Patch Notes #56 - weekly gaming digest
Welcome to the 56th edition of Patch Notes. Let’s get this bad boy going.
This edition will cover the week from 12 January to 18 January.
What caught my attention?
Lots of Lego sets: Zelda, Pokémon. Maybe it’s time for me to be an adult and indulge?
Oh, and yes, AI discourse.
TLDR
Hero shooter Highguard did not pay for its Game Awards slot, as showrunners selected it for the spotlight. PC Gamer
Former Assassin’s Creed boss Marc-Alexis Côté sues Ubisoft for nearly $1 million, alleging constructive dismissal after leaving 7 months after Assassin’s Creed Shadows release. PC Gamer
This week’s Japanese game releases include Arknights: Endfield for PlayStation 5, PC, iOS, and Android, and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade for Xbox Series and Switch 2. Gematsu
Rockstar provided a terminally ill fan early access to GTA 6 ahead of its November release date. Eurogamer
Nioh 3 features open exploration and intense yokai clashes. GamesRadar
The Last of Us director Bruce Straley used Ellie and Joel’s bond as a reference for his new game, with Ico as the biggest inspiration. GamesRadar
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Character Pass Season 2 DLC character Ilsa launches on February 10. Gematsu
Goblin Sushi is a cooking sim about a goblin who cooks sushi for other sushi-loving goblins. PC Gamer
Minecraft-like Hytale received a huge dinosaur update a few days after release. PC Gamer
Armed robbers stole $100,000 worth of Pokémon merchandise from a New York City Pokémon store on January 14. PC Gamer
Diablo-like No Rest for the Wicked sold a million copies in early access, with co-op arriving next week. PC Gamer
Valve amended its AI disclosure policy to require informing players if generative AI is used in games, while AI tools for efficiency are not the focus. Eurogamer
Chrono Trigger Original Soundtrack Vinyl LP Box set with 64 tracks announced for March release in Japan and April in the West. RPG Site
Sega confirmed another retro arcade game for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, releasing on Switch 2 next month. Nintendo Life
Disney’s 2008 DS game Cory in the House is selling for hundreds of dollars on eBay after a viral Metacritic campaign. Nintendo Life
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Daima Adventure Through the Demon Realm Pack Part 2 DLC is now available. RPG Site
Dark Deity 1 & 2 for Nintendo Switch and Dark Deity 2 for PS5 launch physically on January 22 through Super Rare Games. RPG Site
Hypergryph released the release trailer and New Horizons gameplay trailer for Arknights: Endfield ahead of its January 22 launch, with pre-registrations topping 35 million. RPG Site
Lego announced The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time The Final Battle set with 1,003 pieces featuring Link, Zelda, and Ganon, releasing March 1, 2026 for $129.99. Siliconera
Sega will release a demo for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, the updated remake of the third game with a new Yoshitaka Mine storyline. Siliconera
Meta shut down Armature Studio, founded in 2008 by former Retro Studios developers Mark Pacini, Todd Keller, and Jack Mathews who worked on ports including Metal Gear Solid HD Collection for PS Vita. Nintendo Life
HoYoverse teased new Honkai: Star Rail Planarcadia characters including Sparxie, Yao Guang, two Stellaron Hunters, and others involving Aeon Aha, Elation path, Masked Fools, and Genius Society after the 4.0 update. Siliconera
The Division series senior producer Julian Gerighty left Ubisoft to join Battlefield Studios. Eurogamer
Bandai Namco announced Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown surpassed 7 million copies sold. Nintendo Life
Italian Competition Authority AGCM launched an investigation into Activision Blizzard over monetisation in Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile. GamesIndustry.biz
Takara Tomy will re-release the life-sized fat Pikachu plush from 1997 for Pokémon’s 30th anniversary in 2026, matching Pikachu’s 0.4m height from 1996 Game Boy games. Siliconera
Valve stated Steam Machine will have fewer constraints than Steam Deck for game verification. GamesIndustry.biz
Dragon Quest 7 producer Takeshi Ichikawa stated the remake is developed as the ‘Masterpiece’ version by adjusting the original’s structure. Eurogamer
Krafton has 26 games in the pipeline as it seeks a big franchise IP. GamesIndustry.biz
Bandai Namco released a Code Vein II character trailer introducing Zenon Gryfgote. Gematsu
Ubisoft stated Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag music reuploads were due to technical issues. Eurogamer
EA unveiled The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy Expansion Pack launching February 12 on all platforms, featuring familial dynasties. Eurogamer
Saudi PIF is moving $12bn of games firm shares to subsidiary Savvy Games Group. GamesIndustry.biz
GOG managing director Maciej Golembiewski warned developers might release fewer games if forced to keep them online forever. GamesIndustry.biz
Amazon Games announced New World MMORPG, released in 2021, will shut down on January 31, 2027. Eurogamer
RPG Site previewed Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, covering new and old content ten years after the original Yakuza Kiwami. RPG Site
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 received eight nominations across nine categories for the 26th annual Game Developers Choice Awards 2026, the most of any game. GamesIndustry.biz
Scopely’s Monopoly Go reached $6 billion revenue, the fastest for any mobile game in history. GamesIndustry.biz
Sony removed hundreds of ThiGames titles from PlayStation Store. GamesIndustry.biz
Krafton is evaluating the application of its game tech to physical AI and robotics as long-term exploratory opportunities. Game Developer
Biggest releases of the week?
