Toronto KOI Renews Partnership With SCUF Gaming
Toronto KOI, OverActive Media’s Call of Duty League franchise, has renewed its partnership with controller maker SCUF Gaming for a seventh straight year. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the agreement ensures SCUF will equip KOI players with elite‑level controllers and collaborate on content and community initiatives. SCUF branding will feature on team jerseys, social media channels, and created content, joining other sponsors such as Bell, Monster Energy, Blacklyte, and AMD. The renewal underscores the franchise’s commitment to high‑performance hardware partnerships.

Jin Saotome and Blade of Scion Added to Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Community Edition with Cool Trailers Showing Off...
The Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Community Edition mod has been updated with two new fighters, Jin Saotome from Cyberbots and Blade of Scion from Red Earth. Jin brings his signature Blodia punch and a mech‑piloting Hyper Combo, while Blade of Scion...

How to Get the Crimson Wolf Weapon Variant in Overwatch
Overwatch’s latest seasonal update introduces the Crimson Wolf weapon variant, a high‑tier cosmetic for Widowmaker. Unlocking the skin costs 3,000 Competitive Points, a currency earned through Competitive and Stadium matches. Players receive 10 points per Competitive win, five for draws,...
![Highguard In Trouble After Most Of The Studio Laid Off Just Weeks After Launch [Update]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://kotaku.com/app/uploads/2026/01/highguard-1200x675.jpg)
Highguard In Trouble After Most Of The Studio Laid Off Just Weeks After Launch [Update]
Wildlight Entertainment, the studio behind the newly released not‑hero shooter Highguard, announced layoffs affecting most of its staff just weeks after the game's January 26 launch. The title received a lukewarm response and struggled with concurrent player numbers, prompting the...
ENASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series 2026 Season Detailed
iRacing and NASCAR unveiled the 2026 eNASCAR Coca‑Cola iRacing Series, expanding to 24 rounds and a $500,000 prize pool. The season splits into an 11‑round Qualifying Series featuring all three NASCAR national‑series vehicle classes, followed by a 13‑round Championship with...

"Vince Was the Real Deal." Gaming Leaders Mourn Vince Zampella in Las Vegas
The DICE Summit in Las Vegas featured a heartfelt tribute to the late Vince Zampella, a visionary game developer behind Medal of Honor, Call of Duty, Respawn’s hits, and Battlefield 6. Industry leaders like EA’s Laura Miele, Geoff Keighley, Phil Spencer, Todd Howard, and...

Horror Hit Iron Lung Gets a PS5 Launch Trailer, But It's Been Available for Months
Iron Lung, the atmospheric first‑person horror game, finally received a PlayStation 5 launch trailer despite being on the console’s store since October 16 2025. The trailer’s release coincides with the recent Markiplier‑produced film adaptation, which has reignited public interest. Originally a 2022 PC title,...

How Gaming Can Foster Personal and Professional Change | Boss Mode with Dr. Marie-Claire Isaaman
The Boss Mode interview with Dr. Marie‑Claire Isaaman explores how video games can drive personal growth and professional development. Isaaman argues that interactive play cultivates problem‑solving, resilience, and leadership skills transferable to the workplace. She highlights initiatives by Women in...
PUBG Global Series 2026 Partnered Teams Revealed
PUBG Esports unveiled the 12 global partner teams for the 2026 PUBG Global Series, including notable organizations such as Gen.G, Natus Vincere, and Virtus.pro. The partner program grants guaranteed entry to all PGS events, exclusive revenue‑sharing skin releases, and annual financial...

Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5 Gameplay Trailer Reveals The Prototype’s Return Ahead of Feb. 18 PC Launch
Mob Entertainment released the official gameplay trailer for Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5 – Broken Things, confirming a February 18, 2026 PC launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store. The trailer showcases the return of The Prototype as the central antagonist and introduces...

PUBG MOBILE Esports Reveals 2026 Roadmap, Confirms PMGO Events in Indonesia and Pakistan
PUBG MOBILE Esports unveiled its 2026 competitive roadmap, confirming two Global Open (PMGO) tournaments—Season 1 in Indonesia and Season 2 in Pakistan—each with a $500,000 prize pool. The new “Road to PMGO” format introduces in‑game qualifiers followed by national and regional stages,...

