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Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration Set Officially Revealed

The Pokemon Company has just pulled back the curtain on one of the most anticipated trading card game releases in years, and fans of the franchise are losing their minds over it.

Announced on June 1, 2026, the highly anticipated Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration is set to drop throughout the globe on September 16, 2026, making it the first Pokemon TCG expansion ever to receive a coordinated global launch.

Every single card in this TCG, including Basic Energy, will come with a foil treatment. That alone makes this release feel distinct from anything the franchise has done before.

The set also debuts a brand-new card rarity. Named “Futuristic Rare,” this tier features new Mewtwo and Mew artwork by the acclaimed Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN, with each card depicting Pokemon through a bold visual style.

Iconic cards like the Base Set Charizard and the Pikachu & Zekrom GX Tag Team are also returning as stamped reprints bearing the 30th Celebration logo. Additionally, every booster pack is guaranteed to include one of 30 unique holographic Pikachu cards, each illustrated by a different artist.

Each pack will contain five foil cards, one foil Basic Energy, and a Pokรฉmon TCG Live code card. Notably, the classic reprints won’t be legal in the Standard format.

With demand expected to be sky-high, pre-orders are likely to open well before the September launch. For collectors and players alike, this is shaping up to be the TCG event of the decade.

With demand expected to be sky-high, pre-orders are likely to open well before the September launch. When the time comes, you can snag yours through a local retailer, your nearest Pokemon Center, or directly via the Pokemon Center website.

PlayStation State of Play June 2026: Start Time and How to Watch

Sony’s next State of Play lands on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. This one is bigger than the usual showcase. Sony has confirmed the broadcast runs for over 60 minutes, Marvel’s Wolverine is the confirmed headliner, and for the first time in years, PlayStation is bringing the event to movie theaters.

Here’s everything you need: start times by region, where to watch, and the games expected to show up.

When Does PlayStation State of Play June 2026 Start?

The event starts on June 2, 2026 at 2 PM PDT / 5 PM EDT. Below are the start times across major regions:

RegionLocal Time
US Pacific (PT)June 2 at 2:00 PM
US Mountain (MT)June 2 at 3:00 PM
US Central (CT)June 2 at 4:00 PM
US Eastern (ET)June 2 at 5:00 PM
United Kingdom (BST)June 2 at 10:00 PM
Europe (CEST)June 2 at 11:00 PM
India (IST)June 3 at 2:30 AM
Japan (JST)June 3 at 6:00 AM
Australia (AEST)June 3 at 7:00 AM

How to Watch PlayStation State of Play

PlayStation’s State of Play will be broadcast on the official PlayStation YouTube and Twitch channels.

This showcase is also going to theaters. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Sony Interactive Entertainment are teaming up to bring the State of Play broadcast into theaters for the first time. Select Alamo Drafthouse locations nationwide will host a live screening event on June 2. Tickets are free but limited. Confirmed theater cities include Raleigh, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and New York City.

NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction Release Date, Supported Games, and What’s New

NVIDIA has announced DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction, a new AI-powered update to its ray tracing technology. It launches in August and works on all GeForce RTX graphics cards.

What Is DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction?

The update replaces the hand-tuned denoisers that RTX graphics currently use for ray-traced rendering. Instead, a second-generation transformer AI model takes over. It analyzes spatial and temporal game data to reconstruct missing visual detail. The result is sharper images, more stable lighting, and fewer ghosting artifacts in supported games.

This is not a standalone feature. DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction merges Super Resolution and Ray Reconstruction into one unified model. That means the AI processes both upscaling and denoising together, rather than treating them as separate tasks.

What Changes Under the Hood

The new denoiser delivers 35% more compute capability while processing 20% more parameters. NVIDIA says it also benefits from enhanced scene awareness, better motion clarity, improved temporal stability, and a larger training dataset. Developers get more control over temporal accumulation settings too, which lets them fine-tune image quality for their specific games.

The most visible improvement is in fast-moving effects. Particle systems, weather, and laser lighting have historically caused ghosting and noise in ray-traced scenes. Scenes with this kind of animation have reportedly shown cleaner motion handling and reduced ghosting.

Which Games Get Support at Launch

At launch, DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction will be compatible with 27 games, including Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Star Wars Outlaws, Hogwarts Legacy, F1 25, Resident Evil Requiem, PRAGMATA, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

Beyond the launch list, more titles are arriving with DLSS 4.5 support throughout the year. Phantom Blade Zero is scheduled to launch this fall with DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution and ray tracing features, while Marvel Rivals will receive native DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution and Dynamic Multi Frame Generation support in an update arriving June 12. NARAKA: BLADEPOINT gets the upgrade on June 5.

DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction Comes to Blender Too

Gaming is not the only target. NVIDIA confirmed that DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction is coming to Blender as well. The feature will be integrated into Blender Cycles as a new denoising option when Blender 5.3 launches later this year. NVIDIA says the technology will allow artists to view near-final rendering quality in real time while maintaining responsive viewport performance.

NVIDIA revealed that more than 1,000 RTX-enabled games and applications are now available, driven by growing adoption of DLSS, ray tracing, and AI-accelerated technologies. The company first introduced RTX graphics cards in 2018 with the GeForce RTX 2080.

How to Get the Update

The update will be distributed through the NVIDIA App when it becomes available in August. No separate downloads or manual installs are required for supported games.

How to Get the Dark Voyager Fortnite Sidekick for Free

Epic Games is giving away the Dark Voyager Sidekick to all Fortnite players for free, but it will only be available to claim for a limited time period before it’s gone for good.

The Fortnite Dark Voyager sidekick will be given out to players as part of the upcoming Shattered live event. The event will mark the end of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2, with the servers for the game getting taken down immediately after as the devs prepare to ship out a brand-new season.

In this article, weโ€™ll go through everything you need to know about how to get the Dark Voyager Fortnite Sidekick for free.

How to Get Free Fortnite Dark Voyager Sidekick

The free Fortnite Dark Voyager Sidekick will only be given to players who participate in the highly anticipated Shattered live event with their friends. Note that youโ€™ll need to queue into the event with at least one or more friends to be eligible to receive the free Dark Voyager Sidekick.

For the uninitiated, the Fortnite Shattered live event is scheduled to take place on June 5, 2026, at 7 PM ET. Players should be able to queue for the event starting at 6:20 PM ET.

Players who queue into the event solo will receive a free Fortnite Dark Voyager Pickaxe instead.

Whether you choose to attend the Fortnite Shattered live event solo or with your friends, you should find your rewards in your Locker once the event ends. However, since the servers are expected to go down immediately after the event, youโ€™ll likely get your event rewards at the start of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3.

Thatโ€™s everything you need to know about how to get a free Dark Voyager Sidekick in Fortnite.

IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 1 Set to Begin with High-Stakes Action

The opening stage of the highly anticipated IEM Cologne Major 2026 is set to kick off on June 2, bringing together the best Counter-Strike 2 teams from around the world. The event is broken down into stages. Stage 1 is set to pave the way for 8 teams to make it into Stage 2 through a high-stakes Swiss bracket, where nothing but tough competition is the name of the game.

Stage 1 begins with a series of best-of-one matches, which will set up the fixtures for Stage 1 Round 2, where we will be greeted with best-of-3 contests. With the small gaps in quality among the teams of Stage 1, there remains tons of room for surprises, upsets, and miracle runs, and all of that will be here. With no team standing out as the clear favourite, the matches will be as close as it gets, especially for a chance in the next round of Counter-Strike’s biggest festival. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 1.

Stage 1 Format

Key format details:

  • 16 teams compete in a Swiss bracket.
  • The top 8 teams advance to Stage 2.
  • The opening two rounds are Best-of-One.
  • Advancement and elimination matches are Best-of-Three.

16 Teams Participating in Stage 1

  1. M80
  2. Lynn Vision
  3. SINNERS
  4. FlyQuest
  5. B8
  6. TYLOO
  7. MIBR
  8. THUNDER dOWNUNDER
  9. GamerLegion
  10. NRG
  11. HEROIC
  12. Sharks
  13. BetBoom
  14. Gaimin Gladiators
  15. BIG
  16. Liquid

Opening Day Matches

DateTimeTeam 1Team 2
02/06/202616:00M80Lynn Vision
02/06/202616:00SINNERSFlyQuest
02/06/202617:00B8TYLOO
02/06/202617:00MIBRTHUNDER dOWNUNDER
02/06/202618:00GamerLegionNRG
02/06/202618:00HEROICSharks
02/06/202619:00BetBoomGaimin Gladiators
02/06/202619:00BIGLiquid

Broadcast Talent

The event features a star-studded broadcast crew:

  • Hosts & Presenters: Freya Spiers, Tres Saranthus, Eefje Depoortere, and Oliver D’Anastasi.
  • Analysts: Janko Paunoviฤ‡, Jacob Winneche, Martin Styk, Ashley Battye, and Peter Rasmussen.
  • Casters: Chad Burchill and Alex Richardson; Harry Russell and Hugo Byron; Jason O’Toole and Adam Hawthorne; Conner Girvan and Mohan Govindasamy.

