Patch Notes #33 - weekly gaming digest
Welcome to the 33rd edition of Patch Notes, let’s get this bad boy going.
This edition will cover the week from July 21 to July 27.
What caught my attention this week
I’m not a big pewpew fan, but hey, Battlefield 6 was revealed. Enjoy :)
TLDR
"The age of gameplay mechanics has already passed", says ICO, Shadow of the Colossus director
Still Wakes the Deep studio, The Chinese Room, goes independent to continue focus on original projects
Ubisoft addresses the Stop Killing Games movement
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora update brings third-person and New Game Plus modes
Ubisoft CEO blames Star Wars brand trouble for disappointing Outlaws sales
CoD: Black Ops 7 continues franchise's obsession with weed
A jaw-dropping mod to remake part of Fallout 1 in Doom has resurfaced after 3 years of silence
Assassin's Creed: Shadows might be coming to Nintendo Switch 2
Borderlands 4 is coming to Switch 2 sooner than expected
Nintendo announces new Pokémon Legends Z-A Switch 2 bundle after Pokémon Presents
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Heroes will make its playable debut at Evo 2025
Supermassive Games delays sci-fi horror Directive 8020 following layoffs
Pokémon Legends Z-A’s latest Switch 2 gameplay debuts Mega Dragonite
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC
Pokémon meets Shaun the Sheep in stop-motion animated series, The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu
Fate/EXTRA Record delayed to spring 2026
Rematch reaches five million players one month after launch
How to build online communities that run themselves
Sandsoft clarifies the impact of layoffs in internal studios
The Final Fantasy Tactics remake is a full rebuild because the original code was overwritten.
Father of The Elder Scrolls and OnceLost Games' co-founder Julian Lefay dies aged 59
After exhaustive testing, we're confident Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom's Switch 2 Editions are technically exceptional and essential
Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.3 - The Promise of Tomorrow launches on August 5
Sony Strikes 'Strategic Partnership' With Elden Ring Publisher Bandai Namco, Acquires 2.5% Stake
Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy Only Needed One Day To Become The Highest-Selling Set Ever
Epic's Plan To Get Fortnite Back On iOS Has Hit A Snag In The UK
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Clocks Up 114,000+ Concurrent Player Peak On Launch Day, But Reports Of Poor Performance Dominate Player Reviews
PwC projects U.S. game revenues will grow from $62.8B in 2024 to $87.4B by 2029
1047 Games sends Splitgate 2 "back to beta," announces new round of layoffs
Deltarune topped Switch 2 digital charts in June, while Mario Kart World dominated in active players
Microsoft has reversed plans to charge $80 for The Outer Worlds 2
Nintendo taps into nostalgia with 1980s-inspired Lego Game Boy trailer
Rainbow Six Siege underperforms following "pricing exploit", according to Ubisoft
Itch.io deindexing adult content to appease payment providers
Tabletop Crowdfunding Platform Gamefound Acquires Indiegogo, Paving the Way for More Board Games
Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton acquires Last Epoch developer Eleventh Hour Games
With release news expected soon, Metroid Prime 4 has been rated
Where Winds Meet gets a new behind-the-scenes video from the Beijing motion capture studio
Elden Ring Nightreign’s 2-player mode is coming next week
Riot Games addresses VALORANT Unreal Engine 5 concerns
Is Smash esports bad for the FGC?
Frostpunk 2 for PS5, Xbox Series launches September 18
Here's how every Ys game runs on Switch 2 – Ys VIII, Ys IX, Ys Origin, Celceta, Felghana, and X Nordics tested
Sword of Convallaria For This World of Peace expansion revealed, anniversary update detailed.
