Latest Multi-platform Game News & Updates
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🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformCall Of Duty: Black Ops 7, Diablo 4, And More Games Are Free On Xbox This Weekend
If you have some downtime over the 4th of July weekend and are looking for a game to play, Microsoft is bringing back its Free Play Days promotion, offering up some top titles to play for the low, low price of $0. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's multiplayer and Zombies modes are free now through July 6, while Diablo IV is free through July 7. Demonschool and The Stone Madness have free two-hour trials now through July 5. None of these games require an Xbox Game Pass subscription during the free period. !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/freeplaydays.jpg?w=1024) Free is a nice price. Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure is part of the Free Play Days promotion through July 5, but you'll need Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential. This Free Play Days event comes at a tumultuous time for Xbox, as the company is expected to begin mass layoffs on July 6(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/this-week-in-games-was-bad-but-next-week-may-be-worse/). Microsoft may close at least five studios as well(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-could-cancel-marvels-blade-and-close-its-developer/), though it's possible other arrangements could be made that does not result in studio closures or game cancellations.
🎮 Multi-platformWhy Resident Evil Movie Doesn’t Feature Familiar Characters
The new Resident Evil movie from Weapons and Barbarian director Zach Cregger does not feature characters from the games--why is that? Cregger said in a new interview that it would be "inorganic" for his movie "try to shoehorn" legacy characters from Capcom's series into his film because it's a "self-contained story." "I have to put the story first and foremost," he said told Empire(https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/the-odyssey-issue-three-collectible-covers-revealed/) magazine, as reported by GamesRadar(https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/horror-movies/resident-evil-director-says-it-would-feel-inorganic-to-shoehorn-legacy-characters-into-his-movie-i-have-to-put-the-story-first-and-foremost/). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKDtokTO1c Cregger's Resident Evil movie tells an "entirely original story" that takes place in the Resident Evil universe. Some fans have questioned this approach, saying they'd rather see one of the game's stories adapted and for the film to feature popular characters like Leon Kennedy or Jill Valentine. That's not going to happen, though, and Cregger thinks fans of the game will be happy with what he creates. "When you watch it, you'll be like, 'This is very Zach.' It's just that it takes place in the Resident Evil world. I don't think fans of the games are gonna be bummed," he told Entertainment Weekly(https://ew.com/resident-evil-movie-entirely-original-story-set-game-world-zach-cregger-exclusive-11812968). The Resident Evil movie comes to theaters on September 18. It stars Austin Abrams as an "idiot" medical courier(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-movie-follows-an-idiot-director-likens-story-to-lord-of-the-rings/) named Bryan who gets mixed up in a horrifying adventure that Cregger says is akin to The Lord of the Rings. “Not that he’s stupid, but he’s not your typical game character, with no combat skills whatsoever and completely inept at survival. Bryan is very much an everyman who happens to be burdened with this kind of sacred mission that’s going to take him into the heart of everything. It’s kind of like Frodo going into Mordor," he said.
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformNintendo Could Inherit The Physical Gaming Crown By Default
Sony plans to sell PlayStation games exclusively as digital products(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-confirms-playstation-disc-production-will-end-in-2028/) starting in 2028, and it's rumored that Microsoft will also adopt a digital-only approach(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-gen-xbox-may-not-have-disc-drive-disc-to-digital-feature-coming-reports-say/) with its next-gen Xbox Project Helix(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-xbox-release-date-specs-display-price/1100-6525379/), a move that could leave Nintendo as the only console manufacturer that will still release games physically--at least for this current gaming generation. Speaking to VGC(https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-ditching-physical-games-unlikely-to-influence-nintendos-plans-says-analyst/), Circana senior director and video game industry advisor Mat Piscatella commented on how he believes that both the PS6 and Project Helix will be digital-only gaming consoles. The upside to this is that, thanks to Nintendo operating in its own bubble, it doesn't look like it'll be ditching cartridges in response to Sony and Microsoft's plans. "My gut says Nintendo does what Nintendo wants to do, and I don't see them changing anything in their plans based on what Sony or Microsoft do on anything, really," Piscatella explained. "Nintendo is going to be Nintendo, for