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PS Plus Essential Games for May 2026 Announced
Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Essential lineup for May 2026, featuring EA FC 26, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and Nine Sols for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. EA FC 26 is the headline sports simulation, while Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a Soulslike and Nine Sols is a highly-rated Metroidvania.
PS Plus Essential May 2026 Monthly Free Games Include a Surprise
Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Essential free games for May 2026, featuring Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, EA Sports FC 26, and Nine Sols. These titles will be available starting May 5 and can be claimed until June 1. Players also have until May 4 to claim April's free games, including Lords of the Fallen and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered.
PS5’s latest DRM fiasco appears to be not as bad as first thought, but some official communication from Sony would be great
PlayStation 5 players recently discovered new Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions that suggested a need for internet connection every 30 days to access digital games. While initially causing concern, investigations suggest this change may be a temporary measure to combat refund scams, though official communication from Sony is still lacking. The article highlights player frustration with the lack of transparency surrounding DRM policies.
Saros release times and date for all regions
Saros has staggered release times depending on the edition purchased and region. The Standard Edition releases on April 30, 2026, at midnight local time for most regions, while the Deluxe Edition with 48 hours of early access is available now. The game requires 83.5GB of storage space.
Gamer Builds One-Handed Controller After Losing Arm - And It Actually Works | HappyGamer
An individual named Joe has designed and built a functional one-handed controller for PC gaming after losing an arm. The custom device integrates a mouse sensor and redesigned button layout for ergonomic use, allowing play of FPS, MMO, and RPG genres. While currently a prototype, the innovation highlights the need for more accessible gaming hardware, with potential for open-source sharing to benefit other disabled gamers.
Fears mount that PlayStation has "re-armed the CBOMB" issue which stops you playing purchased games, amid 30-day DRM and AI chat bot confusion
PlayStation users are reporting a new DRM issue that requires digital games to be connected online every 30 days to remain playable, potentially re-enabling the 'CBOMB' problem. While initially suspected to be intentional, some sources suggest it may be an unintentional bug introduced while fixing an exploit, though Sony has not officially commented. The issue impacts both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles, with concerns raised about long-term game preservation and the reliability of AI customer support bots.
Sony’s 30-Day License Controversy Shows the Real Problem With Digital Gaming | Invision Game Community
A reported PlayStation 5 license issue requiring a 30-day online check-in has sparked controversy regarding Sony's digital ownership policies and DRM practices. This situation highlights player concerns about losing access to purchased games if consoles remain offline for extended periods, raising questions about the true nature of digital ownership in an increasingly digital-only gaming landscape.
Spiders Studio Closes After Nacon Fails to Find Buyer | HappyGamer
Spiders Studio, the developer behind GreedFall and Steelrising, is reportedly closing down after publisher Nacon failed to find a buyer. The closure highlights the struggles of mid-budget AA game development in the current industry landscape, where studios like Spiders are often squeezed out by massive AAA blockbusters and smaller indie projects. This marks a significant loss for the French gaming scene and the genre of unique, personality-driven action-RPGs.
Helldivers 2's Liberation for Your Leisure Campaign Turns War Into Weekend Plans | HappyGamer
Sony's new marketing campaign for Helldivers 2, titled "Liberation for Your Leisure," frames the co-op shooter as a form of relaxation and escapism. The campaign highlights the game's satirical take on propaganda and violence, acknowledging its success on both PlayStation 5 and PC. This approach aims to sustain player momentum and attract new audiences to the live service title.
Sony May Have Added An Unwelcome DRM Check to PS4 and PS5 Titles – Rumor
A rumor suggests Sony has implemented a new Digital Rights Management (DRM) check for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 titles purchased after March 2026. This new system reportedly requires users to connect to the internet at least once every thirty days to verify game licenses, impacting offline playability. The reason for this change and its potential impact on game preservation remains unclear, as Sony has not yet provided an official statement.