Why the Gaming Industry Is Insulated From a Potential AI Crash
The gaming sector has rapidly integrated AI tools for tasks ranging from NPC design to procedural content generation, yet experts say AI remains an efficiency enhancer rather than a production necessity. A potential AI market crash would likely strain fundraising...

Broski Discusses the Revamps to Street Fighter 6 System Mechanics He'd Like to See in the Upcoming Update
Capcom announced a major balance patch for Street Fighter 6 that will launch alongside the Alex character as the third DLC challenger for Season 3. The update aims to address community dissatisfaction with the frequency and impact of prior patches. Influencer Broski...

It’s Becoming Impossible To Buy A Steam Deck
Valve’s handheld PC, the Steam Deck, is completely sold out on the company’s official store, including both 512 GB and 1 TB OLED models. The older LCD version has been discontinued, confirming that no further units will be produced. Analysts link the...

New Proton Experimental Update Adds Controller Support to More Launchers on Linux / SteamOS
Valve released a new Proton Experimental build that expands controller support across dozens of game launchers on Linux and SteamOS. The update adds Metal Fatigue to the playable list and upgrades Xalia to 0.4.7, fixing tab‑selection bugs in Rayman: Raving...

Exciting Anime Action Game MIGHTREYA Considering PS5 Release
Indie developer Wazen is set to release the anime‑action title MIGHTREYA on PC later this year, with 505 Games as publisher. The game follows Reya, a school‑girl superhero‑content creator, blending aerial combat reminiscent of Zenless Zone Zero and Dragon Ball: Sparking...

New Steam Hit Mewgenics Took Seven Years To Make And Only Three Hours To Pay It All Back
Mewgenics surged to the top of Steam within a day, logging over 67,000 concurrent players and recouping its development budget in just three hours. The indie roguelike, a seven‑year project co‑developed by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, demonstrates how rapid...

Resident Evil Requiem Fans Freaking Out After Mass Cancellation Emails From Amazon
Capcom’s upcoming *Resident Evil Requiem* Deluxe Steelbook pre‑orders were abruptly canceled by Amazon after the retailer oversold inventory. Amazon emailed refunds, citing supplier shortages, while a newly created Amazon Exclusive edition promises the same physical goodies but won’t ship until...

Overwatch Is Roaring Back On Steam After Massive Season 1 Patch
Blizzard’s Overwatch received a major Season 1 overhaul, adding five new heroes and stripping the “2” from its title. The update sparked a resurgence, pushing the game to a record 165,000 concurrent players on Steam. Enhanced weekly story drops and in‑game...

Bonfire Studios Announces Open Demo for Debut Title Arkheron
Bonfire Studios revealed an open demo for its debut title Arkheron, a fast‑paced competitive PvP action game slated for a Steam PC launch on February 20. The game pits fifteen three‑player squads against each other as they ascend a surreal,...

Alioune Releases His Early Impressions Tier List for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves After the Major Balance Patch
SNK’s Season 2 balance patch for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves reshapes the competitive hierarchy, as Alioune releases his first post‑patch tier list. Hotaru, previously the dominant pick, falls to roughly sixth place, while Hokutomaru vaults to the top of...

Overwatch Has Returned with New Heroes and a New UI
Overwatch has been relaunched with a major content reset, dropping the "2" label and introducing a fresh lobby UI. The update adds five new heroes and kicks off the "Reign of Talon – Season 1: Conquest" storyline, featuring a five‑week faction...

Blades of Fire Coming to Steam in May Alongside 2.0 Update
Publisher 505 Games and developer MercurySteam announced that Blades of Fire will launch on Steam on May 14, a year after its Epic Games Store debut. The release coincides with a free Version 2.0 update across all platforms, adding Game Plus, new...

IGDA Foundation Prepares for Second Download for Charity (DLC) Sale on Steam
The IGDA Foundation is launching its second annual Download for Charity (DLC) event on Steam from March 27 to April 6, 2026. Developers can pledge at least 5% of sales—20% is encouraged—to fund the foundation’s inclusive, sustainable game‑development programs. The...

