Patch Notes #43 - weekly gaming digest
Welcome to the 43rd edition of Patch Notes, let’s get this bad boy going.
This edition will cover the week from September 29 to October 5.
What caught my attention this week
EA to be acquired by Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners for $55bn. GamesIndustry
Electronic Arts will be acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners for $55 billion. The investment group will acquire 100% of the developer, with PIF rolling up its existing stake. EA stockholders will receive $210 per share in cash. The acquisition is the largest all-cash sponsor take-private investment in history and is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain as head of the company.
TLDR
Epic pulls controversial Peacemaker dance emote from Fortnite following big twist in the TV show’s latest episode
Silent Hill F sold 1 million copies faster than the Silent Hill 2 remake, Konami says
CEO of EA, home to studios like Maxis and Bioware, claims company’s values will “remain unchanged” following sale to Saudi government, investment firms
Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy’s part three will have some sort of fresh “gameplay experience”, but it’s a big secret for now
Over half of Japanese game companies are using AI in development, states report from Tokyo Games Show organiser
18 years later, Disney announces a new Simpsons movie
A Lord of the Rings game designed to compete with Hogwarts Legacy is reportedly in development
Brazil bans the sale of loot boxes to minors
PlayStation: the first 30 years photography book announced
His badges aren’t just for show. Teemo hits the 2XKO roster Oct 7.
Avalanche is closing its Liverpool studio following Contraband’s cancellation
Battlefield 6’s free season 1 roadmap revealed: new maps, modes and weapons incoming
A ‘deep dive’ on the future of Halo will be held next month
Square Enix shares Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles launch trailer
Hades 2 reaches over 112,000 concurrent players on Steam
Resident Evil 9 will swing the pendulum away from RE4’s action back toward horror
Even more gorgeous Final Fantasy MTG cards are coming and they’re already selling out again
EA private acquisition deal expected to go smoothly, says report, as “what regulator is going to say no to the president’s son-in-law?”
Yakuza fans are boycotting Kiwami 3 over a new actor’s recent sexual harassment controversy
Nintendo Singapore established to accelerate business in Southeast Asia
Sony is reportedly set to release an updated PS5 DualSense controller with a removable battery
Xbox Game Pass Premium members will now get new Xbox games within a year, except Call of Duty
Amazon has ‘completely redesigned’ Luna with party games including an AI Snoop Dogg courtroom title
Microsoft hikes price of Xbox Game Pass by 50% “to offer more flexibility, choice, and value to all players”
Bloober confirms Silent Hill 1 remake in production, and won’t rule out a Cronos sequel just yet
Dune: Awakening developer Funcom announces redundancies
Ubisoft and Tencent form new subsidiary, Vantage Studios, to lead development for the Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six franchises
Fallout 76’s next big update directly connects to Amazon’s hit TV show
Starbreeze has cancelled its Dungeons & Dragons game and is laying off 44 staff as it focuses on Payday
KPop Demon Hunters has arrived in Fortnite with skins, items and a new mode
Final Fantasy 7 Remake director says lighting is the ‘crucial factor’ in making it look good on Switch 2
Capcom wants Resident Evil Requiem boss battles to test your wits rather than your shooting skill
World of Warcraft is getting player housing in December, ahead of Midnight expansion launch
Pokemon Legends: Z-A overview trailer released ahead of its launch on October 16
Digimon Story: Time Stranger launch trailer appears right before the release day
The Toasty Guy from Mortal Kombat has left the studio after 30+ years
OpenAI’s newest tool is churning out slop starring Pikachu, Goku and SpongeBob
EA tackles Sims 4 save corruption: “We’ve committed to transparency”
UK workers at Disco Elysium studio ZA/UM have unionized
The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth story changes were made to sustain player interest over time
There are no easy solutions’: Helldivers 2 dev explains why PC version needs 3x more storage than consoles
Street Fighter 6 director says he was ‘shocked’ at Capcom’s decision to charge fans $40 to watch tournament final streams
Halo: Combat Evolved remake coming from Oblivion Remastered dev - report
Ex-FTC Chair Lina Khan pulls off the greatest ‘I told you so’, slams Xbox over Game Pass price increases
Women’s CS2 ecosystem ESL Impact suspends circuit indefinitely
Biggest news of the week
Epic pulls controversial Peacemaker dance emote from Fortnite following big twist in the TV show’s latest episode. EuroGamer
Epic Games has removed the “Peaceful Hips” emote from Fortnite after the latest Peacemaker TV episode revealed its controversial meaning. The emote, which featured John Cena’s character dancing, was later linked to Nazi symbolism associated with an alternate dimension storyline in the show. Epic announced refunds would be issued and cited the need to review the collaboration’s creative intentions. The removal has raised questions about Warner Bros.’ role in approving the emote without warning Epic of the twist, while James Gunn had previously promoted the bundle. This controversy may impact future collaborations between Epic and Warner Bros.
