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A psycho in Borderlands 4 stands ready for battle.

Borderlands 4 global release times mean some of you can play a day earlier than expected

by admin September 6, 2025

If you requested time off from work ahead of the new Borderlands launch next Friday, consider a last-minute addendum to the ask. Gearbox has revealed its plans to give Borderlands 4 the global release treatment, so some players will technically venture to Kairos a day early.

It’s a global release time for Steam and Epic Games Store users, so when Borderlands 4 launches on September 12 at 4 am NZST, it’s out for everyone. That’s September 11 at 9 am PT for folks on the other side of the world. There’s no slow rollout across time zones as everyone waits for the clock to strike midnight in their local time.

(Image credit: Gearbox Software)

To save you any further timezone headaches, here’s when Borderlands 4 launches for everyone at the same time globally:

September 11 at 9 am PT (San Francisco)
September 11 at 11 am PT (Chicago)
September 11 at 12 pm ET (New York)
September 11 at 5 pm BST (London)
September 11 at 6 pm CEST (Berlin)
September 12 at 12 am SGT (Singapore)
September 12 at 1 am JST (Tokyo)
September 12 at 2 am AEST (Sydney)
September 12 at 4 am NZST (Wellington)

Despite all the time I’ve spent monitoring PC releases, I’m disoriented by the idea every time. So to answer your question: No, it’s not just you that’s confused by the global/midnight differences. Some games roll out by local time, so you’re stuck watching friends from the future play while you longingly stare at Steam.

Keep in mind this doesn’t work the same across all platforms, so if you’re on PC and hoping to play with a console buddy, then you may need to wait. Borderlands 4 supports crossplay, but the PlayStation and Xbox stores don’t share the same update time in some regions.

Either way that’s a week’s wait for more vault hunting, at max. If you need something to do until then, I recommend jumping on the Borderlands 4 Shift code train early and getting your account sorted for a day-one freebie. It’s either that or go play the very small and unheard-of indie game, Silksong. I’m assuming a big ol’ publisher like 2k isn’t worried about Hornet, but I have to wonder how much of my own Steam friends list will make the swap next week.

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September 6, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Lost Soul Aside lacks the spirit of its inspirations – I’d rather play Devil May Cry again

by admin September 4, 2025

I’m finding it hard to take Lost Soul Aside seriously. There are a few reasons for this, but chief is the protagonist’s name is Kaser. It’s pronounced like the German word for cheese. And people thought Clive was a bad name?!

Instead, I’ve taken to calling him NotThis, in relation to his design being a complete steal of Noctis from Final Fantasy 15: the dark spiky anime hair, the all-black goth outfit, the big sword. It stems from Lost Soul Aside’s origins as a Final Fantasy-meets-Devil May Cry fan project that now, a decade later, has finally seen a full release. But sadly it struggles to emerge from the shadow of those origins. Devil May Cry 5 has deep, stylish combat; sexy characters, and an undeniable sense of effortless cool. Lost Soul Aside, well, doesn’t.

You can still see the original trailer for Lost Soul Aside released in 2016, though its Chinese developer Bing Yang began development in 2014 as a graduate student in South Korea. I remember seeing it at the time – it was a hugely impressive project from a solo developer created in UE4 that garnered plenty of justified attention. That included some Sony execs, who soon provided funding through its China Hero Project and now, a decade later, have published the game.

First, the original Lost Soul Aside trailer…Watch on YouTube

It’s hard to tell how much has changed in that time. The original trailer features the darkly-clothed Kaser with his dragon-cum-sword companion traversing a multitude of fantasy worlds, each flourish and swing of his weapon accompanied by a distinctive electric blue glow. It’s an ambitious projection of what the final product could be, with its open worlds and extravagant attack animations, but you get the sense maybe Sony had to rein in that ambition during development. Lost Soul Aside in release-form is a linear and contained experience that plays like a character-action game from years ago, in line with the likes of Devil May Cry 5 and Bayonetta – a comparison the game’s very development invites.

…And secondly, its recent launch trailer for comparisonWatch on YouTube

That would be a refreshing change from the vast open world epics and wannabe Soulslikes of 2025 – if it worked. Unfortunately, from the first few hours, Lost Soul Aside at launch is a clunky mess.

The story is laughably bad, a load of nonsense about an evil empire and a soul stealing demonic entity that requires fragments of crystals to best, each acquired across different dimensions. The opening segment features a polluted Midgar-esque imperial city of slums and factory facilities, and introduces us to the underground terrorist group Glimmer. Except where Final Fantasy 7’s Avalanche blows up an entire reactor in the game’s opening, Glimmer’s act of rebellion is to…set off some fireworks? It’s intended to “ignite the will of the people” but it’s a flimsy impetus for what is ultimately meant to be an epic adventure.