Romeo Is a Dead Man's Most Beguiling Spectacle Is Its Astral Fish Tank Menu
Grasshopper Manufacture’s new hack‑n‑slash *Romeo is a Dead Man* launches with a striking main‑menu that resembles an astral fish tank, where a single disintegrating fish drifts among floating planets and dancing coral. Menu text fragments into pixel‑sized atoms when not...

Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero Coming to Switch 2
Unknown Worlds Entertainment announced that Subnautica and its expansion Subnautica: Below Zero will arrive on Nintendo’s Switch 2 on February 17. The titles, originally released on Switch 1 in 2020, have been upgraded to run at 1440p docked and 1080p handheld with a...

Mistfall Hunter Reveals July Release and PS5 Port
Bellring Games announced that its dark‑fantasy PvPvE extraction RPG Mistfall Hunter will launch in July 2026 on Windows PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The PS5 port is being built to ship day‑and‑date with the other platforms. A...

Retro Macintosh Games Return to Dark Castle and Beyond Dark Castle Arrive on Steam in March
Return to Dark Castle and Beyond Dark Castle, two iconic 1980s Macintosh platformers, are receiving a definitive‑edition bundle on Steam. The release, overseen by series co‑creator Mark Stephen Pierce’s studio Ludit Holdings, features fully remastered visuals and audio, refined controls,...

Helldivers Movie Casts Jason Momoa, Reveals 2027 Premiere
Sony announced its Helldivers feature film starring Jason Momoa, slated for a November 10, 2027 premiere. The sci‑fi shooter adaptation will be directed by Justin Lin, the veteran behind the Fast & Furious franchise. The movie follows the launch of Helldivers II in...

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival Gets New “Love Story” Trailer
Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games unveiled a new "Love Story" trailer for Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, timed for Valentine’s Day. The teaser highlights a fresh narrative centered on protagonist Aidan and the Genesis Configuration puzzle box. The game promises...

Virtuix Expands Omni One VR Sales to Europe After IPO
Virtuix, the maker of full‑body VR treadmill systems, announced that its Omni One hardware will now be sold across Europe following its recent initial public offering. European customers in Germany, the United Kingdom, France and other EU nations can place...

"This Is the Best Case Scenario": Microsoft Withdraw DMCA Takedown Notice on Voxel Sandbox Allumeria
Microsoft withdrew a DMCA takedown notice it had filed against the voxel sandbox Allumeria, which was accused of using Minecraft gameplay and assets. Valve initially removed Allumeria’s Steam page in response, but restored it after Microsoft’s claim was withdrawn. The...

JabhiM Releases New Match up Chart for Terry Bogard in Street Fighter 6 Season 3
JabhiM, one of the 48 qualifiers for Capcom Cup 12, released a personal match‑up chart for Terry Bogard ahead of the tournament. The chart highlights Terry’s strong positions against JP, Ken, Marisa, Mai, Elena, C. Viper and A.K.I., while flagging tougher battles...

Stranger Land: The Beginning
Stranger Land: The Beginning is an indie, web‑based stealth platformer released by developer AyoXixx using the Phaser framework. Players guide a yellow cubic avatar through neon‑lit futuristic levels, activating portals while evading drones and security systems. The game features a...

Watch Diablo 4 Reveal the Second Class Coming with Lord of Hatred Here
Blizzard will unveil Diablo 4's second class during a 30th‑anniversary livestream on February 13. The reveal is tied to the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion, slated for release on April 28, and will also preview revamped skill trees and new end‑game mechanics. The...

“Unleash the Kraken,” Bellows Skull and Bones, Which Somehow Still Exists
Ubisoft has launched the "Eye of the Beast" season for its troubled open‑world pirate title Skull and Bones, introducing a multi‑phase Kraken boss and a new Corvette support vessel. The update also revives the Founding Event to celebrate the game’s...

2XKO Charts High on PlayStation's Top Download List for the Game's Launch
Riot Games’ new fighting game 2XKO launched in January 2026 and quickly climbed PlayStation’s free‑to‑play download charts, ranking third in the United States and Canada and tenth in Europe. The title outperformed heavyweight titles such as Fortnite, Roblox, Marvel Rivals,...

