Video Game Industry
Ongoing coverage on Video Game Industry.
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What happens after GTA 6?
The article argues that the era of the Western blockbuster game, heavily reliant on pushing graphical fidelity and realism, is ending, with Grand Theft Auto 6 potentially being the last of its kind. It suggests that while GTA 6 will be a massive success, its focus on hyper-realism may not resonate as strongly with players as it once did, especially as hardware costs rise and other games find success through unique art styles and gameplay innovation. The author posits that future game development may shift towards more diverse and complex experiences rather than an endless pursuit of graphical realism.
12 years after being delisted, Wolfenstein 2009 could be getting a surprise remaster at QuakeCon 2026, fans speculate…
Fans are speculating that the 2009 Wolfenstein game could receive a remaster, with recent changes to its Steam page, including the removal of its release date and the addition of Steam Deck compatibility, fueling these theories. The game was delisted in 2014 due to licensing issues and has not been available digitally since, making a remaster a potential surprise reveal at QuakeCon. This speculation comes amidst reports of layoffs impacting id Software following Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media.
More EA layoffs expected as Saudi Arabia buyout is completed
Electronic Arts has completed its $55 billion acquisition by an investor consortium, including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, making it a private company. The deal, financed partly by a $20 billion loan, raises concerns about potential mass layoffs and increased microtransactions to offset the debt. The PIF now holds a majority stake, leading to discussions about potential censorship of inclusive titles like The Sims due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
EA have gone private, as Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner's investment groups complete their $55 billion acquisition
Electronic Arts (EA), publisher of franchises like EA Sports FC, Battlefield, The Sims, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age, has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners for $55 billion, making it a private company. The deal has raised concerns among unionized workers regarding potential layoffs and among LGBTQIA+ players about the future of diversity in EA's games, though some developers have expressed commitment to maintaining inclusivity.
There's no single-player video games in the top 20 most played PS5 games in July
Live service and sports games continue to dominate the most played lists on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with single-player titles absent from the top 20 in July. Fortnite remains the most popular game, with titles like Roblox, Minecraft, and annual sports sequels filling out the charts. Data from Circana analyst Mat Piscatella indicates a strong preference for ongoing multiplayer experiences over traditional offline games.
PlayStation and Xbox's most played games are, once again, exactly what you expect them to be
Analyst Mat Piscatella revealed that the most played games on PlayStation and Xbox remain dominated by long-running live service titles and annual sports games, with minimal changes year-over-year. Fortnite leads both platforms, followed by a familiar lineup including Roblox, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto 5, with minor variations between the console ecosystems.
Evening Reading - August 3, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Beast of Reincarnation and Marvel Rivals, updates on Gears of War: E-Day and Street Fighter 6, and announcements for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and Palworld Online. The article also touches on business news regarding GameStop stock and discusses physical video game media.
Sonic Team head talks about how SEGA wanted to beat Disney with Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka revealed that SEGA's original ambition for Sonic the Hedgehog was to surpass Disney in content and popularity. He stated that this competitive spirit drove the development team in the early 1990s and remains a long-term aspiration for the company. Iizuka also referenced Shigeru Miyamoto's past comments about Nintendo being compared to Disney.
UK software sales chart for the week ending August 1, 2026 – Splatoon Raiders holds on strong, physical Xenoblade 1 for Nintendo Switch 2 debuts
The latest UK software sales chart for the week ending August 1, 2026, shows Splatoon Raiders holding strong at number two. The physical release of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition debuted at number sixteen.
This week in PC games: Beast of Reincarnation, Big Walk, and Marvel Tōkon, plus a round table RPG, some flammable robots, and a flock of lovestruck pigeons
This week's PC game releases include a variety of genres such as the RTS Flow of War, the post-apocalyptic action RPG Beast of Reincarnation, and the multiplayer puzzle game Big Walk. Other notable titles include the roguelite Anomaly President, the turn-based RPG Cielle is Not Happy, and the tag-team fighter MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls.
Game Crossovers and Collaborations
This article analyzes the current state of the video game industry, suggesting it is facing significant challenges. It explores the potential implications of these industry shifts on Hollywood and its related media landscape.
EA Sports FC 26 may have almost 10 million daily active users, a far larger player count than public data may have you believe
A content creator claims an EA developer revealed that EA Sports FC 26 hit a peak of 9.8 million daily active users last month, significantly higher than publicly available Steam data suggests. This surge in players is attributed to the FIFA World Cup and in-game content, particularly in the Ultimate Team mode.
Another BioWare veteran steps forth to say a Dragon Age remaster isn't impossible, but that doesn't mean it will happen: "In no means a trivial exercise"
BioWare co-founder Trent Oster believes that remastering the original Dragon Age games is possible, though it would be a complex undertaking. However, Mark Darrah, who co-directed Dragon Age: Origins, expressed skepticism, citing a lack of current BioWare staff familiar with the old engine and publisher Electronic Arts' tendency to keep IPs dormant.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Series Sales Are “Several Times Better” Than Expected Since Revelation Reveal
Director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that sales for Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth have significantly exceeded expectations, especially following the recent reveal of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation. The PC platform, particularly in English-speaking and Simplified Chinese markets, has shown strong performance for the trilogy. Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Electronic Arts’ CEO pockets $38M bonus thanks to Battlefield 6, whose actual devs saw layoffs
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received a $38.7 million bonus for the 2026 fiscal year, attributed to the sales success of Battlefield 6. This occurred in the same year that saw layoffs for some developers working on the game. The report also mentions potential privatization of the company.
Bethesda’s New Logo Looks Like It Actually Belongs To A Video Game Company
Bethesda Softworks has unveiled a new, cyberpunk-inspired logo to celebrate its 40th anniversary in the video game industry. This marks a significant departure from its previous logos, aiming for a more distinct brand identity. The company is also focusing on upcoming titles like Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls 6.
"Dragon Age: Origins wasn’t the most attractive game": BioWare's old series producer still thinks a DA remaster trilogy is worth it, but the knowhow isn't there
Former Dragon Age producer Mark Darrah believes a remaster trilogy of the original games would sell well, but acknowledges the technical challenges. He cites the proprietary Eclipse and Lycium engines used in the early titles, contrasting them with the more industry-standard Unreal Engine used for Mass Effect. Darrah also notes that expertise on these older BioWare engines is scarce within the company and externally, making such a project difficult to undertake.
Evening Reading - July 28, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading from July 28, 2026, covers several gaming news items including an apology from Xbox's CTO for outages, a release date for Nioh 3: Hell Rising DLC Vol. 1, and Atari's partnership for the 2026 Atari World Championships. It also touches on the end of the Marvel Tokon beta, layoffs at Double Fine Productions, and Guillermo del Toro's stance against AI in creative work.
BioWare Lost The Knowledge Needed To Remaster Dragon Age, Former Producer Says
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah stated that a remaster of the Dragon Age trilogy is unlikely because the studio has lost the necessary institutional knowledge to work with the original games' engines. Unlike the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, which benefited from the common Unreal Engine 3, the Dragon Age games utilized proprietary engines for which few, if any, developers at BioWare remain knowledgeable. This comes amidst reports of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's poor commercial performance and potential future sale of BioWare by Electronic Arts.
Sony May Have the Data on Its Side, but It’s Still Losing the Digital-Only Argument
Sony's decision to move to digital-only games by 2028 has faced significant backlash, with consumers concerned about game preservation and the loss of physical media. Despite this, the company has remained largely silent, possibly anticipating the reaction and relying on declining physical sales data. The article questions the long-term viability of an all-digital future, citing potential issues with online infrastructure and the importance of physical media for certain markets and consumer preferences.