Image credit: Square Enix

Image credit: Sony / Eurogamer
You can’t tell me these aren’t the same character

It also introduces us to NotThis – sorry, Kaser – and his harem of sexy-yet-vacuous female sidekicks. Kaser is your typical stoic hero with little to say for himself, though he does have a nice jacket (in fact, the intricate costume design throughout is a highlight). Instead, he lets his weapon do the talking – literally. When he isn’t morphing into different weapon shapes, Lord Arena (or simply “Massive Dragon” as he’s introduced), hovers around Kaser and comments on his actions. He’s actually funny though, like a grumpy old man awoken from slumber, his grand, almost operatic voicework at odds with the flat delivery from other characters.

“Massive Dragon” in action | Image credit: Sony / Eurogamer

Indeed, Lost Soul Aside is gaining attention online for all the wrong reasons. Within the first couple of minutes a child character is unceremoniously booted across the screen in a clip that’s been very unsurprisingly shared across social media, while a Big Climactic Moment in the opening that sees Kaser falling to his doom has one of the worst (best?) “noooo” screams I’ve ever heard.

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The rest of its storytelling feels held together by glue and prayers. Background music shifts suddenly between in-game action and cutscenes, while cinematics are jarringly cut together, and there are odd pauses into dialogue sections. Performance issues continue into gameplay too: framerates are choppy on a base PS5; more than once I’ve encountered bugs that wouldn’t load the next section, forcing a restart. One boss had a fancy cape that glitched and stretched across the whole screen with every whirling vault. At the least, the studio has promised rapid fixes, so performance could be imminently improved.

This glitching cape somewhat got in the way | Image credit: Sony / Eurogamer

Really, the storytelling is superfluous to the combat, the real core of the game. Here, Lost Soul Aside is perfectly playable once you find your rhythm of last-minute dodges and perfect blocks, and initially it’s satisfying to see Kaser rapidly dashing across the screen in a flurry of spins and dodges, all with that distinctive blue hue. Build up enough energy and Kaser sprouts demonic arms and enters what I’ve dubbed Dante Mode, complete with shocking white hair.

Yet basic abilities are doled out far too slowly across the prologue, and despite multiple skill trees, after a few hours of play combat hasn’t meaningfully developed beyond a single additional weapon. There’s a loose floatiness to Kaser’s movement that’s seen him careening off platforms more times than I’d like to admit, but besides some light platforming and battling samey enemies in obviously-signposted arenas, there’s little else to do.

There are still some handsome environments, and I particularly enjoy the chibi characters on the world map | Image credit: Sony / Eurogamer

Ultimately, what lets Lost Soul Aside down is a lack of character, in every aspect. And that’s what makes Devil May Cry such an enticing game. Dante is an exceptionally cool, quippy character, his mix of sword and gunplay for juggling enemies remains iconic, and the modern-gothic world he explores is distinctive. Each time I’ve loaded up Lost Soul Aside, all I could think about was how much I’ve been meaning to play Devil May Cry 5 again since Capcom released the PS5 patch a few years ago. What a game!

Instead, I played Lost Soul Aside, with its pristine, doll-like visuals, comedy jank, and lack of anything novel to say. And a protagonist who sounds like cheese.

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September 4, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Watch 007: First Light’s September PlayStation State of Play livestream with us here

by admin September 4, 2025

17:33 pm
UTC

Martinis are go

Well good evening everyone, I have made myself an after dinner drink and am now snuggled up under a large blanket ready for 007 to start (it just didn’t feel right to watch Bond without a martini glass in hand)

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:33 pm
UTC

I’m not hijacking this blog too but I’ve got an important question: do you think Ian Fleming knew, when styling 007, that the zero and the seven together would look like a saluting person?

Makes you think.

Robert Purchese

17:37 pm
UTC

I have the stream up on my TV ready for go time, had hoped there would be some Bond music playing us in. Maybe that will happen closer to 7pm…

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:39 pm
UTC

Bertie says: Hey Bertie what a great question! I think Ian Fleming knew. I think he foresaw Slack chats in the future.

Thanks Bert XD

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:39 pm
UTC

MarcusJ says: Since we’ve got young Bond, can we have a unlockable mode where a second player can play as a young Sheriff J. W. Pepper from Live And Let Die and The Man With The Golden Gun?

I read this in his voice!! XD

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:43 pm
UTC

Best Bond for kids?

I really want to get my kids into Bond, but so far they have resisted. Which do you think would be the best one to start them off with? I want to go from Dr No, but my husband thinks something like GoldenEye would be better…

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:44 pm
UTC

Bertie says: So Victoria, you’re a massive Bond fan, so I wonder: what are you worried about with this game? Are there elements the game has to get right for you, or is it just a giddy occasion there being a Bond game at all?

Does it have nothing to lose or does it have something to lose?

