Patch Notes #45 - weekly gaming digest
Welcome to the 45th edition of Patch Notes, let’s get this bad boy going.
This edition will cover the week from 13 October to October 19.
What caught my attention this week
There was a massive leak of Pokémon’s roadmap. I haven’t read anything from it and don’t wish to share it here. Such leaks are terrible for everyone involved - yes, even the fans.
TLDR
The next Xbox ‘should be stronger than PS6’ but more expensive, report claims
MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy is being sued by union members over alleged mishandling of layoffs
Control studio Remedy issues profit warning due to ‘weak sales’ of FBC: Firebreak
Black Myth Wukong gets an update that’s so big on PS5, you might need to delete the game and redownload it
First screenshots of Rare’s ill-fated Everwild emerge thanks to artist’s portfolio website
PS6 and next Xbox console are both aiming for 2027 release, separate reports claim
Pokémon Go’s leveling system gets a big overhaul this week
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road ‘INA-DAI’ live stream set for October 21
Microsoft denies U.S. retailers like Target and Walmart have removed Xbox products from stores
Microsoft support for Windows 10 officially ends today, but a third of Steam players still use it
We are reviewing pricing’: Capcom responds to fan backlash after decision to charge $40 to watch tournament final streams
Thanks to everyone who played’: Banjo-Kazooie director confirms Rare exit after 36 years
Summer Game Fest confirms 2026 date and venue change
Skyrim’s lead designer “eternally shocked” at game’s popularity, but its open world is like nothing else
New job listing at Bluepoint Games fuels speculation over its next project, but is Bloodborne really likely?
Ninja Gaiden 4’s high difficulty still emphasises “fairness”, say game directors, as difficulty debate rages on in wake of Silksong
Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy is a mobile 3v3 battle game which brings Final Fantasy characters into modern Tokyo
SD Gundam G Generation Eternal global revenues have surpassed $200 million
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection - The Princess Ranger trailer released
Octopath Traveler 0 details Pardis III, more travelers, and more Town Building elements
Alchemised author turned anime-inspired Harry Potter fanfic into a $3 million deal
Ghost of Yotei had the biggest first-party launch in Europe for PlayStation since Spider-Man 2
Sonic the Hedgehog has been added as a sidekick on GPS navigation app Waze
Sound director Dan Forden, best known as Mortal Kombat’s ‘Toasty’ guy, has retired after 37 years
PlayStation’s troubled concert tour cancels more European dates due to “unexpected reasons”
New report claims games industry M&A volume “stable” over Q3 2025
Blizzard’s Platform & Technology workers vote to unionize
US senators express ‘profound concern’ over EA buyout: ‘The proposed transaction poses a number of significant foreign influence and national security risks’
Here’s every new Mega Evolution added in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Dead or Alive creator, Team Ninja founder and Ninja Gaiden director Tomonobu Itagaki has passed away
Sony fires back at Tencent’s “nonsense” defence for Horizon “knock-off” Light of Motiram
Battlefield 6 has become the biggest launch in series history, selling 7 million in three days
Quantic Dream has revealed its first-ever free-to-play multiplayer game, Spellcasters Chronicles
Sword of Justice launches worldwide for PC, Android, and iOS on November 7
Action RPG Bleach: Soul Resonance is coming to iOS and Android through Crunchyroll worldwide excluding Asia
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is coming soon to Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo downplays hack, claiming “no leak of personal, development, or business information”
2K appoints Ben Brinkman as 31st Union studio head
A manga based on the life of Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai is out next month
Battlefield 6 will soon let players earn XP faster and unlock attachments quicker
I did not walk away’: Former Assassin’s Creed boss says he didn’t resign, he was ‘asked to step aside’ by Ubisoft
Former Call of Duty director says he’s ‘immensely worried’ about the future of the series under Xbox
Arc Raiders already has servers slammed by almost 100,000 players in two hours, as weekend playtest starts
Nintendo reportedly increasing Switch 2 production as it expects record-breaking first year sales exceeding its own estimates
Dead Space creator hopeful EA’s new owners will let him make Dead Space 4, promising to save them millions of dollars
Galaxies Showcase returns on October 23rd, featuring over 50 indie and AA games
Where Winds Meet gets a new open-world gameplay trailer
Atari unveils Intellivision Sprint, a second attempt at reviving the brand
Football Manager 26 – FIFA licensing deal announced
Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble developers unionize to combat ‘instability and unfair conditions’
New Dragon Ball game project to be announced in January 2026
Square Enix’s new comparison video shows Final Fantasy 7 Remake running on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X and PC
Sleeping Dogs movie back on track as Marvel star Simu Liu reveals the draft script is “done”
Streamer assaulted at TwitchCon slams event security: “I think other creators should seriously consider not attending in the future”RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
Biggest news of the week
The next Xbox ‘should be stronger than PS6’ but more expensive, report claims. VG Chronicles
The next Xbox console may be more powerful than the PlayStation 6 but will cost more due to using a larger AMD Magnus APU that is reportedly 46% bigger than the one planned for PS6, according to a report by Moore’s Law is Dead. Microsoft is allegedly positioning the console as a PC-console hybrid capable of playing both Xbox Store and PC games from other stores, with the system expected to cost between $800 and $1,200. The performance difference is estimated to be around 20-30% faster than PS6 in scenarios PC gamers would appreciate, such as higher frame rates on monitors, though the gap may not be noticeable on TVs. The report suggests this hybrid console could force PC manufacturers to lower prices on pre-built gaming desktops by offering comparable or better performance at a lower cost.
MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy is being sued by union members over alleged mishandling of layoffs. VG Chronicles
The Game Workers branch of the Independent Workers of Great Britain union is filing legal action against MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy over alleged failure to conduct fair consultation ahead of redundancies and multiple cases of unfair dismissal. An open letter signed by former and current employees estimates 250-300 workers have been laid off and accuses the studio of lack of transparency, mandatory overtime of eight hours per week before launch, and mishandling redundancies with incorrect dismissal notices. The letter demands a public apology, proper compensation, acknowledgment of the IWGB as a trade union, and commitment to use external partners for future redundancies. MindsEye received Metacritic scores of 38 for PC and 28 for PS5, making it the lowest-rated game this year.
Control studio Remedy issues profit warning due to ‘weak sales’ of FBC: Firebreak. VG Chronicles
Remedy Entertainment has issued a profit warning to investors due to “weak sales” of FBC: Firebreak, its co-op shooter set in the Control universe that launched in June. The studio will take a 14.9 million euro hit representing the majority of the game’s development and publishing costs, changing its business year outlook from expecting profit increases to negative operating profit. While FBC: Firebreak reached over 1 million players in its first ten days, the majority were Xbox and PlayStation users accessing it through Game Pass and PlayStation Plus rather than purchasing it directly. According to SteamDB, the game peaked at around 2,000 concurrent players on Steam at launch and has since dropped to less than a hundred players.
Black Myth Wukong gets an update that’s so big on PS5, you might need to delete the game and redownload it. EuroGamer
Black Myth Wukong is receiving an update on October 13 that requires approximately 93.5GB of free storage space on PlayStation 5, which combined with the game’s existing ~130GB install size totals 210GB. The large update is due to differences in file storage methods rather than new content, essentially redownloading a reordered file structure of the game. If players struggle to find storage space, Game Science recommends deleting the entire game and redownloading it rather than attempting to install the patch. Black Myth Wukong sold over 10 million copies following its launch last year, and Game Science is developing a thematic continuation based on Chinese mythical figure Zhong Kui rather than a direct sequel.
First screenshots of Rare’s ill-fated Everwild emerge thanks to artist’s portfolio website. EuroGamer
Screenshots of Rare’s cancelled game Everwild have emerged via the portfolio website of an artist who worked on the project, showing the game’s UI and gameplay elements. The screenshots reveal an inventory menu with categories including Favourites, Figments, Tools, Mosaics, Seeds, and Plants, suggesting farming or base-building customization gameplay. Everwild was first announced in 2019 with animated trailers showcasing colorful environments and fantasy creatures, but was cancelled earlier this year following widespread layoffs at Microsoft. The leaked images are reportedly from a version close to the game’s cancellation and represent the only look at actual gameplay beyond the initial trailers.
PS6 and next Xbox console are both aiming for 2027 release, separate reports claim. VG Chronicles
Both PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox console are reportedly targeting a 2027 release according to separate insider accounts from KeplerL2 and Moore’s Law is Dead. KeplerL2 stated that 2027 is Sony’s plan for PS6 “unless any unexpected delays happen,” while Moore’s Law is Dead claimed Microsoft is openly telling partners the next Xbox will launch in 2027. The next Xbox, featuring the AMD Magnus APU, is expected to be a console-PC hybrid that’s more powerful but more expensive than PS6, capable of running more than just Xbox apps to challenge the PC gaming market directly.
Pokémon Go’s leveling system gets a big overhaul this week. Polygon
Pokémon Go is overhauling its leveling system on October 15, raising the trainer level cap from 50 to 80 and rebalancing XP requirements to make progression more rewarding. The new system reduces the total XP needed to reach level 50 from 176 million to approximately 12.75 million, with level 80 requiring 203.35 million total XP. Players will earn increased storage for Pokémon, items, gifts, and postcards as they level up, along with cosmetic rewards like Poké Ball-themed avatar items at various milestones. Niantic is also introducing Daily Adventure Eggs, which hatch after 1 km of exploration and award 10,000 XP, using a dedicated incubator that doesn’t consume regular incubators.
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road ‘INA-DAI’ live stream set for October 21. Gematsu
LEVEL-5 will host an Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road live stream called “INA-DAI” on October 21 at 9:00 a.m. ET, sharing the latest updates on the game’s Story Mode, Chronicle Mode, and Versus Mode. The broadcast will be available on YouTube in Japanese only, with English subtitles to be added to the archive later. Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road launches on November 13 worldwide for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam.
