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

As Temtem: Pioneers Wraps Up Successful Kickstarter, Crema Chats Mod Permissions, PvP 'Playground' Stretch Goal
Temtem: Pioneers, the next entry in the monster‑trainer series, closed its 30‑day Kickstarter fully funded, raising €524,258 (~$618,000), more than five times its €90,000 goal. All stretch goals were met, including a PvP “playground” that lets max‑level Tems battle casually. The developers also announced built‑in mod support, though without official assistance. Additional features previewed include a Pedigree system, housing, and resource gathering.
Pearl Abyss Rolls Out Crimson Desert Patch with Material Extraction and New Mounts
Pearl Abyss revealed that its open‑world MMO Crimson Desert will receive a major patch in the next few days, adding a material‑extraction system and several new special mounts. The update follows a May 1 overhaul that introduced rematch and re‑blockade features,...

It Seems Even Sony Thinks a New GTA 6 Trailer Is Right Above the Corner as Marketing Campaign Begins to...
Sony has begun emailing PlayStation 4 owners who wishlisted GTA 6, urging them to upgrade to a PlayStation 5 as the game will be next‑gen only. The outreach coincides with a confirmed marketing partnership between Sony and Rockstar, fueling speculation that a new...

BIT: "It's Good to Be Here, Honestly We Never Know How Good We're Going to Be because We're Not Used...
Argentinian CS:GO organization 9z secured a 2‑0 sweep over PARIVISION in the opening Swiss match of the PGL Astana Major qualifier, highlighted by standout CT play from Luciano “luchov” Herrera on Inferno and a high‑rated Ancient performance by Franco “dgt”...
Best LOTR Game Feels Like Fanfiction, but Nemesis Shines
The best Lord of the Rings game is essentially fanfiction, but the Nemesis system is still the best in class. https://t.co/WN3gZnMb5M

Nintendo’s Takashi Tezuka Reinvented The Legend Of Zelda Without Overthinking It
Longtime Nintendo producer Takashi Tezuka announced his retirement, ending a career that began in the mid‑1980s and includes credits on Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing. He is most celebrated for directing the Game Boy classic *Link’s Awakening*, a title that deliberately omitted the...

Nintendo President Promises ‘Robust Software Lineup’ to Make the Price-Hiked Switch 2 Worth Your While
Nintendo announced a $50 price increase for the Switch 2, citing rising production costs and AI‑driven component shortages. President Shuntaro Furukawa issued a public apology and promised a "robust software lineup" to offset the higher price. The company expects the hike...

10 Greatest 90s FPS Campaigns
The DualShockers feature ranks the ten most memorable 1990s first‑person shooter campaigns, from Duke Nukem 3D to Half‑Life. It highlights each title’s release date, platform reach, and distinctive design choices that pushed narrative, interactivity, and atmosphere forward. The list underscores how games...

I'm Finally Back on My Switch 2 Thanks to This GOTY Contender From 2025
Tech reviewer Max Freeman‑Mills returns to Nintendo’s Switch 2 after waiting for the narrative‑driven title Dispatch, a 2025 Game‑of‑the‑Year contender that launched on the console in early 2026. The game blends choice‑based storytelling with dispatch missions, featuring veterans from Telltale Games...

Yoshi's New Switch 2 Game Is the Best Upcoming Mario Galaxy Movie Replacement
Nintendo is set to launch Yoshi and the Mysterious Book for the Switch 2 on May 21, positioning it as the premier kid‑friendly title to follow the Super Mario Galaxy movie. The platformer builds on Yoshi’s Woolly World and Crafted World by offering low‑stakes,...

Debate: Is Turn-Based or Real-Time-with-Pause Better for CRPGs?
Recent discussions reignite the long‑standing debate over whether turn‑based or real‑time‑with‑pause combat best serves computer role‑playing games. The article references Baldur’s Gate 3’s shift to turn‑based battles and cites industry voices from Obsidian and Owlcat who increasingly favor turn‑based modes. It...

All Evolutions in Everything Is Crab: Effects, Affinities, and More
Destructoid’s guide catalogs every one of the 121 Evolutions available in the current build of the roguelike Everything is Crab, breaking them down by rarity—Common, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. Each entry lists the Evolution’s effects, associated Affinities, level caps, and type...

