Latest Multi-platform Game News & Updates
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🎮 Multi-platformHasbro Is Betting On Fewer, Bigger Video Games After $56 Million Write-Down
Hasbro's ambitious plan to expand into video games appears to have hit an expensive snag, as the company has recorded a $56 million impairment charge related to its video games portfolio for 2028 and beyond, according to its second-quarter earnings results. For the uninitiated, an impairment charge is a sudden loss of value for an asset, making it worth far less than what a company originally paid for it. "Over the last several quarters, we have reviewed our portfolio and updated our plans for Hasbro's digital future," Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks said(https://investor.hasbro.com/static-files/72d34d76-438d-4a35-bdc1-6c243889db0a) to shareholders. "That work included canceling several games scheduled for release in 2028 and beyond and recording a $56 million non-cash write-down this quarter for related capitalized costs. The write-down reflects the standard we are applying to the portfolio. We are focusing our digital investment behind the franchises, platforms, and partners where we see the clearest upside and where Hasbro has the strongest right to win." According to Cocks, Hasbro will have four priorities going forward for its video game projects--focus, cost discipline, ownable platforms, and partnership. The plan includes a new focus on "trading card games and role-playing games," a decrease in total digital spend, prioritizing its own IP, and finding the right partners for these projects. Cocks cited Scopely as a prime example, as the studio's work on Monopoly Go(https://www.gamespot.com/games/monopoly-go/) is expected to exceed a lifetime revenue of $8 billion later this year. While Hasbro had big video game plans lined up, recent years have seen the company scale back and cancel several of its projects. It hasn't detailed exactly which games got cut, but it did mention that sci-fi adventure Exodus(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/exodus-looks-to-fill-the-space-opera-rpg-void-left-by-mass-effect/1100-6536865/) and its Dungeons & Dragons game Warlock are still scheduled to launch in 2027. While Atomic Arcade--the studio behind a new GI Joe game featuring fan-favorite character Snake Eyes--had layoffs earlier this year, Hasbro said that the developer's project still remains in development. "The digital strategy is straightforward. We are taking lower-conviction-projects out of the portfolio, reducing our annual spend base and concentrating investment behind the places where Hasbro has the best chance to build durable digital franchises: Magic, D&D, owned platforms, partner-led economics, and a concentrated number of high-conviction owned titles," Cocks added. Hasbro initially announced that it had formed six new internal studios in 2022, but since then, there have been some big changes behind the scenes. Baldur's Gate 3 and Monopoly Go were early hits for Hasbro, but in 2023, five of its game projects were canceled, and there were sweeping layoffs throughout its newly formed video game division. In 2024, head of digital product development Dan Ayoub said that Hasbro had invested $1 billion(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/following-baldurs-gate-3-wotc-and-hasbro-are-investing-1-billion-in-their-aaa-game-ecosystem/1100-6522241/) across its Invoke, Archtype, Skeleton Key, and Atomic Arcade game studios, and in 2026, Ayoub told The Game Business(https://www.thegamebusiness.com/p/hasbro-is-spending-1bn-making-video) that not a single one of those projects was designed to be a game-as-a-service title. In May, Hasbro confirmed that the single-player action-adventure title set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-wars-jedi-veterans-dungeons-dragons-game-has-been-canceled/1100-6540045/) and being developed by Giant Skull--the studio founded by Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and God of War 3 director Stig Asmussen--had been canceled.