Microsoft denies U.S. retailers like Target and Walmart have removed Xbox products from stores. GamesIndustry
Microsoft has denied claims that US retailers like Target and Walmart have removed Xbox products from stores, stating that these retailers “remain committed partners for Xbox consoles, accessories, and games.” The rumor emerged after Costco reportedly stopped selling Xbox consoles in the US and UK, with some players sharing images suggesting other retailers were purging Xbox hardware stock. The speculation comes following two recent US price increases and Microsoft raising Xbox Game Pass Ultimate’s price from $19.99/£14.99 to $29.99/£22.99 per month, though the company says the increase includes expanded offerings like Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics.
Microsoft support for Windows 10 officially ends today, but a third of Steam players still use it. VG Chronicles
Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10 today, October 14, meaning security updates, technical assistance, and feature updates will no longer be provided. According to Valve’s hardware survey for September 2025, 32.18% of Steam users are still running Windows 10, while StatCounter data shows over 40% of global Windows users and nearly 10% still using Windows 7. Microsoft recommends users upgrade to Windows 11, which can be done for free if hardware meets minimum specifications, warning that PCs without continued updates will be at greater risk for viruses and malware.
We are reviewing pricing’: Capcom responds to fan backlash after decision to charge $40 to watch tournament final streams. VG Chronicles
Capcom is reviewing its pricing for pay-per-view streaming of the Capcom Cup 12 and SFL World Championship finals after facing fan backlash over the $40 cost to watch both tournaments online. The company originally announced at Tokyo Game Show that fans would need to pay ¥4,000 ($27) per tournament final on March 14-15, 2026, or ¥6,000 ($40) for a bundle to watch both events. Capcom stated it will share updated information regarding pricing and additional context later this month following feedback from fans. Street Fighter 6 director Takayuki Nakayama revealed that even the development team was surprised by the announcement, with both he and producer Shuhei Matsumoto learning about the decision while at Tokyo Game Show.
Thanks to everyone who played’: Banjo-Kazooie director confirms Rare exit after 36 years. VG Chronicles
Gregg Mayles, Rare’s most experienced game designer and director of Banjo-Kazooie, has confirmed he left the studio after more than 35 years, with Tuesday marking his final day. Mayles helmed some of Rare’s most memorable games including Donkey Kong Country and its sequel, Banjo-Kazooie and Tooie, Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Viva Pinata, and served as creative director for Sea of Thieves. His most recent project, Everwild, was cancelled this summer as part of significant company-wide layoffs that reportedly affected as many as 9,000 people across all departments.
Summer Game Fest confirms 2026 date and venue change. VG Chronicles
Summer Game Fest 2026 will take place on Friday, June 5 at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, marking a venue change for producer Geoff Keighley’s annual summer gaming event. The live event will be open to the public with tickets going on sale in Spring 2026, promising “new video game announcements, surprises and reveals.” The 2025 Summer Game Fest achieved over 50 million livestream viewers across its two-hour show, marking the highest viewership on record, with highlights including Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem and multiple major game announcements.
Skyrim’s lead designer “eternally shocked” at game’s popularity, but its open world is like nothing else. EuroGamer
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim’s lead designer Bruce Nesmith says he’s “eternally shocked” the 14-year-old RPG remains popular, attributing its success to an open world approach “nobody had ever done before and very few people have really tried to do since.” Nesmith explained that Bethesda prioritized a “player-driven experience” and accepted the “quirkiness” and bugs that came with it, believing that smoothing everything out would lose the game’s magic. Todd Howard shared internal data showing continued high player counts even 10 years after release, leaving Nesmith incredulous that no other game has eclipsed it. Skyrim received an Anniversary Edition in 2021 following releases on multiple platforms, though news remains thin on the next Elder Scrolls game.
New job listing at Bluepoint Games fuels speculation over its next project, but is Bloodborne really likely? EuroGamer
A new job listing at Bluepoint Games for a senior combat designer has fueled speculation about the studio’s next project, with the position requiring “solid understanding of combat systems and mechanics for third-person melee action experiences.” Bluepoint is known for its remakes of Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls, but has released nothing since its 2021 acquisition by Sony, with a reported God of War live-service game cancelled earlier this year. Fan speculation centers on either a remake of the original God of War trilogy or Bloodborne, FromSoftware’s beloved PS4 exclusive that would follow Bluepoint’s work on Demon’s Souls. FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki has acknowledged Bloodborne is “a title we hold very dear,” and with Sony now Kadokawa’s largest shareholder, some wonder if a deal for Bloodborne’s return could materialize.
Ninja Gaiden 4’s high difficulty still emphasises “fairness”, say game directors, as difficulty debate rages on in wake of Silksong. EuroGamer
Ninja Gaiden 4 directors Yuji Nakao and Masakazu Hirayama have emphasized that while the game maintains the series’ notoriously high difficulty, fairness between player and enemies remains crucial. Nakao stated the series focuses on offering “the cathartic release of overcoming disadvantageous odds” by placing enemies on equal footing with players, while Hirayama explained fairness is maintained by ensuring deaths feel like the player’s fault rather than unreasonable. The discussion comes amid renewed debate around difficulty in games following Hollow Knight: Silksong’s challenging release, though Team Cherry noted players have ways to mitigate difficulty through exploration and learning. Ninja Gaiden 4 will release later this month across Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC with difficulty options for both newcomers and experts.
Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy is a mobile 3v3 battle game which brings Final Fantasy characters into modern Tokyo. RPG Site
Square Enix has announced Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy, a mobile 3v3 team battle game set in modern-day Tokyo where teams of three compete to defeat giant boss characters faster than the enemy team. The iOS and Android game features 10 confirmed Final Fantasy characters including Cloud Strife, Lightning, and Terra Branford, each redesigned for the modern setting with customizable outfits across four fighting styles: Ranged, Melee, Support, and Agile. The game’s storyline involves a giant crystal appearing in Tokyo that spawns mysterious monsters, prompting armed warriors called “ghosts” to emerge and battle them. A closed beta will take place November 7-14 for players in Japan, the United States, and Canada, with the full game set for release in 2026.
SD Gundam G Generation Eternal global revenues have surpassed $200 million. RPG Site
SD Gundam G Generation Eternal has surpassed $200 million in global revenues between its April 16 release and September 15, according to Sensor Tower Japan data from Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The mobile turn-based tactics game generated approximately 8 times more revenue than competitors like Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus and Fire Emblem Heroes during the period. Japan dominated both downloads (65%) and revenues (69%), with strong contributions from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, while Hong Kong contributed 12% of revenues despite only 5% of downloads. The player base in Japan is predominantly male (9:1 ratio) aged 35-44, while the game is available worldwide on Android and iOS.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection - The Princess Ranger trailer released. RPG Site
Capcom has released a new trailer for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection featuring the Princess Ranger, the sole Rathalos Rider of Azuria, ahead of the game’s March 13, 2026 release. Players will be able to customize their protagonist’s appearance, including hairstyle and eye color, as they embark on an adventure across an expansive world full of monsters to befriend, raise, and battle. The game launches on March 13, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Octopath Traveler 0 details Pardis III, more travelers, and more Town Building elements. Gematsu
Square Enix and Dokidoki Grooveworks have released new details for Octopath Traveler 0, introducing ruler Pardis III, the tyrannical monarch of Edoras plotting to seize control of Orsterra, and four new travelers: Pius (Cleric), Saoirse (Dancer), Carinda (Merchant), and Xerc (Scholar). The game’s Town Building system will include facilities like the Monster Arena, where players can capture monsters and compete in arena matches for rewards, and the Museum, where players can enjoy collected music, revisit memories through journals, and display legendary treasures. Octopath Traveler 0 launches worldwide on December 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store.
Alchemised author turned anime-inspired Harry Potter fanfic into a $3 million deal. Polygon
SenLinYu’s debut novel Alchemised debuted on the New York Times bestseller list selling 300,000 copies in its first week and 1 million in the U.S. by early October, with Legendary purchasing film rights for reportedly over $3 million. The book originated as Harry Potter fanfiction called Manacled on Archive of Our Own before being transformed into an original work inspired by anime including Fullmetal Alchemist, Fate/Zero, and Castlevania. Alchemised follows Helena Marino, one of the last survivors of the Order of the Eternal Flame, who is sent to live with former classmate Kaine Ferron in a world where religious alchemists battle necromancers who reanimate fallen enemies.
Ghost of Yotei had the biggest first-party launch in Europe for PlayStation since Spider-Man 2. VG Chronicles
Ghost of Yotei had the biggest first-party launch in Europe for PlayStation since Spider-Man 2, entering the GSD European Chart at number 2 in both unit sales and revenue behind EA Sports FC 26. According to GSD data covering 24 countries including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Australia, Ghost of Yotei’s first weekend sales were roughly in line with its predecessor Ghost of Tsushima. Spider-Man 2 was the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game in history when it released in 2023, selling over 2.5 million copies globally in its first 24 hours. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 entered the European chart at number 3, though the data only accounts for physical Switch sales as Nintendo doesn’t provide digital sales data.
Sonic the Hedgehog has been added as a sidekick on GPS navigation app Waze. VG Chronicles
GPS navigation app Waze has added Sonic the Hedgehog as a sidekick character, allowing users to receive driving directions in Sonic’s voice. The feature includes lines like “alright, let’s roll, keep your eyes on the road, never know when a loop-de-loop or spike trap will be in the way” and enables users to replace their in-app car icon with the Speedster Lightning car from Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. The collaboration is part of Sonic Team’s Racing Around the World campaign celebrating the upcoming 35th anniversary of Sonic, which also includes a multi-year partnership with McLaren Racing announced in June.
