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
Amazon Prime Members: You Can Play These Games for Free
Amazon has refreshed its Luna cloud‑gaming service by offering a free Luna Standard subscription to all Prime members. The bundle now includes high‑profile titles such as Hogwarts Legacy, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and the February additions of Alan Wake 2 and Just Shapes & Beats. Users can play on compatible devices using a controller or a phone as a remote, while an optional Luna Premium tier adds a larger library for an extra $10 per month. Prime’s $15‑monthly fee now delivers both streaming video and gaming benefits.
Hello Kitty Desktop Mate DLC Teased
Infiniteloop announced a new Desktop Mate DLC featuring Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, revealed via a silhouette teaser on social media. The add‑on has no confirmed release date, but the “coming soon” label appears in both Japanese and English, indicating a global...
Siliconera+ 2 Month Free Trial Added
Siliconera has relaunched its ad‑free Siliconera+ subscription with a two‑month free trial for users who enable recurring payments. The $1.99 monthly fee only starts after the 60‑day trial, meaning a subscriber joining on November 17, 2026 would be charged on...
Genvid Introduces Story Maps to Continue ‘DC Heroes United’ Narrative
Genvid has launched Story Maps, a new feature that adds branching narrative layers to its interactive streaming platform. The tool is being rolled out with the mobile game DC Heroes United, which debuted on November 20, 2024 and is licensed...
Pax Dei Outlines Proposals to Make Crafting Failures Less Punishing and Fairer
Pax Dei’s Master Crafting and a major crafting XP rebalance have gone live, prompting the team to address the pain points of failed attempts. The developers propose a salvage‑target system that returns a portion of invested materials based on the total...
Best New Xbox Game Pass Games to Play This Weekend (Feb. 20-22)
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass added three high‑profile titles for the weekend of Feb 20‑22, including Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Complete Edition, and the indie heist game Relooted. The additions arrive amid a recent price increase that has sparked...
Residual Is This Week’s Free Mobile Game on the Epic Games Store
Epic Games Store is offering the Android survival game Residual for free from February 19 to February 26, 2026. Developed by Orangepixel, the title blends side‑scrolling exploration, crafting, and procedurally generated planets. Normally priced at $7.49 on Google Play, the...
Intel Hiring More Linux Developers - Including For GPU Drivers / Linux Gaming Stack
Intel announced six new engineering openings focused on its Linux graphics stack, including three GPU software development engineers tasked with enhancing Mesa, DRM kernel drivers, and the Linux gaming ecosystem such as Wine and Proton. Additional hires include middleware engineers...
Oilstone Locations in Starsand Island
In Starsand Island, Oilstone is a high‑tier material hidden behind the Moonlit Forest gate, which opens after completing the Intermediate Explorer quest with Zephyria. Players must craft a Plume Bow, Bomb Arrows, and defeat a turtle boss before accessing the...
Blacklyte Named Desk and Chair Sponsor of RLCS 2026 Boston Major
Blacklyte announced it will serve as the exclusive desk and chair sponsor for the Rocket League Championship Series 2026 Boston Major. The company’s Athena Pro Gaming Chair RLCS edition and Atlas Lite Desk will be featured onstage during the finals...
Capcom Begs Fans Not To Share Resident Evil Requiem Footage As Spoilers Start Leaking
Capcom has publicly urged fans to refrain from sharing leaked footage of the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem, which launches on February 27, 2026. Early physical copies obtained by retailers and fans have already surfaced online, including a premature reveal of...
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless Gaming Headset Review: Sweet Sounds for PC and Handhelds
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless headset brings an over‑ear form factor to the same USB‑C 2.4 GHz receiver used in the Arctis GameBuds, letting it toggle between a desktop PC and handhelds like the Steam Deck. Sound quality is solid with...
Most PlayStation 5 Owners Have Been Playing The Same Games Since 2022
Circana’s 2026 U.S. data shows that the same five titles have dominated PlayStation 5 playtime since 2022, with Fortnite reaching 56 percent of active owners. The list—Fortnite, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto V, Roblox and Minecraft—remains unchanged from the prior two years,...