One thing it better have is an incredible opening number! I love the Bond theme songs.

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:47 pm
UTC

Bertie says: Oh ooh that’s a great question. I wonder if Bond is lost a bit on kids these days. Has Mission Impossible maybe filled that void instead?

You know something, I have watched a Mission Impossible film since… 2, maybe! Have seen the Henry Cavill readying up fist punching many times, though, but not the actual film that is from

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:48 pm
UTC

(that was clearly meant to say haven’t… isn’t it good I write for a living)

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:50 pm
UTC

MarcusJ says: My wife and I watched them all from start to finish over the last few years. But it’s impossible to imagine watching any of them with my daughter (almost 8) until she’s much older – despite the fact I’d seen loads of them by the time I was that age.
Things are just so different now – when I was a kid, I probably saw five or six black and white Westerns every week, just because that’s what was on TV. My daughter has never seen anything other than films which are VERY suitable for children. So Bond would be something of a bolt out of the blue.

That said – Goldeneye is wildly more accessible than Dr No to a young audience, I should think.

Honestly, when I look back on what I watched (and played) when I was younger XD Oh my! There is no way I would let my kids watch most of those things

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:51 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: I’ve settled for a nice cup of decaf, and the milk was done in a frother so stirred, and I guess a little shaken… Not really working that though, is it!

Decaff tea, frothed not eeeerm… fermented?

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:52 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: 2 was the worst MI! You’re missing a treat with the rest of them Victoria, although have to admit Final Reckoning was a bit of a slog…

Haaaa, I agree it wasn’t great – but that bit when he is climbing at the start… I love it still 😀

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:52 pm
UTC

EdNights_EG says: I’d say GoldenEye is a good starting point but I’m biased as a) that was my first Bond and b) it will forever be my favourite thanks to memories of the game

Aha, I have found your weakness (see what I did there…)

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:54 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: I maybe should’ve said decaf coffee! I don’t drink tea…

I am fuelled by Earl Grey

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:54 pm
UTC

MarcusJ says: MI 2 remains the only one I’ve ever seen too! And they filmed the last one rock throwing distance from where I now sit…

Did you get to see Tom C????

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:56 pm
UTC

Less than five minutes to go!

Not much longer to go now!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:57 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: And yeah the climbing bit at the start of MI2 was great in fairness, just the rest that wasn’t so good!

Trying to remember the name of the chap that played the baddie…

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:58 pm
UTC

Dwayneh says: The kid learnt to play the Bond theme on piano last term in his school music lessons (Year 4). He’s not watched any of them yet though. I think the earlier ones would be a little too slow for him.

I could see him enjoying some of the Roger Moore ones (like Moonraker) and, as others have said, something like Goldeneye and the other Bronson ones. For a good action movie for the younger family, I can say that he did enjoy Raiders a lot though we watched that a few months ago (he did close his eyes when the Arc was opened though). I think we’re going to jump to Last Crusade next before Temple of Doom (to sidestep the whole heart-ripping stuff and child slaves).

I tried Raiders when my kids were four and five, we didn’t get past the intro. As soon as the trap spikes came out, my daughter was out of the room like a shot XD

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:59 pm
UTC

Dwayneh says: MI2 not good? Did you not see the slow motion hair flicks? The hair!!!!!

THIS!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

17:59 pm
UTC

Just another mad EG Bond fan checking in here. Once the broadcast is over, keep an eye on the site, won’t you…?

Alex Donaldson

17:59 pm
UTC

MarcusJ says: This is a single player game, we’re expecting, yes?
Has there been any multiplayer ruled in or out due to the Goldeneye memories? Another possible avenue for young J W Pepper or Baron Samedi Jr.

Singleplayer yah!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:00 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: @MarcusJ I would love it if they went full Goldeneye with this, so single-player, with different objectives depending on difficulty (why do more games not do this?!), and a non-too serious multiplayer.

I reckon we maybe get multiplayer but little chance of the objective changes…

Loved the docket at the start of each mission in GoldenEye, and the noises it made

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:01 pm
UTC

We are GOOOOO

Eeeeeeeeeeee! I am shaking like a, well, cocktail shaker!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:01 pm
UTC

Love that Bond in First Light has a scar down his face, like the Bond in the books

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:02 pm
UTC

Dwayneh says: 4 and 5 you say? That’s ambitious.

Looking back, I have other words to describe that choice… XD

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:02 pm
UTC

Oooh, nice Jag!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:03 pm
UTC

IO does know how to make me want to travel! That scenery

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:04 pm
UTC

Pretty sure that is a nineties Jag Xj… which is interesting in itself. Not all new and shiny stuff! Which feels appropriate. The big thing here, really, is seeing Bond working in a team with other agents – something you really don’t see that often in the books or the films, Felix aside…

Alex Donaldson

18:05 pm
UTC

How are you all at driving in games? I am def better in real life. In games, I tend to start offroading without intention

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:06 pm
UTC

Telling James to “stay”… that can only go well

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:06 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: Very good looking game isn’t it!

