Harold Ryan, the former chief of “Halo” and “Destiny” maker Bungie, has unveiled the first two games coming from his new indie video game developer, ProbablyMonsters, which will debut this fall.
The pair of titles include “Storm Lancers,” a rogue-like game coming to Nintendo Switch, and “Ire: A Prologue,” a psychological horror experience arriving on Steam and Epic Games Store. Both games are priced at $19.99.
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“Storm Lancers” is inspired by 1980s anime and cartoons that features combo-focused fights and couch co-op. Developed by Jim Veevaert (Microsoft, Zynga) and Seth Thompson (Blizzard), “Storm Lancers” combines fluid combat with unstoppable momentum. Designed to keep the heart racing and reflexes sharpened, the game gives players a sense of adventure constantly on the move. Set in the world of Cryptica, players crash land on a living planet built around a powerful source of reality magic. As they traverse five ever-shifting biomes, each leap, slash, and dash propels them deeper into a vibrant world, only to be met by enemies that adapt to their every move.
The game will be released this fall, but ProbablyMonsters has not revealed a specific launch date yet.
Developed by veteran worldbuilders Matt Case (Bungie, HBO) and CJ Cowan (Bungie), in “Ire: A Prologue,” players will navigate through the memories of a young teenager named Emily, trapped on a boat in the Bermuda Triangle with a monster relentlessly hunting them. As players loop through various memories of her experience, they begin to piece together what happened to Emily and the crew of the ship, with each loop revealing new secrets and new stories.
“Ire: A Prologue” will release Oct. 28.
The two games mark ProbablyMonster’s shift from years of being heads down in development (the company launched in 2019) to bringing a real product into the world.
“These games represent the first public expression of the approach we’ve been shaping behind the scenes,” Ryan said. “We’ve always believed there’s a better way to make games, one that supports original IP, empowers developers, and delivers memorable experiences to players. How we bring games to life has evolved. We’ve had to adapt, and these first two titles reflect a model that’s more focused, flexible, and sustainable. This is just the start, and we’re excited to finally share them with the world.”
See more gaming news from this week in the roundup below.
TRAILERS
Electronic Arts (EA) unveiled a new trailer for “Battlefield 6” ahead of the gaming franchise’s biggest Open Beta ever. The testing period will go live Aug. 9-10 and from Aug. 14-17.
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“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT): Tactical Takedown” will launch on Xbox Series X and S and Nintendo Switch Aug. 14.
From developer Strange Scaffold and in partnership with Paramount Game Studios, “Tactical Takedown” “reinvents the franchise with a strong new direction, combining turn-based strategy and beat-em-up combat. With both Splinter and Shredder dead and the Turtles nearing adulthood, players battle through 20 evolving levels, taking on classic enemies, like the Foot Clan, in a gripping coming-of-age journey.”
As part of the game’s console launch “Remix Mode” – which introduces more content, more enemies, and increased difficulty – will be available as a free update on PC via Steam, and included with the console release.
DLC/UPDATES
Life sim “inZOI” will launch its first downloadable content Aug. 20. Titled “Island Getaway,” the DLC will be available globally and free of charge. To coincide with the first DLC release, “inZOI” publisher Krafton will launch the Mac version of the mainline “inZOI” game on the same day, which will be available via the App Store and Steam.
Per Krafton, the “inZOI” update will include:
New Map: Cahaya – A Southeast Asian Island Escape: Inspired by the tropics of Southeast Asia, Cahaya will introduce a vibrant new setting that blends natural beauty with laid-back city living. Players will be able to explore both a main island and a resort island, enjoying activities like swimming, boating, and snorkeling — all while customizing their Zois with tropical-themed outfits, hairstyles, and decor.
New Life Sim Features Across All Maps: The free DLC will add lifestyle-driven gameplay such as farming, mining, gem crafting, and fishing, along with new rideable vehicles including motorcycles and electric scooters.
Enhanced Character Interactions: New systems like random gatherings, thought bubbles, and cooperative actions will allow players to create richer stories and emergent moments between Zois.
System & Quality of Life Updates: UI/UX improvements for smoother gameplay; early gamepad support (testing phase); and over 90 new music tracks to expand the in-game soundscape.
RELEASE DATES
Electronic Arts announced “EA SPORT NHL 26” will launch Sept. 12 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. The reveal was made along with the unveiling of the cover stars: back-to-back Stanley Cup champion, Matthew Tkachuk, alongside his brother, Brady, and their father, Keith.
