Indie publishing platform indie.io just launched a Franchise Sale on Steam, and there are a ton of games included in a variety of genres, from zombie survival to monster tamers to cozy farming sims.

The sale will last until April 17 and includes new releases, bundles, and games with recent updates and new content. You can see all the games that are part of the sale on this page, but we picked out a selection of 11 to highlight some of the best deals and showcase the wide range of games on offer. Hopefully, there’s something that interests you regardless of your gaming tastes.

Deep Discounts

HumanitZ

Sale: 40% off

In this isometric open-world sandbox game, civilization has been wiped out by a zombie apocalypse, and you have one goal: survive. How exactly you do that is up to you. Will you risk raiding city centers that are teeming with both resources and zombie hordes? Will you stay out in the fields and try to build a self-sustaining farmstead? Will you live like a nomad, surviving off whatever you can find while staying on the move? It’s up to you, but you can’t dodge danger completely. Zombies and other hostile NPCs are always lurking. HumanitZ can be played solo, or in co-op, PvE, and PvP modes on dedicated and player-controlled servers.

Coromon

Sale: 80% off

The game with the biggest sale on this list, Coromon is a monster tamer with turn-based combat that wears its inspirations on its sleeve. It recently dropped a massive update that upgraded and remastered the game, with improved visuals and performance, overhauled UI, streamlined navigation, and a bunch of quality of life adjustments. You can read all about these improvements in the patch notes if you want to get into the nitty gritty. The remaster was a free upgrade, so you’ll automatically get the updated version if you take advantage of this sale.

Dark Deity 2

Sale: 40% off (all-time low)

If you’re a fan of classic turn-based strategy games, you’ll immediately recognize the inspirations for Dark Deity 2. It takes place 25 years after the events of the first game, but knowledge of its predecessor isn’t necessary to jump into the sequel. You lead a regiment of soldiers in a war against the greedy Asverellian Empire as it tries to expand its territory into your homeland of Verroa. You’ll recruit 20 heroes who have access to 45 branching classes with unique skills and abilities. Alongside the sale, Dark Deity 2 also added Chinese language (traditional and simplified) support on top of the languages it already supported: English, Korean, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese.

Symphony of War

Sale: 70% off

Symphony of War is also a throwback to classic strategy RPGs, but with larger scale squad-based battles. Up to nine warriors can be grouped together in a squad, and you can choose from more than 50 classes. That includes mainstays like heavy infantry, archers, and medics, as well as more unique ones like arquebusiers and dragons. Once you’ve set your units, you’ll lead them into operations where tactics are everything. Individual battles are handled automatically and you watch them play out, but you control how those battles begin. Move your units to capture and defend the high ground, ambush the enemy from forests, or place strong defences at chokepoints, and then watch your soldiers break the enemy’s morale.

Everholm x Echoes of the Plum Grove Bundle

Sale: 45% off

If you like cozy farming games with a twist, this is the bundle for you. Everholm is a minimalist RPG where a magical portal transports you to an island where everyone somehow seems to know who you are. In classic farming sim style, you’ll build up your homestead and build relationships with the locals, but something isn’t quite right. And you need to figure out why.

Echoes of the Plum Grove puts its own unique spin on the farming sim genre by bringing you through multiple generations. You’ll start with a small homestead that you can expand over time. As you get to know your neighbors, you’ll form relationships with them, both good and bad. You can betray people, poison them, form an alliance with a witch coven, and these choices you make and relationships you build will shape the experiences of the descendants you’ll then control … if your family survives, that is.

New Releases and New Content

SCP: Fragmented Minds

Sale: 30% off (all-time low)

This is a first-person survival horror game set in the popular SCP universe, which is a massive fan-run writing collaboration that’s been going strong online for 18 years. You’ve been brought out of cryostasis in a facility on Mars that’s been overrun by reality-warping abominations, and it’s not for the faint of heart. You’ll need to use a combination of stealth, the environment, and direct combat to deal with the monsters that surround you. It’s intense and gory, and things only get worse the deeper into the facility you go. This sale coincides with the release of Chapter 02, which expands the story and lore with new audio logs, introduces well-known characters from the wider SCP universe, adds a guide character to help newcomers ease into the game, and adds 15 new areas, most notably in the North Wing, which dynamically changes depending on your progress and choices.

Tomb of the Bloodletter

Sale: 25% off (all-time low)

Tomb of the Bloodletter is such a unique game that it’s kind of hard to describe succinctly, but if we had to, we’d call it a strategic word-based roguelike. “Word-based” is the part of that description that needs some context and is what makes this game so unique. Basically, you’ll make runs through a tomb, and the keys on your keyboard will get tied to certain Magicks. When you start a floor, you’ll be prompted to spell a word. You’ll only be able to use a certain number of letters, the ones you choose have to make up a word, and the rooms you get in your run will be determined by what letters you used, in what order you used them, and the Magick attached to them. When you get into battles, you’ll also need to craft words using letters that each unleash certain attacks. And the character class you play can introduce additional quirks and change how you approach combat. A new update just added the Dockhand class, which has a limited vocabulary but has a toolbox he can use to navigate the halls.

Adaptory

Sale: 25% off (all-time low)

Adaptory is a base building sim in Early Access where you’ve crash landed in deep space and you need to keep your team of four explorers alive long enough for them to rebuild your crashed ship and get back home. The four explorers are procedurally generated at the beginning of each game, with their own skills, traits, and opinions. You’ll need to figure out how to keep them fed, warm, healthy, and happy while they work. They’ll need to dig out new spaces to expand your base while managing temperature, plumbing, and connections. And you’ll need to use physics and chemistry systems to keep things running properly. The game just launched its first big update in Early Access, which added difficulty options, introduced refinement and smelting, and lots of other stuff. You can read all the details in the patch notes.

Forgotten Seas

Sale: 55% off (all-time low)

In Forgotten Seas, you’re a sailor in a strange realm where you can carry an armada of ships in your pocket. Dry land is hard to come by, but when you find it, you can build camps, go treasure hunting, and trade for goods to defend your fleet from pirates. You create ships by making them in a bottle, then throwing it into the sea, where it transforms into a fully fledged vessel. You can pop out a bunch of different types of ships if you want to run a whole fleet, or you can strategically hold onto some until the right moment. For example, you can wait until pirates attack, thinking you’re an easy mark. Then toss out a man-o-war that materializes instantly, taking the pirates by surprise. Speaking of surprises, the unexpected update Captain’s Quarters just shadow dropped, which allows you to decorate your ships with furniture items to create a living space for yourself, the captain.

Subway Invasion

Sale: 20% off

In this newly released wave-based shooter, you’re a New York City subway security guard, and only you stand between a horde of invading aliens and a train full of innocent people. You start out with nothing but a basic pistol with limited ammo, but you can scavenge for more ammo and unlock upgrades, attachments, and subweapons. That includes things like scopes, thermal sights, flashlights, and grenade launchers. You’ll need them, since each wave will get progressively more difficult. Enemies get faster, stronger, and will gain weapons of their own. So you’ll need to make use of your upgrades and carefully manage resources to get to the end.

Mini Worlds Dioramas

Sale: 20% off

Mini Worlds Dioramas just launched, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a game where you build your own digital dioramas. It’s simple, it’s peaceful, and it lets you express your creativity. There are no quests or specific goals, you just get a blank canvas to create whatever you want. You use drag and drop tools to place objects, which can include people, animals, buildings, foliage, decorations, and lots more. And you can add weather effects or change the lighting to give your mini world the vibe you’re going for.

Even this extensive list is still just scratching the surface of all the games being offered as part of the Franchise Sale. And on top of the sale, indie.io has other new releases and free demos to try out. Quirky roguelike deckbuilder Pluto just launched in March and its reviews stand at “Very Positive” on Steam. And the aptly named Cozy Builder, side-scrolling action RPG SoulQuest, management sim Esports Manager 2026, strategic city builder City States: Medieval, and gardening sim Greenhearth Necromancer all have free demos.

To keep up with the latest news and info on indie.io’s always expanding stable of games, you can follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Discord.

Petit Planet, the cozy space sim from the creators of Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero, doesn't have an official release date, but at least it has a new closed beta on April 21 for PC, iOS, and Android.

The adorably named Stardrift Test will give players the chance to interact with new cute and cuddly Neighbors, try out more Starsea Voyage explorations and add new activities to the games social hub, the Galactic Bazaar. Just don't get too attached to anything during the test, data will be wiped at the end.

Petit Planet is Hoyoverse's take on the cozy sim genre - we dubbed it "Animal Crossing Meets The Little Prince" - gives you your very own planet to play with. There's farming, fishing, beach combing, cooking, NPC residents to interact with, random Planettes to explore for resources or to find new friends and mini-games. It ticks all the boxes you want from cozy gaming, and all the distinctive anime style that HoyoVerse fans will recognize.

When it releases the game will be free-to-play and cross-platform, and if Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero are any indication, will get plenty of updates and additions once it's live.

Rachel Weber is the Head of Editorial Development at IGN and an elder millennial. She's been a professional nerd since 2006 when she got her start on Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK, and has since worked for GamesIndustry.Biz, Rolling Stone and GamesRadar. She loves horror, horror movies, horror games, Red Dead Redemption 2, and her Love and Deepspace boyfriends.

If you need to get your crime kicks before Grand Theft Auto 6 launches in November, Cash Heist City — built entirely in Unreal Editor for Fortnite — might be just what you're looking for. It's the work of JOGO Studios, a company founded by streamers turned developers Andre Rebelo (Typical Gamer) and Chad Mustard (MustardPlays).

Cash Heist City is an open-world playground with heists, racing, PvP, bounties, missions and car chases. Clearly a homage to the GTA series, players can be a cop, a hacker, a driver or a bounty hunter to build up their cash reserves and then buy homes, businesses and luxury cars. Just like GTA Online, story drops change things up. Yesterday a Cash Heist City update saw mob boss Ramses take control of the game's black market.

"We were tired of waiting," said Rebelo. "Cash Heist City is exactly what UGC was made for, and it’s boldest expression yet. We moved quickly to deliver innovative game mechanics, deeply immersive worlds, and a familiar yet unique play loop, all without the constant delays of traditional development. We couldn’t be prouder to bring CHC to life in Fortnite alongside our amazing partners at KitBash3D. With GTA still a season or two away, this launch just might be gaming’s biggest heist yet!"

JOGO Studios is a developer focused on creating experiences in Fortnite, and previously created experiences like the Super Red vs Blue death match (that at last count had over 370,000,000 plays) and Only Up Time Travel (clocking in at over 29,000,000 plays.)

"In many ways, we were always meant to build Cash Heist City," said Mustard. "It’s the kind of map that pulls every thread we’ve been following: story-rich settings, meaningful systems, and gameplay that feels lived-in."

Find Cash Heist City with the Fortnite Island Code 2843-8555-7658.

Rachel Weber is the Head of Editorial Development at IGN and an elder millennial. She's been a professional nerd since 2006 when she got her start on Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK, and has since worked for GamesIndustry.Biz, Rolling Stone and GamesRadar. She loves horror, horror movies, horror games, Red Dead Redemption 2, and her Love and Deepspace boyfriends.

Something isn’t adding up in the video game industry. In 2025, global video game sales hit $195.6 billion, growing 5% year-on-year. That’s great news - except when you look at the larger picture. In that same time, 10 major studios including Monolith Productions and The Initiative were shuttered in addition to over 25 studios slashing their staff numbers. These were studios working on huge AAA titles including the Perfect Dark remake, a brand-new entry in the Titanfall universe, and superhero titles like Wonder Woman and Black Panther. How is it possible that an industry beating its previous peak year-on-year is also one where one third of its workers were laid off in the last two years? The industry is deeply unwell, with no singular cause to identify but a myriad of symptoms creating a slow-spreading, but severe threat.

