‘God of War Laufey’ Sets Release Date, Preorders Open (Gaming News Roundup)

God of War Laufey
PlayStation

“God of War Laufey” will release Feb. 16, 2027 from PlayStation’s Santa Monica Studios. Pre-orders go live on Sept. 29.

The prequel game in the action-adventure franchise centers on Laufey, also known as Faye. “God of War Laufey” follows the legendary warrior beyond death through the Everywhen, the afterlife of the gods.

Fans who pre-order the game will receive a special armor set, cosmetic appearance and in-game resource pack.

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The game also features a new weapon for Faye in the Everywhen. The enchanted bow with a shifting serpent form gives players a powerful weapon in close and ranged combat.

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See more gaming news from the week in the roundup below.

TECH

Discord is launching Discord Ads Manager and Video Quests, allowing advertisers to expand their outreach.

Available now, Discord Ads Manager is the platform’s first campaign management platform, and its self-serve access enables Discord advertising to reach smaller studios and marketers. It will also offer an auction-based delivery and a dynamic cost model where advertisers can adjust their bids in real time. Full self-serve access is set for early 2027.

Video Quests is available through Discord Ads Manager and serves as a rewarded video ad format where players can watch and earn Orbs, receiving their award in roughly 15 seconds. Designed to drive player engagement, Video Quests shows advertisers how long the player chose to watch.

RELEASE DATES

“Limerence” will launch for PC on Oct. 29.

Suffering from personal loss, Claire seeks comfort from an AI relationship app, LiAIson, where she creates a customized partner tailored to her individual needs. But her online relationship soon starts to carry over into her real life, posing the question of where AI should draw the line.

Players will determine Claire’s journey, re-evaluating past conversations and shaping her self-perception. “Limerence” is co-developed by Salix Games and Gameinaframe.

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Wizards of the Coast announced on Wednesday “Secret Lair: Corn Maze Superdrop,” a new collection of special, limited “Magic: The Gathering” arriving on Oct. 12.

This superdrop highlights artists, films and more including Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth,” and Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters.”

There are eight drops: “Secret Lair x Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Should You Need Us,” “Secret Lair x Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Fear Me, Love Me,” Secret Lair x Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Through the Labyrinth,” “Secret Lair x KPop Demon Hunters: How It’s Done,” “Secret Lair x Marvel: Zombies,” “Artist Series: Veronique Meignaud,” “Manufactured Grounds by See Machine” and “Peace, Love, & Treefolk.”

All Secret Lair: Corn Maze Superdrop drops will be available at 9 a.m. on Oct. 12 in traditional foil edition for $39.99 and non-foil edition for $29.99.

PARTNERSHIPS

Media company Critical Role and game studio Lichtund announced a publishing partnership for “Rockbeasts,” an upcoming RPG game where players lead a 90s rock-and-roll band to fame.

Set to launch in 2027, “Rockbeasts” allows gamers to “book gigs, manage money and fragile egos, keep equipment running, schedule rehearsals and navigate the music industry’s moral minefield, from predatory record labels and jaded venue owners to hard-nosed executives. Every decision shapes the band’s relationships, reputation and future.”

Critical Role will serve as the co-publisher, also offering voice actors for the game.

NEW RELEASES

Entertainment studio Stone Kite launched from “Halo” and “Destiny” creator Jason Jones in collaboration with best-selling author Margaret Stohl.

The studio’s first original universe is a near-future story of a global war between humanity and rogue AI-driven robots, “One Zero One.” The first chapter, written by “Arrival’ screenwriter Eric Heisserer, is available now as a free digital comic.

Rather than starting with a game, comic or film and then adapting the concept, Stone Kite will bring creators into the process to build the world together.

“I’ve spent my career creating books, games, comics, film and television, and I’ve seen how often the medium that tells the first story ends up defining everything that comes after it,” Stohl said in a statement. “Stone Kite is about breaking down those old media silos. Instead of starting in one medium and adapting outward, we bring the best global creators from different disciplines into the room from day one to shape the world together.”

Stone Kite’s founding team includes Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Stephen Wacker and veterans of Activision Blizzard, Marvel and DC. The slate boasts more than 250 creators, including Jay Roach (“Austin Powers,” “Meet the Parents), Akela Cooper (“M3GAN”), Stephen Graham Jones, Christian Ward and Kyle Lambert.

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“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered” has launched on Battle.net.

The new version of Geralt’s adventure will feature updated visuals, improved quest tracking and revamped combat, which includes more reactive enemies and smoother movements. Weapon and armor transmogrification as well as new accessibility features are also included.

Available on Battle.net, “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered” is in partnership with CD Projekt Red.

TRAILERS

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4” releases Oct. 23, with the PC trailer now available.

As announced earlier this year, “Modern Warfare 4” is “Set against a rapidly escalating global conflict centered on the Korean Peninsula, ‘Modern Warfare 4’ pushes the series into darker and more dangerous territory as a full-scale invasion of South Korea threatens to destabilize the world.”

Players who digitally pre-order “Modern Warfare 4” can begin preloading on Oct. 15. Campaign Early Access begins Oct. 16.

The Infinity Ward-developed game launches Oct. 23 on Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5 and PC via Battle.net, Xbox on PC, Steam and Nintendo Switch 2.

Watch the PC trailer below.

IN-GAME EVENTS

“Fortnite” is celebrating this spooky season with Fortnitemares presenting a cursed cast and new characters coming all month from” Five Nights at Freddy’s,” “Hazbin Hotel,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Beetlejuice,” “Obsession” and more.

Players can drop into Freaky Fields or the new Nightmare Neighborhood POI, where Freddy Krueger is waiting. Defeat him to claim Freddy’s Nightmare claws, which let you teleport into range and slash opponents.

Reveal enemies with the new Bonerattler SMG and take aim with returning weapons like the Wood Stake Shotgun and Pumpkin Launcher.

They can also activate cursed cartridge overrides that grant invisibility while sprinting, boost damage at low health or conceal your squad as Halloween props. Take on “Five Nights at Freddy’s” animatronic bosses to possess one and terrorize the map.

The Horde Rush LTM is back, and on Oct. 8 an updated Nitemare Island arrives in reload alongside the “Stranger Things” and Squid Grounds maps.

Outfits from “Five Nights at Freddy’s” show battle damage and are live in the shop now, with “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Black Clover,” “Obsession” and many more outfits and accessories to follow throughout October.

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