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
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Starbreeze to Develop a Second Payday Experience in Roblox
Starbreeze Entertainment announced a partnership with Gamefam to develop a second Payday experience on Roblox, expanding the franchise’s presence on the platform that now hosts 145 million daily active users. The first Roblox Payday title, created by Moonstone Games, amassed over 400 million visits and earned a 92% player approval rating. Starbreeze is leveraging this momentum while also pursuing transmedia deals, including a VICE Studios film and TV adaptation, to broaden the brand’s reach. The move comes as Payday 3 underperforms and the studio restructures after recent layoffs.
Niche, Low‑Cost, High‑Quality Games Define Gaming’s Future
The future of gaming is filling a niche, making games for less than the gross sales revenue, and making games that are better than everyone else's.
Monument Valley Boss Says It Was ‘Too Romantic’ About Giving Staff ‘Long-Term Job Security’, Thinks Contractors Are the Future
Ustwo Games, the studio behind Monument Valley, is rethinking its staffing model as development budgets of $9‑13 million and 3‑4‑year cycles strain small studios. CEO María Sayans noted the team has shrunk from about 40 to under 30 full‑time staff, labeling...
“Burnout Is Essentially Design Failure”: The Mobile Mavens Weigh in on Player Burnout
Mobile‑game leaders warn that player burnout is a design failure, not an unavoidable side‑effect of live‑ops. Experts from Burny Games, Arcanix, data.ai and others stress that long‑term retention and sustainable monetisation depend on balanced content pacing, clear communication, and fair...
Stillfront’s Net Revenue Declines 14% to $143.9m, but Big Farm: Homestead Drives Organic Growth
Swedish games group Stillfront posted a 14% drop in first‑quarter net revenue to $143.9 million, driven by lower daily active users and weaker performance of legacy titles. Daily active users fell below 7 million and monthly players slipped to 35.5 million. Direct‑to‑consumer bookings...
‘Player Experience over Everything Else:’ Paul Sams on the Importance of the Developer-Business Firewall | GamesBeat Engage Recap
At GamesBeat Engage in Austin, Certain Affinity COO Paul Sams argued that a "firewall" separating game developers from business pressures is essential for creating great player experiences. He recalled Blizzard’s early years, when founder Allen Adham tasked him with shielding...
MenaRD Beats Daigo in Long-Awaited Evo Legends Live FT10 Exhibition
MenaRD defeated Daigo Umehara 10‑4 in a first‑to‑10 Street Fighter 6 exhibition at Evo Legends Live in Kawasaki, Japan. The event also featured GO1 vs Laggia in Fatal Fury with a $1.5 million prize and a Tekken 8 showdown where Chikurin beat Arslan Ash...
Veteran Exposes Rockstar's Crunch, Surveillance, and Leadership Chaos
Kotaku interviewed an industry veteran with credits on Hitman 3, GTA Online, and more who spent years working on MindsEye. He detailed concerns about crunch, spying on employees, and chaotic leadership that has quietly sidelined Leslie Benzies. https://t.co/fwjFkTsk7d
Thick As Thieves Priced at $4.99, Launch to Serve as ‘Introductory Campaign’
Stealth‑action heist game Thick As Thieves will launch on PC via Steam on May 20 for $4.99 (≈€5.44/≈£6.34). The release is framed as an introductory campaign, delivering at least four hours of gameplay, 16 missions across two dynamic, replayable maps, and...
Apple Loses Bid to Pause App Store Fee Changes as Case Heads to Supreme Court
Apple’s attempt to pause its new App Store fee reforms was rejected by the Ninth Circuit, reinstating the requirement that developers may link to external payment options without Apple taking a commission. The court found Apple had not shown irreparable...
Warren Spector's Newly Solo-Friendly Stealth Game Thick as Thieves Will Launch as a Four-Hour "Introductory Campaign" That only Costs a...
Otherside Entertainment announced that its alternate‑1900s stealth title Thick as Thieves will launch on May 20 as a four‑hour introductory campaign featuring 16 missions across two maps. The game has been re‑engineered from its original PvPvE concept to a single‑player...