It used to be that if players had any free time, they were gaming. Now, the call of video games is being drowned out by many other, immediately accessible distractions. Installations of A.I. assistant apps like ChatGPT and Grok rose to 1 billion in Q4 2025, a statistic that initially seems unrelated to video games until you read industry analyst Matthew Ball’s latest report, which found that American men aged 18-35 – the classic video game demographic – were twice as likely than the average U.S. adult to use AI assistants... the same level of likelihood that they would play console video games.

In short, gamers are also probably using AI apps. So what? Well, further stats make it clear the smartphone is an increasing threat to traditional console gaming. Those same American men are also up to 3.6x as likely to subscribe to OnlyFans creators and use prediction markets. The gamification of prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi is set to increase with the integration of AI engines to provide live “culturally relevant” markets to “play” in. The playability of these sports betting markets, combined with on-the-go live access through your smart phone, scratches that same itch as gacha pulls or opening a pack in FIFA Ultimate Team to the nth degree. It’s something Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella touched on during an internal Q&A session at Microsoft: “The level of hijacking of our attention that’s going on … I want us to reverse that.”

The video game industry appears to be in the early stages of a slow-but-alarming bleed of players, with their attention – and consequently money – drawn to other avenues of entertainment that, unlike traditional gaming, can distract them wherever they are, whenever they want.

Price Hike

This bleed of consumers has become a compounding problem for those in the console business - especially if you’re Microsoft. Xbox’s content & services revenue is down 5% year on year, damaged by Black Ops 7 being the worst-selling Call of Duty since 2008’s World at War. Bloomberg reported Microsoft suffered up to $300 million in losses from its Day One Game Pass gamble with its predecessor, Black Ops 6, and the fact that 82% of all full-price, launch month sales of the shooter came from PlayStation added to the injury. The consequential Game Pass price hike (over 50% in the case of the Ultimate tier, from $19.99 to $29.99) was so badly received that traffic to Microsoft’s website caused it to temporarily buckle.

It was these factors, and most importantly, the 32% decline in hardware sales in the last quarter of 2025 that likely led to Phil Spencer’s retirement and the shock installation of Asha Sharma over Sarah Bond. This seems to be Microsoft’s first big play into restructuring Xbox as a software-first, hardware-second company. Project Helix’s recent unveiling and Sharma’s focus on its third-party-friendly capabilities, alongside Nadella openly questioning what gaming looks like “in its most expansive form going forward”, seems to support the rumors this new console will align more like a plug-and-play gaming PC than a traditional Xbox console. With Newzoo’s 2025 PC & Console Gaming Report predicting PC revenue to surpass console by 2028, it’s not hard to see why this change in direction has emerged.

PlayStation on the other hand is knocking it out of the park. Or is it? At the 2025 Tokyo Game Show, Sony announced the PS5 was its most successful generation yet with over $136b in sales-to-date. However, Sony’s Game & Network services reported a $400m loss between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, likely from the same issue plaguing Xbox: the decline of hardware sales. The PS5 has yet to outsell the PS4 in pure console sales: 80.3m PS5s have been shipped as of June 2025 compared to 117.2m PS4 sales in totality. Sony’s shift away from PC ports of its first-party titles are a noticeable sign of a change in strategy, with PlayStation insiders citing a worry over diluting the PlayStation brand like Microsoft did with Xbox. When $50+ games make up 79% of your business model’s revenue distribution, console manufacturers can no longer afford to play nice with the PC market. This hardware crisis is casting an ever-increasing shadow that looms over every company. Sony is considering delaying the PS6’s debut to 2028 or even 2029, has already hiked the price of the PS5, and even Nintendo is mulling over a Switch 2 price increase thanks to investors worried about sustaining the console’s momentum due to potential DRAM shortages.

The Roblox Problem

This decline in hardware sales is also partially led by Xbox and PlayStation’s difficulty in recruiting younger generations to the console cause. In 2025, free-to-play MMORPG Roblox accounted for 40% of the industry’s total net growth outside of China. Its monthly hours of engagement surpass Steam, PlayStation and Fortnite combined at 10.2 billion, and are fast approaching Netflix’s global hours of engagement. Just 3% of that playerbase is on consoles. Roblox mega-hit sensation Grow a Garden broke concurrent user records in October last year at 25 million concurrent players, surpassing the likes of PUBG and Fortnite. Meanwhile, Highguard developer Wildlight Entertainment recently shuttered its debut game as the result of failing to build a sustainable player base. Newzoo’s 2026 PC & Console Gaming Report revealed that AAA games are of little interest to the sandbox crowd - its data suggests Roblox fans have almost zero interest in games like Borderlands and Battlefield. It’s not hard to see why 9-17 year olds love it - it’s the ultimate sandbox where your creations can literally get you paid; Roblox shelled out $1.5 billion to player developers in 2025. When players can recreate (admittedly often crude facsimiles of) the gameplay of everything from Half-Life 2, Grand Theft Auto and even Fortnite’s gargantuan celebratory events, why would young gamers want to play anything else - let alone buy an expensive new console?

This struggle to maintain players’ attention and cultivate younger generations is even affecting the mobile game industry - conglomerates like Embracer and ByteDance are selling off once-lucrative publishers to the likes of Miniclip and Savvy Games, U.S. mobile game installations sit at a 12-year low of 3.5 billion, and global mobile gaming spend has remained flat for the last five years.

So if hardware sales are down, player counts are declining, and publishers are considering prolonged generations - how has the industry hit that $195.6 billion number? Instead of capturing new players, publishers are squeezing those that are left. Microtransactions and subscriptions have eclipsed hardware sales to become the main revenue driver: in the U.S., in-game purchases account for 50% of PC revenue and 48% of consoles; in Europe, it’s even higher. Publishers now focus efforts on subtle-but-significant microtransaction and service hikes. Xbox’s eye-watering Game Pass hike is the most egregious example, but no publisher is exempt from subtly pushing up its prices. In 2023, 13,500 Fortnite V-Bucks cost $80, but now sit at $90 for a thousand less. Another increase could be on the horizon: Epic Games’ recent layoffs suggest that this band-aid may be slowly peeling off. Sony increased PlayStation Plus subscription revenue by $1 billion between 2022 and 2024 merely by adding a $120 ‘Premium’ tier, upping it to $160 just one year later, as well as raising the price of the ‘Extra’ tier by $35 and Essential by $20. Gamers have become the frog in the pot of water - and many haven’t noticed publishers have been turning up the heat.

RAMmageddon

Hardware sales have never been more important to Xbox and PlayStation than this generation - because the hardware has never been more expensive to manufacture. In the last year, the price of RAM has doubled, and in some cases, tripled. For new generation RAM like Corsair’s DDR5, the increases are jaw-dropping, jumping from $157 to $841 as of writing. This is in large part due to AI tech giants sucking up RAM - OpenAI now effectively controls 40% of the global RAM output as a result of its ‘Stargate’ US data centre project. This technological black hole isn’t isolated to RAM either - ADATA chairman Chen Libai has confirmed that supplies for solid state drives and even hard disk drives are beginning to reach a shortage for the first time in 30 years. In December 2025, gaming PC manufacturer CyberPowerPC released a statement warning of its price changes moving forward, as a result of SSD prices surging by 100%, and RAM prices by 500%. With financial markets wilfully overextending themselves to appease an ever-growing AI bubble, DDRAM quantities are beginning to dry up, thus skyrocketing prices. Many have speculated this is merely the beginning of ‘RAMmageddon’ - creating a worrying outlook for every console manufacturer out there.

Some would argue these issues are transient: the AI bubble will eventually pop, GTA 6 will be a significant hardware sales driver. They wouldn’t be wrong - but again, these are just symptoms. Gamers decry the lack of new, original titles - but is anyone actually playing them? In 2015, the UK’s best-selling games included single-player hits like Batman: Arkham Knight, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, Fallout 4 and more - in 2024, games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Star Wars: Outlaws barely cracked the top 30. Where players spend their attention, and use their spending power, matters more than ever. Games analyst Mat Piscatella reported 2025’s top PS5 games ranked by total US players was identical to 2024’s - all decade-old, live-service titles. At 2024’s Game Developer Collective, 70% of developers polled showed deep concerns over the long-term sustainability for the video game industry’s over-extension into live-service gaming.

19 of 2025’s biggest live-service games have lost over 70% of their player count since launch, but that’s unlikely to give the 33% of AAA developers that currently have live-service games in development any kind of reservation. Why detract from what appears to be the dominant model, when just 3.1-7.4% of global traditional gaming time goes to new, non-annual releases, with nearly half of U.S. gamers buying less than one game a year? Saying that, the news of Epic Games’s layoffs no doubt sends a distress flare to the wider industry over the viability of live-service titles. Speaking to Polygon, industry analyst Mat Piscatella encapsulated the anxiety succinctly: “if Fortnite can’t make it, what chance do other games have?”

The industry is suffering a feedback loop of publisher live-service over-extension and player idleness, merely resting on 10-year-old live-service titles or seduced by cloud gaming services whilst also decrying the lack of ambitious, original games. It's trapped in a chokehold - between the increasingly sparse supply of essential technology needed to fuel its fundamental hardware and a dense confusion over gamers’ demands in seeming direct contradiction to where they’re spending not just their money, but their attention. Never has it been more important for everyone in the video game industry - publishers and players alike - to take a risk. The only question is: who first?

Sab Astley is a freelance writer who has written for IGN, Polygon, TotalFilm, Rolling Stone, Radio Times, and Metro UK.
Editor's note: This article originally stated that Marvel Rivals features loot boxes. The error has been corrected.

It’s April Fools’ Day 2026, and that means it’s once again time to comb through another round of the best jokes and pranks the gaming industry has to offer.

Social media feeds have already been filled with high-quality, low-quality, and downright confusing gags from AAA and indie games alike. You won’t have to look too hard to see some fake – and even some very real – updates that have already made their way to projects like Peak, Hitman, Lords of the Fallen, Minecraft, and more, and if you act quickly, you can even snag some truly bizarre Sonic and Silent Hill merch.

More April 1 pranks will almost certainly sneak their way online in the hours ahead, but we’ve gone ahead and collected some of our favorite April Fools’ Day video game jokes for you to see, below. After that, be sure to check out highlights from 2023, 2024, and 2025, too.

It's Time for Bubsy Feet Pics

Everyone's favorite feline joined April Fools' Day 2026 with the launch of his OnlyPaws site. Yes, it does come with a gallery of paw pics (and the news that Bubsy 4D pre orders are open), but it also directs eager subscribers to instead send their money to The Wildcat Sanctuary, a Minnesota-based non-profit that provides sanctuary to wild cats in need.

Sega Is Feeling Extra Blue This April Fools’ Day

We’re excited to announce that we’re making our SEGA logo 3% more blue.

We hope you enjoy this upgrade.

Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the new look. pic.twitter.com/6IrI7hdSIS

— SEGA (@SEGA) April 1, 2026

Sega felt its classic logo needed a facelift, so it injected it with approximately 3% more blue. As if the change wasn’t obvious enough, the before and after image provided should help clear things up.

Get Your Sanic Merch Right Here

OK, so maybe the bluer Sega logo won’t stick around, but it looks like the new merch available on the Sonic the Hedgehog publisher’s official store will. Introducing the Sanic Collection, a three-shirt drop that features Sanic & Shedew, Sanic Adventure, and Sanic & Knackle tees for $32 each.