Grasshopper Manufacture Will Release Unannounced Game in 2026
Japanese indie studio Grasshopper Manufacture announced during a Grasshopper Direct video that it plans to release an unannounced title later in 2026, following the February launch of *ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN*. Founder Goichi Suda emphasized the project is “almost...

Modern Classic Dungeon Crawler Board Game Descent Is Getting Its First, Very TTRPG-Sounding, Video Game Adaptation
Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent marks the first video‑game adaptation of the modern classic board game Descent. The title offers eight distinct adventurers and twenty story‑driven dungeons, with turn‑based combat that stresses positioning, elevation and line of sight. It supports up...

Mattel Acquires Full Ownership of Mattel163 From NetEase
Mattel announced it will acquire NetEase’s 50% stake in the mobile‑gaming joint venture Mattel163, valuing the studio at $318 million. The deal, slated to close by the end of Q1 2026, will be funded largely with cash generated from the existing partnership....

Character Breakdowns for Anissa and Lucan in Invincible Vs
Invincible Vs introduces two new playable Viltrumites, Anissa and Lucan, expanding its roster to four characters from the franchise. Lucan is designed as a grappler with unblockable moves and super‑armor, while Anissa focuses on high‑speed rush‑down and counter‑attack options. The...

Mirror’s Edge-Inspired Parkour Adventure Game VHOLUME Launches Demo
Indie studios IronEqual and STRAFTAT have launched a playable demo for VHOLUME, a first‑person parkour adventure inspired by Mirror’s Edge. The demo is now available on Steam for PC, though the full game’s launch date remains unannounced. Set in a...
ASUS ROG Partners With BLAST for BLAST Premier
International esports tournament operator BLAST has renewed its partnership with ASUS Republic of Gamers for the 2026 season of its Counter‑Strike 2 series. Under the agreement, ASUS ROG will provide official monitors, PCs, laptops, keyboards and mice for six BLAST Premier...

New Subnautica 2 Video Shows Off a Convenient and Social Dive Elevator, While Promising that Multiplayer Won't Ruin Single Player
Unknown Worlds released a new dev vlog for Subnautica 2 showcasing a dive elevator and confirming that multiplayer will be optional. Every feature has been built with co‑op capability, but no part of the game will require other players. The dive...
Savvy Games Group Signs Memorandum of Understanding With NMBRS
Savvy Games Group announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Stockholm‑based visual‑effects studio NMBRS at the D.I.C.E. conference, aiming to boost esports and game development in Saudi Arabia. NMBRS will establish a Riyadh presence, bringing VFX expertise from titles such as...

Physics Building Game Besiege Heads Into Space with The Broken Beyond Expansion
Besiege, the physics‑based building game, announced its first major expansion, The Broken Beyond, targeting a Q2 2026 release. The expansion transports players to space, featuring a new campaign, specialized propulsion blocks, and a fresh fuel system. It adds orbital gravity mechanics,...

Embark Would Like You All to Play Nice in Arc Raiders' Temporary PvE Event Shared Watch, Which Starts Today
Embark Studios has launched the Shared Watch PvE event in Arc Raiders, running through February 24. Players earn merits and rewards by damaging or destroying the game’s Arc bots, while PvP kills provide no benefits. The update also reintroduces the Cold...

Build a Sonic Infinite Runner with Phaser 4
Developer JSLegendDev rebuilt his Sonic infinite runner using Phaser 4 Release Candidate 5, fixing performance problems that plagued the original version. The step‑by‑step tutorial walks readers through Vite project setup, sprite animation, arcade physics, collision handling, combo scoring, sound integration,...

Dark Pictures Sci-Fi Horror Directive 8020 Will Open Its Doors in May, Letting some Evil Fleshslime Loose
Supermassive Games announced that its next Dark Pictures entry, Directive 8020, will launch on May 12, 2026. The sci‑fi horror title introduces a "Turning Points" system that lets players rewind pivotal choices, while retaining a traditional Survivor Mode with permanent death. The...

The Khronos Group Celebrate 25 Years of Open Standards
The Khronos Group marked its 25th anniversary by launching a series of celebratory videos that showcase its flagship open standards such as OpenGL, Vulkan, OpenXR, glTF and OpenCL. The consortium, led by President Neil Trevett, highlighted how its member‑driven model has...