What’s it like bringing a K-Pop hit from Barbie the Album into a VR Rhythm game?  It’s kinda like opening the doors and walking into a party — with a lot of pink all around you.

Hi, I’m Falcon from Kluge Interactive and this is the new Synth Riders Experience – Barbie Dance ‘n Dream. It’s a Barbie-fueled ride to Fifty Fifty’s “Barbie Dreams (feat. Kaliii).” In fact, this is the first time Barbie joins a VR rhythm game — and it’s available right now!

Here’s a small taste of what you can experience yourself right now in Synth Riders with this new DLC.

Play Video

You’ll soak in some rays at the beach, groove at the roller disco, and dance through Barbie dreams in Synth Riders’ latest musical journey. It’s a whole new audio-visual Experience, from the team that delivered the one-of-a-kind immersive tracks collaborating with Muse, The Offspring, and Lindsay Stirling – to name a few.

Associate Creative Director Jaime Nunez-Lopez told me “The idea of Barbie dreaming that she´s on a journey through different dream worlds really fit the Synth Riders game mechanics and perfectly matched the theme of the song itself.”

And, really, we needed an excuse to have pink dolphins in a game!

Jaime adds, “It’s really all about bringing a huge smile to your face by the time the song’s done.” So pull out that power pink wardrobe and get yourself ready for the Synth Riders Experience — Barbie Dance ‘n Dream! 

We can’t wait to see all of you dressing up in pink for the occasion!

The Synth Riders Experien

In our upcoming release of Star Wars: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles, which launches January 23 on PS5 and PS4, we’re excited to introduce the new Lightsaber Color Toggle. This update gives you the power to switch between the classic lightsaber colors from the original game or adjust to colors that align with what you have seen throughout the expanded Star Wars galaxy — in books, movies, and TV series.

Play Video

For the first time, Mace Windu can wield his iconic purple lightsaber in Jedi Power Battles, a nod to his weapon seen throughout the Star Wars films and beyond. In a galaxy full of challenges, every color change adds a unique flair to your lightsaber combat.

The new toggle feature gives you even more ways to personalize your gameplay experience with characters like Adi Gallia, Plo Koon, and Ki-Adi-Mundi. Get ready for the fight by picking your character and now your lightsaber color too!

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is packed with memorable locations and action, from the Theed Palace on Naboo to the Trade Federation Battleship. Along the way, players will face off against droids and the merciless Darth Maul himself. 

Lightsaber colors: original vs. new

• Mace Windu: Original – Blue | New – Purple
• Adi Gallia: Original – Red | New – Blue
• Plo Koon: Original – Yellow | New – Blue
• Ki-Adi-Mundi: Original – Purple | New – Blue

Each lightsaber color comes with its own sense of history and purpose. Mace Windu’s famous purple blade, for instance, signifies both his mastery of the Force and his unique combat style. Meanwhile, Plo Koon’s transformation to blue reflects his role as a respected member of the Jedi Council, upholding peace and justice across the galaxy. With this new feature, battles feel more immersive than ever.

Read more

Hello everyone! I’m Nobuo Uematsu, the composer of Fantasian Neo Dimension.

When Producer Hironobu Sakaguchi first contacted me about Fantasian, I had decided that this would be the last video game title which I’d produce the full soundtrack for, solely on my own.

Because this was going to be my final full soundtrack project, I wanted to give it everything I had. I rearranged my office—cluttered with non-work-related things that were there for fun—into something I call the “Fantasian mode,” so that I could corner myself creatively. In the end, I spent several months dedicating myself to composing, and I have no regrets. Please enjoy Fantasian Neo Dimension, the culminating work that tops off my 30-plus years long career of composing full video game soundtracks!

Play Video

Today, I’ll be introducing five of my favorite tracks from Fantasian Neo Dimension’s soundtrack.