CD Projekt Red Gives Roach the Spotlight in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Introducing, Project R.O.A.C.H. 🐴✨

A revolutionary gaming controller that puts you in the saddle, making your next adventure in the Continent more realistic and tactile than ever before!

Ride off into the sunset on R.O.A.C.H. today: https://t.co/v3JfZyYEGw pic.twitter.com/QSszL9Jnqh

— The Witcher (@thewitcher) April 1, 2026

Roach, Geralt’s trusty horse companion, has always been the secret star of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and now, CD Projekt Red is giving her time to shine. A video for the Ride on a Controller Horse (R.O.A.C.H.) highlights stunning new technology, with more information about the high-quality prank available here.

Crytek Adds Beetles With Hats to Hunt: Showdown 1896

Crytek warned players that “Hunters are NOT ready for this” in the latest video update for Hunt: Showdown 1896, revealing an update that was first thought to be “too bold” and “too dark”: beetles with hats. Now through April 15, players can input a code (UA2D-2N3M-87N4-98XY) to add cute little cowboy hats for the Stalker, Fire, and Choke beetles. As if it was any surprise, players are already beginning for this to be one prank that outlives the holiday.

PowerWash Simulator Does the Unthinkable With Date the Dirt Dating Sim

Introducing our next chapter💐💘

Ever wanted to learn more about the muck in Muckingham? Does Dust want to settle down? Is Grime clingy? Can you ever get over Stain?

Well, now you’ll get all the answers!

Date the Dirt – Coming soon✨ pic.twitter.com/RqjFatmaT0

— PowerWash Simulator (@PowerWashSim) April 1, 2026

Behold!

Screenshots of dialogue that didn't quite make the final cut✨

Maybe you'll get to see some of Grime's and Duckweed's dialogue, if you ask nicely👀💦 pic.twitter.com/DP9VZAMDuY

— PowerWash Simulator (@PowerWashSim) April 1, 2026

A PowerWash Simulator dating sim was inevitable, right? For this April Fools’ Day, the folks at FuturLab teased what it would be like if players got to know Dust, Grime, Eggy, and even Chuck the garden gnome.

dbrand has a Message for Gamers: It’s Time to Touch Grass

Gaming and tech skin maker dbrand has brought back its Touch Grass look for iPhone, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, and more. However, its 2026 re-release comes with a bonus with every order: a Blue Sky skin.

Arma Turns Into Farma for April Fools’ Day

OUT NOW!

It's a peaceful life. Make Farma, not war. pic.twitter.com/RVIrrsK3io

— Arma Platform (@ArmaPlatform) April 1, 2026

Bohemia Interactive has laid down its weapons to instead get behind the wheel of a tractor. A trailer for its Arma Reforged farming rebrand, Farma Reforager, shows what it would be like if the mil sim went off in a fresh direction.

Bendy and the Ink Machine Summons the Avengers of Indie Horror

WATCH THE REVEAL TRAILER! They came from worlds apart… for an all new #BENDY game! 🦾🖤#BendyNS @mobgamesstudios @NeighborGamesHQ @MeTattletail @Euphoric_Bros @Basically_Games @FNAF_ScottGames pic.twitter.com/zhS8999OV0

— Bendy (@Bendy) April 1, 2026

One of the more impressive pranks of the day came in the form of a new (and unfortunately fake) extension of the Bendy and the Ink Machine Universe. The trailer for Bendy: Nightmare Syndicate shows what Five Nights at Freddy’s, Hello Neighbor, Baldi’s Basics, in Education and Learning, Poppy Playtime, and other iconic indie horror games would look like in that classic Bendy style.

Payday 3 Leaves the Life of Crime Behind

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT!

We’ve been listening to your feedback, and we’re now expanding PAYDAY 3 with a brand new game mode. We’re beyond excited to finally show what we’ve been cooking in the studio. pic.twitter.com/dssd3Aw0eK

— PAYDAY (@PAYDAYGame) April 1, 2026

Starbreeze Studios says it’s been listening to “feedback” and has unveiled its new be-a-regular-guy update. There’s actually very, very little Payday to be had in its video, but that’s kind of the point.

Hitman Killer Agent 47 Gets a Makeover With New H.A.I.R.

Introducing H.A.I.R.

H.ostile
A.rea
I.ntegration
R.esource

Every style, a choice. Every strand, a strategy. Every comb, calculated.#HITMAN #Agent47 pic.twitter.com/r1xwUSoWIk

— HITMAN (@Hitman) April 1, 2026

What would Agent 47 look like with a full head of hair? It’s a question we’ve all surely asked ourselves, so IO Interactive unveiled its new H.A.I.R. project to show exactly what everyone’s been missing out on. See one of the most iconic characters in games wearing hair from the Mario world, KPop Demon Hunters, Baldur’s Gate 3, Resident Evil, and more in the video above.

Konami Launches James Sunderland Body Pillow to Save You from Your Restless Dreams

5ft of James... need we say more? pic.twitter.com/2Uwl2nspvh

— Konami (@Konami) April 1, 2026

It's the five-foot merch every Silent Hill 2 fan has dreamed about. Available to pre-order now on the official Konami store for $69.99 is a body pillow featuring James Sunderland, but if you want one you'll need to act fast, as it's only available to order for seven days.

Konami offers further clarification on its store page: "Yes, this is real. Yes, you can pre-order it. No, we’re not going to explain ourselves."

10 Hours of Mega Starmie

The Pokémon Company is currently running a 10-hour livestream of nothing other than Mega Starmie. What more could you possibly ask for?

Peak Kicks Friendship to the Curb

we decided giving your friends a helping hand is lame af so its kick now pic.twitter.com/2RAHfruXYJ

— AGGRO CRAB 💥 (@AggroCrabGames) April 1, 2026

Peak is at its best when you’re climbing a steep mountain with your friends at your side – or is it? For April 1, Aggo Crab has traded the ability to lend pals a helping hand in favor of a full-on kick mechanic. There’s no telling how long it will stay in the game itself, but for now, players are having a blast.

Lords of the Fallen Brings Players Into the Action With Helmet Vision

Coming soon: HELMET VISION.

See less. Feel more. pic.twitter.com/qATVlUrDLY

— LORDS OF THE FALLEN (@lotfgame) April 1, 2026

Third-person gaming is great and all, but CI Games thinks the cutthroat combat might be better from a first-person perspective. For April Fools’ Day 2026, the developer showed off Helmet Vision, literally giving players a sliver of the action.

Ubisoft Goes Out on a Limb With Rayman Redesign

new redesign wdyt pic.twitter.com/8XB012zy5v

— Rayman (@RaymanGame) April 1, 2026

Gamers know Rayman as the video game mascot without arms and legs, but what if that changed? Well, whether you want to see what that would look like or not, here it is.

Minecraft Breaks the Mold With Herdcraft Update

THE HERDCRAFT UPDATE

Who needs an inventory when you can have the world? Herd blocks, command items, and live in the moment with the Herdcraft update! Say goodbye to dull inventory management and embrace a better, mindful way to build and craft. It just makes sense!

Read more… pic.twitter.com/PfbFVgLpqO

— Minecraft (@Minecraft) April 1, 2026

Mojang is doing away with all of that pesky inventory management this April Fools’ Day with the Herdcraft update. Exclusively available via Minecraft: Java Edition, players will now notice that blocks and items simply obey your commands instead of sitting idly in the menu.

“It’s technically mandatory to play it right now,” a blog post about the prank update says. “Didn’t read those terms and conditions, did you?”

Capcom Lets Leon and Grace Switch Places in Resident Evil Requiem

Sound ON. 🔊

Happy April Fool's Day from us and @Nik_apostolides and @asantalbano! pic.twitter.com/djmQxyThOu

— Resident Evil (@RE_Games) April 1, 2026

Capcom brought back Leon S. Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft actors Nick Apostolides and Angela Sant’Albano, not to reprise their roles, but to switch them instead. A clip shared on the franchise’s official account reveals each star swapping lines from some of Resident Evil Requiem’s most memorable moments.

The Annual Overwatch April Fools' Day Update Is Here

Rules? Where we’re going we don’t need rules! 😎

Hop into Underwatch with all its glory NOW for a limited time! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/t3rHBVTFDA

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) April 1, 2026

Blizzard Entertainment is back with another April 1 update for Overwatch, bringing remixed and OP abilities for the roster. Highlights for this year's changes include a GG shield for Domina, a Gracie-shooting shotgun for Junker Queen, a lock-on camera for Vendetta, and more googly eyes than ever before.

Get Ready With Me Joins Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 as the Smallest Map Ever

Let's get ready to start the day! 😉 pic.twitter.com/xkHBwxVugm

— Treyarch (@Treyarch) April 1, 2026

Treyarch added a map smaller than Shipment for April Fools 😂 pic.twitter.com/KkSzKOKQAb

— Zac - Immortal (@WhosImmortal) April 1, 2026

Treyarch took to social media to show a top-down image of a mysterious map that has made its way into Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Called GRWM (Get Ready With Me), this teeny tiny map is already available in-game, and its size makes Shipment look giant in comparison.

Meet the OwlBrick

The first-ever console built specifically for CRPGs.
Meet the Owlbrick. The best place to play your favorite games and a solid foundation for your RPG experience.

Claim your Owlbrick now: https://t.co/PlPFcwU0Xh pic.twitter.com/q1JMuqQLaT

— Owlcat Games (@OwlcatGames) April 1, 2026

Owlcat Games has designed the first-ever console for CRPGs: The OwlBrick. Featuring auto combat, romance assist, and a face scan tool, this not-fake-at-all hardware is looking to be the next big thing.

Invincible VS Roster Expands With Painfully Creative Joke Characters

ALL ABOARD! Next stop, emotional damage. pic.twitter.com/r8N3wp8o7f

— Invincible VS (@InvincibleVS) April 1, 2026

Just when players thought Conquest had rounded out the Invincible VS launch roster, Skybound Games and Quarter Up took to social media to pull more characters from every (and we really mean every) corner of the Invincible universe. The full lineup of 100% not-real characters includes Eve's dad, Rapidly Aging Flaxan, Allen's Cat, the Invincible Train, and last but not least, Thicc Omni-Man.

Slime Rancher Devs Channel Doom in Trailer for Tarrminator 5

Fill up your water tank Ranchers, Tarmageddeon is here. pic.twitter.com/2uTMcFSq6S

— Slime Rancher (@slimerancher) April 1, 2026

The Slime Rancher team at Monomi Park thought their colorful cozy game could use some Doom music, so they gave it just that. A trailer for Tarrminator 5, coming never, offers a peek into another universe where the Slime Slayer rules.

Risk of Rain Ditches the Risk – and Just About Everything Else

The future of the Risk of Rain franchise is now! 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/9aPLjaBa12

— Risk of Rain (@RiskofRain) April 1, 2026

For April Fools' Day 2026, the Risk of Rain 2 devs decided the risk may not actually be worth the reward. So, for the totally real next chapter of Risk of Rain, players can look forward to just Rain. No music, no enemies, no fun items. Just rain.

Pragmata Is Finally a Mega-Man Game (Sort Of)

PRAGMATA is a Mega Man Game? April Fools! 😜#PRAGMATAMoonBytes - Part 6 pic.twitter.com/W73dyOrmZL

— Capcom Europe (@CapcomEurope) April 1, 2026

Capcom has heard your theories, and while they may not be true, it's willing to entertain them for a little while longer.

Bungie Offers Relaxation from Marathon Matches With Algae Pond Bath Bomb

Sink in. Reset your vitals. Return mission-ready.

Inspired by the nutrient ponds of Tau Ceti IV, the Algae Pond Bath Bomb delivers a restorative soak engineered for post-deployment recovery.

