Duration: 08:29

Timestamps:

0:00 Blinx and you'll miss it

0:14 Valve building 'SteamGPT'

1:30 Pokemon Champions' rock-type launch

3:13 Samson also has rough launch

4:36 QUICK BITS INTRO

4:44 Forza Horizon 6 previews

5:32 No Man's Sky Xeno Arena

6:10 Pokemon Go champion disqualified

6:54 Mass Effect TV show too gamer-ey

7:26 Kerbal Space Program player count

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

TRUST ISSUES, NOW AUTOMATED

Valve has been building an internal AI tool called SteamGPT, designed to automate support tickets, summarize accounts, and feed signals into CS2's anti-cheat, and we only know about it because of a new leak. https://www.pcworld.com/article/3110609/valve-is-quietly-building-its-own-ai-tool-called-steamgpt.html 

Dataminer GabeFollower found references buried in a Steam client update and the protobuf files he surfaced show 

https://x.com/gabefollower/status/2041616788178256245 

it's way more than a chatbot name somebody thought was funny. https://lmg.gg/Githubfilesteamgptsummary 

• Editor: highlight the three SteamGPT files in the GitHub folder

The system has three moving parts. Each designed to handle internal processes. Like autohandling support tickets using account context, summarizing account details, 

https://lmg.gg/steamgptthreethings

and providing player evaluations for CS2’s Trust Factor (“Trust score” taking a page out of Xi Jinping’s Social Credit system)

https://pickem-mongolia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Trust-Factor-CS2-Guide-1.webp

• Editor: img of trust factor rankings 

What blows my mind about SteamGPTSummary - is it can instantly build a full dossier on your account the second the function is called…which is either super efficient or mildly terrifying, depending on how cursed your Steam hours look. https://github.com/SteamTracking/Protobufs/blob/master/webui/service_steamgptsummary.proto 

We're talking location history, alt accounts, fraud signals, VAC bans, recent playtime, and whether your email is flagged as high-risk, all assembled possibly before a human has even read your ticket.

https://github.com/SteamTracking/Protobufs/blob/master/webui/service_steamgptsummary.proto 

• Editor: slow scroll through CSteamGPT_Summary, flash each field as host names it: existing_accounts, high_fraud_email, vacbans, playtime_forever, countries

So next time Steam Support seems weirdly well-informed about your account, that's not a human doing their homework. That's Valve's AI doing it before the ticket's even been read.

https://x.com/gabefollower/status/2041616788178256245/photo/1 

• Editor: Funny gaben image from the twitter post, fullscreen or over the shoulder for ending joke.

GOTTA CATCH ALL 187 OF 'EM

April 8 - Pokémon Champions launches to mixed reception, as performance woes and competitive changes turn some away

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/04/feels-like-a-fleshed-out-beta-fans-are-unhappy-with-pokemon-champions-at-launch 

https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-champions-reception-performance-woes-competitive-changes

Its missing alot of stuff

https://gamefragger.com/nintendo/pokemon-champions-faces-early-criticism-over-limited-pokdex-performance-issues-and-cut-items-a28205 

List of example items: https://lmg.gg/fJ2oj 

https://nintendoeverything.com/pokemon-champions-is-off-to-a-rough-start-heres-why/

An error can occur when transferring Pokemon from Pokemon Home.

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-champions-bug-has-made-some-players-lose-access-to-their-precious-monsters/1100-6539280/ 

They have issued an apology and said fixes are incoming (Editor translate to English, show the headline then draw the eye to the bug list): https://news.pokemon-home.com/ja/page/758.html   

It will be taken offline for 2 hours to address the bugs https://lmg.gg/sFM0T 

One of the bugs made Gallade able to be female, and the internet crowned her as a trans icon

https://kotaku.com/pokemon-champions-trans-gallade-female-male-gardevoir-2000685803 

Twitter post: https://x.com/justivenhere/status/2041713037892317460 

It will be taken offline for 2 hours to address the bugs https://lmg.gg/sFM0T 

JUST CAUSE FOR A REFUND

The creator of Just Cause released Samson yesterday, and it’s already landed at Mixed on Steam and the third-worst score of 2026 on Metacritic. https://www.ign.com/articles/we-released-a-game-with-flaws-for-a-number-of-reasons-samson-dev-promises-improvements-amid-mixed-reception

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3634520/Samson/ 

One reviewer mentioned playing it as a “frustrating, hollow, and unpleasant experience” as he encountered mission breaking bugs.

https://lmg.gg/samsongamerrantreview 

Another reviewer pointed out to the games “overly simplistic and repetitive gameplay”

https://www.metacritic.com/publication/4pde/ 

• Editor: 4P.DE Samson's review

https://www.metacritic.com/game/samson/ 

Another steam review cited the map as being the size of a basketball court and the game as a whole as unfinished and extremely repetitive.

https://steamcommunity.com/id/cyb0rg_slay3r/recommended/3634520 

 Creative director Christofer Sundberg posted a letter to Steam acknowledging the flaws, calling the game-breaking bugs and performance issues “unacceptable” but 

https://lmg.gg/numberofreasonsSamson

• Editor: highlight not working “Early impressions are mixed and many of you are experiencing game-breaking bugs and performance issues. That’s unacceptable and we are listening to everyone’s feedback and are hard at work to deliver the game we spent years of our lives developing.”

had "released a game with flaws for a number of reasons.” WHAT ARE THOSE REASONS?

https://lmg.gg/numberofreasonsSamson

• Editor: Highlight not working “released a game with flaws for a number of reasons” quote highlight ty

A patch drops Friday, April 10th, and is targeting performance, crashes, and mission progression issues. The bones might be there, but right now you're better off waiting for the sale than funding the surgery. https://steamcommunity.com/app/3634520/discussions/0/800092562772785651/?snr=1_2108_9__2107 

• Editor: Just scroll through the patch page slowly zooming in

QUICKBITS

FORZA HORIZON: TOKYO DRIFT

April 8 - Forza Horizon 6 dropped the first 6 minutes of gameplay and gave out pre release copies to reviewers. People seemed hyped although it's likely these are paid promotions 

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/04/08/forza-horizon-6-preview-japan-collectibles-seamless-races-open-world-design/ 

https://www.autoblog.com/reviews/forza-horizon-6-honest-review

Gameplay trailer: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1qlPZMfmiU 

4:05 pretty visuals: https://youtu.be/H1qlPZMfmiU?t=245 

Even the Sim guys are alright with it

https://www.overtake.gg/news/we-played-forza-horizon-6-finally-good-on-a-wheel.4362/ 

2:55 AE86 drifting into a car show clip for initial D joke

https://youtu.be/H1qlPZMfmiU?t=175 

I CHOOSE YOU, GASEOUS BLOB

April 8 - No Man’s Sky now has Pokémon-style creature battles (this is funny because of the Pokemon patent getting denied)

https://www.nomanssky.com/xeno-arena-update/ (Editor scroll down to the headline)

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/no-mans-skys-latest-update-is-an-entire-new-pokemon-style-creature-collection-and-battle-system-thats-an-entire-multiplayer-game-all-of-its-own/ 

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0pzvZ-8yIs 

• 0:28: collect breed and genetically modify your eggs https://youtu.be/I0pzvZ-8yIs?t=28 
• 0:36 battle clip: https://youtu.be/I0pzvZ-8yIs?t=36 

They admit its inspired by Pokemon and Palworld: https://lmg.gg/ivPEu 

USPTO denied Nintendo’s patent on battling: https://gamesfray.com/u-s-patent-examiner-rejects-nintendos-summon-subcharacter-and-let-it-fight-in-1-of-2-modes-patent-as-obvious-non-final-ruling/ 

UNSPORTSMANLIKE?

Pokémon GO Orlando Regional champion Firestar73 was stripped of his first place finish for "unsportsmanlike conduct" - and yes, competitive Pokémon GO is apparently a thing people fly internationally for. https://www.dexerto.com/pokemon/pokemon-go-champion-stripped-of-title-for-celebrating-his-win-3347073/

Look at this lil ol celebration. 

https://x.com/ItsAXN/status/2040924406827086032

• Editor: play clip from 0:03 to end, he pumps his fist and shakes his opponent's hand

Even The official Play Pokémon Tournament Rules Handbook, yes that also seemingly exists, doesn't actually define what counts as unsportsmanlike. It just says players must display "the spirit of the game."  https://www.pokemon.com/static-assets/content-assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-tournament-rules-handbook-en.pdf

• Editor: handbook page 42, section 7.1 'Philosophy' highlight the vague language

#JusticeForFirestar is trending, and honestly, if you travel the world to be the best Pokémon GO player on earth, the least they can do is let you feel good about it for more than five seconds.

REWRITE EFFECT

April 4 - Mass Effect TV show ordered to rewrite scripts and make them "more appealing to non-gamers"

https://www.ign.com/articles/mass-effect-prime-video-series-amazon-tv-boss-reportedly-requested-rewrites-to-make-it-more-appealing-to-non-gamers 

Original source: https://theankler.com/p/why-is-peter-friedlander-taking-so 

https://www.eurogamer.net/mass-effect-tv-show-ordered-to-rewrite-scripts-and-make-them-more-appealing-to-non-gamers

https://cosmicbook.news/mass-effect-tv-show-rewrite-non-gamers-amazon 

Pricey genre drama quote: https://lmg.gg/kqbT6 

TO THE MOON!

Kerbal Space Program just hit its highest live player count on Steam in over a decade, which is impressive for a game that's been out since 2015. 

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/kerbal-space-program-rockets-to-its-highest-concurrent-player-count-on-steam-in-more-than-10-years/

It seems the Artemis 2 launch has reminded us of how cool space was again, as KSP hit 12,434 concurrent players shortly after.

https://lmg.gg/quoteartemisksp 

Even more impressive considering KSP 2, its sequel, launched, imploded, and got abandoned by the publisher in the span of about two years. 

https://store.steampowered.com/app/954850/Kerbal_Space_Program_2/ 

But unlike KSP 2, Artemis 2 thankfully did not implode and we will never abandon our space homies renewing our collective spirit and hope for the future. Perhaps what we all needed to be reminded of was the good and depths we can achieve as people when we come together. I bet you wont find anyone who hates it - well actually I spoke to soon…..

https://www.reddit.com/r/insanepeoplefacebook/comments/1sd17lr/antinasa_artemis_is_evil/#lightbox 

• Editor: Reddit post second image American Heritage center shit talking artemis 2 as evil based on bible teachings lmao

Duration: 07:26

Timestamps:

0:00 I dono, smells fine to me

0:13 Denuvo broken by hypervisor

1:39 Garry Newman's S&box, Valve deal

3:03 Nintendo Pokemon patent rejected

4:20 QUICK BITS INTRO

4:26 Ubisoft sued over taking The Crew offline

5:24 MindsEye DLC will have sabotage evidence

6:12 Eidos Montreal layoffs, studio head gone

6:54 Pokopia, IKEA collab

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

DENUV-OH NO

Denuvo is now able to be bypassed via an exploit. So yay pirates, but also holy crap this is dangerous to install

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3104672/cracking-denuvo-games-in-windows-just-got-easier-and-insanely-dangerous.html 

https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/denuvo-has-been-broken-company-promises-countermeasures-against-new-drm-bypasses-zero-day-game-releases-become-norm-as-security-concerns-mount-over-hypervisor-based-bypass 

Denuvo crackwatch (Editor show latest posts): https://www.reddit.com/r/CrackWatch/new/ 

Resident Evil Requiem: https://i.imgur.com/Cqpt0sJ.png 

Crimson Desert: https://i.imgur.com/YfALV3i.png 

Why its dangerous: https://lmg.gg/549i5 

https://torrentfreak.com/game-pirates-beat-denuvo-with-hypervisor-bypasses-irdeto-promises-countermeasure/ 

Company response: https://lmg.gg/FeKyY 

Capcom Just Cannot Stop Deliberately Breaking Its Games With DRM

https://kotaku.com/capcom-resident-evil-trilogy-enigma-drm-steam-2000684223  

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/original-resident-evil-trilogy-with-gogs-fresh-coat-of-paint-is-finally-on-steam-but-you-will-have-to-put-up-with-enigma-drm

INDIE BOOM INCOMING?

Garry's Mod creator Garry Newman has officially partnered with Valve on a deal that lets games made in S&box, his upcoming sandbox successor, be sold on Steam without royalties. https://www.gamesradar.com/games/simulation/garrys-mod-creator-partners-with-valve-in-deal-that-ensures-games-made-in-his-sandbox-gems-new-successor-can-be-sold-royalty-free-on-steam-its-just-waiting-for-us-now/

The deal means anyone can export a game from S&box's built-in editor and sell it as a standalone title on Steam without paying Facepunch, the studio behind S&box, a single cent. https://sbox.game/news/update-26-03-25  

• Editor: Cant get highlight to work but in the "Standalone" section 
• "We signed the new license with Valve this week, allowing us to allow people to export games from s&box's editor and ship them as standalone games on Steam without paying us anything."

S&box itself launches on Steam on April 28. Newman says the move is about paying it forward and lowering the barrier to entry for indie developers, giving them the same kind of chance he was given. 

https://store.steampowered.com/app/590830/sbox/   

He credits Valve for kickstarting his career. In an interview with PC Gamer, he said: "the thing that we've appreciated, what I learned from Rust and Garry's Mod, is that Valve gave me a chance."

https://lmg.gg/NewmanCreditsValve  

• Editor: Quote

The best part is that it's already happening. Games are already being built in S&box. 

 https://sbox.game/games 

One example is My Summer Cottage by Small Fish, an esoteric exploration game that's notably already listed on Steam.

 https://store.steampowered.com/app/3115420/My_Summer_Cottage/ 

UBRE, a developer from Small Fish, also interviewed Kenney, 

https://smallfi.sh/blog/kenney_interview  

a beloved indie game asset creator who has contributed over 40,000 free assets to the game dev community over the past 14 years. While the interview is from 2024, even he was excited about the platform's potential.

https://kenney.nl/   

He said: "I only recently learned that people can publish their games outside of the S&box platform, to me that's a game changer!" 

https://lmg.gg/KenneyonSandbox  

• Editor: Quote

As layoffs continue to hit AAA studios while indie games keep gaining momentum, it’s starting to feel like the era of massive budget gaming might be fading, making room for games that might not cost a lot to make, but games that ____

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1082430/Before_Your_Eyes/ 

• EDITOR: record screen and play the first trailer on this page from 0:13 - 0:35 - we might not use the whole thing but I want that much available
• In the screen recording, have the game art on the right visible
• Slowly fade the video in as host says the last line in the story
• Vibe is “staring into space feeling feelings”

POKÉ-PATENT, REVOKE THEM ALL 

The US Patent Office just revoked Nintendo's controversial Pokémon battling patent, though the decision isn't final. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/04/nintendos-summon-character-to-fight-patent-rejected-by-us-patent-office  

Back in September 2025, the USPTO granted Nintendo US patent 12,403,397, which described a system for summoning sub-characters into battle, 

https://archive.org/details/12403397/page/n21/mode/2up   

essentially the core Pokémon loop. 

https://archive.org/details/12403397/page/n9/mode/2up 

It was approved with almost zero pushback, drawing outcry from players and legal experts alike notably Videogame patent lawyer Kirk Sigmon called the approval "an embarrassing failure of the US patent system." https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/an-embarrassing-failure-of-the-us-patent-system-videogame-ip-lawyer-says-nintendos-latest-patents-on-pokemon-mechanics-should-not-have-happened-full-stop/ 

Well at least not as embarrassing as patenting this device

https://patents.google.com/patent/US6293874B1/en 

• Editor: Show this when host is reacting to weird patent image

https://www.brandon-valorisation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/US6293874_Appareil-pour-donner-des-coups-de-pieds-aux-fesses-de-lutilisateur_Brandon-Valorisation-conseils-en-innovation-Paris-France.png 

The USPTO now seems to agree. Last week, it rejected all 26 of the patent's claims in a nonfinal decision, effectively declaring its intent to revoke the patent. https://api.unifiedpatents.com/reexam/90020162/MN60O2K1X158X88  

• Editor: page 5 status of claims rejected screengrab

What made the reexamination notable is that it was ordered by USPTO Director John A. Squires on his own initiative, the first time since 2012 a director has personally intervened without another company requesting it. 

https://lmg.gg/DirectorJohnUSPTOQuote  

The rejection was based on four pieces of prior art, patents from Konami, Bandai Namco, and even two of Nintendo's own earlier filings. The examiner didn't even need to look at actual games to reach that conclusion.

https://lmg.gg/PCGAMERPREEXISTINGPATENT  

Nintendo has two months to respond, and can still appeal to the Federal Circuit, so this isn't over yet. 

QUICK BITS

CREW CONTROL

Mar 31 - French consumer group sues Ubisoft over shutdown of online game 'The Crew'

https://www.reuters.com/technology/french-consumer-group-sues-ubisoft-over-shutdown-online-game-the-crew-2026-03-31/ 

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/french-consumer-group-sues-ubisoft-over-shutdown-of-the-crew

https://www.techspot.com/news/111916-french-consumer-group-sues-ubisoft-over-crew-server.html 

Blog post about the lawsuit: Editor translate page to english

https://www.quechoisir.org/action-ufc-que-choisir-jeux-video-l-ufc-que-choisir-assigne-ubisoft-en-justice-suite-a-la-fermeture-du-jeu-the-crew-n175318/ 

Ubisoft tried to get this thrown out before by maintaining that customers only purchase “limited access”

https://www.scribd.com/document/848030901/The-Crew-lawsuit-Ubisoft-response-via-Polygon 

TRIAL BY DLC

April 1 - MindsEye studio head confirms plans to share evidence the game was sabotaged… in DLC

• Note for writer (don’t have to include, but just to reduce potential confusion): Current CEO of Build a Rocket Boy is Mark Gerhard, who filled in after founder Leslie Benzies stepped down (temporarily?) in early 2026

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/mindseye-is-adding-a-new-mission-which-will-share-some-of-the-evidence-of-alleged-studio-sabotage-ceo-says/ 

in February, Gerhard told Insider Gaming about plan to ‘use names’ of saboteurs in DLC content

https://insider-gaming.com/mindseye-ceo-alleges-1-million-sabotaging-its-game/ 

• Quote https://lmg.gg/7oE6i 

This week, told Gamesbeat the mission is called ‘Blacklist’ and confirmed plans to ‘share evidence’

https://gamesbeat.com/why-build-a-rocket-boy-moved-to-self-publishing-for-mindseye-mark-gerhard-interview/ 

• Quote https://lmg.gg/WavWT 

https://www.metacritic.com/game/mindseye/ 

DEUS AXED

Mar 31 - Eidos-Montréal announces 124 job cuts; studio head David Anfossi departs after 19 years at developer

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/eidos-montreal-announces-124-job-cuts-studio-head-david-anfossi-departs-after-19-years-at-developer 

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/eidos-montreal-announces-mass-layoffs-for-the-third-year-in-a-row-as-studio-head-leaves/ 

Eidos Montreal Cancels 7+ Year In-Development Title That Cost Hundreds of Millions

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Report-Eidos-Montreal-cancels-100-million-game-in-development-for-7-years.1263060.0.html 

https://insider-gaming.com/eidos-montreal-wildlands-cancellation/ 

It burned through 4 different game engines:

https://lmg.gg/Ryr4F 

POKÉ-KÖTTBULLAR

Mar 31 - Pokémon Pokopia is getting an IKEA collaboration inspired by Pikachu and Snorlax

• Apparently not an April Fools’ Day joke

https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-pokopia-announces-ikea-collaboration-with-new-items

https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-pokopia-ikea-collaboration/ 

https://www.ikea.com/jp/ja/campaigns/20th-anniversary-pokemon-pub72465cf0/  

Product Images: https://www.ikea.com/ext/ingkadam/m/3ee5f3a7a90863ee/original/JP-0011639.jpg?f=xl 

Weird poster:

https://www.ikea.com/ext/ingkadam/m/1a4f1dc7a9575def/original/JP-0011640.jpg?f=xl

Duration: 09:41

Timestamps:

0:00 I HAVE THE POWER!!!

