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Massively OP Podcast Episode 578: Gamescoming and Gamesgoing
The Massively OP Podcast episode 578 covers Gamescom announcements, including launch dates for Aion 2 and Path of Exile 2, and future content plans for Dune: Awakening. The hosts also discuss the shutdown of another WoW Classic server, Guild Wars 3's Asura, Star Citizen's delays, and Star Wars Galaxies hacking drama.
World of Warcraft promises to find players who boosted their way to the top of Mythic Plus rankings
Blizzard Entertainment is investigating potential "boosts" or cheating in World of Warcraft's Mythic Plus rankings for Season 1. Players who achieved top scores for exclusive rewards like a flying mount are being scrutinized to ensure legitimate play. Game director Ion Hazzikostas confirmed a thorough review is underway, with results to be shared soon.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Asmodee appoints Brian Trunk as senior vice president, Route to Market for the Americas
This article rounds up recent appointments and transitions within the games industry. Notable moves include Brian Trunk joining Asmodee as senior vice president, David Scarborough becoming senior manager of EMEA communications at Blizzard Entertainment, and Ilari Kuittinen stepping down as managing director of Housemarque after 31 years. Several other individuals have taken on new roles at companies like CD Projekt Red, Epic Games, and Activision Blizzard.
Blizzard doing 'a thorough scrub' of illegitimate World of Warcraft Mythic-Plus dungeon rankings, with more…
Blizzard Entertainment is investigating and scrubbing illegitimate rankings in World of Warcraft's Mythic Plus dungeons, particularly those achieved through paid carries. Game director Ion Hazzikostas confirmed a thorough review is underway for the recent season's top 1% rewards, which included a mount and title. The issue stems from players paying for boosts, which devalued the achievements of legitimate players and led to controversy.
Some of WoW's hardest dungeons and raids have gotten just a bit easier—that's on purpose, developers say
Blizzard developers are intentionally making some of World of Warcraft's dungeons and raids slightly easier to encourage greater player participation and improve the balance of roles. Changes include making Mythic Plus vault rewards more accessible and introducing flexible-sized "Lair" raid instances to ease players into Mythic difficulty.
The Biggest New Game Releases Of September 2026
September 2026 is set to be a packed month for new game releases across PC and consoles, with many major titles aiming to avoid the shadow of Grand Theft Auto 6. Highlights include new entries in established franchises like Onimusha and Fire Emblem, alongside anticipated new titles such as Marvel's Wolverine and Silent Hill: Townfall.
Riot wants to keep taking "risks" with Valorant. That's why its still alive in 2026
Valorant has maintained its relevance in the competitive FPS landscape through consistent content updates, unique agent designs, and a strong esports presence. Riot Games' commitment to innovation and community fostering has allowed the game to thrive despite the launch of competitors like Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike 2. The game's blend of tactical shooter and hero shooter elements, coupled with its vibrant art style, continues to attract and retain players.
Reading the Meta: Which Skin Aesthetics Hold Community Favor Long-Term
This analysis explores the psychological design of virtual economies in live-service games, contrasting Blizzard's Overwatch 2 coin system with Grinding Gear Games' orb-based economy in Path of Exile. It argues that proprietary currencies reduce the 'pain of paying' and discusses how these principles have influenced other digital sectors like crypto and loyalty programs.
MMO Week in Review: Gamescom, Asura, and Ascension
Gamescom was the dominant event this week, bringing news for numerous MMOs including launch dates for Aion 2 and Path of Exile 2, and trailers for Dune Awakening, Sea of Remnants, and Cinder City. Star Citizen's Squadron 42 received another delay into 2027, while Guild Wars 3 revealed its Asura, and Blizzard shut down another World of Warcraft private server. Other news included updates for Throne and Liberty, Ultima Online, and The Division 2, alongside discussions on game design, AI training lawsuits, and the shutdown of the Project Ascension World of Warcraft emulator.
