How John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando came to life, out March 12 https://ift.tt/wI3nXzg
Hey, everyone! We’re excited to finally share a gameplay overview for Toxic Commando and announce that the game launches on March 12. We’ve been working hard on this one, and we can’t wait for you to get your hands on it.
For those just catching up, Toxic Commando is our take on the co-op shooter genre, blending intense horde combat with vehicle-based gameplay in open environments. We wanted to give you a deeper look at how this project came together and what makes it tick.
From concept to chaos
The whole thing started with a pitch from Saber Interactive’s CEO, Matt Karch: World War Z meets Mudrunner. Picture enormous hordes of enemies swarming players who need to use a variety of vehicles to survive. We thought it was a cool concept that played to our strengths at Saber, so we dove into research and prototyping. What emerged was something we’re really proud of—a unique blend of vehicle-based gameplay in open environments combined with action-packed fights against massive enemy hordes.
Striking the balance: Wheels vs. boots
One question we get a lot is how we balanced the driving and FPS aspects. The answer? We didn’t want to force you into one playstyle or the other. Our game design encourages exploration, and it’s up to you how much you want to lean on vehicles to tackle missions. There are obvious benefits to driving—mobility, protection, mounted weapons—but we never want you to feel locked behind the wheel.
Our goal was simple: make vehicles fun and beneficial for players who want to use them, then let you decide how much time you spend driving versus on foot. Both approaches should feel viable and, most importantly, fun to play.
Co-op that puts strategy in your hands
Most missions in Toxic Commando are nonlinear. You’ll have multiple subobjectives that can be completed in any order, which means you and your squad can choose to stick together or split up to tackle objectives in parallel. The choice is yours.
Each playthrough also shakes things up with different vehicle spawns and class/loadout selections, so you’ll need to communicate with your team and plan accordingly to create good synergy. We wanted to encourage real player coordination and strategic thinking, adding a fresh layer to the classic co-op shooter experience.
Building a world that feels real (and ridiculous)
When it came to crafting the lore and universe of Toxic Commando, we had a few guiding principles. First, we wanted a world that felt recognizable but was set in the near future—just advanced enough to have some cool tech without feeling like a massive leap from our own reality.
Second, we wanted our characters to be aware of the tropes they’re living through. They’re in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, dealing with completely over-the-top situations that are both terrifying and—let’s be honest—a bit ridiculous. We lean into that with the dialogue and scenarios, which create some really memorable interactions.
But here’s the thing: while we embrace comedic elements and want players to have a blast, we’re not interested in making fun of the games and movies that inspired us. We approach this with earnestness because we genuinely love this stuff.
Our love letter to ’80s action horror
Speaking of influences, we drew heavily from ’80s films and television. The path to John Carpenter was a natural one: which great director or movies fit into that kind of sphere? John Carpenter’s Escape from New York is probably the most obvious reference, but you’ll also find DNA from Big Trouble in Little China, The Thing, They Live, and Prince of Darkness woven throughout. John Carpenter’s involvement went beyond guidance, feedback, and direction on the story—he also composed Toxic Commando’s music. The team also looked at Dan O’Bannon’s Return of the Living Dead, Lamberto Bava’s Demons, Stuart Gordon’s Re-Animator, and even a bit of The A-Team.
What we love about those properties is the big energy and bombastic tone. It wasn’t about copying specific set pieces or scenes—it was about capturing that feeling. There’s a lack of self-consciousness in a lot of late ’70s to early ’90s action and action-horror cinema that we really appreciated. Those characters aren’t winking at the camera; they’re in over their heads and rolling with it. Our characters know what zombies are, but when faced with a horde, they’re not stopping to break the fourth wall or crack wise about clichés—they’re fighting for survival.
The past fifty years of cinema have given us wonderful examples of ragtag groups of underdog heroes—from Star Wars to Goonies to Guardians of the Galaxy—alongside true masterpieces of horror. We wanted to blend those ideas: what happens when you drop a bickering found family of action-adventure heroes into a horror movie? That’s the core of what we’re exploring with Toxic Commando.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is scheduled to be released on March 12. We can’t wait for you to experience this new co-op zombie shooter with a vehicle twist. Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you out there!
PlayStation Store: January 2026’s top downloads https://ift.tt/RcCfM51
It’s time to see which PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play games topped last month’s download charts. January saw players continue to scavenge, fight, and extract in Arc Raiders, which topped the US PS5 charts, while players in the EU prepared for the World Cup with EA Sports FC 26. The new fighter 2XKO debuted in the top three on the free-to-play charts.
Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month?
PS5 Games
US/Canada
EU
ARC Raiders
EA SPORTS FC 26
Grand Theft Auto V
ARC Raiders
NBA 2K26
Grand Theft Auto V
Minecraft
UFC 5
EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26
Minecraft
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Forza Horizon 5
EA SPORTS FC 26
It Takes Two
UFC 5
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Forza Horizon 5
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Hogwarts Legacy
Battlefield 6
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Fallout 4
Among Us
EA SPORTS College Football 26
NBA 2K26
Among Us
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
It Takes Two
Battlefield 6
NHL 26
Fallout 4
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Hogwarts Legacy
The Crew Motorfest
Ghost of Yōtei
Split Fiction
Mortal Kombat 1
ARK: Survival Ascended
*Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included
PS4 Games
US/Canada
EU
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
EA Sports FC 26
Minecraft
A Way Out
Batman: Arkham Knight
Minecraft
STAR WARS Battlefront II
Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V
Batman: Arkham Knight
Gang Beasts
The Forest
Mortal Kombat X
Unravel Two
God of War
God of War
A Way Out
Need for Speed Heat
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
STAR WARS Battlefront II
The Forest
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
Need for Speed Heat
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
theHunter: Call of the Wild
Hogwarts Legacy
Fallout 76
Gang Beasts
God of War III Remastered
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Call of Duty: WWII
theHunter: Call of the Wild
Cuphead
Mortal Kombat X
Bloodborne
Firewatch
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
*Naming of products may differ between regions
PS VR2 Games*
US/Canada
EU
Beat Saber
Job Simulator
Job Simulator
Beat Saber
Among Us 3D: VR
Among Us 3D: VR
Alien: Rogue Incursion VR
Metro Awakening
Arizona Sunshine Remake
Alien: Rogue Incursion VR
Metro Awakening
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Swordsman VR
Arizona Sunshine Remake
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
Flight Simulator Delivery 2025 VR
Arizona Sunshine 2
Swordsman VR
Pavlov
Pavlov
*PlayStation Store purchases only. Game upgrades or games bundled with hardware not included
MLB The Show 26 gameplay revealed https://ift.tt/iO1mz7N
MLB The Show fans, the time is here. San Diego Studio couldn’t be more excited to share all of the new updates we have in store for MLB The Show 26. This year, we’re giving you more control, deeper immersion, and more action on and off the field.
Road to The Show: More to the journey
This year, Road To The Show builds on what you loved in ‘25, creating an even more immersive experience. We’ve:
Expanded the amateur experience to add more realism to your story on the way to The Show
Added 11 additional college teams for a total of 19 schools including: University of Arkansas, University of Florida, Stanford University and University of Michigan
Brought in the (CWS) officially licensed NCAA Men’s College World Series format and bracket
Introduced new goals that keep you pushing to progress throughout your career
We’re also proud to announce, Road To The Show: Road to Cooperstown. Start from high school, build your legacy, and see if you can make it all the way to the Hall of Fame in this all-new feature in Road To The Show. Are you up for the challenge?
Diamond Dynasty*: All new ways to compete including The World Baseball Classic
Diamond Dynasty is back and better than ever with new ways to play. Be sure to check out:
The World Baseball Classic content returns to DD, now featuring WBC ballparks including the Tokyo Dome and Estadio Hiram Bithorn.
Mini-seasons overhaul
New rewards, programs, and collections
More live-service updates for exciting challenges and experiences
Storylines*: Negro Leagues Season 4
The award-winning game mode returns with all-new legends, uniforms, and a new stadium to celebrate the stories of some of the most impactful, yet largely unknown, ballplayers in history.
Franchise: More realism and control
Franchise mode has some exciting updates that put you in position to build a dynasty:
New Trade Experience incorporating a new Trade Logic System featuring the comprehensive Trade HUB.
Modernized logic including lineup, starting pitcher rotation, and bullpen games to reflect current MLB trends.
A more approachable Franchise experience that lets you tailor your desired level of control & gameplay to get through more seasons.
New gameplay updates in ShowTech for the most authentic on-field baseball experience
Gameplay is the bread and butter of the MLB The Show franchise and this year we’re aiming to continue that tradition by adding new features and refining the game experience.
