If you were impressed byLord of the Rings Online‘s last expansion,Rise of Isengard, then you’re in for a real treat! A new expansion, titled Riders of Rohan, is set to release in the fall of this year. Turbine claims that this new expansion is expected to be twice the size of Rise of Isengard. There are two major content updates included: It does seem like a good chunk of content is coming to the free-to-play MMO....

As live service games grow, some publishers have been expanding even wider into realms like user-generated content. Roblox has built itself up on the efforts of developers, and Epic has been pushingFortniteCreative with its own internal studios. But forLeague of Legendsmaker Riot Games, it seems like the company isn’t interested in its MOBA doing the same. We attended a recent press event held by Riot Games, and got the opportunity to askLeagueleadership a few questions about the future of the game....

Another one bites the dust AfterDevil’s Thirdwasa no-show at E3 this yearand its listing on the Wii U eShop recently disappeared, many were left scratching their heads and wondering if the game would even release in the United States. Turns out Nintendo of America no longer has plans to publish the game in the US, according to the latest report fromUnseen64as seen above. Early reports from those with access to press copies indicate the game isn’t fun and has frame rate issues; perhaps this is why NoA backed out of publishing it in the US?...

[Update:Sony community man and orgasmic stegosaurus Jeff Rubenstein has confirmed that the Cross-Buy feature is a go in North America. He has told me that, “The deal is valid here, as announced on the blog.” Yoshidahas also clarifiedhis statements (it’s not confirmed for Japan and is for NA), but I don’t get to call him names equating him with sexy dinosaurs. Good to know for US buyers! Here’s hoping the Japanese gamers get it too....

Looks just as good as it did… but better! Namco Bandai is all set to releaseSoulcalibur II HD Onlinenext week on current-gen digital storefronts Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, and has released a launch trailer as a subtle reminder that this is a thing coming out amid all the excitement of great new games and two — two! — new consoles launching. The game looksjustas pretty as I remember it, and I remember it looking quite stunning, but now it looks even better....

AStar Wars OutlawsSteam release is boosting into hyperspace as it will be launching for Valve’s platform on November 21. The first story pack also launches on that day and features the suave icon Lando Calrissian. Star Wars Outlaws finally heads to Steam After being exclusive on Ubisoft Connect for a few months,Star Wars Outlawswill finally be available for purchase on many PC gamers’ preferred client Steam in November. This news comes after Ubisoft released afinancial targets update reporton Wednesday, which said that there was a “softer than expected launch forStar Wars Outlaws” (viaWario64)....

It’s safe to say that there are many festivals and events across the year inStardew Valley. Some last for multiple days, while others take place on one specific day. There are even events that aren’t signposted and can offer unique items. From the Flower Dance in Spring to the Feast of the Winter Star in Winter, there’s always some kind of event or festival to look forward to inStardew Valley. Most of these festivals will stop time completely, but the mini-festivals added in the1....

Here’s 10 minutes of it This past weekend we got a glimpse at what Square Enix would be giving us in the future: and everyone went crazy. Not for the right reasons, though! Strange of Paradisewas a bizarre reveal: a Team Ninja joint under the supervision of Nomura, with aFinal Fantasysubtitle. In no world is this going to be universally beloved. But I’ll tell you what: I’m incredibly excited for this thing to come out....

Local and online multiplayer are a go now All the way back in 2015 (which feels like forever ago),Swords and Soldiers 2dropped on the Wii U. Even further still in 2009Swords and Soldiersgraced various platforms and also killed it. They’re both heart-filled strategy romps and haven’t gotten the attention they deserve, but maybe the 2019 re-release will change that. Yes you read that right: Ronimo Games (the same fine folks who createdAwesomenauts, which is still running by the way, credit where credit is due) released a Wii U-only game just under four years ago right as the system was hitting hard times....

Extra extra Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarnmight have extra requirements when it launches in 2019 on 3DS. While the Nintendo Direct merely announced that the Wii port with extras was coming to their 3DS portable line, their official website has since been updated to state that it is compatible with “New 3DS systems only.” We’ve reached out to Nintendo for clarification, but this wouldn’t be a new development. Several 3DS games, including third party titles likeBinding of Isaac: Rebirthand exclusives such asXenoblade Chronicles 3Dhave required the New 3DS....

Heroes and Villains pack also announced EA has shared the dates for the secondSimCitybeta— 9AM on February 16, until 9AM on February 17. Wow EA, that’s a pretty specific window! If you’re interested in getting in,verify you registerbefore February 11 at 9AM, otherwise you’re out of luck. In otherSimCityrelated news, EA has just announced the “Limited Edition”Heroes and Villainspack for pre-orders. It already has fans in quite a rage, some of whom note that not only should it be included in the base game, and some whom say it detracts from the properSimexperience due to the goofiness of the content....

In May After the mad rush of the Switch’s launch, we’re entering a small lull before the summer rush begins. A handful of indie developers are taking advantage of this period, including Ankama, who just announced thatAbraca: Imagic Gamesis headed to the system in May. Abracahas been on PC for almost a year, and was met with a semi-positive reception. Hopefully the Switch port goes swimmingly! It could use more four-player party games....

See Marty McFly in a prototype Telltale’s 2012 release ofThe Walking Deadsurprised many. With interesting, tough choices to make while surviving through the zombie apocalypse, this adventure title invoked many positive reactions with its inventive method of storytelling in a videogame. During a talk at GDC last week, lead environment artist Jonathan Banks talked about the many challenges and trials the team had to overcome to nurture the game’s development and to give it an identity all its own....