Secret Mode
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Inside Tencent's long-term strategy: live service, AI tools, and evergreen titles
Tencent's long-term strategy for its global games division centers on building sustainable communities through live service titles and evergreen IPs, alongside investing in high-quality talent and synergistic partnerships. The company is also embracing AI as a tool to enhance developer efficiency and iteration, rather than replace human roles, while navigating challenges in global integration and outsourcing.
Fangtopia secures Nintendo Switch 2 release date, new trailer
Fangtopia, a cozy tile puzzle game from Secret Mode and Absolutely Games, will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 26, 2026. The game features a scare-free environment where players assemble landscapes to create a paradise for friendly monsters.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer Might Include Movie Cameos if They’re Accurate to the Timeline
Fuse Games CEO Matt Webster discussed the importance of timeline accuracy for potential movie cameos in Star Wars: Galactic Racer, stating any appearances must fit the original trilogy era. The game will feature new story content, multiplayer progression, vehicle customization, and a betting system. It is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on October 6th, with a physical release planned.
"As more people play games, even the tiniest niches find a bigger audience" – Why Matt Webster is convinced people want Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Matt Webster, co-founder of Fuse Games, discusses the upcoming release of Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a title he believes can carve out a niche in the current market despite the general decline of racing games. The studio, formed by former Criterion developers, is innovating by incorporating roguelike elements and consequential decision-making, inspired by games like Hades and Slay the Spire, to enhance replayability. Webster also touches on the challenges of independent development, the importance of nurturing young talent, and the industry's aversion to risk.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer has some of the best crashes I've seen in a long time, but with custom builds that incentivize checking yourself before you wreck yourself
Star Wars: Galactic Racer offers thrilling crashes and a compelling roguelike structure, incentivizing strategic build customization. Despite a weak narrative, the game excels in its core racing mechanics and the tension of its permadeath system across multiple platforms.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer preview and interview - the next best thing to F-Zero
Star Wars: Galactic Racer aims to be the definitive Star Wars racing experience, combining various vehicle types like land speeders and podracers. Creative director Kieran Crimmins discusses the game's design, its canon-compliant story set after Return of the Jedi, and the inclusion of roguelike elements in its campaign. The game is set to release on October 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Comings and Goings
Electronic Arts has appointed the head of EA Sports to oversee all of EA's operations, while Secret Mode has opened a new studio in Sheffield to support its internal game development projects.
Publisher Secret Mode opens development studio to support internal projects
Publisher Secret Mode has opened a new development studio in Sheffield to support its existing game portfolio with updates and DLC, manage platform ports, and assist external developers. The studio will be led by VP of technology and operations Dan Secker and technical development director Jacob Habgood. This move aims to keep Secret Mode's games thriving and players engaged post-launch.
Secret Mode opens new Sheffield studio to support internal titles, starting with Escape the Backrooms and Chained Together
Indie publisher Secret Mode has established a new internal development studio in Sheffield, initially comprising three people and aiming to expand to 20 within a year. This new division will focus on supporting the publisher's existing titles, starting with Escape the Backrooms and Chained Together, by developing new content and porting games to additional platforms like Xbox and PlayStation 5. The move aims to reduce reliance on external development and foster a culture of rapid content creation.
Should you work on your own games as an external development studio?
This article explores whether external development studios should also work on their own original games alongside client projects. While some studios like Redcatpig and Lab42 see internal projects as crucial for team motivation, skill development, and creative outlets, others like Code Wizards and Airship prioritize their service-based business model to avoid resource drain and client competition. The consensus suggests that while internal projects can offer significant benefits, careful management and clear focus are essential to balance them with external work.
The Most Anticipated Sports and Racing Games Arriving in the Second Half of 2026
The latter half of 2026 is set to feature a robust lineup of sports and racing games. Key releases include College Football 27 on July 9, Madden NFL 27 on August 13, and anticipated titles like NBA 2K27 and EA FC 27 expected in September. The article also highlights new entries in the Captain Tsubasa, Hot Wheels, Star Wars racing, and Nintendo Switch Sports franchises.
Fangtopia announced for Nintendo Switch 2
Secret mode and Absolutely Games have announced Fangtopia, a cozy tile puzzle game for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release before Halloween. Players will assemble landscapes to create a paradise for friendly ghouls and ghosts, with no time pressure and a focus on relaxed building and scoring.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer hands-on preview - this is not just podracing
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is an upcoming arcade racing game from Fuse Games, aiming to revive the genre with a Star Wars twist. The game features a roguelite campaign structure, deep vehicle customization, and combines various vehicle types, including podracers, in races. It is set to release on October 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, published by Secret Mode.
It’s coming home – Nutmeg gets free League Cup update with Gaffer Mode and World Championship matches
Secret Mode has released a free update for its retro football management deckbuilder NUTMEG!, adding the League Cup (Egg Cup), World Championship matches, and Gaffer Mode. The update introduces new challenges and scenarios, including historical and "what if" international fixtures, and enhances team selection control. NUTMEG! is available on Steam and was released in March 2026.
SCORE A BARGAIN WITH THE FOOTBALL FIESTA SALE ON STEAM!
The Steam Football Fiesta sale is offering discounts of up to 90% on over 60 football-related games. The sale, presented by independent publisher Secret Mode, includes titles like EA Sports FC 26 and Football Manager 2026. It began on June 11th and will run for two weeks.
FREE NUTMEG! UPDATE ADDS LEAGUE CUP, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES, GAFFER MODE, AND MORE
Secret Mode announced a free content update for the football management simulation game NUTMEG!, launching on June 11. The update introduces a League Cup, World Championship matches with historical and 'what if' scenarios, and a new Gaffer Mode that increases difficulty and financial management. The game, developed by Sumo Digital Academy and Sumo Sheffield, combines deckbuilding mechanics with a 20-year career mode set in the 1980s and 90s.
Summer Game Fest 2026: Every Big Announcement Ranked and Explained
Summer Game Fest 2026 showcased a wide array of upcoming video game titles, with notable announcements including the third Final Fantasy VII installment, a remake of Resident Evil Code: Veronica, and the long-awaited sequel to The Wolf Among Us. The event highlighted the increasing saturation of the game market and featured titles aiming for distinct identities to stand out.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer™ explores bitter rivalries at Summer Game Fest
Star Wars: Galactic Racer, developed by Fuse Games and published by Secret Mode, received a new trailer at Summer Game Fest 2026. The trailer showcased the game's runs-based story campaign, rivalries between characters Kestar Bool and Shade, and a new location called Derven Acos. The game is set to release on October 6th, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Summer Game Fest 2026 highlights: 16 games coming to PS5
Summer Game Fest 2026 showcased numerous upcoming PlayStation 5 titles, including Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, Control Resonant, and Final Fantasy VII Revelation. New games like Crossfire and gen Atlas were revealed, alongside sequels such as Guild Wars 3 and Lords of the Fallen II. Expansions for Mafia: The Old Country and new titles like Resident Evil Veronica and Gundam Rogue Orbit were also announced.
September becomes a pile-up as publishers swerve to avoid GTA 6 | Opinion
The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in November 2026 has caused a significant reshuffling of other major game launch dates, with many publishers opting for a crowded September release window to avoid direct competition. This clustering of high-profile titles like Marvel's Wolverine, Control Resonant, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword creates a commercial 'bloodbath' for consumers and publishers alike, as games are expensive and time-consuming, leading most players to purchase and focus on one title at a time.