Silent Hill F sold 1 million copies faster than the Silent Hill 2 remake, according to Konami. VG Chronicles
Silent Hill F sold over 1 million copies within a day of release on September 25, surpassing the sales pace of the Silent Hill 2 remake, which took nearly a week to reach the same milestone. Konami reported that Silent Hill F is selling faster in all regions, including Japan, and the developer, NeoBards, thanked players for the strong reception. The game follows high school student Shimizu Hinako as her hometown of Ebisugaoka is consumed by fog and nightmarish transformations, forcing her to solve puzzles and face grotesque monsters. Reviews describe it as a visually stunning and grotesque spin-off that emphasises action more than traditional survival horror, making it both divisive and fascinating for fans.
CEO of EA, home to studios like Maxis and BioWare, claims company’s values will “remain unchanged” following sale to Saudi government, investment firms. EuroGamer
EA CEO Andrew Wilson reassured staff and players that the company’s mission and values will remain unchanged after a $50bn buyout by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. In his statement, Wilson emphasised EA’s legacy of creating iconic IP and said the new partners bring strong experience in sports, gaming, and entertainment. He promised that EA’s core mission, “Inspire The World To Play,” will continue to guide its work, with a focus on creativity, innovation, and transformative opportunities. The reassurance comes amid concerns about EA studios like BioWare and Maxis, known for LGBT-positive games, given Saudi Arabia’s laws against same-sex relationships.
The Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy’s part three will offer a fresh “gameplay experience,” but it’s a big secret for now. EuroGamer
The finale of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy will offer a new and distinct gameplay experience, although director Naoki Hamaguchi has not revealed specifics. He compared the shift to how Remake was linear while Rebirth expanded into open-world exploration, noting the third entry will again evolve in structure. While the battle system will remain, it may change, introducing new characters such as Cid and Vincent. Hamaguchi emphasised the game will serve as a fitting climax, with its direction shaped by a new keyword, following “reunion” for Remake and “bonds” for Rebirth. More details will be announced soon, as development is already progressing well.
Over half of Japanese game companies are using AI in their development, according to a report from the organiser of the Tokyo Games Show. EuroGamer
Over half of Japanese game companies are now using AI in development, according to a preview of the 2025 CESA Video Game Industry Report. Based on responses from 54 member companies, 51% reported using AI, most commonly for generating visual assets, character images, stories, and programming support. Additionally, 32% applied AI to develop their own game engines. Major publishers, such as Capcom, Square Enix, and Sega, as well as smaller studios, are among those experimenting with AI, while Nintendo remains opposed, preferring originality over AI integration. The full report will be released in December, but AI has already been highlighted as a growing theme across major industry events.
