Today's Gaming Pulse
Capcom rolls out free demo for blockbuster Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem, which has sold over 7 million copies, now offers a free demo across major platforms. Players can try early chapters on Steam, Epic, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2, though progress cannot be transferred to the full game.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Goldenpeak takes majority stake in Ampere Analysis
New Xbox Sales Have 20 Broken Achievement Lists, Including Failed Mega Man Successor
The latest Xbox May 2026 sales feature 20 titles with broken, discontinued, or unobtainable achievement lists. Seven games have unobtainable achievements, nine are discontinued, and four DLC packs suffer from missing trophies. Notably, Mighty No. 9 carries a 5‑G achievement that has been dead since launch, with its development team dissolved. The list spans Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC titles, warning gamers to check achievement status before buying discounted copies.
Have Online Worlds Become the Last Free Places for Children?
Children’s physical independence has sharply declined over the past five decades, with a 2025 Harris poll showing 62% of U.S. kids aged eight to twelve never walking or biking alone. Researchers link reduced mobility to poorer wellbeing, while digital platforms...
New Release Roundup: Neverness to Everness, Dungeon Clawler, Beholder: Conductor, and More
A fresh batch of indie and franchise titles rolled out this week, spanning mobile, PC, and console. Perfect World’s Hotta Studio released the anime‑styled open‑world RPG "Neverness to Everness," while Epic Games and Lucasfilm added three Star Wars mini‑games to...
Krafton Q1 Revenue up 56.9% to $931m, Driven by Mobile Content
South Korean game publisher Krafton posted a record Q1, with revenue climbing 56.9% to ₩1.37 trillion ($931 million) and operating profit of ₩561.6 billion ($381.3 million). The mobile segment led growth, generating ₩702.7 billion ($477 million) after a 17% YoY rise in paying users for Battlegrounds...
Subnautica 2‘s Early Access Will Introduce You to a Massive Squid Monster, Before the First Post-Launch Update Sends You Into...
Subnautica 2 is slated for early‑access launch on May 14 after a protracted legal dispute between Krafton and Unknown Worlds. The delay, while frustrating for fans, gave the studio extra time to refine core systems before players can dive in. At launch,...
Make Your China Market Move This May Day
Pocket Gamer Connects is returning to Shanghai on July 29 for its second‑year summit, positioned just before ChinaJoy week. The event offers curated matchmaking, expert panels and market insights to help western developers and publishers break into China’s massive gaming ecosystem....
PlayStation Sale Round-Up for Europe May 1, 2026
Sony’s European PlayStation store launched a massive May 1 sale, slashing prices on dozens of PS5 bundles, full‑price games and downloadable content. Discounts range from 20% up to a staggering 93%, covering blockbuster titles such as Grand Theft Auto The Trilogy, Hogwarts Legacy, and...
Resident Evil Requiem Players Mostly Chose Third-Person Gameplay with Leon, but Were Less Decisive with Grace
Resident Evil Requiem’s director revealed that about 90% of players stick with the recommended third‑person view for Leon’s action‑heavy sections, while only 60% follow the first‑person suggestion for Grace’s tension‑filled chapters. The remaining 40% switch Grace to third‑person, showing a...
GOG Bring Polish History to the Preservation Program Along with a Big Sale
GOG has expanded its Preservation Program with a curated set of classic Polish games, adding three versions of the iconic 1989 puzzle‑action title Robbo and five other titles ranging from free platformers to a modernized Amiga shooter. Most of the...
"Make It Easier If You're Struggling": Sony Files Patent for AI-Driven Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment
Sony filed a patent for an AI‑driven system called “User Defined Level Generation” that dynamically adjusts game difficulty based on a player’s real‑time performance. The technology replaces static Easy/Normal/Hard tiers with fine‑tuned enemy stats, aiming to keep gameplay challenging yet...
Enkay J on FURIA Win: "I'm Happy for the Boys because They've Been Through a Lot of Shit"
FaZe Clan secured a spot in the BLAST Rivals playoffs after a dramatic 2‑v‑4 retake on Nuke against FURIA. New coach Niclas “enkay J” Krumhorn said the squad’s morale is high and integration has been smooth despite recent roster turbulence. He...
