The studio announced the same in an update on Twitter, saying, “Like many others in the games industry right now, Deck Nine has been affected by the game industry’s worsening market conditions. Today we made the difficult decision to lay off 20% of our staff. These people are amazing, talented, and awesome developers. They have made a huge impact during their time at Deck Nine Games and we did not take this decision lightly.”

Interestingly, Stephan Frost, game director at Deck Nine Games, revealed on Twitter that the studio’s leadership also took pay cuts to minimize layoffs as much as possible. “Leadership took pay cuts to keep the number down as much as possible,” he wrote. “This is the strongest team Deck Nine has ever been and it absolutely sucks that the industry is in the state that it is presently.”

Deck Nine is best known for its 2021 title Life is Strange: True Colors, prior to which it also developed 2017’s Life is Strange: Before the Storm. Last year, the studio released The Expanse: A Telltale Series, which it co-developed with Telltale Games (which also suffered layoffs last year).

This is the second time Deck Nine has been hit with layoffs in less than a year, with an undisclosed number of employees also having been laid off in May of last year.

Two months in, 2024 has already been a brutal year for the games industry, with widespread layoffs having resulted in thousands of job cuts, already eclipsing 2023’s already-devastating numbers.

Most recently, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that it was laying off about 900 people, with studios like Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, Guerrilla, and Firesprite set to be impacted. Meanwhile, SIE London Studio is being closed down entirely, while a number of first-party PlayStation titles have also been cancelled, including (according to reports) the rumoured Twisted Metal reboot. Guerrilla’s multiplayer Horizon game seems to have survived the culling though.

pic.twitter.com/rEVSYzwLQp

— Deck Nine Games (@DeckNineGames) February 27, 2024

Deck Nine had a layoff today. Leadership took paycuts to keep the number down as much as possible. This is the strongest team D9 has ever been and it absolutely sucks that the industry is in the state that it is presently.

— Frost (@StephanFrost) February 27, 2024

Like other Telltale Games’ titles, The Expanse presents various moral decisions that can lead to long-running consequences. It also implements new movement options, like Zero-G navigation with thrusters and mag boots to walk on walls, and much more. Spread across five episodes, HowLongToBeat estimates it lasts six hours if you’re sticking to the story and about 11.5 hours when completing everything.

A new bonus episode, Archangel, is available for those who beat the base game and own the Deluxe Edition. It focuses on Chrisjen Avasarala (played by Shohreh Aghdashloo), the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who must deal with an upcoming vote while managing her family and a threat to the planet’s security.

Based on the sci-fi series, the episodic adventure focuses on Camina Drummer of the Artemis, which traverses the Belt in search of scavenging opportunities. Players will explore shipwrecks in Zero-G settings, walk outside ships in space and interact with their crew members, making decisions that can influence the plot’s direction.

Of course, given how brutal the universe can be, some choices have rougher consequences than others. There are five episodes and a bonus episode, “Archangel“, focuses on Chrisjen Avasarala, who balances diplomacy and inner conflict with an imminent threat and a decisive UN vote.

Stay tuned for more details when The Expanse: A Telltale Series launches on Steam. Along with PC via the Epic Games Store, it’s also available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Oye, beltalowdas! #TheExpanse: A #Telltale Series is coming to Steam on November 20th! Add it to your wishlist now, and we'll see you in the Belt very soon. https://t.co/b8xKSYo8rj#ScreamingFirehawks pic.twitter.com/KgjSL0KQ6l

— Telltale (@telltalegames) November 6, 2023

At launch, The Expanse: A Telltale Series was available on PC exclusively via the Epic Games Store, but it seems it will soon be headed to Steam as well. Though the same hasn’t been formally announced by Telltale yet, a Steam page for the game has gone live. There’s no word on when exactly it will launch for Steam, with the page only stating that it’s “coming soon”.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It will be receiving a bonus episode focusing on Chrisjen Avasarala this Fall.

It was Telltale’s first release since its revival, but though the studio is also working on the long-awaited The Wolf Among Us 2, the sequel seems to have run into significant roadblocks behind-the-scenes. Telltale Games was recently hit with layoffs, and though the studio has assured that development on The Wolf Among Us 2 is continuing, reports have suggested that most of the title’s development team was let go as part of the layoffs.

