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PLAION business and news from across the web.
Playstack sold, Xbox announces business 'reset,' and is generative AI poisoning the well? - Patch Notes #56Playstack has been sold to Integrated Media Company, with TruFin divesting its majority stake. Xbox announced a business 'reset' involving potential layoffs and studio closures, as confirmed by leaders Asha Sharma and Matt Booty. Concerns are also rising about generative AI's impact on the industry, with Take-Two's former head of AI, Luke Dicken, expressing worries about the current hype cycle.
'There is a liar in these tunnels' — Metro 2039 gets new action-packed trailer, teasing first-person stealth-action gameplay, a new stealth weapon, and a February 2027 release windowA new gameplay trailer for Metro 2039 was revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, showcasing stealth-action gameplay and a new protagonist named The Stranger. The game is set to launch in February 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, featuring a return to claustrophobic stealth and survival mechanics in a post-apocalyptic Moscow.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush announced at Summer Game Fest, launching later this yearHot Wheels Infinite Rush, an arcade racing game featuring over 150 cars and customizable tracks, was announced at Summer Game Fest. It is set to launch on September 21, 2026, with an early access release planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
VR developer Vertigo Games shutters Amsterdam studioVR developer Vertigo Games has closed its Amsterdam studio due to ongoing challenges within the virtual reality industry. CEO Richard Stitselaar expressed gratitude for the team's contributions and stated the company's focus is on supporting affected employees. This closure reflects broader difficulties in the VR sector, with other companies like Rec Room and Polyarc Games also experiencing cutbacks.
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 gets a release date, as devs suggest we could get even more factions after launchWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 is set to release on September 17th, with an early access date of September 14th for the Commander Edition. Developer King Art Games plans post-launch content including a return of Crusade Mode in autumn 2026, new modes, map packs, a mission editor, and additional commanders. Paid DLC will include a Blood Ravens Story Prologue and an Aftermath Campaign Expansion featuring a new faction.
Get another look at Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 as we deep dive into the Adeptus Mechanicus factionWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 has released a new gameplay trailer focusing on the Adeptus Mechanicus faction. The trailer showcases the faction's units, leader units, and mechanized vehicles, highlighting their fast-paced, tech-heavy combat style. This follows a recent CGI trailer for the faction and provides a glimpse into the game ahead of its release later this year.
A New The Lord Of The Rings Game From Kingdom Come Studio? Here's How The Dev Responded To The RumorCzech developer Warhorse Studios, known for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, has responded to rumors about developing a new The Lord of the Rings game. While not confirming specifics, the studio stated they are working on a large, immersive RPG and intend to stay within the genre. This follows reports that Embracer Group, which owns the gaming rights to The Lord of the Rings and Warhorse, is exploring multiple new game projects within the franchise.
New retro console smashes annual target after just 24 hours of pre-ordersThe new Neo Geo AES+ retro console has exceeded its entire annual sales forecast within 24 hours of pre-orders opening, according to Embracer Group co-founder Lars Wingefors. The console, a modern recreation of the original Neo Geo, is priced at $180 and includes features like HDMI output and overclocking. SNK Corporation and Plaion are launching the console with ten classic Neo Geo games.
ZX Spectrum returns with new Spectral White version for 44th anniversaryRetro Games and Plaion have released a new anniversary edition of the ZX Spectrum, titled the Spectrum White ZX Spectrum, to celebrate its 44th anniversary. This full-sized recreation includes a rubber keyboard, 48 built-in classic games, modern HDMI output, USB ports, and a rewind feature. The standard edition costs £129, with a collector's edition available for pre-order at £199.99.
DEAD ISLAND 2 CELEBRATES THREE YEARS OF THE HELL-A ZOMPOCALYPSEDeep Silver and Dambuster Studios are celebrating the third anniversary of Dead Island 2 with several initiatives. A free crossover update for Quarantine Zone is available, and the Dead Island Series Bundle is coming to Xbox Series S|X and PlayStation 5. New artwork and an infographic also commemorate the milestone.
