Abba DLC Shocks Viewers
The THQ Nordic Showcase 2026 opened with an unexpected musical crossover. The publisher announced downloadable content for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake featuring the music of Swedish pop group Abba. Players can now dress SpongeBob in iconic 1970s outfits and race through a disco-themed level set to digitally remastered Abba tracks. Developer Purple Lamp Studios confirmed the DLC arrives on October 14 for all platforms. GameSpot reporter Jessica Howard called the reveal "the most joyful surprise of the show."
Gothic Makes a Massive Return
The headline news came from the Gothic franchise. THQ Nordic confirmed that Gothic Remake will launch in March 2027. The announcement arrived with a new gameplay trailer showing the colony of Khorinis rebuilt using Unreal Engine 5. The trailer emphasized faithful level design and updated combat mechanics. THQ Nordic also revealed Gothic Classic: Enhanced Edition for Nintendo Switch, releasing immediately after the showcase. This version includes the original game with improved controls and a new quick-save feature.
Beyond the remake, THQ Nordic unveiled Gothic: The Board Game. This cooperative tabletop adaptation lets up to four players explore the Old Camp and hunt for loot. The Kickstarter campaign begins on September 15. The board game designer, Stefan Heuer, promised that the game captures the harsh survival tone of the original RPG.
Alone in the Dark Gets New Story Expansion
Pieces Interactive took the stage to announce a story expansion for Alone in the Dark. The DLC, titled Shadow of the Hollow, stars Emily Hartwood as she investigates a missing journalist in a hidden cave system beneath Derceto Manor. The expansion includes new puzzle mechanics and a fresh enemy type that reacts negatively to light. It will launch on October 31 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Expeditions and Strategy Titles Expand
THQ Nordic spotlighted new content for Expeditions: A MudRunner Game. The SnowRunner maker Saber Interactive showed a new region called the Boreal Expanse. This free update adds frozen lakes, drifting snow, and advanced tires for better grip and control. Saber also announced a premium vehicle pack featuring vintage Soviet trucks. The update releases on September 20.
The strategy game Tempest Rising returned with a cinematic trailer. Slipgate Ironworks confirmed a closed beta for October 2026, and preorders opened after the showcase. The beta includes two campaign missions and a multiplayer skirmish mode against the Global Defense Force.
New Trails and Action Titles
The showcase included a fresh look at Titan Quest II. The isometric action RPG showed off its new Darkness and Light system during a boss fight. Players can alternate between sun and shadow abilities to weaken enemies and solve environment puzzles. THQ Nordic announced that Titan Quest II enters early access on December 7.
The studio also revealed a new IP called Wreckreation. Developed by Three Fields Entertainment, the open-world racing game lets players build and race on a shared canvas. The trailer showed players creating stunt ramps, loops, and demolition zones in real time. Wreckreation launches on February 20, 2027.
Finally, THQ Nordic teased a remake of the cult classic SpellForce: The Order of Dawn. The teaser showed only a fiery sigil and the number 2027. The full announcement will come during Gamescom in August 2026.
Closing Highlights
The showcase closed with a surprise update on Darksiders. Gunfire Games released a short clip showing Fury riding a new demonic horse. The clip ended with the phrase "Darksiders IV" and a 2028 window. Fans online immediately started discussing what this means for the series timeline.
GameSpot's full breakdown of the showcase is available on their website. The article notes that THQ Nordic focused heavily on nostalgia while still introducing new mechanics. All products shown today are available for wishlisting on Steam and console stores.