Sound director Dan Forden, best known as Mortal Kombat’s ‘Toasty’ guy, has retired after 37 years. VG Chronicles
Dan Forden, the sound director best known as Mortal Kombat’s “Toasty” guy, has retired after 37 years in the games industry, having joined in 1988. Forden worked on the audio for numerous Williams and Midway games and created the music and sound effects for every main Mortal Kombat entry, most recently serving as audio director on Mortal Kombat X, 11, and 1 at NetherRealm Studios. Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon praised Forden’s impact, stating he “cannot overstate” the contributions Forden made to the series’ iconic sound, including the explosive uppercut sounds, announcer laughs, and arena music that defined the game’s atmosphere. Forden thanked fans for supporting the games over the years, ending his retirement announcement with “Live long and… Toasty!”
PlayStation’s troubled concert tour cancels more European dates due to “unexpected reasons”. EuroGamer
PlayStation’s troubled concert tour has cancelled additional European dates across Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland scheduled for March 2026 due to “unexpected reasons beyond our control.” Performances at venues including the ING Arena in Brussels, PSD Bank Dome in Dusseldorf, Hallenstadion in Zurich, Olympiapark in Munich, and Uber Arena in Berlin have been cancelled with refunds available. This follows the cancellation of North American tour dates earlier this month, with organisers GEA Live expressing regret over the decision after spending considerable time developing the project. Only one European date remains at the Laszlo Papp Arena in Budapest, where most seats are still available, along with some planned US dates.
New report claims games industry M&A volume “stable” over Q3 2025. GamesIndustry
The games industry recorded 49 mergers and acquisitions in Q3 2025, maintaining “stable” growth according to Aream & Co’s report, with the most notable being EA’s $55 billion acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. Mobile gaming in-app purchase spending increased to $21 billion driven by Asian publishers, while PC gaming grew 18% year-over-year powered by successful Steam releases and the Nintendo Switch 2 boosted console revenue. Private investment activity remained subdued at 82 deals with Series A rounds down for the fifth consecutive quarter, while public market fundraising cooled to $0.3 billion compared to $10.1 billion in the first half of 2025.
Blizzard’s Platform & Technology workers vote to unionize. GamesIndustry
Over 400 workers from Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology department, including designers, engineers, QA testers, localization teams, and Battle.net staff, have voted to unionize under the Communications Workers of America. The organizing committee stated they decided to unionize following colleague departures due to low pay or redundancies, hoping to improve workplace standards across the industry and change the perception that video game workers are disposable. Microsoft has reportedly recognized the union, which joins nearly 3,000 workers at Microsoft-owned studios who have organized with the CWA.
US senators express ‘profound concern’ over EA buyout: ‘The proposed transaction poses a number of significant foreign influence and national security risks’. PCGamer
US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Elizabeth Warren have expressed “profound concern” over the $55 billion EA buyout by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, warning of “significant foreign influence and national security risks.” The senators argue Saudi Arabia paid a $10 billion premium over EA’s value to buy influence, and questioned whether Kushner’s involvement is solely to secure government approval. The letter warns the deal could give the Saudi government access to EA’s customer data and allow them to “dictate or veto what stories are told to Americans through video games,” enabling potential surveillance, propaganda, and censorship.
Here’s every new Mega Evolution added in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Kotaku
Pokémon Legends: Z-A has introduced a wave of new Mega Evolutions, with the full list now revealed following the game’s Australian release. Notable additions include Mega Dragonite, Mega Victreebel, Mega Hawlucha, Mega Malamar, and the long-awaited Kalos starters Mega Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja, though the starters are only available through online battles and seasonal rewards. Raichu receives two Mega Evolutions (X and Y forms) through the Mega Dimension DLC, both blending design elements from Raichu and Pikachu. Additional Mega forms include classic Pokémon like Clefable, Starmie, and all three Johto starters, along with newer generations such as Scrafty, Chandelure, Dragalge, and Falinks, with more expected in the upcoming DLC.
Dead or Alive creator, Team Ninja founder and Ninja Gaiden director Tomonobu Itagaki has passed away. VG Chronicles
Tomonobu Itagaki, founder of Team Ninja and creator of the Dead or Alive series, has passed away at the age of 58. Itagaki produced and directed the first four Dead or Alive games and their spin-offs, as well as directing Tecmo’s critically acclaimed Ninja Gaiden reboot series. In a final message posted on his Facebook page titled “Last Words,” Itagaki expressed regret that he couldn’t deliver a new work to fans but stated he had “no regrets” and was proud to have followed his beliefs. BitSummit co-founder James Mielke, who was working on a book of Itagaki’s development memoirs with him, vowed to bring the project to life following his passing.