Per EA, “With real-world NHL EDGE positional data (NHL Puck and Player Tracking) powering gameplay, in partnership with the NHL, and a reimagined Be A Pro mode that immerses players in the stakes and emotions of playing at the highest level, ‘NHL 26’ delivers an immersive and intense experience for hockey fans around the world.”
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Developer SMG Studio, the LEGO Group, and Fictions announced “LEGO Party!” will launch Sept. 30 on Steam for PC, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
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Blumhouse Games and developer Gambrinous announced new name “Eyes of Hellfire” will launch into Early Access via Steam on Aug. 27 for $9.99 with a 10 percent launch discount for a limited time.
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Publisher Wired Production and developer Pollard announced haunting psychological horror “KARMA: The Dark World” launches on Xbox Series X and S on Sep. 10.
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Atari’s “Adventure of Samsara” will launch on Sept. 4 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam and GOG.
From Brazilian studio Ilex Games, the game allows players to “take control of the Solar Champion, a long-dead Plutonian resurrected by the primordial light of the Sun. Tasked with reactivating a mysterious interdimensional fortress, the Champion must restore balance to the multiverse. As players battle through a series of diverse, interconnected biomes and confront brutal mutant bosses, they will unlock new abilities and enhancements – each revealing deeper layers of the game’s enigmatic, cosmic narrative.”
EVENTS
Wargaming is launching a month of festivities to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of “World of Tanks.”
“Fifteen years ago, we launched ‘World of Tanks’ with a bold mission: to bring tank combat to gamers like never before,” Wargaming CEO Victor Kislyi said. “Since then, it’s become something even greater — a digital hobby that unites millions of dedicated players across the globe. Here’s to the battles we’ve fought, the friendships we’ve forged, and the many more years ahead.”
Per Wargaming, “From August 8th to August 31st, the World of Tanks Team invites all players to join the festivities filled with gifts, special missions, exclusive drops, and exciting surprises.”
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The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced Hideo Kojima will appear at both the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC) and the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) in Saudi Arabia to discuss the development of “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.” Kojima will speak at the New Global Sport Conference 2025 (NGSC) on Aug. 24 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh.
DATA
This week, YouTube reported that Roblox content videos crossed 1 trillion views on YouTube. To mark that milestone, “YouTube’s Roblox Museum” launched on Roblox, an immersive experience celebrating the cultural impact and collaboration between Roblox and YouTube.
Per YouTUbe, “This new virtual space, accessible to all Roblox users starting August 7th, recognizes the creator community that has shaped online culture. This immersive virtual museum within Roblox is filled with over 120 ‘YouTube Roblox Relics’—milestones from creators who built this community.”
NEW RELEASES
“Farlight 84’s” relaunch went live this week on PC and mobile platforms!
Per publisher Farlight, “With the update officially out in the wild, players can now explore a completely overhauled experience featuring a newly introduced first-person mode, a new map, new playable characters, revamped graphics, and redesigned core gameplay systems. It’s fast, it’s fresh, and it’s ready to play — so squad up and get out there!”
PARTNERSHIPS
The Global Gaming League (GGL) has struck deals with multiple AAA publishers, permitting their games to be used in league play and streamed globally during the league’s first season, SZN Zero.
Among the dozens of games included in the agreements are “Tetris,” “Trackmania,” “Call of Duty,” “Tony Hawk Pro Skater,” “Brawlhalla,” “Tekken” and “Rocket League.” SZN Zero kicks off with the first competition live and streaming in August.
“Everyone gets excited and understands the impact GGL will have after I explain the vision,” said Clinton Sparks, Founder and CEO of the Global Gaming League. “Gamers come in all ages and there hasn’t been anything that brings games and gamers from different generations together, until now. With these partnerships, we are able to bring game titles from different genres and eras that attract everyone to the same place. This League will uplift the whole industry, showcasing every aspect of the gaming world from publishers, to those that make the actual hardware, to sponsors and most of importantly to the gamers among us, everywhere.”
TECH
Gaming Copilot (Beta) is now available on Game Bar for Windows PC for Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview.
Per Microsoft, “Gaming is one of the only forms of entertainment where you can get stuck, and Gaming Copilot is designed to help get you past those obstacles so you can spend more time playing the games you love. This companion makes gaming with Xbox more seamless and personalized, helping you get to gameplay faster, sharpening your skills, and being there when you need it and out of the way when you don’t.”
Microsoft says that “further optimizations” of Gaming Copilot are “underway for handhelds” ahead of the upcoming launch of ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.
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