The Elder Scrolls' weird relationship with expansions began a full decade before the horse armour DLC, in the form of a 16-quest addon to Daggerfall, exclusive to one US retailer
Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4: Battle Pass, Theme, And Everything Else We Know
Wolfenstein is the next game series to get an adaptation for TV
Team Fortress 2 gets a boost on Steam charts with summer update, including a slew of community creations
Biggest news of the week
Still Wakes the Deep studio The Chinese Room goes independent to continue focus on original projects. Eurogamer
The Chinese Room, acclaimed for Still Wakes the Deep, has gone independent following a management buyout from Sumo Digital, which had owned the studio since 2018. This move allows the team to refocus on developing original games, including Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 and two new projects. However, the transition came with layoffs, reducing the studio’s headcount to 55. No further layoffs are planned, and director Ed Daly emphasized a renewed commitment to creative freedom and selective collaboration with other studios.
Ubisoft addresses the Stop Killing Games movement. Gamespot
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed growing concerns from the Stop Killing Games movement, sparked by the shutdown of The Crew’s servers and a resulting lawsuit. Guillemot stated that game services aren’t eternal and that publishers must eventually discontinue support, though efforts are being made to minimise player impact. The movement, led by YouTuber Ross Scott, advocates for preserving access to purchased games, while industry groups argue that such proposals would restrict developer freedom and increase costs. Ubisoft’s stance reflects a broader industry challenge as other titles like Anthem and Concord also face early shutdowns.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora update brings third-person and New Game Plus modes. IGN
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is set to receive a major free update on December 5, coinciding with its third anniversary and the upcoming film Avatar: Fire and Ash. The update introduces two highly requested features: an optional third-person mode, complete with reworked animations, controls, and camera systems, and a New Game+ mode that allows players to replay the campaign with retained inventory and skills. New Game+ also adds tougher enemies, stronger gear, and a fresh skill tree. Previous updates included story expansions and performance improvements, continuing Massive Entertainment’s commitment to evolving the game world.
Ubisoft CEO blames Star Wars brand trouble for disappointing Outlaws sales. Gamespot
Despite positive reviews, Star Wars Outlaws failed to meet Ubisoft’s commercial expectations, prompting CEO Yves Guillemot to cite the franchise’s shaky reputation at the time - including backlash to Rise of Skywalker, The Acolyte, and The Book of Boba Fett - as a key factor. Guillemot acknowledged technical flaws and pacing issues also hurt the game’s reception, though post-launch updates and DLC expansions have aimed to improve its standing. With no clear plans to revisit the Star Wars universe, Ubisoft now shifts its focus to its internal IP division, while other studios continue to develop new Star Wars titles.
CoD: Black Ops 7 Continues Franchise's Obsession With Weed. Gamespot
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 continues the franchise’s long-running embrace of marijuana-themed content, as confirmed by its ESRB rating. The game features weapons adorned with cannabis paraphernalia and execution animations involving bong use, likely tied to cosmetic DLC. This follows previous weed-centric bundles, such as Cheech and Chong in Modern Warfare 3 and the 4/20-themed Blazetown map in Black Ops 6. Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, Black Ops 7 also includes a campaign centred on stopping a tech mogul’s rise to power, with intense violence and graphic combat earning it an M rating.
A jaw-dropping mod to remake part of Fallout 1 in Doom has resurfaced after 3 years of silence. PCGamer
Fallout: Bakersfield, a fan-made mod that reimagines Fallout 1’s Necropolis as a first-person shooter in the GZDoom engine, has resurfaced with a new trailer after three years of silence. Created by Alexander “Red888guns” Berezin, the project showcases stunning retro-inspired visuals and a faithful recreation of the original game’s atmosphere. The mod blends Fallout’s 2D aesthetic with Doom’s fast-paced FPS mechanics, complete with a hybrid UI and classic weapons. Currently 60% complete, Bakersfield remains a non-commercial tribute to the Fallout legacy, with a teased release window possibly landing in 2027.
Assassin's Creed: Shadows might be coming to Nintendo Switch 2. IGN
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows may be headed to Nintendo Switch 2, based on a series of suggestive comments from Ubisoft executives during a recent earnings call. CEO Yves Guillemot and CFO Frederick Duguet hinted at “new versions” of the game coming to “other machines.” At the same time, Duguet specifically mentioned an unannounced title launching on Switch 2 this fiscal year. Though neither confirmed the port outright, the remarks—combined with a prior PEGI rating listing—strongly suggest a Switch 2 release is in the works. The game is currently available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac, GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna.