Yummy Tteokbokki ASMR Lets You Enjoy Interactive Cooking and Hilarious Mukbang Reactions, Now Live on Mobile
Devdepot has launched Yummy Tteokbokki ASMR, a casual mobile game that blends interactive cooking, Mukbang humor, and augmented‑reality features. The title is now available on both Android and iOS, with a launch promotion offering up to ten‑fold login rewards throughout May....
Phonopolis Launches May 20
Amanita Design announced that its long‑awaited 3D puzzle adventure *Phonopolis* will launch on May 20 for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. The game puts players in the shoes of Felix, a garbage collector who must thwart an...
BetBoom CEO: Cologne Roster Open Question "Until All Players Receive Their Visas"
BetBoom’s roster for the IEM Cologne Major remains unsettled as the team awaits visa approvals for its CIS players. AWPer Aleksandr “zorte” Zagodyrenko has taken over the role from Artem “ArtFr0st” Kharitonov, while both Daniil “d1Ledez” Kustov and VP loanee...
How Nuuvem Became Latin America’s Largest Digital Gaming Platform
Nuuvem, founded in 2011, has grown into Latin America’s largest digital gaming platform, now serving roughly 30 million gamers across the region. The Brazilian‑origin company commands about 70 % of Brazil’s digital game‑sales market and posted roughly $150 million in revenue for 2023,...
Kemonomichi Legends Live Results
The Kemonomichi edition of Evo Japan 2026 featured a historic first‑to‑10 Street Fighter 6 duel between legends Daigo (Reject|Daigo) and WBG|MenaRD, with Daigo emerging victorious 10‑6. The same broadcast also delivered a first‑to‑7 Tekken 8 clash where Japan’s 2024 Evo champion THY|Chikurin defeated...
No More Room in Hell 2 Launches This Summer for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC
Cooperative horror shooter No More Room in Hell 2 is exiting Early Access to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC this summer, with Green Man Gaming handling console publishing. The game debuted in Early Access on October 22 2024 and will offer a...
Coding Simulator 2 Codes April 2026
Coding Simulator 2, a popular Roblox title, has released two new promotional codes that grant free diamonds, cash potions, and various luck boosts. Players can redeem the codes by joining the RoDark community group and using an in‑game verification NPC. The...
Steam Deck 2 Wishlist Shows Strong Demand for Better Screen, Battery and Ports
Valve’s Steam Deck 2 wishlist, compiled from community feedback, reveals a clear appetite for a higher‑refresh OLED panel, a substantially larger battery and dual USB‑C ports. The demands underscore the handheld PC’s growing role in the broader PC‑gaming market.
Coding Simulator 2 Codes April 2026
Roblox's Coding Simulator 2 released new promotional codes in April 2026, including "500kvisits" and "1000diamonds", granting players free diamonds, cash potions, and luck boosts. The article outlines redemption steps via the in‑game shop and highlights the community Discord for updates....
Twitch Star Amira Virgil's Noir Network Secures $50K in Brand Deals for Black Creators
Brooklyn‑based Twitch streamer Amira Virgil launched the Noir Network in 2021 to give Black creators a dedicated support hub. In its first half‑year the community closed more than $50,000 in brand partnerships, proving that a focused creator collective can turn...
Ludus Surpasses 10m Downloads as New Divisions System Drives Competitive Play
Top App Games announced its free‑to‑play PvP autobattler Ludus has exceeded 10 million downloads globally. The title posted a 74.6% year‑over‑year revenue jump, generating roughly $3 million in March 2025 monthly revenue. A new seasonal “Divisions” feature replaced the old Leagues system, introducing...
Nekopara Sekai Connect Beginners Guide and Tips
Nekopara Sekai Connect, developed by Good Smile Company, blends a story‑driven adventure with café‑simulation and semi‑auto combat. Players manage a catgirl‑run café, collect and upgrade Nekos, and progress through a narrative that unlocks new characters and game modes. The guide...
European Studios Increased Freelance Spending 63% in 2025 as Hiring Shifts Toward Contract Work
European game studios boosted freelance spending by 63% in 2025, outpacing the 55% global rise. Contractor headcount grew 24% in Europe and 21% worldwide, while one‑to‑three‑month contracts rose 33‑44%, reflecting a shift to modular production. Average monthly freelance earnings climbed...