Here’s what’s new in ‘26:
Big Zone hitting is a new batting interface for players of all skill levels
Play at three new stadiums including: The Tokyo Dome, Estadio Hiram Bithorn, and Terrapin Park
Bear Down Pitching gives you more control in the clutch situations
Hits per 9 innings and strikeouts per 9 innings attribute splits and pitch repertoire usage rate
Reaction rating attributes for fielders (left, right, forward, and back)
Catcher Pop Time attribute
Plate Coverage Indicator sensitivity slider for more control over your PCI
Added over 500 new gameplay animations
Re-captured all knee down catcher animations which includes throws, blocked balls, wild pitches and more
Stay tuned for what’s next
Coming up: Fielding Feedback 2.0 returns with updates on all things MLB The Show 26. Plus, we’ll be announcing more feature premieres in the coming weeks including a deep dive into what’s new in Road To The Show.
Sign up for Scouting Report
Sign up for the MLB The Show Scouting Report — it’s the best way to stay updated on the latest news on MLB The Show 26. Plus, when you do, you’ll unlock a monthly scouting report pack. It all starts in April 2026, so sign up today on TheShow.com!
Pre-order MLB The Show 26 now
Get ready to leave your mark. Pre-orders are open now and MLB The Show 26 launches on March 17, with early access starting on March 13 for the Digital Deluxe Edition.
Pre-order loyalty discount for previous MLB The Show owners
We are also happy to announce a new loyalty discount**. You will receive 10% off your Digital Deluxe Edition pre-order if you have purchased any digital version of MLB The Show that’s been released since MLB The Show 21. Note that this pre-loyalty offer will be live soon after pre-orders open.
Now & Later Packs are back
Earn your packs in the XP Path and Now & Later Program in ‘25 and get vouchers that will automatically be redeemed* into The Show Packs when logging into MLB The Show 26 with the same account you used in ‘25. The Now & Later Program goes live at 12 pm PST today and you can score up to 12 additional packs. Plus, get a Carlos Beltrán player item to use in MLB The Show 25 and a different Carlos Beltrán player item in ‘26.
Stay updated for what’s on deck
There’s a lot more excitement ahead between now and launch. In the meantime, sign up for The Scouting Report, and be sure to follow us on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
*Internet connection required. **Discount reflected in cart. Must be signed into your account. Only applies to same platform purchases. For Nintendo Switch, since MLB The Show 22
(For Southeast Asia) PlayStation Launches ‘Love of Play’ Campaign with KIM CHAEWON from LE SSERAFIM https://ift.tt/iO1mz7N
PlayStation is kicking off 2026 with a special collaboration, a New Year “Love of Play” campaign that brings unforgettable moments to life, featuring KIM CHAEWON from K-pop idol group, LE SSERAFIM.
No matter how you choose to celebrate the New Year Holiday, whether it’s enjoying personal time, sharing moments with friends, or creating memories with family, PlayStation is here to make every experience extraordinary.
This campaign unfolds through 4 episodes: Family, Friends, Sisters, and Solo. Today, we’re excited to release the very first episode: Family.
The remaining 3 episodes will be released accordingly: Friends – Feb 4, Sisters – Feb 5 and Solo – Feb 6
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Thanks to the outstanding presence of KIM CHAEWON from LE SSERAFIM, this campaign truly shone through.
We’ve captured the vibrant atmosphere of the set and her candid thoughts, offering fans a fresh and authentic glimpse of her personality, along with some exciting news—all in one place. First, let’s watch the behind-the-scenes interview video on the official YouTube channel!
Here’s our exclusive interview with KIM CHAEWON:
Q. Do you remember the first game you ever played on PlayStation?
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“My very first console game was Stray on PS5! It’s a game where an adorable cat is the main character. The storyline is refreshing, and I loved the overall vibe and puzzle elements. The cat’s movements were so realistic that I felt like I had actually become a cat while playing.”
Q. Today you got to try out many DualSense controller colors. Which color is your favorite?
“I had no idea there were so many color options! Seeing and holding each one during the shoot, I thought they were all cool.”
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“I can’t recall the exact name, but there was a purple shade with a subtle blue tint (Chroma Indigo)—it looked so elegant and stylish. Personally, though, I liked the black one (Midnight Black) the most. Its sleek vibe is totally my style.”
Q. What’s the most fun PlayStation game you’ve played so far?
“I’d say Astro Bot, which I played during today’s shoot! It’s probably the most fun game I’ve tried so far. The character is adorable, and I thought, Wow, this is the true charm of PlayStation.”
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“The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller blended perfectly with the gameplay, making the tactile experience unforgettable. I can’t wait to try more PlayStation games in the future.”