0:15 Epic Games, Fortnite layoffs

2:16 Pokemon Champions major changes

4:05 Switch 2 physical/digital game prices

5:35 QUICK BITS INTRO

5:50 Minecraft World theme park

6:27 Crimson Desert sells $3M copies

7:17 EverQuest Legends

7:48 Post-Game Depression is real

8:28 Colbert writes a Lord of the Rings movie

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

EPIC-LY SAD LAYOFFS 

Epic Games has fired over 1,000 employees as Fortnite engagement continues to trend down. 

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/epic-games-lays-off-over-1000-employees-following-downturn-in-fortnite-engagement 

Fruit Love Island joke https://www.dexerto.com/tiktok/fruit-love-island-is-the-internets-new-obsession-as-ai-videos-get-millions-of-views-3339289/ 

CEO Tim Sweeney released a public memo outlining the decision based on the company's need to make major budget cuts to keep the company funded and in a “more stable place.” The memo outlines that this layoff is part of a larger cost savings initiative to save more than $500 million of identified cost savings.

https://shorturl.at/jGpoQ 

• Editor: Screen shot of highlight and top of page “The downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we're spending significantly more than we're making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded. “

Many devs took to x to share their feelings on the decision that they were not made aware of until the memo. 

https://x.com/GeorgeSokol/status/2036457941990346995 

https://x.com/TheStevieT/status/2036465646561571164 

Evan Kinney, one of the engineers who has worked at the company since 2017 expressed his genuine confusion given only last week he was debugging Fortnite’s new rivalry system while recovering from pneumonia.

https://x.com/evankinney/status/2036452221089391036

The layoff’s included fundamental staff like Vitaliy Naymushin, the artist Who Designed Jonesy, The Face Of The Game.

https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Jonesy_The_First 

• Editor Jonesy bio and image

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7442257122463125504/?originTrackingId=mb2oTxfv6L8UYgh3kBTreg%3D%3D 

Users on reddit have reacted and shared their thoughts on Epic’s jump to turning Fortnite into a “platform” similar to Roblox as part of the reason for this downturn. Another blamed the failure on Epic’s inability “ to support the massive upkeep they built up since it became a megahit nearly a decade ago.”  https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/s/u8v7ITRJFA 

• Editor: Screenshot the top two comment “iceburg77779 and atahutahatena” they are the top 2 comments

These layoffs follow a recent hike in Fortnite V-Bucks prices, pointing to things not being entirely stable at Epic.

https://shorturl.at/JkABn 

A user on X highlighted how absurd the Peak Scout skin pricing is, once 2.2× the cost of the game the skin is based on, now pushing nearly 3× after the V-Bucks increase.

https://x.com/cuzl_2/status/2035513578858356894 

Amidst these layoffs Fortnite is also phasing out certain game modes like Rocket racing next week and the ballistic & festival stage on April 16th.

https://x.com/FortniteStatus/status/2036451164347109440 

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says 'employers will see a stream of resumes of once-in-a-lifetime quality' after the company laid off more than 1,000 people

https://x.com/TimSweeneyEpic/status/2036622504353992902 

BACK TO THE STADIUM

Mar 24th - Pokemon Champions April 8 Release Date And New Gameplay Details Revealed

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-champions-april-6-release-date-and-new-gameplay-details-revealed/1100-6538977/ 

https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/pokemon-champions-releases-on-nintendo-switch-and-nintendo-switch-2-on-april-8-2026

Launch trailer(1:59 shows a battle starting):https://youtu.be/pOfW-qdsvpU?t=119 

Compilation of attacks at 4:37: https://youtu.be/pOfW-qdsvpU?t=277  

Pokémon Champions' removal of IVs led to a "heated discussion" with one of the franchise's original devs | GoNintendo https://gonintendo.com/contents/59275-pokemon-champions-removal-of-ivs-led-to-a-heated-discussion-with-one-of-the 

Quote: https://lmg.gg/UfrXF 

Chansey image (show this beside the host when he mentions Chansey): https://img.game8.co/3396375/2c9693e5e217712a497c87471cafd1cf.png/show 

Pokemon Champions Is Planned To Be Supported "Basically Forever"

https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-champions-supported-basically-forever/ 

Even if that means adding 10,000 Pokemon quote

https://lmg.gg/9koW4 

Pricing: https://lmg.gg/VuYxm 

Pokemon world championships transition: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/play-pokemon-competitions-transition-to-pokemon-champions-on-april-and-may-2026 

Pokemon stadium cover art: https://gaming-cdn.com/images/news/articles/953/cover/pokemon-stadium-is-coming-to-nintendo-switch-on-april-12th-cover642bdf4b88079.jpg 

PAY TO PLAY

Beginning in May Nintendo will implement Price Changes For First-Party Switch 2 Games, Depending On Whether They're Physical Or Digital

https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-first-party-game-price-change/ 

https://shorturl.at/gy20H 

The announcement felt initially like an excuse to raise costs of Physical purchases as users on reddit expressed concern.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nintendo/comments/1s3gr1k/about_nintendo_switch_2_game_pricing/

• Editor: Reddit comments screenshot top threads

But thankfully Nintendo clarified that the price of physical games isn’t going up, expressing that Digital versions of Nintendo published games exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 will have an MSRP that is lower than their physical counterparts. Noting that “Retail partners set their own prices for physical and digital games, and pricing for each title may vary.

https://rb.gy/4501cv 

This announcement was made around the same time as a Bloomberg report on Nintendo's plan to cut Switch 2 production by 33%, a drop from 6 to 4 million units.  

https://shorturl.at/oeWHZ

Memory shortages making buying sd card storage harder for consumers, general inflation issues surrounding the price of oil, and the Gta 6 typhoon according to Amir Anvarzadeh, Japan equity strategist at Asymmetric Advisors.

https://shorturl.at/q1kQs 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-24/nintendo-cuts-switch-2-output-by-over-30-on-weak-holiday-sales 

QUICK BITS

THE KIDS YEARN FOR THE MINES

Mar 23rd - Mojang partners with Merlin Entertainments for the world's first Minecraft theme park, Minecraft World

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/mojang-partners-with-merlin-entertainments-for-the-worlds-first-minecraft-theme-park-minecraft-world 

https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/holly-riordan/minecraft-theme-park

https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2026/minecraft-chessington/

Renderings of the park: https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/media/8333/mc-world-entrance-sketch-a.jpg

https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/media/8331/handout_minecraft-world_5.jpg 

Because what kid doesnt dream of being chased into a fiery abyss by a giant demon esque villager

https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/media/8332/handout_minecraft-world_1.png 

CRIMSON OASIS

Despite initial fears from mixed reviewer scores on launch, Crimson Desert has sold 3 million copies in less than a week, up from 2 million in the first 24 hours alone.

https://wccftech.com/crimson-desert-sold-3-million-units/ 

Steam reviews have since climbed from Mixed to Very Positive

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3321460/Crimson_Desert/

• Editor: Screenshot right above the Customer reviews for crimson desert and click the graph to show how sentiment has changed. March 20th for instance was mixed but it got better.

after Pearl Abyss pushed out rapid patches addressing controls, boss difficulty, and camp storage.

https://wccftech.com/crimson-desert-patch-adds-storage-howling-hill-camp/ 

There was also the Intel Arc situation, at launch the game flat out didn't work on Intel GPUs, and the devs initially told Arc owners to just get a refund.

https://videocardz.com/newz/crimson-desert-officially-does-not-support-intel-arc-graphics-cards-developer-tells-buyers-to-seek-refunds 

Intel publicly clapped back saying they'd reached out "many times" with hardware, drivers, and engineering resources. 

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/intel-suggests-it-was-snubbed-by-crimson-desert-dev-after-reaching-out-many-times-about-arc-gpus-company-says-it-provided-early-hardware-drivers-and-engineering-resources-to-studio 

After the backlash Pearl Abyss reversed course and is now working on Arc compatibility, and while unoptimized, Crimson Desert now launches on Intel Arc.

https://videocardz.com/newz/crimson-desert-now-launches-on-intel-arc-pearl-abyss-changes-course 

ALL THINGS TURN TO FROG

Mar 24th - Daybreak Games Announces EverQuest Legends, A Solo-Friendly Collaboration With Indie Studio Game Jawn

https://www.daybreakgames.com/press/daybreak/article/dbg-eql-announce

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/mmo/everquest-legends-announcement/ 

https://gameinformer.com/2026/03/24/everquest-legends-reimagines-the-classic-game-with-modernized-features-and-more-solo 

They are doing a closed beta: https://www.everquestlegends.com/home 

Launch trailer at 0:12: https://youtu.be/GAiNA03bMA8?t=12 

Now you can relive your fantasy of being a seafaring frog. Because Everquest.

GAMES ARE FOR HAPPINESS

Mar 24th - New Scientific Study Concludes 'Post-Game Depression' Is Real, and It's RPGs That Have the Biggest Effect on Us

https://www.ign.com/articles/new-scientific-study-concludes-post-game-depression-is-real-and-its-rpgs-that-have-the-biggest-effect-on-us 

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260319/Study-explores-post-game-depression-and-emotional-impact-on-players.aspx

RPG’s are the most susceptible: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260319/Study-explores-post-game-depression-and-emotional-impact-on-players.aspx#:~:text=Our%20research%20shows,is%20over%2C

But I have no idea what they are talking about. There's nothing emotionally damaging in video games at all!

Fade these clips over the host while he says he has no idea, like a Vietnam flashback. They should be opaque: 

(2:29) https://youtu.be/AXZngNmIwlA?t=149 

Nope nothing at all!:(1:17) https://youtu.be/BDhazVqxFs4?t=77 

(3:51)https://youtu.be/mU2N2lM9igU?t=231 

THE LATE SHOW WITH FRODO BAGGINS

Mar 24th - New LotR movie announced written by… Stephen Colbert

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/lord-of-the-rings-movie-stephen-colbert-warner-bros-1236698684/

https://deadline.com/2026/03/stephen-colbert-lord-of-the-rings-1236764923/ 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33ldp22833o 

Announcement video at 0:51: https://youtu.be/HMHh4L2626A?t=51 

He says it'll stay faithful to both the books and the movies: https://lmg.gg/eZJS0 

The hunt for gollum is coming out, are they trying to speedrun the destruction of the franchise? 

https://cinemadailyus.com/news/the-hunt-for-gollum-is-reported-to-be-the-starts-of-a-new-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy/ 

Duration: 09:20

Timestamps:

0:00 look dates are confusing

0:16 Crimson Desert launch

1:44 Subnautica studio CEO to return, early access

3:20 Starfield Free Lanes Update

5:15 QUICK BITS INTRO

5:26 Switch 2 Handheld Mode Boost

6:01 CS2 reloading update

6:56 Death Stranding 2 PC leak, launch

7:31 Piece by Piece Double Bundle

8:07 Sparkling Water helps Gamers!?

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

PEARL JAMMED

Pearl Abyss shares crashed 30% after Crimson Desert landed a 78 on Metacritic, investors priced in a score in the mid-to-high 80s. 78 while favourable was not good enough.

https://www.ign.com/articleqs/apparently-not-good-enough-for-investors-crimson-desert-publisher-stock-price-plunges-nearly-30-amid-78-metacritic-score 

Pearl Abyss built its name on Black Desert Online, an MMO.  

Dead or Alive Beach D&D pics

https://s1.pearlcdn.com/SEA/Upload/Community/ac21f54aad120211106082210538.png 

https://s1.pearlcdn.com/NAEU/Upload/Community/5fc03527dac20231010194232281.jpg 

https://www.naeu.playblackdesert.com/en-US/Forum/ForumTopic/Detail?_topicNo=41562&_opinionNo=165709 

https://store.steampowered.com/app/582660/Black_Desert/ 

Reviewers praised the visuals and combat but flagged a shallow story, clunky controls, and an overwhelming pile of systems: Souls-like combat, BotW-Style exploration, mining, crafting, base building, dragon riding, fishing, mecha piloting. 

https://shorturl.at/PpkQJ 

It’s got a jetpack https://youtu.be/VWIw_f8e9Pg?t=67 

• 1:07 jetpack

Critics said the game tries to do everything but doesn't master anything. The “Jack of all trades” approach spooked investors who needed a clean hit.

https://shorturl.at/MQc3C 

Today: It's launch day, reviews are early, the score could move, and the game is already topping sales charts, currently ranked first in steam global top sellers.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3321460/Crimson_Desert/ 

https://steamdb.info/stats/globaltopsellers/ 

Player reception is the real test, maybe it will be good! 

https://www.metacritic.com/game/crimson-desert/ 

KRAFT-ING A FORTUNE

Mar 18th - Subnautica 2 publisher’s CEO used ChatGPT in failed bid to avoid paying US$250m bonus to own studio head, court hears

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/18/subnautica-2-publisher-krafton-ceo-reinstated-ai-chatgpt-failed-bid-avoid-paying-bonus 

https://kotaku.com/subnautica-2-ted-gill-unknown-worlds-lawsuit-krafton-2000679131

Pushover quote: https://lmg.gg/vnw7t 

https://fortune.com/2026/03/17/krafton-subnautica-chatgpt-delaware-court-ruling-ceo-reinstated/ 

https://www.404media.co/ceo-ignores-lawyers-asks-chatgpt-how-to-void-250-million-contract-loses-terribly-in-court/ 

PDF page 3 (document page 2) please highlight the second paragraph starting with “To remedy these breaches”

https://courts.delaware.gov/Opinions/Download.aspx?id=392880 

Krafton doesn’t like it: https://lmg.gg/jmHsV 

But they have agreed to allow the game to finally launch in Early Access in May

https://www.ign.com/articles/subnautica-2-will-finally-enter-early-access-in-may-following-year-of-delays-and-legal-drama 

LANE OF THE FREE

Bethesda’s biggest free update for Starfield will release on April 7th and a new story DLC (Terran Armada, $10). The free update is called “Free Lanes” and it touches almost every system in the game.

https://www.polygon.com/starfield-free-lanes-update-preview-version-20/ 

After launching in Sept 2023 to mixed reception, many people thought Starfield was Gorgeous but hollow, space travel was basically a loading screen simulator. Fans have been waiting for a No Man’s Sky-style redemption arc.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1716740/Starfield/ 

What's New: https://bethesda.net/en/game/starfield/article/7IxZSKYwYm1oDr57rXDx4C/starfield-free-lanes-terran-armada 

Gameplay demo https://youtu.be/bwVXiPtJOaQ

• 00:35 - 00:40 - ‘Cruise mode’ lets you get up, walk around, talk to crew while flying between systems 
• 01:05 - 01:13 - Space encounters, random events pop up while cruising (asteroid fields, wreckage etc) Steer towards or let autopilot take you.

X-tech , new resource for customizing weapons, gear , and ships. https://youtu.be/F3wEnQI82XQ  

• 00:27-00:30 - customizing weapons with X-tech

Moon Jumper,  new land vehicle with so much jump boost it basically be flying

https://images.ctfassets.net/rporu91m20dc/3DwDh5LZdIw9Zw1BstBgih/4875e0ced5f495ee82d73e4237f3d742/Free-Lanes-Screenshot---Moon-Jumper-_1_.jpg 

NG+ Improvements, you can bring items with you into NG+ via a Quantum entanglement device. Upgrade Starborn abilities without restarting.

https://shorturl.at/qPo8Q 

Outposts pets (a milliewhale) , shared storage across outposts, collectible action figures that give buffs like Fallout bobbleheads, recruitable NPC Muria

https://images.ctfassets.net/rporu91m20dc/22nUKdvu8o4oop43iuNVfY/b45f6c4047ddd73e8f62d022f884fa56/Free-Lanes-Screenshot---Milliewhale-_2_.jpg 

Long awaited PS5 port launches same day 

https://blog.playstation.com/2026/03/17/starfield-is-coming-to-playstation-5-on-april-7/ 

QUICK BITS

DOCKED HUNT

Mar 17th - Switch 2’s new “Handheld Mode Boost” can run original Switch games at 1080p

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/03/nintendo-switch-2-update-adds-one-possible-fix-for-blurry-og-switch-games/ 

https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/switch-2-software-update-adds-handheld-mode-boost-for-your-old-games-165451808.html

https://www.theverge.com/games/895919/nintendo-switch-2-handheld-boost-mode-update 

It forces the game to run in TV mode with somewhat varying results, sometimes it thinks that the joycons are actually a pro controller and disables touch control.

https://lmg.gg/emJhY

CLICK…NO BULLETS

Valve dropped a “Guns, Guides, and Games” update for CS2 that completely overhauls how reloading works. When you reload now, you dump the entire magazine, any leftover bullets are gone. No more topping off after firing 2 rounds. Most weapons get 3 reserve mags. 

https://steamcommunity.com/games/CSGO/announcements/detail/532126482488623354 

Community Malding. People are mad because reloading has worked the same way for over 25+ years. This changes core muscle memory for millions of players overnight.

