Ghost of Tsushima Breaks Records as PlayStation's Biggest Singleplayer PC Release

After nearly four years of anticipation, PC gamers finally got their hands on Ghost of Tsushima, and it has made an explosive debut on Steam. Released just in time for the weekend, this former PlayStation exclusive has captivated a new audience, achieving remarkable success.

Originally a hit on PlayStation, Ghost of Tsushima dazzled players with its immersive medieval Japan setting in both its standard edition and the beautifully enhanced Director's Cut on PS5. The game's popularity has seamlessly transitioned to the PC platform.

According to SteamDB, Ghost of Tsushima saw over 77,000 players simultaneously donning the virtual armor of Samurai Jin Sakai to defend Tsushima. This impressive launch makes it the most successful singleplayer debut of a PlayStation title on PC, surpassing even renowned classics like God of War and The Last of Us.

The PC port of Ghost of Tsushima has been praised for its exceptional technical performance and stunning game world, earning a score of 90 from reviewer Steffi. However, it trails only behind Helldivers 2, a multiplayer game that launched on Steam with nearly half a million players, though comparisons are difficult due to the different genres.

With Ghost of Tsushima securing the singleplayer crown for developer Sucker Punch, the gaming community eagerly awaits Sony's next PC port. Potential candidates include Stellar Blade, Rise of the Ronin, God of War: Ragnarök, and the highly requested Bloodborne, indicating that Sony has plenty of exciting options for future releases.

Shadow of the Erdtree Trailer Confirms Key Art Figure Is Miquella

FromSoftware has unveiled a new story trailer for Elden Ring's upcoming expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, confirming that the blonde figure in the key art is indeed Miquella. Scheduled for release in exactly one month, this expansion delves deeper into the lore of Elden Ring, taking players to the enigmatic Land of Shadow.

The trailer opens with a haunting narration: "Miquella the Kind spoke of the beginning, the seduction and the betrayal," it begins. "And affair from which gold arose. And so too was shadow born. What followed was a war unseen, one that could never be put to song. A purge without grace or honour. The tyranny of Messmer's flame. And so Kindly Miquella would abandon everything. His golden flesh, his blinding strength, even his fate. But we are not deterred. We choose to follow. Will you walk with us?"

This revelation confirms long-held fan theories that Miquella, a character steeped in mystery, will play a central role in the expansion. The trailer hints at Miquella's tragic fate and his journey to confront Messmer the Impaler in the Land of Shadow. The exact identity and story of Messmer remain shrouded in mystery, though speculation suggests connections to Miquella and Malenia.

Shadow of the Erdtree Promises Challenging Gameplay and Multiple Endings

In line with Elden Ring's base game, Shadow of the Erdtree will feature multiple endings, allowing players to influence the story's outcome. However, actions taken before the expansion's release, such as defeating Malenia, won't affect the DLC's narrative. It's yet to be seen if the DLC's events will impact the main game, akin to how previous FromSoftware titles have integrated their expansions.

The expansion promises to be as challenging as the latter half of Elden Ring, with director Hidetaka Miyazaki comparing its difficulty to some of the toughest parts of the base game, including Malenia's boss fight. Players can expect intense battles, demanding strategies, and the return of notorious gameplay elements like poison swamps, a Miyazaki trademark since Demon's Souls.

As the release date approaches, anticipation builds for what Shadow of the Erdtree will bring to the Elden Ring universe, further expanding its rich and intricate lore while providing fresh, formidable challenges for players to conquer.

Take-Two Considers Another Price Hike for Upcoming Rockstar Games

As video game production costs soar into the hundreds of millions, the industry has seen a price increase for Triple-A titles from $59.99 to $69.99. This shift aims to cover rising development expenses while reflecting the enhanced value of modern games, with superior graphics and extended gameplay. However, Take-Two Interactive, parent company of Rockstar Games, suggests that another price hike could be on the horizon.

During a recent earnings call, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick discussed the possibility of further price increases, particularly for anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto 6. Zelnick emphasized Take-Two’s commitment to delivering exceptional value, stating, "We really aim to deliver great value at any given time... We're so focused on delivering more value than what we charge."

This potential price increase would take into account the extensive content offered in new games, ensuring that the consumer's experience far exceeds the upfront cost. Zelnick highlighted the goal for their games to "vastly overdeliver in the context of the cost," suggesting that any future price adjustments would reflect this principle.

Take-Two has previously adjusted prices, notably increasing the cost of the GTA+ subscription service from $5.99 to $7.99 per month. This subscription offers a range of in-game items and access to older Rockstar titles. Additionally, the remastered Red Dead Redemption was priced at $49.99 despite initial shortcomings, and the Grand Theft Auto Definitive Edition trilogy faced criticism for its $59.99 launch price and numerous bugs.

As Grand Theft Auto 6 approaches its Fall 2025 launch window, fans are left to speculate whether it will be the first major title to challenge the new $70 price standard, and if Take-Two's promise of "overdelivering" on value will hold true.

BasedVC and Bored Ape Yacht Club Launch APES Capital

In an innovative collaboration, basedVC and the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) have announced the launch of APES Capital, a venture capital initiative "designed for Apes by Apes." This initiative aims to democratize investment opportunities within the web3 gaming space, allowing the BAYC community to support blockchain gaming startups through tokenized ownership and accessible investment methods.