Borderlands 4 is coming to Switch 2 sooner than expected. VG Chronicles
Borderlands 4 will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 3, just three weeks after its release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on September 12, according to Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. This is a notable shift from the previously vague “before the end of the year” window. The game will be available in three editions: a $70 Standard Edition, a $130 Super Deluxe Edition with bonus content, and a $150 Collector’s Edition that excludes the game itself. Early impressions praise the refined gunplay and suggest the sequel is a strong return for fans of the franchise.
Nintendo announces new Pokémon Legends Z-A Switch 2 bundle after Pokémon Presents. IGN
Pokémon Legends Z-A is getting a Nintendo Switch 2 bundle, launching October 16 alongside the game. Priced at $499.99, the package includes a standard Switch 2 console and a digital download code for the game, mirroring the earlier Mario Kart World bundle. While the console itself isn’t a special edition, the Switch 2 version of Z-A boasts improved frame rates and sharper visuals. Preorders are live at major retailers like Target, Best Buy, GameStop, and the Nintendo Store. Players who already own the original Switch can upgrade via a separate pack.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Heroes will make its playable debut at Evo 2025. GameSpot
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, the anime-styled 4v4 tag-team fighter from Arc System Works, will make its playable debut at Evo 2025 in Las Vegas from August 1–3. Attendees can try out a demo featuring six Marvel characters—Captain America, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, Storm, Star-Lord, and Doctor Doom—and receive a commemorative pin. A Developer Combat Panel will be livestreamed on August 1 at 8 PM PT, offering deeper insight into the game’s mechanics. The full release is slated for 2026 on PS5 and PC.
Supermassive Games delays sci-fi horror Directive 8020 following layoffs. EuroGamer
Directive 8020, the next entry in Supermassive Games’ Dark Pictures Anthology, has been delayed to the first half of 2026 following layoffs affecting up to 36 employees. The studio cited industry-wide challenges and restructuring as reasons for the delay, but emphasised its commitment to delivering a high-quality sci-fi horror experience starring Lashana Lynch. Despite the setback, development on Little Nightmares 3 remains unaffected and on track for its October release.
Pokémon Legends Z-A’s latest Switch 2 gameplay debuts Mega Dragonite. VG Chronicles
Pokémon Legends Z-A has unveiled new gameplay footage for Nintendo Switch 2, spotlighting the debut of Mega Dragonite, the first new Mega Evolution in over a decade. Set in Lumiose City, players join Team MZ—a group of NPC allies including fashion designer Naveen and dancer Lida—to maintain peace and tackle Rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon, which act as raid-style bosses. The game also features photo ops with your Pokémon, city exploration, and returning side missions from Legends: Arceus. Launching October 16, the Switch 2 version boasts sharper visuals and smoother performance.
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC. Gematsu
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is a newly announced single-player survival horror game from Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games, coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Set in the twisted Hellraiser universe, players take on the role of Aidan, who must wield the powers of the Genesis Configuration puzzle box to rescue his girlfriend, Sunny, from the nightmarish Labyrinth. The game promises brutal first-person combat, grotesque enemies, and a story steeped in pain and pleasure, with Barker himself guiding the narrative. No release date has been confirmed yet.
Pokémon meets Shaun the Sheep in stop-motion animated series, The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu. EuroGamer
Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d and Pichu is a charming new stop-motion animated series from Aardman—the studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep—set to debut in 2027. Revealed during the latest Pokémon Presents broadcast, the show stars Sirfetch’d and Pichu as its mischievous leads, alongside a delightfully unfazed Wooloo. Set in the UK-inspired Galar region, the series promises a whimsical, Pokémon-centric perspective with Aardman’s signature humour and handcrafted animation style.
