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Wisdom of Nym: Final Fantasy XIV’s relaunch was partly fueled by going away
This analysis argues that Final Fantasy XIV's successful relaunch was not solely due to the number of changes made between versions 1.0 and 2.0, but rather the strategic decision to shut down the game for nine months. This period allowed players to miss the game, focus on its positive aspects, and created a clear narrative of a completely new experience, signaling Square Enix's commitment and gamble on the project.
UK software sales chart for the week ending October 17, 2026 – Castlevania, Toy Story make the top 5
The UK software sales chart for the week ending October 17, 2026, shows EA SPORTS FC 27 retaining the top spot. New releases include Castlevania: Belmont's Curse at #3 and Toy Story: Retro Roundup + Toy Story 3 Complete Edition at #4, with other titles like Tales of Eternia Remastered and Bluey's Happy Snaps also charting.
This week in PC games: build a better zombie in Stupid Never Dies, glue together houses in Cutout Village, and settle brave new worlds in Star Trek: Outposts Unknown
This week's PC game releases include a variety of genres, from limb-swapping zombie action RPG Stupid Never Dies and city-builder Cutout Village, to Star Trek: Outposts Unknown and the HD-2D Final Fantasy Resonance. Other notable titles include the co-op puzzle game We Were Here Tomorrow and the run-and-gun Metroidvania A Sister's Journey.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation has a hard mode you can select from the start, Naoki Hamaguchi says, but it "won't function in the exact same way as it did in Remake and Rebirth"
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation producer Naoki Hamaguchi confirmed that a hard mode will be selectable from the start, reimagined from previous titles to align with the new game design. The game will also feature an 'Enemy Strength' option and expanded player freedom in its difficulty settings, aiming to satisfy players seeking a high-difficulty experience while offering more strategic options.
Review: Resident Evil 3 (Nintendo Switch 2)
The Nintendo Switch 2 port of Resident Evil 3 is a terrific addition to the survival horror series, offering a visually impressive and terrifying experience. While shorter than its predecessor and the original Resident Evil 2, the game's price point reflects its runtime, and its connection to the broader Resident Evil narrative is a satisfying element for both new and returning players.
'There were a lot of disagreements across the place': Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler on leading Bungie's extraction shooter, playing Path of Exile for 3,437 hours, and why he'll never uninstall Kingdom Hearts
Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler discusses his extensive gaming habits, including thousands of hours in Path of Exile and Destiny 2, and his enduring love for Kingdom Hearts. He also touches on his experiences at Bungie, the challenges of leading the Marathon project, and his appreciation for the social aspects of games like World of Warcraft.
Sega pulls Total War: Shogun 2 - Complete Edition from sale amid AI accusations, admitting it has "fallen short"
Sega and Creative Assembly have temporarily removed Total War: Shogun 2 - Complete Edition from sale due to quality issues, admitting it has "fallen short" of player and developer expectations. While the statement does not explicitly mention AI, fans suspect its use is the cause of the problems, leading to overwhelmingly negative reviews on Steam. The companies are working to address the issues and return the game to sale.
Betawatch: Enshrouded launches as Guild Wars 3 starts sharing social hubs
Enshrouded has officially launched into version 1.0, exiting early access. Meanwhile, Guild Wars 3 has previewed its first social hub, and World of Warcraft Forever is preparing for a server slam stress test. The article also lists numerous other games in various stages of beta and early access testing.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World details online features, Battle Arena, Wrangler’s Gauntlet
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World will feature extensive online modes including Joint Battles with cross-platform play, Ranked Matches, and Private Matches. The game also includes an offline Battle Arena and a new roguelike mode called the Wrangler's Gauntlet, which challenges players to win 50 consecutive battles with randomized monster selections. The title is set to release on Nintendo Switch on December 3, 2026.
Vague Patch Notes: The business models of MMO expansion bundling
This article analyzes the evolving business models of MMO expansion bundling, contrasting traditional retail expansions with newer, piecemeal approaches. It examines how separating content like new races or classes from core area updates can benefit players and developers, but also discusses potential drawbacks such as a focus on selling individual items over cohesive content.
