Welcome to On The Beat, a segment where I try to catch everyone up with news that they might've missed.
Warframe news from PAX East!
If you're not playing Warframe, you should really give it a try. It is one of two free-to-play games that I can highly recommend.
BOSTON – March 30, 2026 – Digital Extremes made the next stop in its world tour to meet players in person at Boston, Massachusetts, to present a live Devstream for PAX East’s Main Theater to reveal new information about both Warframe and Soulframe. Special guests Nick Apostolides (Warframe: 1999, Resident Evil: Requiem) and Rocco Botte (Mega64) joined to compete in special challenges and help decide the next Deluxe Warframe skin with the community in attendance.
Concluding the panel, the development team provided players a close look at the next Prime Warframe, Voruna Prime, arriving on April 8 for all platforms to earn for free or instantly unlock via the Warframe Market, two new deluxe cosmetic Warframe skin designs for Dante and Baruuk, as well as the next entry in the Heirloom cosmetic skin line for Mesa. While the Soulframe team was not able to attend in person, attendees were still gifted a sneaky look at the new Duelo Pact as well as a preview of features to come later this year, like the Wolf Mount.
“Celebrating Warframe’s anniversary at our TennoVIP gatherings and interactive panels like we had today are some of my favorite ways to connect with our players in person,” said Megan Everett, Community Director. “We know how much the community loves these cinematic Prime trailers, and I think the team really raised the bar this year. I’m extremely proud of their hard work and also honored that the Soulframe team trusted us to debut their reveals! We’re so blessed with two incredible communities that always show up for both games and can’t wait to show you what else we have cooking up for the rest of the year."
Major highlights from Digital Extremes’ PAX East Main Theater panel:
- Voruna Prime Access Begins April 8 for Warframe: Crouch down on all fours and pursue prey as Voruna Prime, the wolven queen, making her Prime variant the first fully quadripedal Warframe, compared to the bipedal-only base Voruna.
- Bear down her fangs upon foes to inflict status effects, summon Lycath to assist in the hunt, lock onto enemies for a brutal long-range pounce, as well as gear up with her signature Perigale Prime rifle, Sarofang Prime axe, and Prime cosmetic accessories to make the moon proud.
- Bear down her fangs upon foes to inflict status effects, summon Lycath to assist in the hunt, lock onto enemies for a brutal long-range pounce, as well as gear up with her signature Perigale Prime rifle, Sarofang Prime axe, and Prime cosmetic accessories to make the moon proud.
- Dante and Baruuk Deluxe Cosmetic Skins in Warframe’s Untitled Summer Update: Dante, the master of reality’s pages, and Baruuk, the reluctant warrior, are both set to receive stylish, highly requested new deluxe skins in a future update that was briefly teased at the start of the panel…
- Mesa Heirloom Skin in Warframe: Mesa, the outcast vagabond, will bring gunslinging fashion to new heights with the latest addition to the premier Heirloom cosmetic skin line later this year.
- New Soulframe Gameplay Teasers: PAX East attendees got a closer look at the latest features coming to the ongoing closed Alpha test, Soulframe Preludes, in future updates later this year, including the recently revealed Duelo Pact and eagerly anticipated Wolf Mount.
Last Friday, the Soulframe development team held a new remote Devstream to give players worldwide a glimpse at the latest bundle of content to dive into within Soulframe Preludes. Highlights include:
- The 14th Preludes update will arrive in April for free on PC for those with access to Soulframe Preludes and debut the latest Fable, The Wreck Of Mestra Carmo, inviting players to venture on a narrative quest to seek out rumors of a haunted shipwreck and challenge a long-lost master fencer.
- After completing the Fable, players can forge the Duelo Pact with a new Ancestor, Carmo, to harness the nimble wit of a swashbuckling sailor. Wield the latest one-handed sword, the rapier Navalha, and weave together materials to craft the new Mestra armour set.
- Seek out new sights and stashes in the latest environment, the Fallen Ode Skytower, filled with the new enemies and Agari sub-bosses like Rovgot Wyrm. Seek out a new Siege Encounter mission at Mirifuir Castle, with maniacal magi guarding materials for the latest caster staff or one-handed sword to craft.