better and/or worse. Retail has already leaned into Nintendo support more and more over the past few years--Nintendo also holds a very strong share of physical software and hardware sales since the launch of Switch 2 in particular--so this could continue to increase, sure." According to its FY25/26 end-of-year report(https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2026/2605084e.pdf), Nintendo says that digital sales of its games account for 67.2% of software purchases. Digital sales on Sony platforms have climbed dramatically over the last decade, with 78% of its sales being digital purchases. Reports now claim that both the PS6 and Project Helix will do away with disc drives(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-gen-xbox-may-not-have-disc-drive-disc-to-digital-feature-coming-reports-say/?thumbnailid=1806575) entirely. While Nintendo still has a sizable physical presence, it's worth noting that many games--especially third-party ones--are sold as Game-Key Cards(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/certain-nintendo-switch-2-physical-games-are-game-key-cards-for-downloads/1100-6530576/). These are essentially authentication keys in cartridge form, as players will still have to install game data to their Switch 2 and keep the cartridge inserted to play their games. Fortunately, the carts are not locked to a Switch 2 account or console(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-game-key-cards-wont-be-tied-to-your-account/1100-6530654/), and they can be resold, allowing a new user to download a game--for as long as the servers are kept online, that is. PlayStation and Xbox game discs have functioned along the same lines for years now, as both consoles required users to download data from the discs onto their respective machines and keep the physical media for authenticating the installs. While Game-Key Cards are designed to be a cheaper publisher-friendly alternative, they're not without criticism, as some historians have expressed fears over the future(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/switch-2s-game-key-cards-are-a-little-disheartening-for-game-preservation-says-dev/1100-6531262/) of video game preservation efforts. The Best Games Of 2026 (So Far) !4650771-2026games.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4650771-2026games.jpg?w=1024) !4642853-cairn.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4642853-cairn.jpg?w=1024) !4686459-diablo-4-loh.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4686459-diablo-4-loh.jpg?w=1024) !4664332-esoteric-ebb.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4664332-esoteric-ebb.jpg?w=1024) !4664744-marathon.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4664744-marathon.jpg?w=1024) !4648432-mewgenics.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4648432-mewgenics.jpg?w=1024) !Mina-the-Hollower(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mina-the-Hollower.jpg?w=1024) View Images(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/the-best-games-of-2026/2900-7436/)
🖥 PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Multi-platformPersona 5 spinoff adding Persona 3 Reload's most requested feature
The Persona 5 mobile title will get a visit from Kotone Shiomi, the beloved character from Persona 3 Portable.
🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platform‘In Trusted Hands’ has you repairing phones and paying the price
In Trusted Hands is a management style game where you are running a phone repair shop. You run a pretty small outlet and it’s a pretty simple job; people come to you... The post ‘In Trusted Hands’ has you repairing phones and paying the price(https://indiegamesplus.com/in-trusted-hands-review/) appeared first on Indie Games Plus(https://indiegamesplus.com).
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformXbox May Shut Down Obsidian Entertainment, Too
As a massive layoff plan looms over Xbox's various subsidiaries, new reports suggest that the iconic RPG studio Obsidian Entertainment is on the chopping block, too. According to a July 2 The Game Business report(https://www.thegamebusiness.com/p/xbox-divided-over-its-future-and), it appears that Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs aren't the only studios Xbox is looking to offload. Obsidian Entertainment--the studio behind games like Avowed, Fallout: New Vegas, Grounded, The Outer Worlds, and more--may get cut loose as well. As The Game Business noted, Xbox is looking to "reallocate where it spends money." Reportedly, the company wants to invest in its big franchises--presumably the likes of Gears of War and Halo--but it needs to trim the fat to do so. And doing so means either selling or shuttering a handful of Xbox Games Studios subsidiaries. Like many of these other studios, The Game Business clarified that these teams are "deep in negotiation" with Microsoft to avoid closure. This story is developing...
🎮 Multi-platformNintendo's massive Elephant Mario statue pre-orders are up, price revealed
First 4 Figures is releasing a collectible statue for Super Mario Bros. Wonder's Elephant Mario power-up, and that is neat.
🎮 Multi-platformPrince of Persia creator returns with perfect America 250 gift for July 4
Liberty is a new graphic novel from Jordan Mechner that might be a history buff dad's American Revolution dream gift.
