When the initial *Dying Light* debuted in 2015, I was captivated from the very first leap between rooftops. The combination of parkour and panic was unparalleled at that time. Movement had substance, combat felt intense, and the environment clamored to be discovered, even while it was actively attempting to eliminate you. Years later, I revisited it with a group of friends, traversing the campaign co-op from beginning to end, and once again found myself enamored with it. That game remains impactful. The way it melds tension and momentum, continually compelling you to think swiftly.

Thus, when I learned that *Dying Light: The Beast* was reverting to its horror origins, my curiosity was piqued. I was prepared. The entire setup feels like a significant change: a forest in place of a city, a calculated antagonist rather than a brute, and the long-anticipated comeback of a character I’d thought was forever lost. Kyle Crane is not just back; he’s damaged, furious, and perhaps more perilous than the creatures surrounding him.

To explore how Techland is advancing a franchise that helped reshape the zombie genre, CGM engaged Franchise Director Tymon Smektała in a discussion about Castor Woods, the evolving tone of the series, and the experience of constructing something new atop the foundation of something cherished.

**Let’s discuss Castor Woods. It represents a significant departure from the dense urban landscapes we’ve encountered previously. What inspired the choice of the tranquil, tourist-town-turned-nightmare concept?**

**Tymon Smektała:** After developing city-focused sandboxes in two consecutive games, we were eager to tackle something different. We made the decision to delve into an environment where nature, rather than concrete, dictates the rules, primarily to challenge ourselves a bit and expand the limits of what we believed worked in a *Dying Light* game.

Castor Woods initially existed as a picture-perfect resort—a destination for hikers, travelers, and… Instagram-worthy views. Following the outbreak, that picturesque setting became frozen in time, leaving chalets overtaken by ivy and hiking trail signs partially buried in dirt. Artistically, it allowed us to juxtapose beauty with decay, and from a gameplay perspective, it compelled us to reassess traversal and how our horrors and scares could operate when trees substituted for alleyways.

**Kyle Crane returns in *Dying Light: The Beast*, which is monumental for fans of the first game like myself. What made this the opportune moment to bring him back, and how does he differ from the character we knew previously?**

**Tymon Smektała:** Players have continuously wondered “what truly happened to Crane?” since *Dying Light: The Following*, and I grew weary of answering it for a decade, haha. In all seriousness, the franchise’s 10-year anniversary felt like the ideal occasion to resolve that once and for all. However, don’t anticipate Kyle to be the upbeat, wise-cracking badass mercenary he used to be. Years of captivity and experimentation have left him damaged—both physically and mentally. He’s tougher and more resentful, interacting with others with a significant level of skepticism.

Moreover—due to what Baron did to him—he’s susceptible to frightening outbursts of power that he doesn’t completely control, which present themselves not only in gameplay but also in the narrative. Nonetheless, beneath all that, he remains intact, flesh, bones, and spirit, and as the game progresses, he gradually reconnects with the “old Kyle.” I believe we’ve succeeded in making him a more intriguing, mature character without sacrificing what endeared him to millions of players initially.

**The Baron appears to be a truly villainous character. How did you go about crafting a villain in *Dying Light: The Beast* who could hold his own against the horror established by Rais and Waltz?**

**Tymon Smektała:** Rais exemplified pure brutality, while Waltz embodied blind obsession; the Baron represents intellectual coldness. We posed this question: What does a scientist become when ethics perish before humanity? The Baron is our answer. Even his appearance—expensive coat, golden brooch, impeccably clean surgical gloves—combines luxury, sophistication, and ruthlessness in a way no other adversary we’ve created before has.

He’s the closest to a Bond villain we’ve ever approached. Interestingly, for most of the game, he maintains a hands-off approach—making your life more difficult through his private army and monstrous Chimeras, while keeping a distance, observing your reactions. This intensifies players’ motivation to “finally confront him,” and when that confrontation occurs… well, I’m afraid I can’t provide spoilers.

Fast-moving FPS titles such as Call of Duty or Overwatch typically reward quick reflexes and aggressive play—but Rainbow Six Siege? It’s an entirely different animal. In this game, speed is secondary. Patience, map awareness, and strategic decision-making dominate the gameplay dynamic. Siege not only gauges your mechanical ability—it tests your mental endurance.

In a time when many online shooters have become sprint-and-shoot arenas, Siege has established a unique space by penalizing impatience and valuing thoughtful, strategic planning. It’s among the rare games where waiting can be a legitimate tactic, and indecision can lead to total loss.

## Concentration Is Your Strongest Asset

Each round in Rainbow Six Siege presents a multi-faceted puzzle. You’re not merely pursuing objectives—you’re predicting enemy movements, collaborating with your team, and using your equipment with accuracy. Players who approach it as just another shooter frequently find themselves surprised. That’s where the digital advantage enters. Utilizing a Rainbow Six Siege gift card grants players access to operator bundles, cosmetic enhancements, and essential R6 Credits, facilitating the customization of strategies without an endless grind for new content.

However, there’s no substitute for concentration. Siege compels players to engage profoundly: footsteps are not mere background sounds—they’re critical indicators. Each breach, camera stream, and gadget signal counts. In this regard, it instills a kind of gaming mindfulness that few other titles demand.

## Less Reflex, More Thought

Contrary to high-speed shooters where victory can hinge on who clicks first, Siege rewards those who contemplate better questions. What lurks behind that door? Is someone baiting in the corridor? Are we going too far? It’s akin to chess, with drones and flashbangs involved.