Valve Confirms Steam Deck 2 Development with a 2028 Release Target
Valve confirmed that a second‑generation Steam Deck is in development, but the handheld won’t ship until at least 2028. The company is opting for a true generational leap, focusing on major gains in performance, power efficiency, and ergonomics rather than...
Capitalism Has Lost the Plot
Ustwo’s chief executive Maria Sayans announced that the studio will pivot toward a contractor‑heavy workforce, scaling back permanent employees after the success of Monument Valley 3. The shift reflects a growing industry belief that gig talent can lower costs and increase...
Forget GTA 6, Take-Two's CEO Just Gave Us a Hint of an L.A. Noire Sequel
Take‑Two Interactive’s CEO Strauss Zelnick hinted that a sequel to the 2011 detective hit L.A. Noire remains a possibility, even as the company’s spotlight stays on Rockstar’s upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI. Zelnick said the studio’s legacy IPs are constantly evaluated, but...
Emulation Arrived on the App Store Two Years Ago – 60m Downloads Later, What’s Changed?
Two years after Apple opened the App Store to emulators, the niche has exploded, generating roughly 60 million downloads across iPhone and iPad. Delta leads with over 26 million installs, while PPSSPP, Manic Emu, RetroArch and Gamma each sit in the low‑single‑digit‑million range....
GTA 6 Release Date Confirmed, Marketing Starts Soon
GTA 6's release date looks more solid than ever, with Take-Two Interactive's boss further suggesting marketing will kick off soon. https://t.co/ujgmBgiG12
Roguelite Game Walking Dead: Aftermath Revealed by Ares Interactive and AMC
Ares Interactive and AMC Global Media have unveiled The Walking Dead: Aftermath, a free‑to‑play roguelite set in the TV series universe. Developed by Swift Games, the studio behind Heroes vs Hordes, the title will debut on the App Store and...
HAEGIN’s Last Hunter K: Seoul Invites You to Fight for Survival in a Ruined ARPG City, Now Live on Mobile...
South Korean developer HAEGIN has launched Last Hunter K: Seoul, an action RPG for Android and iOS, now live in 13 regions including the U.S. and Canada. The game features real‑time ARPG combat, five weapon classes, deep character customization, and...
MindsEye's Mission About Build a Rocket Boy's Alleged "Saboteurs" Is a Rather Meh Hitman Impression that Saw Me Waste 30...
Build a Rocket Boy’s new MindsEye mission "Blacklisted" attempts a Hitman‑style crossover but ends up feeling like a linear GTA‑type level. The mission features a leather‑clad assassin, Julia Black, and a stealth warehouse segment that suffers from overly aggressive NPC...
Digiphile Launches the Landfall X Aggro Crab Showcase Game Collection to Support Make-A-Wish
Digiphile, the community‑curated game and graphic‑novel platform founded by former Humble Bundle staff, has launched the two‑week Landfall x Aggro Crab Showcase. The bundle offers eight indie titles, including the 2025 Golden Joystick Best Multiplayer winner Peak, for $12. A $5 charity tier...
PS5 Can Now Run Linux and PC Games
Your PS5 can now transform into a Linux PC. A developer has released a method to get PC games running on a PS5 console with Linux. Details 👇 https://t.co/R5gSyp43vG
Domino Dreams Free Coins – April 2026
Domino Dreams, a free‑to‑play mobile puzzle game from the Dice Dreams creators, relies on in‑game coins as the primary energy for level progression. Players can earn coins organically by completing levels, avoiding costly mistakes, inviting friends, spinning a reward wheel,...
Post‑Jam Vibe Games Offer Real Monetization Opportunities
First monetization I'm seeing of #vibejam games I think many can become actually profitable games (and so businesses) after the Vibe Jam ends Just need to figure out what to sell
How To Use Email Salting To Reroll In Neverness To Everness
Perfect World’s new gacha title Neverness To Everness has sparked interest in reroll strategies. Players can bypass the need for multiple email accounts by using Gmail’s “email salting” feature, which treats variations like “+1” or inserted dots as separate addresses....
