Gaming News — 2026-07-12#

Top Story#

Obsidian Entertainment’s director is firing back at critics spreading misinformation about the studio’s talent pool following recent, massive Xbox layoffs. Amidst the restructuring, reports indicate that the studio has also pivoted from an Avowed sequel to focus on a brand-new Fallout project.

News & Reviews#

Obsidian Defends Its DNA After Xbox Restructure · IGN Following Microsoft’s sweeping cuts of 1,600 Xbox employees, Obsidian director Brandon Adler took to LinkedIn to slam “cold take artists” claiming the studio has lost its touch. Adler insists the core DNA of the team remains intact, noting that the leads behind classics like New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity are still driving the ship. Interestingly, reports suggest the studio has canceled Avowed 2 to shift focus toward a new Fallout game led by Josh Sawyer.

Black Ops 1 and 2 Ports Feature Cross-Gen PlayStation Matchmaking · IGN Activision has confirmed that the recently released, bare-bones PS4 and PS5 ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 do support crossplay matchmaking between the two platforms, easing some player concerns. However, tech experts remain baffled by the low frame-rate caps and poor resolution of these $39.99 re-releases. Despite the criticism regarding their quality, both classic shooters have quickly surged to the top of the PlayStation Store’s best-selling charts.

First Look at Avengers: Doomsday Roster Revealed · IGN Marvel showcased new concept art at Bilibili World 2026, giving fans a sneak peek at Robert Downey Jr.’s shiny Doctor Doom mask alongside the X-Men, Thunderbolts, and Fantastic Four. While we’re still waiting for a proper trailer, the leaked artwork proves the MCU is gearing up for an absolutely massive crossover event when the film drops on December 18, 2026.

Yelena Belova Teased for Spider-Man: Brand New Day · IGN Kevin Feige has strongly hinted that Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day before she fully returns in Avengers: Doomsday. The highly anticipated web-slinging sequel, which releases in just a few weeks on July 31, is already stacked with heroes like Hulk, The Punisher, and a rumored new incarnation of Jean Grey.

Free Games & Deals#

We don’t have Epic Games Store freebies today, but there are excellent deals for RPG fans right now. You can snag the phenomenal Nioh 3 on PS5 for $47.49, dropping $20 off its launch price for some of the best open-world samurai combat on the market. Additionally, GameStop has the latest action-RPG Ys X: Nordics on sale for $39.99, and for just $9.99, you can pick up the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera accessory at a massive 82% discount. Lastly, the acclaimed Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter remake is down to $44.99, perfectly timed for anyone catching up before the sequel drops.

Also Worth Knowing#

Live-Action Moana Sinks at the Box Office (IGN): Disney’s live-action Moana remake pulled in a severely disappointing $95 million globally during its opening weekend, barely beating 2025’s notoriously underwhelming Snow White debut.
Michael Jackson Biopic Crosses $1 Billion (IGN): In contrasting box office news, the recent Michael Jackson biopic just made history by crossing the $1 billion mark globally, becoming the first biopic to reach the milestone.
Toy Story 5 Nears $900 Million (IGN): Pixar’s Toy Story 5 is holding incredibly strong, currently sitting at $879 million after its fourth weekend in theaters.
Supergirl Box Office Disaster (IGN): The DCU is taking another hit as Supergirl stalls out at $115.4 million, signaling significant potential financial losses for Warner Bros.