Latest Playstation, xbox, multi-platform Game News & Updates
☁ Playstation, xbox, multi-platform News
218 articles
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformDouble Fine Flexes Its Independence With Price Cuts And A New PS5 Release
After its liberation from Microsoft's ownership(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-layoffs-studio-closures-and-spin-offs-everything-announced-today/), the newly independent Double Fine Productions has been quite busy. At the September 2026 State of Play(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-state-of-play-september-2026-all-the-biggest-announcements-games-and-trailers/), PlayStation revealed that Double Fine's surreal adventure Keeper is shadow-dropping on PS5, and the studio added that the acclaimed game is getting some intriguing updates. Along with the surprise PS5 release, Keeper is also getting a "Psychedelic Mode," which is probably exactly what it sounds like. Considering how much bizarre imagery is already in the game, an even more "wild new way" to play the game should be a treat. And Double Fine wants to sweeten the deal with a price cut, which the studio implemented with its other recent title, Kiln. https://bsky.app/profile/doublefine.com/post/3mummzhp4ws2f Keeper launched in 2025 at a $30 price point and now sells for $20. Kiln, which released earlier in 2026, cost $20 for the base game, with a $30 deluxe "Fired Up" edition; those are now $8 and $10(https://bsky.app/profile/doublefine.com/post/3muklpwthnc2a), respectively. Unlike Keeper, Kiln launched on PS5 along with Xbox and Steam. Meanwhile, Double Fine revived its Amnesia Fortnight game jam and already exceeded its crowdfunding goal of $400,000(https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doublefine/amnesia-fortnight-2026-indie-reboot) for the project. The game jam, a tradition for Double Fine since 2007 (and was halted while it was under Xbox's ownership), will result in the studio's next title. But the loftiest stretch goal in the crowdfunding campaign is the promise of a Brutal Legend 2 should it reach $100 million(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/i-am-begging-one-cool-billionaire-to-take-up-double-fines-offer-to-fund-brutal-legend-2/). It's a huge ask, and one that likely won't be met pending intervention from any moguls who are big Jack Black fans. Keeper was beloved by critics, with GameSpot's Keeper review(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/keeper-review-this-ones-a-keeper/1900-6418424/) calling it a "visual feast." Since Double Fine's spin-off from Xbox, purchases of its games will directly support the studio(https://www.doublefine.com/news/and-were-back). The split from Microsoft occurred in July, but the studio unfortunately cut 25% of its staff(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/double-fine-cuts-25-of-staff-after-separating-from-microsoft/) as a result.
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformEverything From The State Of Play That You Can Try Right Now
The most exciting part of a video game showcase is when developers shadow-drop something immediately after announcing it. Today's State of Play(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-state-of-play-september-2026-all-the-biggest-announcements-games-and-trailers/) had a few such announcements. Demos for a new Final Fantasy game and anime-inspired action titles, as well as a port of a Double Fine game that was previously Xbox exclusive, are out now. Final Fantasy Resonance Demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZvZYwQdXN8&pp=0gcJCRoMAYcqIYzv Final Fantasy Resonance(https://www.gamespot.com/videos/final-fantasy-resonance-hands-on-preview/) is an HD-2D game based on the narrative of Brave Exvius, a game previously only available on mobile. This demo will give you a taste of the game's first chapter and all of the throwback pixel art and Final Fantasy character summons that come during that. Progression will carry over to the full game too, which is out on October 22. Although only the PS5 version was mentioned during the stream, the demo is also out now on PC, Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S. Keeper's PS5 Port https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PilyJu1DDEo Keeper(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/keeper-review-this-ones-a-keeper/1900-6418424/) was released by Double Fine in October 2025 and is the latest title from Headlander and Stacking designer Lee Petty. It's a surreal, visually stunning game where you explore a decrepit world as a lighthouse and its fantastical bird companion. It flew under the radar last year, so it's great to see it come to PS5 now that Double Fine is independent(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/double-fine-cuts-25-of-staff-after-separating-from-microsoft/) once again. It got a price drop and new psychedelic mode today too. Stupid Never Dies Demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k33MQFuVEY Stupid Never Dies is a quirky new action game from Hiroyuki Kobayashi, a producer best known for his work on series like Dino Crisis and Dragon's Dogma at Capcom. You can get a taste of its flashy action from this new demo, which lasts two hours and lets you transfer progress once Stupid Never Dies launches on October 21. SlashZero Demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrJuL3XSLTc SlashZero is a fast-paced action roguelike with an anime aesthetic where players control a time hacker trying to kill something called "Hieros-I." While the game won't be out until sometime next spring, a limited-time demo was released on PS5 today.
