Fire Emblem Shadows Earns Just $578,000 in First Six Months, Less than 1% of Fire Emblem Heroes
Nintendo’s latest mobile title, *Fire Emblem Shadows*, has earned only $578,000 in its first six months after launching on September 25 2025. By contrast, the decade‑old *Fire Emblem Heroes* posted $20.6 million in the same window and $150 million during its initial half‑year in 2017. The stark revenue gap highlights the impact of genre choice and monetisation strategy, as Shadows relies on a monthly season‑pass model while Heroes uses a gacha system. Nintendo may now lean on cross‑promotion to revive Shadows’ fortunes.
GTA Almost Had Zombies, and Now We Have Proof They Were Coming to Xbox
Grand Theft Auto IV shattered sales records in 2008, pulling in $310 million on day one and roughly $500 million within a week. A British collector unearthed a 2007 development kit, releasing 130 GB of unfinished assets that reveal a prototype zombie mode never...
Marathon’s Latest Patch Just Nerfed Thief’s ‘Slide Cancel’ Movement Tech, because if You Give Destiny Players an Inch, They Will...
Bungie released Marathon update 1.0.5.2, primarily a bug‑fix slate, but it delivers a significant nerf to the Thief class’s slide‑cancel technique using the Grapple Device. The exploit allowed Thief players to retain momentum while swapping equipment, effectively granting unlimited rapid...
TA Playlist Game for April 2026 Announced
Double Fine Studios’ latest title Keeper topped the April 2026 TA Playlist, securing more than twice the votes of runner‑up Unravel. The game, a wordless narrative about a lighthouse and a seabird, offers 13 achievements that take roughly 5‑6 hours...
Esports Foundation Selects 40 Esports Clubs for $20M Club Partner Program
The Esports Foundation announced the 2026 Club Partner Program, selecting 40 esports clubs and allocating a $20 million pool that can grant up to $1 million per club. The initiative, now in its third edition, builds on more than $100 million already distributed...
Finale of Aeons: Lillia Is Coming to PC via Steam
Chinese indie studio 1up announced that its text‑based narrative RPG *Finale of Aeons: Lillia* will launch worldwide on Steam, though no release date has been set. The game blends choice‑driven storytelling with tabletop‑style stats, skills, and equipment, allowing deep character...
![[Event News] Google Play Confirmed as the New BAFTA Games Awards Headline Partner](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/37d71b3d393a9f813685d02115643ef8.webp)
[Event News] Google Play Confirmed as the New BAFTA Games Awards Headline Partner
Google Play has been named the headline partner for the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards, cementing a year‑long collaboration between the two organisations. The partnership will fund BAFTA’s masterclass series, networking events and the Young Games Designers competition, aiming to nurture...
NLC Spring Split Postponed to Late April as Riot Seeks New Tournament Operator
Riot Games has postponed the Northern League of Legends Championship (NLC) Spring Split to late April. The delay follows the exit of League ApS, the previous tournament operator, after it admitted delayed payments to casters and staff. Riot is now seeking...
Mersa Set to Join Joblife Ahead of LFL Spring 2026
Mertai “Mersa” Sari, a 23‑year‑old former LEC support, has signed with French LFL franchise Joblife on a contract running through 16 November 2026. The move follows his recent departure from Solary and appears in Riot’s Global Contract Database. Joblife, which...
![[Industry News] Dave School of Digital Arts Named Unreal Engine Academic Partner by Epic Games](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/daveschool.jpg)
[Industry News] Dave School of Digital Arts Named Unreal Engine Academic Partner by Epic Games
The Dave School of Digital Arts at Northbridge University has been named an Unreal Engine Academic Partner by Epic Games, recognizing its robust real‑time 3D curriculum and experienced faculty. The partnership grants the school enterprise‑grade Unreal Engine licenses, Marketplace credits,...
Milkyway Cleared of Match-Fixing Allegations in LoL Investigation
Cai “milkyway” Zi‑Jun has been cleared of match‑fixing allegations after Chinese police determined no evidence supported the claims. The accusations, based on fabricated chat logs suggesting he leaked draft information during the 2024 Demacia Cup, led FPX to suspend him...
Former Valve Dev Says Xbox Adding Copilot AI to Consoles Is "Horrible" And "Not Needed"
Former Valve developer Chet Faliszek publicly criticized Microsoft’s plan to roll out Copilot AI on Xbox consoles after the GDC 2026 showcase. He argued the feature, demonstrated assisting players in Sea of Thieves, would dilute immersion, remove meaningful challenges, and erode...
