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Sony and Honda Have Abandoned Their PS5-Integrated Electric Car Afeela
Sony and Honda have officially canceled the Afeela electric car project, citing changes in the EV market and Honda's reassessment of its electrification strategy. The joint venture's first and second models will not be developed or launched. While the car featured PlayStation integration like Remote Play for PS5 games and customizable themes, the project's underlying assumptions were fundamentally altered.
Despite PS5 Hits, Sony Sinks to 21st in Metacritic's Publisher Rankings
Sony's average Metascore dropped significantly, placing them 21st in Metacritic's publisher rankings for 2025, a steep decline from fourth place in 2024. While games like Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei received high praise, the inclusion of Destiny 2 expansions and the underperforming Lost Soul Aside negatively impacted Sony's overall score. Square Enix took the top spot with an average Metascore of 84.
Sony takes cancelling things to a whole new level by cancelling the car it was making with Honda
Sony and Honda have officially cancelled their joint electric vehicle project, Afeela. The decision stems from Honda's reassessment of its own electrification strategy, despite a recent presentation at CES 2026. The companies stated they will continue discussions regarding the future of their joint venture, Sony Honda Mobility.
The Afeela 1 came too late and now is gone too soon
Sony Honda Mobility has officially canceled the Afeela 1 electric vehicle, originally revealed as the Sony Vision S six years ago. The project faced numerous challenges including a high price point, outdated technology compared to competitors, shifting political landscapes around EVs, and a lack of significant advancements in autonomous driving. Honda's withdrawal from the partnership also contributed to the cancellation, leaving the future of Sony's automotive ambitions uncertain.
Spotify is testing a tool to help real artists deal with AI slop on their profiles
Spotify is testing a new tool called Artist Profile Protection to help musicians combat the issue of AI-generated songs being falsely attributed to their profiles. This feature allows artists to review and deny releases before they are officially associated with them, preventing impacts on their brand identity and audience statistics. The move comes amid a surge in AI music uploads and a similar request from Sony to remove AI-generated tracks impersonating real artists.
Sony's upcoming Bravia 3 II is a mid-range LED TV available in sizes up to 100 inches
Sony has announced its new mid-range LED TV, the Bravia 3 II, available in sizes up to 100 inches. The TV features Sony's XR processor, 4K resolution with Dolby Vision and HDR support, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. It also integrates Google Gemini for voice commands and includes an accessible remote. The Bravia 3 II line will be available this spring, starting at $600.
"Heavyweights ruined the industry... now we live on the indies" Nordic Game embraces smaller devs and games with soul
Nordic Game program director Jacob Riis believes the industry is currently sustained by independent developers, contrasting them with large studios that he feels have negatively impacted the market. He highlights the focus on creativity and artistic expression in indie games as a response to the profit-driven nature of many AAA titles and live service games. Riis also notes an increase in ticket sales for Nordic Game, suggesting a growing interest in smaller-scale events and developers.
PS5's Dynamic Pricing Debacle Appears to Extend to the US Now
Sony's controversial dynamic pricing policy, previously observed in Europe, now appears to be implemented in the US during the Spring Sale. Games like Astro Bot are showing variable prices for different consumers, despite the MSRP remaining the same. This practice, which affects the depth of discounts, has drawn criticism from players, with Sony yet to comment on the situation.
Sony adds the Bravia Theater Bar 5 and Bar 7 to its soundbar lineup
Sony has expanded its Bravia Theater soundbar lineup with the introduction of the Bravia Theater Bar 5 and Bar 7. The Bar 7 is a premium offering featuring Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support with nine drivers, while the Bar 5 provides a more affordable 3.1-channel solution. The company also launched new subwoofers and rear speakers to complement the soundbars.
Morning Mobilization
Sony and Honda have reportedly scrapped their Afeela electric vehicle project, which featured PlayStation dashboard themes and Remote Play capabilities. The decision marks a significant shift for the joint venture aimed at entering the automotive market.
Elevate your mission in Directive 8020 with PlayStation 5 Pro enhancements, out May 12
Directive 8020 will feature enhancements for the PlayStation 5 Pro, including sharper visuals via PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution and advanced ray tracing for improved lighting and shadows. These upgrades aim to deepen the game's tension and emotional impact, leveraging the console's capabilities for a more immersive cinematic horror experience. The game is set to launch on May 12 for PlayStation 5.
Analysis suggests Marathon’s sales are underwhelming, yet updates continue for the extraction shooter
Analysis from Alinea Analytics suggests Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon has underperformed commercially, selling approximately 1.2 million units for $55 million across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. Despite these figures, the game continues to receive frequent updates, including a new character and adjustments to its ranked and endgame modes, with developers aiming to improve matchmaking and player engagement.
Marathon may have sold roughly 1.2m copies worldwide, with the majority on Steam rather than PlayStation, according to analyst estimates
Marathon has reportedly sold approximately 1.2 million copies worldwide, generating over $55 million in revenue, according to analyst estimates from Alinea Analytics. The majority of sales, around 800,000, were on PC via Steam, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S accounting for the remainder. Despite a lower initial player retention compared to competitors, the game maintains a healthy daily active user base, particularly on Steam.
PlayStation Shuts Down COD Veteran's Dark Outlaw Games
PlayStation has shut down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell. This closure marks another instance of studios led by industry veterans being shuttered, with Sony citing "strategic adjustments to support long-term sustainability." The exact nature of Dark Outlaw Games' unreleased debut project, likely a first-person shooter, will likely remain unknown.
PS Plus Essential April Free Games Will Go Live Later Than Usual
The April 2026 PlayStation Plus Essential free games will be available later than usual, with the lineup expected to be announced on the last Wednesday of March or the first Wednesday of April. Subscribers will gain access to the games on the second Tuesday of April, instead of the first. Lords of the Fallen, a 2023 action RPG for PlayStation 5, has been leaked as one of the upcoming free titles.
Square Enix is the best video game publisher of 2025 according to Metacritic
Metacritic has ranked Square Enix as the best video game publisher of 2025, based on critic scores for its nine released titles. Despite a lineup consisting primarily of ports and remakes, Square Enix achieved the top spot with consistent 'good' reviews across its releases. Other notable publishers on the list include Gamirror Games, Capcom, Microsoft, and Nintendo.
'Things Are Looking Lukewarm Right Now' — Marathon Has Reportedly Sold Just 1.2 Million So Far, With Steam Making Up 70% of the Player Base
Marathon has reportedly sold only 1.2 million units since its release, with PC and Steam accounting for 70% of its player base. Analyst reports suggest the game has not met the sales expectations set by Sony and Bungie.
The Big PSSR Interview With Mark Cerny
PlayStation 5 lead system architect Mark Cerny discusses the revised PSSR upscaling technology, which is now available on PS5 Pro. This technology aims to provide significant visual upgrades for titles released in 2026 and beyond.
List of Games Leaving PS Plus in April 2026 Quietly Updated
Sony has updated the list of games departing PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium in April 2026. Notable titles leaving the service include Dave the Diver and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. The departures are scheduled to occur on April 21st, coinciding with the addition of new games to the catalog.
The Big PSSR Interview With Mark Cerny
PlayStation 5 lead system architect Mark Cerny discusses the revised PSSR upscaling technology, which is now available on PS5 Pro. This technology aims to provide significant visual upgrades for titles released in 2026 and beyond.
