Minecraft
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Despite Xbox console sales doubling YoY, hardware sales across the US are down 62% | US Monthly Charts
Total video game sales in the US experienced a 20% year-on-year decline, dropping from $5.7 billion to $4.5 billion. Hardware sales saw the most significant decrease at 62%, largely due to the Nintendo Switch 2's launch the previous year. Despite this, UFC 6 debuted as the best-selling game, followed by Meccha Chameleon and 007 First Light.
Former Ultima Online lead says MMOs are "finally free of the fever dream of imitating World of Warcraft" thanks to Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and more
Raph Koster, lead designer of Ultima Online, believes the MMO genre has moved beyond the World of Warcraft-imitating phase, citing the success of sandbox titles like Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and Minecraft. He argues that the demand for social experiences and persistent worlds, even with smaller player counts, makes it an opportune time for new MMOs like his upcoming game, Stars Reach.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for June 2026 – Star Fox makes the top 5
Circana has released the top ten best-selling video games in the U.S. for June 2026. UFC 6 topped the list, followed by Meccha Chameleon and 007 First Light. Nintendo titles Star Fox and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream also performed well, ranking fourth and sixth respectively.
Halo’s PlayStation Debut Could Also Be Its Farewell
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant strategic shift, moving away from broad multi-platform releases like Halo: Campaign Evolved towards a renewed focus on console exclusivity. This change, spearheaded by CEO Asha Sharma, involves scaling back the Xbox division and potentially canceling unannounced titles, though games already expected on other platforms will proceed. The article analyzes the implications of this shift for future Halo titles and the broader gaming landscape, considering factors like sales, player acquisition, and potential exclusive benefits for Xbox players.
Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 ports were both in the top 10 US PlayStation games last week despite cheating…
Despite significant fan complaints regarding pricing, lack of crossplay, and rampant cheating, the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 have charted in the top 10 most played games in the US. Nostalgia for the titles proved strong enough to overcome these issues, with Black Ops debuting at ninth and Black Ops 2 at sixth place.
The Xbox Characters That Defined 25 Years of Gaming
This article examines the iconic characters that have defined Xbox's 25-year history, from Master Chief and Marcus Fenix to Minecraft Steve and Ori. These characters represent the evolution of Xbox from a console newcomer to a multi-platform gaming brand, highlighting shifts in game design, company acquisitions, and the importance of personality in brand identity.
UK software sales chart for the week ending July 18, 2026 – Tomodachi Life and Pokemon Pokopia lead for Nintendo
The UK software sales chart for the week ending July 18, 2026, shows Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Pokemon Pokopia holding strong in the top five. Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced leads the chart, followed by EA Sports FC 26 and 007 First Light. New releases are quiet, with Splatoon Raiders anticipated soon.
Minecraft and Hytale's devs agreed their games needed to feel "more different." Now it's finally happening.
Hytale is evolving to feel distinct from Minecraft, with its developers aiming for deeper RPG and adventure elements. This strategic divergence, agreed upon by both Mojang's Jens Bergensten and Hytale's Simon Collins-Laflamme, allows both games to offer unique experiences within the voxel sandbox genre.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – July 18, 2026 – Tomodachi Life starts a new streak
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of July 18, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top position. The charts list the top 30 best-selling games overall and the top 30 download-only titles.
Does anyone know how to drive this thing?
The article critiques the current state of the video game industry, highlighting a perceived lack of direction and a focus on short-term profits over sustainable development. It points to Sony's struggles with live-service games and Microsoft's costly acquisition spree and subsequent layoffs as examples of poor management. The author argues that this trend of layoffs and uncertainty is detrimental to game development and player experience, contrasting it with companies like Capcom and Larian that have maintained stability and achieved success.
Nintendo reveals Japan’s best-selling Switch 2 and Switch eShop games for first half of 2026
Nintendo has released its list of best-selling games in Japan for the first half of 2026 on both the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch platforms. Pokemon Pokopia topped the charts for the Switch 2, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream led sales on the original Switch. The lists feature a mix of new releases and enduring popular titles.
Develop:Brighton showed the UK games industry is done with hand-wringing and is determined to save itself | Opinion
The UK games industry, facing significant layoffs and funding challenges, is shifting from hand-wringing to proactive self-preservation through increased collaboration. Developers are exploring regional hubs, studio collectives, and cross-industry opportunities to ensure resilience and sustainability in a difficult economic climate. While government and private funding initiatives show some promise, securing early-stage prototype funding remains a critical hurdle.
Famitsu software sales (7/6/26 – 7/12/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its Japanese software sales data for the week of July 6-12, 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove for Nintendo Switch topped the charts with over 126,000 units sold. The data includes sales figures for various titles across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Evening Interviews
Specialists from 4J Studios, known for their work on Minecraft, discuss their approach to creating a new sandbox crafting game from the ground up. They explore the challenges and considerations involved in reinventing established game mechanics.
This Hallmark PlayStation ornament uses the power-up sound, and it'll tip '90s kids into nostalgia overload
Hallmark has released a new PlayStation console ornament that plays the iconic startup sound and lights up when the power button is pressed, aiming to evoke nostalgia for '90s gamers. This ornament is part of Hallmark's 2026 collection, which also features ornaments for other popular gaming franchises like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pokémon, and Mario Kart.
Minecraft promo codes for Jul 2026 | 10% OFF
This guide details how to use promotional codes for Minecraft merchandise purchased through the official Minecraft Shop. It clarifies that these codes are not valid for digital products or console store purchases. The article also outlines shipping options, the returns policy, and various saving tips, including sales, volume discounts, newsletter sign-ups, and how PC Gamer sources and tests coupon codes.
Xbox owner loses decades of digital games after Microsoft deletes account
An Xbox player, Joshua Khane, lost 25 years of digital games and personal data after Microsoft permanently suspended his account due to a hack. Microsoft stated the account deletion was irreversible to protect personal data, even refusing to recover Minecraft purchases. This incident highlights growing concerns about digital ownership and account security in an increasingly digital-only gaming future.
"We thought, well, how would we reinvent this wheel?" – Minecraft specialists 4J Studios on building a new sandbox crafting game from first principles
Dundee-based 4J Studios, known for porting Minecraft, is developing its own sandbox crafting game called Reforj. Driven by a desire to innovate beyond Minecraft and a pragmatic need for new revenue streams after Microsoft brought more development in-house, 4J has created the Elements Engine, designed for high performance on consoles and featuring advanced sculpting and circuit systems. Reforj will also integrate a narrative from the outset, differentiating it from Minecraft's more open-ended approach.
Palworld 1.0 Has Ensnared Millions – Here’s Why
Palworld's 1.0 release has seen a significant surge in players, reaching over 855,000 concurrent users on Steam shortly after launching out of early access. This success is attributed to its blend of survival crafting, open-world exploration, and a unique creature-collecting formula that differentiates it from competitors like Pokemon. The substantial content added in the 1.0 update, including new regions, Pals, and mechanics, has revitalized interest and drawn players back to the game.
You Can Earn A $15,000 A Year For Mastering Your Favorite Game
The University of Silicon Valley has launched the Max Achievement Scholarship program, offering up to $15,000 annually to students who demonstrate exceptional mastery in video games. Applicants must complete specific, often rare, in-game achievements across over 50 listed titles or meet platform-specific criteria to qualify for Legendary or Mastery tiers.