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Weekend Console Download Deals for July 3: Nintendo Summer Sale continues
Nintendo's Summer Sale continues for another week, featuring discounts on first-party titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Various digital deals are also available across PlayStation and Xbox platforms, including PlayStation Plus member exclusives and Xbox Game Pass discounts.
Microsoft-owned GitHub offers coders chance to put their work on a disc in response to Sony’s decision to kill physical media
Microsoft-owned GitHub is offering developers a way to put their code onto physical discs. This initiative is presented as a response to Sony's decision to discontinue physical media for its gaming platforms. The move by GitHub aims to provide an alternative for preserving digital work.
Another player has swiped a colossal discount on GTA 6, paying just $2 thanks to a forgotten Best Buy card
A player managed to pre-order Grand Theft Auto 6 for just $2.12 by utilizing Best Buy rewards accumulated from purchasing a PlayStation 5. This method, along with other discount strategies like Microsoft Rewards, can significantly reduce the game's final cost.
Nintendo Switch 2 has accidentally become the most appealing console right now
Amidst rising console prices and studio closures from Sony and Microsoft, the Nintendo Switch 2 has emerged as the most appealing gaming device due to its competitive pricing and value. Despite not being as powerful as its rivals, the Switch 2 offers a more futureproof investment with strong first-party support and a growing library of third-party titles, making it a stable and accessible option for consumers.
PlayStation's disc-less future could "heavily influence" Xbox and Nintendo's approach to physical games, former Sony boss says, calling the decision "dramatic"
Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios head Shawn Layden stated that Sony's decision to discontinue physical disc production for new PlayStation games starting in 2026 will heavily influence Xbox and Nintendo's future strategies. This move, described as dramatic, has sparked industry-wide concerns about game preservation and consumer rights, despite a recent increase in physical game sales in the US.
'Your code is physically yours, forever. Until you lose it, let's be real': Github, wagging its finger at Sony's own goal, is offering CD-ROMs of your code for a few days
Microsoft-owned GitHub is offering users a CD-ROM of their public code repositories for a limited time, a move seen as a jab at Sony's perceived shift towards digital-only game distribution. This limited-time promotion, available from July 2-6, 2026, allows the first 1,000 eligible users to receive a physical copy of their code. The article also touches on Microsoft's own efforts in digital preservation and potential layoffs within its gaming division.
Independence Weekend Metaverse
Steven Spielberg has acquired the rights to the YouTube horror series The Mandela Catalogue. Separately, Microsoft Edge now allows users to sign in with a Google account.
What kind of PS6 could justify a $1,000 price tag? | Opinion
The article speculates on how Sony could justify a potential $1,000 price tag for the PlayStation 6, suggesting a significant departure from current-gen hardware is necessary. It explores the challenges posed by rising component costs and the potential shift towards a digital-only, possibly more portable, console design, referencing the discontinuation of physical game sales and the success of the PlayStation Portal.
4th of July sales have Prime Day beat across PS5, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch
Retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Woot are offering significant discounts on games and hardware for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and PC during their 4th of July sales events. Many of these deals surpass the discounts seen during Amazon's recent Prime Day, with Best Buy noted for having the widest selection of gaming deals.
Rare added to the list of Xbox studios under threat
Rumors suggest that Microsoft is planning significant layoffs across several Xbox studios, including Rare, Bethesda, and Arkane, with some studios potentially facing closure or sale. This follows recent layoffs at Bungie and Microsoft pulling out of a partnership with IO Interactive. The reported motivation behind these potential cuts is a focus on profitability by new Microsoft management.
Valve's aim for a console-like experience with its Steam Machine lands a little too close for comfort as one of the first cases of 'Red Line of Death' comes to light
A user has reported the first instance of a 'Red Line of Death' hardware failure on Valve's Steam Machine, similar to the Xbox 360's issue. The failure, indicated by red LEDs, occurred after a software update while playing No Man's Sky. While the user has contacted Valve for support, the incident highlights potential hardware reliability concerns for the console-like PC.
Where did all the UK game events go?
The UK faces a significant decline in major consumer video game events, with many established shows like EGX and Insomnia folding or merging, and new attempts failing. This trend is attributed to rising costs, shifting global marketing budgets of major publishers away from such events, and the overwhelming draw of larger international shows like Gamescom. While smaller niche and B2B events remain successful, the lack of large-scale consumer gatherings is a concern for the UK's substantial gaming market.
The hard truth about Sony killing PlayStation games on disc
This article argues that the shift towards digital game sales on PlayStation, driven by consumer convenience and industry trends, is inevitable despite vocal opposition. It highlights that legal ownership of games is often a license rather than true ownership, and physical discs are becoming less reliable and representative of the final product.
After Sony Kills PS5 Discs and GTA 6 is Just a Code in a Box, Xbox Is Using Halo: Campaign Evolved's Physical Disc as a Selling Point
Microsoft is highlighting the inclusion of a physical game disc for Halo: Campaign Evolved as a selling point. This contrasts with trends seen from Sony regarding PlayStation 5 disc usage and the digital nature of Grand Theft Auto 6's release.
Does anyone actually want new consoles?
The article questions the demand for new console generations, citing current high prices, component shortages exacerbated by AI, and a general apathy towards incremental hardware upgrades. It suggests that the high cost of living and the availability of existing consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which still feel largely untapped, make a new generation financially unappealing for consumers. Furthermore, the lack of compelling exclusive software and the industry's focus on live service games and layoffs further diminish the perceived value of new hardware.
You’re Completely Misunderstanding Why Xbox Series X’s Edge Browser Filters Geolocation Traffic
The Edge browser on Xbox Series X filters geolocation traffic as a deliberate privacy and security measure, not a bug. Microsoft treats the console as a shared living room device, restricting the browser's access to location data to prevent misuse and comply with regulations. This filtering impacts location-sensitive services like online gambling, where precise verification is legally required, making desktop or mobile browsers more reliable for such tasks.
Uh-oh, the Steam Machine is having its own Xbox 360 "Red Ring of Death" moment, and Valve's lightbar…
A user reported their new Steam Machine experiencing a GPU failure, indicated by a red lightbar, after only 20 minutes of use, mirroring the "Red Ring of Death" issue that plagued the Xbox 360. Valve's error codes suggest a system-wide GPU failure, though the article speculates it could be a software or firmware issue. The user has opted to send the device back to Valve for support rather than attempting DIY fixes.
Microsoft filing shows how it shifts profits around to reduce its European tax bill
A recent Microsoft compliance report reveals the company's strategies for shifting profits across European nations to minimize its tax obligations. This filing details how the tech giant manages its international financial operations to reduce its overall tax burden.
Rockstar workers hit back, PlayStation ditches physical discs, and chipmakers accused of price fixing - Patch Notes #59
Several significant developments have occurred in the gaming industry, including Rockstar Games facing accusations of pay inequity and crunch, Sony's PlayStation preparing to discontinue physical software production in January 2028, and major chipmakers being sued for alleged price-fixing. Additionally, Ubisoft has hired Christoph Hartmann to oversee its Tom Clancy franchises, while Krafton has agreed to pay bonuses to the Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds following a legal dispute and CEO resignation. Microsoft is also reportedly testing a disc-to-digital feature for its Xbox consoles.
Xbox is closing down studios to help fund more Halo claim insiders
Xbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs and studio closures as part of a strategy to reallocate resources towards key franchises like Halo, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. Insiders suggest this move aims to revitalize struggling IPs and address issues with post-launch support, particularly for Halo Infinite. Several studios, including Ninja Theory and Double Fine, are rumored to be at risk.
