Patch Notes #46th - weekly gaming digest
Welcome to the 46th edition of Patch Notes. Let’s get this bad boy going.
This edition will cover the week from 20 October to 26 October.
What caught my attention this week
The situation with Microsoft is quite interesting… Watching die-hard fans lose their cool because Halo will now be available on multiple platforms, including PS5, is quite fascinating. I’ve never really understood console wars from a fan’s point of view, nor why some would defend it so passionately. It’s very intriguing from a social perspective.tw
TLDR
Football Manager signs deal with FIFA, will add official World Cup competitions
Next-gen Xbox confirmed in development, following rumours Microsoft would stop making consoles
Marathon’s disastrous beta test was “a very great A/B test” for Arc Raiders, according to the technical director
Donkey Kong Bananza DLC ‘DK Island + Emerald Rush’ to host monthly limited-time events
NINJA GAIDEN 4 launch trailer
Palworld ‘Halloween’ update launches October 23
Ninja Gaiden 4 review: relentlessly entertaining combat, even if it threatens to outstay its welcome
Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh tried to make a Star Wars Kylo Ren movie, but Disney said no
Rovio is laying off 36 staff, says Angry Birds Dream Blast has ‘not been performing as expected’
Silent Hill boss says Konami announced three games at once to show it was committed to the series’ future
The Simpsons is reportedly coming to Fortnite, including an entire Springfield map
Escape from Duckov waddles into the extraction shooter space with over 200,000 concurrent players
MindsEye boss alleges “saboteurs” within the company were behind its poor reception, according to new report
Astro Bot director believes PS5 has “really brought something special”, despite criticism of incremental improvements over PS4
The Sims Mobile to be sunset in January 2026
Ragnarok Online 3 new gameplay trailer showcases the Emperium Showdown siege battle mode
Xbox President says next console will be a “very premium” experience, and my wallet is weeping already
More than 1,200 games journalists have left the media in the last two years
NBCUniversal signs deal with Law & Order creator Dick Wolf’s son to make AI-generated games based on its IP
Gamescom Asia reports record 206,149 visitors
Remedy CEO steps down, two weeks after it issued a profit warning due to FBC: Firebreak’s “weak sales”
Steam receives a promising new feature that should help you discover, and keep track of, new games
Palworld studio Pocketpair won’t publish games with AI - “we don’t believe in it”
Xbox is more expensive for developers too, as Microsoft bumps up dev kit cost
Paradox Interactive shares Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 launch trailer
Netflix could buy Mortal Kombat, Hogwarts Legacy owner, Warner Bros. Discovery
Fallout 4 is getting an ‘anniversary edition’ and coming to Nintendo Switch 2
PUBG and Subnautica publisher Krafton says it’s transforming into an ‘AI-first’ company
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has finally been officially confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2
We’re seeing people evolve way past that’: Xbox’s Sarah Bond says the idea of exclusives is outdated
Ubisoft is asking staff at The Division studio Massive Entertainment to volunteer to be laid off
Counter Strike 2 update wipes nearly $2 billion off skin market value by making fancy knives and gloves easier to get
Microsoft’s push for high Xbox profit margins behind job cuts, publishing on PlayStation, and cancellation of projects like Perfect Dark, claims report
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake screenshots introduce each game and new gameplay features
Atlus shares Persona 3 Reload Switch 2 launch trailer and celebratory illustration from Shigenori Soejima
Valnet cuts “entire features team” amid widespread layoffs at TheGamer
Football Manager signs deal with FIFA, will add official World Cup competitions. VG Chronicles
Football Manager developer Sports Interactive has signed a multi-year partnership with FIFA to bring official competitions including the FIFA World Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup to the game. Football Manager 26, launching November 4, will initially focus solely on club management, but a revamped International Management module featuring FIFA World Cup 26 with official kits, broadcast graphics, and tournament branding will be added in a content update next year. The game will be available in four versions across PC, consoles, Apple Arcade, and Netflix mobile.