Fate/EXTRA Record delayed to spring 2026. Gematsu
Fate/EXTRA Record, the complete remake of the original PSP game, has been delayed to spring 2026 to ensure higher quality and full voice acting across all characters. Director Kazuya Nino apologised for the extended timeline, noting it’s his first fully voiced project. In Japan, the game will launch on PS5, PS4, Switch, and PC, with multiple physical and digital editions offering extras like soundtracks, art books, and special costumes. Preorders will include bonus cosmetic content.
Rematch reaches five million players one month after launch. GamesIndustry
Rematch, Sloclap’s online football game, has hit five million unique players just one month after its June 19 launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It blends fast-paced 5v5 matches with a third-person perspective and samurai-inspired mechanics, offering a fresh alternative to traditional football titles. Despite its success, Sloclap is still addressing technical issues and missing features. Crossplay and player reporting are expected within six to eight weeks, alongside the rollout of a ranked queue in the coming months.
How to build online communities that run themselves. GamesIndustry
At Develop:Brighton, Playstack’s Emma Smith-Bodie outlined how to build online game communities that eventually sustain themselves. The key is establishing clear rules, a respectful tone, and aligned personalities early on. Communities thrive when players feel invested—sharing updates, generating their own content, and moderating fairly. Engagement tactics like themed channels, polls, and fan contests help spark conversation, while transparency and thoughtful moderation prevent dominant voices from monopolising the space. Eventually, letting go becomes essential so the community can flourish independently.
Sandsoft clarifies the impact of layoffs in internal studios. GamesIndustry
At a time when the games industry continues to reel from mass layoffs, Sandsoft has confirmed a strategic shift that closed its internal studios in Barcelona and Riyadh. While initial reports suggested up to 65 staff were affected, the publisher later clarified that 21 developers were directly impacted. With a renewed focus on publishing—an area they say shows the most sustainable growth—the company joins a growing number of studios shifting their focus away from in-house development. The decision follows a wave of restructuring across the industry in 2025, with over 4,000 jobs lost so far.
The Final Fantasy Tactics remake is a complete rebuild ‘because the original code was overwritten’. VG Chronicles
Square Enix has revealed that Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles had to be rebuilt entirely, as the original 1997 game’s source code was lost due to outdated development practices. Directed by Kazutoyo Maehiro, who worked on the original, the remake includes both a classic and an enhanced version. Maehiro explained that using emulation was considered but ultimately discarded to refine the gameplay for modern standards. Set to release on September 30 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the tactical RPG returns with its political themes still resonating decades later.
"Father of The Elder Scrolls" and OnceLost Games' co-founder Julian Lefay dies aged 59. GamesIndustry
Julian Lefay, the pioneering developer hailed as the “Father of The Elder Scrolls,” has passed away at 59. Renowned for shaping the foundations of open-world RPGs through his work on The Elder Scrolls: Arena and Daggerfall, Lefay helped define a generation of expansive gameplay. Until recently, he served as co-founder and technical director at OnceLost Games, where he remained deeply involved in developing The Wayward Realms despite battling cancer. OnceLost called him “a visionary who fundamentally shaped the gaming industry,” while Bethesda founder Christopher Weaver remembered him as “truly one of a kind.” Lefay’s daughter, Shae, encouraged fans to continue supporting The Wayward Realms Kickstarter and donate to Ukrainian relief efforts—two causes close to his heart.
After exhaustive testing, we're confident Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom's Switch 2 Editions are technically exceptional and essential. EuroGamer
Digital Foundry has highlighted how The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom benefit from the Switch 2’s enhanced hardware, delivering higher resolutions, faster load times, and a steady 60fps - breathing (haha) new life into Hyrule for both veterans and newcomers. Rather than implementing drastic changes like DLSS or a complete overhaul, Nintendo opts for a more refined approach that preserves the original experience. The $10 upgrade path reflects a growing trend in legacy game preservation - offering meaningful enhancements while honouring the titles’ core identity.
