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Steam Next Fest 2026 Launches with 8,200 Demos Amid AI Cloning Fears
1 hour ago•Source: UploadVR
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7 min•1 hour ago
Lucasfilm Weighs DICE and Bungie for Star Wars Battlefront 3 Amid Battlefront 2 Resurgence
Lucasfilm is reportedly in early-stage discussions with EA DICE and Bungie to develop Star Wars Battlefront 3, driven by the unexpected resurgence of Battlefront 2. While DICE remains the primary candidate, Bungie is being considered as an alternative, though industry skepticism persists due to the studio’s current focus on Destiny 2 and Marathon.
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Pokémon Night Out Brings Location-Specific Raids and Toxtricity Forms to LA and London
Pokémon GO Hub•2 hours ago
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Steam Next Fest 2026 Doubles Demo Count, Sparking AI Slop and Discoverability Concerns
Eurogamer.net•3 hours ago
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Penguin Colony Developer Blocks Sales in Israel to Support BDS
Origame Digital has blocked the sale of its new game, Penguin Colony, in Israel. The developer stated this action is intended to demonstrate solidarity with Palestine and support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The game, released on October 16, 2026, reimagines H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness through the perspective of penguins to critique colonialism. The publisher confirmed the regional ban in a Steam forum response, noting the developer’s right to control distribution.
Nintendo Admits Zelda 40th Anniversary Demand Surpassed Forecasts, Promises Restocks
Nintendo executives acknowledge that demand for The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary products exceeded internal forecasts, causing immediate sell-outs globally. While specific restock dates and quantities remain undisclosed, the company confirmed that replenishment is in progress for both the limited-edition Switch 2 console and the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake.
Activision Confirms New Call of Duty Sub-Series to Break Modern Warfare/Black Ops Cycle
Activision is ending the alternating release cycle of Modern Warfare and Black Ops with a new sub-series, likely launching in 2027. This move follows disappointing performance from Black Ops 7 and aims to refresh the franchise after years of repetitive tonal shifts. The new title is rumored to be developed by Sledgehammer Games and may be set in the late 1990s, though details remain unconfirmed.
Computational Analysis Suggests Super Mario 64 Plaque Reads 'Eternal Star'
A programmer named Mochi64 used open-source software to analyze the blurry plaque in Super Mario 64, concluding it likely reads 'Eternal Star' and 'We hope so' rather than the long-rumored 'L is real 2401.'
Arc Raiders Hits Six-Month Peak After Frozen Trail Update and Free Weekend
Embark Studios' extraction shooter Arc Raiders reached a six-month high of 1.7 million daily active users on October 14, driven by the release of the massive Frozen Trail update, a free trial weekend, and a 50% discount. The update introduced new content and a PvE mode test, while the game generated approximately $3 million in revenue from 150,000 new sales.
Lucasfilm Seeks New Developer for Star Wars Battlefront 3 Amid Early Talks with DICE and Bungie
Lucasfilm is reportedly in early-stage discussions with EA DICE and Bungie to develop a new Star Wars Battlefront game. The rumor, sourced from Electronic Gaming Monthly, suggests no deal has been signed yet, but the studios are being considered due to the continued popularity of Battlefront 2. While DICE is the expected choice, Bungie is a potential alternative, especially given its recent Star Wars-themed Destiny 2 expansion.
Liquid Swords Files for Bankruptcy Six Months After Launching GTA-Style Game Samson
Liquid Swords, the Swedish studio behind the open-world game Samson, has been declared bankrupt by the Stockholm District Court. The studio, founded by former Avalanche Studios co-founder Christofer Sundberg, released its only title in April 2026 to poor reviews and critical acclaim for its bugs. Despite ongoing updates and console releases, the company faced financial collapse, with employees unpaid since August 2026. Assets, including Samson, are now up for sale.
PlayStation Creator Kutaragi Calls Disc Backlash a 'Mentality Issue' as Sony Nears 2028 Digital-Only Deadline
Ken Kutaragi, the founder of PlayStation, has defended Sony’s decision to discontinue physical game discs, arguing that consumer resistance stems from a 'mentality issue' rather than economic necessity. Speaking at the Game Republic New Horizons event, Kutaragi acknowledged that discs have become a symbol of ownership but compared the situation to smartphones, where digital content is accepted without physical media. He noted that continuing to produce discs is not economically viable, especially given the rising cost of hardware components. While he understands the frustration, he suggested that the industry may eventually move toward fully cloud-based gaming, rendering consoles obsolete. This stance contrasts with strong consumer backlash and recent data showing robust physical sales for titles like Marvel’s Wolverine.
Xbox Game Pass Drops 8 Titles on Oct 31, Including LEGO Star Wars and Double Fine Classics
Xbox Game Pass will remove eight titles on October 31, 2026, including LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Deep Rock Galactic, and Wartales. The departures include remastered Double Fine classics, which are leaving as the studio is no longer part of Xbox Game Studios. Subscribers have until the end of the month to play these games, with a 20% discount available for purchasing them before removal.
Activision Confirms 2027 Call of Duty Will Launch a New Sub-Series After Black Ops 7 Misses
Activision confirmed that the 2027 Call of Duty entry will debut a new sub-series, ending the alternating cycle between Modern Warfare and Black Ops. This follows a disappointing performance from Black Ops 7 and a well-received Modern Warfare 4 campaign. The new title is rumored to be set in the late 1990s and developed by Sledgehammer Games.