10 Underrated Action-Adventure Games that Were Badly Reviewed
DualShockers’ Ronald Goncalves spotlights ten action‑adventure games that were panned by critics yet have earned fan admiration. The list spans titles from Crytek’s visually striking Ryse: Son of Rome to Square Enix’s cult classic Nier, each offering strong narrative, aesthetics, or...

Best Players for FC 26 Cat Like Reflexes Evolution
EA Sports’ FC 26 introduces the free Cat Like Reflexes Evolution, a four‑stage upgrade path that boosts a goalkeeper’s overall rating to 94 and adds new playstyles. To qualify, the player must be a GK with a max overall of 90,...

Japanese Retailer Limiting Switch 2 Purchases After Price Increase Announcement
Nintendo announced a price increase for the Switch 2, raising the U.S. price from $449.99 to $499.99 and the Japanese price from ¥49,980 (≈$352) to ¥59,980 (≈$422) effective May 25, 2026. In response, Japan’s Bic Camera now only sells the Switch 2—and even...
Unity: Europe’s Game Engine Star, Now Relocated Abroad
This is a weird statement to make because there was a "European choice" for game engines. It was called Unity. But then they moved their HQ out of Europe for some reason ... ... ... https://t.co/d8ig9aterI

Dragon Quest's Creator Accidentally Revealed when We'll Learn More About Dragon Quest 12
Yuji Horii, the creator of Square Enix’s Dragon Quest franchise, unintentionally disclosed that the company will host a livestream on May 27 to discuss upcoming titles. The slip suggests the event could feature the first official details on Dragon Quest 12:...

UltRank Releases Their Fourth Official Tier List for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that Shows More Characters Closing the Gap on...
UltRank released its fourth official Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tier list on May 6, 2026, marking the latest community‑driven snapshot of the game’s competitive hierarchy. Steve remains the top‑rated fighter in the S+ tier, but for the first time shares that slot...

Menace From the Deep: Complete Edition Coming to Switch May 14th, 2026
Feardemic and Flat Lab announced that Menace from the Deep: Complete Edition will launch on Nintendo Switch on May 14, 2026, priced at $19.99. The roguelike deck‑builder blends 1920s myth‑soaked America with Cthulhu‑inspired horror, offering four distinct heroes and a...

Nirvanna The Band’s Classic Wii Shop Wednesday Song Gets An Amazing Update For The Nintendo Switch
Nirvanna the Band’s beloved Wii Shop Wednesday jingle has been re‑recorded to reflect only the games currently available through Nintendo Switch Online (NSO). A fan edited the lyrics, removing titles that the subscription service does not carry, such as Ninja Gaiden and Adventures...

Check Out a Pragmata Playthrough Featuring Hugh and Leon Kennedy's Voice Actors
Capcom has released a new co‑op gameplay video that features the voice actors of Hugh from Pragmata and Leon from Resident Evil Requiem teaming up in Pragmata. The GameSpot video showcases how the two characters combine Hugh’s combat skills with...

Next Dragon Quest Game to Be Discussed in May 27th Anniversary Livestream
Series creator Yuji Horii teased a major announcement during Square Enix’s upcoming 40th‑anniversary livestream on May 27 2026. He indicated that the next mainline title, *Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate*, is in development and may be revealed. Horii also promised to...

Switch eShop Charts for May 9th, 2026
Nintendo’s Switch eShop chart for May 9 2026 reveals a blend of legacy franchises and enduring indie hits topping both the all‑games and download‑only rankings. Tomodachi Life leads the all‑games list, while classic Pokémon titles dominate both charts. Star Wars digital bundles...
Algorithmic Echo Chambers Amplify False Hype for Unknown Games
"nobody has ever heard of" It was shown during SGF Live 2025 and reappeared at Nintendo's indie showcase earlier this year. Algorithmic context collapse has made it easier than ever for people to be confidently wrong about the most basic, easy to...
Sony CEO Unveils AI‑Driven Game Development Strategy, Citing $700M Revenue Boost
Sony Interactive Entertainment president Hideaki Nishino announced an AI‑centric roadmap that promises to slash animation cycles, expand content volume and generate more than $700 million in incremental revenue, signaling a shift that will ripple through game marketing and creative pipelines.

