that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on the Switch 2 will not be a Game-Key Card when it launches physically in early 2026.
In a press release, the company confirmed that Crossworlds will launch digitally on Switch 2 in Holiday 2025 and physically in Early 2026, with two versions available for digital purchases. The standard is priced at £64.99 and the Digital Deluxe is priced at £74.99. It’s not known at this time how much the physical version will cost.
Shake It! Ten Rat-Tastic Reasons Why Ratshaker Will Change Your Life Forever
Calvin Parsons, CEO Sunscorched Studios
With Ratshaker, you take control! Feel the satisfaction of watching the meter rise as you shake the cartoon Rat into submission. The more you shake, the closer you get to solving your problems for good.
Fast-acting, easy to use, and highly effective, Ratshaker ensures your space stays problem-free in no time. But make no mistake, this is no ordinary game. This is a ritual. You must perform it. It is coming for us.
Launching today on Xbox Series X|S, this $3.49 nightmare will burn itself into your psyche. You are not prepared. You never were.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, our most unhinged Rat-gineers have curated ten of the most rat-tastic, most cursed reasons why Ratshaker will change your life—forever.
1. Ratshaker Deceives Your Mind
You will be lulled into a state of confusion as the world around you is not what it seems. You will see a Ratshaker Meter overhead while a 2D cartoon Rat rests firmly in your fist. Gaze upon The Pale Fields and despair, for you are not ready for the descent into self-destruction you will endure in just a few shakes.
2. A Balance of Horror and Humour
Ratshaker will mercilessly throw you into a blend of liminal dread and absurdism that you need to experience. You’ll wonder why you’re laughing at all. Maybe the game is laughing at you. It knows what you have done.
3. The Golden Voice of the Rat
Did you expect the Rat in Ratshaker to have a deep, silky, posh voice as it screams with every shake? Of course it does! Not only does the Rat look absurd, it talks! The Rat offers its commentary as you spiral.
You can skip the Rat’s commentary with just a quick squeeze!
4. Many Have Been Cast Into the Basement
Countless content creators have willfully given in to the strange call from the other side of the meat wall—beckoned to open the door with a fist full of Rat and jump right in. From Markiplier’s climactic playthrough of the original build, to that guy from two doors down who just hates having fun, many of them went on to make videos—scared and confused—about what Ratshaker is. They could not stop shaking. They loved it. They had to.
5. Feel the Burn. Wiggle Until It Hurts. Can You Endure?
Ratshaker will challenge your “I can press the A button really fast” championship that you and your friends made up. Unnecessary quick time events have nothing on the finger punishment that is shaking this cartoon cross-eyed Rat.
Seriously, it calls for some real handwork. Shake it!
6. Nostalgia Will Snare You. You Can’t Escape Its Trap.
Don’t let the pixelated visuals fool you! There’s something in the walls, something shaped like your guilt. You know what you did (or are going to do)! You can shake (and/or squeeze) that silly Rat all you want, it’s not going to save you. Your surroundings might look familiar—but there is something waiting around the next corner. Always.
7. Completionists Love Shaking the Rat
You’ve done this before. What’s a few more shakes? Collect everything to fill that Rat-shaped hole in your soul. From clever achievement names to two different outcomes you deserve, Ratshaker gives you the feeling that maybe it really was all your fault, and you need to go back. Go back and face it again and again and again and again and again. Over and over. Forever.
8. Secrets That Only Appear on Special Occasions
Ratshaker will regularly drag you back to your favourite suffering chamber, 2778-B. During those cold winter months, remember who gave you a gift? That’s right. Ratshaker. Boot the game up during the festive season and receive a twisted surprise. Come Valentine’s Day, fire it up again and receive something even stranger!
9. No Matter How Fast You Are, It Never Ends
They tried to run through as fast as possible—all just to start again. What about you? Do you prefer ripping it off like a sticky bandage, or do you just like to take it all in? Sink deeper into the atmosphere, feel the negative space pulse with every inch it gets closer to you. Maybe you should try to clear it in seven minutes. Don’t let it get you.