Apple M5 Max MacBooks Are Getting Surprisingly Close to Real Gaming PCs
Apple’s latest M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are closing the performance gap with dedicated gaming PCs. Benchmarks by YouTuber Andrew Tsai show the M5 Pro delivering roughly 60 fps in upscaled 1440p on titles like Cyberpunk 2077, while the 40‑core M5 Max sustains similar frame rates...
Industry Snapshot: Understanding Gaming Audiences
Robin Heymann of Burson outlines a fundamental shift in esports and gaming marketing, noting that a new generation of fans—primarily Gen Z and mobile‑first users—now dominates viewership. He stresses that traditional TV‑style advertising is losing relevance, replaced by data‑driven, community‑centric approaches....
Leaked New PS Plus Game Is a Chaotic Co-Op JRPG Based on This Classic Anime
A leak from Dealabs reveals that Sony's April PS Plus lineup will include *Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream*, a PS5‑only, free‑to‑play JRPG. The game drops players into the Galaxia system where five teams of up to four compete to defeat...
PlayStation's Spring Sale Offers up over 50 Big Fighting Game Discounts to Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 1, King of Fighters...
PlayStation’s Spring Sale, running through April 22, features more than 50 fighting‑game titles at deep discounts. Flagship releases like Tekken 8 are cut 60% to $24, while Mortal Kombat 1 drops to $10 and its full Elder God Bundle sells for $32. SNK’s King of...
Fans of Portal and First-Person Puzzlers Will Definitely Want to Check Out He Who Watches
He Who Watches, a new first‑person gravity‑defying puzzle game, was announced by indie publisher Draknek & Friends. Developed solo by Bobby Vanden, the title challenges players to navigate walls and ceilings while solving over 100 core puzzles using a magical bow mechanic....
Boxroom Is a Home Designer Game that Turns Your Actual Steam Library Into Physical Game Boxes
Boxroom is a home‑decorator simulation that transforms a player’s Steam library into tangible‑looking game boxes. Using Steam metadata, the game creates virtual boxes with cover art and in‑game screenshots, letting users arrange them on shelves, walls, and furniture. Players can...
The Flashpoint Update for ARC Raiders Has Lots of the Good Stuff
ARC Raiders received the Flashpoint update, its most substantial patch since launch, adding a powerful flying ARC, new weapons, a map condition, and expanded map‑ping for all parties. Custom loadout entry now starts near the match beginning, key rooms scale...
![[Industry News] Award-Winning Games Industry Mentorship Scheme, Limit Break, Launches 2026 Program](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/limit.jpg)
[Industry News] Award-Winning Games Industry Mentorship Scheme, Limit Break, Launches 2026 Program
Limit Break, the UK’s premier mentorship scheme for diverse game‑development talent, has opened applications for its 2026 cohort. The free six‑month program pairs under‑represented professionals with seasoned mentors for monthly one‑on‑one sessions, events, and resources. Since its 2019 launch, the...
Disney May Be Interested in Acquiring Epic Games at some Point, It’s Claimed
Disney has invested $1.5 billion for an equity stake in Epic Games and is reportedly weighing a full acquisition, though senior executives are split on the idea. The move would extend Disney’s work on a persistent "games and entertainment universe" inside...
‘The Last Of Us’ Creator Teases “Road Ahead” With Fans Convinced ‘Part 3’ Is Happening
Neil Druckmann, co‑creator of The Last of Us, revealed during a 2024 making‑of documentary that he finally has a concept for a third mainline game, sparking fan speculation that Part 3 is imminent. He also announced his departure from the HBO...
Skyblivion Devs Are "on the Hunt" For some "Final, Vital" Veteran Hands to Get the Oblivion Remake Mod over the...
Skyblivion, the fan‑made remake of The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion for Skyrim’s engine, announced a recruitment drive for veteran modders to complete its final development phase. The team is targeting specialists in quests, navmeshing, interior design, 3D art, implementation, and sound design,...
![[Event News] Develop:Brighton – Ustwo Announced as First Keynote](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/edve.png)
[Event News] Develop:Brighton – Ustwo Announced as First Keynote
Develop:Brighton has announced its opening keynote, featuring ustwo executives Maria Sayans, Daniel Gray and Peter Pashley. The trio will present "ustwo games: A Positively Playful Business," tracing the studio’s evolution from a 2012 East‑London design shop to a certified B‑Corp...
