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THQ Nordic Showcase 2026: New Worlds, New Stories, New Games, and New Discounts
THQ Nordic's 2026 Digital Showcase revealed new titles and DLC, including the REANIMAL DLC campaign and pre-orders for Way of the Hunter 2. New gameplay trailers were shown for Way of the Hunter 2, Wreckfest 2, and The Eternal Life of Goldman. The THQ Nordic Showcase Sale offers discounts up to 90% on their portfolio.
Don't worry about $1,000 consoles, you'll be streaming your games soon enough, reckons Take-Two CEO: "I…
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick believes that low-latency game streaming will soon make expensive gaming consoles unnecessary. He predicts that within three years, streaming technology will mature enough to allow games to be played on a wider range of devices, significantly expanding the potential player base. While acknowledging the current importance of consoles, Zelnick sees streaming as a major opportunity for publishers with broadly appealing titles.
Midday Consolidation
House Flipper: Remastered Collection has announced its physical release date with a new trailer. Additionally, Super Woden Rally is set to release next week, and Xbox Wire has detailed new games coming to Xbox from August 10 to 14.
Roll Mad Review | TheXboxHub
Roll Mad is a fun and cheap arcade-style ball-rolling game from developer Entity3, offering 50 levels with increasing difficulty and various obstacles. Despite a lack of presentation and repetitive music, its tight controls and easy achievements make it a worthwhile purchase for a couple of hours of simple enjoyment.
Hit PS5 Remaster of 2008 Action Game Half Price on PlayStation Store
Koei Tecmo's remaster of the 2008 action-adventure game Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is currently available for half price on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 5. The deal, which includes enhancements for the PS5 Pro and cloud streaming for PS Plus Premium users, is a limited-time offer ending August 13. The remaster features additional playable characters and a "hero play style" mode for accessibility.
BALL x PIT hits 2 million sales as its final free update lands – and The Escapist still can’t escape it
Devolver Digital announced that BALL x PIT has sold over two million copies across all platforms. The game's final free content update, The Naturalist Update, has also been released, adding new characters, balls, and passive abilities. The update is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile.
Surprise! The original Quake gets a free expansion on all platforms to celebrate its 30th birthday
To celebrate Quake's 30th birthday, id Software and MachineGames have surprise-released a free expansion, Quake: Dawn of the Machine, on all platforms including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. The expansion features a 19-map campaign with a looping structure, new enemies, weapons, and a soundtrack, offering a fresh take on the classic shooter with roguelike elements.
"There's a huge amount to be learned" - how the pioneering years of gaming are being preserved for a new generation in a corner of south London
Kingston University is hosting an exhibition called the Archive of Retro Computing (ARC), showcasing over 65 retro computers and consoles from the mid-1970s to the early 2000s. Led by computer science course leader Paul Neve, the collection aims to preserve gaming and computing history, offering insights into the pioneering years of the industry and the individuals behind them. The exhibit highlights the importance of physical media and hands-on learning in an increasingly digital and transient gaming future.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Electronic Arts has announced that an early access trial for Madden NFL 27 is now available through EA Play. This allows subscribers to experience the game before its official release.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic Interview – Player Feedback, Gameplay Pacing, Development Challenges, And More
Polyarc co-founder Danny Bulla discusses the successful transition of Moss: The Forgotten Relic from VR to PC and consoles, highlighting the preservation of the emotional connection between the player and the character Quill. The interview also touches on player reception, the challenges of adapting VR experiences to traditional displays, and the collaboration with Blackbird Interactive on development.
Puzzledorf Brings New Puzzles to Xbox in 2026
Puzzledorf, a colorful puzzle game from Stuart's Pixel Games, is set to release on Xbox on August 31, 2026, with Xbox players receiving exclusive new puzzles and mechanics for the first two weeks. The game will feature classic Sokoban gameplay with a twist, including jewel matching and sliding mechanics, alongside achievements and extensive language support. Puzzledorf is also compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere and the ASUS ROG Ally.
Black Desert launches the guild fame system on PC, brings the Agent and Hyperboost to console
Black Desert has launched its new Guild Fame system on PC, allowing players to contribute to shared guild growth and unlock passive benefits. The PC update also includes a revamp of war declarations and class balancing. Meanwhile, the console version receives the Agent class and Hyperboost feature, along with adventure log updates and easier crafting for spirit essences.
Control Issues
Linux kernel 7.3 is set to include a fix for the native driver of the original Steam Controller. Separately, Xbox is reportedly preparing to release a limited edition controller themed around the upcoming game Gears of War: E-Day.
Halo Studios jettisons long-serving contractors after launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved
Halo Studios has eliminated an unknown number of contract roles following the launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved. Several long-serving contractors have been let go, though no full-time employees were affected. This follows Microsoft's broader decision to cut 3,200 roles across its Xbox division.
Switch 2 beats the GameCube in lifetime sales as Nintendo's fastest-selling console ever officially shifts 23.68…
The Nintendo Switch has officially surpassed 23.68 million units sold, making it Nintendo's fastest-selling console ever and surpassing the lifetime sales of the GameCube. Despite selling fewer games than the GameCube, the Switch continues to break sales records and is on track to surpass the Nintendo 64.
Diablo 4 may finally arrive on Switch 2 next month as a code-in-the-box physical version, according to reliable leaker
A reliable leaker suggests Diablo 4 may launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 in mid-September as a code-in-the-box physical release, priced at $70. While Blizzard has not officially confirmed a Switch 2 version, multiple leaks and rating board appearances have fueled speculation.
Why Gaming Is Becoming One Giant Digital Entertainment Ecosystem
Gaming has evolved from a niche hobby into a vast digital entertainment ecosystem, integrating consoles, PCs, mobile devices, and cloud streaming. Modern platforms now combine communication, commerce, and entertainment, with features like live streaming, subscription models, and cross-platform play fostering larger communities. Technologies like cloud gaming, VR, and AR further enhance immersion and accessibility, blurring the lines between playing, watching, and interacting, positioning gaming at the core of digital leisure.
Xbox ser ut att lägga till Platinum-achievements i år
Xbox is reportedly planning to introduce a 'Platinum' achievement system later this year, similar to PlayStation's Trophies. This feature, long requested by players, would award a special achievement for unlocking all other achievements in a game. Xbox's new head, Asha Sharma, confirmed that the team is working on something for later in the year.
Evening Reading - August 5, 2026
This article is a roundup of various gaming news items from August 5, 2026. It includes updates on Xbox 360 games potentially coming to PC, EA appointing new executives, patch notes for Pokemon Pokopia and Beast of Reincarnation, and teases for the next season of Fortnite. Additionally, it mentions the release of Fields of Mistria 1.0 and new Fire Emblem content.
Xbox Testing Voice Chat Capture, Achievement Sorting Options, and More in Latest Insider Update
The latest Xbox Insider update introduces new features for Alpha Skip-Ahead users, including voice chat capture in game clips, enhanced Achievement sorting options, and cloud save restoration. Additionally, the wishlist limit has been increased to 1,000 games for all Xbox players. The update also mentions testing for an ad-supported cloud streaming service, separate from Game Pass, which will include titles like Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light.
