Sony Interactive Entertainment
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Xbox is publishing Kojima's mysterious horror game OD because apparently no one else wanted it - they didn't understand the concept
Xbox is publishing Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror title OD, a project that many publishers reportedly rejected due to its unconventional concept. Kojima described OD as a new form of media blending games and film, starring Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and Udo Kier, with input from director Jordan Peele. Phil Spencer was instrumental in bringing the project to Xbox after Kojima pitched it to numerous companies who found the concept "crazy".
Senior EA exec Laura Miele thinks AI has led to "a real rise of creativity" among the publisher's studios
Electronic Arts' president of enterprise development, Laura Miele, believes generative AI has fostered a significant increase in creativity within the company's studios by removing tedious tasks and streamlining workflows. Despite some employee concerns and ethical debates surrounding AI, major publishers like Sony Interactive Entertainment, Capcom, and Epic Games are also embracing AI tools to improve development efficiency.
Evening Reading - June 22, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and features. It includes reviews for The Adventures of Elliot and UFC 6, a preview of Rhythm Heaven Groove, and updates on Sega's new titles, Steam Machine components, and a potential Sea of Thieves live-action movie. The article also touches on Final Fantasy 7 Remake director's desire for original projects and the possibility of custom Steam Machines with an updated SteamOS.
'Absolutely Sensational': Tom Holland and Zendaya Love the Marvel's Spider-Man Games
Actors Tom Holland and Zendaya, who portray Spider-Man and MJ in the Marvel movies, expressed their admiration for Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man video game series. In an interview, Holland called the games 'absolutely sensational,' while Zendaya mentioned enjoying the Story Mode despite finding gameplay challenging. Insomniac Games has invited the pair to their headquarters following their positive remarks.
God Of War Laufey was planned a decade ago and actress kept it secret for years
Actress Deborah Ann Woll revealed that the concept for God of War Laufey, a game focusing on Kratos's late wife, was pitched to her by Santa Monica Studio's Cory Barlog in 2018. While the game was announced during a recent State of Play, Woll had been keeping the project secret for nearly a decade. The franchise is expected to continue exploring Kratos's story alongside this new direction.
God of War Laufey proves women are still gaining ground in gaming, and I'm thrilled Kratos is sitting this one out
The upcoming God of War game, God of War Laufey, will feature Kratos' late wife, Laufey, as the protagonist, a significant shift that challenges traditional gender roles in gaming. Despite some backlash, the article argues that featuring female leads like Laufey, Ellie, and Lara Croft is a positive and growing trend in the industry, with players increasingly embracing diverse stories.
Free PS Plus Premium Being Offered to Select PS5 Players
Sony Interactive Entertainment is offering a limited, free one-week trial of PlayStation Plus Premium to select PlayStation 5 players who have never subscribed before. The offer requires redemption by July 5th, and users are advised to disable auto-renewal and remove payment information to avoid unexpected charges.
MMO Business Roundup: Stop Killing Games’ setback, Sony’s PC games, and Amazon’s cloud service aspirations
Stop Killing Games faced a setback as the EU confirmed it will not change laws to cover game shutdowns but will work on an industry code of conduct. PlayStation CEO Hideaki Nishino stated that PC releases, especially for live-service games, remain a standard strategy for Sony. Amazon continues to operate and promote its Luna cloud gaming service, aiming to increase its visibility among Prime members.
Halo PS5 Backtracks PS Plus Co-Op Requirements, Says They Were a Mistake
Developer 343 Industries has reversed a decision requiring PlayStation Plus subscriptions for local split-screen co-op in Halo: Campaign Evolved on PlayStation 5. The company stated that the requirement for both players to have a PS Plus subscription for offline co-op was a mistake.
Halo: Campaign Evolved PS5 split-screen issue clarified
Halo Studios clarified split-screen co-op requirements for Halo: Campaign Evolved on PlayStation 5, confirming a PlayStation Plus subscription is only needed for online play, but a Microsoft account link is still mandatory for local multiplayer. The article also notes the absence of a photo mode and that Master Chief's appearance will not change in cutscenes to maintain narrative fidelity.