Next-gen Xbox confirmed in development, following rumours Microsoft would stop making consoles. EuroGamer
Xbox president Sarah Bond has confirmed Microsoft is developing next-gen hardware, following rumors the company would stop making consoles. Bond stated the company is “100 percent looking at making things in the future” with next-gen hardware in development, including prototyping, designing, and a partnership with AMD. The confirmation comes amid speculation triggered by the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price hike and Microsoft’s “This is an Xbox” campaign promoting multi-platform availability. Bond emphasized Microsoft wants to provide multiple choices for gamers, from high-end hardware for demanding players to options like the new handheld ROG Xbox Ally for PC gaming on the go.
Marathon’s disastrous beta test was “a very great A/B test” for Arc Raiders, according to technical director. EuroGamer
Arc Raiders technical director Virgil Watkins stated that the game’s April playtest coinciding with Marathon’s closed beta was coincidental but served as “a very great A/B test” for Embark Studios. Watkins explained they could compare and contrast design decisions between the two extraction shooters, with Marathon making choices Arc Raiders didn’t and vice versa. Arc Raiders’ recent server slam reached almost 100,000 concurrent players on PC, while Marathon remains in limbo after facing criticism over design decisions and a plagiarism scandal involving visual assets. Marathon was delayed from its September release and will have a fresh open beta from October 22-27, concluding right as Arc Raiders launches on October 30.
Donkey Kong Bananza DLC ‘DK Island + Emerald Rush’ to host monthly limited-time events. EuroGamer
Nintendo will host monthly limited-time events for the Donkey Kong Bananza paid DLC “DK Island + Emerald Rush,” with the first event “Chip Fever” running from October 28 to November 4. During each event, players can tackle special Emerald Rush challenges with fixed conditions such as predetermined Emerald Perks from fossils and Banandium Gems, though players can still select from three choices that remain the same during each run. Players who achieve target scores will earn character statues and Banandium Chips exchangeable for standard statues, with unlimited retries available within the event period.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 launch trailer. EuroGamer
Xbox Game Studios, Team NINJA, and PlatinumGames have released the launch trailer for NINJA GAIDEN 4 ahead of its October 21 release. The game combines Team NINJA’s combat philosophy with PlatinumGames’ stylish action gameplay, featuring Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform weapons, legacy techniques like Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow, and the return of legendary Ryu Hayabusa with a revamped toolset. The story follows young ninja prodigy Yakumo fighting through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures in a near-future Tokyo suffering from an ancient enemy’s resurrection and endless miasma. The game launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, and will be available via Game Pass.
Palworld ‘Halloween’ update launches October 23. EuroGamer
Pocketpair will release a Halloween-themed update for Palworld on October 23. The update teases Zoe appearing in an unusual new outfit and mysterious figures roaming the Palpagos Islands dressed in Depresso costumes, with something strange happening to the Pal Depresso. The developer is keeping details vague, asking players to stay tuned and watch for “tricks” brewing in the game.
Ninja Gaiden 4 review: relentlessly entertaining combat, even if it threatens to outstay its welcome. VG Chronicles
Ninja Gaiden 4, developed by PlatinumGames and Team Ninja, delivers relentlessly entertaining combat with optional difficulty settings including Hero mode and accessibility toggles, while still offering traditionally hard experiences for series purists. The game follows new protagonist Yakumo with four distinct swappable weapons and visually impressive graphics running at 60fps, though the 19-chapter campaign’s repetitive gameplay loop of killing waves of enemies may wear thin for some players since basic combos remain effective throughout. Despite the conclusion feeling artificially extended with one stage played twice in a row, the refined combat and spectacular action gameplay make it worth experiencing, especially for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.
Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh tried to make a Star Wars Kylo Ren movie, but Disney said no. Polygon
Adam Driver revealed he had been interested in doing another Star Wars film since 2021 and worked with director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Rebecca Blunt on a post-Rise of Skywalker project titled “The Hunt for Ben Solo.” Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, vice president Cary Beck, and chief creative officer Dave Filoni were interested, bringing in screenwriter Scott Z. Burns to develop what Driver called “one of the coolest scripts I had ever been a part of.” However, the project was rejected by Disney executives Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, who didn’t see how Ben Solo could be alive after his death in The Rise of Skywalker.
Rovio is laying off 36 staff, says Angry Birds Dream Blast has ‘not been performing as expected’. VG Chronicles
Rovio is laying off 36 staff, partly because mobile game Angry Birds Dream Blast has “not been performing as expected” since its 2018 release. The layoffs include senior staff who were working on the game, as Rovio reorganizes its studio structure to move towards a more game-centric approach and better integrate with Sega, which acquired the studio two years ago. A Rovio spokesperson confirmed no games have been cancelled but explained the company is creating new business units, reorganizing game studios, and making management structure changes to reflect its role as a non-listed company and tighten relations with Sega.
Silent Hill boss says Konami announced three games at once to show it was committed to the series’ future. VG Chronicles
Silent Hill series producer Motoi Okamoto explained that Konami announced three games simultaneously during its October 2022 Silent Hill Transmission to prove the company was serious about reviving the series rather than just testing the waters with a single remake. The announcement included Silent Hill 2 remake, Silent Hill F, and Silent Hill Townfall to show commitment despite the risks of developing a remake and new titles simultaneously. Okamoto stated that users won’t engage with an IP unless they sense it has a future, and companies need to demonstrate their seriousness to generate genuine excitement rather than taking a wait-and-see approach. Both Silent Hill 2 remake and Silent Hill F have since been released to critical acclaim and positive fan response.
The Simpsons is reportedly coming to Fortnite, including an entire Springfield map. VG Chronicles
Fortnite is reportedly getting an entire mini-season dedicated to The Simpsons, including character skins and a full Springfield map with separate sections like the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, according to leaks from dataminers. The Springfield map will be cel-shaded to match The Simpsons’ animated art style, and the skins will have Lego versions for use in Fortnite’s Lego-themed modes. The Simpsons-themed season is said to launch on November 1, 2025, exactly one year and one day after the delisting of The Simpsons: Tapped Out mobile game. This would be one of Fortnite’s rare full-season IP crossovers, similar to the Star Wars Galactic Battle season that ran earlier this year.
Escape From Duckov waddles into the extraction shooter space with over 200,000 concurrent players. EuroGamer
Escape from Duckov, a PvE extraction game where players are ducks looting and extracting without getting killed, has rapidly gained popularity since launching on Steam on October 16. Created by Team Soda, a Bilibili game studio, the game peaked at roughly 61,000 players after one day and climbed to 221,963 concurrent players, reaching number three on Steam’s global top sellers. The game’s name is a play on Escape from Tarkov, the pioneering extraction shooter that is scheduled for its own Steam release in November. Priced at £15.83 / $15.83 / €15.83, Escape from Duckov’s launch comes as Arc Raiders concluded its server slam playtest and Marathon prepares for its next closed technical test.
MindsEye boss alleges “saboteurs” within the company were behind its poor reception, according to new report. EuroGamer
MindsEye boss and Build A Rocket Boy founder Leslie Benzies alleged in a July all-staff meeting that “saboteurs” within the company and “internal and external” forces were behind the game’s poor reception, calling the negativity “uncalled for” and vowing to root out those responsible. However, former employees tell a different story, with one claiming “Leslie never decided what game he wanted to make” and others describing micromanagement through “Leslie tickets” that took highest priority while issues flagged by other employees were ignored. Former lead data analyst Ben Newbon stated that Leslie tickets had to be prioritized over everything else, while another former employee claimed they were “laughed at” in meetings for speaking out. The BBC report also covers crunch culture before launch, with Build A Rocket Boy stating they take “full responsibility for the initial launch” while noting the released version “did not reflect the experience our community deserved.”