To stand a chance to win a DualSense wireless controller signed by KIM CHAEWON, look out for our social campaigns on PlayStation Asia IG channels
For details on the Festive New Year Sale and our exciting Wiggle Wiggle partnership, please visit the PS blog here
And one last thing! Don’t miss KIM CHAEWON’s upcoming videos filled with her charm: “Unstoppable Play!” will be released on February 5, and the exciting “Balance Game” will follow on February 11, both on the official PlayStation official IG, FB channel.
Players’ Choice: Vote for January 2026’s best new game https://ift.tt/LKANWCO
Can you believe the first month of 2026 is already over? Some notable new releases in January included Arknights: Endfield, BrokenLore: Unfollow, and Cairn. Which game was your favorite?
How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog.
What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll.
Last week, we asked you to speed things up and share your quickest moments using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here’s are this week’s highlights:
natazz1011shares a moment zooming towards a planet in No Man’s Sky.
call_me_xaviishares Atsu riding alongside a galloping group of horses in Ghost of Yōtei.
KeenEyeVPshares a BMW against a rainbow blur of a street in Gran Turismo 7.
FranTGPshares Aloy hooking herself to a flying Sunwing in Horizon Forbidden West.
parmindernanglashares a speeding Ford GT in Forza Horizon 5.
reins62831shares a scurrying badger in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: Rustic
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on February 4, 2026
Next week, we’re slowing things down to enjoy the simple life. Share rustic moments from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
PlayStation Blog: When did development start, and how was the project greenlit?
Development began on a small scale six years ago, but it really took shape in its current form about three years ago. Ethan’s storyline concluded with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and the eighth mainline entry, Resident Evil Village. While both Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village were very well-received, they veered away from the main storyline leading up to Resident Evil 6. So, we decided it was time to steer the story back on track, and that’s how the development of this title started.
“Leon’s back in Raccoon City – the place where his bioterror nightmare began and caused his early struggles and losses.”
The demo threw us right into the game, so the story felt a little abrupt. Will the final product be accessible for players who haven’t played the earlier entries?
The game is designed to be welcoming to complete newcomers who don’t know anything about the Raccoon City Incident or haven’t played any Resident Evil titles before. While series fans will instantly recognize Leon, Grace is a brand-new character who’s never faced a zombie and only knows about the Raccoon City Incident through her mother’s involvement. New players can dive into their first Resident Evil adventure right alongside Grace.
This marks Leon’s first mainline return since Resident Evil 6, at which point he was a little over 30 years old. Exploring his character development is one of the central themes of this game. He’s back in Raccoon City – the place where his bioterror nightmare began and caused his early struggles and losses. Throughout the game, players will witness how the battle-hardened Leon feels and what he reflects on after all these years.
Did you explore any new approaches to horror in this game?
A big focus for us was reinventing the zombies. Zombies are so ubiquitous in games now that their weaknesses and behaviors have become predictable; for instance they’re typically weak to headshots. However, that familiarity kills the fear and tension. Zombies in this game retain some traces of human intelligence and instincts. Some obsessively repeat bizarre human behaviors, while others pick up weapons dropped by other enemies to attack. We wanted to transform zombies into threats that consistently defy player expectations and keep them on edge.
“Overall, this game may be scarier than Resident Evil Village, but it alternates between tension and relief, so it isn’t a continuous, suffocating experience.”
Many players found Resident Evil 7 intensely frightening, leading you to dial things back in Resident Evil Village. Where would you place Resident Evil Requiem on the terror scale?
Yes, some players found it hard to finish Resident Evil 7, so we toned down the horror a bit in Resident Evil Village. In Resident Evil Requiem, however, Leon’s segments lean more into satisfying action, which allowed us to really push the horror in Grace’s sections. Leon’s parts are still spooky, of course, but I’d say they’re more exhilarating than purely horrifying. Overall, this game may be scarier than Resident Evil Village, but it alternates between tension and relief, so it isn’t a continuous, suffocating experience.
The demo took place within a dubious sanatorium. Will the full game open up to more areas?
As you’ve seen in trailers, the game eventually takes you to present-day Raccoon City. Resident Evil games often switch up locations as you go, and Resident Evil Requiem does the same. Also, in the demo, Grace and Leon’s sections both took place in the same sanatorium, but their stories branch out to different spots later on.
“If you switch from Grace to Leon in the same location, any enemies Grace took down stay dead for Leon, and the same goes for items on the ground.”