Experienced players often report a transformation in their approach after spending time in Siege. They tend to move more deliberately, communicate with greater clarity, and analyze scenarios more thoroughly—even when playing different games. It’s not surprising that many Siege players excel in strategy-driven genres; they’ve conditioned their minds to think several steps ahead.

## From Virtual Discipline to Real-World Insights

Interestingly, the focus and discipline nurtured in Siege can translate into real-life applications. Whether it’s maintaining composure under stress, coordinating teamwork, or learning to evaluate risks beforeacting—these soft skills extend well beyond gaming.

Siege trains you to pause before jumping in. In a chaotic world filled with distractions, such intentional focus is becoming increasingly scarce, both in gaming and everyday life. In this sense, Siege represents more than just a game—it embodies a mindset.

## Where Accuracy Meets Adaptability

If you’re exploring the Siege environment, a Rainbow Six Siege gift card can enhance your in-game choices at your own speed. It won’t alter your ability to think quickly—but it can assist you in crafting a loadout that aligns with your playstyle and bolsters your tactical objectives.

## Final Thoughts: It’s a Cognitive Challenge

Not every gamer desires the stress of being the last player standing while their teammates listen in. But for those who do, Rainbow Six Siege presents something exceptional: a genuine examination of digital discipline. It compels you to slow down, pay attention, and think intentionally—abilities that extend beyond gaming.

As more players seek adaptable methods to unlock content and engage on their own terms, digital marketplaces are increasingly integral to that transition—providing diversity without confining users to a single platform or pace.

On the weekend of PAX West 2025, Wizards of the Coast and Magic: The Gathering joined forces to present a dark panel brimming with fresh insights—and adversaries—regarding the eagerly awaited Spider-Man Universes Beyond set. The prior official unveiling, during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, provided fans with a glimpse behind the scenes at some of the card illustrations, featuring works from renowned Marvel comic book artists such as John Romita Sr., Steve Ditko, and Todd McFarlane.

The announcement highlighted a dominant group of villains: a coalition of six intent on eliminating Spider-Man for good. While there have been numerous versions of the Sinister Six throughout Marvel’s legacy, the version showcased in Magic: The Gathering emphasizes the original ensemble led by Dr. Octopus, first unveiled in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual No. 1 in 1964. Although Octavius was previously revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, PAX West revealed the remainder of the team.

Before the Magic: The Gathering Spider-Man cards, art, and mechanics were disclosed, the lead design panel took the stage to introduce themselves. The four-member team behind the set expressed their passion for both comics and Magic: The Gathering, evident in card designs that bring New York’s iconic hero to the forefront of MTG.

The group includes Corey Bowen, senior game designer; Jadine Klomparens, principal game designer; and Sarah Wassell, senior art director. Leading the team is Mark Rosewater, Magic: The Gathering’s head designer for over three decades. Together, this blend of creative expertise crafted a set that not only respects Spider-Man’s legacy but also incorporates mechanics that seamlessly integrate into the game.

Magic: The Gathering Spider-Man Universes Beyond Mechanics

A key focus for the design team is that they stressed the card designs and functionalities are directly inspired by how these elements would manifest in Spider-Man comic panels, and that transition has been effortlessly adapted to the MTG tabletop. Both novel and returning features will be prominent throughout the set, with the newly revealed mechanics detailed below.

– Mayhem – This new keyword grants players the ability to cast a card from their graveyard (usually at a cost lower than the original mana value) if the card was discarded during the turn. While the newly introduced Green Goblin provides Mayhem to everything in the graveyard, it notably does not reduce the initial cost.

– Web-slinging – Another new keyword that operates similarly to Ninjutsu but with fewer requirements. Like Mayhem, the Web-slinging cost will almost invariably be less than the initial casting cost due to an added condition for casting. Players can cast a spell for its web-slinging cost by returning a tapped creature they control to their hand.

– Villain archetype – Although this category was previously present on cards like the Sonic the Hedgehog Secret Lair’s Dr. Eggman, it receives considerable expansion with bonuses in MTG Spider-Man Universes Beyond.

– Enchantment Saga – Enchantment Sagas make a comeback in Spider-Man, but this time the design team focused on making them resemble authentic comic panels, and as lore counters accumulate, the comic storyline progresses.

MTG Spider-Man Introduces A New Way To Play, The Pick-Two Draft

In addition to the Spider-Man card mechanics, Wizards of the Coast is unveiling a new gameplay format for Magic: The Gathering: the Pick Two Draft format. Similar to a conventional booster draft, each player commences with three booster packs. The twist is that in Pick Two, players always choose two cards from each booster pack instead of one before passing the pack to the next player.

In the first round, players open their initial booster and, after selecting two cards, pass the pack to their left. Once all cards from the first pack are drafted, players open the second booster, again choosing two at a time, but this time passing to the right. For the third and final pack, cards are passed once more to the left. At the conclusion of the draft, each player will possess the cards required to construct a 40-card deck, supplemented with basic lands.

Magic: The Gathering Spider-Man Bonus Sheet Unveiled!

Specialized treatments have dominated each MTG release, and the “Bonus Sheet” (featuring a selection of reprints from MTG, presented with new artwork) from MTG Final Fantasy showcased artwork drawn from years of illustrations, sketches, and concept art from the franchise’s history. The bonus sheet is marked by an expansion symbol distinct from the main set (the main set has SPM, while the bonus sheet has MAR), and it digs into Spider-Man’s history. Some of the most legendary moments in Spider-Man have been immortalized in Magic: The Gathering reprints, and all disclosed cards at PAX West 2025 can be viewed below.