30th March – 31st March 2026
FORMER BLIZZARD DEV JOINS NAUGHTY DOG
Jason Hill (ex-Blizzard) is now Cinematic Supervisor at Naughty Dog — set to work on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and future projects.
REC ROOM OFFICIALLY SHUTTING DOWN ON JUNE 1, 2026
After 10 years of operation, the VR social platform is closing its doors.
Key details:
▪️ Servers go offline June 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM PT
▪️ No new accounts can be created
▪️ Premium memberships extended through shutdown
▪️ 150M+ players over its lifetime — but never found sustainable profitability
💬 Developer statement: “Our costs always ended up overwhelming the revenue we brought in.”
The end of a VR era.
(Img Credit: Rec Room)
RUMOR: WARHOUSE STUDIO TACKLING LORD OF THE RINGS RPG
Industry veteran Ryszard Chojnowski (27 years in gaming) revealed on the Tolkien Polska podcast that Warhorse Studios is developing a AAA Lord of the Rings game
🔍 What we know (rumored):
▪️ Budget: ~$100M — financed partly by Abu Dhabi Investment Office
▪️ Type: Open-world RPG, described as similar to Hogwarts Legacy
▪️ Style: Realistic medieval tone — right in Warhorse’s wheelhouse
▪️ Studio fit: Warhorse already owned by Embracer Group (holds LOTR rights since 2022)
Still a rumor — nothing official. But the pieces fit.
RESIDENT EVIL 7 JOINS GAME PASS!
The critically acclaimed survival horror entry is now available for Game Pass Ultimate and Premium subscribers.
XBOX FANFEST RETURNS TO LA — SHARMA CELEBRATES THE COMMUNITY
In a message posted to Xbox Wire, President Asha Sharma confirmed that fan voices reached her clearly during her first month in office
Key announcements:
▪️ Xbox Games Showcase — happening this summer, with full details coming soon
▪️ Xbox FanFest returning to Los Angeles — live, in-person, celebrating the community
▪️ A key part of the “Return of Xbox” strategy: face-to-face with the fans who built the platform
“We’re going back to the energy that started it all.” — Sharma
(Img Credit: Microsoft Xbox)
SONY PLUMMETS TO #21 ON METACRITIC’S 2025 PUBLISHER RANKINGS
Despite strong exclusives like Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2, Sony dropped 17 spots from 2024.
Key factors:
▪️ 53% of releases got good reviews — only 1 was “great”
▪️ Top-rated game: The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered (PC)
▪️ Weak scores for Destiny expansions & Lost Souls Aside dragged rankings
The competition:
▪️ Microsoft — top 5 spots, average 80
▪️ Square Enix — #1 (driven by FF7 Rebirth PC)
▪️ Ubisoft, Koei Tecmo, EA, Atari — culprit- All outperformed Sony
Poor internal studio management cited as the real
DISNEY EYES EPIC GAMES ACQUISITION — RUMOR HEATS UP
Veteran tech reporter Alex Heath reveals senior Disney executives are “waiting for the right moment” to buy Epic Games — maker of Fortnite, Unreal Engine, and Gears of War
🎯 Why it makes sense:
▪️ Disney already invested $1.5B in Epic (9% stake)
▪️ New CEO Josh D’Amaro is a gaming advocate who championed the partnership
▪️ Would bring Fortnite, Unreal Engine, and massive player base under Disney umbrella
▪️ Unreal Engine already powers Disney’s The Mandalorian production
The hurdles:
▪️ Tim Sweeney controls Epic as founder — he’d have to agree to sell
▪️ Internal split: Some execs think it’s a bad idea
▪️ Epic currently struggling — 1,000+ layoffs, declining Fortnite engagmnt
💬 Heath: “If Epic ever sold, Disney would be the most natural home for it”
Still a rumor — nothing official from either side.
PLAYSTATION’S MOBILE PUSH IS FALLING APART
Reports confirm ~50 layoffs within PlayStation Studios’ mobile division, following the closure of Dark Outlaw Games (led by COD Zombies creator Jason Blundell) .
Sony’s mobile ambitions appear to be winding down.
📌 Still alive (for now):
▪️ MLB The Show Mobile
▪️ Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble
NEIL DRUCKMANN DROPS MAJOR The Last of Us Part III HINT
In a reflective post about his career at Naughty Dog, Druckmann wrote:
🗣️ “It was a thrilling journey, grateful for every part of it, especially for those few stops that still await me on the road ahead.”
Fans and insiders interpret this as a strong nod to The Last of Us Part III being in development.
No official confirmation — but the road ahead may take us back to Ellie’s world.
26th March – 27th March 2026
JASON SCHREIER: AAA BUDGETS HIT $300M — AAA IS THE FUTURE
▪️ Blockbuster AAA dev costs now hover around $300M .
▪️ To sustain growth, publishers are shifting toward AA titles (budgets under $100M ).
Lower risk, sustainable returns.