Players say nobody asked for this. CS isn't a military simulation, people don't play it for realistic ammo management.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/730/eventcomments/801216566149595260?snr=2_groupannouncements_detail_ 

• Editor: Just show some of the top comments criticizing the decision

Some analysts and players think its smart, adds tactical depth and punishes mindless reload spam, raising skill ceiling. 

https://shorturl.at/zBFpJ 

Valve says they want it to be a real decision not a free habit. 

https://shorturl.at/aJZsA 

DELIVERY CAME EARLY

Mar 18th - Pre-Release Version of Death Stranding 2 on PC Leaks Online, Seemingly via Steam

• It releases TODAY

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/steam-build-of-death-stranding-2-leaks-two-days-ahead-of-launch/ 

https://www.ign.com/articles/pre-release-version-of-death-stranding-2-on-pc-leaks-online-seemingly-via-steam 

https://twistedvoxel.com/death-stranding-2-pc-port-leaked-pirated-ahead-of-release/ 

Death Stranding 2 PC launch trailer (Delivery Simulator joke at 1:00)  https://youtu.be/tIkVRGVjG_Q?t=60 

THE PIECES FIT 

Mar 13th - Two games accidentally launched with the same name so the devs teamed up

https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/two-games-accidentally-launched-with-the-same-name-so-the-devs-teamed-up-3334792/ 

https://www.polygon.com/steam-games-piece-by-piece-bundle/

Fox Baking cookies(0:23): https://www.reddit.com/r/CozyGamers/comments/1rr1wze/we_just_released_piece_by_piece_can_a_fox_run_a/ 

Guy in Puzzle hell (0:05): https://youtu.be/QyJcnPlZxfI?t=5 

Steam Pages (Editor please screenshot and draw the eye to the bundle with both games): https://store.steampowered.com/app/3179050/Piece_by_Piece/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3249380/Piece_by_Piece/ 

CARBONATED CLUTCH

Sparkling Water Is Better for Gaming Than Still Water, According to Science (Kind Of)

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-simple-drink-choice-helps-gamers-stay-focused-for-hours-study-finds  

University of Tsukuba study: 14 gamers played virtual soccer for 3 hours, once with sparkling water, once with still. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958826000175  

The Sparkling water group stayed sharper, reported less fatigue, enjoyed it more, and even committed fewer in-game fouls. Researchers say carbonation may stimulate throat receptors (TRP channels) that keep the prefrontal cortex engaged.

https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2451958826000175-ga1_lrg.jpg  

"Compared to plain water, sparkling water significantly attenuated increases in subjective fatigue, enhanced enjoyment, and preserved executive function, along with preventing pupil constriction," 

https://shorturl.at/qvLML   

https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/research-news/20260220140000.html#:~:text=This%20research%20was%20supported%20by%20a%20contract%20research%20grant%20by%20Asahi%20Soft%20Drinks%20Co%2E%2C%20Ltd%2E%2C 

• Funded by big seltzer

Duration: 09:21

Timestamps:

0:00 it ain't chores when you're a samurai

0:15 Pickmon shamelessly copies Pokemon, Palworld

2:04 Valve responds to NY State loot box lawsuit

3:44 Sony tests dynamic pricing on the Playstation Store

5:19 QUICK BITS INTRO

5:25 Microsoft GDC Keynote

6:12 Fallout 3 Remaster leak

6:51 Star Wars: First Assault playable on PC

7:31 Jeff Kaplan reveals why he left Blizzard

8:24 Wikipedia is now a gacha game

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

POOR MAN’S PICK-ME

‘Pickmon’ puts Pokemon knockoff Palworld to shame by knocking off Pokemon EVEN HARDER. Developer PocketGame (a totally original name compared to Palworld’s Pocket Pair, has created a shameless Frankenstein of stolen aesthetics.

https://tinyurl.com/2e9h94y5 

• Editor: Flash the PC Gamer headline and the highlighted “Checkmate, Nintendo” quote.

The blatant plagiarism goes way beyond a sleep-paralysis Pikachu. 

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4358270/Pickmon/ 

Cover art featuring obvious ripoffs of Charizard, Lucario, others

But it doesn’t even stop at Pokemon, The trailer immediately opens with Breath of the Wild Link hang-gliding 

• 0:00, link jumping off and hang gliding 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK2hEntK-bQ 

• 0:39 literally just Pikachu with a tuft of hair

Interestingly, that alt-Charizard on the cover appears to be based NOT on the original Charizard, but on THIS feathered Pal clearly based off Charizard’s model, which Pickmon recolored to look more like Charizard again!! This is crazy

https://x.com/SaddestOtaku/status/2030982576458895471 

They knock off some of Palworld’s more original monsters too, along with their sensibility that creatures with super-powers isn’t enough - they need guns, too

• 1:10, pokemon pulls out gatling gun, elephant thing slams down 

And Roadhog from Overwatch because why not!

• 1:30, … Roadhog - maybe slow down shot

Despite all that, they thought they’d use cards instead of Poke-balls - y’know, to be safe

• 0:52, capturing bear thing into a card

Pocket pair vs pocket game goes crazy, Aptly titled Palslop 

https://tinyurl.com/yc3ybpbz 

RARE LEGAL PULL

Mar 11th - Valve Addresses New York Loot Box Lawsuit: "We Refuse To Do That.” In a public response statement,  defense, Valve argued their cosmetic crates are functionally identical to buying physical blind boxes like Pokémon cards, Labubus, MTG , and other physical collectibles. 

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-addresses-new-york-loot-box-lawsuit-we-refuse-to-do-that/1100-6538725/#:~:text=Valve%20says,money%2E%22 

• Editor: Headline and quote

The NYAG demanded Valve disable player-to-player item trading and implement global age tracking. Valve refused, calling transferability a fundamental consumer right, but indicated compliance if New York passes a forcing law.

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/6300-A6C4-519D-A3F5#:~:text=We%20respect%20New,in%20game%20design. 

• Editor: Quote

Meanwhile across the pond, Europe is attacking manipulative gaming tactics with major changes to its rating system.

https://www.eurogamer.net/pegi-video-game-age-rating-changes-europe 

• Editor: Headline

https://tinyurl.com/4ehxmdwr  

• Editor: Quote
• PEGI now links age ratings to in-game monetization and engagement features. Paid random items default to PEGI 16, while NFTs and unrestricted online chat result in PEGI 18. Games using manipulative FOMO mechanics (e.g., time-limited purchases, punishing broken login streaks) are raised to a minimum PEGI 12.

https://shorturl.a`t/Btkuj  

• Editor:  quote. 
• A game's PEGI rating can drop to 7 if it includes default in-game controls to disable spending. Bosmans noted these systems are currently rare, but the change aims to encourage their development.

PAY LESS IF YOU PLAY LESS

Sony is testing dynamic pricing in the PlayStation Store, at least in the UK

https://psprices.com/news/sony-ab-testing-prices/ 

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sony-is-reportedly-running-a-dynamic-ab-pricing-experiment-on-playstation-store 

https://www.techradar.com/gaming/sony-is-reportedly-testing-dynamic-pricing-on-its-playstation-storefront-that-changes-the-price-tag-of-over-190-games 

Chart: https://psprices.com/news/sony-ab-testing-prices/#:~:text=Sony%20is%20testing%20pricing%20on%20its%20own%20games 

Although they found it was tested in the states too. US pricing table with the discounts:

https://lmg.gg/ifCFl 

Wasn’t a small pool of games: https://lmg.gg/8flXa 

Helldivers 2 quote: https://lmg.gg/RZFus 

So if I play nothing except for Uncharted and literally only Uncharted on my PS5, does that mean that I can get Uncharted 2 for FREE??? (this is for the ending joke)

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fvnuyx3lwrao31.jpg 

QUICK BITS

RETURN OF THE KING

Mar 11th - Microsoft's GDC 2026 Keynote

https://www.ign.com/articles/microsofts-gdc-2026-keynote-live-report-building-for-the-future-with-xbox 

Order of magnitude quote: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/03/11/project-helix-building-next-generation-of-xbox/#:~:text=It%20delivers%20an%20order%20of,efficiency%2C%20scale%2C%20and%20visual%20ambition. 

We got a look at some of the features for the new Project Helix console https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:gchnxhvicqmurphv5jkh5uhk/post/3mgsfktotws2g 

Developers will be seeing its early alpha in 2027: https://lmg.gg/n9R2c 

Mar 11th - Microsoft's Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program is coming back this year — "we’re committed to keeping games from four generations of Xbox playable"

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/rejoice-microsofts-xbox-backwards-compatibility-program-is-coming-back-this-year 

https://www.purexbox.com/news/2026/03/xbox-says-backwards-compatibility-program-will-be-revived-for-25th-anniversary 

Mar 12th - Xbox removing all traces of “This is an Xbox” marketing campaign 

https://insider-gaming.com/this-is-an-xbox-marketing-campaign-removed-microsoft/ 

https://www.thegamer.com/microsoft-removing-this-is-an-xbox-marketing/ 

NUKA RELEASE-A

Mar 10th - McFarlane Toys has accidentally confirmed a Fallout 3 Remaster with a store page

https://gamerant.com/fallout-3-remaster-leaks-mcfarlane-toys/ 

https://www.tweaktown.com/news/110404/fallout-3-remastered-mentioned-in-mcfarlane-toys-product-list/index.html 

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/fallout-3-remastered-mightve-just-leaked-and-mcfarlane-toys-accidentally-spilled-the-nuka-cola 

It was found in a new set of toy listings on Brodepot and called “ELITE EDITION 7IN – FALLOUT 3 REMASTERED – #13 T-45B NUKA COLA.”

https://x.com/Mr_Rebs_/status/2031347254338978035 

Oblivion shadow drop: https://www.indy100.com/gaming/oblivion-remastered-release-date-elder-scrolls-iv-xbox-ps5-pc-bethesda  

CALL OF DUTY IN SPACE

Mar 11th - 13 Years After It Was Cancelled, Star Wars: Battlefront III Prequel Is Playable On PC

https://kotaku.com/star-wars-first-assault-battlefront-3-prequel-beta-revived-download-pc-instal-xbox-360-2000678058 

https://games.gg/news/star-wars-first-assault-pc-beta-restored/

Its was put together by a community of dedicated fans who just really wanted to play the game

https://www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-first-assault-gameplay-appears-online-as-fan-effort-tries-to-restore-cancelled-lucasarts-game 

The revived game needs a modded version of the Xenia emulator to run, so its not really the most straight forward thing in the world to install, but definitely cool to see

(1:28 and 22:59 for best gameplay clips)https://youtu.be/EKN_oGkEpmA?t=88 

1,000 DEV ULTIMATUM

Mar 12th - Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan revealed he left Blizzard after the CFO gave him an impossible financial ultimatum to meet Overwatch League revenue goals or 1,000 developers, including Kaplan, a longtime key Blizzard figure since vanilla World of Warcraft, would lose their jobs.

https://www.ign.com/articles/that-was-the-biggest-f-you-moment-i-had-in-my-career-jeff-kaplan-former-boss-of-the-overwatch-team-finally-reveals-why-he-left-blizzard#:~:text=%22Where,teams%2E%E2%80%9D

• Editor: Flash the IGN headline and then the highlighted “selling the Brooklyn Bridge” quote

https://www.eurogamer.net/former-overwatch-lead-claims-he-was-given-a-horrid-ultimatum-meet-revenue-goals-or-1000-developers-would-lose-jobs 

• Editor:  Headline top of page.

Kaplan dropped all this lore on Lex Friedman's Podcast

https://x.com/lexfridman/status/2031848752353309152

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-biggest-fk-you-moment-in-my-career-former-overwatch-director-jeff-kaplan-reveals-why-he-left-blizzard/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAnd,you%E2%80%99%2E 

• Editor: Highlighted quote about the CFO threatening to lay of 1,000 people.

 while promoting his new indie studio’s game, The Legend of California  

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2550530/The_Legend_of_California/ 

Jeff kaplan, former director of overwatch says yadyyadayada kaplan said this in interviews to promote his new game, insert game here, and then California joke.

WIKIGATCHA WAS INEVITABLE

Mar 7th - Someone turned Wikipedia into a gacha game https://www.pcgamer.com/games/card-games/please-send-help-we-cant-stop-opening-packs-in-wikigacha-a-browser-based-card-game-where-you-collect-wikipedia-articles-like-list-of-red-hot-chili-peppers-band-members-or-bariatric-surgery/ 

https://dev.ua/en/news/wikigacha-1772803160

https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20260308-wiki-gacha/ 

The game: (editor please show the starting page, and then screenshot a opened pack)

https://wikigacha.com/ 

I challenge anyone in the audience to beat my ultra rare 1561 Celestial Phenomenon Over Nuremberg deck. You will never beat me!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1561_celestial_phenomenon_over_Nuremberg 

Duration: 08:13

Timestamps:

0:00 i love video james. a big Jamer

0:11 Xbox 'Project Helix' plays PC games

1:45 PlayStation single-player games skip PC

3:01 RE: Requiem, Pokopia launches

4:24 QUICK BITS INTRO

4:33 AC: Resynced, AC: Unity patch

5:09 Marathon, Slay the Spire 2 launches

6:16 Highguard shutting down

6:49 FF11 locks down another server

7:26 GameDate !

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

GOT PC GAMES INSIDE MY DNA

New Xbox CEO announces "Project Helix", code-name for next-gen Xbox console, will "play your Xbox and PC games" 

https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-ceo-confirms-next-gen-project-helix-console-will-play-pc-games-204654357.html 

https://x.com/asha_shar/status/2029645713962156149

Official Xbox tweet https://x.com/Xbox/status/2029646886408515623 

2024: Phil Spencer said he wants third-party game stores like EGS, Itch.io on Xbox 

https://www.polygon.com/24108670/xbox-epic-games-store-phil-spencer-interview/ 

The lines have already been blurred for some time, thanks to the Xbox Play Anywhere program 

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/xbox-play-anywhere 

PCs, including handhelds, can play many Xbox games 

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/handhelds/rog-xbox-ally 

Launch next year? AMD CEO Lisa Su: “Development of Microsoft's next-gen Xbox featuring an AMD semi-custom SoC is progressing well to support a launch in 2027”

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/amd-reveals-next-gen-xbox-could-launch-in-2027-ceo-says-semi-custom-soc-ready-to-support-launch-in-2027 

NO PORT IN THIS STORM

Sony Pulls Back From PlayStation Games on PC which is a 180 from their 2022 target of having half their games available on PC and mobile: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/03/sony-wont-bring-any-more-single-player-playstation-games-to-pc/

Original source - Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-04/sony-pulls-back-from-playstation-games-on-pc 

• Quote: https://archive.md/uhm2i#selection-1663.0-1679.38 

The reason for the strategic shift is likely due to many factors, including ports not netting significant revenue for playstation https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sorry-first-party-playstation-games-arent-coming-to-pc-anymore-152128980.html 

• Quote about several reasons for the shift

Which admittedly could have been because of the inconsistency in the application and the intermittent requirement for Playstation account sign in.

• Quote The company was inconsistent  

But the real reason is likely the next xbox is going to be a windows PC: https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/the-next-xbox-is-a-pc-with-all-of-windows-strengths-will-it-come-with-its-weaknesses-too 

And the idea of having playstation games playable on Xbox didn’t sit well with Sony: https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-has-reportedly-returned-to-console-exclusivity-in-part-because-some-within-playstation-are-worried-that-releasing-games-on-pc-may-hurt-sales-of-ps5-and-even-ps6 

• Quote:Meanwhile, Bloomberg suggested the prospect 

HORRIFICALLY POPULAR

Mar 2 - Resident Evil: Requiem hits 334,214 concurrent players over launch weekend, breaking franchise record

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/resident-evil-requiem-hits-334214-concurrent-players-over-launch-weekend-breaking-franchise-record 

https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/news/html/e260304.html 

Steam chart(Editor please draw the eye to the all time peak 5 days ago)

https://steamdb.info/app/3764200/charts/ 

Resident Evil Requiem Physical Editions Are Sold Out Across Major US Retailers

https://twistedvoxel.com/resident-evil-requiem-physical-editions-sold-out-across-major-retailers/ 

People are having nightmares about the spiders from resident evil requiem - https://www.ign.com/articles/it-fing-sucks-and-in-a-way-is-a-compliment-resident-evil-requiem-is-proving-tough-for-fans-with-arachnophobia-though-the-inevitable-thomas-the-tank-engine-mod-is-here-to-help 

Also arguably a horror game is the new pokemon game, 

Mar 3 - ‘Pokopia’ is the best-reviewed ‘Pokémon’ game of all time

• Launches March 5th

https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pokemon-pokopia-is-the-highest-rated-pokemon-game-since-x-y-on-metacritic-and-its-not-even-out-on-nintendo-switch-2-yet 

https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/pokopia-best-reviewed-pokemon-game-of-all-time-3932497 

Clip of Ditto turning into a human: https://youtu.be/-zpr21HzJ9Q?t=14

Gameplay Clip: https://youtu.be/-zpr21HzJ9Q?t=98 

It also features this poor Pikachu:

https://x.com/Dexerto/status/2029567636976148632?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet  

QUICK BITS

IT’S NOT A SPRINT, IT’S A…

Marathon Server Slam stirs Steam with nearly 150,000 concurrent players day one

https://www.eurogamer.net/marathon-server-slam-steam-players-concurrent  

Reviews were somewhat mixed with this guy from forbes hating it: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2026/02/27/i-am-not-loving-the-marathon-server-slam-so-far/ 

• Quote of this guy saying he thinks it’s a time waster: https://archive.md/oLECM#selection-4769.0-4769.212 

And this guy from ign loving it: https://www.ign.com/articles/marathon-review   

Marathon promises to avoid stressful FOMO-inducing battle passes, and that there's "no pay for power" microtransactions

https://www.eurogamer.net/marathon-avoid-stressful-fomo-inducing-battle-passes-no-pay-for-power-microtransactions 

It’s still struggling to keep up with the sequel to a beloved indie game that launched IN EARLY ACCESS at the exact same time

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/03/slay-the-spire-2-is-out-now-in-early-access/ 

• Steam page showing spire leading ahead of marathon: https://store.steampowered.com/charts/topselling/CA 

WE SHIVERED THEIR TIMBERS

Mar 4 - Ubisoft Finally Confirms Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced https://www.player.one/ubisoft-confirms-assassins-creed-black-flag-resyncedremake-game-coming-soon-162354

https://overclock3d.net/news/software/ubisoft-officially-confirms-assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced/

Statement from Ubisoft: https://lmg.gg/jdJyS 

Patch for AC Unity for 60FPS too, it's kinda weird. The game is super old

https://gameinformer.com/2026/03/04/assassins-creed-unity-60-fps-patch-hits-playstation-5-and-xbox-tomorrow

Launch trailer clip: https://youtu.be/RxF6fonBDUA?t=21 

OUT LIKE A WILDLIGHT

Developer Wildlight Entertainment says that, even though Highguard reached 2 million players, the game will be shut down permanently on March 12th.

http://theverge.com/games/880206/highguard-shut-down 

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/with-1-week-to-live-highguard-is-going-out-kicking-with-a-final-update-adding-a-new-character-speedy-account-progression-and-more-as-devs-thank-everyone-who-has-played-the-fps/ 

Twitter post: https://x.com/PlayHighguard/status/2028923492125819287 

Steam chart: https://steamdb.info/app/4128260/charts/#max 

https://kotaku.com/highguard-final-update-shutdown-concord-toxic-2000675964 

• They are still releasing that content patch though for people to enjoy the update for a whole week!