Do one protagonist’s actions impact the other’s?
Yes, for example, if you switch from Grace to Leon in the same location, any enemies Grace took down stay dead for Leon, and the same goes for items on the ground. However, it’s tough for Grace – who’s always short on ammo – to wipe out all the enemies. Using Leon to take down enemies that Grace fled from is one of this game’s highlights.
With that in mind, it’ll be fun to strategize and maximize efficiency during subsequent playthroughs.
Exactly. The more you play, the more you discover how actions in one part affect the other, so it creates a different kind of replay value compared to previous games in the series.
Grace could collect antique coins, whereas Leon found them unnecessary and would not pick any up. Is the upgrade system using antique coins exclusive to Grace?
Antique coin upgrades in the sanatorium are exclusive to Grace, so Leon can’t pick any up. There are still traditional upgrades available for Leon, like weapon enhancements and modifications. The demo emphasized Leon’s action-packed gameplay, but as the game progresses, even he will face uphill battles. Properly upgrading Leon will become crucial too.
You were able to crouch and evade attacks as Leon in the Resident Evil 4 remake. Can you do that in this game too?
Absolutely. Try crouching when an enemy sweeps at you from above. This tactic works for both Leon and Grace, although Grace tends to lean more on survival and items rather than direct combat.
“This time, we came up with the ‘chainsaws for everybody’ concept, which was a fresh take that unlocked a lot of creative possibilities.”
Were there any specific scenes or moments in the demo that your team put particular effort into?
Near the start of Leon’s section, you encounter a chainsaw-revving zombie doctor. Chainsaws are an iconic Resident Evil weapon, and with so many variations across past games, we always challenge ourselves to innovate. This time, we came up with the “chainsaws for everybody” concept, which was a fresh take that unlocked a lot of creative possibilities. For example, if a weaker nurse zombie swings a chainsaw, it’ll slip from her grip and go flying. The team put a lot of care into those kinds of details.
“We added third-person support with the Village DLC, and some players were finally able to play comfortably. That inspired us to offer the choice from the start, and our experience working on the DLC made it a pretty smooth integration.”
Why did you add the option to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives? Were there any challenges or discoveries that your team encountered during the development of the two viewpoints?
As you know, mainline Resident Evil titles were in third-person from Resident Evil 4 through 6, then shifted to first-person in Resident Evil 7 and Village. However, some players struggled playing in first-person. We added third-person support with the Village DLC, and some players were finally able to play comfortably. That inspired us to offer the choice from the start, and our experience working on the DLC made it a pretty smooth integration.
We recognized that some players found first-person mode too frightening but could still enjoy the game in third-person. That said, seeing Grace panic on-screen caught some players off guard and startled them unexpectedly, which was a nice surprise.
In first-person view, you can see Leon’s and Grace’s hands when aiming a gun, and their responses are clearly different. Grace’s hands shake because she’s not used to combat, and the recoil hits her harder, too. We encourage players to try a different perspective in subsequent playthroughs.
“Adaptive triggers dynamically adjust trigger resistance depending on the weapon, while gun reloads trigger vibrations and audio from the controller’s microphone.”
Previous games in the series, such as Resident Evil Village and the 2023 remake of Resident Evil 4, were available on both PS5 and PS4. This title, however, is a PS5 exclusive. Did any PS5 features, including the DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, contribute to the game’s performance and immersion?
Resident Evil thrives on evoking genuine terror, so we harnessed PS5 features to amplify the horror elements. For example, during a zombie attack, haptic feedback simulates the zombie’s grip and bite on your arm through the controller.
Adaptive triggers dynamically adjust trigger resistance depending on the weapon, while gun reloads trigger vibrations and audio from the controller’s microphone. In puzzles requiring players to rotate a box filled with gems, we simulated the clattering of gems through vibrations and controller audio to deepen the game’s realism and immersion.
3D audio’s immersive soundscape is crucial for pushing the boundaries of horror games. What techniques does this game implement to amplify terror through sound design?
This game’s ambient sounds are captured across 12 channels, including vertical positioning. Unlike simple mono or stereo IR waveforms, this approach offers far superior spatial reverb, creating an unprecedented sense of presence.
Are there any PS5 Pro enhancements?
On PS5 Pro, ray tracing can be turned on or off. With it enabled, players can enjoy the game in 4K at 60fps with full ray tracing. Disabled, it supports up to 120fps (averaging 90fps) on high-refresh-rate monitors. We spent a lot of time on optimization.