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformSony And Microsoft: We’re Keeping Tariff Refunds For Ourselves And You’ll Get Nothing
Following Nintendo(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-will-not-refund-tariff-fees-it-passed-onto-customers-saying-they-received-exactly-what-they-bargained-and-paid-for/), both Sony and Microsoft have now argued in court that they are not obligated to provide refunds to consumers who paid more for a price-hiked PlayStation or Xbox console(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-are-video-game-consoles-so-expensive-these-days-and-games-historically-cheap/) related to US President Donald Trump's controversial tariff plan. The tariffs were deemed illegal, prompting companies to seek refunds. The companies getting those refunds are largely keeping them, though there have been some exceptions and outliers. In July, Sony said it was projecting to get $508 million back in refunds(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-parent-company-made-more-money-thanks-to-tariffs-it-shouldnt-have-paid/) from the US government over the tariffs, and "most" of that money was owed to Sony's gaming division. Sony is facing a lawsuit that claims Sony should disperse refunds, at least in part, to consumers who paid more for a PS5. Sony's legal team, however, says Sony will keep all the money and you'll get nothing back. "Paying fair market price for voluntarily purchased consumer goods is not a legally cognizable injury in fact," the lawyers said in a memo seeking to dismiss the class-action suit, as reported by Game File(https://www.gamefile.news/p/sony-and-microsoft-say-theyre-not). Microsoft's own legal team took a similar approach, saying in court, "There is nothing unjust about plaintiff purchasing an Xbox at an advertised price and getting exactly what they paid for..." Sony's argument in court added that the class-action lawsuit brought by gamers does not provide evidence that tariffs were to blame for the PS5 price hike implemented in August 2025, calling the claim "speculative and illogical." In announcing the price hike, Sony said it was raising PS5 prices in response to a "challenging economic environment,"(https://blog.playstation.com/2025/08/20/playstation-5-price-changes-in-the-u-s/) but not mentioning tariffs specifically. Sony's legal team said things like "inflation, currency fluctuations, component costs, logistics, competitive dynamics, or demand" could have also contributed to the PS5 price hike. Indeed, beyond tariffs alone, the AI-fueled demand for components and memory--the same equipment needed to make PS5 consoles--has led to shortages and increased costs for Sony and others in the market. !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-03-at-10.31.50-AM.png) No refunds. Sony went on to cite its own additional PS5 price hike in March 2026--following the Supreme Court deeming the tariffs illegal--as proof that the hikes are not attributable to tariffs. "If tariffs were the cause of the price increases, one would expect SIE to lower prices once the tariffs were eliminated--not raise them again. Instead, the timeline confirms that the pricing of PlayStation consoles includes a diverse and dynamic set of input costs," Sony's lawyers said. Microsoft took a similar stance, saying the class-action suit fails to provide "pricing differential attributable to tariffs..." For Sony, its refusal to provide tariff refunds to players is just the latest public relations issue the company is facing. The company also announced plans to end support for physical PlayStation game discs in 2028(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstations-disc-based-game-sales-have-dropped-dramatically-in-recent-years/), and a lot of people dislike that decision. Not every gaming company is taking such a hard line on this topic. Panic, the company behind the Playdate gaming handheld, said it will pass its own refunds on to customers who paid more(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/unlike-the-big-console-makers-playdate-is-refunding-you-those-tariff-fees/). People should get about $12 back. “It’s just not our money to keep, and it felt really good to give it back,” Panic’s Cabel Sasser told Game Developer(https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/playdate-maker-is-refunding-tariff-fees-to-customers). “That’s an easy way to know you made the right decision.” Many companies received major tariff refunds, and they are handling refunds differently. For example, Wamart and Home Depot have said they will use the cash infusion to lower prices on a variety of products(https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/30/trump-tariff-refunds-walmart-home-depot-target.html), but not directly refund anyone.. “At the end of the day, a product is worth what somebody’s willing to pay for it, and there is a lot of choice in this marketplace,” Bryan Eshelman, a managing director at consulting firm AlixPartners, told CNBC(https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/30/trump-tariff-refunds-walmart-home-depot-target.html). This may be true, and Sony may have no legal obligation to pass along refunds to consumers, but that doesn't mean it's sitting well with everyone. People are loudly voicing their opinions on social media, with many posting the Jeremy Irons quote from the movie Margin Call where his character says, "We are selling to willing buyers at the current fair market price." The latest gaming-related price hike came from Nintendo, which increased the price of the Switch 2 from $450 to $500 on September 1. Historically, console prices came down over time, but the world is different today(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-are-video-game-consoles-so-expensive-these-days-and-games-historically-cheap/).