18 years later, Disney announces a new Simpsons movie. Kotaku
Disney’s 20th Century has announced a new Simpsons movie, set to release in July 2027, twenty years after the first film. A teaser poster revealed Homer reaching for a sprinkle-covered doughnut shaped like the number 2, suggesting the title The Simpsons Movie 2 with the tagline “Homer’s coming back for seconds.” No plot details have been shared yet. The original 2007 film was a major success, grossing over $536 million worldwide, and rumours of a sequel have circulated for years before this official confirmation.
A Lord of the Rings game designed to compete with Hogwarts Legacy is reportedly in development. TheGamer
A new Lord of the Rings game is reportedly in development, designed to rival the scale of Hogwarts Legacy. According to Insider Gaming, the project began last year and may receive about $100 million in funding from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, though the deal is not finalised. Sources describe it as a third-person action game, but no developer has been officially confirmed. The IP is owned by Embracer Group, which has studios such as Dambuster (developers of Dead Island 2) and Warhorse (creators of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2), making them potential candidates.
Brazil bans the sale of loot boxes to minors. GamesIndustry
Brazil has banned the sale of loot boxes to players under 18 as part of the ECA Digital Law, aimed at protecting children and adolescents online. Loot boxes are defined as paid-in-game items that contain random rewards, without prior knowledge of their contents. The law takes effect in March 2026. Games accessible to minors with user interaction features must include safeguards such as complaint systems and transparency regarding violations. Violators face fines and prison, with harsher penalties if minors are involved.
PlayStation: the first 30 years photography book announced. Gematsu
Sony has announced PlayStation: The First 30 Years, a 400-page hardcover photography book, scheduled for release in spring 2026. It showcases consoles, controllers, prototypes, and design studies from the original PlayStation through the PS5. The book features insights from engineers and designers such as Ken Kutaragi. It will be available in a Standard Edition ($125) and a Deluxe Edition ($325), limited to 1,994 copies, featuring special extras. Photography is by Benedict Redgrove, with art direction by Michael C. Place and design by Nicole Motby.
His badges aren’t just for show. Teemo hits the 2XKO roster on Oct 7. 2XKO Twitter
Avalanche is closing its Liverpool studio following Contraband’s cancellation. VG Chronicles
Avalanche Studios is closing its Liverpool studio and will lay off staff across its Malmö and Stockholm branches following the cancellation of Contraband. The studio stated that the changes are part of a review aimed at ensuring the long-term success of Avalanche Studios Group. Contraband, a co-op open-world game set in the 1970s, has not received any updates since its 2021 announcement. All employees in Liverpool will be impacted, and other locations will see workforce reductions and team restructuring. Development of Contraband was previously put on hold while the project’s future was evaluated.
Battlefield 6’s free season 1 roadmap revealed: new maps, modes and weapons incoming. VG Chronicles
Battlefield 6’s free Season 1 content will roll out in three phases from October to December. Phase 1, Rogue Ops, starts on October 28 and includes the Blackwell Fields map, Strikepoint mode, new weapons, and attachments. Phase 2, California Resistance, begins on November 18 with the Eastwood map, Sabotage mode, Battle Pickups, and additional weapons and attachments. Phase 3, Winter Offensive, launches on December 9 with the limited-time Ice Lock event on a frozen Empire State map and a new melee weapon. EA has also confirmed the initial Battlefield 6 maps, modes, and challenges that will be available at the game's full release on October 10.
A ‘deep dive’ on the future of Halo will be held next month. VG Chronicles
Halo Studios will hold a panel on October 24 at the Halo World Championship to take a “deep dive” into the future of the series. The panel continues the conversation from last year’s HaloWC and the “A New Dawn” video. Last year, the studio rebranded and showed a teaser video of multiple Halo games being developed in Unreal Engine 5. The teaser footage was not a game but a glimpse of what it might achieve within UE5. The last mainline game, Halo Infinite, was released in 2021; its single-player was received warmly, but the multiplayer failed to retain a player base.
Square Enix shares Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles launch trailer. RPG Site
Square Enix has shared the launch trailer for Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles. The game launches on September 30, 2025, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam).
