It has been the better part of a year since I dabbled in Wayfinder. I walked away from the Early Access period hopeful for its future, and today, we have a clearer picture of what that future will look like. On June 11^th, the Echoes Update will launch for the Steam version of Wayfinder, with it coming to PlayStation 5 later in the year. It will also be available for purchase once again on June 11^th, after previously being removed from the marketplace. Existing Steam Early Access players will gain access to the Echoes update on May 31^st. In late 2024, Wayfinder will also make its debut on Xbox Series X|S consoles for the first time, which will coincide with its 1.0 launch.

The Echoes Update brings with it massive changes to the structure of the game. For starters, it is shifting away from being a service-based game, as well as dropping all online requirements. Players will now be able to play entirely offline, either solo or in three-player co-op, with no account requirements, logins, or other in-game purchases necessary. In lieu of this, Wayfinder will become a more traditional premium title, costing $24.99 during Early Access, with a price increase coming alongside its Xbox release. All of which are rare, but necessary changes, according to Airship Syndicate CEO and Creative Director Joe Madureira:

“To our knowledge this hasn’t been done before - taking an online-only game fully offline, fundamentally changing all aspects of it. We’re in uncharted territory, and it’s a big risk for Airship to make this change, but it’s one we believe in. We’re incredibly proud of the work our crew has done in such a period of time to make it happen. Our players have loved the world and characters, and with their continued support, we can keep expanding the game in the future.”

One other major note of housekeeping – PlayStation 4 support will be dropped once the Echoes Update hits PlayStation 5 later this year, but the developer will upgrade all PS4 versions to the PS5 one at no cost to players.

Beyond the structural changes, the gameplay itself is getting notable changes as well. There will be four difficulty settings, random weapon drops, collectible armor sets, streamlined acquisition of new characters, a new user interface, and a more traditional RPG talent system. Wayfinder will continue to receive content into the future, including new weapons, armor, new map areas, new quests, and more.

This is a seismic shift for both Wayfinder and Airship Syndicate. I respect the studio’s courage to make these sweeping changes, and I look forward to checking out the Echoes Update later this year on PS5.

Nintendo Switch Online has added more games to the Nintendo Switch Online Gameboy app. Originally released in 1989, and oddly missing from the original lineup, launch title Super Mario Land has finally been included. This is Mario's adventure in Sarasaland, and also marks the first appearance of Princess Daisy, before she became a pallet swap with Peach.

With it comes another 1989 title Baseball, which is just baseball, and Alleyway, which looks a LOT like Arkanoid. You get access to these titles with the regular Nintendo Switch Online subscription, and I can only believe they will just carry over to Nintendo's Switch successor. With all these games available at launch with backwards compatibility, it'll be a day one purchase for me for sure. These are all available now. So fire it up. 

 Do you feel as if you have mastered the perils of purgatory? Well, Valheim’s new biome plans on raising the temperature on you. Those strong enough to claim what is theirs by right of might can now lay siege to Ashlands and its dreadful master. An inferno of new enemies, weapons, crafting recipes and resources await for those brave enough to enter.“After conquering the Mistlands and learning how to wield magic, you will now have to fight tooth and nail to establish a foothold in the Ashlands. Treacherous cliffs and slithering dangers await in the boiling waters that only the sturdiest ships can navigate, and even arrival to the new biome will prove to be a challenge.”

The Ashlands biome is unrelenting and redefines what difficulty means in Valheim. While a large portion of the enemy forces consists of the reanimated dead known as Charred, even more lethal foes await. Aside from the Fallen Valkyrie and Morgen, the new biome is filled with other foes such as the new kind of Necks called the Asksvin or the winged Voltures that lie in wait to ambush. Worry not a horde of new enemies calls for a plethora of new weapons to combat foes. New weapons, such as the Slayer greatsword, Splitnir spear and Ripper crossbow can further be enhanced by upgrading them.

“We didn’t want to just release another biome but with fire instead of mist,” said Andreas Tomasson, Valheim producer. “Ashlands is supposed to feel like a struggle, and players should expect a challenge. Every inch of territory you claim has to be earned, and every outpost has to be reinforced before you venture deeper. We’re entering endgame territory here, and players need to be ready for what comes in the Deep North.”

You can play Ashlands right now. If you feel the need to read about every change that has recently come to Valheim you can head over here and check out the press kit for Ashlands. There you can read about Mistlands and Hildir’s Request, the previous updates that are live.

Like many of you, I  get inundated with spam emails daily on my Gaming Nexus email address, please feel free to add to it. Every now and then somethign pops up that does interest me. Today it was the title The world’s highest earning Warhammer 40k players - revealed in new report! First rule of writing is you probably don’t need the exclamation mark, but I digress. I find being able to live off of your winnings from a video game to be a dream goal. Who wouldn’t want to do that? The team at Casino.com has analysed each player’s total earnings to reveal which Warhammer players are really cashing in. The first thing I noticed was that I live in the wrong country to try and make a living this way; the top three earners all hail from Brazil, the fourth dude is from the Russian Federation. Ryoo Kyung Hyun tops the leaderboard as the highest-earning Warhammer 40k player in the world - with total earnings of $45,000. Hailing from the Republic of Korea, the professional gamer also goes by the name “SeleCT”. Ryoo has also been crowned the World Cyber Games champion twice over for his success playing Dawn of War. After him though, it does take a bit of a tumble to see wat the top five have made.

Overall the whole article was interesting to say the least. It covers not only Warhammer but other games, like Rainbow 6, shows you how much they’ve made from winning. The part I enjoyed the most was the information about games like Chess, something I never think of as a game, but might be considered the best board game around. You can follow this link to the site and read for yourself. The biggest takeaway is pretty simple: don’t quit your day job.