Sony fires back at Tencent’s “nonsense” defence for Horizon “knock-off” Light of Motiram. EuroGamer
Sony has fired back at Tencent in a lawsuit over Light of Motiram, calling the company’s defense “nonsense” and accusing it of “playing a shell game” with subsidiaries to avoid liability. Sony claims that despite Tencent delaying Light of Motiram’s release until 2027 after being sued, “the damage is done - and it continues,” as the game’s resemblance to Horizon has jeopardized the franchise’s success. Tencent has argued Sony is suing the wrong entities, stating the game is developed by Aurora Studios under different Tencent subsidiaries, but Sony counters that Tencent Holdings owns Aurora Studios and reports all gaming revenue without distinguishing between subsidiaries. Sony cited public and media reactions calling Light of Motiram “a major Horizon rip off” and claimed Tencent’s protagonist is an “egregious” attempt to trade off Aloy’s “goodwill and reputation,” requesting the court deny Tencent’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Battlefield 6 has become the biggest launch in series history, selling 7 million in three days. VG Chronicles
Battlefield 6 has become the biggest launch in the series’ history, selling over 7 million copies in its first three days and setting record highs for franchise sales. The game saw more than 172 million matches played online during the opening weekend, accumulating over 15 million hours watched on streaming services. Battlefield 6 also hit EA’s highest ever concurrent player count on Steam at 747,440, surpassing Apex Legends’ previous record of 624,473. Battlefield Studios has teased future additions including a new take on Battle Royale, naval warfare, and other fan-requested features, with the first season of new content launching in 12 days.
Quantic Dream has revealed its first-ever free-to-play multiplayer game, Spellcasters Chronicles. EuroGamer
Quantic Dream has revealed Spellcasters Chronicles, its first-ever free-to-play multiplayer game featuring 3v3 third-person arena battles with mages of distinct archetypes. Players will choose between support, tank, or damage dealer roles and utilize a strategic deck-build system with over 50 spells, summons, and Titans. A closed beta for PC via Steam will take place by the end of 2025 with sign-ups now open, and the game will be showcased at TwitchCon this weekend. Spellcasters Chronicles will be Quantic Dream’s first game since Detroit: Become Human in 2018, while the studio continues development on Star Wars: Eclipse.
Sword of Justice launches worldwide for PC, Android, and iOS on November 7. RPG Site
ZhuRong Studio has announced that Sword of Justice, a new MMORPG set in Song Dynasty-era China, will launch globally on November 7 for PC via Steam, Android, and iOS. The game promises a grind-free, no-paywall experience with full rewards accessible through various playstyles, featuring a revolutionary “Paths Converge” system and hundreds of skills and equipment to explore. Sword of Justice includes an NPC Companion System that allows solo players to tackle group dungeons, along with diverse activities like farming, fishing, chess, and archaeology that offer equal core rewards. The game will support full language support in Chinese and Japanese with voiceovers, plus English, Korean, Indonesian, and Thai subtitles.
Action RPG Bleach: Soul Resonance is coming to iOS and Android through Crunchyroll worldwide excluding Asia. RPG Site
Crunchyroll and A Plus Japan have announced Bleach: Soul Resonance, an action-RPG based on the Bleach anime and manga, for iOS and Android release worldwide excluding Asia later this year. The game, developed by Nuverse, features story-driven gameplay with immersive blade-clashing mechanics, seamless character switching for synergistic combos, and an 80-draw guarantee to obtain favorite characters. Pre-registration is now open on the App Store and Google Play for players in territories including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and various Latin American countries.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is coming soon to Nintendo Switch 2. RPG Site
Owlcat Games has announced that Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is coming soon to Nintendo Switch 2, marking the first time an Owlcat game will be available on a Nintendo platform. The announcement comes following the launch of the Lex Imperialis expansion and the availability of Season Pass 2 for $29.99, though details on which editions or DLC will be included in the Switch 2 version have not been revealed. Owlcat Games also announced that an open alpha for their next Warhammer 40,000 CRPG, Dark Heresy, will launch later this year.
Nintendo downplays hack, claiming “no leak of personal, development, or business information”. GamesIndustry
Nintendo has downplayed a recent hack, stating that no personal, development, or business information was leaked, claiming the breach was limited to data on its websites. Last weekend, hackers claimed they had breached Nintendo servers and stolen internal data, providing screenshots of Nintendo topic files as proof. Nintendo declined to comment on ongoing leaks related to the Pokémon franchise following last year’s Game Freak server breach, which resulted in employee data exposure and leaks of development secrets including the series’ roadmap until 2030.
2K appoints Ben Brinkman as 31st Union studio head. GamesIndustry
2K has appointed Ben Brinkman as the new studio head of 31st Union, with the role beginning on October 20, 2025, according to a memo from 2K president David Ismailer. Brinkman previously served as head of production on Apex Legends at Respawn Entertainment and worked at companies including Activision, Treyarch, and Electronic Arts Canada, with 15 years of experience in the PVP shooter space. He replaces former president Michael Condrey, who was dismissed earlier this year following concerns about the studio’s online multiplayer game Project Ethos. Ismailer provided a positive update on Project Ethos, stating the team has reimagined the game with a renewed vision following community feedback from last fall’s playtest.
A manga based on the life of Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai is out next month. VG Chronicles
A manga book about Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai’s life will be released in Japan on November 18 for ¥1,430 ($9.45), with no plans announced for an English translation. The 160-page biographical comic, titled Masahiro Sakurai: Making the World More Fun with Games, covers six chapters including his early years with games, the creation of Kirby and Smash Bros, founding Sora Inc., and his legacy. The book, supervised by Sakurai himself, includes a timeline of his life and an article about working as a game developer. Sakurai recently received a lifetime achievement award from AMD Japan and an Art Encouragement Prize from the Japanese government for his YouTube channel, where he freely shared game design knowledge without monetization.