The game follows Ramza Beoulve and his childhood friend, Delita, as they navigate the Kingdom of Ivalice, commanding the battlefield and honing their skills.
Hades 2 reaches over 112,000 concurrent players on Steam. GamesIndustry
Hades 2 reached over 112,000 concurrent players on Steam during its launch weekend, breaking its early access peak. The all-time player peak since the full launch on September 25, 2025, was 112,947. Hades 2 became Metacritic’s highest-rated PC game for 2025, with a Metascore of 95 and an overall score of 94. Data estimates indicate the game sold more than two million copies on Steam during early access, generating $50 million in revenue. Hades 2 released as a timed console exclusive on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, with a physical edition launching on November 20, 2025.
Resident Evil 9 will swing the pendulum away from RE4’s action back toward horror. Kotaku
Resident Evil: Requiem, the ninth entry in the series, aims to shift back toward horror after recent action-focused games. Director Koshi Nakanishi described the series as existing on a continuum between Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, with Requiem intended to lean more towards the Resident Evil 2 style. The developers expressed uncertainty about what is actually scary in their games after making so many entries. They debated whether to include potential injuries to the protagonist, Grace, to increase horror. Early footage suggests that the game balances horror elements effectively.
Even more gorgeous Final Fantasy MTG cards are coming, and they’re already selling out again. Kotaku
Wizards of the Coast announced new Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering products, including a Chocobo Bundle, a FFVII Limit Break Commander Deck, and Scene Boxes for Final Fantasy VIII, IX, and XV. The mini-expansion is set to release on December 5, and pre-orders sold out instantly. The Chocobo Bundle includes booster packs, Chocobo-themed lands, alt-art reprints, a new promo card, and a life total click-wheel. The FFVII Limit Break Commander Deck comes with a PC download code for the HD remaster and an exclusive Traditional Foil promo card. The Scene Boxes include six Foil Borderless Scene Cards, six Art Cards, three Play Boosters, and one Display Easel; the cards are not legal in standard play.
EA private acquisition deal expected to go smoothly, says report, as “what regulator is going to say no to the president’s son-in-law?”. EuroGamer
The $55 billion private acquisition of EA by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners is expected to run smoothly, according to the Financial Times. The deal, set to close in Q1 FY27, is reportedly facilitated by Jared Kushner’s involvement and Saudi Arabia's status as a key US ally. The acquisition is backed by $36 billion in equity and $20 billion in JPMorgan debt, with AI expected to play a key role in reducing EA’s operating costs. EA CEO Andrew Wilson stated AI is central to the company’s efficiency, enabling work to be done faster, cheaper, and at a higher quality. The deal has sparked concern among fans about the future of EA franchises, including The Sims, Mass Effect, and Apex Legends, due to Saudi Arabia’s involvement.
Yakuza fans are boycotting Kiwami 3 over a new actor’s recent sexual harassment controversy. TheGamer
Yakuza Kiwami 3 fans are calling for a boycott over the recasting of Goh Hamazaki, with actor Teruyuki Kagawa replacing George Takahashi. Fans object to Kagawa due to a 2019 sexual harassment incident, reported in 2022, where he groped a hostess, took off her bra, and passed it around colleagues. Kagawa later apologised and faced professional consequences, including losing his role as Toyota’s brand ambassador. Fans have created petitions and urged others on Reddit and Twitter to cancel pre-orders, refuse to buy the game, or buy second-hand copies. Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios have not responded to the backlash.
Nintendo Singapore was established to accelerate business in Southeast Asia. TheGamer
Nintendo established a local entity, Nintendo Singapore, on September 26, 2025, to accelerate its business in Southeast Asia. The entity will be overseen by managing director Takahiro Miura. Nintendo is also considering establishing a local entity in Thailand to bolster its business in the region.