Behavior Interactive, developers of Dead by Daylight, and Supermassive Games, developers of Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology, have revealed a gameplay trailer for their collaboration game, "The Casting of Frank Stone". Much like other Supermassive Games this plays out like an interactive movie where you will have plenty of choices to make throughout the game. Said choices will lead your cast escaping or most likely suffering horrific deaths.

The cool thing about this trailer is Dead by Daylight fans will notice a number of easter eggs in the trailer. The main portion of the game looks like it's going to take place in the mill or the "ironworks of misery" from the MacMillian Estate map and I noticed a quick shot of The Huntress' mask near the end of the trailer.

I absolutely love these kinds of games and the Dead by Daylight universe is perfect for this and cannot wait to play this when it's eventually released. 

No release date yet, just that it's coming in 2024. 

I find it’s rare to talk about mental health. Even more rare, when a video game developer wants to talk about mental health, time to head for the door. On May 21 Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II will release on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Dom Matthews the Studio Head at Ninja Theory has just posted a blog and video on the Microsoft page, talking about, “the contribution of our mental health consultants, with the release of ‘Senua’s Psychosis’, a feature video that details how, by way of collaboration, Senua’s experiences of psychosis in Hellblade II are rooted both in neuroscience and in real lived experience.” This seems like one of those times that someone is trying to do right to the people who purchase their game to be as truthful and true to the source and experience as they can be. You can watch the entire video below.

If you are looking for more information you can head to Hellblade II mental health page. Hellblade II will relase on May 21. They also revealed that it will cost $49.99, not have a physical edition, and be a similar length to the predecessor.

I love a good couch co-op title. Playing the role of the foil, trying to screw up everyone while still trying to have a good time is a highlight of any couch co-op title for me. Is Big Helmet Heroes going to be one of those titles? I think so. Big Helmet Heroes has a few things going for it and hoping to redefine animation standards with its advanced visuals, bringing characters and setting to life and making every encounter exceptionally vivid. Personally this art style is exactly what I love to see. It reminds me a bit of old-school platformers, there is something about that art style that feels like a true videogame. There are four unique combat styles and turn your environment into an ally by wielding humorous and imaginative weapons. You’ll also need to team up to defeat foes, plan strategies, or simply revel in the chaotic fun of fighting alongside a friend.

Big Helmet Heroes will be playable on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox Series. No firm release date has been shared yet.

Developer Grenaa Games and publisher Dear Villagers have hit the green button on the 1.0 version of fairytale kingdom builder Fabledom for PC, having been in Early Access since April 13^th. A console version is currently scheduled to launch on September 12^th, with pre-orders now live across platforms, including a 30% discount on some storefronts.

Fabledom is a fantastical citybuilder where you grow your settlement, engage in trade and diplomacy with your neighbors, and perhaps even find a loved one to fulfill that fairytale ending. You’ll build castles, barracks, homes, farms, and more as your kingdom grows. When you start to get too big for your own lands, call up your army and take what is (un)rightfully yours from your neighbors.

Did I mention that it was made by just two people? I’m looking forward to this one conquering the console lands later this year, but in the meantime, I’ll settle for the new trailer below:

The video game formerly known as Assassin's Creed Codename RED is now Assassin's Creed Shadows, and it’s getting revealed by Ubisoft this Wednesday, May 15h at Noon Eastern Time. Official details about the game are currently scant, but we do know that it is set in Feudal Japan, with reports that its protagonist will be based on the real-life African samurai named Yasuke.

Wednesday’s reveal will be a cinematic trailer, with another look at the game likely, if not nailed on, for the Ubisoft Forward showcase on June 10^th. Bookmark this page and come back at high Noon on May 15^th to see the Assassin’s Creed Shadows reveal trailer.

So Q The Gift and I ran through an entire season of WWE2K24 GM mode. And I have to say, it was very entertaining for everyone involved. We streamed all 25 nights of the season, and learned some new things along the way. 

Match types are important if you have the capital. For premium live events, you get a bonus if you pick the correct one. Make sure you're not putting everyone every week in a tables match though, because that's a one way ticket to injury. 

Speaking of, if your champion is injured, and they have a title, you can be a cut throat cold hearted GM, and CUT them from your show. The title will be up for grabs, and you can put any superstars in a match for the title that was given up. Crown you a new champion. 

There is nothing wrong with doing a championship match in the opener. It's the mid card you want to steer away from. Even your mid card championships can be used to close a show. Don't be afraid to put all your titles on the line during a Premium Live Event. It helps to get those fans and that money. 

The fans and superstars in your social media aren't just “smart marks” all the time. Sometimes they have great points. And can help your show if you listen to them. Again, use discretion, because if you give them everything, they may end up booking Ricochet for the television championship, even though he should revert to King Ricochet, turn heel, and fight Cody Rhodes at Summerslam. 

The only metrics that matter, to us at least, are fans and money. Don't be afraid to use extra money to upgrade your venue, special effects, and even the campaigns and promo. This speaks volumes. Also, find and sign new superstars. Even the fillers/CPU created wrestlers. Use that money. You'll get it back with a full, and happy roster. 

Last but not least, after the season is over, you get to mark some superstars to keep post draft. While this doesn't guarantee you will keep them, you mark them to show the most interest. I marked Becky Lynch 4th. Then lost Becky Lynch. She is The Man. What was I thinking?

That's all. If you wanna check out the streams, check the Playlist Below. The DLC comes out this week, with Sandman, the Dudley Boyz, and CM Punk. I'm sure another patch is coming too. Because, yes. Enjoy!