Today's Gaming Pulse
Resident Evil Requiem launches free demo after 7 million copies sold
Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem, which has sold over 7 million copies since its release three months ago, is now offering a free demo on Steam, Epic, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2. The demo lets players experience early chapters with protagonist Grace Ashcroft, though progress cannot be transferred to the full game.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Goldenpeak takes majority stake in Ampere Analysis
Ratatan's Switch Release Officially Cancelled
Ratatan, the rhythm roguelite from Ratata Arts, announced the cancellation of its Switch version after a detailed Kickstarter update. The developers cited high licensing fees and limited resources, opting to concentrate on newer platforms like Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Steam. The game previously raised $1.4 million from over 14,000 backers and sold more than 100,000 PC copies in its first month of Early Access. The decision reflects an indie strategy to maximize quality by limiting platform scope.
Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini B. Duck Edition Review
The Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini B. Duck Edition is a 4.2‑inch Android handheld priced at $119.99, powered by a MediaTek Helio G90T and 3 GB RAM. It delivers solid emulation for systems up to PS2 and limited GameCube, thanks to its Mali‑G76...
US FFXIV Fan Festival 2026 Schedule Shared
Square Enix released the full two‑day schedule for the US Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2026, set for April 24‑25 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Day 1 opens with a bilingual keynote by Director Naoki Yoshida, followed by a community game...
GENKI Covert Dock 3 and ShadowCast 3 Now Available
Genki has launched two new accessories for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2: the Covert Dock 3, a 65 W GaN travel dock, and the ShadowCast 3, a pocket‑sized 4K 60 fps capture card. The dock delivers power and video to any TV or monitor while charging...
M.LEAGUE and World Riichi Announce First U.S. Professional Mahjong Tour
World Riichi and the United States Professional Mahjong League announced the inaugural U.S. professional riichi mahjong tour, scheduled for late June and early July 2026. The tour will feature eight top Japanese M.LEAGUE players competing in Las Vegas at the HyperX...
Seven Knights Re:BIRTH Added Randgrid in Latest Content Update
Netmarble rolled out a major update for Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, introducing the Celestial Guardian hero Randgrid, an April Fools hero named Deo, and a new story event. Randgrid is an attack‑type character that weakens enemy defenses before striking front‑row targets. The...
It Has My Face Exits Early Access with Multiplayer Update and Dead by Daylight Bundle
NightByte Games' first‑person horror roguelite It Has My Face has left Early Access on Steam with its Version 1.0 launch. The update adds two story chapters, new monsters, and expands multiplayer from 1v1 to eight‑player Team Deathmatch and Free‑for‑All modes. The...
'There Are Times when You Want to Put GTA Down and Pick up Something Else,' Samson Studio Founder Says: 'I...
Liquid Swords' open‑world crime brawler Samson is positioned as a smaller‑scale alternative to Rockstar's upcoming GTA 6. Co‑founder Christofer Sundberg acknowledges similarities but stresses the game will serve as a complementary experience for players seeking a shorter, more focused diversion. After...
Game Awards Hits 10M+ Subs, Expands YouTube Partnership
A great moment with @YouTube CEO @nealmohan as we celebrate 10 million+ subs for @thegameawards Our partnership with YouTube continues to evolve — with ambitious plans to scale TGA to even greater global heights in the years ahead. Can’t wait to...
Rise of Kingdoms Quietly Returns to App Stores in India on Android and iOS, Seemingly with a Catch
Lilith Games' strategy title Rise of Kingdoms has reappeared in India’s Android and iOS app stores after being removed in the 2020 ban on 118 Chinese-linked apps. The version now offered is the Japanese edition, not the original global build...
State of Decay 3 Alpha Opens Next Month with Co‑op Gameplay
State of Decay 3 Alpha playtests start next month. There will be 4-player co-op, new base building, and “a whole lot of combat” you can sign up at https://t.co/KobvVEUmYw https://t.co/M3sQnCQmn5
Funny-Ugly Plush Monsters Gets Their First Mobile Game Fugglers: Reckless Runner
Fugglers, the quirky plush monster line, has launched its first mobile title, Fugglers: Reckless Runner, on Android for $1.99. Developed and published by Blue Zoo Animation Studio, the endless‑runner lets players guide the mischievous creatures through messy labs, sewers and...