Sony is reportedly set to release an updated PS5 DualSense controller with a removable battery. VG Chronicles
Sony is reportedly releasing an updated PS5 DualSense controller, called DualSense V3, in November. The controller will feature a removable rechargeable battery and will replace the current models. The report also mentions a minor revision of the PS5 Pro, which will use 3% less power, and will include one of the revised controllers.
Xbox Game Pass Premium members will now get new Xbox games within a year, except Call of Duty. VG Chronicles
Xbox Game Pass Premium members will now receive new Xbox-published games within a year of release, excluding Call of Duty titles. The Premium tier, formerly known as Standard, also includes unlimited cloud gaming, in-game benefits, online console multiplayer, and up to $50 in annual rewards. Call of Duty games will continue to launch day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft also announced a price increase for Game Pass Ultimate to $29.99/£22.99, alongside new additions like Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics.
Amazon has ‘completely redesigned’ Luna with party games, including an AI Snoop Dogg courtroom title. VG Chronicles
Amazon has completely redesigned its Luna game streaming service, now focusing on party games through a new feature called GameNight. GameNight, included with Amazon Prime at no extra cost, allows players to join games via QR code on their phones and is designed for family and friends. A highlighted title is Courtroom Chaos: Starring Snoop Dogg, an AI-powered improv courtroom game. The service will launch with over 25 multiplayer games, including adaptations of Angry Birds, Draw & Guess, Exploding Kittens, Taboo, Ticket to Ride, and Clue. Additional games like Hogwarts Legacy, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, and TopSpin 2K25 are also being added for Prime members.
Microsoft hikes price of Xbox Game Pass by 50% “to offer more flexibility, choice, and value to all players”. GamesIndustry
Microsoft has increased the prices of its Xbox Game Pass tiers, with Ultimate rising from $19.99/£14.99 to $29.99/£22.99 per month, Premium from $11.99/£9.99 to $14.99/£10.99, and Essential to $9.99/£6.99. PC Game Pass also increased to $16.49/£13.49 per month. The price hikes accompany expanded offerings, including Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft+ Classics, improved cloud streaming, and access to over 75 day-one releases, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Microsoft stated the changes aim to provide more flexibility, choice, and value for players across multiple devices. Some users reported issues accessing the website or app to manage subscriptions following the announcement.
Bloober confirms Silent Hill 1 remake in production, and won’t rule out a Cronos sequel just yet. EuroGamer
Bloober Team has confirmed that a Silent Hill 1 Remake is now in production, following the success of its Silent Hill 2 Remake. The studio operates two first-party teams: one handling Silent Hill 1 and the other working on smaller projects, including a game for Netflix codenamed Project N. Bloober recently released its original IP, Cronos: The New Dawn, which sold around 200,000 units; however, no sequel or DLC is currently in development. The company aims to release major titles more frequently and expand its presence in the horror genre, including possible releases on Nintendo consoles. Management also commented on industry consolidation, noting the EA privatisation as part of a trend in gaming market consolidation.
Dune: Awakening developer Funcom announces redundancies. GamesIndustry
Funcom, the studio behind Dune: Awakening, has announced staff layoffs as part of a restructuring to focus on live operations and upcoming console releases. The Oslo-based developer emphasised the game’s success, calling it their most significant release in 32 years, but said shifting resources across projects necessitated complex personnel changes. No specific number of affected employees was provided, although the company pledged support and guidance for those impacted. Dune: Awakening reached one million players within two weeks of its PC launch in June and is scheduled for PS5 and Xbox next year. Funcom, acquired by Tencent in 2020, continues to receive technical and publishing support from its parent company, with no plans for Tencent to exit Western studios.
Ubisoft and Tencent form new subsidiary, Vantage Studios, to lead development for the Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six franchises. EuroGamer
Ubisoft and Tencent have launched a new subsidiary, Vantage Studios, to oversee development for major Ubisoft franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six Siege. The studio brings together 2,300 employees from multiple Ubisoft locations and is led by Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot. Vantage Studios will operate with a more decentralised structure, giving individual development teams greater ownership over their projects to better respond to industry changes and player expectations. Tencent holds a 25% stake and an advisory role, while creative and business control remains with Ubisoft leadership. The broader impact on other Ubisoft studios, including Massive Entertainment, has yet to be clarified.
