Patch Notes #37 - weekly gaming digest
Welcome to the 37th edition of Patch Notes, let’s get this bad boy going.
This edition will cover the week from 18 August to 24 August.
What caught my attention this week
Midnight was revealed at the Gamescom!
Some of my favourite old-world zones are being rebuilt/updated? Blood Elves? Tons of new content? Saying that I am hyped would be the understatement of the year.
TLDR
Pokémon Champions confirmed for Pokémon World Championships 2026, set to launch next year
Street Fighter movie (sort of) gives us our first peek at Cody Rhodes' Guile
Bandai Namco is remastering another Tales game, and it sure looks like Tales of Xillia
Shenmue III Enhanced announced for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo (TBC)
Lost Soul Aside Arena Power trailer released
Puzzle & Dragons studio claims former executive embezzled $2.35 million of company funds
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree demo now available
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle heading to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026 | News-in-brief
Everything announced at Opening Night Live, Gamescom 2025
Ghost of Yotei is getting Legends multiplayer mode next year
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’s next story expansion features ‘136 million home combinations’
ZA/UM's next game is a "story-rich espionage RPG"
Monster Hunter Wilds is crossing over with Final Fantasy 14
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is coming in 2026 with gory zombie-killing and vehicular mayhem
Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War 4 announced, coming next year to PC
Wukong follow-up Black Myth: Zhong Kui revealed at Gamescom
Path of Exile 2's next major update lands next week, adding a new campaign act, a massive list of buffs, and—yes, finally—a way to trade while the other player is offline
Cloud Chamber lays off "unspecified" number of staff as Rod Fergusson is parachuted in to lead troubled Bioshock 4 production
Nexon launches investigation into claims that AI-generated The First Descendant ads were used on TikTok
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered International from Red Art Games launches December 9
Breakers: Unlock the World title changed to Limit Zero Breakers, launches in 2026 worldwide
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter adds Switch 2 version; ‘Prologue’ demo now available for PS5, Switch, and PC
Hollow Knight: Silksong is real, and I played it
Genshin Impact teases Flins and the next major region at Gamescom 2025
PUBG esports unveils 2025 global partner team skins
Biggest news of the week
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the No.1 new game of 2025 in Europe. The Game Business
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been named Europe’s best-selling new game of 2025, topping rivals like Split Fiction, Monster Hunter Wilds, Mario Kart World, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, according to GSD data shared ahead of Gamescom. While EA Sports FC 25 (released in 2024) remains the overall best-selling title, European game sales as of July 28 reached 71 million, down 6% year-over-year, with 74% of sales being digital. Spending held steadier than units sold due to higher average game prices, while Split Fiction became the top new IP at No.6 on the chart.
(note: people who wanted to boycott because the game was “woke” must be feeling good rn)
Pokémon Champions confirmed for Pokémon World Championships 2026, set to launch next year. VG Chronicles
Pokémon Champions has been confirmed as the official game of the Pokémon World Championships 2026, replacing Scarlet and Violet. Announced during Worlds 2025 in Anaheim, the battle-focused title is set to launch in 2026 on Switch 2, Switch, and mobile, with a free-to-start option and a paid console version. The game will feature Mega Evolutions such as Mega Dragonite and allow Pokémon transfers from Pokémon Home, with release expected early in the year ahead of the Championships on August 28–30, 2026.
Street Fighter movie (sort of) gives us our first peek at Cody Rhodes' Guile. IGN
The upcoming Street Fighter movie, set to release on March 20, 2026, has given fans their first look at Cody Rhodes as Guile, confirming his iconic flat-top hair and muscular build. Rhodes, a WWE Champion and King of the Ring, is joined by a star-studded cast including 50 Cent as Balrog, Jason Momoa as Blanka, Noah Centineo as Ken, Roman Reigns as Akuma, Andrew Koji as Ryu, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, and David Dastmalchian as M. Bison. The film adapts Capcom’s classic fighting game series, adding to the growing wave of video game adaptations alongside recent hits like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Last of Us, and Fallout.
Bandai Namco is remastering another Tales game, and it sure looks like Tales of Xillia. IGN
Tales of Xillia has been officially confirmed for a remaster, launching October 31, 2025 on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam. The updated version includes the original DLC and a new feature that lets players toggle enemy encounters on or off. Originally released in 2011 in Japan and 2013 elsewhere, the game follows Jude and Milla as they uncover a dangerous weapon and try to stop its use, and it later inspired a sequel. While welcomed by many, some fans are disappointed the remaster isn’t Tales of the Abyss, which remains highly requested as part of Bandai Namco’s ongoing Tales of Remastered Program.