(Note: I’ve been playing a lot of TOTK, can confirm lol)
Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.3 - The Promise of Tomorrow launches on August 5. RPG Site
Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Patch 7.3, titled The Promise of Tomorrow, will launch on August 5 across all platforms. The update includes a new Alliance Raid—Echoes of Vana’diel: San d'Oria: The Second Walk—a new dungeon (The Meso Terminal), a new trial, Unreal content, and a new Deep Dungeon. Players can also expect new mounts, minions, PvP gear, and quality-of-life features like chat bubbles. The patch continues the Dawntrail main scenario and expands on weapon and tool enhancement quests, adding more to explore both in battle and beyond.
Sony Strikes 'Strategic Partnership' With Elden Ring Publisher Bandai Namco, Acquires 2.5% Stake. IGN
Sony has acquired a 2.5% stake in Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco, marking a strategic expansion of their long-standing collaboration across games, anime, and music. The move aims to deepen global engagement with Bandai Namco’s IP through co-created content spanning video, merchandise, and live events. While not directly tied to Elden Ring, the deal strengthens Sony’s growing influence around the franchise- especially as it already holds a significant stake in FromSoftware’s parent company and an Elden Ring movie is in development. The partnership signals a broader push to build an emotionally connected, cross-media fan ecosystem.
Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy Only Needed One Day To Become The Highest-Selling Set Ever. GameSpot
Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy has shattered records to become the best-selling MTG set of all time, raking in $200 million in just one day—surpassing The Lord of the Rings set, which took six months to hit the same mark. Hasbro revealed that despite increasing production four times before release, demand still far exceeded supply, leaving most retailers sold out. The company has confirmed that more stock is on the way, and with upcoming sets like Edge of Eternities (August 1), Marvel’s Spider-Man (September 12), and Avatar: The Last Airbender (November 21), it’s shaping up to be a massive year for MTG fans.
Epic's Plan To Get Fortnite Back On iOS Has Hit A Snag In The UK. GameSpot
Epic’s effort to bring Fortnite back to iOS in the UK has stalled, despite successful relaunches in the US and Europe. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has pushed store competition off the agenda until 2026, leaving developers without a clear path forward. Epic points to Europe’s Digital Markets Act as a more effective model—one that has already opened the door to alternative app stores. While the company continues to push for regulatory change, it’s also expanding globally, with the Epic Games Store set to launch in Brazil and Japan later this year.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Clocks Up 114,000+ Concurrent Player Peak On Launch Day, But Reports Of Poor Performance Dominate Player Reviews. IGN
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers launched on July 24 to a strong start, hitting over 114,000 concurrent players on Steam, making it one of the most-played non-FromSoftware Soulslikes at launch. Despite this, the game is facing harsh criticism for major performance issues, with only 21% of over 6,500 Steam reviews currently positive. Players cite poor optimisation, clunky combat, and an underwhelming protagonist. Still, some report a smooth experience and praise the game’s level design and combat. Available now on PS5, Xbox Series, PC, and Game Pass, Wuchang’s rocky debut shows promise—but needs urgent technical fixes.
PwC projects U.S. game revenues will grow from $62.8B in 2024 to $87.4B by 2029. GamesBeat
PwC projects U.S. video game and esports revenue to grow from $62.8 billion in 2024 to $87.4 billion by 2029, fueled by surging in-app advertising, the dominance of mobile and casual titles like Roblox and Candy Crush, and blockbuster releases such as Grand Theft Auto VI, expected to launch in 2026 at a bold $100 price point (Note: no one knows except Take Two).
While traditional console and PC gaming declined in 2024, it's set for a rebound with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 and high-profile sequels. Subscription services and mobile ad revenue are growing rapidly, with ads alone forecast to top $35 billion by 2029. AI is streamlining development and testing, potentially boosting efficiency by 30%. Despite recent layoffs and studio closures, PwC sees the market not in decline but in strategic recalibration - shifting from growth-at-all-costs to sustainable profitability, with publishers doubling down on franchises, LiveOps, and hyper-personalised engagement.