Episode 5 marks the conclusion of the narrative adventure title and goes live on September 21st, with release timings varying based on one’s region and platform. The real question: When can Deluxe Edition owners expect Archangel? The bonus episode is coming this Fall and focuses on UN Secretary-General and Earth government head Chrisjen Avasarala, who juggles family drama and political opposition.

Stay tuned for more details in the coming months. Developed by Telltale Games and Deck Nine Games, The Expanse: A Telltale Series is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC via the Epic Games Store.

What is changing is the release timings for each episode across different storefronts. The team said this was to “accommodate some backend concerns” and apologized for those receiving it a few hours later than previously claimed. PC and Xbox players can access each episode on their specified dates at 12 AM PT/8 AM BST, with the latter going to “Manage Games and Add-ons” in the Game Card to access them.

PlayStation players can access the episodes at midnight local time worldwide and must go to the PlayStation Store, then “Add-on” to download any new ones. Pre-orders are available one day early for each episode at the same time. The bonus episode, Archangel, doesn’t have a release date but is still coming this Fall for Deluxe Edition owners.

As a prequel to the show, the episode sees the crew facing off against some pirates. In the middle of this, they must gather supplies and escape safely, which is easier said than done. Every choice the player makes could have consequences for the present and future.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC via the Epic Games Store. Three more episodes will launch bi-weekly, so stay tuned for further updates. A bonus episode, Archangel, is also out this Fall for Deluxe Edition owners.

As a prequel to the TV series, The Expanse: A Telltale Series focuses on Camina Drummer, executive officer aboard the Artemis. While traversing The Belt and taking on different scavenging jobs, Drummer has to manage her crew and make decisions to ensure their survival. The story can branch depending on your decisions, with potentially different endings.

Though this is only the first episode, additional episodes will release every two weeks. There will also be a bonus episode, Archangel, which launches this Fall for Deluxe Edition owners. It features UN Secretary-General Chrisjen Avasarala as the protagonist as she attempts to maintain order on Earth while dealing with her issues.

Telltale has announced that a bonus episode, The Expanse: A Telltale Series – Archangel, will launch for the narrative adventure title this Fall. Focusing on Chrisjen Avasarala, Secretary-General of the UN and the head of the Earth government, the episode will see her “navigating threats to Earth and political opponents seeking to take her down, all while managing family drama on a day that will change her life forever.” Check out the trailer below.

Archangel will be accessible to those who purchase the game’s deluxe edition.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series’ first episode is set to launch on July 27 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC, with the remaining four episodes releasing in two-week intervals after that.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie

While many may see this as yet another Trails title in the long-running series, for many, it’s the conclusion of a journey that ended somewhat abruptly in 2020. The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie takes place after the events of Cold Steel 4 and sees Erebonia at peace. However, trouble begins to stir once more. This time, there are three different character paths to pursue. Lloyd Bannings and the Special Support Section seek to protect Crossbell; Rean Schwarzer and Class VII deal with the aftermath of the Great Twilight; and a mysterious individual named C butts heads with both.

Players can switch between each protagonist with the Crossroads system and venture into the True Reverie Corridor, a randomly generated dungeon with its own side content, characters, and events. Even if the wait for the next entry is long, fans can finally see the Erebonian saga come to a close when The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie launches on July 7th for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals

Oxenfree fans can finally continue the mind-bending journey that began in 2016. Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is set five years later and sees protagonist Riley returning to her hometown. Mysterious events are occurring again, thanks to strange electromagnetic waves, and she’s determined to find the cause. Once again, conversations play out in real time, and your choices influence the story’s direction, the bonds forged, and Riley’s personality.

You can use the new walkie-talkie to speak to (or ignore) the locals and maybe learn more about the mysterious Parentage. Space-time travel, bigger stakes and more await as everything rests on your shoulders. Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals launches on July 12th for PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android, and we can’t wait to see what twists await.