Shenmue III Enhanced announced for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo (TBC). RPG Site
Shenmue III Enhanced has been announced by ININ Games and Yu Suzuki for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo (TBC), with a full reveal set for Gamescom 2025. Originally released in 2019 for PS4 and PC, this upgraded edition adds enhanced graphics, faster load times, DLSS/FSR support, increased NPC density, gameplay tweaks, camera options, and streamlined menus, with all major changes being optional to preserve the classic experience. Owners of the PS4 and PC versions will have an upgrade path, while the release will mark the first time the game comes to Xbox Series consoles.
Lost Soul Aside Arena Power trailer released. RPG Site
A new Arena Power trailer for Lost Soul Aside has been released by Sony Interactive Entertainment and Ultizero Games, highlighting abilities such as Arena Claws, Crystal Blast, Frost Blast, Mountain Break, and Purgatory Dance that enhance combat. The trailer follows a recent showcase of weapon switching and mechanics. Lost Soul Aside launches on August 29, 2025 for PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam), with PC availability in select regions including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Korea on August 30.
Puzzle & Dragons studio claims that a former executive embezzled $2.35 million of the company's funds. GamesIndustry
GungHo Online Entertainment, the developer of Puzzle & Dragons, claims that a former senior executive embezzled ¥346 million ($2.35 million). According to the company, the executive created fake work and outsourced orders over several years to misappropriate funds. An internal and external forensic investigation confirmed the misconduct, leading to the executive’s dismissal in July 2025. GungHo stated that the fraud was carried out independently and included attempts at cover-up. The studio is now cooperating with authorities and considering criminal charges, though it expects only a minor financial impact. Meanwhile, GungHo is also facing a shareholder vote in September on whether to remove CEO Kazuki Morishita.
(Note: from Puzzle & Dragons to Embezzle & Dragons real fast, amirite?)
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree demo now available. Gematsu
A demo for Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is now available on all platforms, Bandai Namco and developer Brownies announced. It includes the dungeon “Route 1 – The Outset” and four playable characters: Rekka, Shigin, Origami, and Nishiki. Players can also visit Shinju Village to upgrade abilities at facilities like the Blacksmith and Dojo, as well as interact with villagers. However, demo progress cannot be carried over to the full game, and online multiplayer is not included. The full release is scheduled for September 19 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC via Steam.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle heading to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026 | News-in-brief. GamesIndustry
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, publisher Microsoft confirmed. The action-adventure title is already available on PlayStation 5 and other platforms, with the Switch 2 version set to expand its reach further.
Everything announced at Opening Night Live, Gamescom 2025. EuroGamer
Gamescom 2025 Opening Night Live delivered a huge lineup of announcements and trailers. Highlights included Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, with a single-player or co-op campaign and a new ‘Arcade Zombies’ mode, launching on November 14 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is getting an anime on Crunchyroll, while Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight revisits Bats’ career across games, comics, and TV. New trailers and updates were shown for Dawn of War 4, Monster Hunter Wilds (crossing over with Final Fantasy XIV), Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion, Moonlighter 2, and The Outer Worlds 2. Other reveals included Ninja Gaiden 4, Silent Hill f, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, Ghost of Yōtei DLC, Resident Evil Requiem, and Black Myth: Zhong Kui. Additionally, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, and several smaller titles and demos were showcased, including Death by Scrolling, Zero Parades, and Unbeatable.
Ghost of Yotei is getting Legends multiplayer mode next year. VG Chronicles
Ghost of Yotei will feature a free Legends multiplayer mode in 2026, returning the fan-favourite co-op from Ghost of Tsushima. The mode includes two-player story missions, four-player survival matches, and four character classes facing demonic, giant versions of the Yōtei Six alongside new enemies. The game launches on October 2 exclusively for PS5, with a collector’s edition offering pre-order bonuses, all Digital Deluxe items, a digital copy, and a replica Atsu’s Ghost mask. Set in Hokkaido in 1603, the game blends historical inspiration with fictional elements while respecting local cultures, according to creative directors Jason Connell and Nate Fox.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’s next story expansion features ‘136 million home combinations’. VG Chronicles
Warhorse Studios and Deep Silver have revealed Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’s next story expansion, Legacy of the Forge, coming September 9 for PC, Xbox Series S/X, and PS5. Players take on the role of master blacksmith Henry, completing new daily quests and earning cash to personalise his forge, private quarters, and surroundings with over 136 million combinations. Returning to Kuttenberg, Henry uncovers his father Martin’s blacksmithing legacy while helping the town with sword crafting, armour-smithing, and other requests, continuing the challenging and immersive RPG experience praised in the base game.