10. The Hive Mind Is Growing. Join Us
Take the first real breath in six years. Go on. Breathe in. Breathe out. There are people out there with eyes like ours. You and I are the same. You want Ratshaker, I want Ratshaker for you. We’ve already tasted the cycle of eternity. What about you? You don’t want to be left out here alone, out here in The Pale Fields. Something is out here. Something is watching.
Just. Shake. The. Rat. Join us. Ratshaker, Ratshaker, Rat, Rat, Rat.
Ratshaker can soon be yours! Don’t miss the gaming phenomenon that is the simple act of shaking a cartoon Rat and walking through your personalised torment. All for the low, low price of a coffee…
RATSHAKER – The Ultimate Solution to All Your RAT Problems!
Tired of pests taking over your space? Say goodbye to them for good with RATSHAKER, the revolutionary new way to deal with unwanted pests! Just take and shake, and RATSHAKER does the rest. No traps, no mess, no unmarked disposal barrels!
With RATSHAKER, you take control! Feel the satisfaction of watching the meter rise as you shake that rat into submission. The more you shake, the closer you get to solving your problems for good. Fast-acting, easy to use, and highly effective, RATSHAKER ensures your space stays problem-free in no time.
Cyberpunk 2077‘s previously delayed update 2.3 drops tomorrow, July 17th, CD Projekt have revealed in their latest livestream. It’s mostly about giving you more options in terms of traversing the world, because adding in a whole metro system post-launch didn’t do enough in that regard.
The studio will not stop, even though they’re now making Cyberpunk 2. They’ve worked with fellow developers Virtuos to add-in some new cars, a taxi system, self-driving cars, and other stuff not related to getting from A to B.
Cyberpunk 2077 update 2.3 launches on July 17, CD Projekt has confirmed, across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox — but not Nintendo Switch 2.
In a livestream, CD Projekt developers said the studio needs more time to work on patch 2.3 for the Switch 2 version of the game. No release date was mentioned.
Paweł Sasko, Cyberpunk 2 Associate Game Director, said this patch focuses on vehicles and customization. Adrien Jouannet, Lead Designer at support studio Virtuos, which has helped CD Projekt with Cyberpunk 2077 updates, confirmed 2.3 adds three new cars and one new motorcycle, which is the first customizable motorcycle in the game. The new vehicles are each unlocked by completing a small quest. Sasko said it will be “intuitive” to trigger the quests. The new quests do not contribute to 100% completion for achievement hunters.
Elsewhere, update 2.3 adds the new AutoDrive feature, which lets you drive vehicles hands free. In-universe, AutoDrive hits all the vehicles in the game via a software update. You can set a marker, sit back and let the car drive there for you. (It’s worth noting to use AutoDrive you have be driving on a road.) There’s also a wandering mode, where the vehicle will drive automatically endlessly in free roam, which sounds fun for explorers. Helpfully, the Delamain AI taxi company can be hired for AutoDrive, so he can just drive you around if you’d like.
This, accompanied with the cinematic camera you can activate while driving, will let you see Night City in a much more cinematic way. This, Sasko said, was inspired by fan-made videos of driving around Night City for hours on end. You can use Photo Mode while using AutoDrive.
Speaking of Photo Mode, there’s a lot of new features with 2.3. You can now change the time of day and the weather for the scene. There are 27 new NPCs for Photo Mode, too, as well as new outfits and natural poses for the main characters. CD Projekt teased a new Photo Mode contest for fans.
On the technical side, PC gamers can expect AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 3.1 (FSR 3.1) support with 2.3 tomorrow. Cyberpunk 2077 will support FSR 4, Sasko said, but it will arrive alongside an AMD driver release. HDR10+ gaming is now properly supported. VRR is coming to the console versions of Cyberpunk 2077.
And finally, CD Projekt talked about the already-announced Mac version of Cyberpunk 2077, which launches alongside 2.3 tomorrow, July 17.
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.