Beautiful!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:07 pm
UTC

EdNights_EG says: Sexy European party? I’m in.

How did you know the rest of my plans for this evening?

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:07 pm
UTC

MarcusJ says: Is this set in the present day? Or is it a period piece?

It’s a contemporary present-day thing. Present-day Bond, present-day setting.

Alex Donaldson

18:07 pm
UTC

MarcusJ says: Is this set in the present day? Or is it a period piece?

Pretty sure it’s present day

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:08 pm
UTC

Knew he wouldn’t stay put!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:08 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: If this segues into a Ferrero Rocher advert I’m fully in

Ahh, Ambassador!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:09 pm
UTC

MarcusJ says: Thanks – the older looking Jaguar just threw me for a second. In another life, I had an X type. I was informed it made me look like an old man (I was 23)

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:10 pm
UTC

Dwayneh says: I love that there’s a bona-fide single player high profile game. Not many of those around any more, or so it seems.

With this (assuming it is well received) and Indy last year maybe there will be a renaissance?

With this and Indy (and its DLC tomorrow), I am one very happy camper!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:10 pm
UTC

A section like this looks to be where you get your Hitman DNA – the game sort of puts the brakes on the story stuff for a moment to put you in a small environment with a variety of Hitman-like solutions to a problem… in this instance, to get into the hotel. But what you do within that is up to you.

Alex Donaldson

18:10 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: All of a sudden getting very strong Hitman vibes same!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:11 pm
UTC

MarcusJ says: My mission is now to go and read a bedtime story.
If Bond has to disguise himself as a sad clown, as in Octopussy, please beep me.

(This looks promising though! Mind you io are always great.)

Will beep, have a good evening!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:12 pm
UTC

EdNights_EG says: Agent 00-47 reporting for duty…

I may have that strap lined up for something later ;-P

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:13 pm
UTC

This reminds me, I need to watch The Queen’s Gambit still

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:14 pm
UTC

So, this is Bond’s version of Hitman vision

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:15 pm
UTC

Another lovely car! You are spoiling me IO

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:16 pm
UTC

So, this is our Bond Girl, eh

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:16 pm
UTC

Dwayneh says: It’s a privilege to see the inner workings of the EG Pun Machine in full flow.

Behind the scenes, we only talk in puns

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:17 pm
UTC

So, the funny thing about this particular 1970s Aston Martin is it has never been driven by Bond before – but it was regularly driven by one Roger Moore, in the TV show The Persuaders – before he became Bond. In this colour and everything! A deep cut for the hardcore fans.

Alex Donaldson

18:17 pm
UTC

Gremkarc says: Everything or Nothing is actually the best Bond game, and a proto-Uncharted.

I probably have very, very, rosy rose-tinted goggles about it though.

All I can say is, “M, you’re welcome!”

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:17 pm
UTC

Gremkarc says: Everything or Nothing is actually the best Bond game, and a proto-Uncharted.

I probably have very, very, rosy rose-tinted goggles about it though.

Love the Everything or Nothing theme song!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:20 pm
UTC

He has his gun out… It’s licence to kill time

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:20 pm
UTC

Enjoyed that moment there where as the ‘License to Kill’ was activated, the enemy up that pipe was framed just like he was up the Bond gun barrel sequence. A little bit of cinema in the gameplay!

Alex Donaldson

18:24 pm
UTC

Some of our previous 007: First Light coverage

Here are some pieces Alex and I wrote about First Light a little while ago you may find interesting:

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:24 pm
UTC

How do we feel about player characters thinking out loud?

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:25 pm
UTC

Uncharted vibes!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:26 pm
UTC

My godfather loves skydiving, and keeps saying he will take me. I keep politely declining…

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:26 pm
UTC

YAAAAAAAAASSSSSS

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:27 pm
UTC

EdNights_EG says: Definitely filling an Uncharted hole….and then the Bond theme kicks in! Love it!

Oh Ed, I am so happy!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:27 pm
UTC

Think we will get a release date this evening?

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:29 pm
UTC

What names! Hope we get at least one inuendo name at some point during the game. Remember Holly Goodhead!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:30 pm
UTC

That’s going to hurt in the morning

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:31 pm
UTC

Think we can upgrade the watch as the game goes on?

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:32 pm
UTC

EdNights_EG says: I’m intrigued by this “Bluff” mechanic at the bottom of the screen

Same! And the “instinct” needed for it

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:33 pm
UTC

Ain’t that the truth!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:34 pm
UTC

Dwayneh says: The fighting feels very Daniel Craig bond.