🎮 Multi-platformWe Finally Know Xal’atath’s Evil Plan For The World Of Warcraft
After years of theories and speculation, World of Warcraft players may have finally uncovered the real endgame of its current main villain, Xal'atath. Xal'atath has been Azeroth's big bad for the past several expansions, but aside from amassing power in her Dark Heart artifact, her exact motivations haven't been entirely clear. She doesn't seem to work for the Old Gods but for herself, though to what end has been up for debate. Now, a datamined bit of dialogue from the game's upcoming 12.1 update may have just revealed her ultimate goal: one that will almost certainly spell doom for Azeroth and perhaps even the entire Warcraft universe. Potential spoilers for patch 12.1 and future updates below. As spotted by Reddit(https://www.reddit.com/r/wow/comments/1v1pyas/spoilersdataminedigcscriptsshowxalataths/) user rapunzel1213, a datamined (and likely subject-to-change) script from the game's 12.1 public-test realm looks to have revealed Xal'atath's true goal, and it's not to corrupt or destroy Azeroth. No, it's to become Azeroth herself. https://www.reddit.com/r/wow/comments/1v1pyas/spoilersdataminedigcscriptsshowxalataths/ For a little context, the last few expansions have built up the idea that within the planet Azeroth is a slumbering Worldsoul, essentially an unborn cosmic entity called a Titan. Azeroth, however, is not just any Worldsoul, but the Prime Worldsoul. It's for that reason Azeroth seems to be in many ways the center of the Warcraft universe. The Titans sought to protect Azeroth's Worldsoul, the Burning Legion sought to destroy it, and the Void aimed to corrupt it, knowing it would be the most powerful being in the universe were it to ever awaken. Xal'atath, it seems, is looking to become the ultimate power in the universe by somehow merging with Azeroth's Worldsoul. The datamined script looks to be part of patch 12.1's Epilogue, setting up the events of patch 12.2. In it, Arator and Orweyna arrive to deliver an urgent message to Blood Elf leaders Lor'themar and Liadrin. "Xal'atath has reached the Worldsoul," Arator says. "We have to move now. We have to find a way down there, blast open the coreway, anything." Liadrin asks if they don't make it in time if Xal'atath will consume Azeroth. "No," Orweyna replies. "Xal'atath will become her." Other datamined information, like a new Renown faction called the Radiant Core, does indicate players will indeed be heading to the Worldsoul chamber as patch of 12.2. Content creators like Bellular(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuTl3jdD874) have done a great job putting all the pieces together, if you want more context. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuTl3jdD874 Plus, there's the whole fact that Blizzard is calling this current expansion trilogy (of which Midnight is the second act) the "Worldsoul Saga." It would certainly be weird if players didn't confront the Worldsoul-sized elephant in the room at some point during this expansion. If Xal'atath does become Azeroth, that certainly raises some questions about the game's next expansion, The Last Titan. Is Xal'atath the titular last Titan? Or will players defeat her, cleansing Azeroth of her influence and ushering in a new age? Players will have to wait to find out, but it's clear WoW's narrative stakes have never been higher, and fans are eager to see how it will all play out. As players ponder Xal'atath's endgame, many are still trying to wrap their heads around WoW's latest lore reveal involving the Haranir(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/world-of-warcrafts-haranir-lore-reveal-has-players-scratching-their-heads/). And for those wondering what's next for the Warcraft franchise, an alleged leak(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/a-once-dismissed-warcraft-leak-may-have-just-revealed-blizzards-huge-plans-for-the-franchise/) may have revealed new games and shows set in Blizzard's fantasy universe.
🎮 Multi-platformNeill Blomkamp’s AI Film Has Fans Asking For District 10 Instead
A handful of filmmakers have begun testing the waters of AI-generated movies, and this week, Gran Turismo director Neill Blomkamp(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gran-turismo-director-neill-blomkamp-seems-unsure-about-district-9-sequel/1100-6517274/) showed off a 14-minute short that was made entirely with the technology. Could the famed director of cult-classic movies like District 9 and Elysium be one of the first people in Hollywood to use generative AI in a way that wasn't met with overwhelming negativity? Probably not, as the comments for Blomkamp's latest project have ranged from apathetic to hostile, with pleas(https://x.com/adamhlavac/status/2079328653276758464) for the filmmaker to make a District 10 film instead. Blomkamp's project, Nightborne, features 32 AI characters based on real actors, according to him. Clocking in at around 14 minutes, the short film follows a helicopter pilot who has been resurrected into a zombie super-soldier. "I've been experimenting with AI for a couple of years, and it's now at the point where I want to tackle a full feature in this format. This is a 13-minute test start," Blomkamp said online. https://youtu.be/8Wbtt2JxP7g Like other AI-generated films, Nightbourne suffers from several technical issues. Characters and assets are hamstrung by various inconsistencies--from injuries to pocket pens--wooden acting, and the overall production having a very uncanny-valley vibe to it. Comments have been less than kind, with celebrated comic book creator Stjepan Seijic dropping a barb of note: https://twitter.com/stjepansejic/status/2079235069881819626 Negative comments aside, Blomkamp seems intent on producing a feature-length movie with generative AI, and he announced that he had created a studio dedicated to the project called Barley Studios. Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan's Greek epic The Odyssey has gotten off to a strong start at the box office and is being hailed as one of the best movies of the year. While Nolan has once again emphasized how important the human factor is in making a film like The Odyssey, other opportunistic companies are attempting to ride his coattails by making their own version of an ancient story with generative AI. While production company Fountain 0 and director Ash Koosha have admitted that their AI-generated project, Odysseus: The Fall(https://variety.com/2026/film/news/ai-generated-odyssey-film-fountain-0-dreams-of-violets-1236810051/), won't be on the same level as Nolan's movie, the people behind it are hoping it'll start new discussions on how AI can be used to make movies.