Fallout 76’s next big update directly connects to Amazon’s hit TV show. Kotaku
Fallout 76’s next major update, Burning Springs, will add a new region set in Ohio, inspired by Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, and will include new characters, mutated creatures, and bounty hunting. The update will directly tie into Amazon’s live-action Fallout TV show, with the Ghoul NPC from the show appearing in the game and voiced by Walton Goggins. Burning Springs will launch in early December for all platforms, coinciding with the second season of the TV series. PC players can access the new area early via the testing server starting October 2, while console players will have to wait for the full release. The update expands the map from the western edge, similar to the previous Skyline Valley expansion.
Starbreeze has cancelled its Dungeons & Dragons game and is laying off 44 staff as it focuses on Payday. VG Chronicles
Swedish developer Starbreeze Studios has cancelled its Dungeons & Dragons game, Project Baxter, which was planned for a 2026 release, and will lay off 44 staff as it refocuses on its Payday franchise. Some members of the Project Baxter team will be redeployed to Payday, while the layoffs aim to reduce costs and help the studio achieve cash-flow positivity next year. CEO Adolf Kristjansson stated that focusing on Payday will accelerate content delivery and strengthen the studio’s position in the heisting genre. Project Baxter was initially announced in 2023, and Starbreeze thanked Wizards of the Coast and the development team for their contributions. The decision follows Payday 3’s troubled launch in 2023 and previous leadership and workforce changes at the studio.
KPop Demon Hunters has arrived in Fortnite with skins, items and a new mode. VG Chronicles
KPop Demon Hunters has officially arrived in Fortnite, bringing new skins, items, and a limited-time mode. Players can now purchase skins for HUNTR/X members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, along with themed accessories, emotes, and even Lego versions for Lego Fortnite. The update also reintroduces the popular Horde Rush mode, now rebranded as Demon Rush, running until November 1. Players can complete quests from the trio to earn special items like Rumi’s sword and Mira’s spicy ramyeon. Epic Games is also allowing creators to use KPop Demon Hunters assets freely to build new melee-focused or remix islands inspired by the film.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake director says lighting is the ‘crucial factor’ in making it look good on Switch 2. VG Chronicles
Final Fantasy 7 Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that maintaining the game’s lighting quality was the key to making it look impressive on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. He explained that while other graphical elements, such as fog and post-processing effects, were reduced to optimise performance, the lighting was kept identical to the PS5 version to preserve detail and character expression. Hamaguchi said compromising on lighting would have made the game feel “cheap.” The port reportedly runs at 30 FPS on Switch 2, while still maintaining a visually strong appearance. He also praised the console’s hardware and clarified that the physical version uses a Game-Key Card to ensure faster loading speeds compared to cartridges.
Capcom wants Resident Evil Requiem boss battles to test your wits rather than your shooting skill. EuroGamer
Capcom aims to make Resident Evil Requiem’s boss battles focus more on strategy and problem-solving rather than pure shooting skill. Director Koshi Nakanishi said the team drew inspiration from the original Resident Evil titles, emphasising exploration and clever thinking in confined spaces. The new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, starts the game vulnerable and inexperienced, but gradually becomes stronger through her experiences. Nakanishi noted that this character growth mirrors the series’ core appeal of transforming fear into strength. Resident Evil Requiem is set to launch on February 27, 2026.