Exoprimal

There have probably been enough jokes about someone at Capcom thinking, “But what if Horde mode Dino Crisis with power suits?” Nevertheless, Exoprimal looks very interesting. Set in 2040, where outbreaks of thousands of dinosaurs occur constantly, players join a squad of exosuit pilots to stem the tide. An AI known as Leviathan is used to predict the outbreaks, but before you know it, time travel is involved. What is Leviathan’s goal with its simulations, and can players resolve the mysteries of the dinosaurs?

The story unfolds through the co-op Dino Survival mode, as two squads of five players compete in various maps to complete objectives. Sometimes you may go head-to-head, but you can forgo PvP entirely. Gather clues to learn more, and pilot several different Exosuits, each with unique roles and capabilities, whether healing allies with Nimbus, tanking damage as Murasame, or taking down hordes of enemies with Zephyr.

Exoprimal launches on July 14th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, and is also coming to Game Pass on day one.

Pikmin 4

What happens when Captain Olimar crash-lands on a planet and the Rescue Corps sent to retrieve him also crashes? It’s the job of a recruit, aka You, to save everyone, once again corralling and commanding hordes of Pikmin to help.

Releasing on July 21st for Nintendo Switch, Pikmin 4 allows for customizing your character, collecting treasures and exploring the environment to rescue any castaways. A new dog-like creature Oatchi helps out, serving as a mount and also battling some of the hostile monsters that abound. Players can also explore at night, tackling tougher threats and using the new Glow Pikmin.

Throw in a mysterious individual who also seems to be after the castaways, leading to Dandori Battles, where you compete to gather the most objects, and Pikmin 4 seems to have a lot in store for series fans. Newcomers can download a free demo from the eShop, allowing them to sample the gameplay and transfer progress to continue in the full game.

Remnant 2

Defying expectations, Remnant: From the Ashes went from relatively no buzz to a beloved third-person shooter Souls-like that sold over 3 million copies. With Remnant 2, Gunfire Games is going much bigger with new worlds, weapons, armor, enemies, bosses and an increased scale. Taking place nearly 20 years after the events of Subject 2923, Ward 13 is at peace. However, with The Root continuing to spread to other worlds via The Labyrinth, players suit up to try and stop it.

Instead of classes, players have Archetypes, which allow for multi-classing and mixing and matching Skills and Traits. The random world generation is also kicked up a notch, as you’ll explore new biomes with unique quests and enemies on each playthrough, leading to more replay value. Remnant 2 is out on July 25th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PC)

Roughly two years and several other PS5 titles on PC later, Insomniac Games’ Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is finally coming to Steam and the Epic Games Store. Launching on July 26th, it supports 21:9 and 32:9 Ultra-wide displays. For the triple monitor owners, it even has 48:9 support. Ray-traced reflections are a given, but you also get unlocked frame rates and ray-traced shadows for exteriors.

There’s support for the haptic feedback and dynamic triggers on DualSense in addition to the keyboard and mouse (not to mention other controller options). Upscaling solutions like Nvidia DLSS 3, AMD FSR2, Intel XeSS and Insomniac’s Temporal Injection are also supported. If this isn’t enough, you can also use DLAA to improve the image quality and Reflex for more responsive controls.

Honestly, just hearing that Nixxes is handling the port is good enough for us, as Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is an incredible dimension-hopping 3D platformer.

Disney Illusion Island

Remember that gorgeous-looking 2D platformer starring Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy that Disney announced? Good news – it’s not dead. Disney Illusion Island recently received a new trailer ahead of its July 28th release, and it looks as sharp as ever. The story sees Mickey and the crew venturing to Monoth Island to recover three books. Along with platforming challenges and puzzles, they’ll take on bosses with their unique abilities and delve more into the island’s various mysteries.

The hand-drawn animation, familiar voices and charming soundtrack will draw you in, and there’s also four-player couch co-op support with unique skills for helping each other out. With its adorable visuals and sleek presentation, Disney Illusion Island could fill the hole that Rayman Origins and Legends have left for party platformers.

F1 Manager 2023

It’s easy to be wary of F1 Manager 2023, especially considering how Frontier Developments handled the post-launch support of its predecessor. Nevertheless, with 23 races, new tracks like the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, and the new Race Replay for reliving the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, there are some interesting bells and whistles. You can also embody a team during big moments in the season using Race Moments.