1047 Games sends Splitgate 2 "back to beta," announces new round of layoffs. GamesIndustry
Splitgate 2 has officially been pushed "back to beta" as developer 1047 Games admits it launched too early and is now rebuilding the game with a renewed focus on community feedback. Major changes are underway, including a reworked progression system, more portal mechanics, simplified monetisation, and a return to classic game modes. Unfortunately, this shift comes with a second round of layoffs—just a month after the first—to refocus resources. To help preserve jobs, the original Splitgate’s servers will shut down next month. Despite the setbacks, Chapter 3 of Splitgate 2 is still on track for release.
Deltarune topped Switch 2 digital charts in June, while Mario Kart World dominated in active players. VG Chronicles
"Deltarune was the best-selling digital game on Switch 2 in June, edging out Mario Kart World during the console’s launch month. According to Newzoo data from major regions such as the US, UK, Germany, and others, Deltarune led in digital sales—but once bundles and physical copies were factored in, Mario Kart World easily dominated overall. The racer also led in eShop revenue and monthly active users, beating out Fortnite to become the most-played game across both Switch generations. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also landed third in player count, highlighting the franchise’s ongoing momentum. Meanwhile, older titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild saw renewed interest thanks to Switch 2 upgrades. With 3.5 million units sold in four days, the Switch 2 is off to Nintendo’s fastest start ever.
Microsoft has reversed plans to charge $80 for The Outer Worlds 2. VG Chronicles
Microsoft has reversed its decision to charge $80 for The Outer Worlds 2, bringing the price back down to the current-gen standard of $70. The Obsidian-developed RPG, launching October 29 for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC (and available day one on Game Pass), was originally announced as Microsoft’s first $80 title. However, after feedback from fans, the company decided to stick with the $69.99 price tag. Obsidian cheekily acknowledged the move on social media, joking that while it won’t bring peace to the galaxy, it’s at least a win for gamers. It's still unclear if this rollback will apply to future Xbox first-party titles or if The Outer Worlds 2 is just a one-off exception.
Nintendo taps into nostalgia with 1980s-inspired Lego Game Boy trailer. EuroGamer
Nintendo’s latest Lego collab takes fans back to the '80s with a trailer that recreates its iconic 1989 Game Boy “Robot” ad—now with a brick twist. The Lego Game Boy is a near 1:1 replica of the original handheld, featuring a D-pad, buttons, and buildable cartridges for Super Mario Land and Link’s Awakening. With 421 pieces and multiple screen display options, the set is priced at £54.99 and launches on October 1. Pre-orders are open now—brick power is officially in your hands.
Rainbow Six Siege underperforms following "pricing exploit", according to Ubisoft. EuroGamer
Ubisoft reports Rainbow Six Siege has underperformed this quarter, citing a “pricing exploit” that lets players inflate their in-game currency using prepaid cards. Despite strong player engagement and positive feedback on Siege X, the exploit disrupted spending patterns, contributing to a 2.2% year-over-year revenue drop. Ubisoft says the issue is now resolved and remains optimistic about the game’s long-term potential. Meanwhile, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is thriving, surpassing five million players since launch.
Itch.io is deindexing adult content to appease payment providers. Game Developer
Indie game platform Itch.io has removed adult content from its browse and search features following pressure from payment providers. The move comes after criticism from the Collective Shout campaign, which accused payment processors like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal of enabling explicit games across platforms. Itch founder Leaf Corcoran confirmed the change stemmed from controversy over the banned game No Mercy. The company apologised for the sudden shift, acknowledging the frustration it caused creators and users alike.
Tabletop Crowdfunding Platform Gamefound Acquires Indiegogo, Paving the Way for More Board Games. IGN
Gamefound, the popular crowdfunding platform for board games, has officially acquired Indiegogo, a major player in the global crowdfunding space. With this move, Gamefound plans to integrate its advanced tools - such as expanded payment options, a mobile app, and improved pledge management - into Indiegogo, while adopting a flat 5% fee structure. Both platforms will continue to operate separately for now, but Gamefound campaigns will soon be visible on Indiegogo, giving creators access to a broader audience. This is a significant boost for the board game industry, particularly for smaller creators, as it offers increased visibility, lower fees, and a genuine alternative to Kickstarter.
Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton acquires Last Epoch developer Eleventh Hour Games. Game Developer
Krafton, the publisher behind PUBG and Subnautica, has fully acquired Eleventh Hour Games, makers of the hit ARPG Last Epoch. The $96M deal allows Eleventh Hour to retain complete creative control while gaining access to Krafton’s publishing and live-service support. Studio founder Judd Cobler says the partnership will help them expand their team and realise their ambitious vision for the title. This move is part of Krafton’s aggressive investment strategy, following acquisitions such as Tango Gameworks and its ongoing legal battle related to Subnautica 2.
With release news expected soon, Metroid Prime 4 has been rated. VG Chronicles
The long-awaited Metroid Prime 4 has been rated by South Korea’s game board, suggesting an official release date might be announced soon. Nintendo still lists the game for a 2025 launch on Switch, with an enhanced Switch 2 version expected. Rumours of an upcoming Nintendo Direct further hint at a reveal. In Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Samus gains mysterious psychic powers while stranded on a new planet — raising the stakes for this iconic sci-fi series.
Where Winds Meet gets a new behind-the-scenes video from the Beijing motion capture studio. RPG Site
NetEase and Everstone Studio have released new behind-the-scenes footage for Where Winds Meet, offering a closer look at its motion capture process at the Beijing studio. The video highlights choreography and scene development, underscoring the project’s production scale. Recent uploads confirm the title as a timed PS5 console exclusive, with a broader release on PC and mobile planned for 2025. The exclusivity period will keep it off other consoles for at least six months post-launch, reflecting a growing trend of platform-specific rollouts tied to major marketing pushes.
Elden Ring Nightreign’s 2-player mode is coming next week. VG Chronicles
FromSoftware has announced that Elden Ring: Nightreign will receive a two-player mode as part of patch 1.02, scheduled for release on July 30. The update will also introduce user interface improvements, including expanded Relics filtering options. While Nightreign launched to mixed player feedback, it has seen commercial success, with over 5 million units sold since release and a peak of 313,000 concurrent players on Steam—second only to the original Elden Ring in the studio’s history.
Riot Games addresses concerns about VALORANT and Unreal Engine 5. Esports Insider
Riot Games has responded to community concerns ahead of VALORANT’s upcoming Unreal Engine 5 upgrade, assuring players that performance won’t be compromised. With patch 11.02 launching on July 29, the studio says players "won’t even notice" the switch - except that the game might run slightly faster. Tech Lead Marcus Reid emphasised that gameplay elements, such as lineups, gunplay, and overall feel, will remain untouched. While the update will be a larger download, Riot says VALORANT’s total file size will be cut in half. Nvidia has already released a new Game Ready driver for the UE5 version, which also retains support for Nvidia Reflex. The engine upgrade is part of VALORANT’s 5th anniversary plans, alongside a new Replay system set to arrive in patch 11.06 this September.
Is Smash esports bad for the FGC? Esports Insider
Super Smash Bros. might be out of Evo, but the scene isn’t slowing down. Despite Nintendo pulling official support and no longer featuring at major events like Evo, the grassroots Smash community continues to thrive. Tournaments like Super Smash Con, The Big House, and Collision continue to draw loyal fans and top talent—run entirely by passionate organisers who prioritise community over cash. Without developer backing, Smash has carved out a unique lane in the fighting game scene, fueled by nostalgia, rivalry, and die-hard dedication. It’s rougher around the edges, but it’s still punching above its weight-and it’s not going anywhere.
Frostpunk 2 for PS5 and Xbox Series X | S launches on September 18. Gematsu
Frostpunk 2 is bringing the cold to consoles this fall, launching on September 18 for PS5 and Xbox Series, and arriving on Game Pass day one. Originally released on PC in 2024, this grim city-builder sequel features a newly revamped radial interface, tailored for gamepads, allowing players to manage the icy politics of New London with ease. 11 bit studios promises intuitive controls, drawing from lessons learned in the first game’s console port. Two physical editions—Icebreaker and Whiteout—are also up for grabs, bundling collectables like an LED-lit shadow box, digital extras, and even faction patches for die-hard fans.