- Soulframe’s first Ancestor, Orlick, will be blessed with a new progression system alongside a reworked journal UI to make task tracking easier and clearer. Discover five new Votive side quests at World Tree job boards and master a new combat system loop with Runes’ power activation now tied to fully-charged heavy attacks.
BOXROOM
Next, we look at one of my most anticipated Steam releases. If you like organizing and decorating, this one is for you.
LONDON, March 30th 2025 - Pantaloon has announced BOXROOM; a new game in partnership with Nested Loop Studios, allowing players to design their own game room, populating it with titles from their actual Steam library.
It’s shelf-porn, basically. If you get all hot under the collar arranging all your game boxes and collectibles in an aesthetically pleasing manner, BOXROOM is just that; a home for your game collection.
BOXROOM boots players’ Steam libraries into a space they can then design, arrange and share with friends. Peruse the BoxCo Catalogue and choose from shelves, desks, chairs, cabinets and other furnishings to best display your collection.
Pluck boxes from your newly fitted shelves to inspect a title, and - should the mood take you - boot the game right there and then. Decorate your space with artwork or screenshots from a given game, and reflect your playing tastes right there in the room.
Halloween made an appearance at PAX East
I am super excited for this one. Mostly because I love horror, and Halloween was my first horror movie.
Lakewood, CO – March 30, 2026 – Halloween, the upcoming asymmetrical stealth horror game developed and published IllFonic, co-published Gun Interactive, alongside partners Compass International Pictures and Further Front, had a major impact this past weekend at PAX East, drawing thousands of attendees to experience its first-ever playable demo, attend a highly anticipated panel, and take part in a successful GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title attempt for the “Largest gathering of people dressed as Michael Myers (Halloween franchise).”
Throughout the weekend, eager fans–inspired by the terrifying character from master horror filmmaker John Carpenter’s 1978 film–lined up to get hands-on with the show-exclusive demo, which offered an intense 1v4 multiplayer experience set in the shadowy streets of Haddonfield Heights. Players stepped into the roles of either the relentless Michael Myers or desperate Civilians, navigating a tense, stealth-driven game of survival that faithfully captures the atmosphere of the 1978 classic.
On Saturday, March 28, IllFonic hosted a packed panel exploring how developers and original creators collaborate to build authentic interactive worlds. The discussion featured Malek Akkad and Ryan Freimann of Compass International Pictures, alongside IllFonic’s Jared Gerritzen and Jordan Mathewson, with legendary filmmaker John Carpenter joining virtually. The panel offered fans rare insight into the creative process behind adapting one of horror’s most iconic films into an interactive experience.
Later that afternoon, IllFonic, Trancas International Films, and fans made horror history. In front of the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, 254 attendees dressed as Michael Myers gathered to officially break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest assembly of the iconic slasher. Donning the signature mask, blue jumpsuit, and prop knife, participants united in a chilling tribute that transformed the streets of Boston into a sea of “Shapes,” marking one of the event's most memorable moments.
Halloween launches September 8, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
Sente, the tabletop game, got a public demo!
This is my first time hearing about this game, but the demo was pretty cool, so I wanted to share it!
Swansea, UK (31/03/26) | Curveball Games proudly announces its collaboration with Argentinian developers, Oxobox Game Studios, for their debut title, Sente, a strategic simultaneous turn-based tabletop game that pits up to 6 players against each other in a tactical battle of wits.
Sente is a brainchild 20 years in the making from the masterminds at Oxobox. What started as a pen on paper draft has evolved over the years to become a fully-fledged competitive game. This helped develop the core aspect of the unique simultaneous turns at the heart of Sente.
Learn how to take on the rise of AI machinery in the new Demo available March 31, 2026. Set in the Sente Bar, you’ll meet some of the locals and be introduced to the world of Sente.
Starting March 31, 2026, players will be able to get their hands on a playable demo that walks them through the vital mechanic of the game. Players will familiarise themselves with the rules and identity of what makes Sente, Sente.
You’ll need to think strategically, plan your next move, and anticipate how your opponent will act as each action happens simultaneously.
Setup chain reactions to mislead your opponent to apply the ultimate surprise attack in a complex yet robust grid system.
What’s included:
Tutorials missions to get players familiar with the flow of gameplay.
Player vs AI matches with one or two simultaneous opponents.
Introduction to the Campaign mode and its characters.