Extraction OARPG Vaultbreakers launches a demo, announces Square Enix publishing deal
BetaDwarf has released a playable demo for their PvPvE extraction OARPG, Vaultbreakers, featuring two characters, a single vault delve with a boss fight, and solo or co-op play. The developer also announced a publishing deal with Square Enix's revived Square Enix Collective, deepening their existing investment relationship. Progress from the demo will carry over to the full launch and an upcoming alpha test.
A Sentient Snowman Is (Surprisingly) My Favorite Part Of This RPG Remake
A preview of Romancing Saga 3: Destinies United, a remake of a classic turn-based RPG, highlights its blend of updated visuals and faster gameplay with the original's core mechanics. The demo showcased unique features like the Glimmer mechanic for enhanced abilities and a strategic formation system, with the sentient snowman character, Flurry, being a surprisingly memorable element. The game is set to launch in February for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
FF7 Revelation’s Opening Invites Deeply Intriguing Questions About The Trilogy’s Conclusion
The opening 25 minutes of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Revelation, the final installment in the trilogy, leaves players with more questions than answers. The demo introduces new party members Cid Highwind and Vincent Valentine, showcasing their unique combat abilities, and hints at deeper narrative mysteries surrounding Sephiroth and Jenova.
Final Fantasy Resonance gets first review
The first review for Square Enix's Final Fantasy Resonance, a debut HD-2D RPG, has been released, with Famitsu reviewers awarding it a 36 out of 40. The game is praised for its classic JRPG elements, engaging combat system, and polished presentation, offering an estimated 20-30 hours of gameplay. It is set to launch on Nintendo Switch on October 22, 2026, with a demo available now.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 583: I’ve got my Aion 2 of you
The Massively OP Podcast episode 583 covers various MMO topics including Halloween events, the launch of Aion 2, World of Warcraft Forever's promotional efforts and level cap, and the return of Throne and Liberty to NCSoft. The episode also features an MMO Spotlight on The Secret World.
Final Fantasy 14 devs ask for the impossible, beg players to "take time to read" up on the MMO's options…
Final Fantasy XIV's global community producer Toshio Murouchi humorously urged players to read the game's extensive settings and options menus, especially in preparation for the upcoming expansion Dawntrail. While the developers have implemented numerous options over the MMO's decade-long history, players often request features that already exist. Some community members suggested improving the UI with features like a search bar to make navigation easier.
Ex-Fortnite producer says AI controversy "is mostly for show" as Epic Games faces backlash for its new…
A former Fortnite producer, Aakash Gupta, suggests that Epic Games' recent pivot towards AI acceleration is largely performative, stating that the company has always moved quickly when its CEO, Tim Sweeney, decides on a new direction. Gupta argues that Epic's integration of AI tools into Unreal Engine bypasses industry backlash and that most developers will adopt these features regardless of public debate. He believes the industry's current AI controversy is 'mostly for show,' as many developers are already using AI in their workflows.
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii releases game he says he made with AI in about 30 minutes
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii has demonstrated a new text-based police interrogation game he created using AI in approximately 30 minutes. Horii stated that AI tools now enable individuals without drawing or programming skills to develop functional games, contrasting it with his solo development of The Portopia Serial Murder Case in 1983. He has previously incorporated AI into Dragon Quest X and is involved with future Dragon Quest titles.
Dragon Quest Creator Lauds AI After Prompting New Game In 30 Minutes
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii has lauded the advancements in AI, demonstrating a prototype game he created in under 30 minutes using AI prompting. Horii, who has long supported AI in game development, contrasted this with the extensive solo effort required for his early work on 'The Portopia Serial Murder Case'. Square Enix is also exploring AI integration, with an AI chatbot planned for Dragon Quest X.
Wisdom of Nym: Looking ahead to the next few months of Final Fantasy XIV’s waiting game
This article speculates on the content and events players can expect in Final Fantasy XIV during the approximately 15-week period leading up to the potential January 26, 2027 release of the Evercold expansion. It anticipates minor in-game events like All Saints' Wake, Starlight, and Heavensturn, alongside a potential second part of the Moogle event and a benchmark release in November or December.