Agree! A little bit ‘rough and ready’ but effective

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:35 pm
UTC

I like that this is an origin story for Bond

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:36 pm
UTC

We have a First Light release date

Guys! It’s coming out on 27th March!!!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:38 pm
UTC

Well, that was a very good start to my Wednesday evening! What did you all think?

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:39 pm
UTC

Dwayneh says: But that won’t fit under my Christmas tree in a couple of months!

Hmmm… what would be a good stop gap?

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:44 pm
UTC

Kami says: Wasn’t the last big Bond game that one with Joss Stone in it?

Oh my days, I had forgotten that. Was it Blood Stone??

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:46 pm
UTC

Kami says: Quick google, it was Blood Stone, back in 2010. Why am I THIS OLD?! XD

Pfft, you haven’t aged a day!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:47 pm
UTC

Mya sang the theme for Everything or Nothing, I wonder who they will get for First Light

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:49 pm
UTC

I did like Adele’s Skyfall, think a Bond theme needs to be powerful. Wasn’t a fan of the one for Specter. Who sang that one again?

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:49 pm
UTC

Sam Smith! (answered my own question)

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:50 pm
UTC

Kami says: I’m approaching the big 5-0 and I’m still here on Eurogamer, hence why I can also remember James Bond Jr. The Animated Series.

Birthday martinis?

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:51 pm
UTC

Kami says: I still have Tina Turner’s Goldeneye on one of my playlists.

Ah I love it! The end credits song for GoldenEye still always catches me off guard, though XD

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:54 pm
UTC

“He’s the real deal” – Meet the new face of James Bond

Our Alex has some lovely Bond-flavoured features heading your way, and the first is now live.

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:54 pm
UTC

Kami says: Tina Turner did that song justice. I also liked Garbage’s “The World Is Not Enough”. Awesome music video too.

Oooh with all the dripping oil!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

18:59 pm
UTC

007: First Light gets a $300 collector’s edition

While I have been blogging, the wonderful Matt has been news-ing! Want to learn more about the various editions of First Light you will be able to get your hands on? 00-Matt has you covered.

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:00 pm
UTC

Dwayneh says: Live and let die…

When you were young, and your heart was an open book…

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:00 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough are bangers. License to Kill is a great one too!

Saying it here loud and clear, Timothy Dalton was the best Bond!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:02 pm
UTC

Premium Bond is a very good strap, Matt!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:04 pm
UTC

Kami says: $300? Gonna need to cash in some Bonds for that one.

I see what you did there!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:05 pm
UTC

£59.99 for the base game seems reasonable

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:06 pm
UTC

Zombie-Hamster says: Timothy Dalton was a very under-rated Bond. And also the first I was old enough to see in the cinema!

I think he is the Bond most like the books, honestly think he is great in the role

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:07 pm
UTC

Kami says: It feels weird when you see a £60 price tag as reasonable.

Ha! Yeah! What a time we are living in…

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:08 pm
UTC

I wonder who will be the next Bond in films. The Dune director is on board, if I remember correctly

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:11 pm
UTC

It’s looking like a hit, man – here’s Alex’s First Light preview

Alex is back, this time he has his 007: First Light preview impressions for you all to enjoy.

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:15 pm
UTC

Just had a google. Apparently, Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson are the actors at the top of the list for the next Bond

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:17 pm
UTC

Dwayneh says: Elordi seems to be in everything at the moment. I’d like it to be Tom Hollander rather than Holland. That would be a different take.

What about… Tom Hollandaise ;-P

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:17 pm
UTC

Kami says: Tom Holland looks a little young for the role imo, but would be interesting to see. I think Holland would lean more to a soft reboot, like First Light.

That boy (who is actually a man) does not age!!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:19 pm
UTC

Kami says: Anyways, I gotta go get some more pushes in. A pleasure hanging out as always, if rumours are to be believed, see you for the Nintendo Direct I guess!

Have a good evening!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

19:21 pm
UTC

(Agent) Goodnight

Think I am also going to call it a night – my cocktail glass has been empty for a while now and I could do with a top up.

Thanks for joining and chatting (this was my first time running the live blog and was quite nervous I was going to break the site!).

Have a good night all. See you in the morning!

Victoria Phillips Kennedy

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September 4, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

ETHZilla breaks ground in DeFi with $100m EtherFi restaking play

by admin September 2, 2025

ETHZilla is moving nearly a quarter of its massive ETH treasury off the sidelines and into EtherFi’s liquid restaking protocol. The Nasdaq-listed firm aims to generate yield while simultaneously bolstering the security of Ethereum and its growing ecosystem of services.

Summary

ETHZilla plans to deploy $100 million of its Ethereum treasury into EtherFi’s liquid restaking protocol.
The move represents nearly a quarter of the company’s 102,246 ETH holdings and its first engagement with DeFi.
The Nasdaq-listed firm said it aims to boost treasury yields while supporting Ethereum’s network security.