Astro Bot director believes PS5 has “really brought something special”, despite criticism of incremental improvements over PS4. EuroGamer
Astro Bot director Nicolas Doucet defended the PlayStation 5 as having “really brought something special” despite criticism of incremental improvements over PS4, emphasizing the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers alongside the SSD’s impact on reducing wait times in games like Souls titles. Doucet acknowledged graphically it’s “hard to see the difference” between late PS4 and early PS5 games to an untrained eye, but argued the changes require hands-on experience to appreciate and are “less obvious” than the jump to HD graphics. He also discussed Astro Bot’s concise length using a food analogy, explaining the team aimed to leave players wanting more rather than feeling “fed up,” echoing his GDC comments that “it’s OK to make a small game.”
The Sims Mobile to be sunset in January 2026. GamesIndustry
The Sims Mobile will be sunset on January 20, 2026, Electronic Arts announced, with the game delisted from the Apple App Store and Google Play as of October 20. Players who already have the game installed can continue playing until the shutdown date, with all previous purchases remaining functional, but “any leftover currency will not be eligible for a refund” after the game closes. EA announced earlier this year there would be no new content updates or events for The Sims Mobile, though no reason was given for shuttering the title that launched in 2018.
Ragnarok Online 3 new gameplay trailer showcases the Emperium Showdown siege battle mode. RPG Site
Gravity Game Vision and Joymaker have released a new gameplay trailer for Ragnarok Online 3 showcasing the Emperium Showdown siege battle mode, where up to 40 players in a guild can invade another guild’s castle across three phases. The first phase has attackers breaching the castle using siege weapons like battering rams and ladders, the second features in-city battles with Protectors where players can pilot mechs, and the final phase revolves around destroying the defender’s Emperium crystal. The trailer also showed a sneak peek of 5-player dungeons and a 100-player dungeon boss battle, with Gravity and Joymaker conducting limited closed tests ahead of the MMORPG’s full release.
Xbox President says next console will be a “very premium” experience, and my wallet is weeping already. TheGamer
Xbox president Sarah Bond revealed in an interview with Mashable that the next-gen Xbox console will be “a very premium, very high-end curated experience,” suggesting it may come with a high price point. Bond hinted at some of the company’s thinking being reflected in the ROG Xbox Ally handheld but kept further details under wraps. The comments align with recent insider claims that the next PlayStation console will be less powerful but cheaper than the next-gen Xbox, amid ongoing speculation about Xbox potentially creating an Xbox/PC hybrid system to bridge the gap between console and PC gaming.
More than 1,200 games journalists have left the media in the last two years. VG Chronicles
More than 1,200 video game journalists have left the media in the past two years and haven’t returned, with over 600 departing in the last 12 months alone, resulting in a 25% decline in the global pool of tier-1 game journalists according to Press Engine data. Press Engine co-founder Gareth Williams attributed the losses to a shift towards covering only the biggest games, increased competition, and harmful Google search engine changes including AI summaries. Veteran journalist Alex Donaldson agreed Google is the primary factor and predicts the games media will continue shrinking for at least 12 months, while noting some losses could have been avoided with better management from proprietors.
NBCUniversal signs deal with Law & Order creator Dick Wolf’s son to make AI-generated games based on its IP. VG Chronicles
Wolf Games, founded by Elliott Wolf (son of Law & Order creator Dick Wolf), has signed a partnership with NBCUniversal to create generative AI games based on its film and television IP, including properties from Universal Pictures, DreamWorks, and Illumination. The company claims to be “a true creative partner” that enhances narrative game creation while focusing on “ethical generative AI” and protecting storytelling, character integrity, and world-building. Wolf Games will launch its first gaming universe, an original IP called Public Eye featuring daily detective games, in beta later this year, with specific NBCUniversal IPs for AI game adaptations yet to be confirmed.
