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Copen Speedruns Into Gunvolt 3 CONNECT iX | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

A surprise speedrun: Copen zips into Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 with CONNECT iX

There’s a small, electrifying update buzzing through the Gunvolt community this week: Inti Creates has pushed a free update to Azure Striker Gunvolt Trilogy Enhanced that injects a fresh, high-octane mode into Azure Striker Gunvolt 3. Called “CONNECT iX,” it hands players control of Copen — the rival-turned-standout from the Luminous Avenger iX subseries — and turns Gunvolt 3 into a compact speedrun playground built for chaining movement, scoring, and personal bests.

Why this matters beyond a new costume

On paper, it’s a single new mode. In practice, CONNECT iX does a lot of heavy lifting:

  • It bridges two branches of Inti Creates’ action catalog (the main Gunvolt numbered series and the iX spin-offs) in a playable, mechanical way.
  • It reframes Gunvolt 3’s stages as speedrun courses, highlighting movement tech and risk/reward scoring rather than long-form story progression.
  • It gives fans of Copen — and players who like fast, precise platform-action — a distilled, replayable challenge without needing to jump to a different game.

If you’ve played any Gunvolt title, you know the series is about rhythm: dash, lock, chain, and keep momentum. CONNECT iX takes that rhythm and accelerates it.

What CONNECT iX actually does

Based on the patch notes and coverage:

  • CONNECT iX is a “Speedrun” mode added to Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 (accessible from the main menu).
  • You play as Copen from Luminous Avenger iX 2 across five stages and bosses, aiming for the highest score and fastest time. (gematsu.com)
  • Gameplay highlights:
    • Bullit Dash mobility lets Copen zip through the air and lock onto enemies rapidly.
    • Access to the seven EX Weapons (Lola’s special equipment) from iX 2 enables different strategies and loadouts.
    • An Overdrive mechanic triggers when Kudos (score) is high enough, powering Copen up and invoking Lola’s support via song. (gematsu.com)

These changes make CONNECT iX feel like a curated best-of: short runs, explosive movement, and a focus on optimizing routes and weapon use. It’s competitive-friendly without being punishing to newcomers who want to experiment.

A bit of context: where CONNECT iX fits in the trilogy

Azure Striker Gunvolt Trilogy Enhanced launched as a bundled, polished package of the three main Gunvolt games (Gunvolt 1, 2, and 3) with added quality-of-life, music, and library content — released digitally for Nintendo Switch and PS5 on July 24, 2025 (with PC presence via storefronts like Steam). This update continues the “Enhanced” ambition: keep the trilogy current, add modes that broaden playstyles, and reward fans with new reasons to return to familiar stages. (nintendolife.com)

Inti Creates has a history of cross-pollination between its franchises (guest characters, crossover tracks, spin-offs). CONNECT iX is a neat design move: rather than just dropping Copen in as a palette swap, the mode adapts his iX toolkit and movement into a distinct scoring loop inside Gunvolt 3.

How players and speedrunners might react

  • Casual players: A fun, bite-sized diversion. Five-stage runs = quick sessions, perfect for practicing movement and learning Copen’s feel without committing to a full campaign.
  • Completionists: New leaderboards and high-score chasing will add another layer to platinuming or completion runs.
  • Speedrunners: CONNECT iX’s short-run structure is tailor-made for route optimization and leaderboard competition. Expect communities to form new categories or integrate these runs into existing Gunvolt speedrun sets.

Because the mode leans on iX-specific tools (Bullit Dash, EX Weapons, Overdrive), mastering it will also teach transferable skills for other iX-related content and fan-made challenges.

What this update says about Inti Creates’ approach

  • Iterative value: Inti Creates continues to support the Trilogy Enhanced edition post-launch, not just with balance tweaks but with meaningful content that changes how the games are played.
  • Franchise cohesion: Bringing Copen into Gunvolt 3 winks at long-term fans while remaining approachable to newcomers.
  • Community-first design: Short, score-driven modes encourage replayability and social competition, which helps sustain interest long after the initial release window.

Quick takeaways

  • CONNECT iX is a free speedrun mode in Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 that makes Copen playable across five fast stages. (gematsu.com)
  • The mode emphasizes aerial mobility (Bullit Dash), EX Weapon variety, and an Overdrive scoring mechanic tied to Kudos. (gematsu.com)
  • It’s a smart crossover that rewards both casual replay and competitive speedrunning, while reinforcing the Trilogy Enhanced package as a living product. (nintendolife.com)

My take

CONNECT iX is the kind of update that tells you a studio understands its audience: it’s quick to pick up, mechanically deep, and gives players a reason to reconvene around leaderboards and clips. It doesn’t rewrite the series’ identity, but it sharpens one of its most appealing facets — fluid, expressive movement — and packages that into a mode that’s both streamable and addictive. For anyone who loves action games where graceful movement meets scoring optimization, this is exactly the sort of bite-sized content that keeps a trilogy feeling fresh.

Sources



Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Last-Minute WoW Tasks Before Midnight | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Posted on by Brian Moineau

Before Midnight Falls: What to Finish in World of Warcraft Right Now

The air in Azeroth has that electric, last-night-before-a-trip feeling. Midnight, World of Warcraft’s next expansion, is looming and the pre-expansion content update goes live on January 20. That means some things will change, some rewards will vanish or become rarer, and there’s a short window to close out The War Within Season Three and tidy up collections, titles, and progress. If you care about mounts, PvP titles, Mythic+ leaderboard placement, or simply want to keep every shiny thing you worked for—now’s the time to act.