Eidos-Montréal Announces 124 Job Cuts; Studio Head David Anfossi Departs After 19 Years at Developer
Seattle‑based VR developer Polyarc Games announced on April 1 that 30 employees were laid off after the company failed to secure funding following the cancellation of a major project. The studio, founded in 2015 and backed by a $3.5 million seed round...
MCV/DEVELOP Awards – Player’s Choice Voting Now Open
The MCV/DEVELOP Awards are set for June 18, 2026 at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel, and the new Player’s Choice Award is now open for public voting. The category invites gamers to select the best mobile, PC or console game released in 2025,...
Once Worth $3.5B, Rec Room Is Shutting Its Metaverse Down on June 1; Snap Buys some Assets
Seattle‑based Rec Room, once valued at $3.5 billion during the 2021 metaverse boom, announced it will cease operations of its virtual‑world platform on June 1. The decision follows a broader cooling of investor enthusiasm for immersive social gaming and mounting cost pressures....
How to Unlock VST in Black Ops 7 & Warzone
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Warzone Season 3 introduce the VST submachine gun, a lightweight, full‑auto SMG reminiscent of the classic MP7. The weapon is available as a free tier reward on Battle Pass Page 6, unlocked with Battle Pass Tokens...
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Actor Almost Missed Audition for Her Starring Role
Jennifer English, the voice behind Maelle in the award‑winning RPG *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, nearly missed her audition after forgetting to record it. Despite the last‑minute, bed‑side take, she secured the role and later won Best Performance at The Game Awards 2025, a...
More Animal Crossing: New Horizons Tracks Added to Nintendo Music
Animal Crossing: New Horizons received a Version 3.0 update in January, adding the Slumber Islands and a Resort Hotel. The update introduced ten new music tracks—four for the hotel and six for the islands. These tracks are now available through the...
Doom Now Runs over DNS, Loading From Nearly 2,000 Text Records
Developers have ported the classic Doom shooter to run entirely from DNS, encoding the game into 1,964 Cloudflare TXT records that a PowerShell script reassembles in memory. The approach compresses the original 8.4 MB shareware version to about 1.9 MB and requires...
Pokemon Pokopia Player Builds a Taco Bell in the Game
A Pokémon Pokopia player named carlycalamity has meticulously recreated a Taco Bell restaurant inside the sandbox game, complete with neon signage, self‑ordering kiosks, and a functional drive‑thru. The build showcases the depth of Pokopia’s construction tools, which have already enabled fans...
BetBoom Gain Crucial Ground Toward Cologne Major with Roman Imperium Cup VII Trophy
BetBoom captured the Roman Imperium Cup VII trophy, defeating BESTIA 2‑0 in the grand final and securing vital VRS points toward a Cologne Major berth. The team navigated a grueling playoff run, including a comeback win over G2, despite fielding...
Tetris 99 52nd MAXIMUS CUP "Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2" Launches April 3rd, 2026 (UPDATE)
Nintendo announced the 52nd Tetris 99 Maximus Cup, running from April 3 12:00 a.m. PT to April 6 11:59 p.m. PT, with a Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2‑inspired visual theme. Players must earn at least 100 event points—awarded based on battle rank—to unlock the new theme. Participation requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership,...
Com2uS Shares in Development Combat Gameplay Trailers for Gachiakuta: The Game
Com2uS unveiled a series of combat trailers for Gachiakuta: The Game, a survival‑action RPG adapted from the popular manga and anime. The footage highlights the four Team Akuta fighters—Zanka, Enjin, Rudo and Riyo—demonstrating fast‑paced, character‑driven battles. The title is slated for...
Netmarble Releases New Gameplay Trailer for Roguelike Action RPG Solo Leveling: Karma
Netmarble unveiled a fresh gameplay trailer for Solo Leveling: Karma at AnimeJapan 2026, showcasing both real‑time combat and animated sequences produced by A‑1 Pictures. The roguelike action RPG expands the popular web‑novel universe with an original "Dimensional Gap" storyline, depicting...