Because even hardened Runners deserve regulated restoration. pic.twitter.com/I1bR4qFYP0

— Marathon (@MarathonTheGame) April 1, 2026

While other companies have pushed for real April Fools' Day merchandise to buy, Bungie seems content with its prank product being little more than a harmless (and gross) gag. The Algae Pond Bath Bomb is inspired by the planet of Tau Ceti IV in Marathon, and despite the studio's wishes, fans say they want to give the green disc a taste test.

Rebungered: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Bunger

A new game from the team that brought you Bugsnax and Octodad.

Out now on https://t.co/AAjUAL6FtP pic.twitter.com/I8JvYcvCRx

— Bugsnax (Young Horses) (@YoungHorses) April 1, 2026

Bugsnax social media showed up with prank that comes in two parts. The first is an anime-style opening for a project called Rebungered: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Bunger, and the second is that this project is real. Following the link in the Bugsnax post directs players to a playable text-based adventure game where – you guessed it – you play as a Bunger. It's a full-fledged story with six endings and seven achievements to unlock.

Satisfactory Unleashes Jason

Simply put: Men are underrepresented in games. We're changing that. pic.twitter.com/D2aVUxhYrW

— Satisfactory (@SatisfactoryAF) April 1, 2026

After waves of comments from players begging to play as a man Pioneer in Satisfactory, Coffee Stain Studios has come up with a solution: Jason. Backed by Linkin Park, Jason finally gives men some representation in video games.

The Division 2 Audio Update Puts Players Right Into the Action

We’ve taken immersion to the next level.
Hear The Division 2 like never before. Available now. pic.twitter.com/xp9VFbA0jP

— Tom Clancy's The Division (@TheDivisionGame) April 1, 2026

Ubisoft is tweaking audio in The Division 2 ever so slightly to make sure players feel as though they are right in the middle of the action. You can hear some of the subtle changes in the video above.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Fortnite has released its first major update since last month's devastating layoffs, which left more than 1,000 staff at Epic Games out of work. Today's additions to battle royale gameplay are comedic yet sizable — and will only last 24 hours.

Today is, of course, April Fool's Day — and Fortnite is leaning into the fun by adding a new weapon to its main Battle Royale mode, as well as its sister offerings Reload and Blitz. The weapon is... finger guns, where your character will really just make finger gun gestures at an enemy for damage.

Also added today — and just for today — are big heads, reminiscent of the look you'd often unlock in classic video games via the use of cheat codes. Amusingly, developer Epic Games has admitted it has struggled implementing this with the slender Peely the banana man, who instead now has a Cuddle Team Leader mask plonked on top.

YOU CAN STACK MULTIPLE PLAYERS 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/y9NBJldpgV

— HYPEX (@HYPEX) April 1, 2026

The April Fool's additions continue with shoulder riding, a seemingly major mechanic where players can clamber up and give each others piggy back rides — allowing your teammates to shoot while up on your shoulders! Players have discovered you can even stack more than two players at once — how many are possible?

Finally, fall damage has been removed (replaced with the sound of a splat when landing), while ridable llamas have been added for you trot around on. And again, all just for 24 hours.

This is the kind of update that few other games would roll out for so little time, but that's Fortnite for you, I guess. Interested in getting into the fun? All of the above will be available until just 5.30am Eastern tomorrow, April 2.

Announcing the layoffs last month, Sweeney said Epic Games had reacted to a downturn in interest for Fortnite that began in 2025, though analysts told IGN that fewer people playing the game's veteran battle royale was only one of its problems. The company has spent years fighting costly legal battles with Apple and Google, while bankrolling the Epic Games Store as it attempts to rival Steam. And then there's the explosive growth of Roblox, which Fortnite has now fallen behind.

While today's update is robust, some of those who remain at the company say they simply don't know how Fortnite will look later this year and beyond with close to a quarter of the company's staff gone.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Pokémon Go is celebrating April Fool's Day with a big in-game surprise — and the best part is that it really isn't a joke.

Today sees the long-awaited launch of fan-favorite creature Mimikyu, the ghostly Pokémon who dresses up in a Pikachu costume. Fans have been clamouring for Mimikyu's release for years, with its continued non-appearance every Halloween now something of a meme in the game's community.

This week, developer Niantic announced what appeared to be a fairly bland-looking Electric-type Pokémon event, scheduled to take place over the April Fool's Day week. Fans had hoped that something more was afoot — and indeed, as April 1 arrives around the world, Pokémon Go finally delivered.

Load up Pokémon Go today and you'll see Mimikyu silhouettes appearing on your radar. Could this be a trick, though? After so long, surely the creature wouldn't just launch on April Fool's Day? Many fans have said they assumed this was a prank by Niantic, designed to get their hopes up only for the rug to be pulled... but no, this really is the arrival of Mimikyu, with more to come this evening.

As well as appearing in the wild and in random event task rewards, today's Spotlight Hour, taking place from 6 to 7pm local time, will see increased Mimikyu spawns in the wild alongside that of Pikachu. Several other Mimikyu encounters can also be found in the current event's pass, which had been obscured with "?" until now.

Of course, all of this had been somewhat spoiled by datamined information floating around social media that pointed to Mimikyu's upcoming release. But for the majority of Pokémon Go's playerbase who don't sit online, today will bring a new species to catch that should come as a very pleasant surprise.

Mimikyu is one of the Pokémon franchise's most beloved creatures, though no one has seen its actual appearance and lived to tell the tale. Underneath its crooked Pikachu disguise, the real Mimikyu lies hiding. "Its actual appearance is unknown," reads Mimikyu's Pokédex entry from 3DS title Pokémon Sun. "A scholar who saw what was under its rag was overwhelmed by terror and died from the shock." A similar entry from Pokémon Ultra Moon reveals another such tale: "A gust of wind revealed what hides under this Pokémon’s rag to a passing Trainer, who went home and died painfully that very night."

Last week, it was revealed that The Pokémon Company was already considering a future where the total number of pocket monsters available hits "maybe 10,000" species. At the time of writing, the Pokémon franchise extends to 1,025 species — including the three new starter creatures already unveiled for next year's Switch 2 games Pokémon Winds and Waves.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

If you're looking for DTI codes, IGN's got you covered! In this article, you'll find a list of all the active and working Dress to Impress codes in April 2026 that you can redeem for free rewards and bonuses in DTI, including outfits and accessories like hats, bags, and jewelry.

Active Dress to Impress Codes (April 2026)

Here are all the active Dress to Impress codes in April 2026 and the free rewards you get for redeeming them:

• FACECARD - April Fools' face (NEW!) (Expires April 4, 2026 at 8:00 AM PT)
• BADDIE4LIFE (NEW! Returning code so if you redeemed it previously, you can't again) (Expires April 4, 2026 at 8:00 AM PT)
• LIONDANCER - Lion Dancer set
• LNY - Lunar New Year clothing
• BHM26 - Dress and jacket
• CA11MEHHALEY - Bear dress, bear ears, bear onesie
• CH00P1E_B4CK_AGA1N - Choopie set rework
• 2YEARS - Dress
• 2GETHER - Classic DTI Doll
• RDC2025 - Lanyard and belt accessory
• VANILLAMACE - Headscarf
• PIXIIUWU - Dress
• ANGELT4NKED - Helmet
• 3NCHANTEDD1ZZY - Wand
• ELLA - Skirt
• 1CON1CF4TMA - Sweater dress
• MEGANPLAYSBOOTS - Boots
• CH00P1E_1S_B4CK: Streetwear outfit set
• S3M_0W3N_Y4Y: Axe
• KREEK: Bear hat
• LANA: White shorts, shirt, and legwarmers
• LANABOW: White bow
• BELALASLAY: Black jacket with pink halter top
• LANATUTU: White dress
• IBELLASLAY: Red, green, and blonde hairstyle
• M3RM4ID: Orange mermaid set
• TEKKYOOZ: White handbag
• LABOOTS: Black boots
• ITSJUSTNICHOLAS: Black jacket
• ASHLEYBUNNI: Bunny slippers
• LEAHASHE: Sweatshirt and sweatpants
• KITTYUUHH: Black cat
• C4LLMEHH4LEY: Puffy dress and bear headband
• SUBM15CY: Necklace and eyelashes
• D1ORST4R: Bag and bow

All Expired Dress to Impress Codes

Below, you'll find a list of expired DTI codes that no longer work and can't be redeemed as of April 2026:

• CUPIDSCLOUD
• GLINDA
• ELPHABA
• B3APL4YS_D0L1E
• Your unique Twitch Cyberpunk Wings code
• LNY2025
• HAPPYNEWYEAR
• Your unique Easter 2025 Easter Bunny Set code
• UMOYAE
• FASHION
• Your unique April Fools' Day 2025 Flamethrower code
• M0T0PRINCESSWAV
• SWEETHEART (was only redeemable between February 15 and February 16, 2025 at 8AM PT)
• YEAROFTHESNAKE
• NY2025
• WINTERUPDATE (was only redeemable between 8 AM - 11 AM PT on Saturday, 14 December!)
• 4BILLION
• CHOOPIE10K
• THEGAMES
• EYELASHES
• REWARD4CLASS1C

Roblox Gift Ideas

How to Redeem Dress to Impress Codes

Follow the steps below to redeem Dress to Impress codes and claim free rewards in DTI:

1. Open the Dress to Impress Roblox Experience.
2. Click on the handbag icon on the left-hand side to open the DTI Codes menu.
3. Enter your code in the "Type here..." field.
4. Check for any spelling mistakes or errors.
5. Click the checkmark icon to redeem the code.

Why Isn't My Dress to Impress Code Working?

If the code you're trying to redeem in DTI isn't working, it's likely because of one of two reasons:

• The Dress to Impress code is expired
• There's a spelling mistake in the code

When inputting a DTI code in Roblox, make sure it's spelled correctly (for example, a capital I isn't a lowercase l, 0 and not O, and vice versa) and that there are no spaces before or after the code. We'd recommend copying and pasting codes straight from our article to ensure they're correct as we've tested and verified that the codes on this page are working ourselves.

If your DTI code still isn't working after checking for typos, it's more than likely expired and can no longer be redeemed in Dress to Impress.

How to Get More DTI Codes

To get more Dress to Impress codes, the best way is to join the official DTI Discord server. While we check for new codes daily, the quickest way to know about new Dress to Impress codes is to follow the Roblox experience's official Discord server where updates are posted in real time.

You can also check the Dress to Impress X account and the official DTI Roblox Group page.

Are There Any Upcoming DTI Codes?

We currently don't know of any upcoming DTI codes now that the two April Fools' codes have been released, though it is possible we could see a new code or two in the Trip to Tokyo update on April 4, 2026. We'll update this article once we find out more information on new Dress to Impress codes.

What is Dress to Impress in Roblox?

Dress to Impress is a popular dress-up Roblox Experience available on PC, console, and iOS and Android mobile devices. In it, you put on your best outfit to complete a specific theme and walk the runway in a bid to earn votes from other players and become a top model. As you gain votes, you gain ranks and can access more clothing and accessories, so make sure you're truly dressed to impress! Also, for toy lovers and collectors, you can now pre-order a mystery pack of 2 Dress to Impress minifigures right now for $30 at Walmart.

In many ways the ultimate otome game, Love and Deepspace has an army of fans all around the world. Some 80 million players have found love in the dreamy eyes of Xavier, Zayne, Rafayel, Sylus and Caleb. Many of my own female friends in Japan, the UK, the United States and Europe are head over heels in love with this game, from the way it explores themes of romance, to its gritty sci-fi combat that enhances the feeling of overcoming hardship together with the one you love.