Here's how every Ys game runs on Switch 2 – Ys VIII, Ys IX, Ys Origin, Celceta, Felghana, and X Nordics tested. RPG Site
With Ys X: Nordics launching soon in Japan, fans revisiting older titles on Switch 2 are in for a pleasant surprise. Digital Foundry’s tests show Ys VIII and Ys IX benefit from faster load times, sharper image quality, and more stable performance - despite no official patches. The gains highlight Switch 2’s impressive backwards compatibility and may hint at even smoother experiences for upcoming Falcom releases.
Sword of Convallaria For This World of Peace expansion revealed, anniversary update detailed. RPG Site
XD Games has announced “For This World of Peace,” a significant expansion for Sword of Convallaria, alongside a feature-rich first anniversary update for mobile and PC. Highlights include a new Expedition system to unlock legendary characters and rare gear, the introduction of Rank 13 for deeper character growth, and long-awaited quality-of-life updates like a skip option for Crossing Worlds and enhanced battle stats. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian language support is also on the way. Players can look forward to new story content, events, and co-op gameplay as part of the game’s future roadmap.
The Elder Scrolls' weird relationship with expansions began a full decade before the horse armour DLC, in the form of a 16-quest addon to Daggerfall exclusive to one US retailer. PCGamer
Long before the infamous horse armor DLC, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall had its controversial expansion - 16 extra quests exclusive to US retailer CompUSA. Designed by a young Kurt Kuhlmann (later co-lead on Skyrim), the quests were substantial, featuring multi-part storylines and branching decisions. Though eventually released as a free patch, their initial exclusivity sparked backlash among fans, as revealed by Usenet archives. The situation highlights how debates over content access and publisher-retailer deals have been a part of gaming discourse for decades.
Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4: Battle Pass, Theme, And Everything Else We Know. GameSpot
Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 4 is gearing up for an exciting launch on August 8, 2025, bringing spooky vibes just in time for Fortnitemares. Though Epic Games hasn’t officially revealed many details, leaks suggest an alien invasion theme featuring “bug people,” possible returns of characters like Dr. Slone and Cube Queen, and a few new gameplay additions—like bug gauntlets and the return of mud mechanics. A Super Showdown live event, announced by James Gunn, is also set for August 2 to wrap up Season 3. Expect plenty of horror IP collabs and creepy content this October as Fortnitemares 2025 lands alongside the new season.
Wolfenstein is the next game series to receive a TV adaptation. EuroGamer
Amazon MGM Studios is developing a live-action Wolfenstein TV series, tapping into the video game’s enduring appeal with the tagline “the story of killing Nazis is evergreen.” Executive produced by Fallout creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, along with Patrick Somerville (Maniac, Station Eleven) as showrunner, the series aims to follow in the footsteps of Amazon’s wildly successful Fallout adaptation, which has already drawn over 100 million viewers and been renewed for multiple seasons. While plot details remain undisclosed, the project joins a growing slate of video game-based shows at Amazon, including Mass Effect, God of War, and Warhammer 40,000.
Team Fortress 2 gets a boost on Steam charts with summer update, including a slew of community creations. PCGamer
Team Fortress 2 proved it still had a fight left - 18 years post-launch - by jumping into Steam’s top 10 sellers following its July 24 summer update. The patch features 10 new maps, 23 items, 4 taunts, and 14 Unusual effects, all community-made. Despite concerns about Valve's support, the game is thriving, with even a rare Saturday hotfix (July 26) rolling back a nerf to the new Texan Trickshot taunt. This update sets the stage for bigger content drops on August 27 and around Halloween, and the current summer event runs through September 15. TF2’s enduring popularity shows it's not going anywhere anytime soon.
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