ZA/UM's next game is a "story-rich espionage RPG". TheGamer
ZA/UM has announced a new story-rich espionage RPG, Zero Parades, featuring much of the team behind Disco Elysium. The Gamescom teaser shows a dark, mysterious world with psychedelic visuals and top-down angles reminiscent of Disco Elysium. Players will control Hershel, an "anti-icon" described as brilliant, relentless, magnetic, and cursed, navigating a world of bootleg mind-erasure, failed space programs, and state-sponsored pop stars. The game promises no happy endings and is available to wishlist on Steam.
Monster Hunter Wilds is crossing over with Final Fantasy 14. TheGamer
Monster Hunter Wilds is teaming up with Final Fantasy 14 again in a new crossover announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live. In Monster Hunter Wilds, players can ride Chocobos, encounter iconic Final Fantasy 14 enemies like Cactuars, and face the raid antagonist Omega. Meanwhile, Final Fantasy 14 will feature Seikret mounts, a new Pallico minion, and a trial to fight Arkveld. The updates are set to release in late September and October.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is coming in 2026 with gory zombie-killing and vehicular mayhem. GameSpot
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, a first-person shooter from the famed horror director, is coming in early 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombie-like creatures created by the Sludge God, players form squads of up to four, choosing characters, classes, vehicles, and weapons. Developed by Focus Entertainment, the game features over-the-top horror and humor inspired by Carpenter’s 1980s films and supports cross-play across PC and consoles.
Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War 4 announced, coming next year to PC. GameSpot
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War IV was announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live and is set for a 2026 release on PC. Developed by King Art Games and published by Deep Silver, this is the first Dawn of War game not made by Relic Entertainment. Players can command four factions, including the Adeptus Mechanicus making their series debut, across 70+ campaign missions and replayable modes like Last Stand, Skirmish, and multiplayer (1v1, 2v2, 3v3). Solo and co-op play feature CGI intros and animated cutscenes, with the story written by John French.
Wukong follow-up Black Myth: Zhong Kui revealed at Gamescom. VG Chronicles
Black Myth: Zhong Kui, a follow-up to Black Myth: Wukong, was revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live. Developed by Game Science, this single-player action RPG is rooted in Chinese folklore and follows a new protagonist. The game is in early development, so no gameplay footage is available yet. Black Myth: Wukong, the series’ first entry, sold 10 million copies in its first three days and set a record for the highest concurrent-player peak for a single-player game on Steam.
Path of Exile 2's next major update lands next week, adding a new campaign act, a massive list of buffs, and—yes, finally—a way to trade while the other player is offline. PCGamer
Path of Exile 2’s next major update, The Third Edict, launches on August 29. It adds a new fourth campaign act across a series of islands, featuring over 100 new monsters, 12 new bosses, and a non-linear design. Numerous class buffs are included, such as a new deflect mechanic for all characters, improved skills, and support gem overhauls, including multi-socketing and Lineage Supports. Cruel difficulty has been removed, and a sprinting mechanic is added to speed up traversal. Asynchronous trading lets players buy and sell items while others are offline. The update also introduces PoE2’s first official league, The Rise of the Abyssal, with new endgame challenges and economy.
Cloud Chamber lays off "unspecified" number of staff as Rod Fergusson is parachuted in to lead troubled Bioshock 4 production. GamesIndustry
Cloud Chamber, developer of BioShock 4, has laid off an unspecified number of staff as Rod Fergusson is brought in to lead the troubled project. The move follows an internal review by 2K Games, which reportedly flagged the game’s narrative as needing improvement. Former Firaxis veteran Kelley Gilmore also departed earlier this month amid leadership reshuffles. 2K president David Ismailer stated the layoffs aim to rework core aspects of BioShock while giving the game more development time. Fergusson, who previously led BioShock Infinite, confirmed on social media that he will oversee development of the next BioShock game and related franchise extensions. BioShock 4 will be the first mainline entry since BioShock Infinite in 2013.
Nexon launches investigation into claims AI-generated The First Descendant ads were used on TikTok. GamesIndustry
Nexon is investigating claims that AI-generated ads for The First Descendant were used on TikTok without proper permission, including one featuring a content creator’s likeness. The developer apologized for the issue, clarifying that creator advertisement videos appear only when users access the official account through ads and are not regular posts. Nexon confirmed that one unauthorized use involved DanieltheDemon’s content, and the responsible creator has been blocked. The company stated it will strengthen its advertising review processes and work with TikTok to prevent similar issues, while promising greater transparency and responsibility moving forward.