Play Nintendo Shares Family Friendly Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 Playthrough (UPDATES)
The Play Nintendo channel has launched a new family‑friendly video series that pairs mothers with their children to play *Super Mario Galaxy 2* on the Nintendo Switch 2 console. Each episode showcases cooperative gameplay, from navigating planetary levels to battling Bowser, while...
How to Beat Sawhalanthropus in Super Meat Boy 3D
Super Meat Boy 3D’s first world culminates in a showdown with Sawhalanthropus, a massive chainsaw‑wielding robot boss. The fight emphasizes precise routing, timed jumps, and staying centered in missile zones rather than raw combat. Players must navigate a series of...
Albion Online Rites of Spring Is Back, With Eggs, Bunnies, and Lots of Rewards
Albion Online’s Rites of Spring event has launched on the Asia server and will roll out to the Americas and Europe servers tomorrow at 6 am ET. Over two weeks, players collect chocolate, eggs and bunnies, earning a 15% fame boost for...
Kirby and the Forgotten Land List of All Present Codes
Nintendo has released a comprehensive list of Present Codes for Kirby and the Forgotten Land on Switch, allowing players to redeem in‑game items such as Star Coins, Rare Stones, and consumables. The list separates active codes—some permanent, others time‑limited— from...
You Can Get Your Name in Invincible VS' Game Credits for Those Who Prove Themselves Worthy in the Coming Open...
Invincible VS will host an open beta from April 9‑11 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, offering the top 20 ranked participants a permanent credit in the game’s end‑roll as “Beta Beasts.” The promotion follows the recent reveal of Conquest as the...
FaZe, Liquid, and Passion UA Pick up Wins in First Round of DraculaN S6 Playoffs
The opening round of the DraculaN Season 6 playoffs saw all marquee teams survive except fnatic, who dropped to the lower bracket after a 1‑2 loss to Sashi. Liquid, Alliance, Monte and Passion UA each secured 2‑0 victories, while FaZe comfortably beat...
How to Unlock the Best Xbox Cloud Gaming Quality on Windows 11 with a Few Simple Tweaks Using This Free...
Better xCloud is an open‑source Tampermonkey script that injects advanced controls into the Xbox Cloud Gaming web client on Windows 11. It lets users manually adjust bitrate, resolution, and server region, while displaying real‑time ping and FPS counters. The tool also unlocks...
U.S. Soccer and Gamefam Bring National Team to Roblox in Time for FIFA World Cup
U.S. Soccer announced a partnership with Gamefam to bring the U.S. Men’s National Team into Roblox’s FIFA Super Soccer as a limited‑time event. The virtual integration, set to launch ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will feature official kits,...
World of Warcraft April Trading Post Is Blooming With Mounts and Spring Looks
Blizzard’s World of Warcraft April Trading Post launches a spring‑themed lineup featuring four new mounts—including the Emerald Snail and Vicious Snapvine—plus a Grumpy Mandrake pet and multiple transmog ensembles. Players start the month with 500 Trader’s Tender and can earn...
Final Fantasy XI Tutorial Quest Updates Arrive in the MMORPG in April
Square Enix announced that the April 6, 2026 version update for Final Fantasy XI will overhaul the game’s tutorial, adding a dedicated quest that introduces the Records of Eminence system. The update also lets every player reset and replay the...
Supercell Signals a “Rethinking” For Clash Royale as New Head of R&D Hunt Points to Bigger Gameplay Changes
Supercell announced it is searching for a new Head of Research and Development to steer Clash Royale, a game it describes as being at an "inflection point" after years of incremental updates. The job posting emphasizes a "creative bar" and a...
Birds Of A Feather by Billie Eilish Joins Just Dance+ March 31st, 2026
Ubisoft announced that Billie Eilish’s new single “Birds Of A Feather” will be added to the Just Dance+ streaming catalog on March 31, 2026. The track will be available through Just Dance+ subscriptions tied to the 2023, 2024 and 2025...
Monster Hunter Stories 3 "Accolades" Trailer
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection launched on Nintendo Switch 2 this week, earning strong critical scores after a pre‑launch demo generated buzz. The game returns players to the Rider role, letting them raise and bond with iconic Monsties while navigating...
Voca Keep Major Dream Alive with Fragadelphia York Win
Voca captured the Fragadelphia York 2026 trophy, defeating Fisher College 3‑1 and pocketing an $8,250 grand prize. The win propelled the American squad four places up the VRS, placing them in the Cologne Major invite range according to HLTV. Voca’s...