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformPS5 Adds Free Live And On-Demand Movie And TV Channels, In Exchange For Watching Ads
Out of nowhere, Sony has announced that free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) is now on PlayStation 5, allowing people to watch movies and TV shows for free, in exchange for watching ads. FAST programming is growing in popularity, and some of the current market leaders include Roku, Tubi, and Pluto, among others. FAST content was already on PS5 through dedicated apps for some of those services, but now Sony is launching its own FAST channel. For its part, Microsoft offers some FAST channels apps like Tubi and Pluto on Xbox as well. Available on PS5 in the US, the new "Live TV on PS5" comes from Sony's own Sony Pictures Television. There are more than 100 live channels, as well as on-demand programming spanning news, sports, movies, TV shows, and anime. Here's how to access it on your PS5: 1. Go to the Media tab: 2. Select the Live TV on PS5 icon. 3. Select “Sign In With My PlayStation Account” to connect your PlayStation account and start watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txpaWqfcFFU Some of the content available includes movies from MovieSphere, 50 Cent Action, FilmRise Free Movies, Sony One Horror Hits, and Cinevault. Some of the TV shows people can watch include The Walking Dead, Community, Unsolved Mysteries, and Hell's Kitchen. Anime programming available on the service includes Naruto, Sailor Moon, and Death Note, as well as some Crunchyroll channels. For sports fans, programming from Fox Sports, Nascar, NBC Sports Now, and UFC are available. There are also news and weather channels, along with "creator" content like Hot Ones and The Ringer programming. Live TV on PS5 will be updated over time with more channels and content, while Sony said it’s looking to expand it to Canada and other regions later. FAST is a growing segment of the entertainment landscape. According to The Hollywood Reporter,(https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/disney-exploring-launching-fast-offering-1236664717/) Disney and Netflix are also mulling plans for FAST content as well. Before this, Sony operated the paid live TV service PlayStation Vue, but the company shut it down in 2020 due in part to how expensive it was to operate.(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/youtube-tv-launches-on-ps4-as-playstation-vue-shut/1100-6472948/)
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformThis Driving Survival Roguelike is one of the Great Video Game Mash-ups
Pacific Drive is one of the best hidden gems on Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformHellraiser: Revival Is More Than Just Cenobites and Gore – 10 Things We Learned From Saber Interactive
October wouldn't feel right without a spooky game or two, and Hellraiser: Revival(https://www.gamespot.com/games/clive-barkers-hellraiser-revival/) is shaping up to be a terrifying--and horny(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hellraiser-revival-is-like-a-very-horny-resident-evil/)--dive into the nightmarish fiction of author Clive Barker. So far, the game is looking like the kind of Hellraiser experience that defined the franchise throughout the '80s and early '90s, and at Gamescom, Saber Interactive sat down with GameSpot to talk about the game, how far they're willing to go to nail the vibe of Hellraiser(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hellraiser-revival-goes-out-of-its-way-to-ensure-youre-uncomfortable/), and more. Hellraiser: Revival launches for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 6. Cliver Barker was a "permissive" partner The legendary creator of Hellraiser needed some convincing before he started collaborating with Saber Interactive, but once he was assured that the developers had a grasp of the Hellraiser franchise, he gave the studio the freedom to tell their own tale within that dark universe. "Clive Barker was such a permissive partner to work with," narrative director Anthony De Fault said. "He was really