What to prioritize this week

  • Finish any raid runs you’ve been putting off.
    • Ahead of the Curve and Cutting Edge for Dimensius are season-bound Feats of Strength—if you want the bragging rights, get the boss down on Heroic/Mythic before the end of season.
    • Mythic-only mount drop rates will drop when Midnight launches; if you’re chasing a Mythic raid mount, try to complete those runs now.
  • Push Mythic+ keys for leaderboard placement.
    • Leaderboards lock at 10:00 pm PST on January 19 (NA) / 22:00 CET on January 20 (EU). If you’re vying for top 0.1% titles like The Unbound Hero, hit those keys before the lock.
  • Grind rated PvP if seasonal rewards matter to you.
    • Season rewards, titles (Astral Gladiator, Astral Legend), and the Astral Gladiator’s Fel Bat mount become unobtainable once the season ends at the same leaderboard-lock times. If you’re near a rating or win milestone, finish your push.
  • Complete Legion Remix and limited-time events.
    • Legion Remix content and other rotating, seasonal activities will expire—wrap up event achievements, toys, and cosmetics while you can.
  • Clean out currencies and inventory.
    • Convert or spend seasonal currencies, sell or store items you’d like to keep, and clear bags before the stat and item squish hits. You don’t want valuable mats or event tokens lost to a conversion or reset.
  • Claim any time-limited quest rewards.
    • Certain quest-tied items or engine-driven rewards (like the Royal Voidwing quest reward) will be locked out once the pre-patch rotates content—complete the relevant questlines now.

Why Blizzard is doing this (and what changes with the pre-patch)

Blizzard uses pre-expansion updates to introduce new systems and to reset season-based progression so the game can pivot into the expansion’s narrative and design. The Midnight pre-expansion update (live January 20) brings major changes: a new Demon Hunter specialization (Devourer), a Void Elf Demon Hunter option, a stat and item squish, comprehensive class combat redesigns, UI updates, transmog improvements, Housing Early Access for expansion purchasers, and a pre-expansion event with the Winds of Mysterious Fortune XP buff. These systems reshape how characters feel and how rewards are distributed, so seasonal metrics and some rewards are deliberately closed out beforehand. (news.blizzard.com)

Quick checklist you can run through tonight

  • Raid:
    • Attempt Dimensius on Heroic/Mythic if you need Ahead of the Curve / Cutting Edge.
    • Farm any Mythic-only mounts you still want.
  • Mythic+:
    • Do a high-timed key or two to lock in your rating before 10:00 pm PST (Jan 19 NA).
  • PvP:
    • Finish rated matches required for titles/mounts; track your wins/ratings needed for the top ladders.
  • Events & Limited Content:
    • Complete Legion Remix rewards and any event-only achievements.
  • Inventory/Currency:
    • Spend or convert seasonal currencies; stash toys, mounts, and heirlooms in collections.
    • Post sellable mats on the Auction House (prices may shift post-squish).
  • Account Stuff:
    • If you purchased Midnight, check Housing Early Access and other pre-order perks.
    • Opt into beta or check Battle.net for licenses if you were expecting invites. (worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com)

Timing and exact dates to remember

  • Midnight pre-expansion content update goes live: January 20 (pre-patch features start rolling out). (news.blizzard.com)
  • Leaderboards and seasonal PvP/Mythic+ seasons lock:
    • NA: January 19 at 10:00 pm PST.
    • EU: January 20 at 22:00 CET.
  • Midnight expansion official global launch: March 2, 2026 (3:00 pm PST, per Blizzard’s schedule). (news.blizzard.com)

If an achievement or reward is listed as a Season Three-only Feat of Strength or season unlock, treat it as time-limited—Blizzard will generally award titles after seasons end, but new access and earning will stop.

How the pre-patch can affect your long-term plans

  • Item and stat squish means raw numbers will change.
    • Don’t panic-salvage everything—some items will convert; others might become obsolete. Focus on collectibles and time-limited unlocks rather than theoretical post-squish value.
  • Class redesigns are widespread.
    • If you want to test new rotations before release, the pre-patch is your sandbox. Expect talent trees to feel different, with fewer filler points and more distinct paths for playstyles. (news.blizzard.com)
  • Housing and transmog updates open doors.
    • Housing Early Access gives players who purchased Midnight a head start on claiming plots and decorating. Transmog updates may change how collections are stored and accessed.

What to not stress about

  • Not everything disappears. Many mounts and rewards become rarer or locked behind new systems, but Blizzard often provides ways to re-earn or obtain similar-looking items later (though sometimes with lower drop rates). Mythic mounts may still exist but at reduced chances after the transition. (news.blizzard.com)
  • New systems will have kinks.
    • The first days after the pre-patch can be messy—hold off on panic-deleting gear or rushing expensive auction house gambles until initial fixes and conversion clarifications arrive.

Final thoughts

Pre-patches are equal parts nostalgia and frantic checklist. They close a chapter—letting The War Within finish its arc—and open another that promises a Void-touched tone and sweeping mechanical change. If you want to keep the trophies you earned, push the season systems now; if you’re excited to experiment with Devourer Demon Hunters, Void Elf Demon Hunters, or the revamped talent trees, the pre-patch will give you a rare preview. Either way, savor the last nights in Khaz Algar, queue with friends for one last raid push, and log those screenshots—Midnight will be worth the new memories, but the old ones matter too.

What I’d do if I had one evening

  • Run one Mythic raid and a high Mythic+ key with guild/party—prioritize mounts and leaderboard progress.
  • Finish any PvP rating pushes you’re within reach of.
  • Spend leftover seasonal currencies and tidy bank/bags.
  • Log alts into Legion Remix and grab quick event rewards.
  • Take screenshots and grab mounts/toys into the collections before any possible lockouts.

Sources