UK Gamers’ Spend on Streaming and Game Culture up 42%
UK consumers boosted spending on game culture to $724 million in 2025, a 42% year‑on‑year increase, according to Ukie’s latest market valuation. Streaming subscriptions, donations and video content rose 8.3% to $84.5 million, while toys and merchandising grew 43% to $426 million. Film, TV and soundtrack revenues surged 70% to $203.5 million, driven by the Minecraft movie’s $72.7 million UK box‑office haul. Conversely, spending on physical events fell 39% to $7.2 million as major festivals shuttered.
Ex-Naughty Dog Dev Says The Last Of Us Studio Believed Crunch Was Necessary For Games At Its ‘Level’
Former Naughty Dog senior designer Benson Russell revealed that the studio still treats crunch as essential for delivering games at its acclaimed standard. The practice persists while the team develops the PS5 sci‑fi title Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, even after public...
Bearded Toss' Yoon Su-Cheol Reaches First Quarterfinals of His Career
Yoon Su‑cheol, known as “Bearded,” earned his first quarter‑final berth at a major StarCraft II event hosted by Inven. The Korean protoss player navigated a best‑of‑three series against seasoned Terran opponents, ultimately prevailing 2‑1 to advance. The event featured a $50,000...
FFII Firion and FFXII Balthier Join Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy Tomorrow
Square Enix announced that Firion from Final Fantasy II and Balthier from Final Fantasy XII will join the mobile fighter *Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy* on April 14, 2026. Players must obtain Character Tickets through events or gacha pulls to unlock...
Destiny: Rising Is Fighting Back with Its Latest Update
Destiny: Rising, NetEase's mobile spin‑off of the Destiny franchise, received a sweeping March update that overhauls its most criticized monetization mechanics. The game now offers a crystal‑based system that guarantees character unlocks without spending real money, supplementing the existing gacha...
Dome Keeper Free Multiplayer Update and Lost Keepers DLC Have Launched
Dome Keeper, the Linux‑native indie game launched in 2022, now offers a free multiplayer update that adds co‑op relic hunts, versus mode, split‑screen and online play for up to eight players with cross‑play support. The simultaneous Lost Keepers DLC introduces...
Metro 2039 Announced
Publisher Deep Silver and developer 4A Games have unveiled Metro 2039, the next installment in the post‑apocalyptic shooter series. The game will receive its full reveal during Xbox’s First Look showcase on April 16, streamed live on YouTube. Metro 2039 marks...
No, Fable's Release Window Chicken Hasn't Been Kicked Down the Road, Playground Games Say Following Report of Potential GTA 6-Related...
Playground Games reiterated on its official channels that the Fable reboot remains slated for an Autumn 2026 release. The claim stems from a Giant Bomb report that Microsoft may be nudging the title back to avoid launching too close to Rockstar’s...
How TinyBuild Survived 15 Years of Game Publishing | Alex Nichiporchik Interview
TinyBuild, founded in 2011 by Alex Nichiporchik and Tom Brien, began as a Kickstarter‑backed indie studio and has evolved into a publicly traded publisher valued at roughly $474 million. The company’s breakout hit, Hello Neighbor, has amassed over 300 million downloads since...
Roblox Defends Expanded Age‑checks After Parents Raise Concerns over Errors
Roblox is rolling out new age‑specific account types—Roblox Kids and Roblox Select—based on an AI‑driven age‑estimation system that claims a ±1.4‑year accuracy for users under 18. The change aims to tailor content, communication tools, and safety controls to a user’s...
Roblox to Launch ‘Kids’ Accounts for Users Ages 5-8, New Selection Process for Games Available to Players Under 16
Roblox announced the rollout of two new age‑based account tiers—Roblox Kids for ages 5‑8 and Roblox Select for ages 9‑15—scheduled for early June. The tiers use the platform’s facial‑estimation age‑check technology to automatically assign users and shift them to standard...
Roblox Separates Accounts Into Kids, Younger Teens and Adults for Safety Purposes
Roblox announced three tiered account structures—Roblox Kids for under‑9s, Roblox Select for ages 9‑15, and the standard Roblox account for users 16 and older. The new accounts will employ the same age‑verification technology introduced in January to gate chat and...
Defending Champion 'Jjajae' Park Sang-Hyun Advances to Quarterfinals as Group A Winner
Defending champion Park Sang‑hyun advanced to the quarterfinals of Google Play ASL Season 21 by winning Group A in Seoul. He opened the group stage with a 12‑hatchery Protoss victory over Yoon Su‑cheol, then faced Terran rival Choi Ho‑seon in a best‑of‑three....