NVIDIA Shows The Witcher 4 Forest Tech at 4K and 80 FPS
NVIDIA unveiled a technical demo built around *The Witcher 4* to showcase its RTX Mega Geometry pipeline, rendering a 5 km × 5 km forest with 60 million plants and over 200 species. The demo pushes geometric fidelity by modeling foliage down to pine needles, with...
The First Descendant Teases Raven, Turning Into Colossus, and Details Long-Term Roadmap
The First Descendant’s developers held a livestream to counter low‑retention concerns, unveiling a three‑phase "Completing the Game" roadmap that will overhaul core loops, improve accessibility, and expand end‑game content by Season 4. They teased a new Descendant, Raven, wielding a ghostly...
Much Like the Game’s Zombies, State of Decay 3 Is Somehow Still Alive
State of Decay 3, announced six years ago, is still in development despite recent Microsoft Xbox layoffs. Undead Labs revealed that an Alpha playtest will launch in May, featuring four‑player co‑op, new base‑building, and expanded combat mechanics. The studio emphasized that...
Help the EverQuest II Team in This Month's Rise of Kunark Origins Servers Beta
EverQuest II’s Origins servers will host a Rise of Kunark beta from April 14, 12:00 p.m. Pacific to April 27, 11:00 a.m. Pacific. Only All‑Access members can play on the classic Anashti Sul and Dozekar servers, which recreate the game’s original PvE‑ and PvP‑centric experience. The test aims...
Celebrating Apple’s 50th with Retro Apple‑1 Games
With Apple turning 50 this week, I decided there was only one way to celebrate — melt my brain by playing some of the finest games made for the Apple-1. Here's how I got on. https://t.co/d9TGedegfu
This Cyberpunk Steam Action Game Already Looks Incredible
Sky Dust is an upcoming indie cyberpunk Metroidvania‑Souls hybrid that immerses players in a neon‑drenched, pixel‑art rendition of São Paulo. The game’s trailer showcases an energy‑sword wielding mercenary, high‑speed cyber‑bike chases, and stealth‑execution mechanics. Influences range from Cyberpunk 2077 and Blade Runner to...
Sony Interactive Entertainment Acquires UK AI Startup Cinemersive Labs to Boost PlayStation Visuals
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the acquisition of London‑based machine‑learning company Cinemersive Labs, adding volumetric 3‑D imaging expertise to its Visual Computing Group. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the move signals Sony’s push to sharpen PlayStation graphics through AI‑driven upscaling.
AI Power Surge Triggers RAM Shortages, Delays Nvidia GPUs and Valve's Steam Machine
Nvidia announced that its next‑generation RTX 60 series GPUs are delayed until 2027‑28 as AI training workloads hoard DRAM, and Valve pushed back its Steam Machine console launch to mid‑2026. The shortages have also helped lift Intel shares 9.6% on...
Fortnite's Engagement Drop Triggers 1,000+ Layoffs, Raising Questions on US Gaming Dominance
Epic Games announced more than 1,000 layoffs tied to a measurable decline in Fortnite activity. Analysts link the cut to a wider erosion of American cultural dominance in gaming, as platform owners capture an ever‑larger share of revenue.
Battlefield 6's Transformative New Creation Tool Makes Portal Much More Powerful: "No More Compromises"
Battlefield 6’s upcoming Hunter/Prey update, arriving April 14, introduces the Portal Gadget—a new tool that lets creators trigger custom events with precise control. The gadget replaces clunky workarounds, enabling dynamic, immersive experiences within the game’s Portal creation suite. The update also revamps...
Take‑Two Cuts AI Head and Part of Team Amid Shifting Generative AI Strategy
Take‑Two Interactive has let go its Head of Artificial Intelligence, Luke Dicken, and an unspecified portion of his team, just weeks after CEO Strauss Zelnick proclaimed the company was "actively embracing generative AI." The move spotlights uncertainty around the publisher's...
