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
Annapurna Launches Beethoven & Dinosaur’s Mixtape to Critical Acclaim
Annapurna Interactive and Australian studio Beethoven & Dinosaur released Mixtape, a narrative‑driven adventure priced at $19.99 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Steam) and Epic. The title opened to strong critical praise, earning an 85 Metacritic score and perfect reviews from six major outlets, though The New York Times gave it a 75. Mixtape follows three high‑school friends on a music‑fueled night of nostalgic vignettes, featuring a soundtrack that spans DEVO to The Cure. The game is also available on Xbox Game Pass, expanding its reach immediately upon launch.
How to Get Cosmetics in REPO
Polygon’s guide explains how players can acquire cosmetics in the indie platformer REPO. Cosmetic boxes appear as glowing containers that spawn randomly, becoming noticeably more common from level 4 onward. The glow color signals rarity—green, blue, purple, or yellow—while damaged boxes...
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Used PlayStation's New AI Animation Tool, and Naughty Dog and San Diego Studio Are Both Following...
Sony announced that its new AI‑driven animation system, Mockingbird, was used to produce Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, turning hours‑long facial animation work into seconds. The tool is already adopted by Naughty Dog and San Diego Studio, promising faster pipelines and lower costs....
Andy Serkis Says Snobbery Around Video Game Acting Has Changed A Lot Since Heavenly Sword On PS3
Andy Serkis told Variety that the stigma once attached to video‑game acting has largely disappeared since his work on 2007’s Heavenly Sword. He highlighted that today drama‑school graduates actively seek game roles and that Hollywood increasingly relies on game engines...
Forza Horizon 6 Quality and Performance Modes on Xbox, Explained
Forza Horizon 6 on Xbox Series X/S gives players a choice between Quality and Performance graphics modes. Quality runs native 4K at 30 fps on the Series X and 1440p on the Series S, emphasizing visual fidelity. Performance targets a smooth 60 fps, using dynamic resolution...
Path of Exile 2 Should Hopefully Be Steam Deck Verified with the Next Major Update
Path of Exile 2’s next major update, "Return of the Ancients," launches on May 29, bringing six new end‑game storylines, additional Pinnacle bosses, new Ascendancy classes, expanded crafting and a fresh Challenge League. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) revealed they have added extensive...
An Easy Diablo 4 Horadric Cube Trick Lets You Protect Your Best Rolls While Crafting
Blizzard’s Horadric Cube, introduced in the Lord of Hatred expansion, adds deep crafting options to Diablo 4. Players can now safeguard a prized greater affix by first rerolling it with the Occultist and choosing to keep the existing value. Once locked,...
Control Resonant Will Be Xbox Play Anywhere, Remedy Is Taking Handheld Devices Into Account for Performance
Remedy Entertainment confirmed that Control Resonant will launch as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, allowing a single purchase to grant access on Xbox Series consoles and Xbox on PC. The announcement also highlights that the studio is actively optimizing the game...
Phaser 4 Filter System Explained: Unified Visual Effects for Every Game Object
Phaser 4 launches a rebuilt visual‑effects architecture that consolidates the legacy FX and Mask systems into a single, shader‑driven Filter pipeline. The new system works uniformly on every game object, camera, and scene, allowing internal and external filters to be stacked...
"A Handful of Bottlenecks" Remain for Morrowind Remake Mod Skywind, but It's Still Progressing Steadily Towards Release
The Skywind team, recreating Morrowind in Skyrim’s engine, released a new progress showcase showing most departments between 70‑90% complete, while sound design lags at 65% and voice mastering at just 12%. Core writing and base‑game quests are finished, and ten...
Nintendo's Switch 2 Price Hike May Have Been Inevitable, But It's Still Hard To Stomach
Nintendo announced on May 7, 2026 that the Switch 2 will increase $50 to $499.99, effective September 1. The hike follows similar price raises by Sony and Microsoft, reflecting tighter component costs and inflation. While the console offers backward compatibility, the lack of new...
Schrödinger's Call Wants to Introduce the Neo-Visual Novel Genre to the Industry
Acrobatic Chirimenjako’s indie title *Schrödinger's Call* has been crowned the grand winner of the 2021 Game Creators CAMP and secured a publishing deal with Shueisha Games. The game redefines visual novels by fusing European picture‑book illustration with Japanese anime aesthetics,...