supportive of our ideas. He basically just wanted to make sure we understood Hellraiser as a franchise, and then, once he knew that we had the, we were channeling the same spirit that he was channeling back in the '80s, he just let us go." Capturing the soul of Hellraiser's greatest hits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ad6CybXBC4 For the game, Saber Interactive aimed to capture the "soul" of the franchise, drawing not only from the recognizable visual elements established in the Hellraiser movies, but also from Clive Barker's original novella, The Hellbound Heart, which served as the source material for the franchise. "This game is a response, specifically to The Hellbound Heart, the first film, and Hellbound: Hellraiser 2, the second film," de Fault said. "So it's just the things that Clive was involved with that resonated really strongly with people back then. We wanted to make something that renewed that and had the same soul, but for a new medium and 40 years later." Barker was also credited as an executive producer on the third and fourth Hellraiser movies, but had no active production or creative involvement in the franchise until 2022's Hellraiser reboot. That gap saw six Hellraiser movies released, although fans usually consider this period a low point for the franchise. Saber Interactive isn't afraid of pushing ratings boards to the limits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCTOqk9fzO0 From what we've seen so far, Hellraiser: Revival looks like it'll be going all in on the extreme subject matter of Barker's work. Saber Interactive has confirmed that the game is going to be gory and sexy, as the studio didn't want to compromise on their vision--even if that meant it faced the risk of being denied classification in several regions. Why go that far? Because doing anything less was seen as a disservice to Hellraiser fans. "We knew what Hellraiser ought to be. We knew how disappointed Hellraiser fans would be if we did compromise, so it was just never really on the table," de Fault explained. "We wanted to pitch it at a point where I don't know if the executives would necessarily have agreed with this at the time, but we always felt like, if we get denied a rating in one or two places, we've probably done our job right. It was just important to us to do everything with purpose. All of the depraved stuff that you might encounter in the game, I think everything in there is defensible in terms of there's a reason it's there. It's not just for shock value. "It's like a good discomfort." "Comforting discomfort," Esov added. So far, it looks like the game will be available in the US, at least, as it has received an ESRB rating(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hellraiser-revival-passes-esrb-rating-with-all-of-its-extreme-horror-intact/1100-6538588/). It was all about execution While all of that comforting discomfort is designed with a purpose in mind, don't be too surprised if Hellraiser: Revival makes you reach for a bucket. One scene in particular might be hard to stomach, as de Fault described it as a moment of "consensual mutilation" in the game. "There's a consensual mutilation scene. In early versions of this, we failed to adequately convey to players that this was consensual. So, some people came away thinking it wasn't and that it was pretty distressing, and so we had to course-correct that. I think our intent was fully realized in the game. There wasn't really anything we wanted to do that we scaled back or anything like that. We just had to correct the execution in some places." Hellraiser: Revival takes place in the ancient year of 2006 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rA40lqttO8 Hellraiser: Revival is set in 2006, in the small town of Claireport. Saber Interactive chose this time period as a bridge between '80s Hellraiser and the modern era, while also ensuring there wouldn't be any "super high-techy stuff" to distract players. "We still wanted it to feel like an older franchise, but just without going all the way back to the '80s," de Fault added. Pinhead