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Thomas & Friends Gets First-Person Gaming Treatment in Wonders of Sodor
Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor has officially launched, offering players a first-person perspective on the Island of Sodor. Developed by Dovetail Games in collaboration with Mattel, the game features eight narrated tales, both classic and original, with the voice of long-time narrator Mark Moraghan. The game emphasizes interactive storytelling and authentic representation of the Thomas & Friends universe, with multiple modes including Timetable, Explore, and Shunting Challenge.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction launches in April
Limited Run Games and Bitmap Bureau have announced that He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction will launch on April 28th for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. This new retro beat 'em up game features He-Man, Man-At-Arms, and Teela as playable characters, with She-Ra unlockable later.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction arrives April 28
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction, a retro-styled beat 'em up developed by Bitmap Bureau and published by Limited Run Games, is set to release on April 28th. The game features pixel-art graphics, playable characters like He-Man and She-Ra, and local co-op for two players. It will be available on PC, with expected compatibility on Linux via Proton.
Report: NetEase is cutting jobs at internal studio Spliced Inc
NetEase-owned studio Spliced Inc is reportedly undergoing a redundancy process, with multiple employees indicating their roles are at risk. Spliced Inc was established in 2023 by NetEase with a focus on an anti-crunch, remote-first approach and comprised senior staff from various major game franchises. This follows a trend of NetEase downsizing its internal studios, particularly those in the west.
Mattel to acquire full ownership of Mattel163 from NetEase
Mattel is acquiring full ownership of its mobile studio Mattel163 from NetEase for $318 million. This move is expected to significantly enhance Mattel's self-publishing capabilities and accelerate its presence in the high-growth mobile market. Mattel163 has developed games based on Mattel's IP, including Uno, and has garnered over 550 million downloads globally.
Jobs Roundup: February 2026 | UK games publisher PQube appoints Dominic Wheatley as chairman
Several key appointments and leadership transitions have occurred across the games industry. Dominic Wheatley has been named chairman of PQube, Ricardo Briceno is the new CEO of Gamefam, and Craig Cincotta has returned to Xbox. Additionally, Christie Golden joins IO Interactive as principal writer, and Joshua Mills takes over as creative director for Rainbow Six Siege at Ubisoft Montréal.