Gamescom Asia reports record 206,149 visitors. VG Chronicles
Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show attracted a record 206,149 attendees during its October 16-19 event in Bangkok, breaking attendance records for both the relocated Gamescom Asia and Thailand Game Show. The inaugural partnership event featured 294 exhibitors and country pavilions, with over 70 industry speakers including Dead Space designer Glen Schofield, Marvel Games’ Danny Koo, and representatives from Ubisoft, Gearbox, and Wargaming. Publishers and studios on the consumer side included Bandai Namco, Capcom, HoYoverse, Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, Ubisoft, and Xbox, with organizers claiming it’s Southeast Asia’s “largest gaming business and consumer festival.”
Remedy CEO steps down, two weeks after it issued a profit warning due to FBC: Firebreak’s “weak sales”. VG Chronicles
Remedy Entertainment CEO Tero Virtala has stepped down from his role “with immediate effect” following a mutual agreement with the board of directors, with company co-founder Markus Mäki appointed as interim CEO. The announcement comes 12 days after Remedy issued a profit warning to shareholders due to “weak sales” of FBC: Firebreak, the Control universe PvE multiplayer shooter that reached over 1 million players in its first 10 days but mostly through Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. Remedy lowered its business year outlook with an expected €14.9 million hit and changed from expecting revenue and operating profit increases to expecting negative operating profit, while SteamDB shows the game peaked at around 2,000 concurrent players at launch and has stayed below 50 players in the past week.
Steam receives a promising new feature that should help you discover, and keep track of, new games. EuroGamer
Steam has rolled out a new Personal Calendar feature designed to help users discover and track upcoming games based on their play history and preferences. The calendar shows games released in the last month and week at the top, followed by a visual calendar view displaying upcoming releases tailored to each user’s interests based on what they’ve played most. Valve explained the algorithm focuses on games users play most relative to other players and spend significant time in, with the recommendation system retraining daily to incorporate new data and show games within an eight-week horizon.
Palworld studio Pocketpair won’t publish games with AI - “we don’t believe in it”. EuroGamer
Palworld studio Pocketpair has stated it won’t publish games with AI, Web3, or NFTs because the company “doesn’t believe in it,” according to communications director John Buckley speaking to Game Developer at Gamescom Asia. Buckley emphasized the company’s upfront stance, saying “If you’re big on AI stuff or your game is Web3 or uses NFTs, there are lots of publishers out there, but we’re not the right partner for that,” despite Pocketpair being falsely accused of using AI in its games due to perceived similarities between Pals and Pokémon. The studio was recently accused of using machine translation tools for localization, which Buckley denied as based on incomplete credits, explaining that many Japanese companies credit entire localization firms rather than individual translators—though Pocketpair has since updated credits with individual names.
Xbox is more expensive for developers too, as Microsoft bumps up dev kit cost. EuroGamer
Microsoft has increased the price of its Xbox Development Kit from $1,500 to $2,000, a 30% increase that takes effect immediately for developers worldwide, not just in the US. Microsoft told developers the adjustment “reflects macroeconomic developments” while stating it remains “committed to providing high-quality tools and support for your development efforts.” The dev kit price hike follows recent price increases for Xbox consoles (Series X now costs $649.99, up $50) and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (now £22.99 per month in the UK, over 50% increase), despite Microsoft reporting increased profits and record Game Pass subscription revenue in its July earnings call.
Paradox Interactive shares Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 launch trailer. RPG Site
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has launched worldwide for PC and consoles, with players awakening as Phyre, an Elder vampire navigating Seattle’s treacherous Camarilla Court politics to reclaim vampiric powers while guided by Malkavian detective Fabien. The game offers six playable clans (Brujah, Tremere, Banu Haqim, Ventrue, Toreador, and Lasombra) each with distinct playstyles and Disciplines, four difficulty modes balancing narrative and combat, and is available in standard ($59.99), Deluxe ($69.99), and Premium ($89.99) editions on Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Two story packs, “Loose Cannon” and “The Flower & the Flame,” will launch in 2026 as part of the Expansion Pass, exploring Seattle through the perspectives of Sheriff Benny Muldoon and Primogen Ysabella Moore.
