The Australian Government will soon implement age assurance checks for online videogames with a local age classification of R18+.
Few online titles are rated R18+ in the country, though Grand Theft Auto Online would be affected.
All other videogames would be exempt.
The studio behind Crimson Desert is defending itself against increasing accusations that it is "hiding" console footage of the title ahead of release.
The developer's PR director recently told IGN they wanted to avoid "over hyping or setting impossible expectations."
MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy is conducting another round of layoffs at the studio.
Co-CEO Mark Gerhard has also doubled down on claims regarding โoverwhelming evidence of organised espionage and corporate sabotage affecting MindsEye.โ
The Australian Government will soon implement age assurance checks for online videogames with a local age classification of R18+.
Few online titles are rated R18+ in the country, though Grand Theft Auto Online would be affected.
All other videogames would be exempt.
Microsoft has disclosed the codename for its next-gen Xbox: 'Project Helix'
New Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma said the device would โlead in performanceโ and "play your Xbox and PC games."
Thank you for reading and pointing this out! We've gone back and reviewed original filings thoroughly, and have made corrections to the article to reflect the situation more accurately.
Koei Tecmo has entered a โstrategic partnershipโ with an AI startup for an โIP-specific LLM designed for the purpose of creating, managing, and developing IP characters.โ
KT's studios are known for working on the Zelda, Pokemon, and Final Fantasy franchises, in addition to its own properties.
Microsoft has published a patent detailing โcloud-basedโ help sessions when players encounter difficult sections in a videogame
These sessions could allow players to give control of a session to a helper, which could be โa human being or, in some cases, a machine learning model.โ
Ubisoft has shared several updates to its Assassinโs Creed franchise following the appointment of new leadership.
The Black Flag: Resynced remake was announced, as was Codename Invictus, a PvP multiplayer title.
One game was โpivoted awayโ from, while โseveral other projectsโ are in the works.
Sony is reportedly pulling back plans to release single-player PlayStation games on PC, according to Bloomberg sources, affecting titles like Ghost of Yลtei and Saros.
The report noted reasons including PS5 titles not selling well on PC, and concerns regarding sales on current and future consoles.
The Financial Times is reporting that the Trump administration plans to debate the matter of Tencentโs US-based gaming investments as a "national security risk."
The situation could see the US pressure Tencent to divest from companies like Riot Games and Epic Games, among others.
Following its withdrawal from the Warner Bros. acquisition battle, Netflix's co-CEO Ted Sarandon has suggested that Paramount will make "cuts in excess of [US] $16 billionโ if its deal went through.
His comments come after WB reported another significant dip in its games revenue.
Xbox has always struggled in Japan, but Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond made meaningful advances in recent years, writes @nomoredaniels.bsky.social
Here's a look at the kind of persistence and relationships the new regime will have to maintain.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/phil... [Paywalled]
The Financial Times is reporting that the Trump administration plans to debate the matter of Tencentโs US-based gaming investments as a "national security risk."
The situation could see the US pressure Tencent to divest from companies like Riot Games and Epic Games, among others.
Highguard, the free-to-play "raid shooter" from Wildlight Entertainment, will permanently shut down on 12 March 2026, the studio has announced.
The shutdown comes just six weeks after the game launched, and follows layoffs affecting the majority of the studio.
Marathon's free Server Slam playtest, held the weekend before the gameโs launch, saw strong but waning interest across its five-day runtime.
Aspects like time-to-kill and user interface have been a source of passionate discussion, but feedback appears divided.
A former Highguard level designer has told @quaddamnpodcast.bsky.social that the game may have "leaned too far into the competitive scene" for its own good.
The sentiments echo those expressed internally by former Wildlight employees in a recent Bloomberg report.
Square Enix has shut down a Japanese aggregate news blog over harassment of the Final Fantasy XIV staff.
After requesting the identity of the siteโs anonymous administrator, the blog has been shut down, an apology issued, and a settlement for an undisclosed amount paid.
Halfbrick Studios, the Australian developer best known for creating Fruit Ninja, and more recently Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen, announced layoffs over the weekend.
41 workers were reportedly affected, and the studio had also "ended international engagements."
Halfbrick Studios, the Australian developer best known for creating Fruit Ninja, and more recently Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen, announced layoffs over the weekend.
41 workers were reportedly affected, and the studio had also "ended international engagements."
Xbox has always struggled in Japan, but Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond made meaningful advances in recent years, writes @nomoredaniels.bsky.social
Here's a look at the kind of persistence and relationships the new regime will have to maintain.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/phil... [Paywalled]
A new report from Bloomberg has shed light on the activities and closure of Bluepoint Interactive.
Sources suggest that since the cancellation of its live-service God of War project, it had unsuccessfully pitched a Bloodborne remake, a Shadow of the Colossus update, and a Ghost of Tsushima spinoff.
Who is Asha Sharma, anyway?
Xbox's new CEO has business experience in everything from insurance, home improvement, and grocery delivery, to Meta products, AI, and even a previous stint on Xbox.
Here's a primer on her career trajectory and experiences to date, which may inform what happens next.
The tenth generation of Pokรฉmon games, Winds and Waves, was announced during the 30th Anniversary Pokรฉmon Presents showcase.
Game Freak premiered an in-game trailer showing off the new oceanic region and three new starter Pokรฉmon.
The games are Switch 2 exclusives, slated for 2027.
Resident Evil Requiemย has released to widespread praise and record player activity on Steam, surpassing all previous titles.
Capcom shares have spiked 10% over the past two days in response.
Who is Asha Sharma, anyway?
Xbox's new CEO has business experience in everything from insurance, home improvement, and grocery delivery, to Meta products, AI, and even a previous stint on Xbox.
Here's a primer on her career trajectory and experiences to date, which may inform what happens next.
The New York State Attorney General is suing Valve over loot box practices that โlead to serious addiction problems, especially for our young people.โ
The State has requested that Valve "make full restitution to consumers and pay damages caused."
The New York State Attorney General is suing Valve over loot box practices that โlead to serious addiction problems, especially for our young people.โ
The State has requested that Valve "make full restitution to consumers and pay damages caused."
Clint Hocking, Creative Director on Assassinโs Creed Codename Hexe, has reportedly left Ubisoft.
His departure comes amidst a significant shake-up for the Assassinโs Creed franchise and Ubisoft more broadly.
Full Circle Studio, the developer of EA's free-to-play Skate. reboot, has announced layoffs to "better support skate.โs long-term future.โ
The game is currently attracting notable criticism from its community for changing its stance on monetising access to its open-world map.