According to a press release dated September 2, the company plans to deploy approximately $100 million worth of its Ether (ETH) holdings into the EtherFi protocol. The allocation, representing a significant portion of its 102,246 ETH treasury, marks ETHZilla’s inaugural move into decentralized finance protocols.

For a publicly traded entity to engage in liquid restaking, a strategy that involves pledging assets to secure additional services built on Ethereum, signals a growing sophistication and risk tolerance among corporate treasuries.

“Their (ETHZilla) commitment highlights the growing institutional confidence in decentralized protocols and showcases a truly unique method to bridging traditional finance with the innovative power of the Ethereum ecosystem. We are proud to work with ETHZilla to demonstrate the significant value that liquid restaking can bring to forward-thinking treasuries.” EtherFi CEO Mike Silagadze said.

ETHZilla’s foray into liquid restaking

Per the release, ETHZilla is deploying the funds into EtherFi’s liquid restaking protocol to generate higher yields while reinforcing Ethereum’s network security. The partnership represents ETHZilla’s first engagement with decentralized finance protocols, with Executive Chairman McAndrew Rudisill framing it as both a step toward innovation and a measured exercise in prudent asset stewardship.

The company began accumulating Ethereum steadily earlier this year, with total holdings reaching 102,246 ETH at an average acquisition price of $3,948.72, representing roughly $456 million.

This positions the company with a substantial unrealized gain on its core treasury asset. In addition to its crypto holdings, the ETHZilla maintains a war chest of roughly $221 million in USD cash equivalents, providing significant liquidity for future maneuvers or to cover operational expenses without needing to liquidate its ETH position.

A review of the firm’s weekly capital summary captured in the release reveals a period of intense accumulation that has now seemingly paused. After buying 7,600 ETH in the week ending August 24, the company’s ETH acquisition dropped to zero last week, suggesting it had reached its initial accumulation target and was preparing to shift from buying mode to deploying mode.

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September 2, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Google Play Games is about to show people what you play

by admin September 2, 2025

Google is updating user profiles for its Play Games service on Android devices to display gaming stats, achievements, and social features. The changes include a suite of new capabilities for “showcasing and tracking your game progress and stats, new ways to build your gaming community, and allowing you to tailor your profile to your liking,” according to Google’s help page.

The update will be applied automatically, and starts rolling out in most global regions on September 23rd, and on October 1st for users in the EU and UK. Google is also emailing Google Play users directly to notify them about the changes. When applied, Google Play Games profiles and features will start appearing on the Google Play Store to prevent users from having to switch between apps when managing their accounts.

The unified update aims to help users who make their profile information public to connect with other players and track their gaming milestones. It’s unclear what this will specifically entail, but it sounds similar to how player information, gaming history, and achievements are currently displayed on Valve’s Steam service.

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September 2, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Bond, James Bond comes to PlayStation’s State of Play this week

by admin September 2, 2025

We can’t wait to get our hands on 007 First Light. While that has to wait until 2026 for that, PlayStation is giving us a virtual front seat to some gameplay footage. On September 3rd, we’ll be treated to thirty minutes of Bond goodness as part of a game-specific State of Play. Take a look at the details from PlayStation Blog below.

Prepare for a deep dive on 007 First Light! During this special State of Play, the development team at IO Interactive declassifies new gameplay on James Bond’s upcoming espionage action-adventure thrill ride.

Catch the show live on PlayStation’s Twitch and YouTube channels on September 3 at 11am PT / 7pm BST / 8pm CEST.

Back at June’s State of Play, we unveiled the game’s Reveal Trailer, offering your first look at IO Interactive’s unique take on Bond.

In this upcoming State of Play, tune in for over 30 minutes of gameplay featuring a playthrough of Bond’s first mission as an MI6 recruit. The action includes everything from high-speed car chases to on-foot stealth sequences and shootouts. Stay tuned after the playthrough for insights from IO Interactive on the intense espionage gameplay.

We can’t wait to show you what the team has been cooking up on September 3.

Stay tuned to GamingTrend for more 007 First Light news and info!

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September 2, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

Buy-the-Dip strategy stays in play above $3,345

by admin September 1, 2025

Summary

A weaker dollar, safe-haven demand, and Fed rate-cut forecasts all helped gold soar to about $3,490/oz, its highest level in four months.
Future U.S. data (ISM, JOLTS, ADP, and NFP) will be crucial; while resilience in wages or services could restrict gains, poorer labor numbers could drive gold higher.
With bullish momentum still present above $3,345, key buy zones are seen between $3447 and $3436 and $3416 and $3404.
With probable retests between $3,440 and $3,500 as well as a potential breakout to new all-time highs, the bias is still buy on dips in this gold price prediction.

As traders placed bets on a September interest rate drop by the Federal Reserve, gold prices continued their upward trajectory at the beginning of September 2025.