Netflix could buy Mortal Kombat, Hogwarts Legacy owner, Warner Bros. Discovery. GameSpot
Warner Bros. Discovery has received “unsolicited interest” from multiple parties to acquire the company or Warner Bros., with Bloomberg reporting Paramount submitted a rejected $20/share bid and CNBC indicating Netflix and Comcast might be interested. WBD’s board will “evaluate a broad range of strategic options” beyond its previously announced plan to separate into two companies by mid-2026, with CEO David Zaslav seeking buyers to “unlock the full value” of assets including developers behind Mortal Kombat, Batman, and Harry Potter games. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos discussed M&A opportunities but emphasized the company is “predominantly focused on growing organically,” while WBD plans to focus on core gaming franchises with Rocksteady reportedly working on a new Batman game and Avalanche Software expected to develop a Hogwarts Legacy sequel.
Fallout 4 is getting an ‘Anniversary Edition’ and coming to Nintendo Switch 2. VG Chronicles
Bethesda Game Studios has announced Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, a bundle including all six official add-ons and over 150 Creation Club game mods, coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 on November 10, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version arriving in 2026. The Anniversary Edition introduces a new in-game Creations menu designed to make discovering and downloading content from professional developers and fan creators easier. The bundle follows last year’s next-gen graphics update and arrives ahead of Amazon’s Fallout show season 2, which premieres in December and takes place in the Mojave wasteland and post-apocalyptic New Vegas.
PUBG and Subnautica publisher Krafton says it’s transforming into an ‘AI-first’ company. VG Chronicles
Krafton, the South Korean publisher behind PUBG, Subnautica, and Hi-Fi Rush, has announced plans to restructure into an “AI-first” company with CEO Kim Chang-han stating the company will reorganize development operations to “place AI at the center” of problem-solving. Krafton will invest approximately KRW 100 billion (about $69.5 million) to build a GPU cluster supporting agentic AI implementation, plus another KRW 30 billion (about $20.8 million) annually starting in 2026 to support employees using AI tools. The company will also restructure its HR system and organizational operations around AI, with Chang-han stating members will focus on “creative activities and complex problem solving” while work becomes automated and centered on AI.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has finally been officially confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2. VG Chronicles
Ubisoft has officially confirmed Assassin’s Creed Shadows is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on December 2, with touch screen support for navigating menus, maps, and hideouts. The Switch 2 version will include all content updates introduced since the game’s release on other platforms, except for the Claws of Awaji expansion which arrives early next year, and will support cross-progression via Ubisoft Connect. Priced at $59.99 / £49.99 in both physical (as a Game Key Card) and digital editions, the announcement follows months of speculation after the game appeared on the PEGI website in April and was briefly listed by French retailer Auchan earlier this month.
‘We’re seeing people evolve way past that’: Xbox’s Sarah Bond says the idea of exclusives is outdated. VG Chronicles
Xbox president Sarah Bond stated that the idea of exclusive games has become “antiquated,” saying players now expect games to be available on multiple devices and platforms. Bond told Mashable that “the biggest games in the world are available everywhere,” citing Call of Duty, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox as examples, adding that “the idea of locking it to one store or one device is antiquated for most people.” Xbox’s multiplatform strategy began in early 2024 with Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded coming to PlayStation, and has since expanded to include Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Forza Horizon 5, and Gears of War: Reloaded.