All the matches will be live-streamed across popular streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

As we prepare for the IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 1 to kick off, some of the newer fans must understand the significance of this location. Cologne is home to one of the most prestigious Counter-Strike tournaments, and for it to get Major status makes the trophy several times more desirable. This Major is expected to have the toughest competition, the loudest arena, and the grandest experience, so make sure to make the most out of it.

Honkai: Star Rail 4.3 Release Date and Time

HoYoverse is all set to bring the next major update to Honkai: Star Rail, and the excitement within the community is at an all-time high.

The Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 update, officially titled “The Lethe Below the Living,” picks up the ongoing Planarcadia storyline, diving deeper into Mortenax Blade’s long-cursed fate as the Trailblazer joins him in confronting the secrets buried within the World in Canvas.

If youโ€™re here to know more about the exact release date and time for the Honkai: Star Rail 4.3 update, weโ€™ve got you covered.

When Does Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 Release?

The much-anticipated Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 update goes live globally on June 1, 2026, at around 11:00 AM China Standard Time (UTC+8).

Players in North America will receive the update on the evening of May 31, given the time zone offset.

Below, weโ€™ve listed the exact release date and time for the Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 update across major regions:

  • Pacific Time (PT): May 31, 8:00 PM
  • Eastern Time (ET): May 31,11:00 PM
  • Western Europe (WEST): June 1, 4:00 AM
  • Central Europe (CEST): June 1, 5:00 AM
  • India (IST): June 1, 8:30 AM
  • China/Philippines (CST): June 1, 11:00 AM
  • Japan/Korea (JST/KST): June 1, 12:00 PM

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 Maintenance and Downtime

Similar to other major updates, before the Version 4.3 patch goes live, Honkai: Star Rail servers will be taken offline for roughly five hours of scheduled maintenance.

For most Asian and European regions, downtime begins at 6:00 AM CST on June 1. NA players will see servers go down around 3:00 PM PT on May 31.

Once the maintenance ends, eligible players at Trailblaze Level 4 or above will receive 600 Stellar Jade directly in their in-game mailbox.

The Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 update will introduce the new 5-star character Mortenax Blade to the game alongside a bunch of other exciting content. Joining Blade on the banner roster are reruns of Yao Guang, Cyrene, and Phainon.

Thatโ€™s everything you need to know about the Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 update.

Arc Raiders Reportedly Testing PvE Mode โ€œRebellionโ€ in Chinese Client

Embark Studios has officially launched the closed beta test for the Chinese version of Arc Raiders, and it comes with some notable changes to the extraction shooter.

According to early reports, the Chinese version of Arc Raiders will bring with it some heavily requested features to the game, including a PvE โ€œRebellionโ€ mode that will encourage Raiders to team up against the Arc threats.

As per community reports, the Chinese version of Arc Raiders will feature exclusive modes including “Double King” and “Rebellion Incident”. An X user describes the Rebellion event as a โ€œlow-difficulty mode,โ€ and confirms that this mode offers a โ€œlot of resourcesโ€ to the players.

The user further reports that by default, players spawn as “friendly troops” who are unable to harm one another, but can opt into “rebellion,” triggering a map-wide announcement that rebels are present in the server.

The โ€˜rebelsโ€™ in this mode who betray other players will likely be indicated with a red icon on the compass or map.

On the other hand, the โ€œDouble Kingโ€ mode is expected to spawn both the Matriarch and the Queen on the same map at the same time.

Note that this version of Arc Raiders is being developed by Tencent and is only available to players in China. It is a different client from the global version.

Given that this marks the closest Arc Raiders has come to a dedicated PvE experience, it hasn’t taken long for fans to take notice, and many have already started calling on Embark to bring a mode like Rebellion to the global live servers.

A Minecraft Movie Squared Is the Official Title for the Minecraft Movie Sequel

The follow-up to Warner Bros. and Legendary’s 2025 box office hit now has a name. The Minecraft movie sequel is officially titled A Minecraft Movie Squared, with a confirmed theatrical release date of July 23, 2027.

Warner Bros. and Legendary announced the title on May 30, 2026, during a Minecraft Live presentation. The reveal also came alongside the news that Kirsten Dunst has joined the cast.

What We Know About A Minecraft Movie Squared

Director Jared Hess is returning to helm the sequel. He co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Galletta, the same writing partnership from the first film.

Kirsten Dunst joins the cast as Alex, the female counterpart to Jack Black’s character Steve. Matt Berry also returns, though in an undisclosed role. Danielle Brooks and Jennifer Coolidge will also reprise their roles from the first film.

