Despite being enjoyable in its current state, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is a work in progress. Firaxis Games is still working on improvements, especially as suggested by the franchise’s fans. Now, approaching the new game’s first anniversary, Civilization VII is getting a massive patch, called the Test of Time update, later this spring.

Playing as a single Civ

Test of Time will address the biggest problem that players had with the base game: the inability to play as a single Civ. Currently, players are forced to evolve into Age-appropriate Civs at the end of the previous Age. The system leads to odd histories, such as Maurya somehow evolving into modern-day America.

Starting with the update, players can now take a single Civ across the test of time. And it’s not a shoehorned feature, too. Civs will now have an Apex Age, meaning the Age they were historically associated with. Playing Civs outside of their Apex Age will introduce a new kit that corresponds to the other Ages.

Plus, this also introduces a new system called Syncretism. Playing a Civ outside of their Age allows players to choose a unique military unit or infrastructure from other Civs to help bolster their strategy.

The new system works in reverse too. Players can start a game in the Modern Age using an Antiquity Age Civ. Finally, if players decide to use this system, the AI will follow suit, ensuring an equal playing field.

Reworked victory conditions

Besides the playability of Civs, Civilization VII will rework Victories. Instead of a clear path to victory via Legacy Paths (which players have complained as being too rigid), the new Triumph system will introduce new optional objectives to prod players further down the line of victory.

Plus, getting extraordinary progress in one victory condition can help players earn victory even before the Modern Age. Victory can be earned as early as the Exploration Age, but Firaxis has not explained how this can happen.

Firaxis says that the new system should help the game feel more dynamic and exciting after the Antiquity Age.

Now, to celebrate the actual anniversary, players will get access to a new leader, Gilgamesh, a fan favorite from the previous game. He will be free for all players with update 1.3.2.

Compared to the gigantic NBA 2K, WWE 2K is a relatively small series. Well, with thirty teams and a healthy roster of hall of famers, that’s no surprise. This year, however, WWE 2K26 wants to catch up, featuring the biggest roster that the franchise has ever had and a plethora of new features.

WWE 2K26 will feature over 400 playable characters, which includes current Superstars from RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. As always, Legends and Hall of Famers will be playable wrestlers.

This year, however, the roster of classics are much healthier. Specifically, there are three different editions dedicated to past wrestlers. The first, called The King of Kings Edition, centers the spotlight on Hall of Famer and Chief Content Officer, Triple H (or Paul Levesque). The Attitude Era Edition features Superstars from that era, including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and The Rock. Finally, the Monday Night Wars Edition includes Superstars from WCW such as the nWo’s Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.

Meanwhile, the Standard Edition features a Superstar that’s been no less decorated over the years. CM Punk, who will also grace the cover, will have his entire career featured in the annual 2K Showcase.

For gameplay, WWE 2K26 has four new match types: I Quit, Inferno, Three Stages of Hell, and Dumpster. Intergender matches are also available now. The environment is now more interactable with more usable weapons. Plus, the Stamina and Reversal systems have been reworked.

The Standard Edition (US$ 69.99) launches on March 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

The King of Kings Edition (US$ 99.99), the Attitude Era Edition (US$ 129.99), and the Monday Night War Edition (US$ 149.99) will all launch a week prior, on March 6.

SEE ALSO: Netflix will become new home for WWE in 2025

PlayStation is kicking off 2026 the Chaewon way.

Sony has officially teamed up with KIM CHAEWON of LE SSERAFIM for its New Year “Love of Play” campaign, blending cozy moments, playful energy, and very real gamer vibes into one stylish collaboration that spans videos, promos, and some surprisingly cute merch.

At the heart of the campaign is a four-part video series built around how we actually play: Family, Friends, Sisters, and Solo. The first episode, Family, is already live, with the remaining episodes rolling out daily from February 4 to 6. Each one leans into a different mood, but the message stays the same—PlayStation fits whether you’re gaming alone, hanging out, or sharing the screen with people you love.

Chaewon, meanwhile, is clearly having fun with it.

Chaewon’s PlayStation picks

In an interview released alongside the campaign, she shared that her very first PlayStation game was Stray on PS5—yes, the cat one—and that she instantly fell for its atmosphere and puzzles. She also tried out a full lineup of DualSense controller colors during the shoot, calling out Chroma Indigo for its elegant look, while admitting that Midnight Black still feels the most “her.”

And when asked about the most fun game she’s played so far? Astro Bot took the crown, with Chaewon praising the DualSense’s haptics and adaptive triggers for making the experience feel extra special.

Naturally, PlayStation is turning that energy into rewards. Fans across Asia can join upcoming social campaigns for a chance to win DualSense wireless controllers signed by Chaewon, with more details dropping on PlayStation Asia’s Instagram channels.

Festive New Year Sale 2026

The collaboration also ties directly into PlayStation’s Festive New Year Sale 2026, which runs from February 6 to 19 at participating retailers. Expect discounts on PS5 consoles, accessories, and a long list of games, including Astro Bot, God of War Ragnarök, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Stellar Blade, Ghost of Yotei, and more. Deals vary by market, but this is one of those sales where both hardware upgrades and backlog shopping make sense.

There’s also a lifestyle twist.

PlayStation has partnered with South Korean brand Wiggle Wiggle for a limited-edition “Love of Play” merchandise set featuring PlayStation-branded home slippers, acrylic clips, and coasters. The set is available through select PlayStation Asia social activities, including a live Instagram Stories sticker contest where fans can decorate a template, post it, and tag PlayStation Asia for a chance to win.

The Wiggle Wiggle collab is available in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, making it a fun bonus for fans who like their gaming gear a little more colorful.

More Chaewon content is still on the way, too. PlayStation will release additional short-form videos, including “Unstoppable Play!” on February 5 and “Balance Game” on February 11, exclusively on its official Instagram and Facebook channels.

Between the videos, the sale, and the merch, this PlayStation x Kim Chaewon collaboration feels less like a one-off endorsement and more like a full-on New Year mood—and honestly, that tracks.