ODIN UP THE LINE

Mar 4 -  Final Fantasy 11 locks down yet another server as overpopulation continues to hit Final Fantasy 14's predecessor, over two decades after its original launch (Oh no, my steak was too juicy and my lobster was too buttery)

https://www.eurogamer.net/final-fantasy-11-locks-down-another-server-due-to-overpopulation 

https://automaton-media.com/en/news/final-fantasy-11-is-closing-off-yet-another-major-server-to-new-players-due-to-overpopulation/ 

They keep fucking up their other games, so people just keep coming back to this one

https://frvr.com/blog/final-fantasy-11-closes-off-its-third-server-to-new-players-as-the-ageing-mmo-struggles-with-overpopulation/ 

Official statement: http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/40148/detail.html 

TINDER 4 GAMERS

[Grayson]

Mar 4 - Youtuber named Batty made a website to revive dead multiplayer games and to schedule play dates called GameDate

https://massivelyop.com/2026/03/02/gamedate-is-a-site-for-finding-groups-to-play-older-or-underpopulated-games-together/ 

https://www.gamedate.org/

It even has a message board, along with a pretty cool retro vibe https://gamedate.org/discuss 

Announcement video: https://youtu.be/SFBCNnOhYgs?t=21 

Duration: 10:27

Timestamps:

0:00 hooked on a feeling

0:13 New York sues Valve over loot boxes

2:10 Stop Killing Games EU update

4:18 'Update' to original FF7 breaks game

5:56 QUICK BITS INTRO

6:06 Phil Spencer exit 'was not planned'

7:11 Ubisoft has a plan

7:59 Overwatch Rush

8:39 Marathon will insta-perma-ban cheaters

9:28 Hideki Kamiya on RE: Requiem spoilers

NEWS SOURCES:

Mains 

SKIN IN THE GAME

https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-sues-game-developer-promoting-illegal-gambling-through

-Valve is once again getting sued, this time by The state of New York and Attorney General Letitia

-The lawsuit targets third-party skin gambling sites that use valve’s steam API to facilitate real-money wagers on games like counter-strike.

https://lmg.gg/vm0Zb QUOTE

 The AG's own press release actually references the widespread legalization and mainstream presence of these markets, noting: "Earlier this month, Attorney General James warned New Yorkers of the risks posed by sports betting and prediction markets ahead of the Super Bowl."

Skin gambling isn’t new, the ecosystem has been operating in plain sight for years

https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/new-york-sues-valve-for-letting-children-and-adults-illegally-gamble-with-loot-boxes/ 

• Why is this taking so long for governments to decide what they think about this
• It's not a new thing
• Prediction markets exist

4 billion CS skins market https://swap.gg/blog/cs-reclaimed-4-billion 

Back in 2016 The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) ordered Valve to take action on third party unlicensed betting websites using skins

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37573818 

Valve also successfully beat or rather the US federal court dismissed most of the claims against valve as it relied on the claim that the plaintiffs were deceived by valve despite never having used steam. 

https://www.pcgamer.com/final-claim-in-csgo-skin-gambling-lawsuit-dismissed-because-plaintiffs-never-actually-used-steam/#:~:text=Valve%20responds%20as%20indie%20horror,wagering%20skins%20on%20gambling%20sites. 

COME TOGETHER, OVER GAMES

Stop Killing Games press conference

https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/1re2mjg/stop_killing_games_press_conference/ 

-eu one is called stop destroying video games

Stop Killing Games campaign offer update on latest EU meeting in livestream from parliament, while emphasising bipartisan MEP support

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stop-killing-games-campaign-offer-update-on-latest-eu-meeting-in-livestream-from-parliament-while-emphasising-bipartisan-mep-support 

Editor Note (On Screen Text):  

General Summary Quote: "We will be able in the parliament to give out amendments... that would also ensure that in terms of gaming... what you bought is not being stolen away from you by the companies." - Markéta Gregorová (Member of the European Parliament)

https://youtu.be/WaACIq0ar44?t=651 

On EULAs: "You can't sign a contract on anything you want and expect it to be legal. If the terms are against the law, you can't override law with a contract." - Alberto Hidalgo Cerezo, PHD Universidad CEU San Pablo (00:31:59)  https://youtu.be/WaACIq0ar44?t=1923 

On Liability: "If the service provider stops providing the service, then he's no longer responsible for the service." -  Martin Bartrick Attorney at Law specializing in IP and Digital Child Services(safety privacy etc) (00:35:39) https://youtu.be/WaACIq0ar44?t=2157 

State of the EU Commission and Global Strategy: " We have support from TMO, from the SND (the social democrats), from the right of parliament... from the pirate parties. So the support is huge. We have support on national governments and just to understand what is deciding in the end is so-called Trilogue it's when parliament commission and council meet to discuss laws and make a decision and the commission can't win against both of them so we are making sure that happens " 00:59:38   https://youtu.be/WaACIq0ar44?t=3576 

Global Backup: "We're working on law in the United States at this moment... We already know in specific states that that will happen." (01:00:11) https://youtu.be/WaACIq0ar44?t=361

THEY FORGOT THE MATERIA

Feb 25th - Fans Call New Steam Version Of Final Fantasy VII A Disaster: ‘Avoid It At All Costs’ (it's a nightmare, just play the OG OG with mods if you want 16x9 and higher resolution textures. They DELISTED THE ORIGINAL)

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3837340/FINAL_FANTASY_VII/ 

https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-7-steam-pc-new-version-release-bugs-problems-blurry-2000673604 

https://www.eurogamer.net/final-fantasy-7-new-steam-version-met-with-mostly-negative-reviews 

• The game launched without any files, it was 0kb https://x.com/Zizoplays1/status/2026409178873336235?s=20 
• This person got the game files, but no EXE
• https://x.com/TheReunionVII/status/2026371974113427503 

It’s not like the game already had an active modding community who already fixed the game once before. They are even offering to help fix the game

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/final-fantasy/square-enix-hire-us-im-not-joking-says-team-of-final-fantasy-modders-who-gave-final-fantasy-7-new-voice-acting-and-audio-because-we-must-fix-the-jrpgs-busted-new-pc-version/ 

Twitter post from Tsunamods: https://x.com/tsunamods/status/2026393480755286329

They somehow made it look worse then the unmodded original

https://x.com/tsunamods/status/2026383578502689144 

The patch notes: “Fixed the speed of certain scenes, including battles”

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3837340/view/498347586726395914?l=english 

• The game launched without any files, it was 0kb https://x.com/Zizoplays1/status/2026409178873336235?s=20 
• The launcher registers inputs AFTER THE GAME IS LAUNCHED
• Somehow, they made the resolution settings work worse then the 2013 port
• It increased the port from 15 to 30FPS, but that broke all the animations and cutscenes to just run faster… HOW DO YOU FUCK UP EVERY CUT SCENE (atleast this is patched)
• I didn’t think things through when I tried to romance Barret, but damn, at least I got some brotherly bonding time(1:33) https://youtu.be/D30JDkDHWZk?t=93 

Quick Bits

EXCLUSIVE CONFUSION

Feb 22 - Reliable Insider Says Last Week's Big Xbox CEO Shakeup Wasn't Phil Spencer's Idea

https://www.thegamer.com/xbox-phil-spencer-kinda-funny-games-claim/ 

https://shorturl.at/orwFC 

https://www.youtube.com/live/BUWkigmw3ns?t=2632s 

• 43:58 - [no audio, but turn on captions] Quote from the video spoken by Greg Miller on Phil Spencer’s firing  “I’ve been passed something that again reiterates to me, i’m not going to read it, this was not planned”

Xbox fans hope for a comeback of exclusive games after cryptic comment from the new boss

https://www.gamereactor.eu/xbox-fans-hope-for-a-comeback-of-exclusive-games-after-cryptic-comment-from-the-new-boss-1679133/

The tweet: https://x.com/asha_shar/status/2025253764136141169 

But I dono, maybe she confused ‘exclusive’ games with ‘first party games? Because in an interview with Windows Central’s Jez Corden… https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/exclusive-talking-to-new-xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-and-cco-matt-booty

Matt Booty talks about how important ‘first-party’ games are to them - comment seems to be about negating the idea that Xbox is ‘just’ a publisher. They’re saying their structure is more cohesive than that

• Quote https://lmg.gg/9W4eu 

Tom Warren thought this was important, and he’s wicked smaht https://x.com/tomwarren/status/2026457764499775578 

BACK TO THE ANIMUS

Feb 20 - Ubisoft CEO admits the company spun up "too many projects" which are now widely canceled in the fallout from bad bets during Covid

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/ubisoft-ceo-admits-the-company-spun-up-too-many-projects-which-are-now-widely-canceled-in-the-fallout-from-bad-bets-during-covid/

Original source: 

https://variety.com/2026/gaming/news/ubisoft-ceo-interview-yves-guillemot-layoffs-creative-house-1236667500/ 

Ubisoft confirms a lot of new Far Cry and Assassin's Creed games are in development along with a new Splinter Cell game, because that'll help

https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-confirms-a-lot-of-new-far-cry-and-assassins-creed-games-are-in-development 

https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-insists-mia-splinter-cell-remake-still-in-development-despite-fresh-layoffs 

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag and Origins director says it's "wonderful to be back after all these years" as he returns to "lead the creative direction of the franchise" , this comes after Clint Hocking left

https://news.ubisoft.com/en-ca/article/3cKfpuehIapKJglmjn3EdM/new-leadership-team-set-to-shape-the-next-era-of-assassins-creed 

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/assassins-creed-hexe-director-clint-hocking-has-left-ubisoft-as-part-of-franchise-upheaval/ 

OVERWATCH 2 - 2

Feb 24 - Blizzard finally revealed its long-rumored Overwatch mobile game

https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24244645/development-update-overwatch-rush

https://www.engadget.com/gaming/blizzard-finally-revealed-its-long-rumored-overwatch-mobile-game-162938590.html 

Top down hero shooter: https://www.shanethegamer.com/esports-news/overwatch-rush-mobile-spin-off/ 

Gameplay (1:18, 3:03 for best action): https://youtu.be/2p0oqXD3voI?t=78 

BUNGIE HAS THE WEAPON

Feb 23 - Marathon cheaters will be permabanned immediately, claims Bungie

https://www.polygon.com/marathon-cheaters-permaban-bungie/ 

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bungie-pledges-to-permanently-ban-marathon-cheaters/1100-6538363/ 

Bungie's official article: https://lmg.gg/VJ9I9

“You want to know it's a level playing field” https://youtu.be/7ScRKFm56Vk?t=10 

KILL EM’ ALL

Feb 23 - Hideki Kamiya says players who spoil Resident Evil Requiem deserve to ‘die a thousand deaths’

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/hideki-kamiya-says-resident-evil-requiem-leakers-deserve-to-die-a-thousand-deaths/ 

https://www.psu.com/news/resident-evil-requiem-leakers-blasted-by-hideki-kamiya-you-deserve-to-die-a-thousand-deaths/ 

Twitter post where he says it (Please translate to english): https://x.com/HidekiKamiya_X/status/2025040184614728119 

This comes just after the Official Resident Evil twitter post said that leaked gameplay was obtained over illegal means. So yeah, kill them all! (Post needs translated, i have put the translated image below)

https://x.com/BIO_OFFICIAL/status/2024787173917249896 

Translated graphic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HBmAbzTWEAA1x8C?format=jpg&name=large 

Akuma “Die 1000 Deaths” from Street Fighter (2:03): https://youtu.be/7VhOmMDSkB0?t=123 

Duration: 09:16

Timestamps:

0:00 i literally don't get it

0:15 Nintendo DMCA's emulator GitHub pages

2:06 Highguard is NOT dead!

4:05 Alt:V GTA mod platform shutdown

5:23 QUICK BITS INTRO

5:31 Unreal Tournament 2004 free, new patch

6:14 Zillow for Warcraft

6:52 Mewgenics sold over a million copies

7:41 Starfield's next update is more of the same

8:28 Did NOT see this Becoming

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

MARIO KART FOR ALL

Feb 16th - Nintendo strikes more emulators with DMCA takedown notices

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-strikes-more-emulators-with-dmca-takedown-notices

https://kotaku.com/switch-emulator-eden-nintendo-legal-takedown-2000669430 

Message from Github's team: https://lmg.gg/DIiR9 

Eden is the last survivor, seemingly. Worth noting that this is a fork of Yuzu and these dudes aren’t phased at all

https://www.reddit.com/r/EmulationOnAndroid/comments/1r32zz6/comment/o51du26/  

Eden is still up:

https://github.com/eden-emulator/Releases/releases

Eden’s fighting back actuallyr: https://wccftech.com/nintendo-once-again-brings-dmca-hammer-down-switch-emulators/#:~:text=they%27re%20fighting%20the%20takedown%20notice%20with%20a%20proper%20argument%20that%20Eden%27s%20repository%20does%20not%20infringe%20any%20laws%20or%20GitHub%27s%20hosting%20policies. 

The only thing targeted was Eden’s GitHub releases page, according to the DMCA notice.

Explanation from Nintendo on how they protect copyright (editor it is highlighted in Yellow in the document below, please show that section)

Nintendo DMCA notice

Dolphin adds support for emulating GameCube-based ‘Triforce’ system used for arcade titles

https://www.howtogeek.com/dolphin-just-went-beyond-wii-and-gamecube-emulation/  

https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/02/gamecube-and-wii-emulator-dolphin-adds-support-for-triforce-arcade-platform-from-namco-nintendo-and-sega 

Blog post: https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2026/02/16/rise-of-the-triforce/ 

What is the Triforce System: https://segaretro.org/Triforce

Now you can play this long forgotten Mario Kart game

https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/index.php?title=Mario_Kart_Arcade_GP_2  

Image of an old Mario Kart Arcade game

https://dolphin-emu.org/m/user/blog/triforce/mkagpcab_thumb.avif 

DOWNGUARD BUT NOT OUTGUARD

Highguard has announced that dispute the myriad of issues they’re dealing with they intend to keep releasing content. - https://www.polygon.com/highguard-update-amid-shutdown-rumors/ 

Concerns about the game’s future were sparked by website going down - https://kotaku.com/highguard-website-down-shutting-down-servers-free-to-play-shooter-steam-playercount-2000669734 

• OS: WEBSITE DOWN: https://playhighguard.com/ - note the website is back up but the kotaku article above has a screenshot of it being down
• Devs responded on discord: X post showing screenshots 
• Also sparked by the fact that it’s down to below a thousand players from it’s peak of 97k https://steamdb.info/app/4128260/charts/ 
• Screenshot: Down 98 percent on highguard.png

They say the website issue is just a mistake and thay they’ve gort new content coming soon: https://respawnindex.com/highguard-isnt-dead-it-seems-as-devs-confirm-new-content-is-coming/ 

• Quote
• Alternate website: https://www.pcguide.com/news/highguards-website-may-still-be-down-but-a-purely-content-focused-patch-is-coming-later-this-week/ 
• Alternate website: https://www.gosugamers.net/entertainment/news/78011-highguard-devs-confirm-the-game-isn-t-shutting-down-updates-still-on-the-way 
• Original Source: X post with the updates: https://x.com/PlayHighguard/status/2024305432991535353 
• Owlbear! https://lmg.gg/W5TIB 

Old staff are releasing concept art t  though which is weird because they say it’s never coming out: https://wccftech.com/ex-highguard-staff-share-concept-art-and-videos-of-unreleased-in-engine-characters/ 

• Original Source: https://www.resetera.com/threads/concept-art-and-videos-of-completed-highguard-characters-and-wip-map-posted-online-by-ex-staffers.1439296/ 

How are they funding this new content? Tencent!: https://www.ign.com/articles/tencent-was-quietly-backing-highguard-studio-according-to-report 

• Original source: https://www.gamefile.news/p/tencent-highguard-wildlight-entertainment  

ONE LAST JOB

Rockstar kills mod platform that was a competitor to theirs https://www.gamesradar.com/games/grand-theft-auto/after-9-years-of-work-team-behind-gta-5-multiplayer-mod-that-rivalled-rockstar-owned-fivem-says-take-two-is-shutting-the-project-down-thank-you-for-being-part-of-this-journey/ 

https://www.gamefront.com/games/gamingtoday/article/take-two-pulls-the-plug-on-alt-v-after-nine-years-right-when-rockstar-launches-its-official-mod-marketplace 

Sanctioned Mod marketplace:

https://marketplace.cfx.re/ 

GTA Online Mod alt:V Multiplayer Shut Down By Take-Two

https://rockstarintel.com/gta-online-mod-altv-multiplayer-shut-down-by-take-two/ 

Screenshot of the Discord message: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HAuaYmQXYAElUbn?format=jpg&name=large 

FiveM is the only authorized platform for GTA V multiplayer modding, and Take-Two requested them to shut down alt:v to align with their PLA

https://www.gamefront.com/games/gamingtoday/article/take-two-pulls-the-plug-on-alt-v-after-nine-years-right-when-rockstar-launches-its-official-mod-marketplace 

This is only a month after the Bully Online mod was taken down abruptly one month after launch

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/01/online-mod-for-rockstars-classic-bully-is-abruptly-taken-down-after-one-month/ 

QUICK BITS

THE OG IS BACK

Feb 17th - Classic shooter Unreal Tournament 2004 is now free as fans revive and release it with Epic's blessing

https://www.eurogamer.net/unreal-tournament-2004-is-now-free-as-fans-revive-and-release-it-with-epics-blessing 

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/unreal-tournament-2004-is-now-available-for-free-thanks-to-its-fan-community-and-theyve-even-updated-the-game-for-modern-pcs-this-is-the-first-public-patch-for-unreal-tournament-2004-in-over-20-years/ 

Gameplay: https://youtu.be/8mhIWEeBSmo?t=16 

Epic Games links to it on their website https://www.epicgames.com/unrealtournament 

Download

https://www.oldunreal.com/downloads/ut2004/full-game-installers/ 

HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTH IS

Feb 17th - Zillow launches Zillow for Warcraft, a new way to explore World of Warcraft homes

https://www.zillow.com/news/zillow-launches-zillow-for-warcraft-a-new-way-to-explore-world-of-warcraft-homes/ 

• In partnership with blizzard it seems: https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24250389/discover-dream-homes-with-zillow-for-warcraft 
• Original Source: Actual Site https://zillowforwarcraft.com/ 
• Editor please scroll through one of the listings and get a screen recording: https://zillowforwarcraft.com/#/homedetails/alliance-2 
• This is the quote for the spikes line

It’s part of a co-branded marketing campaign that will feature in game houses from azeroth and while you can’t buy the homes you CAN unlock a zillow inspired doormat which feels like the most true to life thing zillow could have done here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/zillow-links-with-world-of-warcraft-to-showcase-in-game-homes/812446/ 

• This youtube real estate video shows two scuzzy realtors trying to sell you garbage so that’s accurate at least: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkRBrrx_yls&t=50s 
• Insert obvious joke about Gen Z and Millennial home ownership here
• Check  out this listing where the agent is trying to grift you quote link

Well, that’s awesome that we can’t even escape from the cost of living crisis in azeroth

NO MOM, IT’S MEWGENICS WITH AN M

Headline Article: https://news.instant-gaming.com/en/articles/18009-mewgenics-has-sold-over-a-million-copies-now 

• Original Source Tyler’s Tweet https://x.com/TylerGlaiel/status/2023832732049268892
• And his followup tweet with stats https://x.com/TylerGlaiel/status/2023842236186956069 

Is it the rogulike with the most concurrants? Not sure but this is pretty greaT  https://www.gamereactor.eu/mewgenics-continues-its-meteoric-rise-overtakes-hades-ii-on-steam-1676343/ 

Feb 18th - Mewgenics sells 1 million copies in just 1 week, far more than its creators expected

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/roguelike/mewgenics-sells-1-million-copies-in-just-1-week-far-more-than-its-creators-expected-we-both-got-a-bit-blindsided-by-this/ 

• Not sure how surprising this is considering one of the devs (Edmund McMillen) previously worked on Super Meat Boy (2010), The Binding of Isaac (2011), and The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (2014). All super successful indie titles.
• Steam Charts: https://steamdb.info/app/686060/charts/ 

I LIKED HIS OLD STUFF BETTER

Starfield‘s Next Big Update Isn’t A 2.0 Reboot, It’s For People Who Already Love The Game

https://kotaku.com/starfields-next-big-update-isnt-a-2-0-reboot-its-for-people-who-already-love-the-game-2000670749 

It’s not gonna connect with you, you fegdef wont like it - https://www.ign.com/articles/starfields-next-update-is-not-starfield-20-bethesda-boss-confirms-if-it-didnt-connect-with-you-right-away-or-you-found-it-boring-i-dont-think-this-is-going-to-change-that 

I’m gonna grab quotes out of this one: https://insider-gaming.com/todd-howard-starfield-2-shut-down-and-promises-more-news/ 

GOTTA GET WAYYYY UP IN THERE

This game lets you be a sperm https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/newly-announced-action-game-become-lets-you-play-as-a-sentient-sperm-trying-to-reach-the-egg-and-yes-i-am-just-writing-about-it-because-of-the-name/ 

Best name ever:

https://metro.co.uk/2026/02/16/play-a-sperm-this-new-indie-game-best-name-ever-26935127/ 

Become steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3710850/Become/ 

Gameplay Trailer: This gets out of hand pretty quickly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQB-xvMbD6U 

THE SOCK LEVEL IS CONFIRMED

https://youtu.be/XQB-xvMbD6U?t=45 

Duration: 10:43

Timestamps:

0:00 Can you think in all the colors of the mind?