The sequel was officially announced in October 2025, and at CinemaCon in April 2026, it was listed under the placeholder title A Minecraft Sequel. The official title came at the Minecraft Live event on May 30.

How the First Film Performed

A Minecraft Movie debuted to $163 million domestically in its opening weekend and went on to gross $960 million worldwide. That made it the second-highest-grossing Hollywood film of 2025, behind Disney’s Lilo & Stitch at $1.03 billion.

The first film helped turn around Warner Bros.’ fortunes after a rough stretch that included Joker: Folie a Deux, Mickey 17, and The Alto Knights.

Fan Build Contest Tied to the Announcement

Warner Bros. and Legendary used the title reveal to launch a creator contest. Fans can build something inside the Minecraft video game for a chance to have their creation appear in the movie or its end credits. The winner also gets to attend a private screening of the sequel with their friends.

Submissions can be made through TikTok, Twitch, or Minecraft itself.

Who Is Producing the Sequel

Producers on the sequel include Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Roy Lee, Eric McLeod, Kayleen Walters, Torfi Frans ร“lafsson, Momoa, and the late Jill Messick. Executive producers are Jay Ashenfelter, Jen Conroy, Brian Mendoza, Jon Berg, and Jonathan Spaihts.

A Minecraft Movie Squared is set for theaters on July 23, 2027.

How to Sign Up for COD Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta

Another year, another Call of Duty title where Activision has continued the trend of offering an early opportunity to test out the game before launch with an open beta program. Upon the announcement of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Activision indicated that an open-beta program would be in place ahead of the October 23, 2026, launch. With missing bits of information waiting for the dots to be connected, this article will help you make sense of everything we know so far about the MW4 Open Beta.

The beta program is said to be divided into two phases, in which players who pre-order the game will get Early Access to the game, and players will be able to experience the multiplayer content ahead of the public test phase. Players who skip pre-ordering the game will be able to join in during the second weekend of the testing phase.

The beta is confirmed to be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and Battle.net. A notable gap is the lack of support for the last generation of consoles, as PS4 owners are not eligible to participate. Nintendo Switch 2 is also expected to get the game, but whether its players will be able to play the beta is still up for debate.

Joining the beta does not take a lot, especially for players who pre-ordered the game, who will be able to play it right away without having to register or punch in any code. Players who pre-ordered a physical copy will get a code from the retailer or receive an email containing it, which can be redeemed on the Beta Redemption Portal, upon which they can download the beta client.

Joining the beta is straightforward. Digital pre-orders automatically grant Early Access without requiring a code. Players who purchase physical copies will receive a beta access code from participating retailers, either through a receipt or email. Once redeemed on Activisionโ€™s beta redemption portal, players can download the beta client when it becomes available.

The beta will allow players to get a look at Modern Warfare 4’s updated multiplayer experience, which includes the new movement and weapon mechanics. The test period is a crucial time for Activision, as the large-scale feedback they receive from the program helps fine-tune the game ahead of launch. Whether players join through Early Access or the free public test, the beta offers an opportunity to experience the next chapter of the Modern Warfare series before launch.

Arc Raiders Wins Nordic Game of the Year Award

Embark Studios had a night to remember at this year’s Nordic Game Awards. Held on May 28 during the Nordic Game conference in Malmรถ, Sweden, Arc Raiders walked away with the Nordic Game of the Year title, and it didnโ€™t stop there.

Alongside securing the Nordic GOTY, the popular Extraction Shooter also took home awards for Best Audio and Best Technology, making it a triple-winner on the evening.

The Nordic Game Awards were packed to the brim with some amazing titles. Arc Raiders managed to edge out games like Battlefield 6, Dune: Awakening, Split Fiction, and My Winter Car to claim the top prize.

Split Fiction, which was nominated for four awards, took home Best Game Design, while Battlefield 6, despite three nominations, left empty-handed.

Nordic Game Awards 2026 Winners List

Below, weโ€™ve included the full list of winners at the Nordic Game Awards 2026:

  • Nordic Game of the Year: ARC Raiders
  • Best Art: The Midnight Walk
  • Best Game Design: Split Fiction
  • Best Technology: ARC Raiders
  • Best Audio: ARC Raiders
  • Best Fun for Everyone: LEGO Voyagers
  • Best Debut: Discounty

It’s been quite a run for Arc Raiders. Previously, weโ€™ve seen the Extraction Shooter pick up the title for Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2025 and Online Game of the Year at the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, and now it culminates with their first GOTY.