Technologies
Final Fantasy XVI: Release Date, Platforms and Everything Else You Should Know
Square Enix is trying something new with the latest Final Fantasy game.
Final Fantasy 16, the latest entry in the long-running RPG franchise, is coming out later this month. The game makes some big changes to the popular series’ formula, creating a game that’s unlike any others that carry the Final Fantasy name.
Whether these adjustments will win over fans of the series will be the big question when the game comes out.
Here’s everything you need to know about the next Final Fantasy.
When does Final Fantasy 16 come out?
Final Fantasy 16 comes out on June 22 and will cost $70 for the standard edition and $100 for the deluxe edition.

What platforms will get Final Fantasy 16?
Final Fantasy 16 is a PlayStation 5 timed exclusive. Naoki Yoshida, Final Fantasy 16 producer, told ASCII last month that there are plans for a PC version of the game.
Will there be any DLC for Final Fantasy 16?
Yoshida told Game Informer last month that there are currently no plans for downloadable content for the game.
Is there a Final Fantasy 16 demo?
Yes, it’s currently available for download in the PSN Store.
What’s the story of Final Fantasy 16?
Final Fantasy 16 takes place in the world of Vallsthea where nations battle each other over magical Mothercrystals, which provide magic energy to the people of the nation. A powerful force in the nations are magical creatures called Eikons who are controlled by human hosts called Dominants.
Players control Clive, the son of the Archduke of Rosaria and the First Shield of Rosaria. His role is to protect his younger brother Joshua, who is the Dominant of Phoenix. The game explores the turmoil Clive goes through following an attack on his home nation.
What’s different in this Final Fantasy?
Each mainline Final Fantasy game is unique in its own way, and Final Fantasy 16 makes some big changes to the series formula by making the combat more of an action RPG rather than a turn-based party game. This means players will only control Clive, and they’ll be able to dodge and parry attacks if timed right. They’ll also have physical and magic attacks at their disposal to take down enemies. Other characters will join Clive in the fight, but they’ll act on their own. The exception to this is Torgal, Clive’s four-legged companion that can attack and heal via quick commands.
Another big change in Final Fantasy 16 is the mature rating. The Entertainment Software Rating Board gave the game an M-rating due to its depictions of violence, partial nudity, blood and strong language, which is the first time a game in the franchise received this adult rating.
The adult themes and medieval setting led to comparisons to HBO series Game of Thrones, which members of the development team confirmed they were fans of and noted some similarities.
Technologies
The Sequel to Subway Surfers Is Launching in February, and You Can Preregister Now
Subway Surfers was the most downloaded game of the 2010s, so the sequel has some big shoes to fill.
Of all the mobile games ever released, none of them is as popular as Subway Surfers. The iconic endless runner has put up 4.5 billion downloads since its initial release in 2012. After 14 years of unprecedented success, developer SYBO Games is ready to turn the page with the release of a sequel, Subway Surfers City.
SYBO says the game is set to launch on Feb. 26, and it’s available for preregistration on Google Play and iOS right now. SYBO also released a cinematic trailer showing off some new characters and environments.
The sequel features a new metropolis location with four districts to play through at launch, including The Docks, Southline, Sunrise Blvd and Delorean Park, along with four new characters. SYBO says that fresh content will be released every season, including new parts of the city to explore and a variety of cosmetic goodies to unlock.
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Based on the game’s screenshots, SYBO isn’t deviating too much from the core ideas of the original game, showing characters getting spotted, adding graffiti to a subway tunnel and mercilessly chased by The Guard and his dog until they’re caught.
Subway Surfers City will have several new mechanics that aren’t recycled from the old game, including a stomp mechanic that’ll unlock secrets and alternate paths.
The game also adds some new modes, including a finite runner mode where you can tour through the various environments to achieve specific goals, and an Events mode that will challenge you to a rotating gauntlet of missions. The Classic Endless mode makes its return to the new game, as does the ability to play the game offline, two things players loved about the original Subway Surfers.
Subway Surfers City will be free to play with in-app purchases, just like its predecessor.
Some big shoes to fill
Releasing a sequel that’s as beloved as the original will be tough, and SYBO has its work cut out for it. The original Subway Surfers was released in 2012, and while it’s not necessarily known for popularizing the genre of endless runner (that title goes to Temple Run), it quietly took over as the de facto leader in the genre.
Angry Birds was the first mobile franchise to surpass 1 billion downloads, a feat it accomplished in 2012 across its various games. Subway Surfers was the first to do it in a single game, accomplishing the feat in 2015. It later became the first game to hit 1 billion on the Google Play Store in 2018. It was likely the first game to hit 2 billion downloads, and was definitely the first to hit 3 billion and 4 billion. No other mobile game has ever reached 4 billion downloads.
According to SYBO, Subway Surfers has amassed 4.5 billion downloads as of Jan. 2026 and still boasts millions of monthly active players, despite being nearly a decade and a half old.
