Greetings, racers! It’s a pleasure to be back and bring you the latest details on Dirt 5, our award-winning off-road racer, available now on PS5 and PS4. 

Whilst Dirt 5’s launch may’ve been all the way back in November last year, we’ve been at full throttle ever since, supporting our players with content drops, free updates, community-requested additions, and much more. We’re in mood to slow down, either – as a summer of thrills for Dirt 5 begins with our biggest ever game update, launching July 20.

New cars, new tracks, new ways to play, and much more arrive next week, and they’re all boosted on PlayStation 5 by some dedicated changes that change the feel and sound of every epic racing moment. We’ll take a closer look soon at the exclusive advancements for PS5 players, but first, let us give you a guided tour of this huge update… 

Dirt 5’s biggest ever update

Dirt 5’s Career experience and roster of cars gets even bigger, with the Super Size Content Pack – available July 20 to Amplified/Year One Edition players, and available for purchase at the same time at PS Store for others. 

The pack includes our largest single expansion to Career, with 27 new events, and four additional extra-large cars to tear up the tracks with: the Bentley Continental GT Ice Racer, Armada Rock Racer, Rezvani Tank, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Baja Concept. Fresh liveries for each of the cars, two extra selectable sponsors, and customisation items are all included, too. 

Everything else coming to Dirt 5 on July 20 is free and available to all players, so strap in. The Parts Unknown Playgrounds Pack adds more objects to use in our custom arena creator mode, all themed around space and sci-fi influences. Also in Playgrounds, we’re adding unique Weekly Challenges and Creator Rewards, to offer more competition and incentive to use all aspects of the mode. 

Elsewhere, more iconic liveries are available for five different cars, another five Trophies have been added, and finally there’s the small matter of two brand new circuits! The first additions to our track list since launch, check out San Conrado and Rio Seafront, both winding through the beaches and jungle of Brazil. 

DualSense controller haptics and adaptive triggers

Along with all of that, players on PS5 will feel more connected to Dirt 5 than ever before with this update, as we implement full haptics and adaptive trigger support for the DualSense controller. These enhancements allow Dirt 5 to give you more feedback throughout every event. Notice

Hello PlayStation fans – I’m Jerome K. Jones, design director at Robot Entertainment and I’m here to tell you a bit about what’s new in Orcs Must Die 3, a third-person tower defense game launching for PS4 (and PS5 via backwards compatibility) on July 23. In Orcs Must Die 3, you set up traps and use weapons to defend against enemies trying to breach the rifts. As you play you receive rewards and earn skulls to buy new traps, weapons, and trinkets as well as purchase upgrades to enhance your arsenal.

We’ve created a new game mode in Orcs Must Die! 3 that we call Scramble. In it, you try to beat five tiers of progressively harder scenarios using one rift point pool – meaning, if a bunch of Orcs make it into the rift in the first tier, you won’t have many more rift points to survive later on. At each tier, you choose which scenario you want to play from two choices, each of which comes with a debuff that is applied. This increases the challenge and provides interesting choices. After beating each tier, you choose a buff to aid yourself in future tiers. These buffs and debuffs stack across all tiers making the later tiers more challenging. If you lose all your rift points, you have to start a new run from scratch!

Coming up with game modes in the Orcs Must Die franchise has always been a focus of ours. Endless mode and Weekly Challenges have garnered strong audiences, but we believe that our newest mode may pose new and interesting challenges. With Scramble mode, we feel we have hit the mark for later game content.

I thought it might be interesting to show the list of goals we had for a new mode. This list was made before we ever started the design on paper.

Goals for Scramble

• Evergreen content
• Encourage more loadout and play experimentation due to choices made
• Leaderboard chasers welcome
• Time goal is about one hour per gameplay session
• Intended post campaign mode
• Most players are able to OR feel (with practice) they can beat the mode
• Easily expandable
• Doable mode in development time

Given the list of goals, there were things from previous Orcs Must Die games that we wanted to keep and simplify because they had their own merits. One of those things we wanted to revisit was the stacking of buffs and debuffs as you played through the mode. The first thing you see when you enter Scramble mode is that choice between two scenarios, each with their specific debuffs. This becomes quite interesting depending on your playstyle, favorite loadout, comfort level with the scenario or whether you chase leaderboards. All these things can influence your decisions. Choices get more interesting as debuffs stack in later tiers. You can reroll one debuff per tier, however, rerolling a debuff can be tricky due to the fear that you may get something more threatening than you currently have.