World of Warcraft is getting player housing in December, ahead of Midnight expansion launch. EuroGamer
Blizzard will introduce player housing in World of Warcraft on December 2, ahead of the Midnight expansion launch. The initial release will allow players to buy plots, create neighbourhoods, and decorate homes with a selection of items, with the complete set of housing mechanics arriving with the expansion in 2026. Players can level up their houses to expand decor and fixture budgets, and neighbourhoods can be private or public for guild collaboration. Monthly neighbourhood events, called endeavours, will offer exclusive decor and encourage community participation. Midnight is the second part of a three-part trilogy and will revisit Silvermoon City, adding the Haranir as an allied race.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A overview trailer released ahead of its launch on October 16. RPG Site
The Pokémon Company and Nintendo released an overview trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A ahead of its October 16 launch for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The six-minute trailer showcases gameplay in Lumiose City, including catching, battling, and Mega Evolving Pokémon in real-time. Players can choose Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as their first partner and engage in local or online battles with up to three other Trainers. The game also offers activities outside battles, such as visiting Hotel Z, boutiques, cafés, and scenic locations while interacting with various characters. Nintendo Switch players can upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition via an upgrade pack.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger launch trailer appears right before the release day. RPG Site
Bandai Namco released a launch trailer for Digimon Story: Time Stranger ahead of its release. The game was first launched in Japan on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on October 2, with a worldwide release following on October 3. The PC version on Steam launched globally on October 2 at 22:00 UTC. The Southeast Asian channel uploaded the Japanese trailer with English subtitles, while the American channel released a version with English voiceovers called the “Agent Trailer.”
The Toasty Guy from Mortal Kombat has left the studio after 30+ years. Kotaku
Dan Forden, longtime Mortal Kombat audio director known for the “Toasty!” Easter egg, has left NetherRealm after over 30 years with the franchise. He worked on every mainline Mortal Kombat game, starting with the original 1992 release through 2023’s Mortal Kombat 1. Forden first gained fame for appearing in-game to yell “Toasty!” during fights, a tradition that continued in nearly all subsequent entries. In an Instagram post, he reflected on his career, praising the talented teams he worked with and expressing gratitude to fans. His departure marks the end of a decades-long era for the series’ audio and Easter egg contributions.
OpenAI’s newest tool is churning out slop starring Pikachu, Goku and SpongeBob. Kotaku
OpenAI has released Sora 2, an updated video generation model that can create AI-generated videos featuring copyrighted characters like Pikachu, SpongeBob, and Goku. The model is trained on copyrighted material by default, leaving copyright holders to opt out if they don’t want their IP used. Sora 2 also allows users to generate deepfakes of real people, despite claimed safeguards. The AI-generated videos often have visible glitches and animation errors, and the tool has raised concerns among artists about cost-cutting and copyright infringement. Legal challenges from animation companies and creators are likely as the technology continues to spread.
EA tackles Sims 4 save corruption: “We’ve committed to transparency”. Polygon
The Sims 4 has faced save file corruption issues following a recent update, prompting EA to outline a fix-it roadmap. The developer identified two primary causes: disappearing scratch files and lot-specific data issues, which can cause players to be trapped in endless loading screens. To mitigate risk, EA plans to temporarily disable the Residential Rental Unit cheat in an upcoming update. The team continues analysing player save data using a new Python-based tool to address issues related to save bloat and corruption. EA has committed to transparency and ongoing progress as it works toward broader fixes.
UK workers at Disco Elysium studio ZA/UM have unionised. Game Developer
UK employees at Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM Studio have formed the first recognised workplace union in the UK game industry. The union will be represented by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), and studio management has agreed to meet regularly with elected representatives to discuss workplace matters. The move comes amid ongoing industry challenges, including layoffs and studio closures, and aims to improve working conditions, mental health, and financial stability for developers. ZA/UM retains nearly 100 employees worldwide despite past fragmentation and public disputes. Organisers view this union recognition as a step toward rebalancing power within the studio and inspiring broader unionisation in the industry.