1. Main Theme of Fantasian

Composing the main theme for a game is always a headache. I try to approach it with the mindset of “creating a track that’s better than anything I’ve ever made,” but progress tends to be slow when I take things too seriously. Sometimes, my creativity flows once I let go and realize “this is what I know how to do best.” This was the case for the Main Theme of Fantasian.

2. Prickle and Clicker’s Theme

A clumsy, outdated robot that’s certainly not the latest model – an incomplete being wi

As we eagerly await the arrival of Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, we are thrilled to unveil a treasure trove of details focusing on the Bonus Materials menu we’ve hinted at previously. In addition to the new materials that have been added, we’ve also restored and recreated (where possible) the Soul Reaver 2 Bonus Materials to HD and made them all accessible from the menu! This release is not just a remaster, it’s also a reminder of the collaboration between Crystal Dynamics, Aspyr, and the Legacy of Kain community.

The Bonus Content honors the legacy of this iconic franchise and resurrects the haunting beauty that players have come to expect from the world of Nosgoth.

Play Video

Lore Reader: Maps and mysteries unveiled

Dive into the “Lore of Nosgoth,” where brand-new maps are adorned with poetic descriptions of places and events. Created in collaboration with the Legacy of Kain Fandom leaders, key community members, and Crystal Dynamics artists, these maps offer an integrated perspective on the familiar, but previously disconnected, landscapes of Nosgoth. Toggle between the pure and corrupted versions of the map to see the transformation of the land over time and uncover secrets scattered throughout the map.

 Artwork and renders: A visual delight

The “Galleries” section is a visual feast, featuring a collection of both classic and newly crafted HD renders. 

Relive the epic narrative through FMV cinematics from Soul Reaver 1 & 2, now presented with even more detail. 

This section also preserves the original credits, demo videos, and outtakes, celebrating the artistic achievements and behind-the-scenes efforts that brought Nosgoth to life. We’ve shared some unique pieces of concept art from the Crystal Dynamic’s archives that are sure to excite the imagination.

Bleach Rebirth of Souls is the latest console game from the legendary Bleach franchise, where fan favorite characters can unlock powers, engage in combat, and turn the tide of the battle with one strike of their sword. 

Play Video

To get fans and players excited for Bleach Rebirth of Souls, we’ll be showing some exclusive content of Sosuke Aizen and Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto, as well as an introduction to the game’s unique battle system.

New character reveals

The new characters, Sosuke Aizen and Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto have been revealed in the release date announcement trailer. Their character trailers will drop soon, but below is a tease of the two iconic characters. 

As the Captain of Squad 5, Sosuke Aizen is infamous for his crime of high treason against the Soul Society. He has a Spiritual Pressure unlike any other, far surpassing that of other Soul Reapers. His immense strength is amplified by his unique ability to manipulate his attacks and shift the tide of the fight to his advantage.

As we celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, I’m thrilled to introduce My First Gran Turismo, a special free-to-play invitation to dive into the exhilarating world of motorsports. This experience holds a special place in my heart, as it pays tribute to the origins of the first Gran Turismo, where players of all generations discovered the joys of driving. Whether it’s introducing kids to the joy of racing for the first time or reigniting a forgotten passion for driving, My First Gran Turismo was designed to be both approachable and immersive, created for everyone, with no limits on age or driving skill level. 

My First Gran Turismo will be available through PlayStation Store December 6 at 12:00am local time.  

Play Video

Read more

Hey Civ fans! On February 11, 2025, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is coming to PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, empowering you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known! Today, I’m delighted to give you a first look at Civilization VII on PS5, with a UI designed for your controller and features specially made for PlayStation platforms. 

Play Video

This revolutionary new entry in the critically acclaimed turn-based strategy series lets you embody an illustrious leader as you endeavor to build an empire that can stand the test of time. As you construct cities to expand your territory, improve your civilization with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations, you’ll progress through three Ages: distinct chapters of human history with their own civs and gameplay mechanics. In a first for the series, you’ll choose your leader and civilization separately, letting you mix-and-match their unique strengths to devise new strategies.