🟩 Xbox, VR, Multi-platformXbox Game Pass Is Going Somewhere You Probably Forgot About
Xbox Game Pass is teaming up with another subscription service this week, albeit one that appeals to a niche section of gamers. Facebook parent group Meta and Xbox have announced that a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass is now available to Meta Horizon+ subscribers, giving them access to over 50 games via cloud streaming. Games can also be downloaded directly from the cloud and onto a Meta Quest headset, and the starting lineup includes a mix of AAA hits and classic indies. One thing to note is that cloud-streaming games do have a time limit of 10 hours per month through this subscription, and a high-speed internet connection is also required. So far, the list includes(https://www.meta.com/blog/quest-3s-xbox-edition-bundle/) games like Fallout 76, Fallout 4, Overcooked 2, Grounded, DayZ, Deep Rock Galactic, and Snowrunner. Meta says that players will soon be able to use their Meta Quest Touch controllers to emulate an Xbox controller, or if you already have one, you can pair it with the headset to play games. If you're unfamiliar with it, Meta Horizon+ is a subscription service similar to Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, as it offers users a library of VR games, deals, and a few freebies for an $8 fee every month or $60 annually. If you'd prefer a bigger library, you can also access Xbox Game Pass Ultimate via the dedicated Xbox app on the Meta marketplace, and use cloud streaming to access those games. This is a separate--and pricier--subscription, and to ensure lag-free gaming, a 5Ghz internet connection is recommended. This isn't the first time that Meta and Xbox have teamed up, as last year, the companies unveiled the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition that featured a carbon black color scheme, matching Touch Plus controllers, an Xbox controller, an Elite Strap, and a three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-game-pass-price-games-tiers/1100-6524825/). That version of the virtual- and mixed-reality headset is designed to be a smaller sibling to the older Quest 3 headset, and in a nutshell, its lenses aren't quite as impressive in comparison. It does have slightly improved battery life, and it is cheaper, but the price of these headsets recently increased(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/meta-quest-3-vr-headset-prices-are-increasing-making-reality-more-expensive-to-escape/1100-6539447/) by $50-$100 each. Meta said that the current global memory shortage led to price increases, but it pledged to keep Quest headset accessories at their current prices. Both of these headsets are popular as entry-level devices, as they're fairly powerful and they're completely wireless, while the game library includes well-received titles like Batman(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/batman-arkham-shadow-review-i-am-batman/1900-6418308/) and Deadpool VR(https://www.gamespot.com/games/marvels-deadpool-vr/) games. The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2026 !4499283-game-pass-2025.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4499283-game-pass-2025.jpg?w=636) !4674631-absolum.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4674631-absolum.jpg?w=636) !4517812-the-alters.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4517812-the-alters.jpg?w=636) !4656146-avatar.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4656146-avatar.jpg?w=636) !4451894-4356216-avowedscreencombatkaixaurip.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4451894-4356216-avowedscreencombatkaixaurip.jpg?w=636) !4451893-4270078-sse32ac94d7d1d6be7dd015d78f2b52aeb4cc282ed.1920x1080.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4451893-4270078-sse32ac94d7d1d6be7dd015d78f2b52aeb4cc282ed.1920x1080.jpg?w=636) !4397033-batman-arkham-knight.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4397033-batman-arkham-knight.jpg?w=636) View Images(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-xbox-game-pass-games/2900-4001/)
🎮 Multi-platformNintendo Will Not Refund Tariff Fees It Passed Onto Customers, Saying They “Received Exactly What They Bargained And Paid For”