BasedVC, a web3 venture capital firm, addresses funding challenges in the web3 ecosystem by leveraging blockchain technology. Their approach enables retail investors from approved jurisdictions to participate in investment opportunities traditionally reserved for high-net-worth individuals. By partnering with BAYC, basedVC aims to provide seamless access to diverse projects for the BAYC community, leveraging the popularity and influence of the Bored Ape Yacht Club.

APES Capital serves as a dedicated investment portal for Bored Apes and Mutant Apes, allowing members to use Ape Coin to invest in top-tier web3 and blockchain gaming startups. The platform offers peace of mind with rigorous due diligence and solid project tracking, ensuring retail investors are well-protected.

Since its inception, APES Capital has invested over $40 million in more than 20 projects, including notable names like Shrapnel, Nillion, Heroes of Mavia, and Supraoracles. This partnership highlights the potential of decentralized finance and community-driven initiatives in transforming the web3 and blockchain gaming landscapes.

BasedVC is a regulated limited partner investment vehicle, providing early-stage investment opportunities to select web3 communities. Their mission is to offer Investment-as-a-Service in a secure, efficient, and user-friendly manner, further advancing the accessibility and democratization of investment opportunities in the web3 space.

Eldarune Partners with Immutable, Receiving 50,000 IMX Grant

Eldarune, a web3 game studio, has announced a strategic partnership with Immutable, a leading developer platform for blockchain games. This collaboration includes a grant of 50,000 IMX tokens, allocated in three stages, contingent on Eldarune reaching a total trading volume (TTV) of $9.3 million for its NFTs on ImmutableX zkEVM.

Immutable, renowned for its advanced scaling technology, uses Ethereum-grade security and Zero-Knowledge roll-ups to provide a strong foundation for web3 game development. This partnership will enable Eldarune to launch on the Immutable zkEVM mainnet, powered by Polygon, tailored specifically for gaming applications. This move is set to enhance Eldarune's game development with features such as EVM compatibility, low transaction costs, and high scalability, while maintaining Ethereum-level security.

Can Picak, CEO of Diga Labs, the developer behind Eldarune, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: "We bring the gaming experience in the Eldarune ecosystem to the highest level with the cutting-edge technology in gaming with Immutable." The grant and collaboration are expected to improve the interoperability and utility of Eldarune NFTs, adding significant value for players and collectors.

The grant will help Eldarune unlock new utilities for its NFTs, introducing advanced gameplay features through Immutable’s custom smart contracts and on-chain mechanics. The zkEVM ensures transaction validity and protects user funds through batching and ZK proofs, creating a secure environment for developers and players.

Eldarune, incubated by Seedify, focuses on creating interoperable, medieval-themed blockchain games. The studio has four games in development, with Heroes of Eldarune being the flagship title, available exclusively on Immutable. Currently in closed beta on PC and Android, with plans to expand to iOS, the game promises a rich gaming experience.

As Eldarune progresses, support from Immutable will be crucial in achieving the studio’s ambitious goals. The milestone-based grant structure ensures that funding is linked to the growth and engagement of the Eldarune community, aligning the interests of both partners.

Eldarune's pioneering approach in the web3 gaming space leverages cross-chain ELDA tokens and versatile NFTs, creating a cohesive gaming ecosystem. With over 5,000 active players, Eldarune's ELDA token is listed on major exchanges like Bybit, PancakeSwap, and MEXC. Inspired by iconic games such as Warcraft, Dota, and Hearthstone, Eldarune offers a dynamic gaming experience across multiple platforms, including browser, mobile, PC, and console.

Oasys Strengthens Web3 Gaming Presence in Japan with SBINFT Market Integration

Gaming-centric blockchain platform Oasys has unveiled a significant integration with SBINFT Market, a leading NFT marketplace by SBINFT Corporation, signaling a strategic move to bolster its presence in the Japanese market. This collaboration aims to expand support for Hub-Layer and MCH Verse NFTs on SBINFT Market, offering broader opportunities for monetization and engagement within the blockchain gaming space.

Oasys, known for its game-optimized blockchain infrastructure, provides secure and efficient solutions for game developers, supported by industry giants like SEGA and Ubisoft. The platform's main goal is to address challenges faced by developers in the blockchain space, offering fast transactions with zero gas fees and a scalable network powered by AAA game developers.

Recent partnerships with Asian gaming giants like Com2uS and Kakao’s GroundX have solidified Oasys's position as a key player in the web3 gaming landscape. The collaboration with SBINFT Market expands Oasys' reach, enabling businesses and developers to sell NFTs on a reputable marketplace managed by SBINFT Corporation, known as Japan's largest NFT marketplace.

SBINFT Market supports various types of NFTs, including digital art, music, game items, and more, facilitating transactions via cryptocurrencies and credit cards. This integration allows for the listing of exclusive content from OASYX, Oasys’ inaugural NFT project, and MCH Verse titles like "My Crypto Heroes" and "Chain Colosseum Phoenix."

Daiki Moriyama, Director of Oasys, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting how it enhances their ecosystem and provides broader opportunities for developers and users in Japan's innovative gaming market. The integration underscores the growing convergence of blockchain and gaming, driving innovation and creating new economic models within the gaming industry.