Take‑Two Cuts AI Team After CEO Zelnick Pledges Generative AI Push
Take‑Two Interactive has let go its Head of Artificial Intelligence, Luke Dicken, and an undisclosed portion of his team, just months after CEO Strauss Zelnick said the publisher was "actively embracing generative AI." The move raises questions about the viability...
Morbid Metal Launches This Month via Early Access
Ubisoft and indie studio Screen Juice announced the early‑access launch of *Morbid Metal* on April 8 for Windows PC via Steam, offering a 25% discount for a limited time. The hack‑and‑slash roguelite promises over 10 hours of content, Steam Deck compatibility, and support...
Battlefield 6’s Audio Director Reveals Secrets Behind Award‑Winning Sound
Battlefield 6 audio director Jeff Wilson has discussed the game's award-winning sound in a new interview. https://t.co/QLqDtdV8nb
Solo Marathon Rook Players Are Teaming up, Arc Raiders-Style
Marathon’s solo‑only Rook class is forming impromptu gangs, using proximity chat to coordinate attacks on other players. Rooks can only join matches already in progress and must play alongside other Rooks, creating a de‑facto cooperative meta previously seen only in...
Live Deep Dive: Notch vs DLSS and GPU Hardware
I wanted to use Notch's criticism of DLSS to talk a little bit about GPU hardware, so I did an impromptu livestream last night. VOD is here if you're curious: https://t.co/rqlLnjNvmi
Ingrid Erases a World in a Street Fighter 6 Trailer
Capcom announced that Ingrid, the enigmatic Code Holder from Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max, will join Street Fighter 6 as the final Year 3 DLC character in spring 2026, with a new trailer showcasing her world‑erasing powers but no moveset details. The trailer also...
My Play Watch Brings Mega Man Gaming to Your Watch
Today My Play Watch unveiled Mega Man: My Play Watch, a dedicated gaming watch that lets players experience classic Capcom platforming directly from their wrist. The device is a standalone, collectible unit featuring retro‑styled stages and simple jump‑and‑shoot controls. It aims...
Rust Is Getting Hydro Power Through Water Wheels that Can Also Be Powered by Humans: 'Before You Ask, Yes, You...
Facepunch Studios’ Spring Clean update for Rust introduces water wheels, a new hydro‑power generator that can be placed in rivers or oceans and even pedaled by players. The wheels can also be used to force handcuffed opponents into a giant...
Beyond Nostalgia: How the Creators of Sacred Are Breathing New Life Into the 20-Year-Old Series
After an 11‑year hiatus, the Sacred franchise is set to return with Sacred: Last Pixel of Ancaria, announced in December 2025. Development is being handled by SparklingBit, a studio that includes several veterans from the original series, and the IP...
Cover Art Triggers Impulse Buys Despite Low Ratings
Seeing a jewel case on the shelf with anime cover art for a game I've never heard of and deciding it's an absolute must-buy even though it's a 6.5/10 at best.
Several Rage Arts Get Seamlessly Merged Together Into One Cutscene that Plays Out Against Heihachi in Tekken 8 Thanks to...
A fan‑made video by BuffGigas seamlessly merges several Tekken 8 Rage Arts into a single, fluid cutscene that targets Heihachi Mishima. The edit strings together attacks from Jin, Azucena, Nina, Steve, Eddy Gordo, Asuka, and even a panda, making it appear...
State of Decay 3 Alpha Tests Starting in May
Xbox Game Studios and Undead Labs announced a series of alpha tests for State of Decay 3, slated to begin in May 2026. The tests will feature full four‑player co‑op, new base‑building and resource strategies, and expanded combat. Registration is open now,...
Starfield Gets New Trailer and Details for PS5 Features
Bethesda announced that Starfield will debut on PlayStation 5 on April 7, arriving alongside the Free Lanes update and the Terran Armada story DLC. The new trailer highlights PS5‑specific enhancements, including a Pro Visual mode delivering 4K at 30 fps and a Pro...
