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US: PlayStation 5 was best-selling console for February for second month and Resident Evil Requiem best-selling game
The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console in the United States for February, marking its second consecutive month in the top spot. Resident Evil Requiem was the best-selling game during the same period. The Nintendo Switch was the second best-selling console, though Nintendo does not provide digital sales data.
Amazon is reportedly working on a new phone built around Alexa
Amazon is reportedly developing a new smartphone, codenamed "Transformer," with a strong focus on its Alexa AI assistant. The device aims to simplify purchasing and media consumption through Amazon services and may bypass traditional app stores. The project is led by J Allard, former Xbox co-founder, and could result in both a traditional smartphone and a minimalist "dumbphone" model.
Feb 2026 USA Sales: PS5 Outsells Nintendo's New Switch 2 for a Second Consecutive Month
In February 2026, the PlayStation 5 outsold the Nintendo Switch for the second consecutive month in the USA, despite a year-over-year decline in PlayStation sales. Resident Evil Requiem was the best-selling game of the year so far, with its launch week sales significantly exceeding Resident Evil Village. Overall industry spending saw a slight increase year-over-year, partly due to the Switch's performance.
IOI Partners disowns MindsEye, Krafton collabs with arms dealer, and more cuts at Ubisoft - Patch Notes #44
Several major gaming companies faced significant news this past fortnight. IOI Partners disowned the game MindsEye, Krafton announced a $1 billion partnership with a defense firm while simultaneously losing a lawsuit, and Ubisoft underwent restructuring leading to layoffs and the closure of Red Storm Entertainment's game development. Additionally, unionized game workers are petitioning for immigrant protections, Pokemon Pokopia achieved strong sales, and Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology faced backlash from developers.
Former Xbox Boss Is Reportedly Making A Phone For Amazon, 12 Years After First Effort Failed
Amazon is reportedly developing a new AI-driven smartphone, codenamed 'Transformer,' led by former Xbox boss J Allard. This initiative marks Amazon's second attempt at the smartphone market after the previous Fire Phone failed. The device aims to integrate AI for personalization and push users towards Amazon's services, though the project's future and specific features remain uncertain.
As Sony Mulls Its PC Games Business, Death Stranding 2 Looks To Be A Hit
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has achieved strong concurrent player numbers on PC, surpassing the peaks of its predecessor and other PlayStation PC ports. This success comes as Sony reportedly reevaluates its PC games strategy, potentially shifting back towards console exclusives due to factors including Microsoft's upcoming Xbox console.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Isn't Being Rushed, And Bethesda Seems Fine With It
Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 is not being rushed, as the company is in a strong position with its existing popular titles. Development is ongoing, with the team leveraging experience gained from building Starfield with the Creation Engine 2. Howard also mentioned that Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media has been a significant industry change.
First Look At Xbox’s Gaming Copilot Leaves A Bad Impression
Footage of Microsoft's AI-powered Gaming Copilot assistant for Xbox has been released, showcasing its ability to respond to player queries. While the assistant's sycophantic tone has drawn criticism, it demonstrates potential for assisting with in-game tasks like tuning cars in Forza Horizon 5 or providing tips for Diablo 4. The feature is expected to launch on Xbox Series X|S later this year and is currently in beta on PC and mobile apps.
Evening Tech Bits
Intel is collaborating with Microsoft to significantly accelerate PC game loading times, potentially up to 37 times faster. This initiative aims to improve the overall gaming experience on personal computers.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Director Says “We Have Millions of People Playing Our Other Games”
Todd Howard, director at Bethesda Game Studios, stated that the majority of the studio is focused on The Elder Scrolls 6, acknowledging its long development cycle compared to previous titles. He highlighted the challenge of serving existing player bases for games like Skyrim and Fallout 76 while developing new titles, and also commented on the industry-wide struggle with determining investment in game projects due to high expenses and uncertain returns.