Voyage Launches First AI‑native Game with Realistic Worlds
In 2021, pre-ChatGPT, @NFX backed @nickwalton00 to build the first AI-native game. They've just launched Voyage. Its World Engine adds what AI games need: worlds that feel real and lived in. 📷📷 @TechCrunch has the story: https://t.co/nDNU3LNCf5
New Steam Controller Improves Ergonomics and Functionality
Soon as I've got the money for it, yes. Love the OG Steam Controller for its customizability and versatility. This one is that + better ergonomics + even more functionality.
Housemarque to Host Session at Nordic Game 2026
Finnish developer Housemarque will speak at Nordic Game 2026, presenting a session titled “Lessons from Carcosa: Art & Design Direction for Saros.” The talk features brand director Mikael Haveri, associate design director Mitja Roskaric, and art director Simone Silvestri, who...
Neverness to Everness Zero Build Guide: Kit, Best Arcs, Console, Teams and More
Zero is the S‑rank Cosmos Solid character in Neverness to Everness, serving as a dedicated on‑field DPS with a rapid Esper Cycle that speeds elemental reactions. His kit includes a basic attack that reduces Break, an AoE Esper Cannon skill,...
Xbox Sends Out $5 Call Of Duty 'Campaign' Bonus, But It's Not What It Seems
Xbox recently mailed $5 Microsoft gift cards to players who engaged with a Black Ops 7 promotion, but the wording sparked confusion. The bonus isn’t tied to the game’s single‑player story; it rewards the purchase of the BlackCell battle‑pass, a premium...
Call of Duty Movie Director Previously Called Video Games “Pathetic” And “Weak”
A 2013 Esquire interview resurfaced in which Peter Berg, now attached to direct the upcoming Call of Duty film, dismissed video games as “pathetic” and “weak.” The CoD movie, scheduled for a June 2028 release, will be scripted by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan...
Namco’s Japan-Only 1994 Arcade Game Cyber Commando Is Getting a Home Release for the First Time
Namco’s 1994 arcade exclusive Cyber Commando is finally arriving on home consoles, thanks to Hamster Corporation’s Arcade Archives 2 line. The title, a polygonal tank shooter sequel to Cyber Sled, will launch on April 30 for Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox...
Xbox Golden Week Sale 2026 Is Now Live with 400+ Deals
Microsoft launched the Xbox Golden Week Sale 2026 on the Microsoft Store, featuring more than 400 discounted titles across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and backward‑compatible Xbox 360 games. Discounts range from modest 10% cuts to deep markdowns of...
LG Display’s 27‑inch DFR Gaming OLED Wins SID Display of the Year
LG Display’s new 27‑inch DFR Gaming OLED panel was named Society for Information Display’s Display of the Year. The award spotlights the panel’s 720 Hz refresh rate and proprietary Dynamic Frequency & Resolution technology, positioning LG at the forefront of high‑performance...
Tales of Arise - Beyond the Dawn Edition Showcases Alphen in a New Character Trailer
Bandai Namco unveiled a new character trailer spotlighting Alphen for the upcoming Switch 2 version of Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition. The enhanced edition will arrive on May 22 and will run at 1080p in both docked and handheld...
Xbox 360 Backwards Compatibility Issues Being Investigated by Microsoft
Microsoft is investigating a newly reported problem where a small number of Xbox Series X|S owners cannot launch certain Xbox 360 games, receiving a “Can’t Connect to Xbox Live” error. The issue was first acknowledged on April 22, 2026, and Xbox vice‑president Jason...
Trepang2 Is Now Live On Game Pass, Here's How It Looks On Xbox Series X|S
Trepang2, a single‑player FPS with supernatural combat, has launched on Xbox Game Pass for Ultimate, Premium and PC subscribers. The game runs at a solid 60 FPS on both Xbox Series X and Series S, as demonstrated by Fuzion Xbox Testing footage. It...
Viral Game Makes You Battle Your Steam Backlog in a Gladiator Arena
Indie developer launches "The Backlog Battler," an arcade hack‑and‑slash where players fight personified Steam backlog titles. Unplayed games become boss enemies, with damage scaling to the purchase price, while titles played for up to two hours join as allies. The...