Licensing
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Tupac Shakur, who has been dead since 1996, will appear in the next Yakuza game
Sega has announced that the likeness of the late rapper Tupac Shakur will appear in the upcoming Yakuza prequel, Stranger Than Heaven, set to release on January 15, 2027. The character, named Amaru, is being developed with permission from and in close collaboration with Tupac's estate, Amaru Entertainment, and RGG Studio, without the use of AI. Rapper Snoop Dogg, who also appears in the game, discussed the creative decision, stating it felt connected to the game's themes.
Sony’s PS5 Follow-Up to Beloved PS2 Game Suddenly Delisted
Fantavision 202X, the PlayStation 5 and PC follow-up to the PlayStation 2 puzzle game Fantavision, has been delisted from digital storefronts. Developer Cosmo Machia cited the end of a licensing agreement with Sony Interactive Entertainment as the reason for the removal. Players who already own the game will retain access.
Amazon will publish whatever 007 First Light sequels there may be, as it muscles in on IO Interactive's operation as new owner of James Bond
Amazon has become the new owner of the James Bond license and will publish any future sequels to the game 007 First Light, developed by IO Interactive. Despite the early success and sales of 1.5 million copies in 24 hours, Amazon wants more involvement in future titles, which would theoretically be overseen by MGM and Amazon Game Studios.
College Football 27 may finally be coming to PC for the first time
EA Sports College Football 27 is reportedly coming to PC for the first time this summer, ending a 12-year absence for the series on the platform. While initially released only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, EA Play Pro's PC exclusivity for early access suggests a PC version is imminent. Development for the PC version was delayed due to concerns over licensing agreements with the Collegiate Licensing Company.
One of horror's most iconic characters is finally coming to Dead by Daylight just in time for its tenth anniversary
Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise is officially joining the asymmetrical survival horror game Dead by Daylight. This marks the first appearance of the iconic killer in the game, which celebrates its tenth anniversary. The article also touches on the history of Illfonic's Friday the 13th: The Game and its premature shutdown due to licensing issues.
Embracer Group Will “Actively” Explore External Partnerships for Deus Ex, Legacy of Kain, Thief and More
Embracer Group is exploring external partnerships and licensing opportunities for its older intellectual properties, including Deus Ex, Legacy of Kain, and Thief. This move is part of a larger strategy involving the spin-off of its development arm into Fellowship Entertainment. The company aims to leverage these IPs through collaborations with game developers, as well as TV and movie producers.
Is the World Cup Coming to FC 26? - Licensing & Leaks Explained
Despite the split with FIFA, FC 26 is rumored to receive a dedicated summer content update called "The World's Game" to celebrate the upcoming World Cup. This update is expected to include licensed national teams like Brazil, Canada, and Uruguay, with Neymar confirmed to return. While the official FIFA branding will be absent, EA Sports is still planning to incorporate the tournament's spirit into the game.
LEGO 2K Drive Is Being Delisted From Digital Storefronts Next Week
LEGO 2K Drive will be delisted from digital storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Network, and Xbox, on May 19, 2026. Online servers will remain active until May 31, 2027. The reason for the delisting is not officially confirmed, but it is suspected to be due to expiring licenses for in-game content.
Devsisters to Debut Breakout Global IP CookieRun at Licensing Expo with Standalone Booth
Devsisters is debuting its global IP CookieRun at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas to secure partnerships in lifestyle categories such as toys, fashion, and food. The franchise has surpassed 300 million players and $1 billion in revenue, with the U.S. as its largest market. CookieRun: Kingdom was a trending topic on YouTube in 2025, and the brand is expanding with a trading card game and an upcoming open-world title, CookieRun: NewWorld, for PC and console.
EA SPORTS FC Locks In Major Brazil Deal As Seleção Returns
Electronic Arts has announced a new multi-year partnership with the Brazilian Football Confederation, bringing the national team, Seleção, back into EA SPORTS FC 26 and EA SPORTS FC Mobile. This deal aims to enhance authenticity and deepen the connection with Brazilian football fans through joint marketing and collaborative content creation.