KESPA Highlights the Economic Power of Esports Events in South Korea
South Korea’s Korea e‑Sports Association released a study quantifying the economic impact of esports events using its new Multi‑layered Esports Economic Impact (MEEI) model. The analysis shows the 2023 League of Legends World Championship generated a production inducement effect of...
Patrick Söderlund Named Nexon Executive Chairman for Growth
Nexon said it has appointed Patrick Söderlund as executive chairman of the company. Throughout his career, Söderlund has demonstrated the type of hands-on strategic and creative leadership that is needed to transform Nexon. In this newly created role, he takes...
Pokémon Day 2026 Pokémon Presents Confirmed for Feb. 27
The Pokémon Company confirmed a Pokémon Presents livestream for Feb. 27, 2026, kicking off the franchise’s 30th‑anniversary celebrations at 6 a.m. PST across YouTube, Twitch, Instagram and TikTok. A week earlier the company announced Nintendo Switch ports of the classic Game Boy Advance...
Beyond Good And Evil 2 Studio Evacuates 500 Over Apparent Bomb Threat Hoax
Ubisoft evacuated its Montpellier studio on February 19 after a bomb threat email forced 500 employees to leave the building. Police found no device, confirming the threat was a hoax. The studio, which is developing Beyond Good and Evil 2 and...
Immutable Gamers Race for Bigger $60K Weekly Rewards After Dynamic Tier Upgrade
Immutable has upgraded its $60,000 Weekly Rewards program with a dynamic tier system that recalculates player rankings each week based on quest completion and points earned. The new five‑tier structure—Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary—directly determines each participant's share of the...
Universal Tower Defense Relics Guide
Universal Tower Defense introduces relic items that provide passive stat boosts and can be equipped on any unit. The guide details six relic sets—Ex Captain Uraharo, Berserk Shinigami, Sun God, Laughing Captain, Junior Ninja, and Master Ninja—each offering distinct bonuses...
US Supreme Court Strike Down Majority of Trump's Tariffs, so Hopefully That's One Less Hardware Buying Headache to Worry About
The U.S. Supreme Court voted 6‑3 to invalidate most of the tariffs President Trump imposed on imported hardware components. The decision hinges on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which the court found did not grant Trump authority for those...
Jujutsu Zero Tier List February 2026
The February 2026 Jujutsu Zero tier list ranks clans, weapons, and techniques to guide players toward optimal builds. S‑tier clans such as Gojo, Kashimo, and Sukuna lead the pack, while the Festering Life Sword tops the weapon rankings. Limitless, Shrine,...
#361: Pointless
Sony announced it will shut down Bluepoint Games in March, ending the studio’s four‑year tenure under PlayStation. The Austin‑based team, famed for high‑profile remakes such as Shadow of the Colossus and the PS5 Demon’s Souls, produced no original titles after...
Square Enix Video Says ‘NieR: Automata to Be Continued’
Square Enix released a promotional video that concludes with the phrase “NieR: Automata to be continued,” signaling a possible new project tied to the franchise. The video also celebrates the title reaching 10 million units sold across Switch, PS4, Xbox One,...
"It Needs to Cooperate Fairly, and It's Clearly Not." Why Valve Is Facing a £656m Day in the UK Courts
A UK class‑action lawsuit led by digital‑safety advocate Vicki Shotbolt accuses Valve of breaching competition law by imposing a 30% revenue‑share fee and a price‑parity rule on Steam. The claim seeks up to £656 million in damages for consumers, arguing that...
What It Would Look Like to Receive a Punishing Counter Hit From a Fighting Game in Real Life
A popular creator, rde, posted a comedic skit reenacting fighting‑game counter‑hit animations in real life. The video showcases exaggerated physics, from chest‑holding flops to backward staggers and sliding knockdowns, mirroring mechanics that reward predictive skill. By juxtaposing game footage with...
