Gaming Buzz

2nd – 7th June, 2025

GeForce NOW Summer Lineup and Discounts: On June 5, NVIDIA announced 25 new titles for GeForce NOW in June, including Dune: Awakening, FBC: Firebreak, and REMATCH. They also launched a 40% discount on six-month Performance memberships, ideal for handheld gaming with the new GeForce NOW app on Steam Deck, supporting over 2,200 games at up to 4K 60 FPS or 1440p 120 FPS. New releases this week include Symphonia (June 3, PC Game Pass), Pro Cycling Manager 25 (June 5, Steam), and Tour de France 2025 (June 5, Steam).

State of Play June 2025 Highlights: On June 5, Sony’s State of Play revealed major titles: a new Nioh game, 007: First Light, and MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls (set for 2026 on PS5, Steam, and Epic). Other announcements included Silent Hill f (releasing September 25), Digimon Story: Time Stranger (October 3), and a Final Fantasy Tactics remake titled The Ivalice Chronicles. Sword of the Sea joins the PS Plus Game Catalogue on August 19, while Twisted Metal 3 & 4 (July 15) and Resident Evil 2 & 3 (PS1 versions, later 2025) hit the Classics Catalogue. Sony also introduced Project Defiant, a wireless fight stick for PS5 and PC.

Summer Game Fest 2025 Announcements: The Summer Game Fest main event on June 6 (lasting 2 hours) and subsequent showcases through June 7 brought big reveals: Resident Evil 9 was unveiled, alongside Scott Pilgrim EX and ARC Raiders (launching October 30, 2025). Atomic Heart 2 promises deeper RPG systems, and Splitgate 2 launched on June 6 with a battle royale mode. Mecha Break, a high-octane mecha shooter, is set for July 1, 2025. Wuthering Waves gets a major update on June 12, and a new 2D platformer with a Steam demo was teased for 2025.

IGN Summer of Gaming and IGN Live: IGN’s Summer of Gaming started June 1, with IGN Live on June 7–8 featuring playable demos, new announcements, and panels. On June 4, IGN shared a Toxic Crusaders gameplay trailer, a beat-em-up based on the Troma series, generating buzz for retro fans.

Future Games Show and Xbox Showcase: The Future Games Show on June 7 showcased over 50 upcoming games, including Directive 8020 (Supermassive Games), Tenet of the Spark (ROAR GAMES), and Mafia: The Old Country, a mob story set in 1900s Sicily. The Xbox Games Showcase on June 8 will feature The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, highlighting Xbox’s first-party titles.

June 2025 Releases and Events: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches June 26 as a timed PS5 exclusive, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die releases June 17, and Mario Kart 9 dropped on June 5 for the Nintendo Switch 2. The Switch 2 launch has boosted June’s release slate to 41 titles, compared to 13 in 2024, with other notable games like MindsEye and Dune: Awakening (both June 10).

Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Launches: Nintendo has released the Switch 2, featuring significant upgrades in graphics, processing, audio, and connectivity. Priced at $449.99, or $499.99 with the new Mario Kart World bundle, the console boasts enhanced internal storage (256 GB), improved parental controls, and a novel GameChat system enabling voice and video chats for up to 12 users. It also introduces a USB-C compatible Camera accessory for immersive gameplay and social interaction. While backward-compatible with many original Switch games and accessories, some older games may have compatibility issues.

Fortnite’s Star-Studded Collaborations in June: Fortnite’s Chapter 6, Season 3 is set to deliver a thrilling lineup of high-profile collaborations. Epic Games plans exciting crossovers with popular franchises, including One-Punch Man, Squid Game, and iconic DC Comics characters like Superman and Robin. These collaborations promise to blend various pop culture elements into the Fortnite universe, enhancing its appeal.

Wu-Tang Clan Returns to Gaming with ‘Rise of the Deceiver: After a 26-year hiatus, the Wu-Tang Clan is making a comeback in the gaming world with Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver. Developed by Brass Lion Entertainment, this action-adventure game blends Afro-surrealism, anime, and classic martial arts influences. It features music by Just Blaze and allows up to three players to customize characters’ fighting styles and fashion, reflecting hip-hop’s spirit of self-expression. The game was unveiled at Summer Game Fest and ties into the upcoming horror film Angel of Dust produced by Ghostface Killah and directed by RZA.

Deadpool VR Revealed: A new VR game featuring Deadpool is coming to Meta Quest headsets. Voiced by Neil Patrick Harris, the game promises a fourth-wall-breaking, over-the-top experience.

Mecha Break Launch Date Announced: Mecha Break, a Gundam-esque title featuring giant robot battles, is launching on July 1, 2025. The game gained popularity after a successful beta last year.

Resident Evil 9 Teased: Capcom unveiled a teaser for Resident Evil 9 during Summer Game Fest, building anticipation for the next installment in the iconic horror franchise.

Dying Light: The Beast Announced: Techland announced Dying Light: The Beast, a sequel to the 2015 parkour zombie survival game, set to release on August 22, 2025, for console and PC.

Xbox Game Pass Adds New Titles: Xbox Game Pass has added several new titles, including EA Sports FC 25, The Alters, and FBC: Firebreak. These additions provide subscribers with a diverse range of gaming experiences.

29th May – 1st June, 2025

Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 Pro Enhancements: On May 30, PlayStation announced that Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 Pro features advanced ray tracing and improved draw distance, with a 20% discount during the Days of Play sale, exciting PlayStation fans.

Dune: Awakening Gameplay Reveal: On May 29, IGN shared mid-to-endgame gameplay details for Dune: Awakening, just five days before its “head start” launch, generating buzz for the survival MMO.