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformXbox Game Pass Is Removing A Lot Of Games Very Soon
Microsoft is removing more titles from Xbox Game Pass(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/upcoming-game-pass-titles/1100-6534406/), and it looks like there could be a lot of removals for July. The "leaving soon" page on Xbox's website(https://www.xbox.com/en-us/play/gallery/leaving-soon) lists off 11 titles set for removal on July 15. These include Golf With Your Friends, Stellaris, EA Sports FC 24, PowerWash Simulator, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. You can see the full list below, as relayed by PureXbox(https://www.purexbox.com/news/2026/07/11-games-are-leaving-xbox-game-pass-in-early-july-2026). While PowerWash Simulator is leaving, PowerWash Simulator 2 is still on Game Pass. This is expected to be the first of two sets of removals for July, as Microsoft typically axes titles in the middle of the month and then again at the end. As a silver lining, Game Pass subscribers can save 20% on these titles before they leave. As for new additions for July, we know that Halo: Campaign Evolved (July 28) is among the new additions, but the rest have not yet been announced. For more, check out GameSpot's rundown of the best Game Pass games(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-xbox-game-pass-games/2900-4001/). Game Pass removals for July 15 - Golf With Your Friends -- console, PC, cloud - Stellaris -- console, PC, cloud - EA Sports FC 24 -- console, cloud - My Friendly Neighborhood -- console, PC, cloud - Super Fantasy Kingdom -- PC - PowerWash Simulator -- console, PC, cloud - Whiskerwood -- PC - Techtonica -- console, PC cloud - Dungeons of Hinterberg -- console, PC, cloud - Back to the Dawn -- console, PC, cloud - Shadow of the Tomb Raider -- console, PC, cloud
🎮 Multi-platformOnimusha: Way Of The Sword Will Now Launch Three Weeks Earlier
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/02/c5e2981e/OnimushaWotSSS-Bladelock.jpg.webp) September, particularly its last week, is packed with big releases, and Capcom has seemingly recognized this by adjusting the release date for Onimusha: Way of the Sword(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2025/06/24/a-devilishly-satisfying-reinvention). The game was set to launch on September 25, but has been moved up to release during the first week of the month. Onimusha: Way of the Sword will now launch on September 4 – 21 days earlier than planned. Although the game still rubs shoulders with The Blood of Dawnwalker(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/05/25/just-how-choice-driven-is-rebel-wolves-debut-game), which arrives on September 3, that’s probably better than when it was launching one day after Control Resonant(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/06/05/hands-on-with-remedys-surreal-take-on-stylish-action) and Silent Hill: Townfall(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/06/08/radio-drama). We’ve played Onimusha: Way of the Sword on two occasions and have been impressed with its modernized take on the series’ signature swordplay. You can read our first hands-on preview from last August here(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2025/08/22/a-potential-renaissance-in-the-making) and our most recent impressions from Summer Game Fest 2026 here(https://gameinformer.com/preview/2026/06/12/a-thrilling-boss-battle-makes-for-another-strong-showing). When the game launches on September 4, it will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
🎮 Multi-platformChristopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Now Has Its Own Game
Filmmaker Christopher Nolan's newest movie, The Odyssey, releases on July 17, and ahead of that, an official companion game is now available on Roblox. A survival sailing adventure game, The Odyssey: Defy the Gods, is out now on Roblox, and it's free(https://www.roblox.com/games/72666297062642/The-Odyssey-Defy-the-Gods!/about). Players will assemble a crew, ration supplies, and "appease the gods for the right of safe passage" across the ocean. In the game, players will scavenge mysterious worlds to find food and crew that have gone missing. Out on the ocean, players have to survive in the elements like Odysseus did during his perilous journey. !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/defythegods-1.webp) Defy the Gods is out now on Roblox. Defy the Gods is rated "Minimal" for its maturity rating, and as part of Roblox's new safety measures, it's limited to people 18 and up. The game's content description notes that it contains occasional/mild "fear" and "violence." Roblox is so big and popular that brands make games for it to promote their content, and that's what Universal Pictures did here with Defy the Gods. The movie is expected to appeal to an older audience, so reaching out to Roblox's younger base could be an effort to help convince younger people to go see it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyIZ9tiiN8I Written and directed by Christopher Nolan and based on Homer's epic tale, The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Tom Holland portraying Telemachus. Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, while Robert Pattinson appears as Antinous. The movie also features Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal. It's Nolan's first film since 2023's Oppenheimer, which made $975 million globally.
🎮 Multi-platformGTA 6 gameplay could be coming very soon based on Rockstar's history.
While the wait to get Grand Theft Auto 6 details has been excruciating, Rockstar's history tells us that we're in for a marketing blitz soon.