This gold price prediction analysis factors in recent gold price data, such as the fact that spot gold hit its highest level in almost four months today. XAUUSD is no2 $3,490 an ounce, and is still holding strong at the $3470 level.

A weaker US currency, falling Treasury yields, and safe-haven flows in the face of persistent macroeconomic uncertainty all contributed to this pump in gold prices.

Growing market confidence that the Fed may loosen policy sooner rather than later is reflected in the increased optimism for gold. Although the metal has been well-supported by this dovish tendency, investors are nevertheless wary ahead of this week’s important U.S. data releases, which might either support or contradict the optimistic narrative.

As long as gold stays above $3,345–$3,350, dip-buying is advised. The bias is still optimistic for the time being. A retest of $3,440 and ultimately $3,500+ could be possible if there is a breakout above $3,490.

In light of this, let’s talk about the crucial turning points for gold purchases and sales in this XAUUSD weekly forecast for September 1–September 5, 2025.

Key economic events impacting gold price prediction

Some significant U.S. economic reports are scheduled for release this week that are expected to impact XAUUSD.

Sep 2 – ISM Manufacturing PMI

A stronger-than-expected PMI could limit gold’s upside by signaling resilience in manufacturing, though staying below 50 still reflects contraction, which may support gold as a haven.

Sep 3 – JOLTS Job Openings

Fewer job openings would point to a cooling labor market, increasing dovish Fed expectations and favoring gold.

Sep 4 – ADP Jobs, Unemployment Claims, ISM Services PMI

A weaker ADP jobs figure would support gold as labor softness grows. Flat unemployment claims at 229K should have a limited impact, while a modestly stronger services PMI (50.5 vs. 50.1) could pressure gold slightly.

Sep 5 – NFP, Earnings, Unemployment Rate

If NFP comes in near 74K and unemployment ticks higher to 4.3%, markets may interpret it as labor market weakness, bullish for gold. However, steady wage growth at 0.3% could still raise inflation concerns and cap upside.

Overall Gold Outlook

This week’s data leans toward labor market softening and continued manufacturing weakness, suggesting a supportive backdrop for gold, though wage and services strength may limit rallies.

Gold HTF Overview

As mentioned in the previous XAUUSD weekly forecast, gold is nearing its external liquidity of $3500 which is also its all-time high, and investors can expect it to be taken out this week.

XAUUSD 1M chart, Source: Tradingview

Gold forecast for September 1st to September 5th, 2025

As per the 1-hour timeframe, the first buying zone for gold is coming at the golden fib zone and POC level which is around $3447-$3436.

XAUUSD 1h chart, Source: Tradingview

According to the 4h timeframe, the XAUUSD $3416-3404 is the order block and the place where the impulsive buy move started. Investors can expect price to retest and provide a good bounce from this level.

XAUUSD 4h chart, Source: Tradingview

Trading Strategies & Investment Recommendation

To conclude, gold can give both buys and sells this week; however, buys are strongly preferred over sells. Lower time frames are suggesting sells, while higher time frames are still favoring a buy position in gold.

Resistance Levels

$3416-3404 – 4h order block and the start of the bullish rally

Support Levels

$3447-$3436 – POC level and golden fib zone

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

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September 1, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Next PlayStation State Of Play Announced, Coming Very Soon

by admin September 1, 2025

Sony has announced the next PlayStation State of Play event, and it’s coming up soon and focused exclusively on the upcoming James Bond game, 007 First Light, from Hitman developer IO Interactive.

The State of Play takes place Wednesday, September 3, starting at 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET / 7 PM BST / 8 PM CEST. The broadcast will feature “over 30 minutes” of gameplay for the upcoming title, including a playthrough of Bond’s first mission when he becomes an MI6 recruit.

“The action includes everything from high-speed car chases to on-foot stealth sequences and shootouts. Stay tuned after the playthrough for insights from IO Interactive on the intense espionage gameplay,” the developer said.

You will be able to watch the State of Play in all the usual places, including YouTube and Twitch.

The State of Play event in June featured 007 First Light’s reveal trailer, so once again, Sony has the scoop on the latest information for the James Bond game. The connection between Sony and James Bond goes back a long time. Sony Pictures has been the longtime distributor of James Bond movies, but Amazon MGM Studios is taking over for the next movie.

When was the last State of Play?

The last State of Play took place it July and was focused on Ghost of Yotei. This will be the fifth State of Play so far in 2025. Here’s a quick look back at the recent events.

The newest State of Play for 007 First Light is no surprise, as the existence of a PlayStation broadcast in September leaked some time ago. A Nintendo Direct event could follow on September 11 or 12.

What is 007 First Light?