Elden Ring: Nightreign Solo Difficulty Nerfed: On May 30, MithrieTV reported that Elden Ring: Nightreign’s solo difficulty was adjusted, making it more accessible, alongside news of a Stellar Blade PC demo and Death Stranding 2: On The Beach premiere announcement.

Rooftops & Alleys Launch Date: On May 31, IGN announced that the action parkour platformer Rooftops & Alleys will launch on June 17, offering an open-world experience for solo or multiplayer, sparking interest among parkour game fans.

Valorant Mobile and Persona 5: The Phantom X Updates: On May 31, Valorant Mobile’s closed beta test in China was set for June 12, while Persona 5: The Phantom X will launch in Southeast Asia on July 3, exciting mobile and RPG gamers.

Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Event: On May 31, The Guardian reported on the Nintendo Switch 2’s midnight launch revival by Smyths, with hands-on previews highlighting its appeal as 2025’s must-have gaming device.

Aion 2 Details Emerge: On May 30, Sportskeeda shared early details about Aion 2, an upcoming MMO by Kim Nam-joon, stirring anticipation among MMO fans.

Epic Games Store Free Titles: On May 30, CNET and Eurogamer reported this week’s free Epic Games Store titles, including an indie adventure with dark visuals and a whimsical D&D-style multiplayer game, drawing attention from deal hunters.

June 2025 Game Releases: On May 31, ComicBook highlighted a packed June 2025 release schedule, boosted by the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, while Push Square listed Tour de France 2025 (June 5) for PS5 among other new titles (web).

EA Sports Unveils ‘College Football 26’ Trailer: EA Sports released a trailer for ‘College Football 26’, set to launch on July 10, with early access from July 7 for Deluxe Edition and EA Sports MVP Bundle purchasers. The trailer features Virginia Tech’s football team entering Lane Stadium to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”.

EA Cancels ‘Black Panther’ Game and Closes Cliffhanger Games: Electronic Arts announced the cancellation of its ‘Black Panther’ video game and the closure of Cliffhanger Games, the studio developing the title. This decision is part of EA’s broader strategy to focus on core franchises.

Xbox Free Play Days Event: From May 29 to June 1, Xbox offered free access to several games, including ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’, ‘Football Manager 2024’, ‘Tom Clancy’s The Division 2’, ‘ARK: Survival Ascended’, and ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game’. Most games were accessible to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard, and Core members, with some available to all Xbox users.

Hideo Kojima to Appear at Summer Game Fest 2025: Renowned game developer Hideo Kojima confirmed his participation in the Summer Game Fest 2025, scheduled for June 6 in Los Angeles. Fans anticipate updates on ‘Death Stranding 2’, set to release on June 26 exclusively for PlayStation 5, and potential news on other projects like ‘OD’ and ‘Physint’.

Steam Offers New Free Games: As May concluded, Steam introduced new free games, providing players with additional options to enjoy without cost.

25th-28th May, 2025

PlayStation Plus June 2025 Lineup Announced Early: Sony revealed the PS Plus Essential games for June 2025, with a bonus: Destiny 2: The Final Shape DLC is available for free starting May 28 for subscribers. Additional titles for Extra and Premium tiers were also teased, exciting PlayStation fans.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sales Milestone: The visually stunning RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sold 3.3 million copies in 33 days since its release, becoming a surprise GOTY contender for 2025. This milestone has sparked widespread discussion among gamers.

PlayStation Days of Play 2025 Deals Begin: Starting May 28, PlayStation launched its Days of Play 2025 event, offering discounts on games, subscriptions, and accessories, generating buzz among PS5 and PS4 players.

Apple to Launch Dedicated Gaming App: Following the Switch 2 launch, Apple announced plans to release a dedicated gaming app, aiming to compete in the gaming space, which has intrigued tech and gaming communities.

MindsEye Launch Details Revealed: On May 27, launch details for MindsEye, an anticipated title, were shared, adding to the excitement for upcoming 2025 releases.

Garena Free Fire Max Redeem Codes for May 28: New redeem codes for Garena Free Fire Max were released on May 28, offering players free in-game loot like skins and weapons, a popular topic among mobile gamers.

New PS5 and PS4 Games This Week: A slew of titles, including Elden Ring: Nightreign (May 30), EA Sports F1 25 (May 30), and Crystal of Atlan (May 28), were highlighted as releasing between May 26 and June 1, generating anticipation.

Battlefield 6 and Marathon Updates: Leaks about a battle royale mode for Battlefield 6 surfaced on May 25, while Marathon faces further delays, stirring discussions among FPS fans.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Release Date Confirmed: The highly anticipated Pokémon Legends: Z-A is set to launch on October 16, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2. Players can pre-order digitally starting June 5. Additionally, a Pokémon Presents livestream is scheduled for July 22, promising more details about the game.

Elden Ring: Nightreign Launches May 30: FromSoftware’s Elden Ring: Nightreign, a standalone adventure within the Elden Ring universe, is releasing on May 30. The game features a dynamic world that changes with each session and introduces unique bosses every night.

College Football 26 Cover Athletes Announced: EA Sports has revealed Alabama’s Ryan Williams and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith as the cover athletes for College Football 26. Notably, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning declined the cover opportunity.

PlayStation’s Days of Play 2025 Begins: From May 28 to June 11, PlayStation’s annual Days of Play event offers discounts on numerous games, including: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – 45% off, WWE 2K25 – 30% off, Astro Bot – 15% off, The Last of Us Part II Remastered – 20% off, Red Dead Redemption 2 – 75% off