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Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 adds Spider-Man: Brand New Day-inspired ‘Fresh Start Suit’ on July 28
Sony Interactive Entertainment, Insomniac Games, and Nixxes Software are releasing a free update for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on July 28, adding the 'Fresh Start Suit' inspired by the upcoming movie Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The game is available on PlayStation 5 and PC, with the movie set to release on July 31.
Returnal director will be 'responsibly ambitious' to ensure his new studio prospers
Returnal director Harry Krueger has founded a new indie studio, Cosmic Division, with a philosophy of being 'responsibly ambitious' to ensure long-term success. He emphasizes prioritizing gameplay-first experiences, fostering good team chemistry, and maintaining a lean, sustainable operation, drawing lessons from his 15 years at Housemarque. Krueger views AI as a tool rather than a savior, focusing on iterative development and creative vision.
Star Wars Zero Company looks so good it has me wishing Metal Gear would make tactics games again
The upcoming Star Wars Zero Company tactics RPG has reignited interest in the genre, prompting a discussion about the potential for a new Metal Gear Acid game. The author praises Star Wars Zero Company's XCOM-like gameplay and its potential to revitalize a dormant franchise, while also advocating for a revival of the Metal Gear Acid series, highlighting its unique blend of stealth, deckbuilding, and tactical combat.
"This is just the start" - Housemarque responds to Saros' slower sales versus Returnal's, and compares itself to one of the most beloved studios around
Housemarque's Mikael Haveri and Ilari Kuittinen addressed the slower initial sales of their latest game, Saros, compared to Returnal. They believe Saros, like Returnal, will gain traction over time and are committed to supporting it with updates. The studio draws parallels to FromSoftware's journey, aiming to educate the market on their niche bullet hell and roguelike action titles and build a dedicated fanbase.
Destiny 2 developer Bungie will be halved in size this summer claims source
Bungie is reportedly planning massive layoffs this summer, potentially affecting at least 50% of its workforce, according to journalist Sylvain Trinel. This follows previous rounds of layoffs and comes amid struggles with the game Marathon and a recent surge in popularity for Destiny 2. Sony Interactive Entertainment, which acquired Bungie in 2022, reported a significant impairment loss related to the studio earlier this year.
Former PlayStation boss says Xbox shows a "basic misunderstanding" of the games industry amid leadership changes, mixed messaging, and reports of studio closures
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox's recent inconsistent actions, including shifts in publishing strategy and reports of studio closures like Ninja Theory, indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of the games industry. Despite denials from figures like Matthew Ball, these moves have fueled an identity crisis for Xbox, leading to confusion among players and raising concerns about the company's health.
PlayStation Network Services Partially Down, Sony Confirms
Sony Interactive Entertainment confirmed that PlayStation Network services experienced a partial outage on June 16, 2026, following a glitch that caused users to see unpurchased games in their libraries. The issue affected "Gaming and social" services, with potential difficulties launching games and apps, though multiplayer functionality was reportedly unaffected. The company is working to resolve the disruption.
Sony Inzone H6 Air Wired Open-back Gaming Headset review
The Sony Inzone H6 Air wired gaming headset offers a natural, rich sound thanks to its open-back design and 40mm MDR-MV1 drivers, similar to Sony's studio headphones. While comfortable and lightweight, its microphone picks up significant white noise, and its full potential is best realized on PC with the Inzone Hub software for EQ adjustments. It is recommended for single-player RPG and FPS gamers who prioritize audio quality over wireless features.
UK Gamers Question Hobby's Future as Government Bans Kids from Social Media
The UK government is planning to ban social media access for individuals aged 16 and under, sparking discussions about potential future regulations on online gaming. While the proposed ban explicitly excludes multiplayer gaming, concerns remain that it could lead to similar restrictions on online game participation. This initiative follows the UK's existing age verification processes for online content, including communication features on consoles like the PlayStation 5.
8 Open World Games to Finish Before GTA 6 Drops | TAG
This guide helps busy adults prioritize their open-world game backlogs before the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. It suggests finishing Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 first, followed by Elden Ring if time permits, and offers triage rules for deciding which games to complete or abandon based on playtime and completion percentage.