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered International from Red Art Games launches December 9. RPG Site
Red Art Games will release Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered International on December 9, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, both digitally and physically. This version adds French, German, Italian, and Spanish subtitles for the first time, while the game content remains the same as the 2022 remaster. Special physical editions, including Deluxe, Special, and Collector’s Editions, will also be available with additional merchandise such as reversible covers, steelcases, artbooks, manuals, and keychains. The release aims to celebrate the SaGa franchise and provide fans worldwide with expanded language options and collectible editions.
Breakers: Unlock the World title changed to Limit Zero Breakers, launches in 2026 worldwide. Gematsu
LIMIT ZERO BREAKERS, formerly titled BREAKERS: Unlock the World, will launch worldwide in 2026 for PC via Steam and PURPLE, iOS, and Android, publisher NCSOFT and developer Vic Game Studios announced. The game will also be playable at Tokyo Game Show 2025 from September 25 to 28 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. LIMIT ZERO BREAKERS is an anime-style real-time action RPG set in the floating islands of Seraphia, where players build teams with unique fighting styles to explore dungeons and battle monsters. Players can unleash stylish combat with dodges, parries, cinematic finishers, and explosive elemental reactions, as well as team up for 3-player boss raids. The story follows a Breaker girl aboard the Weaverwhale airship who encounters a boy with no memory, with their journey unfolding through cinematic cutscenes and emotional arcs.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter adds Switch 2 version; ‘Prologue’ demo now available for PS5, Switch, and PC. Gematsu
Falcom announced that Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter will release on Switch 2 in addition to PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC, with a “Prologue” demo available now on PS5, Switch (Japan-only for now), and Steam. The Switch 2 version is digital-only worldwide, offering higher resolution, frame rate, and faster load times, and requires purchase of both the Switch version and a $1.00 / 150 yen Upgrade Pack. The demo lets players experience the Prologue of the remake, with save data transferable to the full game. It features Estelle, Joshua, and Scherazard as they begin their journey as bracers in the Rolent region, tackling dungeons, quests, and battles. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter launches worldwide on September 19, 2025.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is real, and I played it. GameSpot
Hollow Knight: Silksong was finally shown again at Gamescom 2025, with a brief hands-on demo confirming it stays true to the original’s style while introducing refinements. The opening cutscene featuring Hornet was moody and poetic, leading into a vibrant and colorful first area, a visual shift from the darker tones of Hollow Knight. Gameplay felt faster and more fluid, with Hornet’s diagonal slash adding mobility, though even the early boss punished mistakes quickly. The demo was short, lasting about 10 minutes, and seemed largely similar to the one first shown in 2019. Team Cherry confirmed Silksong is still slated for 2025, with a possible release date announcement coming on August 21.
Genshin impact teases Flins and the next major region at Gamescom 2025. RPG Site
At Gamescom 2025, HoYoverse unveiled a new Genshin Impact trailer showcasing Flins, a Lightkeeper warrior debuting in the upcoming region Nod-Krai. This marks the start of a new chapter in the game’s storyline, with Flins seen confronting the Wild Hunt. The event also featured Genshin Impact’s first offline booth experience centered on Nod-Krai, offering interactive challenges, cosplay, live music, exclusive merchandise, and themed items from the HoYoverse Café. The booth is open from August 20–24 in Cologne’s Koelnmesse, supported by UGREEN and HOLY. Alongside the reveal, HoYoverse confirmed that future versions of Genshin Impact will discontinue support for PlayStation 4, though the game remains available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, iOS, and Android.
PUBG esports unveils 2025 global partner team skins. Esports Insider
KRAFTON has unveiled the first batch of PUBG Esports 2025 Team Edition skins, featuring exclusive designs from global partner teams Four Angry Men, DN Freecs, Twisted Minds, EARENA, and Natus Vincere. Each bundle includes a jacket or weapon with a unique nameplate and will cost 990 G-coin, available from August 20 to September 8, depending on region and device. 25% of net sales will be allocated to the partner teams, with KRAFTON noting the skins may return through future events or promotions. Additional bundles for the remaining five global partner teams — Gen.G, Petrichor Road, Team Falcons, The Expendables, and 17Gaming — are expected later. Compared to last year, six organisations remained while DN Freecs, EARENA, Team Falcons, and The Expendables were newly added. PUBG’s next major events include the Global Series 9 in October with a $300,000 prize pool and the Global Championship in December.
Biggest releases this week
