Gaming News — Week of 2026-06-20 to 2026-06-26#

Story of the Week#

The gaming hardware market is currently in a state of absolute chaos, defined by skyrocketing component costs and a dramatic shift in console dominance. Microsoft is jacking up the Xbox Series X to an eye-watering $799.99 in August, which has contributed to catastrophic sales lows for both Xbox and PlayStation. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 is completely obliterating the competition, capping off a historic first year with 5.9 million US units sold as gamers flock to more affordable hardware.

Gaming News — 2026-07-10#

Top Story#

Massive structural layoffs have struck Xbox, resulting in severe cuts across Bethesda and id Software that have the industry reeling. Bethesda’s restructuring has cast a dark shadow over highly anticipated titles, with The Elder Scrolls 6 reportedly still at least two years away and the Elder Scrolls Online team facing heavy losses, while id Software lost roughly half its staff but insists it retains the core team needed to make great games.

Gaming News — 2026-07-08#

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Obsidian Entertainment is reportedly canceling Avowed 2 to shift its focus entirely onto a brand-new Fallout game led by Josh Sawyer. This shocking pivot follows a massive corporate reset at Xbox and thousands of internal layoffs, but it finally gives diehard fans hope for the first mainline, single-player Fallout title in over a decade.

News & Reviews#

[Microsoft Reportedly Pivoting Back to Xbox Exclusivity] · IGN After admitting its multiplatform video game strategy has failed to work out, Microsoft is reportedly planning to make more of its best games console-exclusive again to give gamers a tangible reason to buy an Xbox. It’s a massive shift from their recent release strategy, begging the question of whether major heavy-hitters like The Elder Scrolls 6 or the next mainline Halo will skip the PlayStation 5 entirely.

Gaming Videos — 2026-04-04#

Watch First#

If you only have time for one video today, make it 【免費白嫖1477】喜加二十四！神作突然限時領取！清明假期特輯！Steam 和 Epic等全平臺收集 4.4. In a highly efficient three and a half minutes, this quick guide breaks down a staggering 24 free games you can add to your library right now across major platforms.

Highlights by Theme#

News & Commentary#

This massive deals roundup is an absolute must-watch for padding out your backlog over the holiday. The video highlights an incredible lineup of heavy-hitters currently available for free via Amazon Prime (binding to Epic or GOG), including Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Total War: Attila, and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. Beyond Amazon, it also points out notable Steam offerings like The Jianghu and the transition of the classic fighter Killer Instinct to a free model. It even covers upcoming free tests and demos, such as the Project ZETA beta and Car Mechanic Simulator 2026, making it a comprehensive and no-nonsense guide for budget-conscious gamers.

Gaming News — 2026-04-05#

Top Story#

The crew of the historic Artemis II space mission took a break from traveling over 250,000 miles to the Moon to praise Ryan Gosling’s hit sci-fi blockbuster Project Hail Mary. Astronaut Jeremy Hansen called the film “uplifting and inspiring” during a live interview, revealing that the crew got to watch a special link of the movie while in quarantine.

News & Reviews#

[Project Hail Mary Nears $400M Box Office Amid Lunar Praise] · IGN During a Saturday interview, Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen praised Ryan Gosling’s performance in Project Hail Mary, noting that “art imitates science” and calling the character’s mission to save humanity an extraordinary example to follow. The sci-fi film, which earned an 8/10 from IGN for the sheer joy of watching Gosling befriend a rock alien, continues a record-breaking box office run and is approaching $400 million globally. There is already active discussion about a potential sequel, which might take shape by the time the Artemis II crew safely returns to Earth.

Gaming News — 2026-04-15#

Top Story#

Pearl Abyss’s open-world adventure Crimson Desert is an absolute smash hit, crossing 5 million copies sold less than a month after its March 19 launch. The massive milestone is well-deserved, with the game even earning high praise from The Witcher 3 director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, who commended it for delivering a “quite fresh” departure from standard triple-A RPGs.

News & Reviews#

Marathon Overhauls Gameplay to Encourage Friendly Encounters · IGN Bungie dropped patch 1.0.6 for its extraction shooter Marathon, introducing a new C.A.R.R.I. system that rewards players with “CyberAcme Commendations” for extracting alongside strangers. The community reaction is surprisingly wholesome, with players actively reviving enemies and sharing loot rather than immediately shooting each other. This update also brought sweeping changes to weapons, equipment, and Shells, making the notoriously brutal game slightly more approachable for newcomers.

Gaming News — 2026-04-17#

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The 2026 BAFTA Game Awards crowned Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as Best Game, dominating the evening with additional wins for Best Debut Game and Best Performer in a Leading Role. The critically acclaimed RPG fended off heavy hitters like Ghost of Yōtei and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, cementing its place as an instant classic in the genre.

News & Reviews#

Slay the Spire 2 Review-Bombing Mega Crit’s highly anticipated Slay the Spire 2 was hit by a massive wave of review bombing, tanking its Steam rating to “Mixed” after the controversial version 0.103.2 update dropped yesterday. Players were furious over sweeping balance changes and UI adjustments, serving as a harsh reminder of how volatile the Early Access development cycle can be for both fans and developers.

Gaming News — 2026-04-28#

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Rebel Wolves, the studio founded by former The Witcher 3 director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, has officially announced a September 3, 2026 release date for its highly anticipated dark fantasy vampire RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker. Set in 14th-century Europe, this narrative-driven adventure promises an intense 30-day time-loop mechanic and complex moral choices that will thrill any hardcore RPG fan looking for the genre’s next major evolution.

Gaming News — 2026-05-17#

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Sucker Punch Productions has shocked PlayStation fans by confirming that Ghost of Yotei Legends, the multiplayer mode for the hit PS5 exclusive, will not receive any more major updates. This abrupt end to content support comes just two months after the mode’s launch in March, a stark contrast to the lengthy post-launch support given to its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima.

News & Reviews#

Wake Up Samurai — Keanu Reeves Carves Out Lead Role in Japanese Stop-Motion ‘Wood Sculpture’ Film Hidari Cyberpunk 2077 star Keanu Reeves is returning to his samurai roots to voice the lead in Hidari, an upcoming Japanese stop-motion film featuring intricately carved wooden puppets. Based on a viral 2023 proof-of-concept, the movie follows a master craftsman turned vengeance-seeking warrior with a weaponized prosthetic arm. It’s a massive win for the indie project, which blends Edo-period history with towering wooden mechs and secret prosthetic weaponry.

Gaming News — 2026-05-18#

Top Story#

Sony is officially rolling back its strategy to bring massive single-player games to PC. During a company town hall meeting, PlayStation studio business CEO Hermen Hulst affirmed that major upcoming narrative-driven titles like Ghost of Yotei and Marvel’s Wolverine will remain permanent console exclusives to drive PS5 hardware sales.

News & Reviews#

PlayStation Plus Prices Are Going Up Again · IGN Just as we march closer to the launch of GTA 6, Sony is hiking the price of PlayStation Plus subscriptions starting May 20, vaguely blaming “ongoing market conditions”. The 1-month and 3-month tiers will see jumps of $1 and $3 respectively, adding yet another annoying squeeze to your gaming budget. With Microsoft recently cutting Xbox Game Pass prices, this move feels particularly disconnected from the current market reality.