Ubisoft is asking staff at The Division studio Massive Entertainment to volunteer to be laid off. VG Chronicles
Ubisoft studio Massive Entertainment has asked staff to volunteer for layoffs through a “voluntary career transition program” as it realigns to strengthen focus on The Division franchise and technologies like Snowdrop engine and Ubisoft Connect. The studio stated it’s giving “eligible team members the opportunity to take their next career step on their own terms, supported by a comprehensive package that includes financial and career assistance.” The announcement came hours after another Ubisoft studio, RedLynx, announced a restructuring proposal that could result in up to 60 job cuts as it shifts focus to becoming a developer “specialised in small screens.”
Counter Strike 2 update wipes nearly $2 billion off skin market value by making fancy knives and gloves easier to get. EuroGamer
Valve’s Counter Strike 2 update has wiped nearly $2 billion off the skin market value by allowing players to trade five Covert rarity skins for rare knife and gloves cosmetics, which previously could only be obtained through loot box luck or expensive purchases. The change drastically increased the supply of knives on the market, causing prices to plummet - for example, a Stiletto Slaughter knife that sold for roughly £671 on October 9 dropped to as low as £222. According to CS2 market analytics website Price Empire, the entire Counter Strike 2 skin market cap has dropped by 28.11 percent in less than a week, benefiting casual players who felt priced out but devastating for those who invested significant wealth into Counter Strike skins.
Microsoft’s push for high Xbox profit margins behind job cuts, publishing on PlayStation, and cancellation of projects like Perfect Dark, claims report. EuroGamer
Microsoft’s Xbox division is being asked to operate with a 30 percent profit margin, claims a Bloomberg report, with this above-industry-average target resulting in job cuts, project cancellations, price increases on hardware and services, and the decision to publish games on PlayStation. The 30% margin is significantly higher than the industry average, which peaked at 22.1% in 2020 and dropped to 17.1% in 2024 according to S&P Global Market Intelligence estimates. Bloomberg’s sources indicate this target will prioritize less costly games and titles with higher revenue expectations, while Xbox president Sarah Bond recently confirmed new hardware will be “a very premium, very high-end curated experience,” leading to expectations of significantly higher console pricing.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake screenshots introduce each game and new gameplay features. RPG Site
Square Enix has shared new screenshots for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake introducing the opening sections and new gameplay features ahead of the October 30 launch. Dragon Quest I follows a protagonist exploring Alefgard to investigate the legendary hero Erdrick with new encounters and foes, while Dragon Quest II has players controlling the Prince of Midenhall investigating disturbances in Moonbrooke alongside Erdrick’s descendants, featuring a new undersea exploration storyline. New gameplay features include shortcut buttons, monster status checks during battle, a tombola lottery system, optional map settings for hidden zones and treasure chests, and sigils and scrolls that grant new skills and spells.
Atlus shares Persona 3 Reload Switch 2 launch trailer and celebratory illustration from Shigenori Soejima. RPG Site
Atlus has released a Persona 3 Reload launch trailer for Nintendo Switch 2 alongside a celebratory illustration from Shigenori Soejima to mark the port’s release. A free demo is available on the Nintendo eShop with save data transferring to the full game, allowing players to experience the opening months and continue their journey from where they left off. Additionally, Atlus released a free update across all platforms adding eight new background music tracks from the original Persona 3 featuring vocal performances by Yumi Kawamura, expanding the available BGM for Tartarus.
Valnet cuts “entire features team” amid widespread layoffs at TheGamer. GamesIndustry
Valnet has cut several members of TheGamer’s editorial team, including the “entire TheGamer features team alongside several other staff members,” with affected employees including news editor Rhiannon Bevan and features lead Jade King announcing the layoffs on social media. The exact number of staff impacted is unclear, and TheGamer’s staff page hasn’t been updated since at least July 2025 despite at least two known rounds of cuts. The layoffs come months after Valnet acquired gaming website Polygon earlier this year, which also saw numerous long-time staff members laid off or choosing to leave as part of the sale.
Biggest releases this week