Battlefield 6 will soon let players earn XP faster and unlock attachments quicker. VG Chronicles
Battlefield 6 will receive updates within the next week to speed up XP earning and attachment unlocking, including a 10% increase in match completion XP, a 40% increase in daily bonus XP, and reduced XP requirements for the first 20 attachment ranks. Assignment unlock ranks will be lowered, with those previously requiring career rank 20, 23, and 26 now unlocking at ranks 10, 15, and 20 respectively. Battlefield Studios is also addressing Portal servers being filled with XP farming bots, working on adjustments to reduce XP farm servers and emphasize playing with friends on custom experiences. Battlefield 6 sold over 7 million copies in its first three days and reached EA’s highest Steam concurrent player count of 747,440, surpassing Apex Legends’ previous record.
I did not walk away’: Former Assassin’s Creed boss says he didn’t resign, he was ‘asked to step aside’ by Ubisoft. VG Chronicles
Former Assassin’s Creed franchise boss Marc-Alexis Côté has clarified that he didn’t resign from Ubisoft but was “asked to step aside” by the company after nearly two decades with the series. Côté stated on LinkedIn that Ubisoft transferred leadership of Assassin’s Creed to someone closer to its new organizational structure, with the alternative position offered not carrying “the same scope, mandate, or continuity” as his previous role. This contradicts statements from Vantage Studios co-CEOs Charlie Guillemot and Christophe Derennes, who claimed Côté declined “several opportunities to be part of the leadership team” and chose to leave. Côté emphasized he stayed at his post until asked to step aside, comparing himself to a ship captain who “leaves only once every soul on board is safe.”
Former Call of Duty director says he’s ‘immensely worried’ about the future of the series under Xbox. VG Chronicles
Former Call of Duty director Glen Schofield says he’s “immensely worried” about the franchise’s future under Microsoft, citing the decline of franchises like Halo and Gears of War and questioning cultural compatibility. Schofield expressed concern about Microsoft’s impact on the bonus system and staff incentives, noting that since his departure from Sledgehammer Games, “none of the games have been very good.” He highlighted the departures of key staff including co-founder Michael Condrey and Black Ops veteran David Vonderhaar, and pointed out that Black Ops 6 saw a sharper post-launch decline than usual despite strong initial player numbers.
Arc Raiders already has servers slammed by almost 100,000 players in two hours, as weekend playtest starts. EuroGamer
Arc Raiders has attracted nearly 100,000 concurrent players on Steam within two hours of its weekend playtest launch, positioning it between Dune: Awakening’s 150,000 and Battlefield 6’s 250,000 open beta numbers. The server slam is the final opportunity for players to try the third-person extraction shooter for free before its October 30 launch at £30.99/$39.99/€39.99. The weekend playtest is available on PC via Steam and Epic, Xbox, and PS5, with no progress carrying over to the full game. Arc Raiders’ main competitors in the extraction shooter genre include Escape From Tarkov, which is getting a Steam release in November, and the indefinitely delayed Marathon.
Nintendo reportedly increasing Switch 2 production as it expects record-breaking first year sales exceeding its own estimates. EuroGamer
Nintendo has reportedly requested hardware suppliers produce 25 million Switch 2 consoles by the end of March 2026, anticipating demand will persist through Christmas with sales of roughly 20 million units expected this fiscal year. This exceeds Nintendo’s own conservative prediction of 15 million consoles announced in May, which was on par with the original Switch’s first-year sales of 14.87 million units. The Switch 2 sold 3.5 million units worldwide in its first four days, becoming Nintendo’s fastest-selling hardware ever and breaking records in the US as the fastest-selling video game hardware device of all time. Bloomberg reports Nintendo’s shares have risen over 50 percent and the company is expected to report 68 percent growth in quarterly revenue at its next earnings call, with an updated annual forecast for Switch 2 sales.
Dead Space creator hopeful EA’s new owners will let him make Dead Space 4, promising to save them millions of dollars. EuroGamer
Dead Space creator Glen Schofield is making calls to EA’s new owners hoping to make Dead Space 4, claiming he could save the company 30-40 million dollars by reassembling the leadership team and using models from EA Motive’s 2023 remake. Schofield sees EA’s $55 billion private acquisition by a group including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund as a new opportunity after previously being rejected by the company. Schofield left Striking Distance Studios in 2023 after The Callisto Protocol flopped and has since struggled to obtain financial backing for new projects.
Galaxies Showcase returns on October 23rd, featuring over 50 indie and AA games. GamesIndustry
The second Galaxies Showcase, featuring over 50 indie and AA games including six world premieres, will air on October 23rd at 8pm GMT/9pm CEST/12pm PST/3pm EST. The digital event will be available on GamesIndustry.biz, IGN Entertainment editorial sites, Twitch, and YouTube, with select games receiving new demos. Featured titles include Dumb Ways to Die, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, Solasta II, and DEFECT, with participating publishers including Devolver Digital, Kepler Interactive, Playstack, Secret Mode, Fireshine Games, and Owlcat Games. The showcase will be hosted by Outside Xbox’s Jane Douglas and follows a successful debut in April.