0:09 Starcraft: Ghost in development?

1:44 Highguard / 2XKO layoffs

3:53 Sony State of Play Feb. 2026

6:43 QUICK BITS INTRO

6:49 Clair Obscur devs knighted in France

7:26 Remedy gets a new CEO, everything's fine

8:25 SpaceMolt

9:17 Steam adds 1.0 release day option

9:51 GTA 6 for free, if you have a baby. in Norway

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

STORM’S A BREWIN

Feb 9th - Blizzard reportedly partnering with Arc Raiders owner Nexon to revive StarCraft as a shooter

https://www.eurogamer.net/blizzard-reportedly-partnering-with-nexon-to-revive-starcraft 

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/blizzard-reportedly-taps-arc-raiders-owner-nexon-for-second-starcraft-shooter/ 

Starcraft Ghosts logo https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/starcraft/images/0/0d/SC-G_Logo1.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080508203154 

StarCraft Ghost gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIWBlvD0R6g 

i still dream about being Sam Fisher in a space ship

Editor, for the Sam Fisher in space joke please take an image of Sam Fisher, stick him on a random space ship, and have him fly by in the void background

Sam Fisher:https://static.wikitide.net/deathbattlewiki/6/6c/Portrait.samfisher.png 

Original source https://www.dnews.co.kr/uhtml/view.jsp?idxno=202601301526154230994 

• EDITOR: translate

Nexon bad https://steamcommunity.com/app/2074920/discussions/0/4408543304942284183/ 

Nexon bad again https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/1mkutgq/nexonowned_game_studio_enters_indefinite_strike/ 

They even have StarCraft modder Choi Jun-ho as the project lead

https://lmg.gg/565G7

Jason Schrier comment (jschrier - comment #11)

https://www.resetera.com/threads/nexon-to-reimagine-starcraft-as-a-shooter-secret-project-underway.1429834/#post-151098748 

In other news:

Feb. 10th - Blizzard agrees to change new Overwatch hero's face after the community, and Anran's voice actor, speak out

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/blizzard-agrees-to-redesign-overwatch-hero-s-appearance-after-backlash

Its a real problem with the games female cast, apparently, everyone just looks like Kiriko

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/blizzard-yields-new-overwatch-hero-anran-will-be-redesigned-after-players-complained-about-everyone-looking-like-kiriko-we-agree-she-can-be-even-better/ 

They are really doing a good job avoiding a Sonic Movie situation: https://www.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_super/171/1712892/3603281-2.jpg 

Kiriko and the new character: https://liquipedia.net/commons/images/6/6f/Kiriko_concept.png 

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rX4zg68VEd3Gorcy5qmML-650-80.jpg.webp 

DO NOT GO SOFTLY INTO THAT WILDLIGHT

Feb 11th - Highguard dev hit with mass layoffs as "most of the team at Wildlight" is let go https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/highguard-dev-hit-with-mass-layoffs-as-most-of-the-team-at-wildlight-is-let-go/ 

• Original Source: X post from Wildlight announcing layoffs: https://x.com/WildlightEnt/status/2021745168387596450
• Original Source: Alex Garner Linkedin Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7427480816940892161/ 

The team worked to respond to user feedback and quickly patch issues with the game: https://kotaku.com/highguards-surprise-5v5-mode-is-sticking-around-but-its-not-enough-2000665423 

• Quote From egadget about the studio’s responsiveness to player feedback: Link

The studio had a large release schedule and the studio head told polygod that it doesn’t matter how many people play highguard, they were planning on releasing a year of content

• Highlight link
• Original Post on X for the 7 episode content release: https://x.com/PlayHighguard/status/2015852784461979814 

And y'know, they aren’t the only ones - 

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/riot-games-lays-off-roughly-80-employees-from-2xko-team  

Feb 9th - Riot Games lays off roughly 80 employees from 2XKO team

• Original Source: Announcement from riot games layoffs: https://www.riotgames.com/en/news/an-update-on-2xko
• PC Gamer article: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fighting/riot-lays-off-2xko-developers-less-than-three-weeks-after-release-overall-momentum-hasnt-reached-the-level-needed-to-support-a-team-of-this-size/ 
• Quote of them saying they’re cutting 80 roles

Raises the question if the free to play model still work: https://www.polygon.com/free-to-play-model-highguard-2xko-layoffs/ 

SONY STATE OF PLAY

Feb 12th - Sony’s State of Play is airing TODAY at 2 PM PT. We might want to add something from this to a main.

https://x.com/Sony/status/2020917173074509828

https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/09/state-of-play-returns-this-thursday-february-12/

• Ghost of Yotei: Legends (multiplayer mode)
• Timestamp of title card: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=10ZP2vqeDiwBDmZ-&t=325 
• Timestamp of cool cut scene: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=C1WaKVYIYsxHyvAL&t=265 
• Timestamp of gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=E0r6azrE5lgw9KDC&t=307 
• Death Stran ding [PC] launches March 19th
• Timestamp: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=B8nBkFd9IXm5fq3n&t=335 
• 4:Loop - 4-player co-op roguelike shooter
• Timestamp of titlecard: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=2PhF5R4fMCVZxksi&t=583 
• Timestamp of gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=BtIymh_gSw8T0mXj&t=533 
• Dead or Alive 6, not beach volleyball so we don’t care
• Timestamp of titlecard: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=LK8AHq_hhqWQ_992&t=1051 
• Timestamp of gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=RmwjSJPrrys0k2Ry&t=1005 
• Control Resonant gameplay 
• Timestamp: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=YEFxMLqs7k5ytQSJ&t=1144 
• Control Resonang titlecard: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=rzHAAalF8M3B9n3o&t=1308 
• Krafton has a new game, you are the battle chicken… Project Windless KFC Kratos
• Timesamp of cool chicken: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=LvahhdZjSu2C2A33&t=1820 
• Timestamp of titlecard: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=HYH0lZcGTMFazkeb&t=1922 
• Timestamp of gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=Po3nqM-W2Rt7dNqH&t=1835 
• 007 First Light new trailer
• Timestamp of him talkin to ladies: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=jO7bPJ2C8p5eYXbj&t=2036 
• METAL GEAR, OCTOPUS EDITION… Darwins Paradox
• Timestamp for old snake: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=AqBNlmKzrAqo3-xe&t=2236 
• Timestamp of titlecard if you want (optional): https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=0hBUBqUjkJAH9SKl&t=2349 
• Timestamp: Octopus Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=eicCC5Vw074J3VdQ&t=2497 
• Timestamp of octopus titlecard if you want: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=-K5ie89_kT3geznz&t=2548 
• Timestamp: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=BxsBCXWxuun8tvHF&t=3154 
• God of War Sons of Sparta 2D flash game out today
• Timestamp: https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=Q33jeHAcOPAWGiLQ&t=4018 

 QUICK BITS

THAT BELONGS IN A MUSEUM!

Feb 9th - French government awards knighthoods to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/french-government-awards-clair-obscur-expedition-33-devs-with-knighthood 

Significant contribution to the arts:

https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/games/clair-obscur-knighthood-france-2692865/ 

Linkedin statement: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7425479716297539584/ 

The game is so artful, that someone at Iraqi customs thought an Expedition 33 boxed set was an ancient relic… They actually confiscated the art book to verify https://www.polygon.com/expedition-33-art-book-monolith-set-customs-ancient-artifact/ 

https://videocardz.com/newz/iraqi-customs-reportedly-detain-clair-obscur-expedition-33-art-book-as-possibly-ancient 

Reddit post: https://lmg.gg/q3WHc 

Monolith set product page shows what it looks like at the top: https://www.expedition33.com/monolith-set 

Photo of the declaration: https://lmg.gg/7yPKW 

DON’T PLAY WITH MY HEART

(Riley adding this because he's so scared for Remedy)

Remedy Announces New CEO - https://wccftech.com/remedy-new-ceo-control-resonant-most-ambitious-game/ 

• Original Source: Press Release from Remedy - https://investors.remedygames.com/releases-and-events/announcements-and-releases/?publicationId=c86bbf74-7d56-4b1e-bc4d-56f406fc8258 
• He seems to have solid chops having served as the EA studio head and Exec producer of battlefield heroes: http://ign.com/articles/remedy-finds-new-ceo-in-former-ea-exec-jean-charles-gaudechon 
• Highlight from that article: Link

People seem unenthused based on his career history though: https://www.polygon.com/remedy-entertainment-new-ceo-fans-reactions/#:~:text=He%20also%20spent,could%20look%20like. 

Remedy Creative Director indicates that he understands the studio’s creative identity: https://x.com/SamLakeRMD/status/2020929412972282195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2020929412972282195%7Ctwgr%5E846676fbebc8154d0035e665e8cd54234181cc1d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.polygon.com%2Fremedy-entertainment-new-ceo-fans-reactions%2F 

SP-AI-CE INVADERS

Feb 9th - No humans allowed: This new space-based MMO is designed exclusively for AI agents

• Probably an elaborate crypto rugpull or something. But there are jokes here about the AI not just taking our jobs but also our gaming time. Other joke potential about AI in its edgy teen phase where it just sits in its room all day playing video games

https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/02/after-moltbook-ai-agents-can-now-hang-out-in-their-own-space-faring-mmo/ 

• Original Source: Game site: https://www.spacemolt.com/ 
• Original Source Creator’s blog: https://blog.langworth.com/spacemolt 
• Game Forum - theoretically AI populated https://www.spacemolt.com/forum 
• Moltbook original Source: Website: https://www.moltbook.com/ 

Given that moltbook ended up being mostly humans trying to crypto scam: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/06/1132448/moltbook-was-peak-ai-theater/ 

• Quote
• With one investigator discovering that there was an 88:1 ratio of humans to agents: quote: 

IT’S A DATE!

Feb 8th - Steam now lets developers display the exact date of when their game leaves Early Access

https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/steam-now-lets-developers-display-the-exact-date-of-when-their-game-leaves-early-access-190413701.html?src=rss 

https://www.techpowerup.com/346146/steam-adds-new-ui-to-inform-players-when-early-access-games-will-launch 

“1.0 Release date” blog post:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/4145017/view/500597484211404992?l=english 

It is made so that release dates will show up on the Steam Personal Calendar feature from October of last year https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/593110/view/507342099205587494 

Now you might actually be able to tell when a game is going to be released… maybe: https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/steam-now-lets-early-access-devs-show-a-1-0-release-date-then-says-eh-maybe-leave-it-blank-just-because-this-feature-exists-does-not-mean-you-should-or-must-use-it/ 

GOTTA MAKE LAZLOW PROUD

Feb 12th - GTA 6 being given away for free in Norway if you have a baby on launch day

https://metro.co.uk/2026/02/12/gta-6-given-away-free-norway-a-baby-launch-day-26852932/ 

https://www.dexerto.com/gta/this-store-is-giving-away-gta-6-for-free-if-you-have-a-baby-on-release-day-3317986/ 

Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUngTvzDXsD/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c18ec33c-93c3-4a64-8232-565229531490 

They are even providing 15 minutes for you to get ready, with sexy music and a nice romantic fireplace video to turn up the heat (Editor please show the norwegian text fading in at 0:02)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l253Exb8cok 

Image of the sign from Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fsydnfgclzvig1.jpeg 

Editor: Swapped these 2 around

Duration: 10:04

Timestamps:

0:00 im sorry they made me

00:14 Valve delays Steam Machine, Frame, Controller

1:59 Overwatch 2 now just 'Overwatch'

3:36 Ashes of Creation debacle

5:50 QUICK BITS INTRO

6:05 Tim Sweeney supports Valve lawsuit

7:08 Apex Legends donezo on Switch 1

7:51 MindsEye wants another chance

8:35 Pokemon Wind & Wave leaks

9:18 Sony patents AI game character podcasts

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

UNDER PRESSURE

Feb 4th - Valve’s Steam Machine has been delayed, and the RAM crisis will impact pricing

https://www.theverge.com/games/874196/valve-steam-machine-frame-controller-delay-pricing-memory-crisis 

• Newsweek (this is an alternate source in case you don’t want to use the vergE OR if you just need a different source, just FYI): https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/video-games/steam-machine-release-date-announcement-delayed-due-to-memory-shortages-11471466 
• Original Source: FAQ from Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/45479024/view/625565405086220583?l=english 
• Valve had suggested to Q1 2026 to digital foundry in November: https://archive.md/TUG3M#selection-615.0-617.211 
• Moving from Q1 to Q2
• How much will it cost though?
• Still no word on that but back in november they told toms hardware  the market was being pretty weird: https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/valve-brings-back-steam-machine-and-steam-controller-hands-on-with-valves-new-amd-based-living-room-gaming-hardware
• Specific Link to the weird line: https://archive.md/RD4Kf#selection-6521.0-6521.63 
• AMD’s leaky Earnings call on Tuesday also said that it will still release in early 2026: https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/02/03/amd-amd-q4-2025-earnings-call-transcript/ 
• IGN Article: https://www.ign.com/articles/amd-says-valve-is-on-track-to-ship-steam-machine-early-this-year-but-we-still-dont-know-the-price 
• Link for the 70% Stat quote: https://www.ign.com/articles/amd-says-valve-is-on-track-to-ship-steam-machine-early-this-year-but-we-still-dont-know-the-price#:~:text=The%20conversation%20began%20with%20software%20engineer%20Pierre%2DLoup%20Griffais%20confirming%20that%20Steam%20Machine%20is%20more%20powerful%20than%2070%25%20of%20gaming%20PCs%20that%20Valve%20registers%20on%20its%20hardware%20survey 
• Link to Quote in the OS for the earnings call: https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/02/03/amd-amd-q4-2025-earnings-call-transcript/#:~:text=We%20also%20introduced,early%20this%20year.

OVERWATCH: FIRST BLOOD

Feb 4th - Overwatch 2 is just Overwatch now. Blizzard drops the 2 for the 10th anniversary.

https://www.polygon.com/overwatch-2-name-change-blizzard/ 

Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/gaming/overwatch-will-drop-the-2-as-jetpack-cat-and-four-other-heroes-arrive-on-february-10-184500327.html?src=rss

IGN: https://www.ign.com/articles/overwatch-2-is-ditching-the-2-amid-launch-of-new-story-driven-era-with-10-new-heroes 

Game informer: https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/02/04/overwatch-2-is-just-overwatch-again-and-five-new-heroes-arrive-next-week 

Reddit Rumors: https://www.reddit.com/r/Competitiveoverwatch/comments/1qro4n1/overwatch_2_invasion_bundle_renamed_to_overwatch/ 

Blog post: https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24246206/overwatch-spotlight-the-reign-of-talon-begins 

Historical Context - 2023 PvE Mode cancellation

https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/19/23730369/overwatch-2-pve-hero-mode-cancellation

ASHES TO ASHES

Feb 1st - MMORPG Ashes of Creation Suddenly Implodes 52 Days After Steam Early Access Launch

https://wccftech.com/mmorpg-ashes-of-creation-suddenly-implodes/

• MMO AND Kira TV put the pieces together: https://www.mmorpg.com/news/ashes-of-creation-turmoil-continues-as-sharif-responds-over-the-weekend-urging-patience-2000137182 
• Timeline of how it fell apart: https://www.mmorpg.com/news/ashes-of-creations-former-comms-director-releases-statement-giving-brief-timeline-of-intrepids-shut-down-2000137195 
• OS: KiraTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0ewbHYWL7s 
• Sharif’s discord messages claiming it was the board: https://wccftech.com/mmorpg-ashes-of-creation-suddenly-implodes/#:~:text=I%20can%20make,by%20the%20situation 
• The board is him and his husband tho: https://www.reddit.com/r/AshesofCreation/comments/1qsm3r2/the_board_composed_of_me_and_my_husband/ 

People are not receiving final paychecks: https://www.pcgamesn.com/ashes-of-creation/layoffs-final-paychecks-margaret-krohn 

• Margaret Krohn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/margaretkrohn_i-waited-until-today-to-share-this-because-activity-7424559850921279489-9q_T

Steam has quietly withdrawn it from sale: https://www.ign.com/articles/steam-quietly-withdraws-under-fire-mmo-ashes-of-creation-from-sale-as-fans-wonder-whos-left-to-maintain-the-servers 

Players are trying to get refunds. https://www.ign.com/articles/ashes-of-creation-crisis-continues-as-devs-are-reportedly-denied-final-paycheck-and-disgruntled-players-ask-valve-for-steam-refunds 

• Margret Krohn’s twitter post: https://x.com/MargaretKrohn/status/2018794224276377819 
• Warn Act: https://www.reddit.com/r/AshesofCreation/comments/1qvqe3n/warn_info_updated/ 

Evidently there will be a development update for the game accompanying a twitch livestream on Feb 13: https://gameinformer.com/2026/02/02/report-ashes-of-creation-developer-intrepid-studios-shuts-down-weeks-after-the-mmos#:~:text=Intrepid%20Studios%20hasn%27t,will%20actually%20happen 

Original Ashes of Creation Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1791529601/ashes-of-creation-new-mmorpg-by-intrepid-studios 

• The thing about them refunding if it doesn’t launch: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1791529601/ashes-of-creation-new-mmorpg-by-intrepid-studios#:~:text=*%20And%20finally%2C%20in%20the%20case%20that%20Ashes%20of%20Creation%20does%20NOT%20launch%2C%20we%20promise%20to%20refund%20all%20backers%20in%20full. 
• This is the line where the amount they made gets estimated: https://wccftech.com/mmorpg-ashes-of-creation-suddenly-implodes/#:~:text=This%20means%20the%20game%20earned%20between%20%2411%20and%20%2416%20million%20on%20Steam%2C%20although%20with%20Valve%27s%2030%25%20cut%2C%20the%20money%20that%20actually%20went%20to%20Intrepid%20ranges%20between%20%247.7%20and%20%2411.2%20million. 