Nintendo Faces $640M Hit, Switch 2 Costs Rise $40
Nintendo reporting that it expects a 100 billion yen ($640 million) impact this fiscal year (April 2026 - March 2027) as a result of rising component prices and tariffs. Based on the 16.5m unit forecast for Switch 2, that's around...
Indie Games Have Built a Thriving Economy in Territory Traditional Publishers Abandoned or Ignored | Opinion
Indie games now command roughly half of Steam's full‑game revenue, a shift underscored by the rapid rise of the open‑source Godot engine. Godot‑powered titles on Steam grew from 618 in 2023‑24 to an projected 2,900 by 2025‑26, while Google searches...
10 Soulslikes Coming in 2026 to Watch Out For
The gaming press has identified ten soulslike titles slated for 2026, ranging from realistic swordplay in The Vernyhorn to high‑speed ninja combat in Phantom Blade Zero. Developers are stretching the genre beyond traditional fantasy, mixing steampunk, extraction‑style PvPvE, and first‑person...
Family Reunion Is a Dinnertime Simulation Game that Captures the Wonder and Boredom of Being a Loosely Disciplined 7-Year-Old
Family Reunion, a hand‑doodled indie title by solo developer Leandro Waibe, puts players in the shoes of a bored 7‑year‑old navigating an endless family dinner. The game uses a time‑attack mechanic where imaginative distractions—such as drawing alien armies or exploring...
Neverness To Everness Accused Of Replacing GenAI Art With Different GenAI Art
Hotta Games' open‑world gacha title *Neverness to Everness* faced criticism after fans flagged several AI‑generated images as low‑quality or potentially infringing. Following a public outcry and VTuber Ironmouse pulling her sponsorship, the studio released a patch that removed some flagged...
Sinister War Sim PVKK Is Delayed to 2027, because Its Dev Has Too Many Ideas to Make It Better
Indie studio bippinbits announced that its retro‑futurist planetary‑defense title PVKK will now launch in 2027, pushing back the original 2024 timeline. The delay stems from an influx of new ideas—roughly ten per development hurdle—that the team wants to integrate fully....
Pokémon Pokopia Drives Nintendo's Forecast Success
The big standout from Nintendo's earnings in terms of software is Pokémon Pokopia which has sold over 4m units in 5 weeks on a console with a less than 20m install base. With increased hardware prices, it'll be first party...
Lenovo Legion Go 2 Launches at $1,200 Amid Price‑adjustment Controversy
Lenovo released the Legion Go 2 handheld gaming device with a $1,199.99 price tag, a figure that follows a recent pricing glitch that briefly pushed the Z2 Extreme version to $3,000. The move has reignited discussion about the sustainability of premium...
How to Complete Sea Prisoner Anomaly Commission in Neverness to Everness
The Sea Prisoner Anomaly Commission in Neverness to Everness is accessed through the Nautili Tunnel, requiring a car to trigger the portal. Players navigate a water road with a whale companion before the whale turns hostile, leading to a two‑phase...
Snoop Dogg and Tori Kelly Lend Voices and Theme Song to SEGA's "Stranger Than Heaven"
Snoop Dogg and Tori Kelly are featured in SEGA's forthcoming title Stranger Than Heaven, delivering the game's theme song and voicing characters alongside Japanese singers. The collaboration marks a high‑profile cross‑media push as the action‑adventure launches this winter.
Nintendo Hiking Price for Switch 2 Consoles
Nintendo announced price hikes for its Switch 2 console, raising the Canadian retail price to $679.99 CAD (about $503 USD) and the Japanese price to 59,980 yen (≈$402 USD). The increases reflect soaring memory‑chip costs, exchange‑rate pressures and recent tariff hikes. Despite the higher price,...
Genshin Impact Continues Sumeru's Story, 1,164 Days After We Last Left the Desert
Genshin Impact’s version 6.6, titled “Truth Amongst the Pages of Purana,” revives the Sumeru archon‑quest line after a 1,164‑day hiatus. Players reunite with Nahida, Cyno, Tighnari, Kaveh and Alhaitham while confronting Il Dottore, who now commands a new weekly boss, the Exalted...