FPGA dev claims the Neo Geo AES+ is "basically the MiSTer core" broken up into separate chipsFPGA developer Pramod Somashekar claims the upcoming Neo Geo AES+ console, which promises to recreate the original hardware using ASICs, is essentially a repackaged MiSTer FPGA core. While another expert, Furrtek, suggests the device has the potential to be the best remake since SNK's original hardware, Somashekar argues that using hard-wired ASICs prevents future updates, unlike FPGA solutions. The debate centers on whether the Neo Geo AES+ offers genuine innovation or a 'bait and switch' by Plaion.
DAWN OF WAR IV: THE ADEPTUS MECHANICUS EMERGES IN NEW CGI REVEAL Deep Silver and KING Art Games revealed the Adeptus Mechanicus as a new playable faction in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV with a CGI trailer. This is the second of four faction reveals for the upcoming real-time strategy game, set to release in 2026 for PC. The trailer showcases the Adeptus Mechanicus' pursuit of ancient technology and their conflict with Necron forces.- SNK's Neo Geo console remake works with original cartridges and HDMISNK and Plaion have announced a remake of the Neo Geo AES console, dubbed the Neo Geo AES+. This updated version features HDMI output for 1080p resolution, DIP switches for language and display settings, and a memory card for saving high scores. Preorders are open for a 35th anniversary edition bundle and a standard edition, with modernized game cartridges also being released.
Metro 2039 goes back to its Metro underground roots, with a story shaped by the war in Ukraine and the people who suffer it4A Games has officially unveiled Metro 2039, the next installment in the Metro series, which will return to the confined tunnels of the Moscow Metro. The story, co-written by Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky, is influenced by the war in Ukraine and explores the psychological toll on its inhabitants. Metro 2039 is set for a winter release on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, featuring a rebuilt 4A Engine with enhanced ray tracing.
After 7 years, Metro 2039 brings us a voiced protagonist, old friends turned Nazis, and 'a much darker tone'Metro 2039 was revealed at the Xbox First Look event, showcasing a darker tone and a voiced protagonist. The game features the Novoreich faction, led by a corrupted version of the character Hunter, and incorporates themes inspired by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Developed by 4A Games, it is set to release this winter.
Metro 2039, out this winter, explores the "cost of silence, the horrors of tyranny, and the price of freedom" amid Russia's invasion of UkraineMetro 2039, a new entry in the post-apocalyptic horror shooter series from 4A Games, is set to release this winter for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game will feature a fully voiced protagonist named the Stranger and explore themes of tyranny and freedom from a Ukrainian perspective, developed amidst the ongoing conflict in the country. It promises a darker tone and a story-driven single-player campaign focusing on choices and consequences.
Metro’s unique flavor of post-apocalyptic misery is back in Metro 2039 — and I can’t wait to return to the ‘dark heart of the Moscow metro’ where ‘hope is lost' and 'the future looks bleak, if there is one’4A Games has revealed Metro 2039, the next installment in the post-apocalyptic shooter series, set to release this winter on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game promises a darker tone, influenced by real-world events, focusing on themes of survival, tyranny, and the cost of freedom within the Moscow metro.
The Neo Geo AES is back, but the retro console remake is effectively the real deal reborn with HDMIPLAION, in partnership with SNK, is re-releasing the Neo Geo AES console as the Neo Geo AES+ on November 12 for $249.99. This new version utilizes re-engineered ASIC chips for HDMI output while retaining original AV and cartridge support, offering a more accessible way to experience SNK's arcade classics.
Screamer Accolade Trailer is Out NowScreamer, a new arcade racing game with fighting elements and an anime-inspired storyline, has released its Accolade Trailer. Developed by Milestone S.r.l. and published by PLAION, the game features rival teams competing in illegal street races, inspired by '80s and '90s anime. The game includes animated cutscenes by Polygon Pictures and voice acting from Troy Baker and Aleks Le.
The Lord of the Rings RPG is Being Made at Warhorse Studios – RumorA rumor suggests that Warhorse Studios, known for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, is developing an open-world RPG set in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings universe. This project is reportedly connected to Embracer Group, which holds the game adaptation rights, and may have received significant funding from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. The game is expected to compete with Hogwarts Legacy in the fantasy open-world genre.