You already knew hectic 1v1 bullet sprayer Straftat was going to add 2v2 matches and a four-player free-for-all mode. You knew because I told you months ago. Don’t pretend you forgot. Please, it’s insulting. Anyway, the update that adds these modes arrived yesterday and it also adds – surprise! – a ton of new maps. Which brings the game’s total number of killing arenas to over 300. Straft THAT, other shooters.
Well folks, the reviews are now in for Donkey Kong Bananza; Nintendo’s first proper 3D platformer for the Switch 2. So, what’s the verdict?
At the time of writing, the game is sitting at 90 on Metacritic, though it’s worth considering that new reviews will likely make themselves known in the coming days, so this might change in either direction. Regardless, it sounds like DK’s first 3D outing in decades has been worth the wait.
Wherever you look, Minecraft is doing something new right now. From a blockbuster movie to some huge game drops and upgrades, there’s never been a livelier time for fans to jump in and try something new.
In fact, there’s so much, we thought it might be a good idea to round up everything in one place. From happy ghasts to smash hit songs, here’s every piece of news from the world of Minecraft this summer:
Chase the Skies Game Drop – Out Now
Minecraft’s latest game drop isn’t just focused on what’s under your feet, but what’s above your head. Chase the Skies introduces the happy ghast, a new rideable mob that lets you take to the air alone or with friends. While exploring the Nether, you can now come across a dried ghast – return it to the Overworld, then hydrate it with water, and you’ll net yourself a ghastling, who will then grow into your new flying mount after you’ve waited long enough, or fed it enough snowballs. Just make sure you also have a ghast harness to use your smiley new ride!
Chase the Skies also introduces a number of new features, from craftable saddles, to new Amos Roddy music tracks, to a player locator bar to help make playing with friends that little bit easier, and even the ability to leash multiple mobs together like you’re the Overworld’s strangest dog walker. Why not leash a boat to your new happy ghast and help carry even more players through the skies?
Vibrant Visuals – Out Now for Compatible Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Devices
One of the biggest shifts in Minecraft history is here – Vibrant Visuals transforms the look of the Bedrock Edition, retaining the game’s iconic style while adding improved graphical elements – directional lighting, volumetric fog, pixelated shadows and reflections, and much more.
It’s a truly stunning change, turning Minecraft into the game you’ve always imagined in your head (but, if you like the original look, you can always switch back!). You can read all about the upgrade on Xbox Wire, but trust me, you really should play it for yourself.
Vibrant Memories Camera Add-On – Out Now for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition
Want to make the most of those Vibrant Visuals vistas? The Vibrant Memories camera add-on (available in the Minecraft Marketplace) introduces multiple features to let you take the perfect shot – from saving camera angles, to changing the weather, or controlling time itself. Each shot will be saved to your personal album, and you can even add music to capture the perfect mood.
Realms Plus – New Content Available Now
Realms Plus subscribers can now add Chase the Skies and Vibrant Visuals content to their own personal servers – and there are also new Marketplace drops included in your subscription.
The One Slime Block Adventure world by Mush Co throws you into an adventure featuring 5 unique boss battles, 6 dimensions, and a lot of slime, from enemies to weaponry. Meanwhile the Aquaculture add-on by Team Metallurgy will turn you into the ultimate angler, adding 60 new underwater creatures, rare equipment, new cooking mechanics, and more. Both are included as part of Realms Plus.
A Minecraft Movie – Now Streaming on HBO Max
This year’s blockiest buster is available to stream now. After becoming a phenomenon in theaters, with an HBO Max subscription, you can now watch ‘A Minecraft Movie’ at home.
Join Garrett (Jason Momoa), Dawn (Danielle Brooks), Natalie (Emma Myers), and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) – four misfits who are pulled through a portal to Minecraft’s Overworld as you’ve never seen it before. After meeting Steve (Jack Black), they’ll need to harness the power of creativity to repel a Piglin invasion and return to the real world.
Whether it’s your first time venturing into the live-action Overworld, or you already know all the words to Steve’s Lava Chicken, it’s easier than ever to watch.
