Apex Legends
News, coverage and analysis tracking Apex Legends across the outlets.- Apex Legends patch adds new Vortex Shields after player does 2 million damage in a single match, and I don't think that's a coincidenceThe latest Apex Legends patch, Aftershock, introduces new Vortex Shields and buffs for Gibraltars and Wraith. The update also includes a fully-automatic Hemlok and new Wildcard abilities. This follows an instance where a player reportedly achieved 2 million damage in a single match, suggesting a connection to the new shield implementation.
Overwatch 2 Players Launch Boycott Against Repetitive Character SkinsOverwatch 2 players are organizing a boycott against Blizzard Entertainment due to perceived favoritism in character cosmetic skins, primarily for Kiriko and Mercy. The community is urging players to "speak with their wallets" by not purchasing skins for these popular heroes, aiming to influence Blizzard's monetization strategy for live service games. This movement highlights player dissatisfaction with the distribution of in-game cosmetics and seeks a more equitable approach across all characters.
Apex Legends Goes Nuclear on Cheaters with 10,909 Bans in One WeekRespawn Entertainment has banned over 10,900 Apex Legends accounts in one week for cheating, targeting players using expensive hardware like Xim, DMA devices, and HWID spoofers. This crackdown focuses on hardware-based cheating, which is more costly for offenders to replace than software cheats. The company is also implementing a new detection model, suggesting this ban wave is just the beginning of enhanced anti-cheat measures.
Apex Legends Gundam Model Kits Up at Premium BandaiBandai Namco has opened pre-orders for three Apex Legends Gundam model kits, part of a crossover event. These RG 1/144 scale kits, featuring designs inspired by Apex Legends characters Alter, Crypto, and Valkyrie, range from $49 to $65 and are expected to ship in September 2026. Apex Legends is available on multiple platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
How EA Sports FC 26 Avoided Being A "Cautionary Tale" And Made Accessibility HistoryEA Sports FC 26 has been recognized for its significant advancements in game accessibility, earning multiple awards and nominations. The development team, including gameplay producer Paul Parsons and accessibility director Morgan Baker, collaborated closely with the disabled community and drew inspiration from other EA titles to implement features like High Contrast Mode and Text-to-Speech, aiming to set a new industry standard for inclusive game design.
Highguard Dev Wildlight Appears to Have Quietly Shut Its DoorsWildlight Entertainment, the developer of the hero shooter Highguard, appears to have ceased operations. The studio's website and LinkedIn page are offline, and its ability to conduct business in California has been terminated. This follows the failed launch of Highguard, funding issues with Tencent, and widespread layoffs.
How to Report Toxic Players in Every Major GameThis guide details how to effectively report toxic players across major multiplayer games like Call of Duty, Valorant, Apex Legends, and others. It emphasizes providing specific details, timestamps, and clips to ensure reports are actionable by moderation systems, whether AI or human-reviewed. The article also covers platform-level reporting and when to escalate issues beyond in-game tools.
Highguard just died and we are already being bombarded with another hero shooter being compared to ConcordThe hero shooter genre is facing intense player scrutiny, with games like Highguard shutting down shortly after release due to negative reception and comparisons to Concord. New titles like Time Takers are also facing early criticism, with players quickly forming opinions based on trailers and early gameplay, impacting their potential success.
Best PvP Games in 2026: Most Popular Competitive Multiplayer Games Right NowThis guide highlights the top Player versus Player (PvP) games dominating the competitive gaming landscape in 2026, based on player counts and popularity. It covers titles across genres like tactical shooters (Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT), battle royales (PUBG: Battlegrounds, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone), and MOBAs (League of Legends, Dota 2), as well as popular mobile titles. The article also discusses the enduring appeal of PvP games, the importance of balanced gameplay, strong matchmaking, and community support for long-term success.
The solution to staleness in modern gaming is cross-pollination - Reader's FeatureA reader proposes that cross-pollination of ideas between different genres and franchises is the key to combating staleness in modern gaming. The article provides numerous examples of successful genre blends, such as Castlevania becoming an RPG or Zelda incorporating rhythm mechanics, suggesting this approach can revitalize long-running series and create fresh experiences.