Powering the Future of Play: Riyadh Welcomes the Global Games Show
The Global Games Show returns June 29‑30, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, offering a two‑day showcase for developers, publishers, investors and esports stakeholders. Organized by VAP Group and powered by Times of Games, the expo features AR/VR demos, AI‑assisted design,...
Astorm Successor 'Buttons' Shuts Down Amid Financial Distress
Buttons, a Nexon Korea subsidiary founded in February 2024 to succeed Astorm's game division, announced its shutdown on April 13, 2026 after a dramatic financial collapse. Revenue plummeted to roughly $7,000 in 2025 from $6.4 million the year before, while operating...
Portal 2: Community Edition Arrives in Beta on April 17
Portal 2: Community Edition enters open beta on 17 April 2026, available as a free download for owners of the original game via Steam. The release adds native 64‑bit Linux support, widening access for Linux gamers. It introduces Strata Source, a heavily‑modified CS:GO...
"I Couldn't Protect It" Pete Hines Says He Left Microsoft-Owned Bethesda because He Didn't Want to Watch It Be "Damaged...
Pete Hines, longtime head of publishing at Bethesda, announced his retirement after feeling powerless to protect the studio under its new Microsoft ownership. He cited mental‑health strain as he watched what he described as the studio being "damaged, broken apart,...
Longtime Mortal Kombat Player Shujinkydink Releases New Mortal Kombat 1 Tier List
Longtime Mortal Kombat influencer Shujinkydink released a comprehensive tier list for Mortal Kombat 1, covering all 38 fighters after the December 2025 balance hotfix. The list divides characters into four categories—Best in the Game, Very Solid, Competitive, and Very Niche—indicating varying levels...
UKIE: UK Games Market Reaches £8.7bn in 2025
The Entertainment Software Association unveiled iicon, a three‑day conference in Las Vegas from April 27‑29, marking its first major event since the E3 shutdown. EA Sports CEO Andrew Wilson and Take Two’s Strauss Zelnick will open the agenda, followed by leaders from Ubisoft,...
AI Has the Potential to "Change the Experience" Of Gaming Like the Xbox Kinect, Says Former Microsoft Exec
Former Microsoft gaming VP Ed Fries says AI is the biggest unknown for the industry, offering the promise of faster, cheaper development and new player experiences. He warns that, like the Xbox Kinect, AI could flop if designers fail to...
This Week in PC Games: Sci-Fi Shooter Pragmata, 2.5D Platformer Replaced, and the Most Wishlisted Game on Steam Compete with...
Rock Paper Shotgun’s weekly roundup spotlights a wave of indie releases flooding Steam’s Upcoming chart. Highlights include the sci‑fi shooter Pragmata, the post‑apocalyptic 2.5D platformer Replaced, and Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts, a stamp‑based illuminated‑manuscript creator. The list also mentions niche...
DragonSword= Awakening: "A Single-Player Package Game, Not F2P"
Hound13 will launch DragonSword: Awakening on Steam in July 2026 as a single‑player packaged game, abandoning its earlier live‑service, free‑to‑play model. The title is self‑published after a contract dispute with Webzen that left roughly 60% of a ₩3 billion (≈$2.3 million) guarantee...
Triple-I Initiative Showcase Had some Really Incredible Announcements - a Roundup
The Triple‑i Initiative Showcase unveiled a flood of indie game announcements, with more than 30 titles revealing new releases, early‑access launches, and DLCs for 2026. Notable reveals include Klei Entertainment’s co‑op mode for Away Team, Brotato’s Primal Dead DLC, and...
Everwind Gets First Major Post-Launch Update in May
Bohemia Interactive and Enjoy Studio announced the First Ascent update, the first major post‑launch patch for their voxel sandbox survival title Everwind. The update, slated for May 2026 on Windows PC, introduces new enemies, challenges, customization options, and powerful gear...
![[Event News] Games Growth Summit Adds to Speaker Line-Up with Two More Veterans](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/GGS-NEW-2026-A-PLUG-1-1.png)
[Event News] Games Growth Summit Adds to Speaker Line-Up with Two More Veterans
The Games Growth Summit has added two veteran industry leaders to its speaker roster: Ann Hurley, founder of Edge & Ethos, and Gina Jackson OBE, co‑founder of Pitchify. Hurley will speak on strategic growth, emphasizing predictability and resilience over sheer...