Play Nintendo Shares Rosalina Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Nintendo’s family‑focused YouTube channel Play Nintendo released a new video that turns a Rosalina‑themed scavenger hunt into a kid‑friendly guide through Mario titles on both Switch and the upcoming Switch 2. The hunt highlights moments from the Super Mario Galaxy movie, Mario Kart,...
Venba Shows Value of Publisher Support for Indie Developers
Venba was exactly the kind of game i’m talking about. i hope big publishers like Annapurna can continue or find support for developers like these around the world.

The Manor Lords Trade Rework Is on Hold While Slavic Magic Sorts Out Systems "that Had Quietly Degraded over Time"
Manor Lords developer Slavic Magic has postponed its planned trade system overhaul, shifting focus to a comprehensive pathfinding rework that addresses performance lags and AI navigation glitches. The upcoming patch, slated for beta soon, will overhaul how units evaluate space,...
Genshin Impact's Luna VII Update Launches May 20 with New Characters and Sumeru Crisis
HoYoverse announced that Genshin Impact Version "Luna VII" will go live on May 20, introducing three new playable characters—Nicole, Lohen and Prune—and a new Archon Quest that plunges Sumeru into a crisis. The update also adds limited‑time events, a new...

Psychonauts Developer Double Fine Are the Latest Microsoft-Owned Studio to Unionise
Double Fine Productions, the Microsoft‑owned studio behind Psychonauts, filed a petition with the NLRB on May 7 to form a union with the Communications Workers of America. The petition covers all 42 regular full‑time and part‑time employees, seeking voluntary recognition from...

Fandom Con Ireland’s Largest Neurodivergent-Led Gaming Convention Returns to Belfast
Fandom Con returns to the ICC Belfast on May 23 for its fourth edition, expecting over 2,000 attendees from across the island of Ireland. Organized by NOW Group, a social enterprise supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals, the convention blends gaming tournaments,...

Forza Horizon 6’s PS5 Delay Is Getting Harder To Defend
Forza Horizon 6 has officially gone gold, launching on Xbox Series X/S and PC while its PlayStation 5 version is delayed. The game has already sold 500,000 copies on Steam and boasts a wishlist likely exceeding 2.6 million, positioning it among the platform’s...

PUBG Mobile Fans Convinced VTuber Usada Pekora Is Getting a Skin After Mystery Reveal
PUBG Mobile Japan posted a mysterious silhouette on May 8, sparking fan speculation that the image represents Hololive VTuber Usada Pekora. The teaser featured a rabbit‑like outline, twin braids, and the chant “buzz buzz cha♪,” all hallmarks of Pekora’s persona. Earlier in...
Top Roblox Developer: The Next Generation's Dream Job
feels pretty clear that being a top Roblox developer is becoming a “dream job” for the next generation

Civilization 7's "Time-Tested" Civs Created a New Balance Problem, but Firaxis Found the Ideal Solution
Firaxis is rolling out the Civilization 7 “Test of Time” update, letting players keep a single civilization from the Ancient era through the Space Age. The new system introduces a Time‑Tested Age that scales unique abilities and offers a Syncretism civic...

Dispatch Dev Hints At Endless Mode Update
Dispatch, the narrative‑driven adventure released in October 2025, has seen strong player enthusiasm for its hack‑and‑dispatch sequences. Lead designer Charles Marcolim hinted in a Gamescom Latam interview that an endless mode is in development, telling fans to “stay tuned.” The studio, AdHoc, has...
Kameto Cancels Ibai Showmatch After LEC Roadtrip Attendance Drama
French esports organization Karmine Corp co‑founder Kamel “Kameto” Kebir has called off a scheduled League of Legends showmatch against Movistar KOI co‑founder Ibai Llanos. The cancellation follows a viral clip showing low attendance at the LEC Spring Roadtrip event in Madrid,...

