Mojang Studios and Merlin Entertainment are collaborating to create a theme park called Minecraft World, set to open in 2027 at Chessington World of Adventures in Greater London. The project will require an investment of £50 million and will feature a Minecraft-themed roller coaster, retail and dining options, and various attractions inspired by the game. The park's design will involve collaboration with notable Minecraft creators, though specific details about them have not been revealed. Minecraft World will be the first official video game theme park in the UK.
Konami has introduced a new multiplayer party royale soccer game called KICK BUDS, which is available for playtesting from today until March 25 in select countries.
Google is updating its Gemini-powered home assistant to enhance user experience by providing concise responses and executing common commands up to 40% faster. Users will now receive straightforward confirmations for actions like setting alarms. The assistant can set timers based on real-world events and chain multiple commands while providing updates on timers. Gemini now supports 30 languages, enabling real-time translation for smoother conversations. The Google Home app includes new automation tools for triggering actions based on conditions and creating personalized routines. New AI features like “Help me create” and “Ask Home” simplify automation processes. Google is expanding access to these features to 14 additional countries, including Canada, which now has full support. Some features require a Google Home Premium subscription, and users may experience delays in receiving updates.
- Major publishers are interested in a new market for games
- Google settlement helps on Android, but there is still friction with iOS
- Epic is rolling out a social framework to connect PC, Android, and iOS store apps
- Epic plans to deliver social and cross-platform features like text chat, player profiles, and private messaging
- Voice chat will be added in June
- Available Today:
- DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 17
- South of Midnight (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) – March 18
- The Alters (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 18
- Disco Elysium (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 19
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) – March 24
- Absolum (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 25
- Nova Roma (Game Preview) (PC) – March 26
- The Long Dark (Cloud, Console, PC) – March 30
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (Cloud, Console, PC) – March 31
- Barbie Horse Trails (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) – April 2
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC) – April 2
- Final Fantasy IV (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – April 7
- In Case You Missed It:
- Minishoot’ Adventures (Console, Cloud, Handheld, PC) – March 3
- Game Updates:
- Valorant (PC, Console) – March 18
- Sea of Thieves: Season 19 (Console, PC) – March 19
- In-Game Benefits:
- Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 (Console) – Available now
- Skate. (Console, Game Pass Ultimate only) – Available now
- Leaving March 31:
- Peppa Pig World Adventures (Cloud, Console, PC)
- Mad Streets (Cloud, Console, PC)
A new game for iOS and Android in The Witch and the Hundred Knight series is being developed by Nippon Ichi Software and Rudel, set to launch within fiscal year 2026 in Japan.
Meta has introduced new anti-scam tools across WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook, following the removal of 159 million scam ads and 10.9 million accounts linked to criminal networks last year. A feature is being tested on Facebook to flag suspicious friend or follow requests based on mutual connections, country of origin, and account age. WhatsApp is enhancing security against device linking fraud by issuing warnings for suspicious linking requests. Messenger is expanding its scam detection to more countries, flagging messages from unknown contacts that exhibit scam patterns, with an option for users to submit flagged messages for secondary review. Meta aims for 90% of its ad revenue to come from verified advertisers by 2026 and has disabled over 150,000 scam-related accounts during a joint operation with the Royal Thai Police, leading to 21 arrests. Additionally, Meta has partnered with the US Department of State for a campaign addressing trafficked workers coerced into scam operations in Southeast Asia. These measures address increasing scrutiny over scam advertising, as a Reuters investigation highlighted that Meta generated significant revenue from scam-related ads.
Wikigacha is a browser-based card battler game that transforms Wikipedia articles into collectible cards. Players receive a free pack every minute, with cards categorized into seven rarity tiers based on their WikiRank. The game features a sortable database for collections and includes autobattler modes, allowing one-on-one matches or five-card deck competitions. A daily Raid Battle challenges players against a boss card, with each card usable once every 24 hours. The game was developed by a single Japanese developer known as 'harusugi' and has gained popularity in Japan, expanding its player base through social media. Players are drawn to the randomness of card pulls and the excitement of collecting, including special gold packs that guarantee at least one blue 'super rare' card.