Nintendo is just one of many companies that has been claiming refunds on the tariffs it was forced to pay on goods entering the United States from August 2025, but says it doesn't have to, and won't, pass these onto customers. In August 2025, Nintendo increased the price of the original Switch console in accordance with ongoing tariffs at the time. These were deemed illegal but a US court in February 2026, with Nintendo suing the US government(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-is-suing-the-us-government-over-illegal-tariffs/1100-6538645/) in an attempt to get their tariffs (and associated interest) refunded. A class action lawsuit(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-sued-by-fans-who-want-tariff-refunds/1100-6539543/), filed in April 2026 on behalf of Nintendo consumers, argued that Nintendo had an obligation to refund customers who purchases products at the inflated price. Nintendo, in the latest reply to the lawsuit, argues against that logic, saying that customers were never forced to make a purchase in the first place. The documents, highlighted by Game File(https://www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-tariff-lawsuit-response), also show that Nintendo is attempting to have the case dismissed. "Nintendo or one of its retailers set a price for each product, and consumers decided whether that price was worth paying," the new filing reads. “Those who bought Nintendo’s products received exactly what they bargained and paid for: a console, game and/or accessory at a price to which both parties agreed.” Nintendo argues that it also didn't raise the price of all of its products, implying that it didn't completely benefit from passing on some tarrif costs to customers. “Instead, Nintendo imposed modest and selective price adjustments, and it chose to bear the costs of tariffs on some of its most popular products of 2025, including its flagship console, the Nintendo Switch 2," the filing continued. Nintendo closes its opposition by stating that consumers have always been free to seek out alternatives if they deemed its price increases to be too extreme. “If a consumer did not want to pay the advertised price, they were free to abstain from purchasing the product or seek out competing products," the filing concluded. It's unclear yet if the class action lawsuit will go to trial, but it's evident Nintendo has no plans to refund anyone should it receive all of its tariff expenditure back. That might help it weather the ongoing memory crisis for a little longer, perhaps avoiding another Switch 2 price hike(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/switch-2-will-get-a-price-hike-this-year-expert-predicts/1100-6537500/) that is scheduled for later this year.
🎮 Multi-platformCover Reveal – Onimusha: Way Of The Sword
!Onimusha Way of the Sword Capcom Release Date September 2026 Game Informer Cover Story(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/16/4a82a5c6/380onimushahero.jpg.webp) Miyamoto Musashi is Japan's most famous samurai. Presumed to have been born around 1583 (though the history surrounding his origins are murky at best) Musashi is famous for an undefeated record of 62 duels, the birth of dual-wielding Japanese swords in the katana and wakizashi, and for being the legendary figure at the heart of various movies, manga, novels, and more. He is now also a protagonist in Capcom's Onimusha series, finally returning after a 20-year hiatus, with Onimusha: Way of the Sword(https://gameinformer.com/Onimusha), which is the latest game to grace the cover of Game Informer. Game Informervideo editor Eric Van Allen and I flew to Osaka, Japan last month to visit Capcom's headquarters and learn more about how and why it was finally time for Onimusha to return. We played roughly three hours of the game, experiencing an extended demo of the "open-town" section of the game's Edo-period Kyoto, where we eventually faced off against the terrifying Rasho-gan, the Wish Warper, before heading deep into an underground lab where we fought back against the sinister Genma creations of the demented Dokyo. We also interviewed various leads behind the game, including director Satoru Nihei, producer Akihito Kadowaki, art directors Hiroyuki Nara and Hiroshi Yugen, and lead writer Hiroshi Yamashita. Fresh off a replay of Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/onimusha-2-samurais-destiny), I also got the chance to discuss the game (and its recent remaster(https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2025/04/22/onimusha-2s-director-on-remastering-the-playstation-2-game-and-the-state-of)) with its director, Motohide Eshiro. Leaving no stone unturned, Eric and I also went to a local arcade to play Onimusha VR: Shadow Team and traveled to Kyoto by train to check out the real-life locations that appear in Way of the Sword. !Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/16/da4d8b54/380onimushakiyomizu03.jpg.webp) Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan You can expect a lot of Musashi in our coverage hitting the site over the next few weeks, starting with your first look at the Onimusha: Way of the Sword cover featuring the man himself. In the art, Musashi is pictured armed with an Oni Gauntlet and determination in his eyes, ready to defeat the surrounding Genma as Kyoto burns around him. Perhaps I'm biased, but this is one of my favorite issues we here at Game Informer have made in a minute. That's in part due to Onimusha: Way of the Sword being on the cover, yes, but also because the magazine is jam-packed with incredible writing. Contributors include JJ Bersch, who wrote an excellent retrospective on Kirby Super Star for its 30th birthday(https://gameinformer.com/feature/2026/07/21/kirbys-star-studded-experiment), Hayes Madsen, who chronicled the success of Capcom(https://gameinformer.com/feature/2026/07/15/best-of-both-worlds) in recent years, and Luis Gutierrez, who went hands-on with The Blood of Dawnwalker(https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/07/preserve-your-humanity) and detailed why he's so excited for more after three hours. We also have a big roundup of upcoming games from small teams with big potential(https://gameinformer.com/2026/07/21/small-teams-big-potential), and it's sure to make your wishlist grow three times as large. Plus, editor-in-chief Matt Miller went deep on Crowsworn(https://gameinformer.com/feature/2026/07/21/as-the-crow-flies), an upcoming action platformer you need to keep an eye on, and associate editor Charles Harte traveled all the way to Paris to play Castlevania: Belmont's Curse(https://gameinformer.com/feature/2026/07/21/a-worthy-heir-to-the-belmont-bloodline) in a deconsecrated church. That's not even half of the goodness you'll find in this issue, either. We have previews of exciting upcoming games like Orbitals(https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/07/anime-nostalgia-meets-co-op-puzzle-action), Signet City(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/13/a-fungal-trip), Resident Evil Veronica(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/13/a-fan-favorite-reborn-anew), Erosion(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/13/a-decades-long-rescue-mission), Fable(https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2026/06/10/living-life-one-choice-at-a-time), Clutch(https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2026/06/11/the-narrative-driven-evolution-of-the-forza-horizon-formula), ILL(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/13/from-the-makers-of-your-cinematic-nightmares), Gen Atlas(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/13/casting-shadows-in-a-metal-colossus), Echo Weaver(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/13/killing-time), Crossfire(https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2026/06/05/how-thats-no-moons-debut-title-aims-to-redefine-the-cover-shooter), and more, as well as reviews of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-adventures-of-elliot-the-millennium-tales/history-repeats-itself), Star Fox(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/star-fox-2026/mission-complete), Rhythm Heaven Groove(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/rhythm-heaven-groove/technique-is-solid), and Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced/more-of-everything-is-permitted). We tapped contributors Connor Trinske, Jay Guisao, and Danreb Victorio to review Gothic 1 Remake(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/gothic-1-remake/restoring-a-relic), EA Sports College Football 27(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/ea-sports-college-football-27/passing-the-eye-test), and NBA The Run(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/nba-the-run/streetball-with-strats), respectively, too. All of this is to say this issue is an incredible one, and hey, guess what? You can read the digital edition right now(https://gameinformer.com/Onimusha)! Physical versions will be arriving in your mailboxes mid-to-late August, just in time for some Onimusha reading before the game's September launch. You can find the issue in bookstores and newsstands globally(https://www.gameinformer.com/newsstand) around the same time, too. Be sure to subscribe today(https://www.gameinformer.com/subscribe) to receive 10 Game Informer magazines a year (physical and digital) and get the Onimusha: Way of the Sword magazine as your first issue. !(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entitybrowserthumbnail/public/2026/07/16/cecffcef/380revealcover.jpg.webp)!(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entitybrowserthumbnail/public/2026/07/16/832cb7af/380revealfull.jpg.webp)