has an agenda Like most Hellraiser movies, Revival revolves around a pair of sex freaks who get more than they bargained for when they use one of the infamous puzzle boxes created by the Cenobites--the all-new Genesis Configuration in this instance. Playing as Aiden, it'll be up to players to rescue his girlfriend Sunny from the Cenobites, and you can expect to run into Pinhead at several points in the story. "He plays a really substantial role," de Fault explained. He appears near the start of the game with all the other Cenobites, responding to the fact that Aiden and his girlfriend, Sunny, have used one of the configuration boxes from the game during their sexual play. In Hellraiser fashion, the Cenobites demand a soul, and they take somebody away who happens to be Sunny. "I probably shouldn't go further than that, but Pinhead, you encounter him multiple times. The deal that you have with him has its twists and turns, and it evolves." Pinhead is also voiced by Doug Bradley, the actor who played him in several Hellraiser movies over the decades. The "Genesis Configuration" box is fueled by suffering While previous Hellraiser media revolved around the Lament Configuration puzzle box, the Genesis Configuration is a completely new creation for the game. It serves as both a plot device and a weapon, but to use it, you'll need to fuel it with the suffering of enemies and Aiden's own anguish. Saber Interactive isn't spilling the beans on how it fits into the overall story of Hellraiser: Revival, but they did tease that it was made for a specific purpose that will be revealed eventually. "It's all in the name of this glorified violence, and basically, it gets powered by the suffering of yours and others," game director Emil Esov explained. "When there is suffering in the vicinity, you get more energy into the box, and you can perform these abilities." Cenobites can't be trusted Don't expect to be taking on iconic Cenobites in Hellraiser: Revival. They serve a variety of roles in the game, helping Aiden to unlock new powers for the Genesis Configuration or acting as unstoppable antagonists you'll have to escape. The female Cenobite--sometimes referred to as the Fallen because she was a nun who was drawn to sin in her human life--will also serve as a devil on Aiden's shoulder when she's not unlocking new powers for the Genesis Configuration. We're not worthy, we're not worthy! There's no shortage of enemies to deal with in Hellraiser: Revival, as Aiden will regularly come into conflict with the "Unworthy Ones" from the Cult of the Scarlet Church. Denied access to the Labyrinth, the worshippers of Leviathan are dangerous, but they're still fragile mortals who can be shot, skewered, and burned to death. Hellraiser: Revival's puzzles serve as a nice change of pace between all of the horror So what kind of game is Hellraiser: Revival? Esov and de Fault described as being a "puzzle-moderate" game, as when Aiden ventures into the depths of the Labyrinth, players will have solve the deadly challenges within that structure.. "There is like two to two-and-a-half hours of Labyrinth gameplay, and there is no combat in the Labyrinth," Esov said. "We intentionally designed it so the Labyrinth itself is something that is menacing, that is scary. Sometimes it's going to be, traps. Other times, it's going to be you using the Genesis Configuration to actually manipulate the Labyrinth. And then, sometimes it's the combination of the two. It's puzzle-moderate, but it's nothing like brain-crunching puzzles that require a lot of focus. "I think most of the puzzles are kind of 10-second to two-minute breathers between action or exploration sequences, that just force you to tickle your brain a little bit," De Fault added. "I'd say they occur fairly frequently, but they're not head-scratchers."
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platform'Forza Horizon 6' Reportedly Delayed for PS5 as Console Wars Heat Up
Amid Xbox's broader pivot back to exclusives, 'Forza Horizon 6' reportedly won't be coming to the PS5 this year as previously planned.