Its popularity has remained steady in modern times after many creators started using Subway Surfers gameplay as b-roll in their TikTok videos, a tactic that has been repeated by a professor at the University of California, San Diego during his lectures, which caused his registration rates to skyrocket. Starbucks got in on it with a game that had players collect Starbucks coffee cups for prizes.
Over two dozen companies and celebrities have done events for the game, including Demi Lovato, Walmart, the NFL Players Association and, arguably most famously, Burger King, which helped the game celebrate its 10th birthday with the Burger King Challenge. The prize for that challenge was unlocking the Burger King himself.
There aren’t many niches in gaming where Subway Surfers isn’t present. On top of its massive amount of downloads and use in social media videos, Subway Surfers is also one of the most popular games of all time for speedrunners, and by far the most popular such game for mobile.
The shoes the sequel needs to fill couldn’t be larger, but SYBO believes it’s up to the challenge.
«At its core, Subway Surfers City is the next chapter of Subway Surfers’nearly 15-year-long legacy,» said Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of SYBO.»Subway Surfers City stars reimagined fan-favorite characters, whilesimultaneously introducing never-before-seen content and mechanics. It’sa balance of the classic game our players know and love, with a freshvibrancy that brings the crew’s universe to life in a whole new way.»
Technologies
Black Ops 7 Quad Feed Double XP Weekend Is Live Now
Get a head start on the latest content in Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded with a healthy heaping of double XP rewards.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 developer Treyarch is showing some love to loyal players with a double XP weekend in honor of the Zombies-themed 115 Day celebration. The latest double XP weekend is live now, with all four boosts active for players to take advantage of. You’ll be able to speed through account levels, weapon attachment unlocks and battle pass tiers to chug through the latest seasonal content during this event. This double XP weekend runs from Thursday, Jan. 15, to Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Anyone playing Black Ops 7 during the event period has a universal double account XP, weapon XP, battle pass XP and GobbleGum earn rate applied to their account. If you log in now, you can hop into battle and reap the rewards of this double XP weekend right away.
This is a Quad Feed double XP weekend — a tradition started with last year’s release, Black Ops 6. That means players will be able to benefit from all four customary double XP weekend boosts at the same time. Your double XP tokens will also be locked for the duration of the event.
Here’s everything you need to know about this double XP weekend. If you’re looking for something else to play, see our recommendations for the best game subscription services.
When does the double XP weekend start in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7?
This double XP weekend kicked off Thursday at 1 p.m. ET and is currently live now.
Not sure when the double XP weekend went live for you? Here’s when the event started in your time zone:
- ET: Jan. 15 at 1 p.m.
- CT: Jan. 15 at noon.
- MT: Jan. 15 at 11 a.m.
- PT: Jan. 15 at 10 a.m.
It’s always worth starting your game ahead of your gaming session if possible. As with every Black Ops 7 patch, the update is going to require you to download new content and restart the application.
When does the double XP weekend end in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7?
Some double XP «weekends» are much longer events, lasting five to seven days. The current double XP weekend isn’t nearly that long. This double XP weekend will end on Tuesday. Your double XP tokens will once again unlock after this time.
Here’s when the double XP weekend will end in your time zone:
- ET: Jan. 20 at 1 p.m.
- CT: Jan. 20 at noon.
- MT: Jan. 20 at 11 a.m.
- PT: Jan. 20 at 10 a.m.
Does Call of Duty Warzone have double XP this weekend?
Call of Duty Warzone has a double XP weekend running in tandem with Black Ops 7. That means Warzone players will also be able to benefit from this boost by leveling up their account, weapons and battle passes at twice the normal speed.
New players have a chance to level up the weapons they unlock from the new and improved Warzone Armory, and returning players can continue unlocking new attachments for the suite of Black Ops 7 weaponry added to Warzone.
Black Ops 7 double XP FAQ
Technologies
Switching to T-Mobile’s Better Value Family Plan Could Save You Over $1,000 Per Year
With three or more lines, you get great benefits like free streaming services, satellite connectivity and more.
If you’re looking to cut down on your monthly cell bill, you may want to switch to T-Mobile. Starting at just $140 per month, its new Better Value family plan is already cheaper than some competitors. Plus, it comes with a range of free services and benefits that can save you up to $1,000 per year compared to AT&T or Verizon.
It’s important to note that you need at least three lines of service to be on this plan. If you’re switching from another carrier, you’ll need to port in at least two existing numbers. T-Mobile is also offering a five-year price guarantee, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected costs down the line.
In addition to unlimited 5G data and 250GB of hotspot data every month, the Better Value family plan comes with all kinds of other benefits. You’ll get T-Satellite for free, which uses the Starlink network for unlimited texting and data on specific apps. Other benefits include 30GB of data while abroad in over 215 countries, as well as a free Netflix and Hulu subscription.
Why this deal matters
The benefits you get with T-Mobile’s new Better Value family plan can save you more than $1,000 per year compared to AT&T and Verizon. You can only sign up for a limited time, however, so take advantage of these savings while you can.
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