🎮 Multi-platformPromising Time-Loop Metroidvania Echo Weaver Arrives On Consoles And PC This October
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/16/82cb1e14/ssfac8abcc35167db4c0966379916924db5bcc31b3.1920x1080.jpg.webp) Since we first learned about it, Echo Weaver has been an indie Metroid-inspired game we've been keeping our eyes on it. Thanks to its persistent time-loop mechanic and unique approach to the Metroidvania genre (which developer Moonlight Kids calls "Metroidbrainia"), we've been eagerly anticipating getting out hands on it. Not only did we get our hands on it (you can read our preview in the new issue of Game Informer(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/13/killing-time)), but Game Informer can exclusively reveal that Echo Weaver arrives on consoles and PC on October 8. In Echo Weaver, you take control of the last Weaver in the ruins of a dead world. In true Metroidvania fashion, you traverse an ever-expanding 2D map, solving puzzles, battling enemies, and learning new abilities. The keyword there is "learning" when it comes to new abilities, as the gating in this game doesn't come down to unlocking new abilities, but rather you, the player, learning how to pull off certain mechanics. There are areas where it tutorializes the abilities, but if you stumble upon it before then, you aren't prevented from using that power. In the early hours, the puzzles, combat, and platforming all felt thoughtful and well-designed, leading us to continue carrying our enthusiasm for the latest game from Moonlight Kids. If you're a subscriber to Game Informer, you can read the digital preview of Echo Weaver right now(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/07/13/killing-time). And if Echo Weaver sounds up your alley, you can look forward to the full release on October 8, when it comes to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC.
🎮 Multi-platformHideo Kojima Reveals How He Wants To Die
Writer-director Hideo Kojima, famous for creating Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, has commented on how he would like to die. During a recent event, Kojima said he would like to die in a movie theater, and he even knows when, exactly, he'd like to pass away. "I like the time before the movie starts the best. Enter the movie theater, the lights turn off, the commercials and trailers play, then just before the movie starts is when I want to pass away," he said. https://twitter.com/KojimaHideo/status/2079486124133900651?s=20 It's a morbid comment, but it's not altogether surprising to hear Kojima say this. He is, after all, a huge fan of cinema. His social media bio(https://x.com/HIDEOKOJIMAEN?lang=en) says he is a game creator whose body is 70% made of movies. Kojima is known for his one-sentence movie reviews(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/every-hideo-kojima-one-sentence-movie-review/2900-5174/) and regularly comments on the latest films and the wider movie industry. He's also friends with a number of famous Hollywood directors, including Oscar-winner Guillermo del Toro and Nicolas Winding Refn. He's working with another Oscar-winner, Jordan Peele, on his new horror game OD(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hideo-kojimas-od-release-date-gameplay-and-everything-we-know/1100-6533769/). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sMNtH21-JU Kojima was asked to direct the Death Stranding movie(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/death-stranding-movie-could-have-been-directed-by-kojima-himself/1100-6534300/), but he declined because he thought he would give too many notes(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/death-stranding-movie-is-a-two-hour-art-movie-kojima-says-admitting-it-might-not-work/). Instead, Michael Sarnoski (Pig, A Quiet Place: Day One) is directing the Death Stranding movie.