Bunch of PS5, PS4 Games Delisted From PS Store Without Notice
Several PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 games, including EA Sports College Football 25 and Cars 3: Driven to Win, have been delisted from the PlayStation Store without prior notice. The reasons for these removals are speculated to be expiring licenses or other platform-specific issues, impacting games from major publishers like Electronic Arts and indie titles alike.
Despite live-action Bond's reported toils, 007: First Light dev says working with Amazon MGM has actually been "surprisingly straightforward"
Rasmus Poulsen, art director at IO Interactive, stated that working with Amazon MGM on the upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light, has been surprisingly straightforward. Despite reported difficulties with the live-action Bond license, Poulsen highlighted that clear intentions and thorough research made discussions with partners easy. The studio is focused on delivering a fresh take on the character for gamers, with the game set to feature a younger, rookie Bond.
Sony clarifies the controversial new DRM for PlayStation games
Sony Interactive Entertainment has clarified the controversial new Digital Rights Management (DRM) system for PlayStation games. A spokesperson stated that a one-time check is required to confirm the license for games on the PlayStation 5.
PlayStation triggers game preservation alarm bells as users find new PS5 and PS4 digital purchases have a 30-day lockout timer: "This can screw customers now AND in the future"
Sony has reportedly introduced a 30-day lockout timer for new digital PS5 and PS4 game purchases, requiring users to connect to the internet periodically to verify licenses. This change has sparked significant concern among players and preservation advocates regarding long-term game ownership and accessibility, especially in the event of server shutdowns. While Sony has not officially commented, some reports suggest it may be an intentional 'technical feature' or a result of an exploit fix.
Forza Horizon 4 Players Left Stranded After Steam Delisting Catches Them Off Guard
Forza Horizon 4 has been delisted from digital storefronts including Steam and Xbox Store due to expired music licensing deals, leaving players unable to purchase it legally. While Microsoft had announced the December 15th deadline and offered a sale, many players were caught off guard. This situation highlights the challenges of digital game preservation when licenses expire, making it difficult for new players to access older titles.
City Connection Co., Ltd. Opens Legendary Jaleco and Irem Libraries for Global Licensing Partnerships
City Connection Co., Ltd., the exclusive worldwide rights holder for the Jaleco and Irem game libraries, is launching a global licensing initiative. The company will attend Licensing Expo 2026 to seek partners for game development, merchandise, and cross-media collaborations, aiming to revitalize classic titles like R-TYPE, Ninja Spirit, and Bases Loaded. President Nobuhiro Yoshikawa expressed enthusiasm for working with partners passionate about gaming heritage.
League costreamers want paid licenses to break free from broadcast chains
A debate is intensifying within the League of Legends esports scene regarding costreaming policies, with a proposal suggesting costreamers pay for licenses to gain full creative freedom. This model aims to resolve tensions between official broadcasts and independent creators by offering a tiered system that compensates Riot Games for its production value while allowing popular streamers unrestricted content.
Lana Del Rey to Sing Title Track for New James Bond Game 007: First Light
Pop icon Lana Del Rey has been confirmed to perform the title track for the upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light. This collaboration highlights a trend of developers leveraging A-list talent to create premium gaming experiences. The game is set to be a PlayStation 5 exclusive, with Del Rey's atmospheric musical style expected to enhance the cinematic spy thriller atmosphere.
SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) ban AI / LLM code contributions
The Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) library has officially banned the use of AI, including Large Language Models like ChatGPT and Copilot, for generating code contributions. While AI can be used to identify issues, human authorship is required for solutions to ensure code compatibility and prevent the introduction of licensing conflicts or inaccurate problem reporting.
Star Trek: Resurgence Will Likely Be Delisted Very Soon
Publisher Brunerhouse has announced that Star Trek: Resurgence will be delisted from digital storefronts due to a license expiration. While the exact date is unconfirmed, the game is still available for purchase on the Nintendo Switch eShop and PC via Steam. Existing owners will retain access to the game.