QUICK BITS

SWEENEY’S A MEANEY

Jan 30th - Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney voices support for $900 million Steam lawsuit: 'Valve is the only major store still holding onto the payments tie and 30% junk fee'

https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/epic-games-boss-tim-sweeney-voices-support-for-usd900-million-steam-lawsuit-valve-is-the-only-major-store-still-holding-onto-the-payments-tie-and-30-percent-junk-fee/ 

Windows Central: https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/epic-ceo-tim-sweeney-takes-aim-at-one-of-valves-steam-policies-as-that-massive-uk-lawsuit-looms 

Games Radar: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/epic-games-ceo-tim-sweeney-supports-the-usd900-million-lawsuit-against-valve-arguing-steam-is-the-only-major-store-still-holding-onto-payment-ties-and-30-percent-junk-fee/ 

Twitter posts (Editor, please note that the top replies from Tim are all relevant for the story): https://x.com/TimSweeneyEpic/status/2017028895875195171 

SWITCHING THE DROPSHIP 

Feb 1st - Apex Legends won't be playable on Nintendo Switch after its next season

• NOTE: Just the original Switch. Still playable on Switch 2

https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/apex-legends-wont-be-playable-on-nintendo-switch-after-its-next-season-214153353.html 

Game Spot: 

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/apex-legends-for-switch-shutting-down-this-year-but-switch-2-edition-lives-on/1100-6537809/ 

Blog Post: https://www.ea.com/en/games/apex-legends/apex-legends/news/update-on-nintendo-switch-support 

Fragment image from Apex Legends (Editor can we get a Nintendo switch crashing into this image like a meteor): https://apexlegends.wiki.gg/images/thumb/S17_monument_1.jpg/1920px-S17_monument_1.jpg?74c7f6 

THEY FORGOT ABOUT THE ROCKET

Feb 5th - MindsEye Reboot Attempt:

https://www.polygon.com/mindseye-update-7-patch-notes/ 

Mp1st: https://mp1st.com/news/mindseyes-major-update-1-017-brand-reset 

Mindseye plans to rebuild but not sure if they will get past these epstein allegations, prospects dont look great

Thankfully, since the new update, they hit a whopping 37 player 24 hour peak

https://steamdb.info/app/3265250/charts/ 

Feb 2nd - MindsEye CEO Threatens YouTuber With Legal Action Following Epstein Video (cease and desist demand in a Discord message) https://kotaku.com/mindseye-ceo-threatens-youtuber-after-epstein-video-2000665097 

The Gamer:

https://www.thegamer.com/epstein-files-mindseye-cease-and-desist/ 

GOTTA LEAK ‘EM ALL

Feb 5th - Pokemon Wind and Wave Gen 10 Leak Reveals Entire Region, Gyms, and More 

https://gamerant.com/pokemon-generation-10-leaks-wind-wave-region-gyms/ 

Vice: https://www.vice.com/en/article/pokemon-gen-10-map-allegedly-leaked-and-its-enormous/ 

Twitter post: https://x.com/CentroLeaks/status/2019263474929451487 

Alleged Heightmap of the region loaded into blender: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HAXdbZIXcAEjZ2F?format=jpg&name=medium 

Worth taking this all with a grain of salt, but Pokemon day is right around the corner so we might find out soon

THIS COULD BE A PODCAST

Sony tries to patent using LLM to create individualized podcasts for players

• VGC Noticed the patent initially: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-patents-ai-generated-podcasts-voiced-by-characters-from-its-games/ 
• Actual Patent: https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=US471594142 
• IGN Report: https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-patents-system-to-generate-ai-podcasts-in-the-voices-of-your-favorite-playstation-characters 
• “some examples, if the gaming platform wants to highlight specific games for players to experiment with, the podcast can suggest different games to different players based on a cluster to which the relevant player is assigned," the patent's paperwork explains. "These game recommendations can also be provided in the generative AI podcasts, in game-specific character voices no less. Recommendations may be prioritized and jump out a little more to the listener to get the listener to note the recommendation. Prioritization may be based on where the recommendation is placed in the podcast (e.g., the first one mentioned) and the length of the audio for the recommendation compared to the length of audio for other aspects of the podcast”
• Link to that quote: https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-patents-system-to-generate-ai-podcasts-in-the-voices-of-your-favorite-playstation-characters#:~:text=%22In%20some%20examples,of%20the%20podcast.%22 
• So it’s used for Ads and generic notifications
• Also it makes fun of you? Like the podcasters are talking about the player
• Specific link to the line about it making fun of you: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-patents-ai-generated-podcasts-voiced-by-characters-from-its-games/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIn%20certain%20instances%2C%20the%20audio%20may%20include%20a%20joke%20at%20the%20video%20game%20player%E2%80%99s%20expense%2C%E2%80%9D%20it%20adds. 
• Which isn’t at all what podcasts are

Duration: 10:30

Timestamps:

0:00 guys i was just getting milk chill

0:15 Ubisoft cancels games, wants layoffs

1:53 Highguard launch

4:10 Marathon launches next month

5:50 QUICK BITS INTRO

6:03 UK lawsuit against Valve can proceed

6:53 Xbox launches on PS5 to be 'consistent'

7:48 EA's FC 'The Grounds' open-world

8:23 Dispatch censored on Switch

9:12 Capcom tried to make Leon Kennedy hot

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

SACRE BLEU!!

26 - Ubisoft proposes to cut 18% of workforce at France headquarters as part of ‘major reset’ plan (SACRE BLEU!!)

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-proposes-to-cut-18-of-workforce-at-france-headquarters-as-part-of-major-reset-plan/

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-launches-voluntary-redundancy-process-to-cut-200-jobs-from-paris-head-office 

Restructuring plan image: https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/info1_gi.png?width=690&height=388&fit=crop&quality=85&format=jpg&auto=webp 

After cancelling six games https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-cancels-6-projects-including-prince-of-persia-sands-of-time-remake-closes-2-studios-and-confirms-further-layoffs-in-major-company-restructure  

https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jan/22/ubisoft-cancels-projects-and-announces-restructure-in-fight-to-stay-competitive 

Jan 28th Ubisoft update: French Ubisoft workers vote to strike

https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ubisoft-173241918.html?src=rss 

Union Statement https://bsky.app/profile/stjv.fr/post/3mdiakqixmj2m 

• Thrust of the story is that UBISOFT is disintegrating 

Watch Dogs Franchise Reported “Dead” Following Ubisoft Restructuring, Tim Henderson says the whole franchise is dead

https://www.enduins.com/news/watch-dogs-franchise-reported-dead-following-ubisoft-restructuring 

https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/ubisoft-reportedly-kills-watch-dogs-franchise-as-insider-says-ip-is-completely-dead-3309238/ 

Clip from Insider gaming: https://youtu.be/8rRejJWM3jg?t=3548 

26 - Prince of Persia remake actress spent 3 years working on the game, filmed marketing two months ago, and wasn’t informed of its cancellation

https://frvr.com/blog/news/prince-of-persia-remake-actress-spent-3-years-working-on-the-game-filmed-marketing-two-months-ago-wasnt-informed-of-its-cancellation/ 

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/its-just-as-if-it-never-existed-following-ubisofts-prince-of-persia-remake-cancellation-actor-discusses-losing-three-years-worth-of-work 

Video address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY0hv4QFIak 

• Quick! Someone grab the dagger of time so we can go back and email this actresses agent

Other Sources:

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/22/ubisoft-shares-plummet-after-assassins-creed-maker-cancels-six-games.html

CAUGHT OFF GUARD

• Former devs from well-known shooter franchises (Apex, Titanfall, CoD) formed independent studio, thought they could hit lightning in a bottle twice 
• Geoff Keighley offered to promote game at Game Awards INSTEAD of shadow drop
• Left a gap between TGA and game launch
• Game flopped

26 - Highguard launches to negative reviews on Steam

https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/s/AsMRNDu6Ob

A shitload of people are playing this game and the DO NOT LIKE IT

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/hours-after-launch-highguard-has-mostly-negative-reviews-and-a-peak-of-97-000-players-on-steam/ 

• Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4128260/Highguard/#app_reviews_hash 

Game developers are listening to users and attempting to fix

• Post about patch: https://x.com/PlayHighguard/status/2016708434008429021 
• Another post about the patch: https://x.com/PlayHighguard/status/2016710064002998521?s=20 

BUT Highguard's Steam rating goes from 'Mostly Negative' to 'Mostly Positive' when filtering reviews left by people with over 3 hours of playtime: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/highguards-steam-rating-goes-from-mostly-negative-to-mostly-positive-when-filtering-reviews-left-by-people-with-over-3-hours-of-playtime/ 

So if you’re explicitly filtering for people who like the game then it seems like people like the game.

Geoff liked the game and wanted to help with the game awards but it backfired: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/ultimately-we-could-have-made-a-different-trailer-highguard-ceo-responds-to-that-poorly-received-game-awards-reveal/ 

• Alt: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/highguard-was-planned-as-a-shadow-drop-but-geoff-keighley-had-another-idea/1100-6537655/ 

They had originally planned to shadowdrop the game but they couldn’t pass up the offer to get placement at the Game Awards. And they didn’t really highlight the gameplay with it. And they explained the silence after the game awards as wanting to just focus of shipping the game and hoping that the game spoke for itself 

https://kotaku.com/highguard-game-awards-trailer-rust-hero-shooter-interview-2000663137

28- Highguard Store Page Removes Mention Of Apex Legends And Titanfall

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/highguard-store-page-removes-mention-of-apex-legends-and-titanfall/1100-6537736/ 

RUN IT BACK

Marathon launches March 5, a week from today

https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/Article/marathon-releases-march-5-2026-new-trailer-and-more 

Announced in 2023 https://blog.playstation.com/2023/05/24/bungie-unveils-marathon/ 

Resurrection of Bungie’s older shooter series, a precursor to Halo https://gamesbeat.com/bungie-and-playstation-resurrect-marathon/ 

Then Bungie was gutted by parent company Sony https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/destiny-creators-bungie-lay-off-220-people-and-form-new-studio-within-sony-to-stave-off-financial-ruin

The alpha was disappointing - people didn’t want another extraction shooter 

https://youtu.be/jFzR8bN13FA?t=18 

• 0:18 - gameplay 

https://gamerant.com/marathon-alpha-players-request-delay/

So Bungie followed gamers’ advice to delay it https://www.eurogamer.net/bungies-marathon-reboot-delayed-indefinitely-in-response-to-passionate-fan-feedback 

Art theft issue, was eventually ‘resolved’ 

https://x.com/4nt1r34l/status/1923067988871147605 

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/the-marathon-art-theft-debacle-has-been-resolved-to-my-satisfaction-according-to-the-artist-bungie-stole-from/ 

And game director was replaced https://www.vice.com/en/article/marathon-gets-a-new-creative-director-three-months-before-release-and-players-are-panicking/ 

But since that time, another extraction shooter has launched and become super popular: ARC Raiders https://youtu.be/IpeJjQDXNAE?t=71 

• 1:11 - gameplay

And now, there’s a chance that ARC has whetted players’ appetite for an extraction shooter that’s more focused on PvP than PvE https://www.shacknews.com/article/147515/marathons-delay-has-been-good-actually 

Even if the game is a flop when it launches next week, it was all worth it just for the STUNNING art direction and trailers https://youtu.be/fvbEnWLRo1s?t=43 

• 0:43 to 0:48
• 1:14 to 1:19
• 5:48 to 5:55 

https://youtu.be/1_tFPT5X2hs?t=37 (0:37)

Thanks to former Art Director Joseph Cross https://www.instagram.com/joseph.a.cross/?hl=en 

And emmy-winning animation wizard Alberto Mielgo, who defined the whole look for the Spider-Verse movies http://www.albertomielgo.com/spiderverse 

It will go out aura farming

https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2026/01/27/if-marathon-fails-at-least-it-will-go-out-aura-farming/ 

QUICKBITS 

LEGAL HOT WATER

Valve Corporation will face a £656m lawsuit in the UK over alleged unfair prices on its global online store, Steam, following a tribunal ruling that the case could continue.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/s/whvhGshM1F

Legal action over 'unfair' Steam game store prices given go ahead

• Better source https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2g1md0l23o
• Original Source - Tribunal Ruling allowing the suit to move forward: https://www.catribunal.org.uk/judgments/16407724-vicki-shotbolt-class-representative-limited-v-valve-corporation-judgment-cpo 

Report on original Lawsuit:https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwwyj6v24xo 

• Valve is being accused of rigging the market and taking advantage of UK gamers by shutting out competition in the PC gaming market. According to the claim, Valve "forces" game publishers to sign up to so-called price parity obligations, preventing titles being sold at cheaper prices on rival platforms, enabling Steam to charge an "excessive commission of up to 30%" forcing consumers pay too much for purchasing PC games and add-on content.

TAKE THE BAG

26 - Xbox aims to be "more consistent" with launching first-party titles on PlayStation 5

Playstation universe: https://www.psu.com/news/microsoft-aims-to-be-more-consistent-with-its-ps5-release-schedule-says-xbox-game-studios-chief/ 

Tech Radar: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/the-head-of-xbox-game-studios-says-were-going-to-try-and-be-more-consistent-with-its-ps5-game-release-strategy 

Polygon: https://www.polygon.com/xbox-clears-up-its-stance-on-ps5-versions-on-day-one-up-to-a-point/ 

• Cool that Xbox’s promise to its users is the same thing I promise my girlfriend every 6 months or so
• We need you to show up more consistently, it can't just be grand gestures every year when you realize you forgot my birthday

OPEN WORLD GAMING, REAL WORLD PROBLEMS

27- EA Trademarks ‘FC The Grounds’ For New Open-World Mode

https://insider-gaming.com/ea-trademarks-fc-the-grounds-for-new-open-world-mode/ 

Gam3s: https://gam3s.gg/news/ea-fc27-the-grounds-rumor/ 

https://www.gamingbible.com/news/ea-fc-27-open-world-netflix-free-fifa-651635-20260129 

Twitter post: https://x.com/gamer_matheusx/status/2015964505176441211 

Image of WWE 2k “The Island”: https://assets.2k.com/1a6ngf98576c/6h1Ron1tJyEUsz8BsNJGeG/08372648e3d43ef1b28a9cef3b252545/UpdatedScreenforIM.png 

• You can play as Kyle Walker
• Your mistress is GOING TO TELL YOUR WIFE UNLESS YOU BUY HER A FERRARI
• EA SPORTS, ITS IN THE GAME, AND ALSO THE REST OF THE WORLD, WHICH INCLUDES THE GAME

INVISI-PROBLEMS

28 - Despite all the hentai games, Nintendo won't allow episodic superhero hit Dispatch on Switch uncensored

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/adventure/despite-all-the-hentai-games-nintendo-wont-allow-episodic-superhero-hit-dispatch-on-switch-uncensored/ 

"The core narrative and gameplay experience remains identical" 

https://www.eurogamer.net/dispatch-switch-switch-2-censored-adhoc-comment 

Nintendo Wire: https://nintendowire.com/news/2026/01/29/dispatchs-belated-switch-1-and-2-ports-will-feature-censorship-for-explicit-scenes/ 

Conker urinal matt photo: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/conker/images/6/64/ConkerUrinalMat.png/revision/latest?cb=20231027225133 

RESIDENT HOTTIE

Female Capcom Staff Had A Mission To Make Leon Kennedy As Hot As Possible (and he looks like a dickhead) - https://thegameslayer.com/news/female-capcom-staff-leon-kennedy-hot/ 

• . Leon’s sporting a new “hot uncle” or “ikeoji” look 
• Original source on the interview with Koshi Nakanishi: https://automaton-media.com/en/news/resident-evil-requiems-leon-kennedy-became-a-hot-uncle-thanks-to-hawk-eyed-female-capcom-staff-who-reviewed-even-the-finest-wrinkles-on-his-neck-director/ 
• Alternate source if needed: https://gamerant.com/resident-evil-requiem-leon-kennedy-gameplay-story-evolution/ 

Leon has many fans among Capcom employees,” Nakanishi said, “and women in particular were pretty strict when reviewing his design. They would point out and comment on even the finest details like the wrinkles on his neck.”

• Pukes

Quotes:

• “rather than the visual aspects, he was getting a lot more opinions on how to build Leon’s personality,”
• “eon would definitely not act like that in this kind of situation. So, there were more opinions about what he’s like on the inside compared to his looks, “
• Joke: You just don’t know him like I do!

OLD Reddit post where people going nuts over this old guy: https://old.reddit.com/r/residentevil/comments/1dk0iux/leon_kennedy_is_so_hot_its_making_me_insane/ 

Other jokes

• Looks like a weekend dad
• Looks like the kind of guy who “forgets” to bring his wallet to dinner “oh can you get this babe”
• It’s just funny that a group of female developers were told to come up with the hottest guy ever and the guy they came up with is the 42 year old version of the guy who fucked my prom date
• Looks like the kind of guy who has dreads in all his college pics

Hey, GameLinked community,

We’ve appreciated all of your support over the past year as we launched this channel fresh from the ground up. It’s been a fun journey, and the fun is only just beginning.

We’re excited to rework this channel to provide you with the best content that we can produce. To do that, we will be taking a break from uploading for a while.

We hope that you’ll stick around to see what we have in store, and in the meantime, you can check out our other channels. We wouldn’t be able to do all of this if it weren’t for your support.