Hide and Luig
Hide and Luig, a free point‑and‑click hide‑and‑seek game built with the Phaser framework, has quickly become a standout title on itch.io, earning over 400 ratings and a 4.8‑out‑of‑5 average. Its simple click‑to‑search mechanics and surreal humor deliver instant, accessible fun,...
Despite Positive Reviews, It Seems the ROG Xbox Ally Isn't the Steam Deck Rival that Asus and Microsoft Likely Hoped...
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally launched with strong initial interest but quickly saw sales dip, failing to dent Valve's Steam Deck dominance. Senior games journalist Mat Piscatella confirmed the handheld’s modest volume and noted the ongoing Steam Deck stock shortage....
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and PS5 Top January US Charts, Switch 2 Still Carries Hardware Spending
January 2026 was a quiet month for U.S. video‑game sales, but Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 reclaimed the top spot on the software chart. The PlayStation 5 led hardware unit and dollar sales, while Nintendo’s Switch 2 generated the most hardware spending...
Fortnite Holds Surprise Live Event Mid-Week – Here’s What Happened
Epic Games surprised Fortnite players with an unannounced 90‑second live event on Thursday at 3 PM PT. The brief spectacle featured a rocket from the red rift landing in Classified Canyon, reviving the Visitor character and instantly unlocking new story quests. The...
Netmarble to Shut Down Seven Knights 2 in April
Netmarble announced that its mobile MMORPG Seven Knights 2 will cease operations on April 15, 2026. In‑app purchases were suspended on January 14, and all cash‑shop items have been removed. Servers will stay online until the shutdown date, with scheduled events proceeding as planned....
The Odyssey Leads; Oppenheimer Lags in Early Tracking
I compared the tracking for #TheOdyssey and #Oppenehimer at the same five-month pre-release point to see what the data says. If you're curious: https://t.co/Pkk9ZNJcVS
Night in the Woods Publisher Finji Accuses TikTok of Creating "Racist, Sexist" And Uneditable GenAI Ads for Its Games
Microsoft announced that longtime Xbox head Phil Spencer and president Sarah Bond are departing the division. Asha Sharma, previously Microsoft’s CoreAI product president, will take over as Xbox CEO, while Matt Booty moves into the chief content officer role. The...
Grand Mountain Adventure 2 Wins Mobile Honour at Swedish Game Awards
The Swedish Game Awards 2026 highlighted the nation’s creative strength, with ARC Raiders sweeping multiple categories and Minecraft retaining Best Live Service. While PC and console titles dominated, mobile games earned a spotlight as Toppluva’s Grand Mountain Adventure 2 captured Best Small...
Exel by Merak Appoints Faisal Sedrani as CEO to Lead Its Next Growth Phase
Exel by Merak, the Saudi gaming accelerator owned by Merak Capital, has named Faisal Sedrani as its new chief executive officer. Sedrani, who previously built Exel as a Merak subsidiary and serves as VP of Innovation Platform, will steer the...
VALORANT Joins 2026 Esports Nations Cup Line-Up
The Esports World Cup Foundation announced that VALORANT will be part of the inaugural 2026 Esports Nations Cup, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from November 8‑15. The tournament will feature 32 national teams, with 16 receiving direct invitations through a new...
Fogpiercer Is a Tactical Game that Recognises the True Joy of Artillery Is Using It to Give Your Enemies a...
Fogpiercer is a deck‑building roguelike where players command a heavily armed train through a fog‑filled wasteland. The game’s standout mechanic lets artillery shells shove enemies into walls or each other, turning direct damage into positional puzzles. Its turn‑based battles echo...
Esports Nations Cup 2026 Adds VALORANT as One of 16 Titles
Riot's tactical shooter VALORANT will debut as the 16th title in the Esports Nations Cup 2026, slated for Riyadh from November 8‑15. The tournament features 32 national squads competing in a round‑robin group stage followed by a single‑elimination playoff, culminating in...