Pokemon and Palworld Clone Pickmon Changes Its Name by One Letter to "Better Align with Our Brand Identity and Lore"
PocketGame announced that its creature‑collecting game Pickmon will now be called Pickmos, changing only the final letter. The rename is presented as a move to better align with the studio’s brand identity and lore, with "mos" symbolizing a complete ecosystem...
Indonesia Leads SEA's US$14b Gaming Opportunity as Brands Lag in Localisation
Indonesia now dominates Southeast Asia’s gaming landscape, housing more than 150 million players and accounting for over half of the region’s 290 million gamers. The broader gaming ecosystem—including creators, eSports and brand activations—is projected to expand from $6.6 bn in 2025 to $14 bn...
Stop Killing Games Throw Weight Behind California Bill that Would Force Companies to Either Keep Games Working Independently After Server...
Stop Killing Games, a consumer‑rights campaign, is backing California’s “Protect Our Games Act,” which would compel publishers to either release an offline‑compatible version of a game or issue full refunds when servers shut down. The bill applies to games sold...
How to Get More Enchanted Storybooks in Monopoly GO
Monopoly GO’s latest Monopoly Ever After season adds an Enchanted Storybook feature that lets players target stickers from the album’s toughest sets (16‑24). When a Storybook is opened, it delivers a sticker pack tied to the chosen story, increasing the...
Fallout 4: All Romance Options
Fallout 4 includes eight romanceable companions and two additional NPCs, each offering a unique Lover’s Embrace perk that temporarily boosts XP. While romance provides modest gameplay benefits, the game lacks marriage or long‑term relationship systems, limiting narrative impact. The article also...
Best Creepy Horror Roblox Music ID Codes
Roblox’s expansive creator ecosystem now has an updated list of free horror‑themed music ID codes, including new entries like “Stagnant Ripple” and “Horror Sweetheart.” These numeric IDs can be pasted directly into games such as *Doors* or *Brookhaven* to deliver...
Gunboat God Review: A Shoot-Em-Up that Flies a Little Too Close to the Sun
Gunboat God is a stylized shoot‑em‑up that blends whimsical writing with a diverse arsenal and vibrant art reminiscent of Patapon. While the game dazzles with fluid combat and inventive world design, reviewers criticize its weak early‑game hook and frequent difficulty...
How Vernal Prayers Water Splashing Actions Work in Heartopia
Heartopia’s Vernal Prayers event runs from April 11 to April 27, centering on water‑themed celebrations. Players can unlock two solo splash actions—Splash Gently and Splash Hard—directly from the event interface. The Acorn Store also adds Riverside Ramie outfits, priced in Blue Hearts...
Pokemon Sunset Features New Region and Hundreds of Pokemon to Catch
Pokémon Sunset, a new ROM hack built on the Pokémon LeafGreen v1.1 base, introduces the Greece‑inspired Ilios region and a Pokédex of roughly 350‑400 Pokémon, including novel “sunset forms” that alter creature types. The hack, distributed via a Reddit post,...
Pragmata DLC Guide – Deluxe Edition, Upgrading, Shelter Variety Pack, and Amiibo
Capcom’s sci‑fi action game Pragmata launches on April 17 across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, offering a standard edition at $59.99 and a digital‑only Deluxe Edition at $69.99. The Deluxe Edition bundles the base game with the $14.99 Shelter...
Level Up Your Gaming Experience with Fast and Reliable Top-Up Services
The article highlights ManaBuy as a trusted platform that delivers instant in‑game currency for titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Free Fire. It stresses that diamonds and other virtual assets are essential for unlocking premium content and staying competitive....
All Confirmed and Leaked Future Characters in Destiny Rising
Destiny: Rising will launch its first character rerun with Gwynn on April 16, paired with an Efrideet companion banner expected to run 20‑30 days. The Void‑offense hero returns after being outclassed by newer Lightbearers, marking a potential shift toward revisiting legacy...
As the New Galactic Civilization 4 DLC Rolls Out, You Can the Game at Under $3 in the Latest Humble...
The Humble Bundle is offering the base game Galactic Civilizations 4 for just $2.57 (≈$2.91) and a full seven‑title package for $18 (≈$20.40) until April 22. The deal includes the core game plus all released DLC—Megastructures, Tales of the Arnor, and Supernova—while promising...