Duration: 08:03

NEWS SOURCES:

CLASSIC MOVE

Apex legends Launch Royale (going back to its launch state)

https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/apex-legends/news/from-the-rift-season-updates

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/apex-legends/after-5-years-apex-legends-is-going-back-to-the-beginning-with-a-fortnite-style-mode-letting-you-experience-the-launch-version-of-the-battle-royale-fps/

After news of “large systemic change” https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/apex-legends-changes-ea-season-22-battle-pass-1236194385/

Footage https://youtu.be/PxOCScALl1M

Overwatch Classic mode for Overwatch 2

https://www.polygon.com/news/476638/overwatch-2-classic-mode-blizzard

Trailer https://youtu.be/kBj4SCL4PNo

Fortnite OG coming back PERMANENTLY

https://www.ign.com/articles/fortnite-confirms-og-experience-returns-in-december-but-this-time-its-here-to-stay

Tweet from Epic https://x.com/FortniteGame/status/1856351379838701691

FULLY NINTENDED

Pocketpair has revealed the patents Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are suing over

https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/8/24291232/nintendo-pocketpair-palworld-lawsuit-patents

Pocketpair’s statement reveals they were all filed after Palworld released https://www.pocketpair.jp/news/20241108

And its the pokeball throwing and riding pokemon ones https://www.polygon.com/news/476177/palworld-developer-nintendo-pokemon-lawsuit

Pocketpair being sued for only $65,700 https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-palworld-lawsuit-seeks-65700-in-damages-163051523.html

Palworld still goes number 1 on PS5 in Japan after launching Oct 4 https://x.com/Bucky_cm/status/1855809368387944841 

RESELL HELL

Price has “not had a negative impact” on PS5 Pro sales, according to Sony President, one week after launch

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps5-pros-huge-price-didnt-negatively-impact-sales-sony-says/1100-6527685/

First spotted by Genki_JPN on twitter https://x.com/Genki_JPN/status/1854839684054368505

Scalpers struggle to resell PS5 Pro because supply has outpaced demand

https://www.techspot.com/news/105500-scalpers-struggling-resell-playstation-5-pro-because-stock.html

Some scalpers apparently selling it at a loss https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/lack-of-ps5-pro-shortages-means-some-scalpers-are-re-selling-at-a-loss/

QUICK BITS

THE SUE

Proposed class action lawsuit against Ubisoft for shutting down The Crew compares it to buying a pinball machine and having the manufacturer break into your home and destroy it years later

https://www.polygon.com/gaming/476979/ubisoft-the-crew-shut-down-lawsuit-class-action

https://www.scribd.com/document/790913960/Crew-Lawsuit-via-Polygon

https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-sued-after-shutting-down-the-crew

LET THERE BE LIGHTING

GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition remasters get notable update, adds classic lighting mode and gameplay changes from mobile versions

https://rockstarintel.com/gta-trilogy-remasters-get-big-new-update-three-years-after-release/

https://mp1st.com/news/gta-trilogy-definitive-edition-gets-surprise-upgrade-on-consoles-adding-classic-lighting-option-from-mobile-version-two-years-later

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/grand-theft-auto-the-definitive-edition-trilogy-on-pc-gets-a-classic-lighting-update-from-the-mobile-version

Grove Street Games https://twitter.com/SynthPotato/status/1856316973400907933

ah s*** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1qju6V1jLM

A-SHORE-ANCE

RuneScape creator posts blog explaining design decisions for his new game Brighter Shores

https://www.pcgamesn.com/brighter-shores/episodic-issues

Blog post

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2791440/view/4442331835939160237?l=english

In part to minimize dead content

https://www.mmorpg.com/news/after-mixed-response-brighter-shores-andrew-gower-explains-episode-design-and-how-it-minimizes-dead-content-2000133382

YOU’VE GOT TO MAKE A STATEMENT

Sonic X Shadow Generations producer wants to remake Sonic ‘06

https://gameranx.com/updates/id/517093/article/sonic-team-wants-to-remaster-remake-sonic-06/

According to Indonesian fan meetup https://x.com/TailsChannel/status/1855655868693664251/

https://www.vice.com/en/article/now-that-sonic-is-good-again-sonic-x-shadow-generations-producer-wants-to-revitalize-sonic-06/

WHAT A PIZZA CRAP

Pizza Hut PIZZAWARMR uses your PS5 to keep your pizza warm

https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/the-unholy-union-of-pizza-hut-and-ps5-exhaust-fumes-has-created-the-pizzawarmr-a-3d-printed-box-you-can-build-for-free-to-foul-up-your-playstation-and-warm-pizza/

https://pizzahutpizzawarmer.ca/

https://mp1st.com/news/pizza-chain-transforms-your-ps5-into-a-pizza-warmer-with-free-3d-printed-design

Duration: 09:32

Timestamps:

0:00 (mario coin sound)

0:11 Geforce Now 100-hour limit

2:04 PS5 Pro Reviews

3:43 Take-Two sells Private Division

5:15 QUICK BITS INTRO

5:29 Switch 2 backwards compatibility

6:24 Sega delists classic games

6:59 Death Stranding launches on Xbox

7:44 Amazon's Mass Effect TV series

8:28 Konami confirms Eva - Ariel connection

NEWS SOURCES:

GEFORCED BREAKS

Nvidia upgrading $10 GeForce now tier

https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-performance-membership/ 

but also gaming limits https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/graphics-cards/nvidias-upgrading-geforce-nows-usd10-tier-with-1440p-and-ultrawide-resolutions-but-the-only-extra-ultimate-users-get-is-a-new-100-hour-play-limit/ 

Nvidia to limit GeForce Now subscribers to 100 hours of gaming per month

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nvidias-streaming-service-geforce-now-will-soon-limit-players-to-100-hours-per-month/ 

Founders not affected https://x.com/tomwarren/status/1854635334144864407 

“This ample limit comfortably accommodates 94% of members, who typically enjoy the service well within this timeframe.” https://lmg.gg/0bqmh (VGC) 

Apparently this happened in Turkey with a 200 hour limit (see top comment) https://www.reddit.com/r/GeForceNOW/comments/1glsk9s/insta_unsubscribe_for_me/ 

That decision was reversed apparently after users threatened to unsubscribe, official explanation was some accounts were being used for “different purposes other than individual gaming” https://www.reddit.com/r/GeForceNOW/comments/125qqdy/update_geforce_now_turkeygameplus_has_reversed/ 

PRO GAMER MOVE

PS5 Pro reviews

CNET liked it https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/ps5-pro-review-the-best-console-graphics-yet-playstation-5/ 

Despite MSRP, separate stand and disc drive costs, CNET “wouldn’t say it’s overpriced” https://lmg.gg/ODy2F (CNET)

50 Pro-enhanced games at launch https://blog.playstation.com/2024/11/04/ps5-pro-50-enhanced-games-available-at-launch-november-7/ 

But some of those upgrades are silly, according to CNET’s coverage; like 8K options when almost no one has an 8K TV https://lmg.gg/y1KvN (CNET)

or Spider-Man 2, which increases the number of NPCs and cars? (it also increases frame rate to 60fps, but c’mon) https://lmg.gg/pDncv (CNET)

PS5 Pro still can’t run all of Elden Ring at 60fps, but it gets close—performance mode still drops frames

https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2024-can-ps5-pro-run-elden-ring-at-60-frames-per-second 

in Quality mode can drop to 40s; important since “PS5's VRR support at 60Hz drops out at 48fps, so dips beneath this will look jarring” https://lmg.gg/HbNQy (Digital Foundry via Eurogamer)

Separate main write-up from Digital Foundry on Eurogamer https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2024-sony-playstation-5-pro-review-across-the-board-improvements-but-is-it-really-worth-the-money 

But they think the Horizon games have the “best image quality we’ve seen from any console game” https://lmg.gg/ueGHu (Digital Foundry via Eurogamer)

But PS5 already very good https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/11/the-ps5-pros-biggest-problem-is-that-the-ps5-is-already-very-good/ 

The Verge asks how far your TV is https://www.theverge.com/reviews/24289319/ps5-pro-review 

SAVING PRIVATE DIVISION

Take-Two selling indie games label Private Division to unnamed buyer

https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/6/24289932/take-two-private-division-publisher-sale 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-06/take-two-sells-video-game-label-private-division-for-undisclosed-sum 

Not sure who it is, but it ISN’T Microsoft this time https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/take-two-selling-private-division-unknown-buyer 

CEO Zelnick says “we’re in the business of making great big hits” https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelnick-on-private-division-sale-those-projects-were-smaller-were-in-the-business-of-big-hits 

Specific quote https://lmg.gg/O517J (GI.biz)

After allegedly closing, then denying they closed, Roll7 and Intercept Games–studios that were part of Private Division

https://www.ign.com/articles/take-two-ceo-on-intercept-roll7-we-didnt-shutter-those-studios 

They finally admitted it https://lmg.gg/gAB7r (GI.biz)

QUICK BITS

NINTENDO BEING SUPPORTIVE

Nintendo confirms Switch successor will play Switch games

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/11/nintendo-confirms-switch-2-will-play-original-switch-games/ 

Switch 2 support for mesh shaders and 4K resolution implied by datamine

https://wccftech.com/nintendo-switch-2-mesh-shaders-4k/ 

Switch 2 may even get GTA? https://www.gamesradar.com/games/open-world/boss-of-rockstar-owner-take-two-says-never-count-nintendo-out-as-switch-2-inches-closer-we-support-successful-platforms/ 

CLASSIC MISTAKE

Sega to delist multiple games from Classics collections

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sega-to-delist-multiple-games-from-classics-collections 

Sega Genesis Classics, Mega Drive Classics

FAQ page https://support.sega.com/hc/en-us/articles/29776767664145-SEGA-Classics-FAQ 

Also games from Dreamcast Collection + more  (Writing note: this article says the games are “unavailable” on Steam, but I’m like 99% sure they meant to say “available”) https://www.polygon.com/news/475677/sega-classic-games-delisting 

Announced a day after interview pledging to bring classics back to consoles 

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/why-sega-is-reviving-classics-like-shinobi-and-jet-set-radio-across-games-film-and-tv/ 

XBOX PORTER BRIDGES

Death Stranding surprise launches on Xbox Series consoles

https://www.ign.com/articles/death-stranding-surprise-launches-on-xbox-series-x-and-s-as-kojima-productions-takes-control-of-the-ip

https://twitter.com/Xbox/status/1854614931288555727 

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/death-stranding-directors-cut/9nqgn8tgnt8p?ocid=Announce_soc_omc_xbo_tw_Photo_buy_11.7.4 

likely a consequence of Kojima Productions gaining full control of the IP, which was previously a registered trademark of SIE

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/11/kojima-productions-reportedly-gains-full-control-of-death-stranding-ip 

MY FAVORITE SHOW ON THE CITADEL

Mass Effect Amazon TV series OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED

https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/mass-effect-tv-series-amazon-writer-marvel-1236203755/ 

https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/amazon-is-making-a-mass-effect-television-show-185111285.html 

https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/7/24290596/mass-effect-tv-show-amazon-fallout 

WHAT A KRILL

Konami finally confirmed MGS3’s Eva is the same VA as Ariel from the Little Mermaid

https://www.ign.com/articles/konami-reveals-voice-actress-behind-eva-in-metal-gear-solid-3-after-20-years-and-it-is-in-fact-ariel-from-the-little-mermaid 

Revealed in Metal Gear Solid Legacy episode https://youtu.be/iDIWFh7nYa4 

Picture of cleavage-heavy Eva https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/metalgear/images/1/14/EVA.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/752?cb=20230626231229 

They also revealed that making out VA is done by frenching your own hand

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/metal-gear-solid-delta-snake-eater-will-have-new-dialogue-and-evas-actor-reveals-why-she-chose-a-pseudonym-based-on-her-pet-dog 

Kiss footage https://youtu.be/iDIWFh7nYa4?t=272 

Duration: 06:43

NEWS SOURCES:

MR. WORLDS WIDE

League of Legends Worlds 2024 becomes most-watched esports event in history

https://esportsinsider.com/2024/11/league-of-legends-worlds-2024-viewership

Viewers tracked by Esports Charts https://escharts.com/tournaments/lol/2024-world-championship-lol

Does not include Chinese numbers because the platform considers them unverifiable https://escharts.com/news/chinese-streaming-platforms-nuances

T1 won again, team with star player Faker of skin fame

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikestubbs/2024/11/02/t1-wins-the-league-of-legends-world-championship-again/

Sports Illustrated reports Faker will have more skins than 10 LoL champions https://www.si.com/esports/league-of-legends/faker-more-skins

But actually this will be like Faker’s 9th skin, so it’s more like 62 https://www.reddit.com/r/leagueoflegends/comments/1gjg6x7/with_his_5th_win_faker_will_have_more_skins_than/

WON’T BE DRAGON ON FOR LONG

Dragon Age: the Veilguard getting first patch https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/bioware-shares-details-on-dragon-age-the-veilguards-first-patch/

Dragon Age: the Veilguard won’t have DLC as team is focused on ME5 https://www.polygon.com/news/474429/dragon-age-the-veilguard-no-dlc-mass-effect-5

According to interview with RollingStone https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/dragon-age-the-veilguard-john-epler-interview-1235147001/

Ironically N7 Day will be “quieter” because of DA: TV launch

https://www.eurogamer.net/bioware-damps-down-expectations-for-mass-effect-5-news-this-week-ahead-of-franchises-n7-day

ONE NICE UPDATE

Stardew Valley update 1.6.9 finally lands across all platforms

Changelog https://www.stardewvalley.net/stardew-valley-1-6-9-changelog/ 

Stardew Valley update 1.6.9 adds cheat codes and a “new friend” who can restore rare items “for a price”

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/stardew-valley-1-6-9-adds-the-sims-style-cheat-codes-and-a-new-friend-who-can-restore-some-of-the-games-rarest-items-for-a-price/

Stardew Valley’s latest update added “secret, experimental, mobile multiplayer” mode

https://9to5google.com/2024/11/05/stardew-valley-multiplayer-android-ios-mobile-update/

Requires the Konami code

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/life-sim/stardew-valleys-latest-update-added-a-secret-experimental-mobile-multiplayer-mode-and-you-have-to-use-the-konami-code-on-a-bunch-of-leaves-to-unlock-it/

Eric Barone blames disappearing Stardew Valley chicken bug on wild coyote

https://www.ign.com/articles/stardew-valley-creator-explains-why-chickens-are-disappearing-in-patch-16-and-blames-it-on-a-wild-coyote

QUICK BITS

LATE SUBSTITUTION

Star Wars Outlaws already shipped, yet gets new creative director

https://kotaku.com/star-wars-outlaws-update-director-stealth-mission-1851688959

Promising many improvements https://www.gamesradar.com/games/open-world/star-wars-outlaws-devs-are-promising-so-many-good-improvements-that-im-starting-to-feel-bad-about-playing-and-liking-this-open-world-game-at-launch/

Dev update https://www.ubisoft.com/en-ca/game/star-wars/outlaws/news-updates/7n2akTSlEV3Wk1aRRwONFZ

ATTACK ON THE BROTHERSHIP

Reviews for Nov 7’s Mario & Luigi Brothership are apparently widely divided

https://kotaku.com/mario-luigi-brothership-nintendo-switch-review-roundup-1851688609

The Guardian says 4/5 https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/nov/04/mario-luigi-brothership-review-nintendo-switch

Polygon says it’s “only fine” https://www.polygon.com/review/473457/mario-luigi-brothership-review-nintendo-switch

Digital Trends quote

HEADING FOR THE SLITTER

Slitterhead released yesterday, reviews are mixed

https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3838255/slitterhead-review-a-lack-of-polish-drags-down-a-promising-game/

Fairly positive review https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/slitterhead

IGN gave it a 5/10 so it must be irredeemable (that’s a joke) https://www.ign.com/articles/slitterhead-review

NEURAL NETFLIX

Days after Netflix shuts down its AAA studio, it announces “new initiative” powered by AI

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/god-of-war/days-after-shutting-its-aaa-game-studio-filled-with-former-god-of-war-and-overwatch-talent-netflix-announces-a-new-initiative-powered-by-ai/

In post from Mike Verdu, once VP of Netflix Games and now VP of “GenAI for Games” at Netflix

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7259029850827423744/

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/netflixs-mike-verdu-reveals-new-role-as-vp-of-genai-for-games

START THE DAY WITH DEMON SLAYING

Alarmo can now play Doom

https://gizmodo.com/nintendo-alarmo-doom-2000520102

footage from modder GaryOderNichts https://youtu.be/5IOVYvSMAoU

https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/nintendo/the-shores-of-bell-doom-is-now-playable-on-nintendos-usd99-alarm-clock

Duration: 09:00

Timestamps:

0:00 really not a jumpscare guy

0:09 Nintendo Music is not the Switch 2

1:45 Apex Legends drops Linux support

2:55 Ubisoft looks to the past

4:49 QUICK BITS INTRO

5:02 Valve requires kernel anti-cheat disclosure

5:42 Arkane Austin founder has words

6:26 Matthew McConaughey Exodus trailers

7:15 PS5 Slim plates don't fit PS5 Pro

8:01 Outlast, Oregon Trial movie adaptations

NEWS SOURCES:

BEATS TO CHILL/LITIGATE TO

Nintendo announces Nintendo Music app that allows Switch Online subscribers to Stream Nintendo game music

https://www.gematsu.com/2024/10/nintendo-music-announced-for-ios-android-music-streaming-exclusively-for-nintendo-switch-online-members 

Announcement trailer https://youtu.be/DQ5EeImWYaI 

Can listen to games like BotW, Metroid, and the Wii (EDITOR: use images in the sequence mentioned) https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lqCHEhFHk9nGfROxZje6ih05cYhwIT5f?usp=drive_link 

Will the vibes be able to match lo-fi girl? https://youtu.be/xYaBL19VTM4?t=16 @0:16

https://www.nintendo.com/us/switch/online/nintendo-switch-online/nintendo-music/ 

Extend tracks https://lmg.gg/wlZVB (Nintendo)

Weird features, like hiding spoilers https://lmg.gg/grLRb (Nintendo)

Will it lead to more DMCA takedowns? https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/10/will-the-new-nintendo-music-app-lead-to-more-dmca-takedowns-from-nintendo/ 

Someone hacked Alarmo

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/10/random-someones-figured-out-how-to-run-custom-code-on-nintendos-alarmo 

https://garyodernichts.blogspot.com/2024/10/looking-into-nintendo-alarmo.html 

APEX LEGENDS LOSING STEAM

Apex Legends drops Linux support 

https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284644/apex-legends-loses-linux-steam-deck-support-anti-cheat 

After GTA Online did the same https://www.notebookcheck.net/GTA-V-Online-s-new-kernel-anti-cheat-rug-pull-unnecessarily-breaks-Steam-Deck-and-Linux-compatibility.890175.0.html 

EA’s blog post about the change, makes cheating argument https://answers.ea.com/t5/News-Game-Updates/Dev-Team-Update-Linux-amp-Anti-Cheat/td-p/14217740 

Has been at least one high-profile hack, but no verification it was due to Linux (EDITOR: be aware there’s an uncensored F-word in this source’s third paragraph) https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/20/apex-legends-hacker-said-he-hacked-tournament-games-for-fun/ 

But could be a monetary one; already announced game to undergo “Large systematic change” due to missing monetization targets

https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/apex-legends-changes-ea-season-22-battle-pass-1236194385/ 

Fortunately, it looks like there won’t be an Overwatch 2-style sequel, according to EA CEO Andrew Wilson https://www.gamespot.com/articles/apex-legends-sequel-isnt-in-the-cards-respawn-focused-on-improving-the-game/1100-6527511/ 

AN EVENT OF UNFORTUNATE SERIESES 

Ubisoft explores “strategic options” as it reports lackluster results for last half-year

https://venturebeat.com/games/ubisoft-explores-strategic-options-as-it-reports-lackluster-september-quarter-results/

Wants to restore “creativity and innovation” that built success in “2010-2020”, but they’ve lost thousands of employees just to layoffs

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/ubisoft-wants-to-restore-the-creativity-and-innovation-that-built-its-success-in-2010-2020-and-its-cut-over-2-000-employees-in-2-years-to-help-do-it/ 

They also lost talent to their inaction on office toxicity https://x.com/ABetterUbisoft/status/1425529959762866183 

Toxicity was also reported in at least 30 studios, including Ubisoft San Francisco 

https://x.com/ABetterUbisoft/status/1425529972085624833 

San Francisco developed XDefiant, which reportedly had a toxic development https://insider-gaming.com/behind-xdefiant-toxic-work-culture-crunch-and-years-of-delays/

