Industry News Report - Level 3
115 stories
Snail Games to unveil new titles and updates at Gamescom 2026
Snail Games USA has confirmed its presence at Gamescom 2026, where it will showcase Bellwright, For The Stars, Honeycomb: The World Beyond, and two unannounced projects, offering a closer look at its upcoming line-up
Target Arcade brings connected darts gaming to venues in August 2026
Just Add Water and Target Darts have announced Target Arcade, a new suite of interactive darts games using connected hardware, set to debut with Target Dartzone venues across the UK from 24 August 2026
Xbox Game Pass Strategy Backfires as Subscriber Numbers Stall
Microsoft's ambitious Game Pass subscription was meant to revitalise Xbox, but mounting losses, missed targets and studio sell-offs now raise questions about the future of the service and the platform itself
GTA 6 Physical Editions in Japan Will Expire 170 Days After Launch
Rockstar has confirmed that physical copies of Grand Theft Auto VI in Japan will only include a digital code, which must be redeemed within 170 days of launch due to local regulations
TIGA Games Industry Awards 2026 nominations deadline extended to 29 July
The TIGA Games Industry Awards 2026 nomination window has been extended to 1pm on 29 July, giving UK developers, publishers and industry partners more time to submit entries for this year's event
Pokémon Card Stores in Japan Introduce Facial Recognition to Tackle Scalping
The Pokémon Company has announced that facial recognition will become mandatory at official Pokémon card stores in Japan for all customers of elementary school age and above, aiming to address persistent scalping and security concerns
Dan Houser Urges Studios to Offer Physical Games if Players Demand Them
Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser has weighed in on the debate over physical versus digital game releases, stating that companies should provide physical editions if players want them, as the industry faces major shifts in distribution
God of War Laufey Release Date Set for February 2027
Sony Santa Monica has officially announced that God of War Laufey will launch on 16 February 2027, following confirmation at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. The release will include a physical disc edition ahead of PlayStation disc production ending
Toplitz Productions to Unveil New Game and Playable Demos at Gamescom 2026
Toplitz Productions will reveal a new title at gamescom 2026, alongside hands-on demos for Vikings Dynasty, Wild West Pioneers and Permafrost. The publisher promises a mix of city building, survival and world premiere content for attendees
Tomb Raider: Catalyst Officially Delayed to 2028 by Amazon Games
Amazon Games has confirmed that Tomb Raider: Catalyst will now launch in 2028, moving back from its previously announced 2027 window. The next major Tomb Raider entry is being developed by Crystal Dynamics for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
Arknights: Endfield to Feature at Anime NYC and Expanded Gamescom 2026
GRYPHLINE has confirmed Arknights: Endfield will appear at Anime NYC in August 2026 and return to gamescom with a larger booth, offering hands-on demos, interactive activities and exclusive rewards for attendees
Microsoft Tests Ad-Supported Xbox Game Streaming With No Gameplay Interruptions
Microsoft has begun testing ad-supported Xbox game streaming, allowing select users to play without a subscription by watching adverts before each session. The company says ads will not disrupt gameplay, but session time is limited
Netmarble launches global teaser site for Shangri-La Frontier: The Seven Colossi
Netmarble has unveiled a global teaser site and official social channels for Shangri-La Frontier: The Seven Colossi, offering new details, videos and event plans for the upcoming mobile adaptation
RuneScape Monopoly Special Edition Pre-Orders Open Ahead of October Launch
Jagex has opened pre-orders for the RuneScape special edition of MONOPOLY, letting fans bring Gielinor to the tabletop. The boardgame is available via the official RuneScape Merch Store, with shipping set for October 2026
Clint Hocking Describes Ubisoft Game Development as Chaotic After Departure
Clint Hocking, known for Watch Dogs and Splinter Cell, has compared leading large-scale Ubisoft projects to dodging chaos, following his exit from the Assassin's Creed Hexe team earlier this year
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game Delayed on Xbox Hours Before Launch
Paramount has postponed the Xbox release of Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game just before launch, leaving Xbox players waiting until September while other platforms proceed as planned
For One Night Only Showcase Brings UK Game Studios to Centre Stage
For One Night Only is a new UK-focused games showcase set to stream on 29 July, featuring world premieres, trailers and interviews from leading British studios including IO Interactive, Team 17 and Criterion, plus a week-long Steam sale
Sony Prepared for Backlash Over End of PlayStation 5 Disc Releases
Sony anticipated strong negative reaction to its decision to phase out physical PlayStation 5 game discs, reportedly issuing its strictest-ever staff guidelines to prevent public comment on the move
Over 100 Unreleased Pokémon Designs Surface from Diamond and Pearl Era
A previously unseen Game Freak documentary has surfaced, revealing more than 100 scrapped Pokémon designs and evolutions from the development of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, offering a rare look at the franchise's creative process
ESDigital Games reveals Gamescom 2026 line-up with new playable demos
ESDigital Games has announced its Gamescom 2026 showcase, confirming hands-on demos for Go Slimey Go!, REMEDIUM, BattleJuice Alchemist, Sky of Tides and a secret project at the Indie Arena Booth in Cologne
John Romero to Deliver Keynote at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2026
John Romero, co-creator of Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein 3D, will headline Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2026 in Bangkok this October, reflecting on decades of game development and industry change in his keynote Why We Still Make Games
PlayStation Studios 2026: New Games, Delays and Studio Closures
Sony's PlayStation Studios have revealed new projects for PS5, including God of War Laufey and Marvel's Wolverine, but several teams face delays, cancellations and closures as the platform's first-party line-up shifts for the years ahead
Palworld Crossover with Fortnite Looks Likely as Pokémon Stays Absent
Palworld may soon join Fortnite through a crossover, as recent evidence suggests Epic Games is exploring the idea. Meanwhile, Pokémon collaborations remain off the table, with Nintendo continuing to avoid cross-platform appearances
South of Midnight wins Game of the Year at 2026 Games for Change Awards
Games for Change has revealed the 2026 award winners, with South of Midnight taking Game of the Year and Consume Me securing three major honours at the New York ceremony
Alien: Isolation 2 Playable at FrightFest 2026 with Classic Film Screening
SEGA Europe and Creative Assembly have announced that Alien: Isolation 2 will be playable for the first time in the UK at FrightFest 2026, alongside a special screening of the original Alien film at Odeon LUXE Leicester Square
Tekken's Former Director Shares Cultural Mix-Up After Leroy Smith Reveal
Katsuhiro Harada, previously at the helm of Tekken, has described a cultural misunderstanding with international fans following the introduction of Leroy Smith in Tekken 7, highlighting how language and context can shape community response
Wreckreation 2 Announced by New Studio After Three Fields Closure
Wreckreation 2 has been officially announced for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, just months after the original's release and the closure of Three Fields Entertainment. The sequel is being developed by When Tides Turn, a new studio led by Fiona Sperry
Valve's Steam AI Disclosure Policy Divides Developers and Industry Leaders
Valve's decision to require AI use disclosures for all games on Steam has triggered debate among developers and industry figures, with some supporting transparency and others warning of unfair consequences for creators
Nintendo Explains Splatoon 4 Absence as Splatoon Raiders Launches
Nintendo has released Splatoon Raiders as a Switch 2 exclusive, but the mainline Splatoon 4 remains unannounced. Developers have clarified why the series is taking a different direction for now and what this means for future competitive entries
NARUTO Mythos TCG Set for US Debut at San Diego Comic-Con
NARUTO Mythos TCG will be playable for the first time in the US at San Diego Comic-Con, with Zvezdar handling exclusive distribution and early access to promo cards and booster boxes ahead of the official North American launch
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