
Rethinking Gaming’s Future: Shawn Layden on Costs, Time, and Industry Growth
As the gaming industry grapples with its post-pandemic realities, industry veteran Shawn Layden, former chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment, has shared his perspective on the challenges developers face today. In an interview with Eurogamer, Layden highlighted the unsustainable rise in game development costs and a disconnect between the industry and its evolving player base.

FTC Issues Refunds to Fortnite Players Over Deceptive Payment Practices
Nearly 630,000 Fortnite players and parents are receiving refunds as part of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlement with Epic Games. This marks a significant milestone in a $72 million refund initiative aimed at addressing deceptive payment tactics in the immensely popular game.

Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable Expands with Part 2 and New Co-op Mode
UNIVRS Inc. has announced that Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable will release its highly anticipated Part 2 on December 17. The update, launching on the Meta Quest 2, 3/3S, and Pro via the Meta Quest Store, includes the game’s concluding chapters and introduces a two-player co-op mode. Alongside Part 2, the Complete Edition of the game—featuring both parts—will also debut on the same date.

CD Projekt Red Refines Development to Avoid Another Cyberpunk 2077 Launch
Tremblay underscored the studio’s resolve, saying, “It’s our responsibility to make sure everything works. We’ve learned from the past, and that makes me optimistic for the future.” Fans of CD Projekt Red’s games can look forward to more refined and ambitious titles, crafted with lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks.

Sony Eyes Portable Gaming Expansion Amid PlayStation Success
Sony is reportedly exploring the development of a new portable console capable of playing PlayStation 5 games, according to a recent Bloomberg report. The device, aimed at broadening PlayStation's market reach and challenging Nintendo’s dominance in handheld gaming, is said to be in its early stages.

Massive Patch Brings Major Fixes to Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
GSC Game World has rolled out the first significant patch for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl on both PC and Xbox, addressing a staggering 650 issues. This comprehensive update resolves game-breaking bugs, such as progression blockers and peculiar glitches like unnervingly long limbs on corpses.

Square Enix Strikes a Balance with Its HD-2D Art Style
Square Enix has found a captivating niche with its HD-2D art style, merging the nostalgic appeal of pixelated 2D sprites with modern, high-definition 3D environments. This unique aesthetic has been showcased in new titles like Octopath Traveler and remakes such as Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. The combination of retro charm and cutting-edge visuals has struck a chord with fans, particularly in the JRPG community.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Black Myth: Wukong's Storyline
Despite its widespread popularity and impressive sales, Black Myth: Wukong has left many players scratching their heads over its complex and often cryptic storyline. While the game’s stunning boss battles and cinematic experience can be enjoyed on their own, having some background knowledge of the story can enhance the overall experience.

Emio – The Smiling Man: A Dark and Gripping Mystery on Nintendo Switch
While it may not be the pure horror experience that early previews hinted at, Emio – The Smiling Man is undoubtedly one of the most unsettling games Nintendo has ever produced. Blending a chilling murder mystery with the eerie allure of urban legends, the game doesn’t shy away from exploring dark themes.

Valve’s Steam Deck May Soon Receive Major Streaming and VR Upgrades
Valve’s Steam Deck, the portable gaming device that revolutionized on-the-go PC gaming since its launch in February 2022, might be on the verge of a significant technological leap. According to a recently submitted patent by Valve, the Steam Deck could soon feature enhanced streaming capabilities and VR integration, potentially transforming the handheld device into an even more powerful gaming tool.

Gators Dive into EA Sports College Football 25 with Excitement and Anticipation
Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway took a seat, grabbed a controller, and made an immediate change to Florida’s roster. Lagway benched Graham Mertz and put himself in as the starting quarterback for a quick game of EA Sports College Football 25 against his teammate Tank Hawkins.

Olympic Esports: A New Chapter for Competitive Gaming
The inclusion of popular video games like Pac-Man and Call of Duty in the Summer or Winter Games remains off the table, but the Olympic Esports Games are set to debut as a distinct event in 2025 in Saudi Arabia. Preparations are underway to determine the event's exact dates, the games to be featured, player qualification processes, and other essential details.

No Man's Sky: A Triumphant Return with Its Largest Update Yet
Eight years ago, No Man's Sky launched to a lukewarm reception, with players voicing their dissatisfaction over its lack of features and multiplayer options. However, the game has seen a remarkable transformation since then, evolving significantly from its initial state.

Netflix's Surprising Foray into Gaming
Netflix is well-known for its movies and TV shows, and Xbox Game Pass is synonymous with video games. We don't expect Spotify to offer eBooks, just as Hello Fresh won't be delivering films. This is why it’s easy to forget that Netflix already has a substantial collection of games—96 to be exact! Moreover, they have just announced an ambitious plan to develop 80 more.

New Sky Cipher Xbox Controller and Exciting Xbox Updates
The newly unveiled Sky Cipher controller showcases a translucent blue design, reminiscent of the Forza Horizon 5 controller, marking a notable departure from the typical black variant. The pricing for this new controller starts at $69.99 USD, which is slightly higher than the standard controller.

Jeanne d'Arc Makes Its European Debut on PlayStation Plus
Sony has announced the launch of Level-5's Jeanne d'Arc for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Members on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. This release marks the game's first appearance in Europe.

Rising Video Game Prices Spark Outrage in Turkey
As video game prices continue to climb, gamers worldwide are feeling the pinch. Recent subscription price hikes, like the Xbox Game Pass increase and PlayStation's tiered service hike last year, indicate a trend that shows no signs of stabilizing. The impact is especially harsh in countries with lower median incomes, such as Turkey.

Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact to Feature New Playable Characters and Expands to Multiple Platforms
The much-anticipated game, Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact, is set to release this year for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Fans of the series can look forward to playing as a variety of beloved characters including Gon, Killua, Leorio, Kurapika, Hisoka, Netero, Bisky, Machi, Uvogin, and Chrollo.

EA Sports College Football 25: A Game-Changer in Collegiate Gaming
After a decade-long hiatus, the much-anticipated EA Sports College Football 25 is set to make its grand return on July 19. Fans of college football can now experience the excitement on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, complete with rosters featuring the likenesses of current collegiate athletes for the first time in the history of college sports video games.

NYC EMTs Turn to VR Game for Mental Health Support
New York City EMTs encounter numerous challenging situations during their shifts, many of which they would prefer to forget. To help with this, they are testing an innovative interactive video game called Zengence, designed to improve mental health and reduce depression.