More workers seem dissatisfied with current working conditions; ongoing strike https://deadline.com/2024/10/ubisoft-french-workers-strike-rto-order-italy-1236119045/ 

Innovation like adding microtransactions to single player games https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/3/17931920/assassins-creed-odyssey-level-grinding-microtransaction-problem 

Ubisoft’s crypto game has an NFT costing $63K

https://kotaku.com/ubisoft-crypto-nft-champions-grimoria-tactical-rpg-1851685289 

QUICK BITS

SALUTE THE KERNEL

Steam now requires devs to tell players they’re playing games with kernel-level anti-cheat

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/steam-game-listings-must-now-flag-any-kernel-level-anti-cheat-software-integrations 

https://www.club386.com/steam-forces-devs-to-disclose-games-using-kernel-anti-cheats/ 

Steam Developer post https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857 

INSANE IN THE ARKANE

Arkane founder says Microsoft’s Arkane Austin closure was “stupid” because it would be “impossible” to recreate such “a very special group”

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/microsoft-closing-arkane-austin-was-stupid-says-founder-recreating-a-very-special-group-like-that-would-be-impossible

https://gameranx.com/updates/id/515263/article/arkane-austin-founder-blasts-microsoft-for-shutting-down-studio/ 

Compared Arkane to FromSoft and Larian, who do “the thing they know exactly how to do, until it hits super hard”, says he left studio because Bethesda was prioritising live service games, hence Redfall

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/arkanes-founder-left-because-bethesda-did-not-want-to-do-the-kind-of-games-that-we-wanted-to-make-and-thats-how-it-ended-up-with-redfall/ 

https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoRUtEd2lwMDdqU0RCRnUxbk1VMERJMXB5Z0FQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen 

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY TALKS ABOUT ANIMALS

Matthew McConaughey has been narrating more trailers detailing video game Exodus’s many species

https://www.eurogamer.net/matthew-mcconaughey-voicing-daily-reveal-trailers-for-exodus-various-species-including-space-bears 

Like “Awakened Ravens” https://youtu.be/i5hS5zPJUp4 

And “Awakened Bears” https://youtu.be/VJHC5JR8Rag 

PRO MOVE

Geoff Keighley can’t take his PS5 Pro out of its box yet for some reason 

https://x.com/GameOverGreggy/status/1851703226242077155 

https://x.com/geoffkeighley/status/1851710308521328896 

Despite being the same size, you can’t replace PS5 Pro plates with PS5 slim ones because the teeth are slightly different 

https://www.reddit.com/r/playstation/comments/1gfr6ot/playstation_5_pro_does_not_work_with_the_slim/

• EDITOR: screencap a few of the images

Sony confirmed to IGN

https://www.ign.com/articles/ps5-plates-wont-work-on-ps5-pro-sony-says-updated-covers-will-be-available-in-the-future 

DYSENTERY: THE MUSICAL

Outlast getting film adaptation

https://deadline.com/2024/10/outlast-movie-lionsgate-1236162233/

So is the Oregon Trail, but as a comedy https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/10/apple-is-turning-the-oregon-trail-into-a-movie/ 

With Barbie-esque musical numbers https://hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oregon-trail-movie-apple-1236045454/  

Duration: 07:11

NEWS SOURCES:

COPYRIGHTS AND COPYWRONGS

US Feds say you can't check out old video games like books

https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/25/24279657/us-copyright-dmca-exception-extension-denied-remote-access

Final rule denied the request https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-24563.pdf

Video game libraries lost appeal to emulate physical game collections online

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/10/copyright-office-libraries-cant-share-remotely-emulated-versions-of-physical-games/

Worried about free gaming loophole that could harm classic game re-release market https://lmg.gg/8YILZ (Ars Technica)

DMCA request specifies users must NOT be just wanting to game https://lmg.gg/Sthn4 (The Verge)

87% of games published in the US are out of print https://gamehistory.org/87percent/

Kendra Albert, who brought the argument, points out testimony of re-release publishers who said it would NOT affect their market https://bsky.app/profile/kendraserra.bsky.social/post/3l7e3mgc3da2i

Register also said emulation is associated with piracy, ironically citing a talk by VGHF founder about how that association is wrong https://x.com/frankcifaldi/status/1849870320339124340

Copyright office already allows exceptions for other forms of media AND software https://lmg.gg/IO53x (The Verge)

Exemption wouldn’t have been permanent https://lmg.gg/vbTxu (The Verge)

2010/10

Black Ops 6 reviews are good

https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/oct/29/call-of-duty-black-ops-6-review

…if you can play it without crashing https://www.si.com/videogames/news/cod-black-ops-6-steam-reviews-mixed-bugs-crashes-cod-hq-launcher

campaign is “absolutely unhinged, in the best way” https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/10/29/the-call-of-duty-black-ops-6-campaign-is-absolutely-unhinged-in-the-best-way/

Shining jewel is Zombies mode, it’s “2010 again” https://www.gamesradar.com/games/call-of-duty/black-ops-6-zombies-makes-me-feel-like-im-in-2010-again-in-the-best-way-possible/

The new Call of Duty Zombies mode is bananas: players are going bowling, turning into superheroes, and crafting jet guns

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/black-ops-6-zombies-mode-is-bananas/

Bowling easter egg, you get to bowl zombies https://youtu.be/RLb8tmSQBZ4?t=74

Mixed online reviews tho https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-black-ops-6-sits-on-mixed-steam-user-score-as-players-report-performance-issues

Nuketown is BACK https://x.com/Treyarch/status/1850996367256404477 

IT’S BEEN A DRAGON AGE

Dragon Age: The Veilguard reviews

https://www.ign.com/articles/dragon-age-the-veilguard-review

Metascore of 84 https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-age-the-veilguard/

Larian Director of Publishing Michael Douse gives a positive review, compares it to “a well-made, character driven, binge-worthy Netflix series” with good combat https://x.com/Cromwelp/status/1850949592667590700

BioWare needs the win https://lmg.gg/2pPtE (Bloomberg)

Bioware says new Mass Effect will have “a mature tone and photorealistic visuals”

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/bioware-says-new-mass-effect-will-have-a-mature-tone-and-photorealistic-visuals/

Franchise director’s tweet about tone https://x.com/GambleMike/status/1851091873584308332

QUICK BITS

CRASH OF THE CONCORD

Concord officially dead, first broken by Jason Schreier

https://x.com/jasonschreier/status/1851318988489248986

Internal email from Hermen Holst, CEO of SIE’s Studio Business Group https://sonyinteractive.com/en/news/blog/an-update-from-playstation-studios/

“After much thought, we have determined the best path forward is to permanently sunset the game and close the studio.” https://lmg.gg/8UEtF (Sony Interactive Entertainment)

A MARATHON OF WAITING

Bungie gives first update on Marathon in over a year, say almost no new details

https://insider-gaming.com/bungie-gives-official-update-on-status-of-marathon/

Developer update video https://youtu.be/r8WgMQuPwRE

Spends at least a minute (0:48-1:48) of 9 minute video defining what an extraction shooter is

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/bungie-seek-to-reassure-everyone-that-marathon-is-still-alive-by-saying-almost-nothing-about-it

Top comment sums it up

BATTLE PASS FOR ALL

Epic Games streamlining its battle passes so you progress all of them at once

https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24282075/fortnite-streamlining-battle-passes-music-lego-festival

https://wccftech.com/all-passes-in-fortnite-to-progress-simultaneously-by-earning-xp-coming-december-1/

https://www.fortnite.com/news/coming-soon-progress-your-fortnite-passes-by-playing-any-experience

BRO MAN’S SKY

No Man’s Sky dev personally fixes player’s 611 hour save file

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/survival/no-mans-sky-dev-fixed-one-fans-611-hour-save-because-when-a-player-has-put-that-much-into-our-game-it-deserves-the-engineering-fix/

Engine and platform engineer’s Twitter post https://x.com/Griff_/status/1849907505742348651

https://www.thegamer.com/no-mans-sky-dev-hello-games-saves-broken-611-hour-save-file/

MAPS? YEAH YEAH NO

The Day Before studio is up to its old tricks, asking people to design maps for free in a contest whose lucky winner will get their work in a game, a free copy, and no money whatsoever

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/the-day-before-studio-is-up-to-its-old-tricks-asking-people-to-design-maps-for-free-in-a-contest-whose-lucky-winner-will-get-their-work-in-a-game-a-free-copy-and-no-money-whatsoever/

Original report https://www.thegamer.com/the-day-before-asking-community-to-work-on-their-new-game/

Announced on Discord https://static1.thegamerimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/wm/2024/10/fntastic-competition.png

Duration: 06:52

Timestamps:

0:00 see comment below

0:10 Denuvo tries to do a PR

1:49 Roblox to add parental controls

3:11 QUICK BITS INTRO

3:18 Switch 2 hint in Yooka-Replaylee trailer

3:59 Ubisoft's bringing back Rayman

4:22 Monster Hunter Wilds beta next week

5:02 Parrying game V.A. Proxy adds fishing

5:52 Fntastic is somehow back again

NEWS SOURCES:

DENUVO AFFECTS 

Denuvo trying to rehabilitate their reputation for tanking game performance

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/denuvo-respond-to-their-rep-for-tanking-games-im-a-gamer-myself-and-therefore-i-know-what-im-talking-about

Tried opening a Discord server last week, but had to shut it 2 days later due to bullying (they’ve been doing that in waves apparently)

https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/denuvo-opens-its-own-discord-server-to-rehabilitate-its-image-has-to-shut-it-down-2-days-later-after-players-flood-in-to-bully-it/ 

Or at least paused posting messages temporarily https://x.com/gamingatdenuvo/status/1846897589527912744 

RPS interview discusses lack of benchmark comparisons https://lmg.gg/x3T55 (RPS)

Admit it CAN hurt game performance SOMETIMES, directs to Discord FAQ https://boingboing.net/2024/10/24/drm-company-denuvo-admits-it-can-hurt-game-performance.html 

FAQ says performance issues not their fault https://tech4gamers.com/denuvo-doesnt-affect-games-performance/ 

Star Wars Jedi Survivor got better after Denuvo removal because they released performance tweaks after patching out Denuvo, says Denuvo https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Denuvo-claims-that-its-DRM-was-not-what-affected-the-performance-of-many-AAA-games-Image-Source-Twitter-e1729086824620.jpeg 

Tekken 7 was bad because it was implemented wrong, and Resident Evil Village was bad becuase of OTHER protection measures https://tech4gamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Denuvo-has-provided-reasons-for-many-AAA-games-whose-performance-was-thought-to-be-ruined-by-the-anti-cheat-DRM-e1729086855969.jpeg 

But it has BENEFITS, cites study that Denuvo stops revenue losses of around 15-20% from piracy

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1875952124002532 

but then when RPS discusses how the benefits drop off after launch, they disagree https://lmg.gg/izyCE (RPS)

https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/pc-gaming/anti-piracy-company-denuvo-is-tired-of-gamers-saying-its-drm-is-bad-for-games-its-super-hard-to-see-as-a-gamer-what-is-the-immediate-benefit/ 

Like…maybe indirectly causing a game to get more updates? https://lmg.gg/8xiwR (Gamesradar)

MINOR CHANGES

Roblox actually doing something to protect minors

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2024/10/23/roblox-to-enact-child-safety-changes-giving-parents-more-control/ 

Email shared by IGN https://www.ign.com/articles/roblox-makes-big-changes-to-parental-controls-after-pedophile-hellscape-report 

Comes on the heels of “P******le hellscape” report by activist short-selling firm Hindenburg Ressearch https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/8/24265145/roblox-hindenburg-reseach-dau-child-safety-short-seller-report 

Said report https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/ 

Email shared by IGN https://www.ign.com/articles/roblox-makes-big-changes-to-parental-controls-after-pedophile-hellscape-report 

Now “it's finally introducing Roblox accounts with parental privileges” instead of the previous PIN system (EDITOR: highlight quote in IGN source)

Accounts give “the ability to update parental controls from their own device, as well as access information about the child's time spent in Roblox and friend list.” (EDITOR: highlight quote in IGN source) 

“parents can view and update parental controls for their child all from their own device.” (EDITOR: highlight quote in IGN source) 

“get access to insights about their child’s Roblox usage, such as their daily screen time and on-platform friends.” (EDITOR: highlight quote in IGN source) 

Children under 13 will need parental permission for “certain chat features” and users under 9 will need permission for experiences with “moderate violence or moderate crude humor” https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-implements-changes-to-protect-children-under-13 

“part of Roblox's commitment to making the platform one of the safest online environments for our users, particularly the youngest users” https://lmg.gg/03EDm (GI.biz)

QUICK BITS

PAGIE BEING CAGEY

First Switch 2 game? Trailer for Yooka-Replaylee lists “Nintendo” logo with a pair of eyes hopping over to it instead of the standard Switch logo 

https://youtu.be/AGfmssnKf1s?t=93

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/platformer/remastered-banjo-kazooie-spiritual-successor-yooka-replaylee-is-pointedly-not-saying-its-coming-to-switch-2-but-its-definitely-letting-fans-think-that-it-is/ 

in case that wasn’t clear, dev Playtonic tweets an even heavier implication

https://x.com/PlaytonicGames/status/1849435903661367704 

RAYMAN LEGEND

Some small silver lining to The Lost Crown team disbanding, some of them are now working on new Rayman game

https://insider-gaming.com/rayman-remake-team-prince-of-persia/ 

Potential new Rayman game confirmed by Ubisoft https://kotaku.com/rayman-legends-remake-ubisoft-prince-persia-lost-crown-1851679621 

Beyond Good and Evil 2 STILL exists, new creative director after passing of previous one

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/fawzi-mesmar-becomes-creative-director-for-beyond-good-evil-2 

https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-confirms-new-rayman-project-currently-in-the-exploration-phase-following-reports-of-a-remake 

BETA GET READY

Monster Hunter Wilds open beta announced for later this month

https://www.polygon.com/news/469052/monster-hunter-wilds-open-beta-dates 

Revealed during 5th trailer on Wed (yesterday)

https://youtu.be/ahy0AO8WwRc?t=162 

https://www.engadget.com/gaming/you-can-try-monster-hunter-wilds-next-week-months-before-its-february-28-release-date-154421037.html 

JUKE A NUKE

Indie game about parrying the world gets fishing minigame

https://80.lv/articles/fast-paced-parry-focused-indie-game-v-a-proxy-gets-fishing-mechanic/ 

you have to fight the fish https://x.com/LithPyro/status/1848804565895778711 

You can parry nukes https://x.com/LithPyro/status/1699497883064500712 

Just updated the demo 10 days ago https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2063390/view/4547038257926256296?l=english 

F FOR FNTASTIC

The Day Before developer Fntastic scrap failed Kickstarter, immediately announce new game

https://wccftech.com/the-day-before-developers-fntastic-scrap-failed-kickstarter-announces-a-new-game/

The statement https://x.com/FntasticHQ/status/1848982250316304734 

https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-day-before/fntastic-cancels-game 

Duration: 06:37

NEWS SOURCES:

DMCA-TEST

Nintendo struggling to contain Switch Online playtest leaks

https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/21/24275596/nintendo-switch-online-beta-playtest-program-leak-mmo

DMCAs all over https://x.com/Ethan_ThisGuy/status/1848221882496987233

Apparently it may be an MMO?

https://kotaku.com/nintendo-playtest-switch-2-mario-mmo-1851677142

How beacons work https://lmg.gg/fTlgL (Kotaku)

BlueSky user has been Datamining

https://bsky.app/profile/sky.femboyfurry.net

Codenamed “Rockstock” likely made by EPD4, who made Labo https://bsky.app/profile/sky.femboyfurry.net/post/3l6z2y7q3xb2d

Some details

https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/1g8xz72/the_nso_playtest_program_has_already_been/

CIG’S FANTASY GAME

Star Citizen’s single-player campaign gets new release date of 2026 after studio said it was “feature complete” in 2023

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/10/originally-planned-for-2015-squadron-42s-latest-delay-pushes-it-to-2026/

Every actor ever is in the game https://youtu.be/1H-0x4xk2Xk?t=1042

Showed an hour of gameplay though so you know they’ve made SOMETHING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H-0x4xk2Xk

CIG not looking great internally, according to Tom Henderson https://insider-gaming.com/star-citizens-development/ 

Company reported financial for 2022 suggest it has spent $639m

https://cloudimperiumgames.com/blog/corporate/cloud-imperium-financials-for-2022

Spent over $100m a year from 2020-2022, taken in $790m total to date https://lmg.gg/wafRY

(Insider Gaming)

Directors hoping Squadron 42 release will add cash influx

Squadron 42 only became feature complete THIS year, despite LAST year’s claim https://lmg.gg/6kBNB (Insider Gaming)

Another potential fundraising effort: 3rd “medieval fantasy” game https://lmg.gg/yQroy (Insider Gaming)

QUICK BITS

KILLEDZONE

Guerilla Games done with Killzone series

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/10/sonys-guerrilla-sounds-completely-done-with-the-killzone-series

Interview with Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2024/10/21/lego-horizon-adventures-is-all-ages-crossover-sonys-dreams/

Created Horizon Zero Dawn because they wanted to do something “by choice, the opposite” to “refresh the palette” https://www.gamesradar.com/games/horizon/horizon-zero-dawn-was-the-result-of-guerrilla-being-done-with-killzone-and-wanting-to-make-something-that-was-by-choice-the-opposite/

GOTTA GO BROOD

Sonic x Shadow Generations reviews

https://www.techradar.com/gaming/sonic-x-shadow-generations-review

Apparently highest rated game in the series since Sonic Mania

https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/sonic-x-shadow-generations-is-the-highest-rated-entry-since-mania/

https://www.vg247.com/sonic-x-shadow-generations-review

NO LONGER SILENT

New details on Bloober Team’s upcoming game Cronos: The New Dawn

https://www.eurogamer.net/how-bloober-is-following-silent-hill-2-with-its-first-original-survival-horror-cronos-the-new-dawn

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-silent-hill-2-remake-devs-new-horror-game-is-a-time-travelling-jaunt-through-apocalyptic-eastern-europe

Studio says they want to evolve, admit they’ve made bad games in the past

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bloober-team-says-its-done-with-shitty-games-and-silent-hill-2-remake-wasnt-a-fluke/1100-6527269/

EARLY ACCESS DENIED

Ubisoft disbanded team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/ubisoft-s-prince-of-persia-lost-crown-team-reportedly-disbanded-after-disappointing-sales

Ubisoft officially cancels AC Shadows early access, season pass

https://www.pcgamesn.com/assassins-creed-codename-red/ac-shadows-early-access-canceled

as Collectors edition price drops by $50 https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/assassins-creed-shadows-collectors-edition-price-cut-by-50/ 

SEGA: “WE GACHA!”

Sega files patent lawsuit against idle RPG’s gacha mechanics

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/a-month-after-nintendos-palworld-lawsuit-sega-files-its-own-patent-infringement-claim-against-idle-rpg-devs-gacha-mechanics/

Original translation https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sega-files-patent-infringement-lawsuit-against-memento-mori-developer-over-in-game-mechanics-seeking-1-billion-yen-in-damages/

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sega-sues-memento-mori-developer-over-alleged-patent-infringements