Here’s another franchise first: Civilization VII is coming to PlayStation consoles on the same day as its PC launch, with all the same content available on day one, and is cross-play compatible with other platforms in multiplayer. With Civilization VII, we’re planning to deliver new content simultaneously across PC and consoles, and this unified launch date is the first step in that commitment.

Let’s take a closer look at how Civilization VII plays on PS5, and some of the new features we’ve developed specifically for PlayStation players.

Admire every aspect of your civilization

When we’re designing the graphical style of a new Civilization game, we strive to make the game world feel like a playable museum diorama, or a tabletop strategy game come to life. Instead of simple hexes on a map, we want you to feel like your empire is evolving with every turn you take and every decision you make, and the visual representation of your territory is a huge part of that.

For Civilization VII, a guiding principle for our art team was the idea of ‘readable realism’—pushing the visual fidelity even further to make every tile, building, and unit feel that much more lifelike. As you continue to expand your borders and construct additional buildings and historic Wonders, you’ll notice the

Explore a wild and unrelenting new frontier when Monster Hunter Wilds releases on February 28 on PS5. We recently got to play through the main missions of Chapter 1, going up against colossal enemies including the new monster Quematrice and exploring the Scarlet Forest.

Weapons now come with built-in Equipment Skills

In previous series’ entries, various hunt-aiding skills were primarily granted through armor, talismans, and decorations, which you combined to create your build. However, in Monster Hunter Wilds, even weapons available early in the game come with built-in Equipment Skills tailored to the weapon type. For example, the Great Sword Buster Sword I features Critical Draw, while Bone Blade II offers Focus and Attack Boost. Since this game allows you to switch between two weapons during a hunt, it’s easier to leverage different skill combinations if you bring both a melee and a ranged weapon.

Face off against the Brute Wyvern, Quematrice, and its fiery attacks

The hunter, after escorting the siblings, encounters the Brute Wyvern, Quematrice. This monster is a new addition to Monster Hunter Wilds. They take bites at the hunter once provoked, and also spread a flammable substance ignited by dragging their long tail along the ground. Getting hit by this attack leaves the hunter in a Fireblight state, which causes health to gradually deplete over time. As part of the first main mission, the huntert learns to deal with this ailment by utilizing Nulberries or evading tactfully.

Seamlessly transition from the Windward Plains to the Scarlet Forest

Later in the quest, the hunters head to the Scarlet Forest to investigate Doshagumas. I was amazed that I could ride my Seikret all the way from the plains to the forest without traveling back to base. The area transition was seamless with no loading screens, and it shows you how truly vast and connected the ecosystems are in this game.

The Scarlet Forest is characterized by its towering trees and peculiar red-colored water. Its landscape is entirely different from the sandy deserts and rocky formations of the Windward Plains, offering a refreshing change of scenery. Along the way, I came across creatures not found in the Windward Plains, as well as a hideout inhabited by a Lynian tribe called Wudwuds. I’m particularly excited to explore more of the Scarlet Forest when the game launches.

Beware of the Lala Barina with its scarlet silk and dominating attacks

The first large monster you’ll encounter in the Scarlet Forest is the Temnoceran, Lala Barina. This monster stri

Today, December 3, marks PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. To celebrate, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) hosted the 2024 PlayStation Partner Awards in Japan Asia (hereafter PlayStation Partner Awards), honoring all the incredible games and talented developers who released their games on PlayStation within the Japan/Asia region.

In addition to celebrating the success of the 2024 PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 titles (October 2023 through September 2024), this year’s awards also recognized exceptional games created by Japanese and other Asian developers released on legacy PlayStation platforms over the past 30 years – the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4. Read on for a rundown of all the games that received awards at this event.

Games are listed in alphabetical order.

Excellence Award

Awarded to the title developed in the Japan/Asia region that have had a consistent and significant impact along with commercial success over the past three years*.