🎮 Multi-platformWe’ll Finally See The Witcher 3’s New Expansion Next Month
With Gamescom Opening Night Live just a little over a month away, it looks like the first big reveal for the showcase has been revealed: The Witcher 3(https://www.gamespot.com/games/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt/). Not too long ago, CD Projekt Red confirmed that a third expansion for its fantasy-themed action-RPG is in development, and today, it confirmed a first look at The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past will be held during Geoff Keighley's annual Gamescom(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-3s-songs-of-the-past-expansion-was-supposed-to-release-sooner/) kick-off show on August 23. Beyond that, CD Projekt Red--not to be confused with CD Projekt Red(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-company-cd-projekt-is-now-cd-projekt-red-not-to-be-confused-with-cd-projekt-red/)--added that the expansion will also have a presence on the Gamescom showfloor, via a guided presentation at the studio's booth for the duration of the convention. Arriving 12 years after The Witcher 3 first launched, Songs of the Past follows Geralt of Rivia on a new quest, but other than that, CD Projekt Red has been cagey with details. What we do know is that the expansion is being co-developed with Fool's Theory, a studio comprised of several veteran developers who worked on The Witcher 3. The expansion will launch(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-3s-songs-of-the-past-is-an-expansion-not-dlc/) for the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game in 2027. One controversial decision by CD Projekt Red was to drop Windows 10 support(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-3-is-dropping-windows-10-support-for-its-new-dlc-and-fans-arent-happy/) for the expansion. Many PC gamers prefer to use Windows 10 as their operating system, citing improved performance in games, and while CD Projekt Red said that the requirement doesn't mean that the game won't run on the older OS, it does mean that the studio won’t support or test the game on Windows 10 going forward. It's a busy time for The Witcher franchise, as Fool's Theory is also working on a remake of the first game(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-remake-everything-we-know-about-the-open-world-remake-of-the-classic-rpg/1100-6528839/) in the series and CD Projekt Red has scaled up development on The Witcher 4(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/heres-why-the-witcher-4-is-being-developed-with-a-console-first-approach/1100-6532445/), with over half the studio focused on it. The Not-E3 Guide To Summer Game Fest Showcases !4644161-game-showcases-2026.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4644161-game-showcases-2026.jpg?w=636) !4643620-summer-game-fest-2026.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4643620-summer-game-fest-2026.jpg?w=636) !4692135-xboxgamesshowcase2026.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4692135-xboxgamesshowcase2026.jpg?w=636) !nintendo direct(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/nintendo-direct.jpg?w=636) !Convergence-Games(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Convergence-Games.jpg?w=636) !FONO(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FONO.jpg?w=636) !THQ-Showcase(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/THQ-Showcase.jpg?w=636) View Images(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/every-video-game-showcase-to-watch-in-2026/2900-7446/)
🎮 Multi-platformFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth's streamlined progression is a reminder of the joy of cheating
With GTA 6 out later this fall, are we on the precipice of a video-game cheating renaissance?
🎮 Multi-platformMarvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Beta – Start Time, Roster, And How To Get In
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls(https://www.gamespot.com/games/marvel-tokon-fighting-souls/) launches soon, but if you're impatient, then you can dive into the game's open beta this weekend. While fighting game betas aren't a novelty, the Marvel Tokon one is turning heads for the sheer amount of content that it's offering to players, ranging from a stacked roster of playable characters to multiple modes that you can try out. For a closer look at how long it runs for and how you can get in, you can check out all the details below. Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls open beta dates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqAdybFeoOI The Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls beta kicks off on July 24 and runs through July 26 at the following times: Start time - July 24 at 9 PM ET / 12 AM PT / 8 AM BST / 4 PM JST End time - July 26 at 8:59 PM ET / 11.59 PM PT / 07:59 AM BST (July 27) / 3:59 PM JST (July 27) How to get into the Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls open beta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPXIhvQfQ7E This is the easy part, as you can grab the open beta client through the PS5 storefront, and on PC, through Steam and the Epic Games Store. No registration is required, and pre-downloading will be available two hours before the open beta goes live. Is a PlayStation Plus subscription required for PS5 players? While you will need an online connection for some social fisticuffs, you will not need to be a PS Plus member to access the open beta and its modes. What is Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls? The next fighting game from Arc System Works--the studio behind the popular Guilty Gear series and Dragon Ball FighterZ--Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls features a roster of playable heroes and supervillains from Marvel Comics. A 4v4 tag-fighter with fresh visual spins on each character, the game features a deep combat system and comic book-inspired action sequences(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/marvel-tokon-looks-set-to-become-the-next-big-fighting-game/1100-6533923/) when special moves are successfully pulled off. Playable characters When it comes to fighting