While daily check-ins in many mobile games may feel like a chore, in Love and Deepspace they are a chance to feel cherished every day by a perfect lover. And behind the soft whispers that tug at the heartstrings, there is a deeply scientific psychological understanding that pulls players in and keeps them hooked.

At the GDC Festival of Gaming held in San Francisco in March, members of this woman-led development team from Infold Games offered a peek behind the boudoir curtain via multiple talks, a rare chance to see the naked truth of their approach to game design. Afterwards, IGN Japan spoke exclusively with Love and Deepspace producer Lizi Cheng to find out more about the ideal boyfriend, period trackers, and love at first sight.

IGN: Love and Deepspace has a huge global fanbase. How do you go about creating male characters that can appeal to so many different types of women in so many different cultural situations in different countries of the world?

Lizi Cheng: I was surprised the game became so popular in other countries and other regions, but I think the reason is that good content and good characters really are key. If girls from different cultural backgrounds all think the same guys are hot, I think there's some commonality in terms of universal beauty standards. Then again, each of the love interests has his own personalities and characteristics.

IGN: Japan produces a lot of otome games, but very few have found success overseas. Some have
even replaced their Japanese characters with ones designed to appeal to Western players. Did you ever feel concerned about releasing the game with the characters exactly as they are to a global audience?

Lizi Cheng: Our development team is a purely Chinese team, and we really have not conducted in-depth
research about other cultures. So we think it would be very dangerous for us to adapt the characters in that way. We want to focus on what we are good at.

IGN: Love and Deepspace is a live service game, which means you have to keep coming up with new content. There's already a lot of detail in the game, but you have to constantly find new ideas and new fun ways to interact with the characters in the game. Can you tell me a little bit about that process?

Lizi Cheng: Sure. We want to make sure we provide a fresh experience for our players, and we also want
to make sure we consider what the player wants. And so for that, we definitely try to gather data and we conduct surveys with our players to get their feedback and comments. And based on all of the data, we will create a priority list. And then we can know exactly what they want and what they need.

IGN: Voice acting is super important for a romance game to make the characters relatable and loveable. What kind of direction or feedback do you give to your voice actors in the studio?

Lizi Cheng: Lots of it! Actually, each time when we do recording, we will have our writers follow for the
entire session. In terms of the details of our script, we wanted to really have a detailed look at the tone of voice and also the line reading in terms of its specific context, and make fine changes for the best quality. Sometimes we’ll re-record a line more than 50 times so that we can reach the best outcome.

IGN: You've also been adding various new features since the game launched, with one of the most recent being the Home system. Do you plan to keep expanding the Home system and to add new features to it? For example, things like a kitchen, pets, or new ways of interacting together at home?

Lizi Cheng: As you mentioned, the Home system is really based on daily life. So we want to consider all the things you just mentioned. But we’re still in discussion.

IGN: Last year, you added a menstrual cycle tracker feature, enabling the boyfriends in the game to show an extra level of care for the player when they’re at their lowest. We’ve never seen that in a game before, so I think it surprised a lot of people. How did you come up with this system, and why do you think it's an important feature to have in the game?

Lizi Cheng: The inspiration is again based on daily life – and for women, the menstrual cycle is part of daily life. Our team members thought this was a feature that we needed to include, and we also had positive feedback based on survey data from the game. Also, in Chinese culture, we think a boyfriend should care for the girlfriend's physical condition during her period, when she’s weak. And so because of that, we definitely think that by adding this feature, it will really create a kind of emotional bond between the two of them. We wanted this feature to allow the player to feel warm and cared for. As we mentioned in our GDC talk, anything that we feel a boyfriend should do is revealed in this game.

IGN: I watched a GDC talk by Xianzi Feng, the game’s art director, and she showed a slide that explains the scientific breakdown behind the concept of “love at first sight” – biological triggers such as looks and scent, cognitive resonance that tells you “he gets me,” and narrative projection that lets your mind fill in the blanks, all of which converge to create a vibe that makes you fall for someone. She then explained how your team broke this down and implemented it into the game. Could you explain this concept?

Lizi Cheng: In Chinese, we say things reach an ideal state when all the factors align. So definitely, in terms of timing, when and how you meet your significant other and how we can make it memorable is very important. We want to make sure that all of the factors can come into play. And for each of the love interests, we want to focus on their “first sight” – the circumstances under which they meet. We put a lot of thought into this, so that we could create a deep impression for all players.

This is one of the core experiences we want to deliver to our players. So it involves all the different factors of game development, including the visuals, the situation, the storyline, the performance, the atmosphere, the timing and the voice. We bring all of these elements to the player. And because of that, when the player sees him for the first time, they can form a reallyhave a deep memory of who he is and what kind of charm he has. So I think this is very important.

IGN: With all the distractions of modern life and social media, I think a lot of people are really quite lonely. You mentioned in your talk that when someone plays Love and Deepspace, they feel they are not alone. The game even has AR features that allow you to hang out with your man during your daily routine. Do you feel the game fulfils a need that people might have to find love and connection?

Lizi Cheng: It's not really our aim to service those who feel lonely. Different players have different pursuits and preferences. But the game itself really can provide you with this love and bond. So those
who feel lonely in daily life will definitely find this kind of emotional bond, and feel not lonely by playing the game. But we are not only dedicated to them.

IGN: Considering how popular the stories are with fans, would you ever consider doing spinoffs
into novels, movies, TV, animation or comics?

Lizi Cheng: We don't have a plan for that right now. We think this game is really based on the experience
between the player and the love interest, so we think it's not suited to adaptations. I think those kinds of non-interactive narratives would harm the experience and also harm the immersion.

IGN: As an ongoing game, do you have a fixed ending in mind? Or will it go forever and ever and
ever? Lizi Cheng: There's no ending. It's ongoing, definitely. And we want to make sure we can build a lasting bond with our players. For the games that we previously operated, they had more than 10 years of experience. Love and Deepspace is only headed into its second year, so want to keep it going for much longer.

IGN: Have you ever considered VR, AR or XR versions to allow people to meet the boys up close?

Lizi Cheng: In the game, we already use AR technology to allow players to pose with the characters. And
also we have a VR demo that has already been used at offline events, where our players had the chance to meet the male characters. It's a small simulation VR experience where a whole scene takes place in a cafe or in a restaurant. It's a date setting, and you will meet the love interest by wearing the VR glasses and you can have more interaction; you can talk to him, you can touch him, and also, in VR, you can hold a camera so that the love interest can pose while you take photos of him. This was only available for an event, not for home VR. We're still in the experimental stage.

IGN: I’ll just ask one more question. You mentioned during your GDC talk that the boyfriends in the game will “strive to do better at the things a real boyfriend might struggle with." If a man like me plays the game and sees the ideal men you and your team have created, can I learn what will make me a more attentive or a better boyfriend or husband?

Lizi Cheng: It depends on you. Maybe you can have a try.

IGN: I thought that at the start of the game, Zayne is sometimes a little bit rude to the player character – but she likes him anyway. (Jokingly) Does that mean the lesson is that my wife would prefer me to be ruder to her?

Lizi Cheng: (Laughs.) No! Then you’ve misunderstood. Different players have different sensations or experiences when they interact in the game. You have a very interesting perspective; you think that Zayne is rude to the character, but some players reflect that Zayne is very gentle.

IGN: OK, I'll pay much more attention next time. Thank you!

Love and Deepspace’s latest update Ghosts’ Final March is out now.

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.

Update 4/1/2026: OF COURSE IT WAS AN APRIL FOOL'S JOKE ugh come on, Square

いつもNieRシリーズを支えてくださりありがとうございます。

本日0時に発表した『NieR:COSMIC HORROR』は、エイプリルフールの企画です。とても大きな反響をいただきお騒がせいたしました。

引き続きNieRシリーズをよろしくお願いいたします。

🔽NieR:Automata1,000万本突破記念PVはこちら… https://t.co/C0R5fLiwGQ

— NieR公式PRアカウント (@NieR_JPN) April 1, 2026

"Thank you for always supporting the NieR series.

"The "NieR: COSMIC HORROR" announced at 0:00 today is an April Fool's project. We received a tremendous response and caused quite a stir.

"We look forward to your continued support for the NieR series."

Why can't we have anything nice?!

Original story:

It's March 31 as I write this here in the States, and April 1 already in a number of other countries. That means here in the IGN newsroom, we're being extra careful about inadvertently falling for news tricks – fake stories, silly goofs from companies, and so forth. Most of the ones I've seen so far are all in good fun, but there's one...maybe trick? Probably?...that's getting under my skin today. I'm referring to this:

【NieR 新プロジェクト 制作血定】
虚無に生まれるは、希望か。
それとも、救済という名の絶望か。

━━━Coming Soon...... pic.twitter.com/nBdtqQEF12

— NieR公式PRアカウント (@NieR_JPN) March 31, 2026

This is a tease for some sort of Nier project called Nier: Cosmic Horror. And as hopeful as one might be that this finally means another Nier game, Nier fans know that the odds are not in their favor on this one. Because we've been here before.

Square Enix and series director Yoko Taro are always doing this. The Nier series is deeply beloved by its fans, and the one thing everyone wants most is a brand new, AAA, PC and console game that picks up the series where it left off in Automata, or at least a few millenia later. But for years, Square has been playing this weird game of teasing new Nier project after new Nier project, only for each one to be something...non-game-like. A concert tour. A book. A stage play. An anime. A comic. A crossover event. A bunch of weird lore dropped on a website that went nowhere. And so forth.

Don't get me wrong, all of these things are very cool. It's rad that the Nier universe is big enough to contain multitudes of multimedia, and that fans can enjoy a lot of different flavors of Nier. I've been to a Nier orchestra concert, and it rules. I also deeply loved Nier: Reincarnation, a mobile game that's a very direct sequel to Automata, which was shut down in April 2024. But none of these things are the core game Nier that fans have been requesting for nearly a decade now.

So what is Cosmic Horror? I don't know, man. It could be any one of the things I listed above, or some other new, weird art project in the universe. We already know there's another orchestra tour coming around this year, which will include some new episodic story content in the Nier universe. Heck, it could have something to do with this post by The Weeknd, who was video chatting with Yoko Taro for some reason:

It also could be an April Fool's joke! Most companies have gotten away from proper fake-outs in recent years, ever since several studios found out that people were getting genuinely excited about the joke games and were sad when they didn't get made (or, in one case, thrilled when it did). Still, Square Enix and Nier especially don't seem to be above taunting their fans, so if this turns out to be all a cheap trick on April 2, I wouldn't be surprised. But also, as many fans are pointing out on the Nier subreddit, announcing something big on April Fools Day is the sort of wacky thing creator Yoko Taro would do. Which leaves us right back where we started: confused, frustrated, and wanting more Nier.

Personally, I desperately want more Nier video games, but I've had my hopes dashed one too many times to really think this is anything. I do believe that one day we will get a new Nier game – Automata sold 10 million copies, they'd be silly not to make one. And Yoko Taro has said he keeps trying to start new projects, but they keep getting canceled on him, so I'm sure he's trying his best. But until I see actual gameplay on an official channel on a day that isn't April 1, I'm going to assume no news is no news. I'm just gonna crank up the volume on Weight of the World and cry a few more times about it.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Shape of You singer Ed Sheeran has said he turned down the chance to appear in Fortnite, as he doesn't play the game.

Speaking on the Warnes Way podcast (thanks, ShiinaBR), Sheeran recalled being asked by his management company if he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his Antisocial trackmate Travis Scott and appear in the game — to which Sheeran declined.

The singer's reasoning? Sheeran has said he preferred his collaborations to feel authentic by being with things he actually used or enjoyed — and he didn't play Fortnite. He does, however, play Pokémon — and it was this brush with Fortnite that then preceded Sheeran's 2022 team-up with The Pokémon Company, which resulted in a Pokémon-infused music video for his song Celestial.