This year’s MLB All-Star Game festivities will be one for the ages. With both the MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, we are certain home runs will not be in short supply. Who do you think will win the All-Star Game MVP?

To help celebrate MLB All-Star week, the Live Content Team at San Diego Studio is hard at work putting the finishing touches on some amazing content for everyone to try in MLB The Show 21.

You can look forward to a new Team Affinity Program featuring 2021 All-Stars, and two packs with Home Run Derby and All-Star Game players. Earn your way to all 30 players in Season 3 of Team Affinity and be sure to look for those Home Run Derby cards. In fact, whichever player(s) have the most outstanding performance during All-Star festivities on July 12 and 13, be on the lookout for them to possibly be included in the special All-Star Game Pack. The Live Content Team will be watching both the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game and will be working to get all this amazing content released throughout the festivities on July 12 and 13. Be sure to look for new players in packs after the event ends in The Show Shop online in-game.

How do you earn this content? Play Moments, Missions, and Showdown online to earn all 30 Team Affinity Season 3 All-Star players.

If you haven’t had a chance to try MLB The Show 21, now is the perfect opportunity. For a limited time now through July 14, the MLB The Show 21 Standard Edition is up to 33%* off MSRP and Stubs are up to 40% off.

Check TheShow.com for all the news, and follow our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and our YouTube accounts for the latest updates about MLB The Show 21.

For more detailed information on MLB The Show 21 please read our announcement FAQ here.

*PS4 Standard Edition is 33% off MSRP, PS5 Standard Edition is 29% off MSRP

Pack your bags for Berlin; it’s zombie slaying time! From the return of the classic Mule Kick Perk to new advanced weaponry like the gravity-bending LT53 Kazimir and CRBR-S Wonder Weapon, you’ll have all you need to survive the trials ahead in Mauer der Toten, the eagerly awaited next chapter in the Dark Aether story.

Along with new content for the PlayStation-exclusive Onslaught mode, new items and events in Warzone, the addition of Rush and Capture the Flag in Multiplayer and more, it’s shaping up to be a great second half of the season.  

Season Four Reloaded of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone arrives on PlayStation July 15. Here’s the full briefing:

Play Video

The next Zombies Chapter: Mauer Der Toten

As Perseus brings CIA satellites crashing down to earth, a second war is escalating in the Zombies Dark Aether universe. Colonel Lev Kravchenko, leader of the Omega Group, has masterminded a brutal attack against Requiem, capturing their strike team for his own nefarious purposes.

Fight to escape the clutches of Kravchenko and the undead in the next classic round-based Zombies experience. In Mauer der Toten, players must navigate the dark streets of war-torn Berlin, including an undead-infested U-Bahn, and enlist the help of Klaus, a new robotic companion who will assist the Requiem agents in their battle against the horde.

New items: Mule Kick, LT53 Kazimir, CRBR-S Wonder Weapon

Chug down the new Mule Kick Perk-a-Cola, allowing you to carry three weapons as opposed to the default two. Find Mule Kick in its own signature machine in Mauer der Toten and stocked in Der Wunderfizz machines throughout round-based Zombies maps and Outbreak.

Head to any crafting table throughout Zombies to discover a new piece of Equipment: the LT53 Kazimir Grenade. Upon placement, a black hole–like effect will pull in and neutralize nearby undead. What’s on the other side? Jump in to find out. 

Turn zombies into mincemeat with the new CRBR-S Wonder Weapon, an energy-based Pistol with an orbiting repeater and three unique upgrades via Mod Kits that turn into a completely new Wonder Weapon each time.