007 First Light is a new James Bond game from Hitman developer IO Interactive. There have been numerous James Bond video games over the years, of course–including the iconic GoldenEye 007–but 007 First Light is the first to tell an origin story for the world-famous character.

007 First Light has players stepping into the shoes of James Bond when he’s 26 years old and in the Royal Navy, prior to becoming the British superspy everyone knows today. He gets recruited for MI6 and eventually its elite 00 section.

“Bond’s adventures will take players all around the globe, coming face to face with allies and foes (or in some cases, both), while choosing how they overcome obstacles and challenges, whether it be with brute force, cunning guile, or charming wit,” the game’s press release said.

“We’re pouring our energy and passion for the franchise into creating a cinematic adventure that pushes the boundaries of what a James Bond game can be, while telling a fresh, new story,” the developer said.

The third-person action-adventure game will feature other characters like M, Q, and Moneypenny, as well as a brand-new character created for the game, John Greenway, and a mysterious character named Isola. And of course, IO is promising “a whole new cast of villains.”

IO intends for the game to kick off a new trilogy. CEO Hakan Abrak told IGN that First Light won’t be based on any of the existing Bond movies. Instead, the developer is being allowed to create its own version of James Bond for the game.

“What’s exciting about that project is that we actually got to do an original story,” Abrak said. “So it’s not a gamification of a movie. It’s completely beginning and becoming a story, hopefully for a big trilogy out there in the future. And equally important and exciting, it’s a new Bond. It’s a Bond we built from the ground up for gamers. It’s extremely exciting with all the tradition and all the history there is there together to work on this together with the family of creating a young Bond for gamers; a Bond that the gamers can call their own and grow with.”

IO has not confirmed who is playing James Bond in First Light, but fans believe they’ve worked it out, saying they believe Irish actor Patrick Gibson is playing the role. He’s known for his roles in The Tudors, Shadow and Bone, and Tolkien. Most recently, he played a young Dexter Morgan on the Dexter prequel series Original Sin. Indeed, Gibson certainly looks the part. But anything is possible.

First Light is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC.

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September 1, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

The Next PlayStation State Of Play Is A James Bond Deep-Dive

by admin September 1, 2025

The next PlayStation State of Play is right around the corner, though it won’t have any big reveals on upcoming first-party PS5 exclusives like Wolverine. Sony revealed a September showcase later this week that will focus solely on the upcoming James Bond game 007 First Light.

“In this upcoming State of Play, tune in for over 30 minutes of gameplay featuring a playthrough of Bond’s first mission as an MI6 recruit,” IO Interactive rep Yann Roskell writes over on the PlayStation Blog. “The action includes everything from high-speed car chases to on-foot stealth sequences and shootouts. Stay tuned after the playthrough for insights from IO Interactive on the intense espionage gameplay.”

The State of Play will air September 3 at 11am PT / 7pm BST / 8pm CEST on YouTube and Twitch.

007 First Light is the Hitman studio’s take on the famous espionage franchise, albeit with a younger James Bond in the driver’s seat. The story sees the MI6 agent, at age 26, take on his first major mission that ultimately earns him 007 status. While it’ll be an original story, iconic characters like M, Q, and Miss Moneypenny will all be part of the mix. But what I really want to know is if Bond can kill someone with a fish.

The State of Play won’t be giving fans a peak at what else is coming down the pipeline for PlayStation 5, however (007 First Light is also confirmed for Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC). Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Housemarque’s Saros, and Insomniac Games’ Wolverine are all in the works but details on each of those blockbusters remain vague. We also still have no idea what Santa Monica Studio is working on and whether it’ll be in the God of War universe or not. We’ll see if this 007 deep-dive ends up being the only Sony showcase this month.

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September 1, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Sony is hosting a State of Play showcase for 007 First Light on September 3

by admin September 1, 2025

Sony has lined up its next PlayStation State of Play showcase, and this one is all about a single game. It will focus on 007 First Light, the long-awaited James Bond adventure from Hitman studio IO Interactive. It starts at 2PM ET on September 3 and you can watch it on the PlayStation YouTube and Twitch channels (there’ll also be a version of the video with English subtitles on YouTube). You can also just hit the play button on the YouTube video above when the time is right.

The showcase will run for over 30 minutes and it will feature a deep dive into gameplay, including a full playthrough of a young Bond’s first mission. Over on the PlayStation Blog, IOI said to expect “everything from high-speed car chases to on-foot stealth sequences and shootouts.” Following that, IOI will offer up more details on 007 First Light gameplay. Perhaps we’ll also get a release date or narrower window for the action-adventure game, which is slated to hit Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC in 2026.

In the meantime, you can get a taste of just why IOI was able to land this gig by checking out Hitman World of Assassination, a bundle of all three of the main Hitman games from the last decade. Hitman WOA just hit iOS last week, and you can play through the first location for free. It’s also available on PC and consoles.

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September 1, 2025 0 comments