RGG Studio and Sega Reveal New Stranger Than Heaven Details in Special Broadcast
Sega and Xbox hosted a special broadcast unveiling RGG Studio’s upcoming action‑adventure, Stranger Than Heaven. The game, now wish‑listable, is slated for a winter 2024 release across Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam, and PlayStation 5....
Alliance Studios to Close After 7 Years of Creating Branded Experiences Within Fortnite
Alliance Studios announced its shutdown after seven years of crafting branded environments, games, and live events inside Fortnite Creative. Founded by CEO Mackenzie “MackJack” Bell, the studio grew to 20 salaried staff and delivered over 100 games that amassed more...
How Roguelikes Like Slay the Spire 2 and Balatro Changed My Life, and Why I Love Them for It
The author discovers that roguelike titles such as Slay the Spire 2, Hades 2 and Balatro have become a personal lifeline, logging more than 80 hours in Slay the Spire 2 and over 300 hours in Balatro. The games’ relentless decision‑making loops and permadeath mechanics...
Street Fighter 6's New EX Costume Colors Appear to Reference Both JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Demon Slayer
Capcom’s latest Street Fighter 6 update, part of the Ingrid Arrives Fighting Pass, adds new EX costume colors for Manon and Marisa. Fans identified Marisa’s lavender‑green outfit as a nod to Yoshikage Kira from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 4, while Manon’s pink‑green...
Roria Conquest Codes May 2026
Roria Conquest, a Roblox fan‑made spin‑off of Brick Bronze, released a fresh batch of redemption codes in May 2026. The standout code, IKnowIWasLate, awards a Level 50 Shiny Garganacl, while the rest are permanent rewards tied to badge milestones. The guide...
Resident Evil Requiem: LEON MUST DIE FOREVER Game Mode Revealed
Capcom has added a free, Leon‑only game mode called "Leon Must Die Forever" to Resident Evil Requiem, rolling out simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC and GeForce NOW. The mode fuses the high‑octane scoring of Mercenaries with the progressive difficulty...
Mortal Kombat 2 Poised for Record Fighting‑Game Opening
WB ready to score its first hit since #WutheringHeights, as R-rated video game adaptation #MortalKombat2 exploded grossing 5.2M on THU Previews including WED fan screenings at US #BoxOffice (vs #Scream5’s 3.5M, #SINNERS’ 4.7M, #AQuietPlace2’s 4.8M, #HalloweenKills 4.9M, #HalloweenEnds 5.4M, #FinalDestinationBloodlines’s...
Conquering Pain Leads to Emptiness and Unexpected Freedom
Manbreaker conquered. The piss mountain scaled. I can no longer feel pain or joy—but I am finally free. https://t.co/wcehqlNmDQ
In-Game Purchases Are Helping Fortnite Creators Shift Focus From Virality to Retention
Epic Games introduced in‑game purchases for Fortnite creators on Jan 9, giving developers a direct revenue stream beyond the platform’s engagement‑payout model. Five months later creators report daily purchase rates ranging from 0.4% to 5%, allowing smaller maps to stay profitable...
Public Tickets On Sale for Summer Game Fest
Public tickets are now on sale to join us at #SummerGameFest in just one month's time - Friday, June 5 at Dolby Theatre in LA. A 2 hour showcase of what's next in games across all platforms with special guests, announcements...
AI-Driven Memory Shortage Spikes Console Prices
Sony, Nintendo grapple with memory price surge as AI boom constrains supply More collateral damage from US controls on memory... https://t.co/zUdAvKWJsv
Shaw Brothers' Kung Fu Films Carved a Bloody Path for Mortal Kombat
The article reveals that Hong Kong studio Shaw Brothers, with nearly 1,000 gritty kung‑fu titles, provided the visual and thematic DNA for Midway’s 1992 fighting game Mortal Kombat. Co‑creator John Tobias cites Shaw’s authentic choreography, colorful rosters and over‑the‑top violence as direct...
Jackbox Party Pack 12 Is Coming This Fall to Multiple Platforms with Five New Party Games and Chaotic Multiplayer Fun
Jackbox Games announced that Jackbox Party Pack 12 will arrive this fall on Android, iOS, PC, consoles, Apple TV and other platforms. The new installment follows 2025’s Party Pack 11 and will feature five fresh multiplayer titles that use players’ smartphones as controllers....