"They asked me to do something for Fortnite, my record label, and I was like... 'I don't play Fortnite,'" Sheeran recalled. "I feel like whenever you see my face next to any product, I want it to be next to something I actually do.

"So ketchup, I f***ing love ketchup," he continued, referencing his collab with tomato sauce brand Heinz back in 2019, where he launched limited-edition ketchup bottles rebranded as Edchup. "Guitars, I play the guitars I [promote]... I think it has to be real.

"So when my record company were like 'oh, we can put you in a Fortnite game', I was like, [I] don't really want to do that, but I do play Pokémon," he added. "So we contacted Pokémon and that's why we did the song for the thing. I love Pokémon."

Many of Sheeran's own collaborators already have Fortnite skins, including Travis Scott, Bruno Mars and J Balvin. And Fortnite still features some of Sheeran's music, which is available to buy as an in-game track and an emote. Fortnite also recently collaborated with Game of Thrones, adding a trio of characters from George R.R. Martin's series into the game. There's no sign yet of Sheeran's own unpopular Game of Thrones character, however.

Image credit: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for iHeartRadio.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Disney executives are reportedly keen on fully buying Fortnite developer Epic Games at some point.

The claim comes from veteran tech reporter Alex Heath, via The Town podcast, who said that senior executives were waiting for the right moment to make a bid for the metaverse game, following Disney's prior $1.5 billion investment in developer Epic Games.

Fortnite is the jewel in the crown of Epic's portfolio — alongside its pervasive development toolkit Unreal Engine — and a significant money spinner. But the past year has been rocky for the game — something that led to Epic Games shedding 1,000 staff members last week, due in part to a downturn in engagement through 2025.

Disney, meanwhile, is already heavily invested in Fortnite, with a dozens of character skins and crossovers already part of the game (including Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and Disney animated characters) and a long-awaited Disney-specific mode that's set to offer fans a place to play, watch, create and shop.

"I know for a fact there are senior executives in Disney who want them to buy Epic and are just waiting for that moment," Heath said, "and then there are others who think it's a bad idea. If Epic ever sold, if it ever decided to call it quits on being an independent company, Disney would be the most natural home for it for a lot of reasons."

Here, Heath referenced the upcoming Disney mode — concept art for which looks like a virtual Disneyland park with various themed areas — and the idea it just became "Disney's gaming platform." Despite two years of development work, however, there's still no suggestion of when it will finally arrive.

Last year, Sweeney blasted a Wall Street Journal report that claimed development of the mode was being hampered by slow decision-making at Disney, something he claimed was "BS." Still, that report stated that the mode — announced back in March 2024 — would not be ready before this fall, something which is expected to be borne out by reality.

"Epic is a founder-controlled company," Heath continued. "Tim Sweeney has full voting stock control and can make unilateral decisions and it's really up to him. As we saw, he was the guy who went to bat against the App Stores, against Apple and Google to open those up. And it's almost an ideological crusade when you're running a company like Epic to do something like that. And he even acknowledges in the layoff email that it cost [Epic]."

One Disney executive who strongly backed the company's investment in Fortnite was Josh D'Amaro — the same person who recently won the race to become the company's new CEO. While his tenure has only just begun, it's believed that D'Amaro will want to quickly make his mark in the role this year — and he has previously remarked that the launch of Fortnite's Disney mode will be a major moment for the company going forward.

Just this week, former long-term Disney executive Kevin Mayer said he expected D'Amaro to make "bold steps" this year and grow the company's gaming output. "I think Epic or some other video game asset would be a great addition to The Walt Disney Company's asset base," Mayer told CNBC.

Fortnite itself has often struggled to launch other modes for its game that stray too far from its core battle royale proposition. Interest has waned for the racing, music and LEGO modes it launched to fanfare in late 2023, and Epic has previously admitted that it's struggled to fully explain to consumers that Fortnite is more than just a battle royale. But plans are seemingly afoot for some kind of new era, as mentioned by Sweeney in his email on the layoffs. "We'll be kicking off the next generation of Epic with huge launch plans towards the end of the year," he wrote.

Announcing the layoffs last week, Sweeney said Epic Games had reacted to a downturn in interest for Fortnite that began in 2025, though analysts told IGN that fewer people playing the game's veteran battle royale was only one of its problems. The company has spent years fighting costly legal battles with Apple and Google, while bankrolling the Epic Games Store as it attempts to rival Steam. And then there's the explosive growth of Roblox, which Fortnite has now fallen far behind. Many fans feel like it is Epic Games' own staff that have paid the price, while those who remain at the company say they simply don't know how Fortnite will look later this year and beyond with close to a quarter of the company's staff gone. Perhaps the game's big new Disney offering will turn it all around?

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Rec Room — the virtual reality social club where you play games, hang out in the locker room, customize your appearance, and party with friends — is shutting down on its 10th anniversary.

Despite reaching over 150 million players and offering VR games like Paintball, Dodgeball, 3D Charades, and Disc Golf — a cumulative 68,000 years have been spent in-game — developer Against Gravity admitted "we never quite figured out how to make Rec Room a sustainably profitable business."

"Our costs always ended up overwhelming the revenue we brought in," the team said in a statement. "We spent a long time trying to find a way to make the numbers work. But with the recent shift in the VR market, along with broader headwinds in gaming, the path to profitability has gotten tough enough that we've made the difficult decision to shut things down.

"We're making this decision now, while we still have the ability to wind things down thoughtfully and do right by the people who built this with us," the team added.

This means that from June 1, you won't be able to log into or play Rec Room, the website will go offline, and any online services related to the game will no longer be available. As a result, from here on in no one can make a new account, you can't add any new friends, and all premium memberships have been extended to June 1. Partnered content creators will also stop accepting new registrations from May 1.

Perhaps most notably of all the changes, users can no longer create monetized user-generated content, such as room inventory items, consumables, currencies, and avatar items. After March Room Rewards go out in April, there'll be no further Room Reward payments, and from May 1, you won't be able to purchase tokens or redeem gift cards for tokens. Creators will be able to collect any previously-earned tokens until May 18.

"This f***ing sucks, man," wrote one unhappy fan. "I've had multiple MMOs and online games I enjoyed shut down, so I know how much it sucks. It's gotta be even worse for a purely social experience like Rec Room."

"Sad, but given its whole gimmick was 'Roblox for VR', the writing was on the wall as soon as Roblox added VR support, as well as the stagnation of that medium in general," added someone else.

Back in August 2025, Rec Room was forced to lay off around half its team, but said at the time that even if "nothing about the business changed or improved, our runway would probably carry us into 2029." It also said at the time that in July 2025, its user-generated content revenue was "the highest it's ever been," up 70% year-over-year. Now, however, it seems that that 2029 projection was unduly positive.

"On behalf of the team we’d like to thank you for being a part of the Rec Room community and helping us create a fun and welcoming place for players from all walks of life over the past ~10 years," the team concluded. "Your boundless creativity and enthusiasm has been a source of great inspiration and joy. We wish we could have found a way to keep things rolling, but unfortunately this is the end of the road."

As a last thank you to the millions of players that have enjoyed the game over the last decade, Rec Room is discounting all first-party content in all stores by 80%, and some premium-only features like avatar items will be free. You'll also be able to download all your photos and collect a super-cute final report card as a memento of your avatar — you can find out how on the official website.

Sadly, creators can't download a working copy of their rooms as without their servers, they won't work, but you can download your room and invention data should you want to recreate the room in Unity, for example.

While the social mini-game experience seems as popular as ever going by Roblox's success, VR overall has taken a bit of a beating. In January, Meta laid off around 10% of staff at its Reality Labs division as part of sweeping cuts set to affect more than 1,000 people. This includes the closure of a number of VR-first studios, such as Twisted Pixel, the studio behind Deadpool VR, Resident Evil 4 VR developer Armature Studio, and Asgard's Wrath maker, Sanzaru Games.

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 just about every phone you can get your hands on nowadays will be able to play some games, several key features distinguish a fine gaming phone from a great one. Powerful processing is one piece of the puzzle. Being able to sustain high performance levels is also a must – you don’t want to deal with a phone that can only run smoothly for a few minutes before it slows down and scorches your hands. Extra memory and storage are also clutch for gaming phones, providing a means for multitasking even while you have a game running and giving you plenty of space for games. Some gaming phones, like the RedMagic 11 Pro, even offer extra upgrades for gaming, like additional shoulder buttons and enhanced touch sampling rates. (Though you could also just pick up a dedicated phone controller.)

Of course, the display is also a big piece of the puzzle. If you can’t see your games, you’re going to have a hard time playing them. A bigger, brighter display helps, as does a boost in refresh rate for smooth motion. An added benefit of a bigger phone is that your thumbs won’t cover as much of the display when you’re using touch controls. I've been testing and reviewing gaming phones for years now, so with all these details in mind, here’s a look at the best smartphones that also excel when it comes to gaming anywhere, anytime.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Phones:

1. RedMagic 10 Pro

Best Gaming Phone

2. OnePlus 15

Best Everyday Phone for Gaming

3. iPhone 17 Pro Max

Best iPhone for Gaming

4. iPhone 17e

Best Budget iPhone for Gaming

5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Best Foldable Gaming Phone

6. OnePlus 13R

Best Budget Android for Gaming

What to Look for in a Gaming Phone

Once you're certain you're a prime candidate for a gaming phone, here's exactly what to consider when you're on the hunt for one. While the best smartphones on the market tend to have some of what it takes to be a decent gaming phone, proper gaming phones tend to have some considerable advantages. You’ll find unseen benefits under the hood, upgrades to the screen and battery, and even extra controls to help give you the edge while gaming.

Processors

This is a key area for gaming phones as they effectively define how well a phone can run a game. Top-tier chips like those from the Snapdragon 8 family (e.g., Elite, Gen 1/2/3) tend to be strong performers in games, and the recent Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8 Elite Gn 5 have shown themselves to be absolute beasts when it comes to gaming. Apple’s iPhones also tend to have pretty high-performance chips, with any model within the last year or two often providing more than enough speed for the latest games.

Cooling and heat management

While a fast processor is a good start, running games is demanding and generates heat. Gaming phones generally make a point of managing that. Paying attention to sustained performance is a key part of how we test phones’ gaming potential. The OnePlus 15 may have great performance in a short benchmark, but it slows down considerably as it heats up. Meanwhile, a top-notch gaming phone like the RedMagic 11 Pro can lag behind OnePlus in some benchmarks, but proves itself capable of sustaining its performance for the long haul thanks to powerful heat management in the form of an active cooling phone — something most everyday phones won’t have.

Power

Sometimes it’s not about hardware when it comes to smartly managing heat. You should be on the lookout for pass-through power when shopping for a gaming phone. This feature lets you plug in your phone and have the chipset draw power directly from the outlet, skipping the battery and avoiding the extra heat this would create while also letting you game nonstop without worrying about running out of charge. But again, this isn’t something you can count on every phone offering.

Display

Most gaming phones will give you a solid display for gaming. This will include a high resolution and refresh rates ranging from 120Hz to 165Hz or above. Most often, these will be OLED displays, giving you rich contrast and limited motion blur. While many games have framerate caps at 60fps, not all do, and the extra frames can make a world of difference in the perceived smoothness of a game. Quite a few gaming phones also offer high touch sampling rates, ensuring your inputs are registered quickly, and with games often calling for split-second reaction times, this can make a difference.