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformXbox CEO Plays Coy About Whether Elder Scrolls 6 Will Skip PlayStation
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has suggested Microsoft could make more exclusive games again(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-clarifies-its-exclusivity-strategy-moving-forward-wants-you-to-buy-an-xbox/), but will The Elder Scrolls 6(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-elder-scrolls-6-release-date-trailer-news/1100-6492383/) be among them? We still don't know, but that's the question the BBC(https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2ua0Q65JXyE) asked Sharma at Gamescom(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-biggest-gaming-show-in-the-west-continues-to-grow/) this week. But first, Sharma discussed her thoughts generally about exclusives, and how every platform, in her estimation, needs some form of exclusive content to grow. "We are increasingly going to be one of the largest platforms in the world. Every platform needs some form of exclusive experiences and content," she said. "And so, what we've shared is Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be exclusive on console to Xbox. We're going to do the best we can to continue to do that, all in context of the business being healthy, and so we have to balance that." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2ua0Q65JXyE Pressed to say if it is a "priority" to make The Elder Scrolls 6 exclusive to Xbox on console, Sharma smiled and said, "It's a beautiful game." Sharma recently visited the developers at Bethesda and offered an update on how the game was progressing(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/elder-scrolls-fans-think-theyve-worked-out-the-subtitle-for-elder-scrolls-6/). During her visit, protestors came to Bethesda's offices to drag Sharma for her decision to lay off thousands of Xbox developers(https://www.purexbox.com/news/2026/08/giant-rat-leads-protests-against-xbox-layoffs-outside-bethesda-hq), including people working on The Elder Scrolls 6. Due to these layoffs and other cuts, staffers at Bethesda are facing "crushing morale" and fears of more delays.(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-elder-scrolls-6-devs-fear-more-delays-after-layoffs-have-crushing-effect-on-morale/) In terms of Microsoft's approach exclusive games going forward, the team has said it will honor existing agreements for Xbox-made games that were previously announced as multiplatform releases. The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced in 2018, but at the time, Bethesda did not confirm platform details. Microsoft acquired Bethesda in 2021, and documents from the Microsoft vs. FTC case said The Elder Scrolls 6 was not planned for PS5(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/elder-scrolls-6-not-coming-to-ps5-and-wont-release-until-2026-at-the-soonest-microsoft-says/1100-6517794/). Former Xbox boss Phil Spencer, for his part, said in 2021(https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/xbox-phil-spencer-todd-howard-interview) that making games exclusive to Xbox is "not about punishing any other platform." He also alluded to the possibility of The Elder Scrolls 6 being exclusive to Xbox. "In order to be on Xbox, I want us to be able to bring the full complete package of what we have. And that would be true when I think about The Elder Scrolls 6," he said. "That would be true when I think about any of our franchises." Spencer spearheaded the effort to bring more Xbox games to rival platforms in a bid to make more money. He left Xbox earlier this year, and one of Sharma's first moves was to tell fans how important exclusives are to the business(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-must-have-exclusive-content-ceo-says/). Gears of War: E-Day, which launches this October, was reportedly planned for PS5(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-denies-that-gears-of-war-e-day-skipping-ps5-was-last-minute-decision-but-no-one-believes-that/) before Microsoft opted to make it exclusive on console to Xbox. Despite being announced more than eight years ago, The Elder Scrolls 6 still has no release date or official details.
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformXbox Won’t Say If Project Helix Has A Disc Drive, But It’s Not Giving Up On Physical Games Yet
Sony has already confirmed that it's headed toward an all-digital future(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-sony-is-killing-disc-based-playstation-games-and-the-implications-for-ps6-and-beyond/) soon, but what about Xbox and its next-gen console, Project Helix(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-xbox-release-date-specs-display-price/1100-6525379/)? In a new interview, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma didn't give any concrete answers about whether Project Helix will have a disc drive, instead focusing on the topic of next-gen hardware affordability. "This next generation, we have to be thinking about efficiency and affordability alongside performance," Sharma said to the BBC(https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c17jlngexy9o). "All of the industry needs to start to innovate on affordability and efficiency. That is something that we have not had to do previously. But with the crisis that's currently happening in hardware and components, it is absolutely something all of us need to be thinking about, innovating on, and giving people more choice in terms of how they play their console and how they purchase their console." On the topic of physical media, Sharma said her focus was on giving players choices for how they purchase their games. "I want to make sure people have a choice. There are stacks of games on everybody's shelves," she said. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ANSUtDfr5A While Sony's pivot to digital has been poorly received so far(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/profoundly-disappointed-is-this-companys-response-to-sonys-decision-to-end-disc-support/), Xbox has been laying the groundwork for this shift away from physical games for several years now. Options like Smart Delivery, Play Anywhere, and the recently announced disc-to-digital program(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xboxs-disc-to-digital-program-officially-announced-and-it-sounds-pretty-great/) has helped make the transition easier while still giving Xbox owners the option to purchase physical games. In comparison, PlayStation owners will be limited to a single storefront run by Sony, one that currently doesn't offer consumer-friendly services(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sonys-all-digital-playstation-future-needs-a-little-more-steam/) like refunds or gifting, as Valve's Steam platform does. It's no wonder that the decision to go digital has been so unpopular and has resulted in a flood of negative comments whenever Sony posts anything online. Xbox, on the other hand, is primed to win a war of opinion if it offers some form of physical ownership of its games, even if that section of its market only makes up a tiny number of sales. Project Helix is still rumored to be a digital-only console so that Microsoft can cut costs on its production, but according to rumors, it'll be backwards-compatible with older games(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-president-talks-the-future-of-its-hardware-and-the-importance-of-backward-compatibility/1100-6523373/). Given how the new disc-to-digital program works, it might be worth keeping an Xbox Series X or Xbox One console around so you can bring your physical games with you, in case it doesn't have a disc drive of its own. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xboxs-disc-to-digital-program-officially-announced-and-it-sounds-pretty-great/
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformFormer PlayStation Studios President Praises Xbox’s Solution To A Digital-Only Future
Former President of PlayStation Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, has praised Microsoft's recently announced disc-to-digital program(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xboxs-disc-to-digital-program-officially-announced-and-it-sounds-pretty-great/), writing that it is a "great move by team Xbox." The former executive posted his opinion on the program on X(https://x.com/yosp/status/2092757450428731647) with no other commentary, but it's a notable remark given how much of Yoshida's career was spent at Xbox's main competitor. That's especially true when you consider the differences in approach Microsoft and Sony seem to be taking as we march towards an all-digital future, with Sony announcing that it plans to stop PlayStation disc production(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-confirms-playstation-disc-production-will-end-in-2028/) for new titles from January 2028. It, unlike Xbox, hasn't yet announced a method for current physical game owners to continue using their discs on a potentially digital-only PlayStation 6(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-6-everything-we-know-about-sonys-next-generation-console/1100-6533561/). Xbox's approach is relatively straightforward. After inserting a disc into an Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S console, you will be granted a digital license for the game which enables you to play it across Xbox, PC (where compatible), and Xbox Cloud Streaming without requiring the disc any longer. The catch is that if you happen to sell the disc or lend it to a friend, that digital license will be revoked from your profile and associated with any new one that makes use of the disc itself. It's a smart way to ensure your physical library is still playable in the case of a new Xbox shipping without a disc drive, for an example. Yoshida spent over 30 years working at Sony, eventually becoming President of SIE Worldwide Studios (now known as PlayStation Studios) from 2008 to 2019. Yoshida then became the head of PlayStation Indies before retiring in 2024. Earlier this year, Yoshida revealed that he'd been fired from his former presidential role(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/former-playstation-exec-shuhei-yoshida-says-he-was-fired-after-top-boss-asked-him-to-do-ridiculous-things/1100-6539492/) for not listening to Jim Ryan, the former CEO and chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Yoshida has remained vocal within the games industry, providing consulting services and appearing at conventions and conferences as a speaker. He recently discussed the role of AI in game development(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ex-playstation-boss-says-game-development-will-have-a-tough-future-because-of-ai/), saying that "from a developer’s standpoint, it’s going to be a really tough future."