Sony's Lost Soul Aside Was Rough at Launch, But Another Impressive PS5 Patch Is Out Now
UltiZero Games has released a significant patch, version 1.103, for Lost Soul Aside on PlayStation 5. This update introduces new content such as cosmetic items, a scoring system for easy difficulty, and a high-difficulty accessory, alongside numerous gameplay balance adjustments and optimizations to enemy hit animations to improve the feeling of impact. The patch also includes various bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements, making the game a much-improved experience since its launch.
PlayStation Store Update Worldwide April 28, 2026
Sony's PlayStation Store has received its weekly update, adding new content, add-ons, and games for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation VR owners. The North American update includes Lords of the Fallen, Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream, and Tomb Raider I-II-III Remastered as part of the PlayStation Plus Essential lineup.
New Zealand Gamers Pay Double for Steam Deck Through Importers | HappyGamer
New Zealand gamers are facing significantly inflated prices for the Steam Deck, with importers charging up to $2000 NZD compared to Valve's direct price of $400-650 USD. This issue highlights Valve's limited regional availability for its hardware, contrasting with the day-one console releases from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo in New Zealand.
Valve chief Gabe Newell saw today's consoles coming a long time ago: "All the consoles are using PC graphics…
Valve chief Gabe Newell accurately predicted that consoles would increasingly adopt PC-like hardware and graphics, a trend evident in current-generation systems like the Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch. While Nintendo maintains a unique approach with its custom chips and handheld focus, other platforms are converging with PC architecture, blurring the lines between traditional consoles and gaming PCs.
PlayStation triggers game preservation alarm bells as users find new PS5 and PS4 digital purchases have a 30-day lockout timer: "This can screw customers now AND in the future"
Sony has reportedly introduced a 30-day lockout timer for new digital PS5 and PS4 game purchases, requiring users to connect to the internet periodically to verify licenses. This change has sparked significant concern among players and preservation advocates regarding long-term game ownership and accessibility, especially in the event of server shutdowns. While Sony has not officially commented, some reports suggest it may be an intentional 'technical feature' or a result of an exploit fix.
'It was controversial internally too' — Former Naughty Dog dev says the studio was 'split' on The Last of Us Part 2's most divisive death
A former Naughty Dog artist, Heather Cerlan, revealed that the controversial death of Joel Miller in The Last of Us Part 2 was also a point of contention within the studio. Cerlan stated that the development team was internally divided on the decision, mirroring the strong reactions from fans upon the game's release in 2020. The article also touches on the online abuse faced by voice actress Laura Bailey following the game's launch.
PlayStation License Checks Confirmed, Requires Forced 'Check Ins' Online Every 30 Days
Sony has implemented a new Digital Rights Management (DRM) policy requiring PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles to connect online every 30 days to verify licenses for digital games. This check is reportedly mandatory for games purchased after a March 2026 system update, with titles becoming unplayable if the console remains offline for longer than the 30-day period. While Sony has not issued a formal statement, customer support interactions and fan reports confirm the intentional nature of this new licensing enforcement.
Sony to increase PlayStation hardware prices in Southeast Asia
Sony is increasing the price of PlayStation hardware in Southeast Asian countries, effective May 1, citing continued pressures in the global economic landscape. This decision follows similar price revisions by Microsoft and Nintendo for their hardware and accessories. The article details the new recommended retail prices for the PlayStation 5, PS5 Digital Edition, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Sony’s new PlayStation DRM requirements have the UK’s Green Party against them
Sony has implemented a new Digital Rights Management (DRM) policy requiring PlayStation consoles to log in every 30 days to maintain game licenses for titles purchased after March 2026. This move has drawn criticism from consumer rights advocates and the UK's Green Party, drawing comparisons to a similar controversial DRM policy by Xbox in 2013.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma hints memory costs "will impact" pricing and availability of next-gen Project Helix console
Xbox boss Asha Sharma has indicated that ongoing memory cost increases will likely impact the pricing and availability of the company's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix. Sharma stated that these factors are being considered as the company plans for future hardware releases, with no specific timeline currently available. The global RAM crisis is expected to continue impacting console production until late 2027 or early 2028.
