Rare Beauty is launching nationwide at over 1,500 Ulta Beauty stores on February 1, expanding its availability beyond Sephora and emphasizing accessibility, community, and social impact through a new charitable partnership. The brand, founded by Selena Gomez, aims to reach more consumers with its popular products like blush and highlighter, and continues its growth with a focus on long-term success and social responsibility.
Arc Raiders' second battle pass, the Goalie Raider Deck, is now available for free, offering cosmetics, gear, and Raider Tokens through daily Feats, and remains a permanent feature allowing players to unlock rewards at their own pace, including a new hockey-themed outfit.
Fortnite Winterfest 2025 introduces snow-covered maps, new collaborations with Harry Potter, SpongeBob, Bleach, and more, along with free rewards, holiday-themed map updates, and returning winter weapons, ending on January 5.
Epic Games is introducing customizable pet Sidekicks to Fortnite, starting with Peels, a banana puppy, available in the upcoming battle pass and in-game shop, offering new cosmetic options without affecting gameplay advantage, and teasing future animal Sidekicks like cats.
Battlefield 6's launch excitement has waned two weeks after release due to issues with new cosmetics, maps, and game modes, especially the battle royale mode Redsec, which has received negative feedback for its integration and map size. The season one update introduced a battle pass and new skins, but these changes have shifted the game towards a live-service model, causing dissatisfaction among players who preferred the original gameplay focus. Despite ongoing player engagement, the game's future may depend on EA's response to community feedback.
The article warns about the societal obsession with maintaining a youthful appearance, particularly the idea of a 'forever 35-year-old face,' highlighting the pressures and beauty standards that encourage constant skincare and cosmetic interventions to combat aging.
Isaac Clarke from Dead Space has been added as a skin in EA's free-to-play Skate reboot, costing around $30 in in-game currency, which is more expensive than the physical remake of Dead Space itself, raising questions about the value of digital cosmetics.
Fortnite has launched a collaboration with Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, featuring skins and cosmetics priced between 300 to 3,500 V-Bucks, but it currently lacks music rights, limiting the content to cosmetics only. The event is temporary, ending on October 16, with potential for future content including in-game concerts or music additions.
Starting September 26, players can purchase StarCraft-themed cosmetics for Diablo IV, including armor sets and companions inspired by iconic characters and factions, with additional free gifts and Twitch Drops available until October 10 to earn emblems and rewards.
Overwatch 2 has launched a Persona 5-themed crossover event from September 16-29, featuring five new Legendary skins based on Phantom Thieves characters, along with various cosmetics and bundles for purchase, with options to buy individual skins or a comprehensive Mega Bundle.
Chinese researchers found that a 0.1% pterostilbene-containing cream significantly improves skin elasticity, firmness, and reduces wrinkles over 28 days, demonstrating its potential as an effective anti-aging ingredient.
Hailey Bieber's Rhode beauty brand has launched at Sephora, offering 16 products including viral lip tints, blushes, and skincare essentials, marking her first retail availability beyond her own channels and coinciding with her partnership with E.l.f. Cosmetics.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 aims to return to a more authentic, military-themed aesthetic by removing crossover and goofy skins, responding to recent criticism and competition from Battlefield 6, with a focus on realism and a tonal reset, while still maintaining some progression features. The game will be revealed at the Call of Duty: NEXT event on September 30, with early access beta starting October 2.
Activision and Treyarch are removing crossover skins from Black Ops 6 in Black Ops 7 to maintain a more authentic and grounded Call of Duty experience, responding to community feedback and competition from Battlefield 6.
Overwatch 2 is set to feature a collaboration with Persona 5, confirmed by a teaser in the Season 18 trailer showing Joker's silhouette, likely leading to Persona-themed skins for various heroes, though not adding Joker as a playable character. The partnership reflects ongoing talks between Blizzard and Atlus, with fans anticipating skins for characters like Joker, Ryuji, Ann, Morgana, and possibly others from Persona 5.