Opinion: 30 Years On, I've Finally Come Around On The N64 Pad
After initially disliking the Nintendo 64 controller, the author has come to appreciate its unique design after revisiting it through the Nintendo Switch Online app. While acknowledging its unconventional nature compared to modern controllers, the author finds the N64 pad works well for the games it was designed for and has become a favorite.
Sony posts statement on how AI will evolve the PlayStation experience
Sony's annual report outlines plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence across its businesses, particularly within the PlayStation division. The company aims to leverage AI to enhance game development, improve productivity, personalize the player experience, and push visual fidelity forward, while also exploring collaborations with companies like Bandai Namco for video production.
Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 544: Vesper Underground
The Official PlayStation Podcast episode 544 covers recent gaming adventures including 007 First Light, Mina The Hollower, and Overwatch. Upcoming releases highlighted are Dead or Alive 6: Last Round and Abyssus for PlayStation 5, alongside updates for Assassin's Creed Shadows. New details are also shared for The Planet Crafter and Granblue Fantasy: Relink's Endless Ragnarok expansion.
When it comes to RPG design, Fallout: New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer says Ghost of Tsushima and Yotei have "some of the…
Fallout: New Vegas lead designer Josh Sawyer praised Sucker Punch Productions and Sony Interactive Entertainment for their armor design in Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yotei. Sawyer highlighted how artistic freedom and streamlined stat bonuses contribute to effective and visually appealing armor sets in RPGs.
Retro checkpoint: Spyro Year Of The Dragon was the series' peak
This article argues that Spyro Year Of The Dragon represents the peak of the original Spyro series, highlighting its expanded gameplay with new characters and varied mechanics. It discusses the franchise's legacy, its potential for modern evolution with the upcoming Spyro: A Realm Beyond, and its role as a gateway game for younger audiences.
Unpacking Destiny 2's final update and what comes next
Destiny 2 has received its final update, Monument of Triumph, which includes numerous game-wide improvements and content additions. This discussion features Rise of Bacon, Bill Lavoy, and Sam Chandler reflecting on the game's conclusion, its playerbase, and the potential for a Destiny 3, considering Bungie's resources and the possibility of external development.
Rockstar's legal setback, Final Fantasy tax incentives, and PlayStation swaps 'PC' for 'AI' - Patch Notes #57
This week's gaming news includes Rockstar Games facing a trial date for union busting allegations, Sony Interactive Entertainment shifting its business strategy focus from 'PC' to 'AI' in SEC filings, and Microsoft's Xbox division reportedly preparing for studio closures. Additionally, Don't Nod is seeking new financing after Tencent withdrew short-term investment, Shibuya ward is offering Final Fantasy 14 in-game items for tax donations, and Epic Games is merging Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN into a unified Unreal Engine 6. The UK government is also set to implement a ban on social media for under 16s, impacting high-risk features in games.
Roblox details how much creators will pay for brand integrations
Roblox has announced its new monetization policy for brand integrations, which will take effect on January 1, 2027. Creators will be charged on a cost-per-mille (CPM) basis, with rates varying by region. The company aims for transparency and precision in pricing for brands and creators. Separately, Sony Interactive Entertainment is reportedly shifting its strategy for PC releases, prioritizing PlayStation exclusivity for single-player narrative games while continuing to release live-service titles on both PC and PlayStation 5.
Report: PlayStation changed first-party single-player PC strategy due to lack of revenue
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reportedly shifted its strategy for releasing first-party single-player games on PC, with CEO Hideaki Nishino confirming that such titles will now be exclusive to PlayStation platforms due to insufficient revenue. Live-service games, however, will continue to be released on both PC and PlayStation 5 to reach a wider audience.
Evening Reading - June 18, 2026
Shacknews' Evening Reading for June 18, 2026, highlights that Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders will begin on June 25th with the cover art revealed. The article also touches on reviews for The Adventures of Elliot and UFC 6, new Pokémon content, Apple's price increases, Epic Games' use of AI in Unreal Engine, and various other internet curiosities including custom game art and mods.