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformIt’s A Good Week If You Like Games That Let You Play As An Animal
After Gamescom Opening Night Live(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamescom-opening-night-live-2026-all-the-biggest-announcements-games-and-trailers/) and the Future Games Show, we can't help noticing that there are multiple titles coming up that let players either assume control of an animal or play anthropomorphic characters who resemble human/animal hybrids. To keep track of these upcoming titles, we ran down a full list of animal-centric games below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuYhh4zSTlA Amphibian Developer: Jarcorp Interactive Systems: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch Release Date: 2028 Amphibian(https://www.gamespot.com/games/amphibian/) is a retro RPG that casts players as humanoid frogs on a quest to save their world. As seen in the trailer below, the game apparently commits to its froggy bit by recording all of the dialogue as ribbit sounds. However, the English translations appear on-screen. https://youtu.be/0rMcYmfuwTY Bye Bye Bonnie Developer: Brainwash Gang and Raw Fury Systems: PC Release Date: TBD Bye Bye Bonnie is also a four-player co-op adventure at a decidedly smaller scale. These creatures are minuscule compared to the world around them. Even their ship is small, although it's large enough that the characters have to jump up and down on the controls to guide it through the obstacles ahead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Illo-K0Jsvo Haunted Paws Developer: LazyFlock Systems: PC, Switch, Switch 2 Release Date: TBD Haunted Paws is a "cozy co-op horror" adventure that puts players in control of two puppies that have to rescue their owner from a haunted mansion. These dogs are more conventional than Amphibian's frogs, but they still find ways to drive cars and play video games while staying one paw ahead of some malicious ghosts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7K6kahO2Ak Gravhounds Developer: Octopus Panic Systems: PC, Xbox Series X|S Release Date: November 2 Conversely, Gravhounds(https://www.gamespot.com/games/gravhounds/) leans even harder into anthropomorphic canine heroes with very human-like dogs who have been sent across the galaxy to colonize a planet. It's unclear how these dogs were bred into humanoid beings, but they share a desire to earn a trip back home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6-POrGg-yI DNA Nemesis Developer: Catalisol Limited and Aeternum Game Studios Systems: PC Release Date: December 2026 The third-person shooter DNA Nemesis appears to have some thematic overlap with Gravhounds. In this game, the player characters appear to be humans with animal traits genetically engineered into their bodies. Some of them even have animal heads, which may give them an advantage in combat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12vIaNtmaZ8 Zoopunk Developer: TiGames Systems: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 Release Date: TBD Zoopunk also seems to go over similar territory, but with more polish than DNA Nemesis. In this game, anthropomorphic animals wage a war against deadly machines in a futuristic world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJUjs3YC90 Stray Dog: Nobody Cares Developer: Parry Frames Studio. Systems: PC Release Date: TBD The fantasy adventure Stay Dog: Nobody Cares was announced before Gamescom, but it also continues the trend of animal titles that are coming down the line. In this case, players step into the paws of a sword-wielding dog on a quest.
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformGTA 6 Wants You To Reconsider Doing What Everyone Does In Grand Theft Auto
A new deep dive has dropped with some fascinating takeaways from Rockstar Games on the most anticipated release of the year, Grand Theft Auto 6(https://www.gamespot.com/games/grand-theft-auto-vi/). We've learned a lot already, including a feature returning from San Andreas(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-brings-back-a-fascinating-san-andreas-feature/) and how switching between the two protagonists works(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-switching-between-gta-6s-two-protagonists-works/). Now, we're finding out that you might want to reconsider going on those classic GTA rampages when this new GTA hits PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19. In the Autumn 2026 Issue of Dazed magazine(https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/70859/1/gta-6-grand-theft-auto-vi-rockstar-exclusive-deep-dive-game-unparalleled-world), some Rockstar Games developers talked about what you can expect when GTA 6 drops this November. While you're probably looking forward to rampaging through Leonida as you'd do in just about every other GTA game, the team is really cautioning you from doing so. Because GTA 6 puts a greater emphasis on visual feedback (especially regarding how activities like exercising impact protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos appearance) and the deeper relationships you can have between the two main characters and all the other characters, GTA 6 features a heightened realism that makes you think twice about what you do and how you do it. While Rockstar Games didn't explicitly say what this means, you can infer it from Dazed's feature. GTA 6's world is quite reactive to your actions. Not only do Jason and Lucia physically change based on how you treat them, but NPCs also respond to whether you're walking, running, driving frantically, or holding a weapon. And with the enhanced realism that the team baked into the game, going on a rampage may not just cause the cops to pull up on you; it may lead to NPCs acting differently to you, which could pose all sorts of problems. We'll find out soon enough, as GTA 6 comes out on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Until then, be careful when scrolling online. There are leaks just about everywhere(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-leaks-a-timeline-of-the-events-so-far/) now.