Industry Sees Layoffs, AI Integration, and Major Game Preorders
Major game studios like Zenimax and EA are experiencing layoffs amidst industry restructuring. Unreal Engine 6 is set to integrate generative AI tools, signaling a shift in development. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for Grand Theft Auto VI preorders, launching soon.
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Something for the Weekend – 11/07/26This week's news includes Microsoft confirming significant layoffs affecting multiple studios, Palworld's 1.0 launch with a large patch, and matchmaking issues for Black Ops players on PlayStation 4 and 5. God of War Laufey is slated for a 2027 release, and a petition to save physical games has garnered over 285,000 signatures.
Evening Reading - July 9, 2026This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and features, including reviews for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Digimon Story, discussions on 2XKO and Guilty Gear Strive, and mentions of Microsoft's potential new Quake game. It also touches on industry layoffs and includes personal anecdotes and internet content.- Morning MultiplexThis article rounds up recent gaming news, including an expedition readiness update for The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu and a new battle video for Ridiculous Space Battles from Cliffski's Blog. It also touches on generational differences in gaming.
Something for the Weekend – 04/07/26This week's gaming news includes Sony phasing out physical disc production by 2028 and closing PlayStation Store access for PS3 and Vita again. Xbox is reportedly testing a disc-to-digital feature. Several games received release date changes or confirmations, including Onimusha: Warlords and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Reviews were published for Rhythm Paradise Groove and WILL: Follow The Light, alongside previews for Fatekeeper, Witchspire, Dziady, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Splatoon Raiders.
Evening Reading - July 1, 2026This edition of Evening Reading covers several gaming news items, including patch notes for Mario Kart World, PlayStation's planned discontinuation of physical disc production in January 2028, and the reworking of the Endless Legend 2 dev roadmap. It also mentions Krafton's bonuses, Lethal Wedding hitting a Kickstarter goal, and a new Doom: The Dark Ages trailer. Additionally, the article touches on the shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita PlayStation Stores and a review of Rhythm Heaven Groove.- Evening Reading - July 30, 2026This article rounds up various gaming news items from July 30, 2026. Highlights include a live-action Persona adaptation for Netflix, a fall 2026 release window for Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2, and SECI Interactive warning of staffing decisions after Microsoft pulled out of publishing Project Fantasy. It also touches on esports events like EVO 2026 for 2XKO and mentions updates for games like Battlefield 6 and Turok: Origin.
- Evening MultiplexThis article features a medley of sea shanty reviews for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, a developer preview for CINDER CITY, and a launch trailer for Season 10 of The Crew Motorfest. It also mentions Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes.
- Evening Reading - June 23, 2026This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming industry happenings, including Tencent's reported exits from Japanese studios, EA layoffs, and new game announcements like Montabi and Tanuki: Pon's Summer. It also touches on the upcoming EVO 2026 fighting game tournament and reflections on Sonic's 35th birthday and the legacy of 3D graphics in gaming.
- Morning MultiplexThis article rounds up recent official trailers for several games, including Hollow Home, Liminal Backrooms, SNAP JAW, and THANKS, LIGHT. Liminal Backrooms is highlighted as a co-op horror game, and SNAP JAW is noted for its demo trailer.
Something for the Weekend – 20/06/26This week's gaming news highlights a turbulent period for Xbox, with reports of layoffs at Zenimax and uncertainty surrounding game studios. Grand Theft Auto VI preorders are set to go live on June 25th, while Unreal Engine 6 is integrating generative AI tools. Several games received reviews, including The Adventures of Elliot and Constance, and previews for Control Resonant and Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush were also featured.- Evening Reading - June 17, 2026This edition of Evening Reading covers several gaming news items including the launch of Pokemon Champions on mobile, Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions' early access, and Epic Games' stance on generative AI in Unreal Engine 6. It also notes the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 5's first new heist in years and the porting of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 to PlayStation consoles.
- NBA streetball, crafting with renewable energy and other new indie games worth checking outThis article highlights several new indie games, including one with NBA streetball elements and another that incorporates crafting with renewable energy. It also mentions upcoming titles from the developers of Mouthwashing and a game where players control a sentient guitar.
- Evening Reading - June 10, 2026This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including updates on Among Us Story: On Guard, Alien: Isolation 2, Pokemon Pokopia, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Saw: Genesis. It also mentions Steam discontinuing physical gift cards, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's statement on restructuring, and new game announcements for Minecraft Dungeons 2 and Resident Evil Veronica. Additionally, it highlights Bradley the Badger being published by Focus Entertainment, Geoff Keighley and Hideo Kojima reuniting at Summer Game Fest, and Floyd Norman receiving an honorary Oscar.
This week in PC games: some enormous space sims and strategy games, plus a cheery prop hunt where you paint your own camouflageThis week's PC game releases include the fantasy kingdom builder Atre: Dominance Wars and the puzzle platformer Rakeo on Monday. Tuesday brings the 3v3 basketball game NBA The Run, followed by the multiplayer camouflage game Meccha Chameleon and the mech-based looting game SAND: Raiders of Sophie on Wednesday. Thursday features the action roguelike 33 Immortals and the space trading game SpaceCraft, with the Astroneer spin-off Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions also launching in early access. Friday's releases include the bento-making game Don't Let It Starve.
The Sunday PapersThis article rounds up several gaming-related articles, including an analysis of the "Heroine's Journey" in the Like a Dragon series, a look at challenges faced by older gamers, insights into creating horrifying game audio for Saros, an investigation into Sony's use of conflict minerals, and tributes to the late Warhammer 40,000 artist John Blanche. It also briefly mentions a concertgoer who replaced a stricken performer and a rock band.- A musical puzzle box, Consume Me on iOS and other new indie games worth checking outThe article highlights new indie games available, including the musical puzzle game Consume Me for iOS. It also mentions a collection of demos available in anticipation of Steam Next Fest.
- Momen Dua Lipa dan Callum Turner Berdansa Mesra di Pesta PernikahanThe article mentions KPop Demon Hunters showing strong presence in the latter half of 2026 and the surprise release of all 10 episodes of the Among Us animated series. It also notes Backrooms becoming A24's highest-grossing film in North America.
- The Sunday PapersThis article rounds up various gaming-related articles and discussions. It includes pieces on the humor in Titanfall, the unique presentation of Angelique Special 2, and the complexities of trans segregation laws in the UK. Additionally, it touches upon political funding related to cryptocurrency and a lighthearted debate comparing dogs and cats in gaming contexts, specifically Half-Life 2's Dog versus Stray's Cat.
- Mina the Hollower, a Sims alternative and other new indie games worth checking outThis article rounds up new indie games, highlighting Mina the Hollower and a simulation game that serves as an alternative to The Sims. It provides a brief overview of several notable independent titles.
- Micro-grants for indies, another hardware price hike, and Valnet sinks to new lows - Patch Notes #54This week's Patch Notes covers micro-grants for indie developers, a potential hardware price increase, and the shutdown of Destruction AllStars. Additionally, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is set to receive a new expansion.