Roblox Reports Strong Q1 Growth, Revises Full-Year Forecast Due to New Safety Measures
Roblox posted a robust Q1 2026, with revenue climbing 39% to $1.4 billion and bookings up 43% to $1.7 billion. Daily active users surged 35% YoY to 132 million, while monthly unique payers jumped 52% to 31 million. The company introduced mandatory age checks...
Retro Strategy Games Krush Kill 'N Destroy 1 & 2 to Get Major Updates with Online Play
Classic 90s strategy titles Krush Kill ‘N Destroy and its sequel KKnD2 are receiving major upgrades in June 2026. Ziggurat Interactive partnered with modder Andre “IceReaper” Mohren to add modern online PvP multiplayer on Steam, with GOG support slated later....
Subnautica 2 Early Access Confirmed for May 14
Unknown Worlds Entertainment announced Subnautica 2 will enter Early Access on May 14 2026 at a launch price of $29.99. The sequel expands the original’s solo survival formula with optional online co‑op for up to four players and promises continuous content additions over...
When Is the Next Night Market in VALORANT? All Dates
The VALORANT Night Market for Season V26, Act Three launches on May 7 and runs through May 28, 2026, featuring the new Jellybeam skin collection. Riot Games has extended Night Markets to nearly a month, a shift from the earlier two‑week windows. Only Select,...
EA Sports Reveals UFC 6 Cover Stars
EA Sports confirmed the release date for its next mixed‑martial‑arts title, EA UFC 6, slated for June 19, 2026, with an Ultimate Edition that grants a week of early access. The company unveiled the game’s cover stars—Mark “The Smashing Machine” Kerr, Ronda...
Winio Explained: AI-Driven Match Predictions for Dota 2 and CS2
Winio has launched an AI‑driven analytics platform that delivers win‑probability forecasts for Dota 2 and CS2 matches. The service uses a three‑stage machine‑learning pipeline—pre‑draft, post‑draft, and live models—to generate transparent predictions with confidence scores. Its dataset spans over 210,000 Dota 2 and...
Spending Nintendo Day Finishing Deep Dive for Release
Today is Nintendo day $NTDOY. I'm going to dedicate the next few hours to finishing my Nintendo deep dive (already 2 hours in) and will hopefully be able to release it later today.
SteamOS 3.8.3 Beta Gets Ready for the Steam Machine and Steam Controller
Valve rolled out SteamOS 3.8.3 Beta, delivering a suite of bug fixes and performance tweaks while laying groundwork for the forthcoming Steam Machine and next‑gen Steam Controller. The beta adds missing graphics features for titles like Crimson Desert, speeds up future OS...
Epic Games Store Launches on iPhone in Japan
Epic Games has launched its Epic Games Store on iPhone in Japan following the December 2025 enactment of the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA). The store initially offers Epic‑published titles such as Fortnite and Rocket League Sideswipe, but does not include...
Turning VR Into a Spectator Sport with Mirra - Where We Buy #381
In this episode, James Cook talks with Sam Wang, founder of Mira Immersive, about the company’s innovative VR arena that blends immersive gaming, live spectator screens, and full-service food and beverage. Wang explains how Mira’s 25‑by‑25‑foot arena lets up to...
Mobile Legends MPL SG Season 11 to Kick Off in May 2026
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s MPL Singapore Season 11 launches on May 9, 2026, featuring a multi‑stage format that moves from a seeded round‑robin to challenger qualifiers and a double‑bracket playoff culminating in a BO7 Grand Final. The tournament offers a...
The 2026 GOTY Race Starts Now
Mid‑year 2026 sees a crowded Game of the Year race as studios unveil titles across every genre. Pragmata dazzles with an original, character‑driven story, while Resident Evil Requiem refines survival horror with a dual‑protagonist narrative. Open‑world ambition peaks in Crimson...
Alabaster Dawn Is Steam Deck Verified Ahead of Its Early Access Launch on May 7
Radical Fish Games announced that its action RPG Alabaster Dawn earned a Steam Deck “Verified” rating from Valve ahead of its early‑access launch on May 7. The verification confirms full functionality on the handheld, though the rating notes the absence of...