XBOX STRATEGY SHIFT: BACK TO CONSOLE ROOTS (RUMOR)
A leak from eXtas1s claims Xbox leadership held a secret meeting to abandon their current losing strategy and shift toward making the “console as a standard” again.
🔮 Could mean: return to exclusives, stronger console focus, and home experience first.
⚠️ Still a rumor — no official word from Microsoft.
RUMOR: SONY PLANNING MAJOR PS5 PRICE HIKES IN EUROPE
According to leaked retailer communications, Sony is preparing to increase prices across its PlayStation hardware lineup — potentially as early as April
📈 Proposed increases:
▪️ PS5 Slim (Disc): €549.99 → €649.99 (18% rise)
▪️ PS5 Pro: €799.99 → €899.99 (12.5% rise)
▪️ PS Portal: €219.99 → €249.99 (13.6% rise)
🎯 Why now?
The hike is attributed to rising component costs (especially RAM/memory) and Euro/Yen exchange rate pressures
⚠️ Not official yet — Sony has not commented. But sources suggest an announcement is imminent.
If confirmed, this could be Sony’s most significant console price hike in years.
XBOX SILENCE IN MENA(Middle East and North Africa) RAISES QUESTIONS
The official Xbox Middle East YouTube channel has been deleted, and regional social media accounts have stopped posting for over a month
This follows earlier reports suggesting Microsoft may be scaling back hardware focus in the EMEA region . While unconfirmed, the sudden digital silence is hard to ignore.
NETFLIX RAISES US SUBSCRIPTION PRICES
The streaming giant is increasing monthly fees across all tiers:
New US pricing:
▪️ Standard With Ads: $8.99 (+$1)
▪️ Standard (No Ads): $19.99 (+$2)
▪️ Premium (No Ads + Ultra HD): $26.99 (+$2)
SAROS DIRECTOR CONFIRMS PS5 EXCLUSIVITY
Following Jason Schreier’s report that Sony is pulling single-player exclusives from PC, Housemarque’s game director just reinforced the message:
🗣️ “Today we are only talking about SAROS and its launch on PlayStation 5.”
No mention of PC. No “coming to PC later.” Just PS5.
The era of PlayStation exclusives hitting Steam may be ending
XBOX PARTNER PREVIEW: 19 NEW GAMES, 14 DAY ONE ON GAME PASS!
The event was stacked — 19 diverse titles unveiled, and the vast majority are heading straight to Game Pass at launch.
🎯 What this means:
▪️ 14 of 19 games = Game Pass day one
▪️ A massive lineup spanning indie gems, AA, and some surprises
▪️ If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, 2026 is shaping up to be a legendary year
Game Pass continues to be the best deal in gaming.
(Image(s) Credits: Microsoft Xbox)
🎮 STRANGER THAN HEAVEN COMING SOON TO GAME PASS!
The upcoming indie title is set to launch with day-one access on Xbox Game Pass.
Key perks:
▪️ Xbox Game Pass day one ✅
▪️ Xbox Play Anywhere supported — buy once, play on console & PC
TAKE-TWO CEO: RAM SHORTAGE WON’T DELAY NEXT-GEN CONSOLES
Strauss Zelnick remains confident despite global component pressures.
Key points:
▪️ Does not believe the RAM shortage will impact console availability
▪️ Reaffirms next-gen consoles (PS6, Project Helix) are on track for a late 2027 launch.
▪️ No effect on the planned release of GTA 6 or other major titles.
A positive signal for the industry’s hardware roadmap
PS6 & HANDHELD LEAK: SONY’S DOUBLE STRATEGY CONFIRMED!
According to a report from Gamersky citing known leaker Moore’s Law is Dead, Sony is planning a two-pronged next-gen assault: the PS6 home console and a new handheld codenamed “Canis”
📺 PS6 Console: A Performance Beast
Architecture: 8-core Zen 6 CPU, RDNA 5 GPU with ~40-48 Compute Units .
Memory & Speed: 30-40GB GDDR7 RAM (3x faster than PS5) .
Ray Tracing: A massive 6-12x more powerful than the PS5 thanks to dedicated “Radiance Cores
Performance Goal: Native 4K @ 120fps .
🎮 PS6 Handheld (Codename “Canis”): Steam Deck / Switch 2 Rival
Processor: 3nm monolithic chip with Zen 6 architecture .
GPU: 16 Compute Units (RDNA 5) .
Features: Touchscreen, haptic feedback, M.2 SSD slot, and video output via USB-C
Compatibility: Full backward compatibility with PS4 and PS5 games .
📅 Expected Launch: 2027 – 2028
Both devices are planned for release in Fall 2027 or early 2028
24th March – 25th March 2026
LORDS OF THE FALLEN JOINS PS PLUS ESSENTIAL IN APRIL!
According to reliable leaker billbil-kun, the 2023 soulslike hit will be available for Essential, Extra, and Premium subscribers starting April 7 .
XBOX CLOUD GAMING GETTING A FREE, AD-SUPPORTED TIER
Microsoft is officially testing a new free tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming — no Game Pass subscription required .
How it works:
▪️ Stream games you already own or select titles from the library
▪️ Watch ads to play (reportedly ~2 minutes of pre-roll per session)
▪️ Session limits likely in place (e.g.,1-hr caps during testing)
Not a new Game Pass tier — this is a standalone free option for cloud streaming . The public beta is expected to roll out in the coming months
Perfect for: Casual players, low-spec PC users, or anyone wanting to try Xbox games without committing to a subscription.
SONY SHUTS DOWN DARK OUTLAW GAMES BEFORE FIRST GAME RELEASE
PlayStation has closed the studio led by Jason Blundell (creator of Call of Duty Zombies mode) before its debut project could even be announced
🔍 Key details:
▪️ Blundell founded the studio in 2022 after leaving Deviation Games
▪️ Sony was reportedly “high on the project” as recently as 2025
▪️ Shutdown part of cost-cutting and restructuring under PlayStation leadership
▪️ Employees were “caught off guard” — many relocated specifically for the role
📉 The bigger picture:
This follows recent closures of Bluepoint Games, Neon Koi, Firewalk Studios, and layoffs across multiple PlayStation studios.
NEW XBOX CEO CONSIDERING CHEAPER GAME PASS & HARDWARE
According to a Gamespot report, Asha Sharma is actively exploring ways to make Game Pass and Xbox hardware more affordable and competitive
▪️Lower-priced, ad-supported Game Pass tiers
▪️ More affordable Xbox hardware
▪️ Potential Netflix bundle
Goal: Make Xbox more “competitive” after recent price hikes.
Still under discussion — not confirmed.
ROCKSTAR HIRING GAME TESTERS IN BANGALORE — APRIL 18!
The studio is hosting a massive recruitment drive for game testers at its Bangalore office:
📅 When: April 18, 2026 (10 AM – 5:30 PM)
📍 Where: Rockstar Games India, Bangalore
🎮 Role: QA Tester — Contract position
🔍 EXPECTATION:
▪️ This is part of final polishing and bug detection before GTA 6’s November 19 launch
▪️ Testers will work on stability, performance, and game systems across all platforms
▪️ Large-scale hiring suggests they’re in the final stretch of development
CAPCOM: NO AI-GENERATED CONTENT IN GAMES
The publisher confirms a strict policy: no AI-generated elements will appear in its titles.
However:
AI techniques may be used internally to accelerate production — such as adjusting graphics, audio, and other development processes.
LEAKS: GTA 6 NPCs WILL TALK TO YOU — BASED ON YOUR ACTIONS!
New leaks reveal Rockstar’s most advanced NPC dialogue system yet:
🎯 What’s coming:
▪️ Hundreds of thousands of voice lines — not just ambient chatter
▪️ State-based dialogue — NPCs react to your actions, time of day, weather, and reputation in the city
▪️ Real conversations between NPCs — not just one line and walk away
💡 Why it matters:
This is a massive leap beyond GTA V’s static pedestrians.
Your behavior genuinely shapes how the world talks to (or about) you.
Vice City is about to feel more alive than ever.
EPIC GAMES LAYS OFF OVER 1,000 EMPLOYEES
CEO Tim Sweeney announced the cuts, citing a “downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025,” leaving the company “spending significantly more than we’re making.”
🔍 Key details:
▪️ 1,000+ jobs cut — the second major layoff since 2023
▪️ $500M+ in cost savings identified across contracting & marketing
▪️ Fortnite engagement down — Feb 2026 players averaged 15-16 hours vs. 19-21 hours last year
▪️ Not AI-related — Sweeney clarified: “To the extent it improves productivity, we want as many awesome developers as we can”
📦 Severance: At least 4 months base pay + extended healthcare (6 months in US) + accelerated stock options
Epic plans to focus on stronger Fortnite seasons and evolve from Unreal Engine 5 to UE6
ROCKSTAR DEDICATES FULL TEAM TO GLASS PHYSICS IN GTA 6
According to a Rockstar developer, the studio has formed a dedicated team solely focused on creating a “realistic and variable” glass-breaking physics system for vehicles and stores
🎯 What it means:
▪️ Not just preset cracks — dynamic, location-based shattering
▪️ Different glass types: car windows, storefronts, skyscrapers
▪️ Bullet caliber, impact angle, material strength all factor in
💡 Why it matters:
▪️ Shows Rockstar’s obsessive attention to detail
▪️ Adds another layer of immersion to Vice City
The game’s first gameplay showcase is expected this summer .
via: saudigamer/x
INSOMNIAC: WOLVERINE PRE-ORDERS AFTER NEXT SHOWCASE
The studio confirmed in a social media reply that they plan to show more of the game this spring before opening pre-orders .
🗣️ “We want to show you more of the game first.”
🎮 Releases September 15 on PS5