Gaming-specific features

Finally, good gaming phones often find ways to make themselves extra useful in games. This often comes in the form of extra software that’s not always pleasing or easy to use, or extra buttons on the phone that let you use more than just your thumbs as inputs. Even with just a pair of shoulder buttons on a gaming phone, you end up with double the input methods you’d have otherwise, and the ability to move, aim, jump and fire all with separate fingers in online FPS games, for instance, makes a big difference.

Gaming Handhelds vs. Gaming Phones

Deciding on a portable gaming device truly depends on your lifestyle, the type of games you want to play, and how you want to play them.

A gaming phone is ultra-portable and easily pocketed. However, it’s still a highly capable machine that does more than game, offering all your typical smartphone features, including quality cameras, navigation, and communication. Gaming phones also better support cloud streaming for Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox games. Many gaming phones even have cooling solutions to prevent thermal throttling and some handy triggers. If you’re not a fan of touch controls, you can always grab a phone controller and get an experience much closer to a gaming handheld.

Gaming handhelds, like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, are substantially bulkier but still easy to toss in a bag and take on the go. Unlike gaming phones, they are pretty much used solely for gaming, so you get responsive joysticks, triggers, and buttons with these options.

As for actual games, there’s a considerable rift. Android and iOS get plenty of games, and it’s becoming increasingly common to find the same titles on mobile and PC, though the mobile versions are often scaled back in some ways. Gaming handhelds get access to pretty much all of the PC games out there because they are, in fact, gaming PCs (except the Nintendo Switch, of course). Some PC games won’t run well (or run at all) on the low-powered hardware of the gaming handheld, though.

Both gaming handhelds and gaming phones can tap into cloud gaming platforms like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass. In these, the performance of the phone and handheld don’t matter nearly as much as the quality of their internet connection. In that sense, phones can get an advantage as they offer both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity (though a very good 5G connection is all but essential to try game streaming).

Battery life can be a tossup. Gaming phones tend to have sizable batteries, run efficiently, and can easily last through the day even with a bit of gaming sprinkled in – otherwise, what use is it as a phone? Gaming handhelds tend to last just a few hours, with the Steam Deck offering pretty poor battery life as an example. And topping up the battery on the go will be easier for the phone, which won’t require a high-wattage charger.

Cost is a big question. The Steam Deck starts at $400 and the original Nintendo Switch is even less than that. Most gaming phones cost more. But some gaming handhelds are landing with prices closer to $1,000, and that far outpaces some of our favorite gaming phones. Plus, most of us need a phone whether we get a gaming handheld or not. The fact a gaming phone can pull double duty should weigh into its value.

The limited access to games may be the deciding factor, as even with cloud gaming as an option, some games simply won’t be available for gaming phones. If everything you want to play is available on mobile or cloud gaming, then it’s worth testing the waters of cloud gaming with your current phone and then, if you like the experience, considering a gaming phone as your next device. If you can’t play the games you want the way you want, then a handheld may fit the bill.

Mark Knapp is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything electronics and gaming hardware. He has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry with bylines at PCMag, Reviewed, CNET, and more. Find Mark on Twitter @Techn0Mark or BlueSky at @Techn0Mark.

99 Nights in the Forest is a survival horror Roblox experience that will see you scavenging for supplies by day and protecting your camp at night. While the main aim is to explore the forest and rescue four missing children, it's not quite as simple as it seems. Entities will stalk you at night, and there's the addition of cultists that will periodically visit your camp and attack.

Updates often bring new enemies to contend with and new ways to enhance your base. One of the earliest updates that the popular experience launched was the Classes Update. There are now over 20 classes in 99 Nights, all with their own perks. To buy new classes, you need Diamonds, and that's where the 99 Nights in the Forest codes come in handy!

Working 99 Nights in the Forest Codes (March 2026)

These are the currently working codes for 99 Nights in the Forest:

• afterparty - 15x Gems

Expired 99 Nights in the Forest Codes (March 2026)

Here are the currently expired codes for 99 Nights in the Forest that will no longer work. Since they're expired, you won't be able to get rewards from attempting to redeem them anymore.

• happyhalloween

How to Redeem 99 Nights in the Forest Codes

When you launch into 99 Nights in the Forest, these are the code redemption steps you need to follow:

1. Locate the Diamond icon next to the green plus in the bottom left corner
2. When the Diamond menu opens up, find the blue codes button on the right
3. Click codes
4. Copy and paste the code from this article
5. Hit submit

Why Isn't My 99 Nights in the Forest Code Working?

Code not working? Here's our advice. Codes for Roblox experiences are usually case-sensitive, so the best way to ensure you've got a working code is to directly copy it from this article. We check all codes before we upload them, so you can guarantee they're working. Just double check that you haven't copied over an extra space!

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.

Hunty Zombie is a Roblox experience that sees you go up against hordes of... well, zombies. You can play solo or in a group of up to 6 people, but for each zombie you take down, you'll be closer to leveling up and gaining mastery of special weapons, perks, and more. Complete quests, roll spins for perks, and customize your character to be the ultimate zombie-slaying machine. So, whether you're jumping into specific maps like the school or sewer, taking on a raid, or completing campaign mode, here are codes for Hunty Zombie that will give you a boost when tackling the undead.

Working Hunty Zombie Codes (April 2026)

You need to be Level 5 before you can use codes. But once you've hit that level, here are the codes you can redeem:

• WeAreSORRY - 100x Lucky Weapon Spins (NEW)
• 2026AprilFools! - 100x Lucky Weapon Spins, 100x Lucky Perk Spins, 50x Traits (NEW)
• BatEvo - 100x Lucky Weapon Spins, 100x Lucky Perk Spins (NEW)
• NeverGonnaGiveYouUp - 1x Lucky Weapon Spins, 1x Lucky Perk Spins (NEW)
• QoLxBalancing - 100x Lucky Weapon Spins, 100x Lucky Perk Spins, 50x Traits
• HellForkNext - 50x Lucky Weapon Spins, 50x Lucky Perk Spins
• TheDelayIsReal - 100x Lucky Weapon Spins, 100x Lucky Perk Spins
• VSeventSoon - 50x Lucky Weapon Spins, 50x Lucky Perk Spins
• HuntyDelays - 50x Lucky Weapon Spins, 50x Lucky Perk Spins
• MythicsAreBack! - 50x Lucky Weapon Spins, 50x Lucky Perk Spins, 50x Traits
• Katna - 100x Lucky Weapon Spins, 100x Lucky Perk Spins
• PotatoInternet2.0 - 50x Raid Tickets
• 20kHunters! - 150x Lucky Weapon Spins, 150x Lucky Perk Spins, 150x Traits
• Aegis - 50x Lucky Weapon Spins, 50x Lucky Perk Spins
• AFKChamberBuff - 50x Traits, 30x Lucky Weapon Spins, 10x PetCoins
• PotatoInternet - 30x Lucky Weapon Spins, 30x Lucky Perk Spins
• VALENTINESPT2 - 25x Lucky Perk Spins
• SorryForDelayHunters - 30x Lucky Weapon Spins
• Admin&BugFixes - 50x Lucky Weapon, 50x Lucky Perk Spins
• NEWVALENTINERAIDERIS! - 10x Lucky Weapon Spins
• MORETHAN7KINTERESTED! - 10x Lucky Perk Spins

How to Use Hunty Zombie Codes

Before you can redeem codes in Hunty Zombie, you'll need to reach level 5. If you have already, here's what you need to know: launch the Hunty Zombie Roblox experience. When you're in the main lobby, follow these steps to get your goodies:

1. Locate the codes menu on the right side of the screen. It's the icon of the open book at the top of the submenus.
2. Copy the code from this article and then paste it into the bar that says "enter code here..."
3. Click confirm and receive your rewards!

Expired Hunty Zombie Codes

These codes are no longer valid:

• DUNGEONDAGGER - 50x Traits
• MOREWEAPONSPINS - 50x Lucky Weapon Spins
• SOMEPETCOINS - 75x PetCoins
• COYOTE - 50x Lucky Weapon Spins
• HAPPYSUNDAY - 50x Traits
• COYOTE2 - 50x Lucky Perk Spins
• DUNGEON - 80x Lucky Weapon Spins
• ONTIME - 80x Traits
• LETSGOOO - 80x Lucky Perk Spins
• BALD - 70x Lucky Weapon Spins
• BUGFIXES - 70x Lucky Perk Spins
• NEWTRAIT - 100x Traits
• NEWPERK - 60x Lucky Perk Spins
• FLOWUPDATE - 50x Traits
• FLOWUPDATE2 - 750x Payload Credits
• ALMOSTCHRISTMASEVE - 60x Weapon Lucky Spins
• ALMOSTCHRISTMASEVE2 - 60x Trait Rerolls
• ALMOSTCHRISTMASEVE3 - 60x Lucky Perk Spins
• ALMOSTCHRISTMASEVE4 - 1,000x Payload Credits
• WEAREBACK - 60x Weapon Lucky Spins
• WEAREBACK2 - 50x Traits
• WEAREBACK3 - 300x Pet Coins
• WEAREBACK4 - 1,000x Payload Credits
• JINGLEBELLS - 40x Traits
• KRAMPUS - 40x Weapon Lucky Spins
• 400KWOAH - 300x Pet Coins
• 500KWOAHHH - 200x Skill Points
• SRYFORDELAY3 - 150x Traits
• SRYFORDELAY2 - 200x Pet Coins
• SRYFORDELAY1 - 1,500x Payload Credits
• 100KTHANKS - 750 Payload Credits
• 150KTHANKS - 80x Traits
• 250KTHANKS - 3,000x Payload Credits
• OPCODE1 - 25x Weapon Lucky Spins
• OPCODE2 - 25x Perk Lucky Spins
• OPCODE3 - 25x Traits
• OPCODE4 - 300x Payload Credits
• Jester - 10x Weapon Lucky Spins
• 700KLIKES - 700,000 Coins
• TheClown1 - 10x Traits
• NewClownboss - 10x Traits
• HAHAHAHA - 200,000 Coins
• JKR5 - 10x Perk Lucky Spins
• BLINDFOLD - 5x Weapon Lucky Spins
• SORRYFORDELAY2 - 50x Traits
• SORRYFORDELAY - 20x Traits
• DELAYAGAINSORRY - 1500x Payload Credits
• NEWUPDATE - 30x Weapon Lucky Spins
• SOMECASH - 3,000,000 Coins
• YOUGUYSROCK - 200 Pet Coins
• 200KTHANKS - 35x Weapon Lucky Spins
• Wizzard - 10x Lucky Weapon Spins
• Petupgrade - 10x Traits
• NewBuild - 10x Traits
• SupanewDivine - 200,000 Coins
• JKR - 10x Perk Lucky Spin
• SHAMMER - 10x Lucky Weapon Spins
• BATTLEPASSRESET - 100,000 Coin
• NEWPAYLOAD - 200,000 Coin
• TRYNEWGAMEMODE - 10x Lucky Perk Spins
• NewZombie1 - 10x Traits
• NewZombie2 - 10x Traits
• ChainsawWP - 10x Lucky Weapon Spins
• LOYKRATHONGDAY - 15x Traits
• REDUCEDMGPERK - 10x Lucky Perk Spins
• REBIRTH! - 200,000 Coins
• DIVINEPET - 200,000 Coins
• Handfan - 15x Lucky Weapon Spins
• NewCamp - 200,000 Coins
• Beach - 15x Traits
• Pirate - 10x Lucky Perk Spins
• ChasingDollars - 200,000 Coins
• Reaper - 15x Lucky Weapon Spins
• RIP67 - 200,000 Coins
• ScytheRP - 10x Traits
• NEWBOSSRAID123 - 15x Lucky Perk Spins
• HZ4EVER - 300,000 Coins
• Halloween - 300,000 Coins
• SpinalBlade - 10x Lucky Weapon Spins
• NewSwordHW - 10x Traits
• SIRJACKY - 10x Lucky Perk Spins
• SpookyPet - 150,000 Coin
• hwticket - 5x Halloween Tickets

Why Isn't My Hunty Zombie Code Working?