Epic Games Store Returns to Japan Amid Apple Lawsuit
Epic Games Store is back in Japan, as Epic progresses in its legal fight against Apple one country at a time. https://t.co/iv2BDfqkcq
Pokémon Go Giovanni Counters, Team Line-Up in May 2026
Following the April 30, 2026 update, Giovanni’s roster in Pokémon Go now features Persian, a choice of Kangaskhan, Rhyperior or Nidoking, and shadow Landorus. Access to the battle requires a Super Rocket Radar, which is only obtainable through the $4.99 Go Pass deluxe...
Pokémon Go Ditto Disguises List for May 2026
Niantic’s Pokémon Go updates the Ditto disguise roster for May 2026, listing ten common Pokémon such as Mankey, Growlithe, and Magnemite. The disguises change after major events, prompting players to stay vigilant while hunting. Shiny Ditto remains rare, with an estimated 1‑in‑64...
Pokémon Go Raid Schedule for May 2026
Niantic released the May 2026 raid calendar for Pokémon Go, outlining weekly legendary, Mega, and shadow raid windows. Legendary raids feature Tapu Lele, Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Fini, and a shadow Cresselia, each running 7‑10 days. Mega raids rotate from Mega Banette to...
Post-Game Depression to Get a Measurement Scale for the First Time in 2026: When the End of a Game Leaves...
A January 2026 study in *Current Psychology* introduces the Post‑Game Depression Scale (P‑GDS), a 17‑item questionnaire that measures the lingering sense of emptiness players feel after completing highly immersive games. Researchers Kamil Janowicz and Piotr Klimczyk surveyed 373 gamers recruited from...
Mobile Legends Championship Tour East Asia X ACL (MCT EA) 2026 Kicks Off This May with Four MSC Slots at...
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s Championship Tour East Asia x ACL (MCT EA) 2026 launches on May 22 in Shanghai, featuring six top teams from China, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea. The two‑day offline event uses a double‑elimination BO3 knockout stage...
S&box; Launches on Steam: Facepunch Is Turning Garry’s Mod Into an Open Gaming Platform, Not a Sequel
Facepunch released s&box on Steam, positioning it as a modern game‑creation platform built on Valve's Source 2 engine. The core editor, networking stack and UI are open‑source under an MIT license, while the underlying engine remains proprietary. s&box uses C# scripting...
Wildest Examples Of Plot Armor In Video Games
The article catalogs ten video‑game characters whose survival defies logic, from Heavy Rain’s Scott Shelby to God of War’s Kratos. It argues that developers often prioritize plot progression over realistic stakes, granting protagonists near‑superhuman luck. Each example illustrates how plot...
How to Unlock Siren in Black Ops 7 and Warzone
Activision has introduced the Siren, a charge‑based energy weapon, in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Warzone Season 3 Reloaded. The gun fires a slow, penetrating projectile that can be charged for higher velocity and longer range. Players can obtain the Siren...
Nintendo Opens Switch 2 Website Focused on Lesser-Known System Tips and Tricks
Nintendo has launched a dedicated website for the Switch 2 that spotlights lesser‑known system functions and shortcuts. The site, currently only in Japanese, lists hidden features such as Quick Settings, customizable button mapping, battery‑percentage display, and a 90 % charge‑stop option. By...
70s-Style Robot Anime Geppy-X Adds Remastered Vs. Original Toggle
Bliss Brain and developer Implicit Conversion announced that the upcoming 70s‑style robot anime game Geppy‑X will include a built‑in toggle allowing players to switch between a high‑definition remastered version and the original 1999 visuals. The remaster was created by digitizing...
Where Winds Meet Launches Major Seasonal Update
Everstone Studios and NetEase have rolled out Season 3 “Seek Within” for the free‑to‑play Wuxia RPG Where Winds Meet, delivering Version 1.6. The update raises the level cap, unlocks the new Qinchuan region, adds multiple quests, two Jianghu Legacy missions, and fresh...
A Plague Tale Developer Provides New Details On Third Game and Teases Upcoming Launch
After a year of radio silence, Asobo Studio and Focus Entertainment revealed new details about the third Plague Tale title, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. The prequel follows Sophia, a charismatic smuggler introduced in Requiem, tracing her childhood 15 years before...
Online DRM Or A Bug: Sony’s Silence Adds To Recent PS Update Confusion
Sony’s latest PlayStation system update displays a “Valid Period” tag on newly purchased digital games, indicating a 30‑day window for an online check‑in before the license expires. A support bot has confirmed the timer is intentional, but several insiders and...