Nintendo Switch 2 to Get New Repairable Model in Europe Thanks to Right to Repair Legislation
Nintendo is planning to release a more repairable version of the Nintendo Switch 2 in Europe to comply with the region's Right to Repair legislation, featuring an easily replaceable battery and controllers. The original Nintendo Switch may be discontinued in the EU due to these requirements. The report also touches on sales figures for both Switch models and potential future price hikes for the Switch 2.
Starfield Tops PS5 Pre-Order Charts Ahead of April 7th Release
Starfield is performing well on PlayStation 5 pre-order charts ahead of its April 7th release, topping lists in several regions. The game, developed by Bethesda and published by Microsoft, will also receive a free update called Free Lanes and the Terran Armada DLC on the same day. Lead creative producer Timothy Lamb stated that the update represents an incremental improvement and the best version of Starfield, rather than a "Starfield 2.0."
Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard Release Date Set
The new Vampire Survivors spin-off, Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard, is set to release on April 21, 2026, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, with mobile ports planned for a later date. The game will cost $9.99 and will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. A new trailer showcases gameplay, and product pages are available on the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Steam for wishlisting.
The Steam Spring Sale is here with discounts on Arc Raiders, Hades 2 and much more
The Steam Spring Sale is now live, featuring discounts on a wide range of games until March 26. Notable deals include Arc Raiders for $32, Hades 2 for under $23, and Ghost of Tsushima on PC for $36. Several titles are available at 90 percent off, such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate and Fallout New Vegas.
Sea of Thieves’ Birthday Bonanza Begins With Season 19
Sea of Thieves is celebrating its 8th anniversary with Season 19, Fights and Festivals, which includes a Free Play Weekend from March 19-24. Players can earn in-game rewards like the Golden Sailor Figurehead and Lustrous Legend cosmetics. The celebration continues with a Community Weekend on March 27-30, featuring boosted rewards and special events, culminating in a Community Direct video revealing news for Season 20.
High-end systems dominate booming gaming PC sales according to new report that also claims Arm chips are coming to the…
A new report from Jon Peddie Research indicates that gaming PC sales are surging, driven primarily by high-end systems. The report also forecasts significant growth for Arm-based gaming PCs, projecting the market to reach $1.5 billion by 2028, though this will still represent a small fraction of the overall gaming PC hardware market.
Take-Two CEO Claims Next-Gen Consoles Won’t be Affected by Memory Shortages
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick believes that Microsoft and Sony will not delay their next-generation consoles due to ongoing memory shortages. Despite some reports and insider claims suggesting potential delays, Zelnick stated that the crisis is not expected to affect console delivery to the market. Microsoft Gaming has also indicated plans to ship development kits in 2027.
Free Play Days – Sea of Thieves, Totally Reliable Delivery Service, Trailmakers, Hell Let Loose and Firefighting Simulator: Ignite
Xbox is offering Free Play Days for several games including Sea of Thieves, Totally Reliable Delivery Service, Trailmakers, Hell Let Loose, and Firefighting Simulator: Ignite. Some titles are available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members, while others are free for all Xbox members during the event period.
Sustainable Games Alliance drives game engine energy efficiency with new power-saving plugins
The Sustainable Games Alliance (SGA) has released three new power-saving plugins for Unreal Engine, Unity, and Godot to improve energy efficiency in game development. These plugins dynamically reduce frame rates and rendering resolution during player idle times, potentially extending battery life on handheld devices by up to 15% and reducing carbon emissions. The initiative aims to foster industry-wide collaboration on sustainability.
Why Esports Professional Teams Are Investing in Content Creation and Streaming
Esports professional teams are increasingly investing in content creation and streaming as core business pillars, moving beyond a sole focus on tournament wins. This strategy helps maintain fan engagement between events, builds personality-driven loyalty, and creates new revenue streams through ads, merchandise, and sponsorships. By developing media brands rather than just rosters, teams aim for greater stability and reach, attracting a broader audience beyond hardcore competitive viewers.
