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US physical game sales drop to lowest monthly total since 1995 | US Monthly Charts
US physical game sales in July reached their lowest point since 1995, totaling $85 million. Hardware spending also saw a significant decline of 29% year-over-year, reaching $282 million, the lowest July total since 2020. Despite these drops, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 topped the charts, driven by its PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 port.
A cracked version of Marvel Tōkon is reigniting questions around DRM and its impact on PC games
A DRM-free cracked version of Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is reportedly performing better than the official PC release, reigniting debates about Digital Rights Management's impact on game performance. Players are reporting significantly lower CPU usage and higher frame rates on the cracked version, leading to speculation that Sony's DRM was the cause of the original issues. This situation raises concerns about the future of the PC version's player base and technical stability.
Bungie reportedly had "5 or 6 games" in development, including Marathon and Destiny 2 – but most fell apart after Sony's $3.6 billion acquisition
Bungie reportedly had five or six games in development, including Marathon and Destiny 2, but most were canceled following Sony's $3.6 billion acquisition. These projects were a key part of Sony's interest in acquiring the studio, but ultimately, most were scrapped due to various reasons, with only a few, like Project Gummy Bears, remaining in some form of development.
You have under two weeks to grab a Nintendo Switch 2 before new price hike
Nintendo has announced that the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 will increase to £429.99 in the UK and €499.99 in Ireland starting September 1st. This price hike, attributed to ongoing memory shortages, is significantly less than recent increases for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Consumers have less than two weeks to purchase the console at its current price of £395.99, with Nintendo also offering custom bundles and a special Pokémon Pokopia bundle.
PlayStation Exclusive Horizon 3 Gets Disappointing Update
A Bloomberg report indicates that Horizon 3 is still in early development with a small team at Guerrilla Games, suggesting a potential release on PlayStation 6. Meanwhile, the live service game Horizon Hunters Gathering is undergoing a significant overhaul, dropping some live service elements in favor of a co-op multiplayer and story mode.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 Port From 14 Years Ago Sold Better In July Than Any Other Game In US
Ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 were the best-selling games in the US in July, according to Circana's sales report. The Black Ops 2 port ranked first by dollar sales, while the Black Ops port came in fifth. These titles, released with minimal improvements, reportedly sold over 11 million copies combined, generating more than $430 million for Activision and Microsoft.
Switch 2 price increase revealed in the UK, and at least Nintendo is being more merciful than Sony and Microsoft were…
Nintendo has announced a price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the UK, with the console set to cost £419.99 starting September 1, 2026. This increase is significantly less than the price hikes seen for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S earlier this year, and also less than the recent increase for the Steam Deck. The article also mentions potential future releases like a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and a special edition Switch 2 console.
Sony's limited edition Marvel's Wolverine accessories are missing a headset, but Geeknet has picked up the…
A new officially licensed Marvel's Wolverine Wired Headset from Geeknet is set to launch on September 1 for $39.99, filling a gap in Sony's official PlayStation 5 accessory lineup for the upcoming Insomniac Games title. While Sony released themed console covers and controllers, a headset was notably absent. This GameStop exclusive, available only in the US, utilizes a 3.5mm AUX connection and features 50mm audio drivers.
Rapport: Sony skrotar live service-inslagen i Horizon Hunters Gathering
Sony and Guerrilla Games have reportedly canceled the live service elements for Horizon Hunters Gathering, opting instead for a more traditional co-op campaign experience. Development was restarted in June with a new goal to remove live service features, and the project faces potential cancellation by December if it fails to impress stakeholders. Meanwhile, work on Horizon 3 has also begun with a small team.
Sony Locks In a November 12 Launch for the PULSE Elevate Wireless Speakers
Sony has announced that the PULSE Elevate Wireless Speakers will launch on November 12, 2026, for $219.99, with pre-orders starting September 1, 2026. The speakers feature PlayStation Link technology for ultra-low latency and lossless wireless audio, and include AI-enhanced noise reduction for clear voice chat. They will be available in Midnight Black and a White model for select regions.