games, open betas typically give you a handful of characters to play as. In the case of Marvel Tokon, players will have access to 15 of the game's 20 playable characters, including the legendary Daywalker himself, Blade. Developer Arc System Works has also released several gameplay guide videos for these heroes and villains, and we've linked them in their character names to help you brush up on your homework before you start fighting. Here's the full list of playable characters: - Black Panther - Blade - Captain America - Danger - Doctor Doom(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WJw3UkAD90) - Ghost Rider(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4-vCsgD4T0) - Iron Man - Magik - Magneto - Ms. Marvel - Peni Parker(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xLc35DMheI) - Spider-Man(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6phEL8auUA) - Star-Lord(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thxo2Pnf0Cc) - Storm(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFLHP2zc) - Wolverine Marvel Tokon open beta stages Six stages inspired by Marvel locations will also serve as the arena for some superpowered beatdowns: - Knowhere - Marvel's New York (Day) - Marvel's New York (Night) - Savage Land - Wakanda - X-Mansion Playable modes Online casual and ranked matches will be the big draw of the beta, but Arc System Works is also offering several modes to try out. You can sit down for some couch co-op with the local Versus Mode, test your skills out on a PC dummy in Practice Mode, and explore the Open Lobby social space between bouts. This hub will allow you to choose from one of 16 unique avatars, meet other players, chat with them, and start a match by sitting down at an arcade cabinet in this zone. Marvel Tokon has a playable tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR2K4wbdvo4 In case you missed out on the previous beta, you can learn the ropes with Start Up Battle, an interactive tutorial that'll get you up to speed quickly. This mode will teach you everything you need to know about Marvel Tokon's 4v4 matches, team-based skills, and advanced combos before you challenge players. Marvel Tokon's Episode Mode offers a chunk of the story to play through Players can also try out the first three chapters of the Amazing Guardians storyline in Episode Mode, the story mode of Marvel Tokon. This story focuses on Spider-Man as he assembles a team to help fight back against the Champion, and it features illustrated comic book panels that blend directly into the gameplay. Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Roster – Every Character Revealed (So Far) !Marvel-Tokon-main56d22d(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Marvel-Tokon-main56d22d.jpg?w=636) !4692118-tokon-4.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4692118-tokon-4.jpg?w=636) !4692119-tokon-1.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4692119-tokon-1.jpg?w=636) !4507462-miss-marvel.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4507462-miss-marvel.jpg?w=636) !4507463-spider-man.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4507463-spider-man.jpg?w=636) !4507464-star-lord.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4507464-star-lord.jpg?w=636) !4507465-storm.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4507465-storm.jpg?w=636) View Images(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/marvel-tokon-fighting-souls-every-character/2900-6640/)
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformThe First Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs Of The Past Footage Will Be Revealed During Gamescom's Opening Night Live Stream
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/21/f61ff2f9/songs%20of%20the%20past%20key%20art.jpg.webp) In case you missed the announcement a few months ago – and there wasn't much fanfare, so I couldn't blame you – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is getting a brand new expansion, over a decade after its release(https://gameinformer.com/2026/05/27/the-witcher-3-songs-of-the-past-is-a-new-expansion-starring-geralt-and-it-launches-next). Called Songs of the Past, we don't know much about it yet, other than the fact that it's being developed alongside Fools Theory, the team in charge of the Witcher 1 remake, and that it's coming out in 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. However, today CD Projekt Red shared(https://bsky.app/profile/thewitcher.com/post/3mr5mopimps2a) that the game's first look will debut at this year's Opening Night Live showcase at Gamescom, which will occur next month on August 25. Held in Cologne, Germany and hosted by Geoff Keighley, Opening Night Live is the games industry's third major showcase, alongside The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest. It's open to the public (though this year is already sold out) and livestreamed around the world. As the name suggests, it's presented at nighttime in Europe, but it occurs during the day in the US, at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CEST. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is widely regarded as one of the best games of the modern generation, with an elaborate open world, memorable side quests, and two major expansions that live up to the base game's standards. Developer CD Projekt Red seemingly moved on after the second expansion, going on to develop Cyberpunk 2077 (spending years patching it) and its Phantom Liberty expansion. We even know that the studio is working on The Witcher 4, starring Geralt's daughter Ciri, and while we don't know for sure, we wouldn't be surprised if Songs of the Past leads into the next mainline entry in some way. Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, one of the directors of The Witcher 3, has since left CD Projekt Red and is now behind The Blood of Dawnwalker, an upcoming vampiric action RPG that shares some DNA with The Witcher games. For more on that, you can check out our exclusive cover story hub(https://gameinformer.com/dawnwalker) for behind-the-scenes details and watch the video above about Tomaszkiewicz's transition from one series to the next.