Frontier also promises better drive AI and “refinements to racing lines, overtakes and incidents.” F1 Manager 2023 launches on July 31st for PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Hopefully, it’s a step up from its predecessor.

Jagged Alliance 3

The latest entry in the classic squad-based tactical strategy series, Jagged Alliance 3, sees players assembling a team of mercenaries to rescue the President of Grand Chien and defeat The Legion. Mercenaries come with different personalities and quirks, and some familiar faces are returning. However, all tactical decisions rest with the player, whether you’re customizing weapons and load-outs, battling enemy forces or capturing territory.

Jagged Alliance 3 offers an open structure with plenty of freedom, and you can experience the campaign alone or with a friend in co-op. It’s out on July 14th, exclusively for PC. Will it end up with fewer issues than developer Haemimont Games’ Park Beyond? One can certainly hope.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series Episode 1

Telltale Games is working with Alcon and Deck Nine Games for a new narrative adventure based on the popular sci-fi series, The Expanse. As a prequel to the TV series, it sees Camina Drummer (played by Cara Gee) and her crew on the Artemis exploring The Belt, salvaging space ships and having all kinds of run-ins.

As with classic Telltale titles, your decisions matter and can be the difference between valuable supplies or your crewmate losing a leg. The Expanse: A Telltale Series launches July 27th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC via the Epic Games Store. However, this marks the debut of Episode 1 – four more episodes are coming, each releasing two weeks afterwards.

Synapse

Among the many new titles coming to PlayStation VR2 is Synapse, a first-person shooter from nDreams starring David Hayter and Jennifer Hale. As an operative tasked with investigating Colonel Peter Conrad, who is threatening a world-ending catastrophe, you venture into the latter’s mind, battling through surreal environments while gathering clues on his weapon.

The Heart of Darkness inspiration isn’t exactly subtle, but seeing Hayter play Conrad, lending his signature charisma to what should be an intriguing villain, will be interesting. It also doesn’t hurt that the shooting and visuals look good. Synapse is out on July 4th for PlayStation VR2.

Ed-0: Zombie Uprising

From Lancarse, the team behind duds like The Diofield Chronicle, comes Ed-0: Zombie Uprising. Though it has some role-playing elements, this is a hack-and-slash dungeon crawler with randomly generated environments where you slay hordes of zombies in the Edo period. Play as a Samurai, Sumo Wrestler or Ninja, discover over 150 items and skills, and battle bosses.

Will this result in the zombies not turning Japan into a deadman wonderland? Probably not, but it should make for some mindless fun. Ed-0: Zombie Uprising is currently available in early access for PC but exits on July 13th while also being available for Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg

You may be familiar with the Atelier series, specifically Ryza and Sophie, but how about returning to where it all began? Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg kickstarted the RPG series, and it’s getting the remake treatment on July 12th on PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch. The visuals are updated, with cute 3D character models and stages, while event illustrations are now animated.

Thankfully, the tutorial, exploration and collecting of materials have been improved. Long-time fans can look forward to new events and characters, but if you’re dreading the five-year time limit that past Atelier games are known for, don’t worry, as the new Unlimited Mode lets you play at your own pace.

Blackout Protocol

A twin-stick co-op shooter with rogue-lite elements vaguely based on the SCP? That’s Blackout Protocol in a nutshell. It launches on July 20th for PC as an early access title and sees the S2P Corporation venturing through Sector 13 to deal with supernatural entities. Shrouded in darkness, you must deal with randomly changing environments and friendly fire, using light to guide the way.

Some entities react differently to being illuminated, further adding to the unpredictability and your Panic Gauge, which can result in debilitating conditions. With skills that carry over between runs, you have to survive more than a few deaths to reach the bottom.

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara

If you’re looking for a more laid-back platforming experience, Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara may be worth checking out. It sees Koa and Napopo journeying through the world of Mara (which some may recognize from Summer in Mara) and discovering all kinds of things, from pirates to volcanoes. There are collectables to collect and secrets to uncover, but those keen on speedrunning also have options.

With eight different levels, skins to unlock, characters to meet, and sailing, Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara promises a fun, colorful adventure. It releases on July 27th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch.