Mojang Studios and Double Eleven have confirmed that Minecraft Dungeons II will launch on September 29 across PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Digital pre-orders are now live for two editions, each offering launch-day cosmetics for players who commit before September 28.
Core Gameplay and Co-op Features
The sequel expands the original’s action-RPG formula with a brand-new campaign spanning the Overworld and beyond. Players face a mysterious evil threatening two distinct worlds, battling hordes of aggressive mobs while crafting legendary builds from upgraded armor and weapons. The experience supports solo play, local couch co-op for up to four players, and online cross-play across all supported platforms.
Standard Edition: $29.99
The Standard Edition delivers the complete base game at launch via the Minecraft Launcher. It is designed for players who want the core campaign without additional post-launch commitments.
Pre-order Bonus (Both Editions)
Anyone who pre-orders either edition before September 28 receives the following cosmetics:
Twisted Cape
Twisted Chicken Pet
Two additional hero skins
Deluxe Edition: $49.99
The Deluxe Edition targets players planning to invest heavily in the endgame grind. For an extra $20, it bundles:
Access to two future DLC expansion packs upon release
Soul Cape cosmetic
Blub Pet companion
Four Deluxe hero skins
Minecraft Launcher access
Pre-order Window Closes September 28
To secure the launch-window cosmetics — most notably the Twisted Chicken pet — players must place their pre-order before September 28. Both editions are available directly through the official Minecraft store.
The Counter-Strike 2 cosmetic item market carries an estimated valuation of $7.1 billion.
Every item in this marketplace is a purely digital asset with zero impact on gameplay mechanics such as damage, accuracy, or movement.
Despite being intangible and functionally cosmetic, these virtual goods sustain a multi-billion-dollar economy driven by rarity, aesthetics, and community demand.
The $7.1 Billion Valuation
The cosmetic item ecosystem surrounding Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) has been valued at roughly $7.1 billion, according to current market analyses. This figure reflects the aggregate worth of weapon skins, gloves, agents, stickers, and containers traded across the Steam Community Market and third-party platforms. Unlike traditional in-game purchases that unlock gameplay advantages, every asset in this economy is strictly visual—offering no competitive edge whatsoever.
How the CS2 Skin Economy Functions
The marketplace operates on a foundation of scarcity, visual appeal, and community-driven status signaling. Items are obtained primarily through random case openings, mission rewards, or direct purchases, with supply constrained by Valve’s drop rates and collection retirements. Once in circulation, skins trade freely between users, with prices determined by exterior wear condition (Factory New through Battle-Scarred), pattern index, float value, and the presence of rare stickers or StatTrak counters. High-tier items such as the AK-47 | Case Hardened with a “Blue Gem” pattern or the Karambit | Doppler in Sapphire/Ruby/Black Pearl phases routinely command five-figure sums.
Purely Cosmetic, Purely Digital
Critically, the source underscores that these assets “can’t be touched and don’t improve damage, accuracy, movement, or any other part of gameplay.” This distinction separates the CS2 economy from pay-to-win models prevalent in other titles. A Dragon Lore AWP skin performs identically to the default variant; its value derives entirely from cultural cachet, historical significance, and the social signaling it enables within the player base. The intangibility of these goods—existing solely as database entries on Valve’s servers—has not prevented them from behaving like speculative commodities, complete with price volatility, investor speculation, and liquidity considerations.
Market Mechanics and Player Psychology
Valve Corporation retains a 15% transaction fee (5% Steam fee + 10% CS2-specific fee) on every Steam Community Market sale, creating a direct revenue stream from the secondary market. Third-party marketplaces and peer-to-peer trading networks exist alongside the official platform, often offering lower fees or cash-out options prohibited by Steam’s wallet-only policy. The ecosystem is further fueled by content creators, professional players, and major tournaments—where souvenir packages dropped during Majors become instant collectibles. Psychological drivers such as the endowment effect, fear of missing out (FOMO) during limited-time operations, and the gambler’s fallacy associated with case openings sustain demand despite the absence of utility.
Why This Matters
The $7.1 billion valuation positions the CS2 skin economy as one of the largest virtual goods markets in the world, rivaling the GDP of small nations and exceeding the annual revenue of many AAA game studios. It represents a mature case study in digital property rights, platform-controlled economies, and the monetization of cosmetic customization. For regulators, the market raises questions about gambling-adjacent mechanics (case openings), money laundering risks via high-value item transfers, and consumer protections for digital assets that can be revoked or devalued by platform policy changes. For the gaming industry, it validates the “games-as-a-service” model where ongoing revenue derives not from gameplay-altering purchases but from self-expression and social status within a persistent community. Upcoming developments—including potential Source 2 engine optimizations affecting skin rendering, new case collections, and evolving third-party marketplace regulations—will shape whether this valuation expands or contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do CS2 skins provide any gameplay advantage?
No. Skins are purely cosmetic and do not affect damage, accuracy, movement speed, recoil, or any other gameplay mechanic. A weapon with a $10,000 skin performs identically to the same weapon with the default skin.
How is the $7.1 billion market valuation calculated?
The figure represents the estimated aggregate value of all tradable CS2 cosmetic items based on current listing prices across the Steam Community Market and major third-party exchanges, multiplied by available supply. It reflects theoretical market capitalization rather than realized liquidity.
Can CS2 skins be converted into real money?
On the official Steam Community Market, proceeds remain as Steam Wallet funds and cannot be withdrawn as cash. However, numerous third-party platforms facilitate peer-to-peer sales for real-world currency, operating in a regulatory gray area with varying degrees of legitimacy and user protection.
The generative AI wave that popularized "vibe coding" and "vibe directing" has now reached game development. Series Entertainment has entered beta with RUN, a platform designed to compress the typical months- or years-long game creation cycle down to a matter of days, aiming to let creators build, publish, and monetize games across mobile and web from a single interface.
The concept leans into what the company calls "vibe gaming" — an approach where users describe the feel, mechanics, or aesthetic they want, and the AI assembles a playable experience around that direction. During its alpha phase, Series attracted roughly 5,500 creators, many drawn in through "Game Jams" that offered cash prizes for the best prototypes built on the platform. Those events also served as stress tests for the publishing pipeline, which currently targets mobile and web with TV and Steam support slated for later.
If the workflow holds up at scale, RUN could lower the barrier for interactive storytelling in the same way generative video tools have for short-form video. The comparison to "vibe coding" is instructive: just as developers now prompt large language models for boilerplate and logic, RUN attempts to abstract away engine plumbing, asset integration, and live-ops scaffolding so creators can iterate on core loops instead of wrestling with build pipelines. Whether that translates to sustainable hits — or a flood of disposable prototypes — will depend on how much creative control survives the abstraction layer.
The move also signals a broader shift in entertainment tech: platforms are increasingly positioning themselves as end-to-end studios-in-a-box, handling distribution and monetization alongside creation. Series' model — beta access, community jams, revenue share — mirrors the playbook that fueled Roblox and Fortnite Creative, but with generative AI replacing the traditional scripting and modeling toolchain. For now, the platform remains in beta, and the true test will be whether games made on RUN can retain players beyond the novelty of AI-assisted creation.
Tom Kane has died aged 64, with tributes flying in from followers and Cartoon Community releasing a press release to pay tribute to the actor.
Kane might not be a family title celeb, however almost everybody who was a child within the late 90s and 00s will recognise his iconic voice. The voice actor was a TV present veteran, showing in 276 initiatives throughout his storied 34 yr profession.
One fan on X posted a tribute, saying: “I by no means absolutely realized how a lot Tom Kane voiced and narrated our childhood. R.I.P.”
Throughout the years he acted in some iconic roles, showing as Yoda in a number of Star Warsventure in addition to enjoying the dad Professor Utonium in The Powerpuff Ladies. Listed here are 4 iconic and nostalgic roles you might not have identified he was the voice behind.
He was in a number of Star Wars initiatives, and voiced much more than simply Yoda
Tom Kane is greatest identified for The Clone Wars however appeared in plenty of Star Wars initiatives (ROBYN BECK/AFP through Getty Photographs)
For anybody who loves Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the enduring seven season present all the time kicked off with a narrator setting the scene of the episode.
Kane was the enduring voice behind that narration, additionally showing as Yoda within the present alongside quite a few online game appearances.
This continued into reside motion when he took over the voice function of Admiral Ackbar in Star Wars: The Final Jedi after Erik Bauersfeld handed away.
One standard Star Wars fan account stated in a publish on X: “We misplaced one of the vital iconic voices within the galaxy immediately. RIP Tom Kane.”
The creator of ThePowerpuff Ladies and the voice actors each paid emotional tributes to Kane
In addition to enjoying the enduring Professor Utonium he additionally voiced HIM within the present, and Craig McCracken, who created the collection, launched an emotional tribute.
McCracken stated that Kane’s ‘heat, coronary heart, and humour resonated’ by his voice, stating that he introduced pleasure to ‘so many lives’. He continued: “grew up and not using a dad, so it was vital to me that the women had one of the best one I may give them and that was Tom.”
The voice actors behind the enduring Powerpuff Ladies trio, Tara Robust, Cathy Cavidini, and E.G. Day by day all launched statements and revealed that that they had united with their on-screen dad one final time earlier than his demise in March of this yr at a conference.
Cathy Cavidini stated in her assertion: “Tom leaves behind a unprecedented legacy, numerous unforgettable performances, and so many individuals who beloved him dearly. However I believe I’ll miss my expensive Professor most of all.”
Kane was the voice behind a number of iconic online game characters
Tom Kane alongside Dave Filoni and Matt Lanter (Steve Jennings/WireImage)
In addition to showing in a whopping 43 Star Wars video video games, Kane was additionally in a number of video games you in all probability performed with out connecting the dots.
His most well-known might be that he voiced Takeo Masaki within the Name of Obligation: Zombies recreation mode which developed a cult fanbase.
He additionally voiced the English dub of Ondore in Closing Fantasy XII, with one fan tweeting: “Tom Kane voiced Ondore?! I had no thought. Relaxation in peace Tom… Thanks for being the voice of many childhood characters. Actually proficient.”
The actor is an unforgettable a part of the Disney parks
Chances are you’ll not realise it, however if you happen to visited the Walt Disney parks you in all probability have heard Kane’s voice.
He’s the announcer for the ‘Walt Disney World Monorail’ and was additionally the narrator for Fortunately Ever After between 2017 and 2023.
Add to that the truth that he was the voice of Disney’s ‘Quick Play’ bumper performed earlier than DVDs that many people will grown up watching, he was undeniably a significant voice of childhood.
Drake and Adin Ross are reportedly set to cowl the funeral prices of deceased streamer Raphaël Graven following his stunning demise.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Graven had been discovered useless at a house close to the French metropolis of Good on 18 August.
The 46-year-old – recognized on-line by the moniker Jean Pormanove – had constructed up a big following on streaming websites reminiscent of Kick, Twitch and TikTok and was mentioned to have been in the midst of a 10-day marathon stream when he handed away.
It is understood that he’d died in his sleep whereas being recorded.
French authorities have since confirmed there might be additional investigation into Graven’s demise, following claims the streamer had confronted ‘humiliation’ and ‘mistreatment’ throughout dwell broadcasts.
In keeping with stories in French media, he’d been subjected to violence, sleep deprivation and the ‘ingestion of poisonous merchandise’ through the 10-day stream.
The French streamer died throughout a livestream (Instagram/@jeanpormanove)
Tributes have since flooded in throughout the web following the information of Graven’s passing, with standard streamer Adin Ross claiming that he and Drake have agreed to pay for his funeral.
“That is horrible and disgusting. Whoever was aside of this deserves to face extreme penalties,” Ross wrote on his alternate X account, making references to the allegations of violence in direction of Graven earlier than his demise.
“I simply spoke with Drake. Drake and I might be overlaying the funeral prices, this received’t carry his life again, it’s the least we are able to do. Prayers exit to Jean’s household.”
The ‘Hotline Bling’ hitmaker, who’s an envoy for Kick, is but to talk out publicly about Graven’s demise.
The announcement was well-received amongst the streaming group, with a number of customers praising Ross for his sort gesture. “I respect that you just replied similar time different creators would’ve taken a day or two and get their pr group to answer,” wrote on individual.
“W Adin W Drake, might Jean relaxation in peace,” added a second consumer.
The information of Graven’s demise was confirmed on Instagram by fellow streamer ‘Naruto’, who requested folks to not reshare any clips, which confirmed Graven useless or unconscious on-line.
In style streamer Adin Ross has since pledged to cowl his alongside Drake (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Graven had often labored with ‘Naruto’ – actual title Owen Cenazandotti – and ‘Safine’ – actual title Safine Hamadi – who additionally shared a tribute on social media.
“We’ve laughed collectively for six years, we’ve given one another blow after blow… Six years of reminiscences,” he wrote, including: “I’ll miss you. I like you. Relaxation in peace, my brother.”
Graven had allegedly been the butt of the jokes throughout streams involving the three of them.
Naruto’s lawyer Yassin Sadouni has since spoken out about Graven’s demise, telling Le Monde: “We’re awaiting the outcomes of the investigation geared toward figuring out all of the situations of ‘JP’s’ demise and figuring out the obligations of every individual.”
In the meantime, a Kick spokesperson advised LADbible: “We’re deeply saddened by the lack of Jean Pormanove and lengthen our condolences to his household, associates and group.”
Ant-Man, The 40-12 months-Outdated Virgin, Clueless, Parks and Recreation – Paul Rudd has an enormous checklist of credit we’d all be comfortable to see him seem in once more.
However the one function he most not too long ago reprised simply appears to be that subsequent degree of iconic as followers make the identical statement.
Rudd not too long ago appeared in a brand new advert for the hyped-up Nintendo Swap 2.
The online game firm is basically ramping up the joy for the brand new console forward of the launch date in June. New particulars concerning the much-anticipated product had been revealed earlier this week, with it set to be larger and quicker with new options.
However what isn’t essentially new is the Marvel actor doing an advert for Nintendo.
It has been over three a long time because the OG. (NintendoAmerica/X)
To fill these of us who weren’t even born but, Rudd appeared in industrial for the Tremendous Nintendo (SNES) all the best way again in 1991. Sure, they weren’t precisely at nighttime ages then, they did have sport consoles, children.
In that authentic advert, the actor wore a protracted black jacket, beaded necklace, and a very attention-grabbing hair model that gave final 90s power as he went as much as a drive-in cinema together with his SNES in hand.
Rudd then hooked it up with the massive display screen to play video games like Sim Metropolis and Legend of Zelda: A Hyperlink to the Previous earlier than the well-known slogan rounded it off: “Now you’re enjoying with energy.”
And iconically, the star sported the very same look as he attached a Nintendo Swap 2 to play in a lounge with comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, and a child referring to him as ‘Uncle Paul’.
Whereas the others tease him about his mad get-up and 90s aptitude, it’s all fairly tacky however by some means, it really works. With them displaying off the brand new GameChat characteristic with a little bit of Mario Kart World, the advert ends this time with: “Now we’re enjoying collectively.”
Nintendo and Paul Rudd have a historical past of launching techniques collectively. So, 3 a long time later, we’re getting collectively once more. SUPER TOGETHER. #NintendoSwitch2pic.twitter.com/tHH4zBVhqC
And if something, this complete 90s throwback is a transparent instance of the lengthy working joke that the star simply merely doesn’t appear to age.
Reacting to the 56-year-old within the advert, followers identified on X: “It’s handy that Paul Rudd doesn’t age.”
“Good god, Deadpool was proper Paul Rudd doesn’t age,” one wrote.
As a second quipped: “One other day goes by the place Paul Rudd does not age.”
“Okay, now that is cool! Does Paul Rudd age,” a 3rd stated.
“Whoa, okay there’s no method they really introduced Paul Rudd again after nearly 35 years. And making him have the identical 90s hair he did earlier than,” one other fan famous. “He don’t even look that a lot completely different as a result of he’s Paul Rudd. He don’t age!”
Legendary WWE famous person John Cena has made a cryptic GTA 6 reference on Instagram. However followers reckon they know precisely what it means, with him poking enjoyable on the sport’s looming launch.
It comes after the legendary skilled wrestler-turned-actor shocked the complete WWE universe after Cena ‘turned heel’ on Saturday night time’s Elimination Chamber stay on Netflix with tens of millions watching on.
Profitable the massive match to safe himself a spot at WrestleMania in April in opposition to world champion Cody Rhodes, the legendary child face (wrestling terminology for a great man) turned heel (grew to become a giant previous unhealthy man) by turning on Rhodes.
Cena and The Rock standing over Cody Rhodes after the large heel flip (Wealthy Freeda/WWE through Getty Photographs)
In doing this, he grew to become the sidekick of The Rock throughout his ‘Remaining Boss’ run, which is form of like a ‘do what he desires overlord’ of the entire thing.
It despatched shockwaves all through the WWE universe, with it being referred to as the most important second in skilled wrestling for many years and going fully viral, seen tens of millions of instances exterior of the stay occasion.
Undoubtedly for some, it is going to be the largest second of their lifetime.
However what is the hyperlink to GTA 6?
Properly, taking to Instagram within the days after the large twist, Cena posted the GTA 6 poster that we have all turn out to be aware of because it was first launched again in December 2023.
Cena shocked tens of millions of followers (Georgiana Dallas/WWE through Getty Photographs)
As at all times, Cena by no means posts phrases together with his Instagram pictures however they often have a hyperlink to fashionable popular culture or one thing he is performed.
In one other put up, he posted an image of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent in The Darkish Knight Rises, who goes from saintly mayor of Gotham Metropolis to the supervillain Two Face.
Followers instantly bought what this meant, with one particular person quoting the well-known Dent dialogue from the film: “You both die a hero, otherwise you stay lengthy sufficient to see your self turn out to be the villain.”
Deep stuff. However the Grand Theft Auto VI reference is seemingly much more light-hearted and a reference to a longstanding meme concerning the sport.
With it now being 12 years because the final GTA instalment, enormous moments in popular culture are used to point out simply how lengthy it has been since GTA 5 with the ‘we bought … earlier than GTA 6‘.
The stare that modified all of it (Georgiana Dallas/WWE through Getty Photographs)
On this case, it appears we most undoubtedly bought the most important second in WWE historical past, with the nicest man within the trade handing over to probably the most stunning of unhealthy guys, earlier than we bought GTA 6. You’ve got simply bought to chortle at this stage.
It is undoubtedly one for each online game and wrestling followers, however in the event you perceive both of them you perceive the magnitude of what occurred.
Cena is about to retire from skilled wrestling on the of 2025, with him transferring in to an out-of-ring profession with the WWE, whereas he continues his time exploring Hollywood in the same vein to his WWE colleague, The Rock.
For a lot of, a villainous Cena was the dream however appeared too distant from something that was ever going to essentially occur.