Codes for Roblox experiences are usually case-sensitive, so the best way to ensure you've got a working code is to directly copy it from this article. We check all codes before we upload them, so you can guarantee they're working. Just double-check that you haven't copied over an extra space!

When Is the Next Hunty Zombie Update?

Hunty Zombie's next update is Easter Update on Saturday, April 4. It's currently teasing a new raid, boss, Rocket Launcher weapon, event, and plenty more. The previous one was the Hell Fork update on Saturday, March 28. It added a new weapon, new cosmetics, a new perk, and more.

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.

Epic Games has said it will "solve" the insurance of a former Fortnite employee living with terminal cancer, following widespread criticism of the company's decision to lay them off.

Mike Prinke, a programmer who had worked at Epic Games for seven years, was one of the many staff members caught up in Epic Games' most recent mass layoffs, which resulted in more than 1,000 employees out of work.

Prinke also has terminal brain cancer, something his wife Jenni has helped publicize online, following his loss of life insurance. The situation quickly stoked further fury from fans at the staff cuts, and has now prompted a response from Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney, who said the company was now "in contact with the family [to] solve the insurance for them."

"My husband, Mike, was recently laid off along with over 1,000 others at Epic Games," she wrote in a post on Facebook. "What makes this different for our family is that Mike is currently fighting terminal brain cancer. Because of the layoff, we didn't just lose income — we lost his life insurance. And because his condition is now considered a pre-existing condition, he can't get new coverage.

"So now, as I face the reality of losing my husband... I'm also facing the reality of what type of funeral/burial I can afford. How I will keep a roof over our heads. How I will protect our son and the life we built together. What will happen to our dogs... Mike is not just a number. He is a father. A husband. A person deploy loved... We are running out of time, and I'm trying everything I can to protect my family "

Responding to comments on her post, Prinke's wife Jenni said she had been exploring "conversion or portability options for life insurance" but that these were expensive, "to the tune of thousands of dollars per month." Over on Twitter/X, numerous Fortnite fans began sharing the situation, which lead to Sweeney ultimately responding.

"Epic is in contact with the family and will solve the insurance for them," Sweeney wrote, responding to BackersGamesF via a post on X/Twitter. "There is high confidentiality around medical information and it was not a factor in this layoff decision. Sorry to everyone for not recognizing this terribly painful situation and handling it in advance."

Announcing the layoffs last week, Sweeney said Epic Games had reacted to a downturn in interest for Fortnite that began in 2025, though analysts told IGN that fewer people playing the game's veteran battle royale was only one of its problems. The company has spent years fighting costly legal battles with Apple and Google, while bankrolling the Epic Games Store as it attempts to rival Steam. And then there's the explosive growth of Roblox, which Fortnite has now fallen far behind. Many fans feel like it is Epic Games' own staff that have paid the price, while those who remain at the company say they simply don't know how Fortnite will look later this year and beyond with close to a quarter of the company's staff gone.

Sweeney had previously commented on the layoffs to highlight the quality of talent that his company had just laid off, saying that "employers will see a stream of resumes of once-in-a-lifetime quality folks" following Epic Games' mass layoffs. "An important thing to understand is that Epic never lowered our hiring standards as we grew, and the layoff wasn't a performance-based "rightsizing" as companies call it nowadays," he concluded. "It's a sound bet that anyone with Epic Games on their resume is in the top few percent of their discipline."

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Bethesda has delisted mobile RPG The Elder Scrolls: Blades from all platforms as it prepares to permanently shut it down on June 30.

The developer announced the news via a brief in-game statement, thanking its fans for playing and offering a free bundle of Gems and Sigils "so you can enjoy all content Blades has to offer." To help with this, you'll also now find that every single item in the game's store is available for a single Gem or Sigil.

"I played it, and it's not terrible for a mobile game, but you pretty quickly hit a wall where you are stuck waiting for days-long upgrades, and the second it was like 'real money will make this faster,' I stopped," said one player, reflecting on the game's closure.

Another agreed, writing: "I enjoyed it quite a bit up to that point. Thought it looked pretty damn good for mobile, and it played surprisingly well [...] But yeah, you only get a couple hours of real progression before the game hits you with day/s long timers and 'SUPER SPECIAL ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TODAY ONLY FOR THE NEXT 30 MINUTES' deals that cover just enough to handle all the buildings you have going right then."

"It’s really annoying how common this is for mobile games. Any notable mobile game that pushed the scene forward [...] just ends up lost," mourned another.

The Elder Scrolls: Blades launched proper six years ago, in May 2020, as a free-to-play action role-playing spinoff set between the events of Oblivion and Skyrim. While commenters focus on the mobile version, Blades was available in Nintendo Switch, too. The $14.99 console version is no longer available to buy on the Nintendo eShop, and its description includes the same statement posted above.

We thought The Elder Scrolls: Blades was mediocre, writing in IGN's review: "The Elder Scrolls: Blades has a few bright spots, but this watered-down version of Tamriel is far from the mobile Elder Scrolls game fans may have been hoping for."

Of course, the world is waiting for the next mainline entry in The Elder Scrolls series, The Elder Scrolls 6, which still doesn't have a release date despite being announced nearly eight years ago.

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.

Looking for Adopt Me codes to earn some additional bucks? You've come to the right place! Adopt Me codes disappeared for a while, but the Trading Hub now displays a Code Redemption Kiosk, suggesting they'll soon return. This article will contain a list of all active Adopt Me codes, which you can redeem for bucks, free pets, and more when the time comes.

Active Adopt Me! Codes (April 2026)

There are currently no active Adopt Me codes. As soon as codes are reintroduced to Adopt Me and posted, we'll update this article!

All Expired Adopt Me! Codes

The following codes can no longer be redeem as of April 2026:

• 2xROSS
• SUMMERBREAK
• SUMMERSALE
• 1B1LL1ONV1S1TS
• M0N3YTR33S
• GIFTUNWRAP
• DiscordFTW
• subbethink
• GIFTUNWRAP
• SEAcreatures

How to Redeem Adopt Me! Codes

When Adopt Me codes are available, redeeming them is straightforward. There are just a few simple steps you need to follow to be able to do so:

1. First, launch Adopt Me on Roblox.
2. Leave the area where your house is and take the tunnel through to Adoption Island.
3. Head to the back of the island (toward the red bridge) and look for the tall house with the scales on top of it.
4. Go inside here, and down the stairs. On the left, near the back of the room, you'll see a Code Redemption Kiosk. It's gold and white, with paw prints at the top and near the tablet.
5. Press E to enter the Kiosk, paste your codes in, and click Redeem!

Why Isn't My Adopt Me! Code Working?

Whenever a code isn't accepted in Adopt Me, it's usually because of one of two reasons:

1. The code hasn't been entered correctly
2. The code is expired

If a code has expired, you'll see "Error: 504. This code has expired!" If you input a code incorrectly, or it not longer exists, you'll see "Error 401. Code not found! Please try again." To avoid mistyping a code, we'd recommend copying them directly from this article. We test each code before we add it, so you can paste them straight into the codes bar in Adopt Me and redeem your rewards.

How to Get More Adopt Me! Codes

We'll keep this article updated and be sure to add any Adopt Me codes as they appear. However, if you want to track down Adopt Me codes for yourself, the best place to do so is the dedicated Discord server.

What is Adopt Me in Roblox?

Adopt Me is a roleplaying game where you can dress up your character, customize your house to build the ideal home, and adopt adorable little animals. You'll spend time raising these virtual pets animals from an unhatched egg and be responsible for taking care of all of their needs from eating, bathing and getting the right amount of sleep.

Lauren Harper is a freelance writer and editor who has covered news, reviews, and features for over a decade in various industries. She has contributed to guides at IGN for games including Elden Ring, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Starfield, Pikmin 4, and more. With an MA in Victorian Gothic History and Culture, she loves anything that falls under that category. She's also a huge fan of point-and-click adventures, horror games and films. You can talk to her about your favourites over at @prettyheartache.bsky.social.

Want some codes for extra cash to spend on animations, styles, emotes, and more in Azure Latch? Or should that be Delay Latch? Anyway, we've got you covered. In this article, you'll find all the currently working codes for the game, so be quick to redeem them and bag that cash.

Working Azure Latch Codes (April 2026)

• CHEMSOON - Rewards (NEW)
• QUIET - Rewards
• BROTHERNOAH - Rewards
• MYANIMEFANSMAN - Rewards
• SORRYFORDELAY - Rewards
• KIYORAUPDATE - Rewards

All Expired Azure Latch Codes

These codes have now expired:

• sorryfortheshutdown - Rewards
• almostkuronatime - $25,000
• waiterwaitermorenelisagichanges - $20,000
• happylatehalloween2025 - $20,000
• merrychristmas2025nov - $20,000
• MoreOnionRings - $20,000
• 11v11Comeback - $20,000
• RankedRelease - $20,000
• Oops - $20,000
• SleepingGenius
• GimmeOnionRings
• 11v11Preparation
• RightOnTheMoney
• ChemicalReaction
• Sorry4RandomShutdownAgain
• JumpAllMyCells
• PartTwoOfTwo
• StillHalfBaked
• NoMorePest
• MASTERYQUEST
• MetaGenius!
• TheGeniusOfAdaptability
• KunigamiRework!
• ThankYouForBeingPatient
• RevivalPatch
• sorry4rollback
• CompensationForTheShutdown
• ThankYouForStayingWithUs
• WeAppreciateYouAll
• SorryForTheBugs
• YukimiyaUpdate
• SorryForInconvenience
• WeeklyUpdate
• ThanksForBeingPatient
• FollowDastOnRoblox
• 100kInterested
• SorryForLongWait
• ChigiriUpdate
• FollowDCJToo
• FollowVoaj77
• TheMonster
• GAGAMARUPUNCH
• QOLbroQOL
• TheKing
• AMMISTHEOWNERNOTLEFTRIGHTTH
• DelayLatch
• Jakethesnake
• THXFORFOLLOWERS
• ACEEATER
• THXFOR2M
• RINRELEASE
• sorryfordelay
• RINSOONTRUSTME
• sorryforlatency
• SAEREWORK3TIME
• SorryForRollback

How to Redeem Azure Latch Codes

1. Before you can use Azure Latch codes, you'll need to be a part of the community, so load up Roblox and join the twi game group
2. Then jump into Azure Latch and find the Menu button at the bottom of the screen
3. In the Menu options, go to the far right tab to find Rewards
4. Enter the code and press Redeem to get that cash!

Why Isn't My Azure Latch Code Working?

Codes are often case-sensitive, so to avoid any errors, we'd recommend copying the codes directly from this article into the redemption bar in Azure Latch. We test them all before we upload them here to make sure they're valid for you.

If you have copied them from here, and they're still not working, it could be one of two things. You may have accidentally copied over an extra space, so be sure to check for that first. The other option is the code may have just expired.

How to Get More Azure Latch Codes

We check for codes daily, so you can visit this article to see when new Azure Latch codes are released. There's also a dedicated Discord Server, that you can visit to look for code announcements yourself.

What is Azure Latch in Roblox?

Whether you're a fan of anime or sports games, Azure Latch is likely to be a game you'll want to check out. The 5v5 football game is another Roblox experience that takes inspiration from the popular manga and anime series Blue Lock. For this one, however, you'll get super abilities that you can use to make those tackles, passes, and goal attempts a bit more exciting.

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.