GTA 6 Fan Spots Interesting Lucia and Jason Detail From the First 2 Trailers
A Reddit user identified a subtle color‑theming in GTA 6’s first two trailers, linking blue tones to Jason Duval and pink neon to Lucia Caminos. The theory suggests the palette foreshadows each character’s narrative focus—Jason’s oceanic ties and Lucia’s passion‑driven storyline....
The Greatest FPS Masterpieces Of All Time
GameRant’s Sharon Smith ranks the ten most influential first‑person shooters, from Battlefield 3’s large‑scale destruction to Half‑Life 2’s seamless storytelling. Each entry highlights a breakthrough—whether it’s Far Cry 3’s outpost‑liberation mechanics, BioShock’s environmental narrative, or Titanfall 2’s fluid movement and mech combat. The list underscores...
Entire Pokemon Champions Season M-2 Battle Pass Leaked
A dataminer leak has revealed the full Season M‑2 battle‑pass lineup for Pokémon Champions, the competitive spin‑off launched in February 2025. The pass offers three free Pokémon—Skarmory, Kangaskhan and Gengar—along with their Mega Stones, a suite of Quick Coupons, Teammate Tickets, and...
Ghost of Yotei Legends: The Dragon Raid Walkthrough
Ghost of Yotei Legends, released March 10, 2026 by Sucker Punch and Sony, adds the Dragon raid—a sprawling, hour‑long cooperative challenge on PlayStation. The raid weaves puzzles, pressure‑plate navigation, and multiple enemy waves before a multi‑phase boss that tests edge‑running and mark‑avoidance...
Philips Unveils Evnia 27M2G5800 with 5K 180 Hz Dual-Mode Panel
Philips has launched the Evnia 27M2G5800, a 27‑inch gaming monitor that uniquely offers a dual‑mode Fast IPS panel. In native 5K (5120 × 2880) it runs at 165 Hz, overclockable to 180 Hz, while a QHD (2560 × 1440) mode pushes refresh to 330 Hz. The monitor ships...
EFootball 2026 Epic Maestro (Yaya, Thiago, Xabi) Pack Review: Decent Midfield Trio, but Save Your Coins
Konami’s eFootball 2026 Epic Maestro pack drops on Monday, featuring midfield trio Yaya Touré, Thiago Alcântara and Xabi Alonso, each equipped with the new Attack Trigger Show‑Time skill. Thiago shifts to a Hole Player role, Xabi stays an Orchestrator, and Yaya returns as a...
NYT Strands Hints, Answers for April 13, 2026
The New York Times released its April 13, 2026 Strands puzzle, a word‑search variant where every letter forms part of an answer. The theme, hinted as “While not in use,” centers on backyard stockroom items, and the spangram—a full‑grid phrase—was...
Idle Devils Ultimate Edition Sees Switch Physical Launch April 30th, 2026
Indie publishers Leoful and Happy Player announced that their casual strategy idle RPG, Idle Devils Ultimate Edition, will receive a Nintendo Switch physical release on April 30, 2026. The Game Card bundles the original Idle Devils title with every DLC character, offering...
Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 "Shinobu Kocho (Infinity Castle)" DLC Launches April 17th, 2026
CyberConnect2 is releasing the Shinobu Kocho (Infinity Castle) DLC for Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 on April 17, 2026, available either through the Infinity Castle – Part 1 Character Pass or as a standalone purchase. The sequel builds on the original title, which has shipped and...
Profane Wants to Revive Pre-2000 Ultima Online As Devs Break Down Their Feature List
Profane, a Brazil‑based sandbox MMO, is rebuilding the pre‑2000 Ultima Online experience. Insane Studio released a feature breakdown showing which classic UO mechanics—karma, open‑world housing, skill‑based progression, and open PvP—are live, and what new systems like guild altar territory control...
Five New Steam Games You Probably Missed (April 13, 2026)
PC Gamer’s Shaun Prescott spotlights five under‑the‑radar Steam releases from early April 2026, ranging from horror point‑and‑click adventures to experimental shooters. The picks include Cult Vacui’s two‑hour Scottish island mystery, Subversive Memories’ Brazil‑inspired survival horror, KuloNiku: Bowl Up!’s anime‑styled cooking sim, ChainStaff’s psychedelic platforming, and...
How to Get Diamonds in Infinity Nikki
Infinity Nikki relies on Diamonds as its premium currency, primarily for limited‑time outfit banners that grant both cosmetics and new abilities. Players can earn Diamonds through a mix of competitive contests, daily tasks, quests, hidden chests, and optional purchases like...