The estimated playtime for the demo is 1 hour depending on player skill (and curiosity). However, Player vs AI matches can be completed any number of times, as well as quick matches from the menu.
Sadly, on this occasion, Player vs Player modes will not be enabled. Stay tuned for more news on future multiplayer Player testing waves.
The demo will be split into three opponents, each designed to teach the player something new about Sente.
The TV Teacher (TVT) - The objective here is to destroy the enemy core with a basic board layout of pieces. Basic energy flow, laser positioning, and how actions resolve will show beginner chain reaction moves such as pushes and explosions.
The Claw - Two difficulty modes; Easy is more forgiving, teaches consequences, and allows for recovery. Normal can predict the player’s behaviour better and punish clumsy mistakes forcing the anticipation of moves.
The Challenge-Bot - A more in-depth look in the strategic language of Sente rather than a simple one-on-one. There are 23 hand-crafted puzzles to solve such as “Win in 1 turn”, “Win in X amount of moves” etc. Each puzzle has a fixed board state and focuses on the clarity of movements, rather than difficulty. Hints will be available, however, they will not solve the puzzle for you!
Free League Expands Open Game License Across Five RPGs and Multiple Languages
Free League Publishing announced that it has expanded its third-party open game license program to cover five its five core original RPGs – Dragonbane, Forbidden Lands, Symbaroum, Coriolis: The Great Dark, and Coriolis – The Third Horizon – while also adding support for a wide range of additional languages.
With this update, creators around the world can publish third-party supplements for these games not only in English but also in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Ukrainian, and more.
Originally introduced as a third-party open license for the acclaimed Dragonbane RPG, the program triggered a wave of creator releases worldwide and was later expanded to Coriolis: The Great Dark. Today, it enables community-driven content creation across Free League’s game lines. All five licenses are royalty-free and irrevocable, allowing creators to publish under the terms of the license.
“Roleplaying is a uniquely creative hobby. As publishers of roleplaying games, we know that the real magic happens in the imagination of the players. We can’t wait to see what stories and worlds our great community will create using these licenses,” says Free League co-founder Tomas Härenstam.
Full details and direct links to each license are available here and third-party logos (available in multiple languages) can be found here.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds Lowers The Drawbridge To Dowdun Reach
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is one of the biggest reasons I want to upgrade my PC.
Tuesday, 31st March 2026, Cambridge, UK – Jagex: The RuneScape Company has today launched Dowdun Reach, the latest free major content update to RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Currently in Steam Early Access, the survival crafting game sees solo players or teams of up to four explore the previously undiscovered RuneScape continent of Ashenfall. Dowdun Reach expands the adventure with new gameplay and the introduction of a brand-new region where, at its heart, sits a foreboding, cursed fortress ruled by the Black Knight Titan and his malevolent forces.
The release of Dowdun Reach coincides with all skill level caps rising to 99, ensuring players can continue to grind XP and maximise gains as they explore the fortress’s maze-like structures. In addition to the new region, a brand-new tier of gear and upgrades made of Mithril makes its debut in the update, with rich veins of the metal found throughout the fortress waiting to be mined. Players can craft up to eight different Mithril-based weapons, including a Greataxe and Greatsword, while the hides from the lesser blue dragons found roaming Dowdun Reach can be made into a new set of dragonhide armour. For the more magically inclined, the iconic mystic robes make their RuneScape: Dragonwilds debut.
Today’s update also sees the launch of dedicated servers for RuneScape: Dragonwilds through preferred supplier, Shockbyte. For players taking advantage of this new opportunity, they’ll see support for an increased player count from four to six, enabling them to adventure across Ashenfall with even more friends!
April marks Dragonwilds’ one-year anniversary since it launched into Early Access; to celebrate the milestone, a further update will see the much-anticipated Fishing Skill land in the game, together with new quests, skill spells, decorations, and - of course - fish to catch and cook.
The release of Dowdun Reach follows the successful launch of Dragonwilds’ first major update, Fellhollow, in December 2025. Smaller updates, such as February’s Beyond the Grave, included additional quests and activities for brave explorers to discover, continuing the game’s momentum through Early Access. Future major updates for 2026 include Umbral Sands in late Q2, and Scorned Wilderness, scheduled for late Q3, with additional monthly content throughout the year.