Get more on PlayStation — exclusive content for Black Ops Cold War

Prepare for the latest new map, Rush in the PlayStation exclusive, two-player Onslaught mode. Defend against

Eleven, Hopper, The Demogorgon, and The Mindflayer are not in Hawkins anymore. They’re in the Battleground of the Gods, as part of the all new Smite x Stranger Things Crossover event starting July 13 on PlayStation 4!

Bringing Stranger Things to life in Smite has been a dream come true for our team, and I can’t wait to tell you all about how our dev team got turned Upside Down.

Play Video

What is the crossover? 

The Smite x Stranger Things crossover brings four fan-favorite characters from Stranger Things to life in Smite. Eleven, Hopper, The Demogorgon, and The Mind Flayer are all available as part of an all-new Battle Pass.

Each Stranger Things character comes to life as an incredible skin for an existing Smite God: Eleven Scylla, Hopper Apollo, The Mind Flayer Sylvanus, and The Demogorgon Bakasura. When you purchase the Battle Pass, you’ll instantly unlock Hopper Apollo, or buy the Battle Pass Plus to instantly unlock everything up to The Demogorgon Bakasura. Of course, there are tons of free rewards as well — and a Prestige Track featuring 60 extra levels of goodies and a special 80’s mall-themed Starcourt Eleven Scylla.

The Battle Pass is not all we have planned for this epic crossover. For the first time ever, we’re implementing a crossover into the environment of one of our game modes.

When you take a look around the Arena map, you’ll notice that Stranger Things’ trademark Upside Down has seeped into the classic Roman coliseum. The skybox has been updated to a dark, doomed sky with The Mind Flayer looming over the Battleground. You can also find fun callbacks to the show like the flashing Christmas lights. Take a close look to see if you can find any surprises our environment artists may have hidden.

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Hi all! Damoun Shabestari (aka Shabs) here, game director at First Contact Entertainment — developers behind Firewall Zero Hour*, the team-based multiplayer shooter exclusive to PlayStation VR**.

Since launching nearly three years ago, we have continued to offer our players new content in the form of seasonal operations. I am excited to announce that the seventh season of Firewall Zero Hour will be kicking off July 13, with Operation: Rubicon.

While there won’t be new maps or contractors featured this season, there are a wide variety of missions for you to complete & fantastic rewards for you to earn, so let’s take a look at some of the awesome content coming tomorrow with Operation: Rubicon.

New cosmetic rewards

There are over 24 new cosmetic rewards available this season. Upon completion of Missions, a variety of different trinkets, face paints, and camo skins can be equipped by players. We have added in a new blue smoke grenade variant which you’ll be able to earn through missions as well. In addition to Free Mission Rewards, Rubicon Op Pass*** holders have access to Premium and Bonus Mission Rewards.

New Legendary Weapon

The Legendary Weapon Skin of Operation: Rubicon is the Gilded Sten — available to Rubicon Op Pass holders who complete all Free, Premium and Bonus Missions in Operation: Rubicon (a total of 24 Missions) and redeemed for 250,000 Crypto.

Reminder: Op Pass and Hack Key bundles

The Rubicon Op Pass*** allows players access to 16 additional Mission cosmetic Rewards, plus the ability to unlock the Legendary Weapon Skin, the Gilded Sten after completion of all 24 Missions this season. Hack Keys can be used to instantly complete any Operational Mission and receive its cosmetic Reward — a great option for players who don’t have as much time to play as they would like. If you have any Hack Keys left over from last season (Operation: CloudStrike), you can use them on Missions this season (Operation: Rubicon).

• Firewall Zero Hour – Rubicon Op Pass + 25 Hack Keys ($19.99 USD)
• Firewall Zero Hour – Rubicon Op Pass + 5 Hack Keys ($7.99 USD)
• Firewall Zero Hour – Rubicon Op Pass + 1 Hack Key ($3.99 USD)
• Firewall Zero Hour – 5 Hack Keys Pack ($4.99 USD)

Firewall Zero Hour Digital Deluxe Edition and Deluxe Pack

As a reminder, Firewall Zero Hour Deluxe Pack is also available at PlayStation Store, released in conjunction with the Firewall Zero Hour Digital Deluxe Edition. This is a great add-on for those newer to the

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!

