Author: Daniel Stokes

The popularity of the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles continues to dwindle in Japan, as Mobile, Nintendo Switch, and PC emerge as platforms of choice for the youth. In a 2023 survey conducted by SHIBUYA109 Entertainment from Japanese youth aged between 15 and 24, the top 5 gaming platforms of choice were found to be Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PC, Tablet devices, and Nintendo DS, indicating the dwindling interest in PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. Respondents were allowed to select multiple platforms in the surveys. In terms of percentage, 94.7% of the respondents chose Mobile as their platform of choice, 38.5%…

Microsoft is committed to expanding its games to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, based on the latest information. Speaking during the Q3 earnings call for Fiscal Year 2024, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that Microsoft is committed to meeting players where they are by bringing great games to more people on more devices. He mentioned that the company set third quarter records for game streaming hours, console usage, and monthly active devices. Nadella highlighted that Microsoft added its first Activision Blizzard title, Diablo IV, to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service last month. Subscribers played over 10 million hours within the…

Nintendo Switch 2 will launch in the second half of the year 2024, and it is built using a large number of Samsung Electronics’ components, as per the latest report. According to Korean website Maekyung, the Nintendo’s upcoming console, dubbed Switch 2, is scheduled to be released as early as the second half of 2024. It is claimed that much of the contract for initial production has already been negotiated within the parts industry. Additionally, it is expected that a large number of Samsung Electronics’ components will be a part of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. It is also expected…

The protagonist in Sega and Atlus’ upcoming role-playing game, Metaphor: ReFantazio, will not be a “blank slate”. Speaking during an interview with Famitsu (via), Metaphor: ReFantazio director Katsura Hashino shared some interesting information regarding the game’s protagonist. According to him, while there is a “player = protagonist” dynamic, the protagonist isn’t simply a blank slate. Hashino mentioned that he designed the protagonist as an androgynous young man with a gentle yet intriguing aura, possessing a strong gaze. He added that the character has a clear mission, and aims to become king to fulfill that goal. However, he said that the…

Blizzard Entertainment are currently working on an unannounced open world game, based on the latest information. According to a job listing for the position of Senior Art Director at Blizzard Entertainment, the studio is currently working on an unannounced title that is set in an open world. Among the listed qualifications for candidates is mention of understanding of open world asset and production requirements. Given that the new recruit is required to have an understanding of open world asset and production requirements, the unannounced project is expected to feature an open world. No other information, such as the genre or…

Alone in the Dark developer Pieces Interactive has been hit with layoffs a month after its release, as per the latest information. Kotaku’s senior reporter ethangach has reported that Pieces Interactive appears to be laying off some staff members a month after shipping Alone in the Dark. The studio is owned by Embracer Group, which has recently shut down, sold off, and laid off several of its game studios. The Alone in the Dark reboot got a mixed reception from critics, which likely influenced the game’s sales. Despite featuring Stranger Things actor David Harbour, the game failed to gain much…

Sega and Sonic Team are currently working on the unannounced Sonic Frontiers 2, based on the latest rumor. According to Twitter/X insider DanielRPK, development on Sonic Frontiers 2 is already underway. As for whether it’s a direct sequel to Sonic Frontiers or a fresh take on 3D Sonic gameplay remains to be seen, as the game may be end up with a different title altogether. The game is likely fairly early in the development process, and the insider has very little information to share about it at this point. While Sonic Frontiers got a mixed reception from game critics, it…

Source code for CD Projekt’s action role-playing games The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 have allegedly been compromised. An unknown source has claimed that passwords to both The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 source code have been compromised  It is mentioned that the source code archives had emerged on the internet some while ago, but the passwords to both files had not been known until now. As for whether any of this is true is anyone’s guess. If it is indeed the case, it’s likely that some sort of visual evidence will emerge in the days to come. For now,…

Virtuos is currently working on a multiplatform Unreal Engine 5 remake, which is rumored to be The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. According to the LinkedIn profile of Oleksii Moskovchenko, Technical Art Director at Virtuos, the studio is working on an unannounced PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC remake in Unreal Engine 5. While the name of the title is not mentioned, it has previously been rumored that the game is none other than Bethesda Game Studios’ The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. A former employee of Virtuos, who’s identity was verified by a Reddit mod, the studio is working on a…

Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian Studios is looking to build its own IP, and currently has two new projects in the pipeline. In a new community update on Steam, the Baldur’s Gate 3 studio has stated that, as an independent studio since 1996, it values the freedom to follow its creativity wherever it leads. In this case, after much discussion and rumination, the developer has decided to seize this opportunity to develop its own IPs. Larian Studios is currently working on two brand new projects. Furthermore, with regards to the new projects, Larian Studios stated that it’s still early days,…