Fresh World of Warcraft Midnight patch notes mean even more buffs in Blizzard's continued class tuning
Blizzard Entertainment has released new patch notes for World of Warcraft's Midnight update, focusing on continued class tuning. The changes aim to buff underperforming PvE specs and speed up PvP combat, with specific adjustments for Frost Death Knights, Havoc and Vengeance Demon Hunters, Druids, Hunters, Mages, Monks, Paladins, and Priests. A change to bonus rolls now restricts their use to encounters where loot is eligible.
Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime in The Transformers, dies aged 85
Peter Cullen, the iconic voice actor behind Optimus Prime in The Transformers franchise, has passed away at the age of 85. Cullen's extensive career also included memorable roles in various video games such as Transformers: Devastation and Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans, as well as other animated characters.
Project Ascension World of Warcraft emulator is shutting down following apparent Blizzard lawsuit settlement
Blizzard Entertainment has reached a mutual agreement with the World of Warcraft emulator Project Ascension, leading to its shutdown on September 4, 2026. The lawsuit accused Project Ascension of intellectual property infringement and generating millions of dollars through its cash shop. The developers plan to shift focus to a new project unrelated to Blizzard games.
World of Warcraft private server Project Ascension confirms shutdown in "mutual agreement" with Blizzard
Project Ascension, a popular network of World of Warcraft private servers, will shut down all its emulated realms on September 4, 2026, as part of a mutual agreement with Blizzard Entertainment. This closure follows similar shutdowns of other private servers like Turtle WoW and Stormforge. The Project Ascension team will shift its focus to developing new projects unrelated to World of Warcraft.
Casually Classic: What clues did Season of Discovery hold for WoW Classic Plus?
The article analyzes Blizzard Entertainment's Season of Discovery for World of Warcraft Classic as a precursor to a potential 'Classic Plus' version of the game. It examines the experimental features introduced, player feedback, and lessons learned that could inform future Classic WoW developments, particularly regarding lore integration and game balance.
Vague Patch Notes: Resenting structure and blaming guidance in MMOs
This article analyzes the evolution of game structure and guidance in MMOs, contrasting early titles like Final Fantasy XI with more modern experiences like Final Fantasy XIV. It discusses how the 'bump method' of exploration in older games has been replaced by more direct questing and guidance, and how this shift impacts player experience and perception of game openness.
WoW Factor: Yes, there really is too much to do in World of Warcraft Midnight
The author expresses feeling overwhelmed by the amount of content and weekly tasks in World of Warcraft's latest patch, "Curse of Ula'tek." Despite the game's history of content droughts, the current eight-week patch cycle is perceived as too fast, leading to an exhausting experience for players, especially those with multiple characters.
Hearthstone Is Dropping Untold Stories through Azeroth’s Most Wanted Class Sets
Hearthstone is introducing new Azeroth's Most Wanted Class Sets focusing on criminals and troublemakers, with prequel sets detailing the backstory of the Escape from Violet Hold. These sets feature seven cards each for Priest, Rogue, Warlock, and Warrior classes, including new Legendary cards and mechanics.
CD Projekt Red to distribute The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt on Blizzard's Battle.net
CD Projekt Red and Blizzard Entertainment have formed a business partnership that will begin with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered being distributed on Blizzard's Battle.net platform starting September 29. The partnership will also include the upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, next year, and a themed cosmetic skin for Geralt of Rivia in Diablo IV for those who purchase the expansion through Blizzard's store.
PS5 Players Surprised With Free Remaster of the Best PlayStation 4 RPG
CD Projekt RED announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered will be free for existing PlayStation 4 owners and launch on September 29, 2026, with PS5 Pro support. The remaster includes visual and performance enhancements, along with a revamped skill tree and combat. An upcoming 2027 expansion, Songs of the Past, was also teased, and a Geralt-inspired skin will be added to Diablo 4.
The Witcher 3 remaster arrives in September, with the brand-new expansion coming in 2027
CD Projekt Red announced that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered will launch on September 29, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, featuring significant upgrades to visuals, performance, and gameplay mechanics. A new paid expansion, Songs of the Past, is scheduled for release in 2027, sending Geralt to the new region of Letten. Additionally, owners of The Witcher 3 will receive the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions for free.