Surprise PS4 System Update 13.52 Brings Bad News for Some
Sony Interactive Entertainment has released PlayStation 4 system software update 13.52, which includes security fixes aimed at patching exploits and deterring modding and hacking attempts. While the official patch notes are brief, this update is seen as a move to further secure the console, despite its age and the existence of prior jailbreaks. The update comes as support for last-gen platforms like the PS4 continues to diminish for newer game releases.
UK Charts: FF7 Rebirth Falls Off A Cliff As FC 26 Returns To The Top Spot
The latest UK video game sales charts show EA SPORTS FC 26 returning to the number one spot, likely due to the start of the World Cup 2026. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth saw a significant drop from second to thirtieth place, a common trend for games after their initial launch week. No new titles entered the top 40 this week.
House of the Dragon star says he was channeling God of War's Kratos for season 3's Battle of the Gullet:…
House of the Dragon actor Abubakar Salim revealed he drew inspiration from God of War's Kratos for his portrayal of Alyn of Hull, particularly for the character's rage-fueled performance in the upcoming Battle of the Gullet. Salim noted the parallels between Kratos and Alyn as men wronged by their fathers seeking to start anew. The article also briefly mentions the live-action God of War TV show and a new game titled God of War Laufey.
Microsoft CEO admits "there's more monetization of Xbox games happening on YouTube" than the company as it tries to "turn this into a sustainable business"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the company needs to make Xbox a sustainable business, noting that more monetization of Xbox games occurs on YouTube than within Microsoft itself. He acknowledged industry-wide challenges like rising manufacturing costs and the need to define Xbox's future strategy to ensure economic relevance for both the company and its customers.
God of War Laufey reportedly launches in first half of 2027
A new rumor suggests that God of War Laufey, which shifts focus to Kratos's wife Faye, is targeting a release in the first half of 2027. The game, developed by Santa Monica Studio, will feature Faye's unique combat style and blend Norse mythology with other traditions. While Sony has not provided an official release window, insider reports align with this rumored timeframe.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer targets online gaming in under-16 social media ban
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to ban social media and restrict online gaming features for individuals under 16. The proposed legislation aims to prevent children from communicating with strangers through in-game chat or livestreams, with specific measures to be implemented by game developers and regulated by Ofcom. The government intends to pass these regulations before the end of 2026, with enforcement expected in early 2027.
Following Gears of War: E-Day's declaration of Xbox exclusivity, Halo: Campaign Evolved is already climbing PlayStation pre-order charts
Halo: Campaign Evolved is seeing strong pre-order sales on the PlayStation Store, topping charts in several regions despite being an Xbox exclusive IP. This success, alongside other Xbox titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves appearing on PlayStation, raises questions about Microsoft's console exclusive strategy. The remake is built on Unreal Engine 5 and has reportedly revitalized the original game's content.
Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies vet tells me the theme park 'assembly line' MMO just isn't viable anymore, especially as dev costs spike: 'We hit the wall'
Veteran MMO developer Raph Koster believes the 'theme park' style of MMO, popularized by World of Warcraft, is no longer viable due to skyrocketing development costs. Koster, who worked on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, argues that the increasing expense of creating static content, coupled with player consumption rates, makes this model unsustainable. He suggests that the genre has become stagnant, with players growing bored and feeling underserved by an industry focused on monetization over innovation.
'Make some noise': Vanillaware reportedly wants more of its games on PC, but it's up to the publishers
Vanillaware founder George Kamitani reportedly desires to bring more of the studio's games to PC, but publisher financing is required for ports. Games journalist James Mielke relayed Kamitani's sentiment, stating that fan demand could influence publishers to finance ports of titles like 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Dragon's Crown, and Odin Sphere. While a PC version of Muramasa: The Demon Blade is confirmed, the studio's back catalog remains largely unavailable on the platform.
We are all encouraging video game companies to make nothing but sequels - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses disappointment with recent gaming showcases, noting a prevalence of sequels and remakes over innovative new intellectual properties. The author argues that while games like God of War and Grand Theft Auto 6 are highly anticipated, they offer predictable gameplay. The article suggests that the industry and players alike are contributing to this trend, with nostalgia for older titles like Resident Evil and The Legend of Zelda also playing a significant role.