The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth story changes were made to sustain player interest over time. Game Developer
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth introduces significant story changes compared to the original game, a decision director Naoki Hamaguchi says was made to sustain player interest across the remake trilogy. The team aimed to strike a balance between preserving beloved elements from the original and introducing new story interpretations to engage both returning and new players. Key narrative points, such as Aerith’s fate, were deliberately crafted to keep players guessing until the end. The developers are also considering broader story developments, like the impact of Meteor, to maintain curiosity leading into the final instalment. Overall, the changes were designed to ensure the trilogy’s success while carefully pushing the story in new directions.
‘There are no easy solutions’: Helldivers 2 dev explains why PC version needs 3x more storage than consoles. VG Chronicles
The PC version of Helldivers 2 requires approximately 150GB of storage, which is three times more than the consoles, because the game duplicates assets to improve loading times for players using mechanical hard drives. HDDs have slower read speeds, so copying files ensures faster loading, while SSDs used in consoles and high-end PCs don’t face this issue. Removing duplication would significantly increase loading times for HDD users and affect all players in co-op missions. Arrowhead Game Studios plans a three-stage approach, starting with the removal of unused assets and later deduplicating standard files while maintaining reasonable load times. Longer-term engine improvements and potential compression may further optimise storage, but extra space is currently necessary for playable performance on all PCs.
Street Fighter 6 director says he was ‘shocked’ at Capcom’s decision to charge fans $40 to watch tournament final streams. VG Chronicles
The director of Street Fighter 6, Takayuki Nakayama, expressed shock at Capcom’s decision to charge fans up to $40 to watch online streams of the Capcom Cup 12 and SFL World Championship finals. The finals will be pay-per-view, with individual tickets costing ¥4,000 ($27) and a bundle for both events at ¥6,000 ($40). Fans criticised the decision, arguing it limits accessibility and undermines the community aspect of the tournaments. Nakayama revealed he and producer Shuhei Matsumoto were unaware of the decision until the Tokyo Game Show and noted that different departments have separate revenue targets. While pay-per-view streams are standard in Japan, critics warned this could harm Street Fighter’s reputation and growth in Western markets.
Halo: Combat Evolved remake coming from Oblivion Remastered dev - report. GameSpot
A report suggests that a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved is in development by Abstraction, a studio under Virtuos, in collaboration with Halo Studios. The remake is reportedly utilising a hybrid engine, combining the Halo Reach Engine for gameplay and Unreal Engine 5 for visuals. Abstraction previously worked on accessibility features for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, including the 2011 remastered version of Combat Evolved Anniversary. The remake could potentially be the first Halo game on PlayStation consoles, though this has not been confirmed. The news coincides with renewed interest in the franchise from the Netflix Halo series and updates to Halo Infinite.
Ex-FTC Chair Lina Khan pulls off the greatest ‘I told you so’, slams Xbox over Game Pass price increases. TheGamer
Ex-FTC Chair Lina Khan criticised Xbox after it raised the price of Game Pass Ultimate by $10, making it $30 per month, a move that frustrated many users. She highlighted that Microsoft had promised during its 2023 acquisition of Activision Blizzard that Game Pass prices would not increase. Khan condemned the company for harming gamers and developers through price hikes and layoffs, arguing that market consolidation has made Microsoft “too-big-to-care.” Her comments are seen as a vindication of her earlier efforts to block the merger, which she warned would reduce competition and negatively affect consumers.
Women’s CS2 ecosystem ESL Impact suspends circuit indefinitely. Esports Insider
ESL FACEIT Group has announced it will suspend its women’s Counter-Strike 2 circuit, ESL Impact, after Season 8 in November, citing an unsustainable economic model. Over seven seasons, ESL Impact provided an inclusive competitive environment with major esports organisations fielding rosters. The suspension leaves the women’s CS2 scene without a central tournament platform, creating uncertainty for players and teams. Community leaders and teams, such as MIBR, FlyQuest Red, and Imperial Fe, have pledged to continue supporting female Counter-Strike players despite the existing gap. The decision highlights the need for sustained community and organisational support to keep women’s competition alive.
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