Only the Original 151 Pokémon Matter Here
Trying to teach the senior intern that, despite what this super duper extra deluxe essential handbook says, in this house we only recognize the 151 OG Pokémon. https://t.co/QUbfFjMHjw
Why 2026 Is the Year Handheld Gaming PCs Got Real
Handheld gaming PCs have finally broken out of the enthusiast niche in 2026, joining consoles as a mainstream purchase option. Advances in x86 silicon, cooler thermals and OLED displays now deliver desktop‑level performance in a 7‑inch form factor. Battery life...

Reggie Fils-Aimé's Amazon Story Says a Lot About Nintendo
Former Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils‑Aimé recounted a 2010s incident where Amazon asked Nintendo for deep discounts on Wii and DS consoles. Nintendo refused, citing legality and principle, and stopped selling to Amazon altogether. The anecdote underscores Nintendo’s historic...
Nacon’s Precarious Future Hinges on These New Titles
Nacon, the French publisher owned by Bigben, held its delayed Nacon Connect 2026 showcase while navigating rehabilitation proceedings. The event introduced a slate of ten new games slated for 2026‑2027, including several World of Darkness‑based RPGs and new sports and simulation...

Tiny Islands Lets You Conquer Islands and Outplay Rivals in PvP Strategic Battles, Now Live on Android
Keen on Games has released its new real‑time strategy title Tiny Islands on Android, bringing fast‑paced PvP island conquest to mobile gamers. Players manage resources, construct bridges, and deploy varied units to capture rival territories and dominate the map. The...

Kingdom Hearts 4 Has Started English Dubbing, Goofy Voice Actor Suggests
Bill Farmer, the voice of Goofy, told fans at Anime Las Vegas that work on the English dub for Kingdom Hearts 4 has begun, though he could not share details. The comment follows similar hints from James Woods and Haley Joel Osment, suggesting Square Enix may be...

9z Begin Astana Campaign with Dominant Win over PARIVISION
South American roster 9z opened the PGL Astana group stage with a convincing 2‑0 sweep over European side PARIVISION, winning Inferno 13‑6 and Ancient 13‑8. The victory was anchored by Luciano “luchov” Herrera’s 1.78 rating and two aces on Inferno,...

The Best Highlights From PGL Astana Group Stage
The PGL Astana group stage delivered a torrent of high‑octane CS2 moments, from MOUZ’s four one‑deag kills to torzsi’s multiple AWP 4‑kill rounds. Luchov topped the Inferno leaderboard with a 2.68 rating, while NiKo’s clutch 2v3 secured a crucial win...

Fan Comically Tries to Transcribe the Gibberish that Raiden Says During His Electric Fly Special in Mortal Kombat
Raiden, the iconic thunder god of Mortal Kombat, continues to spark fan curiosity with the unintelligible vocalizations he makes during his Electric Fly special move. A recent X post by fan SuperSisi attempted to “pronounce” the gibberish, offering several phonetic...
Hasbro CEO Charts D&D’s Leap Into Video Games and Media
Hasbro chief executive Chris Cocks announced a multi‑year plan to expand Dungeons & Dragons into video games and other media, citing the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 and a new sci‑fi RPG called Exodus. The strategy leans on older fans, co‑creation...

Xbox’s Most Underrated Co‑op Shooter Gets a Surprise Sequel, and Its 4‑player Bug‑hunt Vibe Has Me Very Excited
IGN unveiled the first trailer for Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, the long‑awaited sequel to the 2021 co‑op shooter. The new title expands to four‑player co‑op with full cross‑play on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC, and introduces a specialist class that blends...
Path of Exile 2’s “Return of the Ancients” Update Adds 50+ Hours of End‑Game Content
Grinding Gear Games released the Return of the Ancients update for Path of Exile 2 on May 29, introducing more than 50 hours of end‑game content, two new Ascendancy classes, and a redesigned Atlas Tree. The expansion pushes the game closer to...

Before Alien: Isolation 2, the Underrated Aliens: Fireteam Elite Is Getting a Sequel
Polygon reports that Cold Iron Studios and Daybreak Game Company have unveiled *Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2*, a sequel to the 2021 co‑op shooter. The trailer, released May 7, shows a four‑marine squad battling Xenomorph hordes on a space station, confirming a new...