Nintendo Raising Switch, Switch 2, Playing Card, and Hanafuda Card Prices
Nintendo announced worldwide price hikes for its Switch and Switch 2 consoles, with U.S. and Canadian Switch 2 units climbing $50 to $499.99 on September 1 2026. In Japan, all Switch models will see roughly ¥10,000 (≈$71) increases in May 2026, while Europe’s Switch 2 rises...
Nintendo Slashed GBA Price Within Months to Boost Adoption
Fun Fact: Nintendo released the Game Boy Advance in the US in June 2001 for $99. In January 2002, seven months later, Nintendo announced it would lower the price of the Game Boy Advance to $79 as a result of...
New PUBG Game, Inspired by Escape From Tarkov, Gets Free Playtest
Krafton is testing "Black Budget," an extraction‑shooter that mixes PUBG’s battle‑royale mechanics with supernatural horror. Set on a tropical island with a 30‑minute match timer, players must loot, survive AI monsters and rival squads, and escape before the playable area...
Kiln's 30% Player Count Drop Suggests Online Game Pass Title May Remain a Curio
Kiln launched on Xbox on April 23, 2026 as a Double Fine first‑party title and entered the Xbox Game Pass lineup, debuting at #38 on the platform’s Top 40 chart. Within a week the game fell out of the Top 40, landing...
![Call of the Elder Gods Unveils Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date, New Trailer [Update: Also Switch 1]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://nintendoeverything.com/wp-content/uploads/Call-of-the-Elder-Gods-release-date.jpg)
Call of the Elder Gods Unveils Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date, New Trailer [Update: Also Switch 1]
Call of the Elder Gods, the sequel to the 2020 hit Call of the Sea, will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on May 12, 2026, with a simultaneous release on the original Switch. The Lovecraftian narrative‑puzzle adventure is built on Unreal Engine 5 and...
Dark and Darker Gets a Fix for Linux / Steam Deck Being Unable to Play Certain Modes
Dark and Darker released a patch that restores High‑Roller and Arena modes for Linux and Steam Deck users, fixing a Secure Option compatibility issue introduced in Season 9. The update also rolls out Season 9 content, featuring the Inferno map, new rogue...
Lumberjack Simulator Codes (May 2026)
Roblox’s Lumberjack Simulator currently offers two active promotional codes—THANKYOU3M and STR24092Z—granting players a strength potion and a combo of power and strength potions. The article outlines a simple three‑step redemption process that requires following the developers on X before accessing...
Global Esports Finally Beat Paper Rex After Five Years, Qualify for First-Ever VALORANT Masters
Global Esports ended a five‑year losing streak against Paper Rex by winning the VCT Pacific Stage 1 playoffs series 2‑1, securing its first ever qualification for the VALORANT Masters in London. The Indian organization took the opening map on Breeze, lost...
Sony Aims to “Improve the Performance” Of Marathon by Focusing on Content, Player Acquisition
Sony acknowledged a $560 million loss tied to its Bungie acquisition but reaffirmed commitment to the extraction shooter Marathon, which has earned a Metacritic score of 82 and over 90% positive Steam reviews. CFO Lin Tao highlighted strong retention and an...
Nintendo to Hike Price of Switch 2 Console Due to Memory Chip Prices
Nintendo announced a price increase for its upcoming Switch 2 console, with the hike taking effect in Japan on May 25 and later in North America and Europe on September 1. The company attributes the adjustment to rising semiconductor memory costs that are...
Helldivers 2's Galactic War Will Include More "Multi-Week Themed Campaigns" And "Branching Outcomes" Starting This Summer, Arrowhead Reveal
Arrowhead Games announced that Helldivers 2’s Galactic War will shift from weekly major orders to longer, multi‑week themed campaigns starting this summer. The update will introduce more meaningful rewards, branching outcomes that affect the war’s narrative, and expanded meta‑progression systems. The...
Nintendo Icon Takashi Tezuka Announces Retirement June 26
Nintendo legend Takashi Tezuka is set to retire on June 26. He directed The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Yoshi’s Island. https://t.co/ynbauUFLRa
Predicting Nintendo's 2026 Price Hike Proved Correct
Well. I was right. I don't like it, but I did call that Nintendo would wait to raise prices in 2026.