Acer Predator 21X Still Impresses a Decade Later
Two Nvidia GTX 1080 GPUs, a 21-inch screen, and a $10K price tag - the Acer Predator 21X was a ridiculous device 10 years ago, and I fired it up to see how it fares today. https://t.co/KiQq5MlTEf
PlayStation Store: March 2026’s Top Downloads
In March 2026 the PlayStation Store saw MLB The Show 26 claim the top spot on the US download chart, while Crimson Desert led the European rankings and also placed in the US top three. The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin...
Cover Will Pull Back and End Some Holostars Male Vtubers Support
Cover Corp announced it will scale back support for its Holostars male Vtuber division in Japan, citing an executive decision to optimize overall business. While the company says it will continue to back individual activities on a case‑by‑case basis, projects...
After 36 Years at the Legendary FPS Studio, Raven Software Co-Founder Brian Raffel Is Retiring
Brian Raffel, co‑founder and longtime studio head of Raven Software, announced his retirement after 36 years. He guided Raven from its 1990 inception through its 1997 acquisition by Activision and oversaw its evolution from early RPG shooters like Heretic to...
NIP's Cologne Hopes Stamped Out by HEROIC
Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) saw their slim hopes of qualifying for the IEM Cologne Major evaporate after a 16‑14 overtime loss to HEROIC, leaving them in 5‑6th place in the Stake Ranked event. HEROIC’s victory not only secures their likely...
Report: Take-Two Lays Off the Head of AI and Multiple Team Members
Take‑Two Interactive announced the departure of its head of AI, Luke Dicken, along with several other AI team members. The layoffs were attributed to shifting upper‑management priorities despite the company’s recent public endorsement of generative‑AI tools. In the same period,...
Apex Legends System Requirements 2026
Apex Legends’ 2026 system requirements remain modest, with a minimum GPU of Nvidia GTX 950 or AMD Radeon HD 7790 and an Intel i3‑6300 CPU, while the recommended tier steps up to a GTX 970 or Radeon R9 290 and an Intel i5‑3570K. Both...
New Apex Legends Update Aftershock Brings Us a Shield to Catch and Return Enemy Fire
Respawn’s Apex Legends Wildcard mode received the Aftershock update, adding two universal abilities—vortex shield and EMP blast—to every legend. The vortex shield can absorb incoming fire and return it, while the EMP stun damages enemies and placeables, both recharging through...
Top Streamers Drop New Easter Weekend Content
Easter weekend is here — and, to celebrate, the world's biggest streamers have given us plenty to stream once more. https://t.co/uiQA3AOkSL
Starward Coming to PS5 on April 16
Century Games and Game Blender Studio announced that the 3D fighting title Starward will debut on PlayStation 5 on April 16, adding the console to its existing PC, iOS, and Android releases. The game, which features mecha‑girl combatants and classic Gundam‑style mechanics,...
Persist Online's Next Alpha Is Coming Next Week With A Big Tutorial Revamp
Persist Online, the zombie‑survival MMORPG, will host a public playtest from April 7‑12. The highlight is a revamped, progressive tutorial that starts solo, then opens to guided open‑world quests, both skippable after a player’s first character. New content includes expanded zones,...
Boombl4: "We Want to Meet G2 in the Grand Final and Play a Best-of-Three of Best-of-Threes"
BetBoom’s in‑game leader Kirill “Boombl4” Mikhailov said the team is comfortable playing with two stand‑ins, which he believes eases pressure compared with full rosters. After beating 9INE in the lower bracket of Stake Ranked Episode 1, BetBoom remains in contention for...
GTA 6 Team “Probably Rebuilt the Entire RAGE Engine,” Says Former Rockstar Audio Engineer
Former Rockstar audio engineer Rob Carr says Rockstar North likely rebuilt the entire RAGE engine for Grand Theft Auto 6, reflecting a development timeline that began in early 2019 rather than the publicly‑stated 2020. UK public records suggest the project’s budget...
All New Exotic Weapon and Gear Talents in The Division 2 Y8S1 Rise Up
Ubisoft has launched Year 8 Season 1 (Rise Up) for The Division 2, introducing two new exotic weapons—Agitator assault rifle and Whiplash pistol—and a new exotic mask called Investor. Each exotic comes with unique talent trees that modify threat generation,...