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Looks Awesome in the New Boss Trailer
Mouse: P.I. For Hire, a first‑person boomer shooter inspired by 1930s cartoons and noir, is set to launch on March 19, 2026. A new trailer released on February 19 at the Convergence Showcase spotlights the three‑stage Robo‑Betty boss fight, highlighting...
VALORANT Masters Santiago Will Let Fans Compete in On-Site Skirmish Series
Riot Games is adding a fan‑focused Skirmish Series to the VALORANT Masters Santiago event. The on‑site competition consists of four days of 1v1 single‑elimination qualifiers, featuring 16 players per day and a total of 64 participants. The top 16 advance...
Two New Far Cry Projects Confirmed: 7 and Live Service
Yves Guillemot confirms there are two Far Cry projects in development. One is Far Cry 7, the other is/was a live service spin-off. The franchise has historically had off year stand alone spin-offs so the gap after Far Cry 6...
WePlay Studios and Global Gaming League Will Host League Competitions in California | Exclusive
WePlay Studios announced a partnership with the Global Gaming League to stage league competitions in California, shifting some esports activity from Las Vegas to the West Coast. The collaboration combines WePlay’s high‑production content capabilities with GGL’s celebrity‑owned team model. Events...
Ubisoft Announces Two New Far Cry, Multiple Assassin’s Creed Projects
In a new interview with Variety, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot says the company has: - 2 new Far Cry games in development. - Several Assassin’s Creed games in development, both single-player and multiplayer experiences. https://t.co/B59iFNd4rN
Ubisoft CEO Unveils $200M Cost‑Cut, Creative House Plan
Ubisoft CEO Explains Three-Year Plan to Revamp Game Publisher Through New ‘Creative House’ Strategy, More Than $200 Million in Cost Reductions https://t.co/3Q14sQldSc via @variety
Shiren the Wanderer Series Sales Surpassed 3 Million Copies Worldwide
Spike Chunsoft announced the Shiren the Wanderer series has sold over 3 million copies worldwide, coinciding with its 30th‑anniversary celebrations. The sixth main‑line title, The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, reached 300,000 units globally within its first year, with more than...
The Best SSDs for the Steam Deck
The article benchmarks a range of M.2 2230 SSDs to identify the best upgrades for Valve’s Steam Deck handheld PC. It crowns the Corsair MP600 Mini as the overall winner, while the Crucial P310 delivers the strongest price‑per‑gigabyte value and the...
Steam Deck OLED Facing Stock Shortages Due to Memory Supply Issues
Valve confirmed that the Steam Deck OLED is experiencing intermittent stock shortages across several regions, driven by a global crunch on memory and storage components. The shortage stems from soaring DRAM and NAND prices as AI data centers hoard chips,...
Nintendo Publishes Pokemon FireRed & Pokemon LeafGreen Switch FAQ
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company announced that Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen will debut on the Nintendo eShop on Pokémon Day, February 27, 2026. The titles are faithful ports of the original Game Boy Advance releases, with connectivity shifted to the Switch’s built‑in local wireless and GameChat...
Nintendo's Q4: Hardware Leads, Moat Questioned
In your inboxes this morning Nintendo: Are We Doing This Again? $NTDOY - No Wall Street handholding (holiday quarter results) - Hardware sales, then software sales, then profits - What about memory chips? - Is there still an emerging moat? - My investment decision https://t.co/6BIv63lDlJ
Stop Killing Games Campaign Hope to "Signal that We're Not Just Going Away" By Setting up Online Game Preservation NGOs
The Stop Killing Games campaign, backed by a petition with just under 1.3 million verified signatures, is pressing EU lawmakers to address server shutdowns that render online‑only games unplayable. While awaiting a meeting with European officials, the group announced the creation...
PS5 Price Hike and PlayStation Plus Subscription Increase Announced by Sony
Sony announced upcoming price hikes for the PS5 console and PlayStation Plus subscriptions, citing rising memory‑chip costs driven by the AI boom. CFO Tao Lin said the company will prioritize monetizing its installed base to offset hardware margin pressure. Record‑high PS Plus...