Stupid Never Dies ‘Styles’ Gameplay
GPTRACK50 released a four‑minute gameplay video for its upcoming 3D action RPG Stupid Never Dies, showcasing eleven distinct transformation "Styles" ranging from Zombie to Demon. The video demonstrates each Style’s unique combat mechanics, such as the aerial Harpy attacks and the...
Final Fantasy 14 for Nintendo Switch 2 Supports Keyboard and Mouse Controls Including Joy-Con 2, Director Praises the System
Square Enix confirmed that Final Fantasy XIV will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in August 2026, featuring native keyboard and mouse support. The Joy‑Con 2 controller doubles as a built‑in mouse, letting players switch between traditional controls and PC‑style precision. Director Naoki Yoshida...
NYT Strands Hints, Answers for May 1, 2026
Mashable published the May 1, 2026 NYT Strands hints, revealing a Hawaiian‑themed puzzle titled “I ❤️ Hawaii.” The daily word‑search game challenges players to connect every grid letter, with a horizontal spangram that reads “Aloha Spirit.” The full word list—Luau, Poke, Hula, Ukulele, Pineapple,...
World of Warcraft: Midnight Continues the Trend of Average Expansions
World of Warcraft: Midnight, the eleventh and first sequel‑style expansion, continues the trend of solid but not groundbreaking releases. The storyline directly follows The War Within, marking the franchise’s inaugural multi‑expansion narrative arc, though the main plot feels lightweight compared...
LG UltraGear 27‑inch OLED Gaming Monitor Sets World‑Record 540 Hz/720 Hz Refresh Rates
LG unveiled the UltraGear 27GX790B‑B, a 27‑inch OLED gaming monitor that can run at 540 Hz in QHD and 720 Hz in HD, priced at $999. The panel earned the Society for Information Display’s Display of the Year award, highlighting its Dynamic...
Spiders Studio Liquidated After Nacon Insolvency, 70 Staff Laid Off
Spiders, the Paris‑based developer behind GreedFall and SteelRising, announced its immediate liquidation after parent publisher Nacon filed for insolvency and could not secure a buyer. The closure wipes out roughly 70 employees and leaves the final GreedFall: The Dying World...
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet 'Delphox' Tera Raid Battle Event Now Live
Nintendo has launched a limited‑time Tera Raid event featuring a Fairy‑type Delphox in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The 7‑star raid runs from April 30, 2026 5:00 p.m. PDT through May 7, 2026 4:59 p.m. PDT and requires post‑game progress or a host who has completed those events. Players can catch...
Free Fire World Series (FFWS) Bangladesh 2026 Spring Kicks Off, Offering Two Slots for the Global Showdown in KSA
Garena is launching the Free Fire World Series Bangladesh 2026 Spring, featuring 36 local teams across four stages. The competition runs from late May to early June, culminating in a Grand Finals on June 4. A prize pool of roughly...
FaZe Humiliate FURIA to Make Rivals Playoffs
FaZe clinched a 2‑1 victory over FURIA in the lower‑bracket match of BLAST Rivals Fort Worth, securing a spot in the quarter‑finals. Twistzz, playing his second game as in‑game leader, orchestrated dominant Dust2 and Nuke maps, including a last‑second 2v4...
Evo Japan 2026 Is Shaping up to Have a Bunch of Fighting Game Announcements, so Here's Everything We Could See...
Evo Japan 2026 kicked off with a slate of fighting‑game reveals, headlined by Bandai Namco’s confirmed Tekken 8 Kunimitsu gameplay trailer and a new Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls character teaser. Organizers also hinted at several likely announcements, including SNK’s next Fatal Fury season‑2 fighter, Riot’s...
GGMods Modathon Enters Third Week with Creative Mods
GGMods’ spring Modathon is now in its third week, drawing thousands of new submissions across its five flagship titles. This week’s theme spotlights quality‑of‑life tweaks, bug fixes and spring‑themed content for The Sims 4, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Stardew Valley. Highlighted entries include...
Time to Ban Tall Grass From Video Games
It had a good run but it's time to ban the tall grass in games https://t.co/n7rY8ARVkd