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This week, this team recaps the latest news from State of Play, and chats with Naughty Dog Lead Game Designer Emilia Schatz about level design and Pride in gaming.

Stuff We Talked About

• Deathloop
• Lost Judgment
• Moss: Book II
• Arcadegeddon
• Death Stranding Director’s Cut
• The Last of Us Part II (Interview with Emilia Schatz begins at 32:50)
• Astro’s Playroom

The Cast

Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE

Tim Turi –  Manager, Content Communications, SIE

Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialis

Read more

Last week, we asked you to soak in the summer sun from your favorite games using #PSshare #PSBlog. From beachy shores or green summer fields, here are this week’s seasonal highlights: 

JRPyznar explores a beachy scene in Astro’s Playroom.

CGBehemoth shares the blue waters of Hitman 3.

imroyank lounges in the sun of Fortnite.

M_Joe_Hort is ready to surf in GTA Online.

TysonaterVA shares Aloy enjoying a sun-dappled break in Horizon Zero Dawn.

AhmadYuanda_1st says, “It’s Summer, time to Porky Party” with this share from Far Cry 5.

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? 

THEME: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Photo Mode

SUBMIT BY: Wednesday 9 AM PT on July 14

Next week, we’re diving into Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’s newly updated Photo Mode! Share epic interdimensional moments using new sticker packs and colored backgrounds using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Welcome back! Last month’s PS5 chart was a busy one, with big debuts from Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Chivalry 2, Guilty Gear Strive, and Scarlet Nexus, while Cyberpunk 2077, Beat Saber, and Fortnite topped the PS4, PS VR, and Free-to-Play charts, respectively. Peruse the full rundown below.

PS5 Games

*Naming of products may differ between regions
*Upgrades not included

PS4 Games

*Naming of products may differ between regions

Hello, Travelers! On behalf of the entire Genshin Impact team, we’re very pleased to share with you that Inazuma, the much-anticipated third city of the seven major cities, will finally arrive with the upcoming Version 2.0 The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia on July 21.

Today, for the first time, we’re going to take you on a short tour of the unique cultural landscapes of this major city completely surrounded by the ocean, and the beings that inhabit it. Meanwhile, we’d also like to share some latest features and supports added to PlayStation, including the cross-save function among PlayStation, PC, and mobile.

The Nation That Seeks “Eternity”

While Mondstadt believes in freedom and Liyue honors contracts, Inazuma and its ruler, Raiden Shogun, the Electro Archon, pursues eternity. But what makes the Archon with the power of the fleeting lightning seek eternity? As the story unfolds, this will be a theme that runs through your adventure in Inazuma.

In contrast to her Almighty Shogun’s pursuit of eternity, Inazuma is a place where you can find ephemeral beauty everywhere. Unlike the clear sunny days in Mondstadt and Liyue, the weather in Inazuma changes quickly and drastically, tinting the landscapes with a strong sea breeze, flickering light and shadow, and raging thunderstorms in the blink of an eye.

The Inazuma area consists of six main islands and a series of islets scattered across the ocean, each with a unique landscape and history. You may visit the Grand Narukami Shrine and Sacred Sakura on the mountain of Narukami Island, or admire the blooming cherry blossoms and the magnificent Tenshukaku where the Shogun resides at in Inazuma City. You may also witness the giant skeleton and the palpable aura of the Tatarigami at Yashiori Island where the Raiden Shogun battled a great serpent, or traverse the desolate coastline where lies the ruins of war at Tatarasuna. You may also find yourself getting lost in the area shrouded in thunderstorms, or stumble into huge mysterious underground areas and ruins hidden beneath the sea surface.

With Version 2.0, we’re only releasing three of the six main islands of Inazuma. There are many more landmarks and locations with distinct scenery, stories, secrets, and their respective connections to the history of Inazuma and the Electro Archon waiting for the Trav