The FBI is hunting down malware-loaded games on SteamThe FBI is investigating a series of malware-infected games distributed on the Steam platform between May 2024 and January 2026. The agency is seeking information from players who downloaded titles like BlockBlasters, Chemia, and PirateFi, which contained malicious software capable of stealing personal data. Valve is cooperating with the investigation and has removed some affected games from its platform.
The Live-Service Graveyard Just Added Another Fortnite-Like ShooterThe live-service shooter Hawked will be shutting down its servers later this year, with developer My.Games disabling all in-game purchases. PC servers will close on June 9, while console servers will remain operational until September 7. The game, which launched in 2023 for PC and in 2024 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, struggled to maintain player numbers in a competitive market.
Highguard Joins the Great Concord in the Sky, Now Officially Delisted on PS5Highguard has been officially delisted from digital storefronts and is no longer playable as developer Wildlight Entertainment shuts down the game. The free-to-play online multiplayer shooter, from developers who worked on Apex Legends and Titanfall, failed to gain traction and is shutting down just 45 days after its launch. This marks a significant failure for Wildlight Entertainment, which also had to lay off a majority of its staff shortly after Highguard's release due to its lack of success.- Apex Legends Fixes Game-Breaking 9,999 Damage Bug in Gundam EventRespawn Entertainment released an emergency patch for Apex Legends to fix a game-breaking bug where the Buster Rifle was dealing 9,999 damage when hitting players with the Bit Stave shield active. The developer is investigating the impact on player stats, trackers, and badges. This fix addresses a major issue within the ongoing Gundam Frontlines collaboration event.
One of Marathon's best tricks? It dodges the "Blorko" problem that doomed Concord and HighguardBungie's upcoming shooter Marathon distinguishes itself from recent hero shooter failures like Concord and Highguard by focusing on functional 'Shells' rather than heavily marketed individual characters. This approach allows players to engage with distinct playstyles without the pressure of immediately bonding with pre-defined personalities, a strategy that has proven challenging for other games in the genre.- Coolie Ranx Fire & Ice RGX 2026 Guest of HonorSinger Coolie Ranx, known for his work with The Toasters, The Pilfers, and voicing Little Jacob Hughes in Grand Theft Auto IV, will be a Guest of Honor at Fire & Ice RGX 2026. The event will feature voice actors, musicians, and industry talent, with Coolie Ranx performing live. The article also briefly mentions recent updates and collaborations for Neverwinter, Pokémon GO, Apex Legends, Invincible VS, and Rush Royale.
- Super Mario Galaxy Movie Products Revealed for MAR10 DayNintendo is celebrating MAR10 Day with a variety of merchandise related to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, including toys, beauty products, and clothing from brands like Hot Wheels, LUSH, and Uniqlo. The article also briefly mentions recent updates and collaborations for other games such as Neverwinter, Pokémon GO, Apex Legends, Invincible VS, Rush Royale, and Hoa 2.
- Neverwinter: Tempus Arena Now AvailableArc Games and Cryptic Studios have released the Tempus Arena update for Neverwinter, introducing new bosses, challenge rounds, and Cleric class updates. The update is now available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The article also briefly mentions ongoing events for Pokémon GO, Apex Legends, Invincible VS, Rush Royale, and Hoa 2, as well as the opening of the GDC Festival of Gaming.
- Pokémon GO Fest Sweepstakes RevealedNiantic is running a #GOMemories contest for Pokémon GO, allowing players to share their favorite in-game moments on social media for a chance to win a trip for two to Pokémon GO Fest 2026 in Tokyo, Chicago, or Copenhagen. The article also briefly mentions ongoing collaborations and updates for other games like Apex Legends, Invincible VS, Rush Royale, Hoa 2, and Football Manager 26, as well as the opening of the GDC Festival of Gaming.
- Gundam x Apex Legends Collaboration LiveRespawn Entertainment and EA have launched a limited-time collaboration event in Apex Legends, featuring a Gundam-inspired battlefield with new weapons, map updates, and cosmetics. The event introduces items like the Buster Rifle and Bit Staves, and transforms the Broken Moon map. Three limited-edition Apex Legends Gunplas will also be available for sale.