Gaming Hardware Spending in US for July 2026 Was The Lowest Since 2020, Says Analyst
US gaming hardware spending in July 2026 reached its lowest point since 2020, falling 29% year-on-year to $282 million, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. This downturn affected all platforms, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch sales declining, exacerbated by a 16% increase in average hardware prices due to component shortages. Despite overall declines, the Nintendo Switch 2 led in unit sales, while Resident Evil Requiem topped software charts.
PS6, Project Helix at $1,000 Will Sell 38 Percent Less Than Current-Gen Consoles – Analysts
Analysts at Ampere Analysis predict that a $1,000 launch price for the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix could lead to a 38% decrease in adoption compared to the current generation. The report suggests strategies like delaying releases, using heavy subsidies, or focusing on innovative hardware over raw power, similar to Nintendo's Wii strategy. Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki acknowledged the challenges posed by component shortages and trade wars, stating the company is still undecided on a PS6 launch date.
Sony reportedly reverses course on live service co-op Horizon game after 'negative player feedback'
Sony has reportedly instructed Guerrilla Games to pivot its upcoming live service co-op game, Horizon Hunters Gathering, into a more traditional co-op experience with a story and smaller scope following negative player feedback in recent playtests. The studio has been given until December to impress executives with the rebooted concept, or the project may be canceled, joining other live service games Sony has previously scrapped. Many developers from the project have been moved to work on the next single-player Horizon game.
Horizon Hunters Gathering Being Rebooted, Live-Service Elements Removed
Horizon Hunters Gathering is reportedly being rebooted by Guerrilla Games, with all live-service elements being removed and the game's scale reduced. This move signifies a shift away from Sony's recent focus on live-service titles.
Horizon 3 is reportedly still years away as a small team continues to plan the single-player sequel
Horizon 3 is reportedly still years away from release, with the majority of Guerrilla Games developers focused on the multiplayer spin-off Horizon Hunters Gathering. A small team is planning the next single-player installment, which is expected to have a longer development cycle than previous titles. This comes as PlayStation continues to invest in live-service games, with mixed results.
As PlayStation fans plan a financial boycott of the platform's hardware and services until August 30, Sony announces that its new Pulse Elevate speakers will be available to pre-order on September 1
PlayStation fans are planning a boycott of the platform's hardware and services from August 23 to August 30 in protest of Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to end support for physical discs in 2028. Meanwhile, Sony announced that its new Pulse Elevate wireless speakers will be available for pre-order on September 1, with a launch date of November 12, 2026.
I thought digital-only games would stop leaks, but GTA 6 just proved me wrong
Despite the author's initial theory that digital-only games would prevent leaks, the recent Grand Theft Auto 6 incident, involving alleged footage shared by a hacker group named Cyberleek, proves otherwise. This event highlights that digital distribution is not a foolproof anti-leak measure and that physical media's potential for leaks is not the only vulnerability, as server hacking remains a significant threat. The hackers' motives appear to be more ideological than financial, advocating for physical editions and other industry changes.
$1,000 Consoles Could Have This Dramatic, Negative Effect On Gaming – Report
An analysis by Ampere Analysis suggests that if next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix launch at a $1,000 price point, sales could be 38% lower in the first five years, costing the market $3.4 billion by 2031. The firm recommends strategies such as delaying launches, subsidizing hardware, or innovating on form factor to avoid such high prices.
Guerrilla is reportedly overhauling Horizon Hunters Gathering to make it more of a traditional co-op game
Guerrilla is reportedly overhauling its live-service game Horizon Hunters Gathering due to negative player feedback. The game is being redesigned to function more like a traditional co-op experience.
PS5 Ports of Beloved Classics Might Be Delisted From PlayStation Store
PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 versions of Disney classics Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 are expected to be delisted from the PlayStation Store soon. This removal is anticipated to occur before their re-release in the 'Toy Story: Retro Roundup!' collection and as a separate 'Toy Story 3 Complete Edition' on October 15.