Genshin Impact (HoYoverse)

Grand Award

Awarded to the top three titles developed in the Japan and Asia regions with the highest worldwide sales between October 2023 and September 2024*.

Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science Interactive Technology)
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (FromSoftware, Inc / Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.)
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix Co. Ltd)

Partner Award

Awarded to titles developed in the Japan/Asia region with top-ranked worldwide sales between October 2023 and September 2024*, with particularly noteworthy accomplishments.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 (Capcom Co., Ltd.)
Honkai: Star Rail (HoYoverse)
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Sega)
Persona 3 Reload (Atlus Co., Ltd)
Tekken 8 (Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.)
The First Descendant（Nexon）
Zenless Zone Zero（HoYoverse）

Special Award

Awarded to PS5 titles developed in collaboration with SIE outside the Japan/Asia region that achieved outstanding success within Japan/Asia between October 2023 and September 2024*.

Rise of the Ronin (SIE, developed by Koei Tecmo)
Stellar Blade (SIE, developed by Shift Up)

Users’ Choice Award

Awarded to the top five titles released in the Japan/Asia region between October 2023 and September 2024, selected by user votes in the Japan/Asia region, out of the top 30 titles with the longest total gameplay time.

Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science Interactive Technology)
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix Co. Ltd)
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Sega)
Rise of the Ronin (SIE, developed by Koei Tecmo)
Stellar Blade (SIE, developed by Shift Up)

PlayStation Generations Awards

Awarded to titles chosen by users in the Japan and Asia regions from each PlayStation generation – the original PlayStation, PS2, PSP, PS3, PS Vita, and PS

Gather round, Rivals, and get ready to unleash the thunderous might of Thor, sling around the battlefield as Spider-Man, shoot down your foes with the Punisher and so much more. With 33 heroes and villains to choose from, picking your favorite might prove to be a challenge but fret not as all heroes in Marvel Rivals will be free when it launches on December 6! Explore the many superpowers of this iconic cast and elevate your fighting tactics with their unique team-up abilities. There is precious little time left for you to wishlist Marvel Rivals and get notified when the game launches as it brings its bold cast of heroes and villains to PS5!

Feeling the power of your every battle with the DualSense Wireless Controller

Marvel Rivals brings an immersive superhero combat experience to players, by utilizing the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback technology of the PS5 DualSense wireless controller to deliver immersive sensations. Players will feel the changes in trigger tension and dynamic vibration when different heroes release skills, like the satisfying gunfire of the Punisher’s machine gun, the tension of Hawkeye’s bowstring, and the powerful punches of Hulk. 

Maximized visuals and performance with PS5, and elevated more with PS5 Pro

As a high-intensity multiplayer competitive game, smoothest performance has always been a top priority during development. Marvel Rivals maintains a stable 60 FPS at 1440p resolutions by utilizing Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen Global Illumination and Chaos Destruction technology. The combination of visuals and performance in Marvel Rivals is sure to deliver dynamic visual effects while you engage in epic superhero battles. For players with higher demands for a competitive experience, Marvel Rivals provides High Frame Rate Mode running at up to 120 FPS. It delivers an ultra-smooth gameplay experience with reduced input latency, enhancing responsiveness and control precision.

Thanks to the powerful GPU capabilities and the new PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology, Marvel Rivals introduces a new Pro Mode on the PS5 Pro. This mode targets a stable 60 FPS and deliver higher 4K resolutions. In addition to Lumen Global Illumination, it also features support Lumen Reflections, offering more immersive and dynamic lighting effects for an enhanced visual experience. PS5 Pro also offers higher resolutions in 120 FPS High Frame Rate Mode. 

PlayStation Plus players, we’ve got something special for you

There’s even more in store for PlayStation Plus users. Ever dreamed of rocking the symbiote’s style on a massive mech? Now you can with a full pack of Venom inspired cosmetics for Peni Parker in her VEN#M suit straight from the com