Evercade Nexus handheld console announced by Blaze Entertainment with included BANJO-KAZOOIE Double Pack cartridge
I have been meaning to get into Evercade for a while now.
Here are the clip notes!
- Brand new Evercade handheld for Evercade gaming cartridges
- Ultra bright 5.89” IPS screen - the biggest Evercade handheld screen yet
- Dual analogue sticks, wireless headphone support, and the new EverSync local multiplayer function
- Comes with the new BANJO-KAZOOIE Double Pack physical cartridge in the box with BANJO-KAZOOIE and BANJO-TOOIE on one physical cart
- Available October 2026, pre-orders open April 1st
- Price: £169.99 | $199.99 | €199.99
- Also Available: Evercade Nexus 64 Edition, exclusive to Funstock.co.uk and Funstock USA - limited to 2000 units
- Price: £189.99 | $229.99 | €229.99. Pre-orders open now
LETCHWORTH, UK: Blaze Entertainment is proud to announce the Evercade Nexus, the newest retro gaming handheld console from Evercade. Evercade continues to champion physical cartridges as the medium to relive the classic gaming experience, bringing more top-quality names to the ever-growing ecosystem with Rare’s Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie included.
The latest iteration of the Evercade gaming experience draws on the feedback of Evercade fans and the demands of gaming in the current age, while also keeping the simplicity and ease of use that Evercade provides, and the continuing commitment to the nostalgia and experience of using and collecting physical cartridge media. The Evercade Nexus is built to play with an ultra-bright 5.89” screen, the biggest ever screen on an Evercade, with a peak brightness of over 500nits. The new, larger design allows for dual analogue sticks, giving Evercade players the full experience of 64 and 32-bit games, and helping recreate the feel of arcade-style gaming in your hands. All of this in a new larger form factor that is still light and comfortable to use and travel with, and a sleek new look with a black colour scheme and a customisable RGB light-up logo.
At the centre of this new console is the heart of Evercade - the physical cartridge slot. Giving best-in-class emulation from over five decades of gaming, all presented in real physical gaming cartridges. Each one is a window into the best of gaming. It can highlight the works of a publisher like ACTIVISION, TAITO or RARE. Or the history of a franchise like TOMB RAIDER, DUKE NUKEM, or LEGACY OF KAIN. Or it can be a way to discover hidden gems and new modern-retro indie titles. No downloads or wait times, just physical ownership, a full colour manual, and collectability with over 80 cartridges and 700+ games released since Evercade’s launch in 2020. All playable with the Evercade Nexus. Included with the Evercade Nexus is a brand new cartridge - The BANJO-KAZOOIE Double Pack: a new collection featuring RARE’s 64-bit classic titles BANJO-KAZOOIE and BANJO-TOOIE.
Both games have been customised especially for Evercade fans, delivering a premium experience with all the authenticity and playability of the originally released titles, but with performance and graphical improvements. Including full widescreen support, an overhauled camera with twin-stick support, support for non-analogue controls, unlockable content, and more! The cartridge is included in the box along with a full colour manual. The console is not only a brand new evolution in the Evercade ecosystem, but also an incredible starting point for new players, with many features that take the Evercade experience to the next level.
The new forward-facing dual stereo speakers provide high-quality audio, and wireless headphone support allows you to game on the go or at home cable-free. The new design is built with comfort in mind, with a new rear textured grip that makes the console comfortable to hold for long periods, and it has over 5 hours of battery life.
With Evercade Nexus, local multiplayer gaming on handheld is now possible thanks to EverSync! This new feature will allow players to share their game wirelessly to another Evercade Nexus console so both players can play the same game at the same time on their own screen. This new feature connects directly from console to console, and does not need WiFi or an internet connection. Only one game cartridge is required as well, meaning players can share their game even if the other player doesn’t own that particular cartridge.Many features return from previous Evercade devices, including TATE Mode, which allows for vertical screen orientation for authentic arcade gameplay, a custom user interface with full display ratio and scanline options, the Evercade library to track cartridge ownership, and wireless updates, including bonus features like the Indie Heroes Game of the Month. Combined with USB-C charging, our critically acclaimed D-Pad and responsive controls, this makes Evecade Nexus the ultimate Evercade experience.