Where Winds Meet gets a new open-world gameplay trailer. RPG Site
NetEase Games and Everstone Studio have released a new open-world gameplay trailer for Where Winds Meet ahead of its November 14 launch for PS5 and PC, celebrating over 5 million pre-registrations worldwide. The Wuxia action-adventure RPG features over 20 distinct regions, more than 10,000 unique NPCs with individual personalities, and over 40 Martial Mystic Arts including Tai Chi, Toad Style, and Lion’s Roar for combat and exploration. Where Winds Meet is a PlayStation 5 console exclusive for at least six months after launch, available on Steam, Epic, and Windows for PC. The game’s combat system is inspired by traditional Kung Fu movements and fantastical martial arts styles, with multiple difficulty settings to cater to both casual narrative-focused players and skilled ARPG veterans.
Atari unveils Intellivision Sprint, a second attempt at reviving the brand. GameSpot
Atari has unveiled the Intellivision Sprint, a modern console celebrating the original Atari 2600 competitor, available for preorder at $150 ahead of its December 5 launch. The console, created in partnership with Plaion, features 45 classic games, two wireless controllers, a USB-A port for library expansion, and controller overlays for every title. Atari acquired the Intellivision brand and game catalog in May 2024, following the stalled Intellivision Amico project that will no longer bear the Intellivision name. Included games span the classic library with titles like Astrosmash, Baseball, Boulder Dash, and Night Stalker.
Football Manager 26 – FIFA licensing deal announced. Gematsu
Publisher SEGA and developer Sports Interactive have signed their first-ever partnership with FIFA for Football Manager 26, bringing official licenses for the FIFA World Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, along with official kits, broadcast graphics, and tournament branding. The multi-year deal will include the FIFA World Cup 26 held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with official kits of all 48 teams included when available. The partnership coincides with the inclusion of a revamped International Management module in a 2026 content update for Football Manager 26 ahead of FIFA World Cup 26. Football Manager 26 launches November 4 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and iOS/Android via Netflix, with a Switch version launching December 4.
Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble developers unionize to combat ‘instability and unfair conditions’. Game Developer
Over 100 Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble developers, including software engineers, artists, QA testers, and producers, have formed a union with the Communications Workers of America Local 9510 in Irvine, California. Microsoft has recognized the union, which joins thousands of other Activision Blizzard employees who have unionized in recent years, including over 400 Platform & Technology department employees, 450 Diablo developers, and 500-plus World of Warcraft team members. Organizing committee member Uriah Voth stated the union aims to fight for layoff protections, security for remote workers, and reduced wage gaps, as “the pressures we face are making it harder to create the high-quality work we care about.”
New Dragon Ball game project to be announced in January 2026. Gematsu
Bandai Namco will announce a new Dragon Ball game project at the Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri event on January 25, 2026 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. The announcement will take place during the “Genkida Stage+: New Game Super Announcement Stage!” event at 11:00 JST. Further information about the new game project has not yet been revealed.
Square Enix’s new comparison video shows Final Fantasy 7 Remake running on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X and PC. VG Chronicles
Square Enix released a comparison video showing Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade running on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, highlighting how the Switch 2 version visually keeps up despite its lower power. The footage, limited to 30fps, mainly shows minor texture differences, such as floor details during close-ups. The Switch 2 version runs at a stable 30fps, while PS5 and PC versions can reach 60fps or higher. Director Naoki Hamaguchi explained that maintaining high-quality lighting was key to preserving the game’s visual depth and character expression, with optimization focused on effects like fog. The Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S versions will launch on January 22, 2026.
Sleeping Dogs movie back on track as Marvel star Simu Liu reveals the draft script is “done”. EuroGamer
The movie adaptation of Sleeping Dogs is back on track, and the first draft of the script is “done,” according to Simu Liu. Liu shared the update in a tweet along with a photo of his sleeping dog. The film was reportedly cancelled earlier this year, with Donnie Yen revealing he had invested time and money before the project stalled. Liu later confirmed his involvement and said Square Enix was supportive, but Hollywood studios didn’t understand the importance of the IP. He did not reveal who wrote the script or who else is involved in the project.
Streamer assaulted at TwitchCon slams event security: “I think other creators should seriously consider not attending in the future”. EuroGamer
Streamer Emiru was assaulted during her TwitchCon Meet & Greet when a man pushed past barriers and tried to kiss her. Twitch stated the individual was banned from the premises and all Twitch events, calling the behavior “completely unacceptable and deeply upsetting.” However, Emiru disputed Twitch’s claim that it responded promptly, stating security failed to act, and the man initially walked away. She said TwitchCon staff did not check on her and even joked about the incident afterward. Emiru said this would be her last TwitchCon and urged other creators to reconsider attending.
Biggest releases this week