Steve’s Lava Chicken Remix Music Disc and Dennis Painting – Out Now
Speaking of Steve’s Lava Chicken, you’ve got two new ways of listening to the song inspired by the movie. It’s available to stream now, and in Minecraft. Get your blocky hands on a music disc that will let you play the song from your jukebox.
Plus, pay tribute to man’s (well, Steve’s) best friend by crafting a new painting of Dennis, the pale wolf hero of ‘A Minecraft Movie’.
Claim Your Community Challenge Rewards
In its latest Community Challenge, Mojang asked the Minecraft community to work together to spawn 50 million happy ghasts in Creative mode, and feed snowballs to 1 million ghastlings in Survival mode – and you delivered! As your reward, every Bedrock Edition player can now access the Ghast Rider Floatie and the Happy Ghast Pilot Gear in the Dressing Room, while every Java Edition player can download the Ghast Riding Swimmer and Happy Ghast Pilot skins here.
CREATE
Build whatever you can imagine in your own infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
EXPLORE
Discover biomes, resources and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game.
SURVIVE
Experience unforgettable adventures as you face mysterious foes, traverse exciting landscapes, and travel to perilous dimensions.
PLAY TOGETHER
Have a blast with friends, whether you’re sitting on the same couch in split screen or miles apart in cross-platform play for console, mobile and PC. Connect with millions of players on community servers or subscribe to Realms Plus to play with up to 10 friends on your own private server.
EXPERIENCE MORE
Get creator-made add-ons, thrilling worlds, and stylish cosmetics on Minecraft Marketplace. Subscribe to Marketplace Pass (or Realms Plus) to access 150+ worlds, skin & textures packs, and more – refreshed monthly.
The Pokémon TCG’s Destined Rivals expansion has been as elusive as any of the others, but the coveted Elite Trainer Boxes are back in stock at Amazon and ready to order right now. The only reason that this isn’t sold out already, though, is that they’re being sold for a massive mark-up.
While being advertised on its product page at “11% off from $99.99”, Amazon is now selling Destined Rivals ETBs for an inflated $88.95. As a reminder, that’s $38.96 up from the base price of $49.99, which it’s usually sold for at other retailers like Best Buy.
You’ll still get the exact same contents featured in the Destined Rivals ETB in this case. For the uninformed, this includes nine boosters, a full-art foil promo Team Wobbuffet, 45 Energy Cards, 65 card sleeves, a player’s guide, damage-counter dice, a coin-flip die, condition markers, four dividers, and the collector’s box to keep it in.
Unfortunately, this increasingly seems to be one of the strategies implemented by retailers to combat bots and scalpers instantly scooping all of the stock as soon as it’s available.
While Amazon UK has implemented the invitation system for Destined Rivals, keeping the price at RRP as it should be, Amazon US and Walmart have instead jacked up the price, presumably to scare scalpers off, but still take the money from whoever’s willing to pay.
Granted, both are keeping in line with the price points that seem to have become standard. While you can save a few dollars with sealed Destined Rivals ETBs on eBay, for as cheap as $84-85, dedicated storefronts like TCG Player have listings going for three times the price.
Be that as it may, if you’re dead set on buying one of these Elite Trainer Boxes no matter the cost, Amazon and Walmart are still your best bets in terms of retailers.
Although, you can go through eBay to save a few bucks, if you’re feeling trusting enough in the wild west that is the current world of the TCG.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
I hesitate to call Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator “the best organ trading sim of 2021”, because Cruelty Squad also came out in 2021 and I worry about starting a localised flame war. But it means Strange Scaffold’s sci-fi stockbroker sim was, at the very least, 2021’s second best organ trading sim. Nice to see it’s getting a sequel then, called… oh no. Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator.
“We aren’t monsters. You aren’t going to be trading babies,” says head of studio, Xalavier Nelson Jr. “You’re going to be trading stocks based on babies, which means you can short a baby.”
– The Ultimate Solution to All Your RAT Problems!
