Tag Archives: Gaming News

Business, Gaming, News

Warner Bros. Games CEO David Haddad Announces Retirement

Warner Bros. Games President David Haddad has announced his departure from the company after 12 years of leading the division. Haddad will remain in his role for the next three months to ensure a smooth transition and assist in finding his successor.

Haddad’s tenure at Warner Bros. Games saw the development and release of several iconic gaming franchises, including the successful Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy and the critically acclaimed Mortal Kombat series. However, the past year has been challenging for the company, with the disappointing performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributing to significant financial losses.

Despite these setbacks, Haddad expressed pride in his work and gratitude for his time with Warner Bros. Games.

I am so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together at Warner Bros. Games during my time with the company.

It has been an absolute pleasure working on and building our iconic gaming franchises, and I will continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of this talented team’s future endeavors.

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming and Games CEO and President JB Perrette praised Haddad’s contributions and noted that his departure was planned to coincide with a lighter release schedule, minimizing disruption to ongoing projects.

David has thoughtfully and purposefully chosen a time when our release schedule is lighter which will help minimize disruption to our ongoing projects and strategic plans and allow this team to smoothly prepare for its next record-breaking title.

As the search for Haddad’s successor begins, Warner Bros. Games continues to focus on its core franchises, including Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, the DC Universe, and Mortal Kombat. The company is also working on a Wonder Woman game at Monolith Productions, which is expected to be a major release in the coming year.

Haddad’s departure marks the end of an era for Warner Bros. Games, but it also signals a new chapter for the company as it looks to the future with fresh leadership and new opportunities.

Featured, Games, Gaming, Xbox

Everything announced at Xbox Developer Direct 2025

On January 23, 2025, Xbox held its much-anticipated Developer Direct, revealing an impressive line-up of games and some splendid surprises. Here’s everything that was announced:

DOOM: The Dark Ages

Release Date: May 15, 2025 (NOT AN XBOX EXLUSIVE)

id Software took the stage to unveil DOOM: The Dark Ages, a prequel set in an intriguing dark fantasy and sci-fi world. Fans of the franchise can look forward to:

  • Combat: Incredible new weapons added to the Slayer’s arsenal to crush hellspawn.
  • Exploration: A dive into medieval-inspired settings, teeming with dark, sinister realms.
  • Story: An epic narrative revolving around the Slayer’s war against hell itself.

South of Midnight

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Compulsion Games showcased South of Midnight, a third-person action-adventure set in the myth-laden landscapes of the American Deep South. The game promises:

  • Folkloric Exploration: Immerse yourself in a world populated by creatures from Southern folklore.
  • Visually Magical World: Stunning graphics and a captivating narrative experience that explores rich, cultural tales.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Release Date: TBA

While no specific release date was mentioned, Sandfall Interactive provided a more in-depth glimpse into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

  • Visual Spectacle: A beautifully crafted fantasy setting.
  • Gripping Story: An engaging narrative that fans of JRPGs will appreciate.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Insights: A look into the creative process and the art behind the game.

Ninja Gaiden 4

Release Date: Fall 2025 (NOT AN XBOX EXCLUSIVE)

A thrilling surprise, Ninja Gaiden 4 was announced as a collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. Set in a dystopian Tokyo, the game introduces:

  • New Protagonist: Join Yakumo, a member of the Raven Clan, navigating Tokyo’s neon-lit streets.
  • Classic Action: Fast-paced combat familiar to fans, with deep roots in the Ninja Gaiden legacy.
  • Ryu Hayabusa: The original protagonist will play a pivotal role in the unfolding saga.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black – Remastered

Available Now

In a delightful twist, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is now available as a remastered definitive edition.

  • Unreal Engine 5: Enhanced visuals and performance.
  • Immediate Access: Available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass from today.

Xbox Play Anywhere and Game Pass Integration

All titles announced support Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing players to switch between Xbox and Windows devices with seamless progress. Plus, all the games from this event will be available on Xbox Game Pass from Day One, with cloud gaming support.

Business, Games, Gaming, News

Pocketpair Ventures into the gaming publishing arena

Pocketpair, known for its imaginative and engaging games like Palworld and recently Overdungeon as a surprising new Nintendo Switch despite their lawsuit against Palworld allegedly patents violation, is now venturing into the publishing sphere.

The company has announced its formation of a new publishing business aptly titled Pocketpair Publishing.

Pocketpair Publishing aims to provide comprehensive support for indie game developers and small studios. This includes financial assistance, development aid, and much-needed publishing resources. A key aspect of their vision is to maintain a hands-off approach where they respect the creative autonomy and vision of the developers. They aim to support the creation and completion of dream projects without imposing strict conditions.

First Project Collaboration: Surgent Studios

Their first major project involves collaboration with UK-based Surgent Studios. Surgent Studios, known for the horror game Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, is set to release a new horror title. This standalone game, scheduled for 2025, is not a continuation of their previous work but promises to bring fresh narrative experiences to players.

According to Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios, the collaborative effort will focus on exploring a unique pattern in the entertainment industry through an unconventional and experimental horror game.

The following is what it has been shared to VGC by Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios.:

Both Surgent and Pocketpair are well-versed in taking risks.

We noticed a pattern in the entertainment industry, and Pocketpair has given us the opportunity to make a horror game about it. It will be short and weird, and we think players will be interested in what we have to say.

We’re still in earnest conversation about further projects set in the Tales of Kenzera universe, but this will be a standalone piece: a mile marker between where we’ve come from and where we’re going.

Also, the Head of Pocketpair Publishing, John “Bucky” Buckley added:

As the games industry continues to grow, more and more games find themselves struggling to get funded or greenlit. We think this is a real shame, because there are so many incredible creators and ideas out there that just need a little help to become incredible games.

We were instantly fascinated by Abubakar’s creative vision for a horror game on a topic he’s uniquely qualified to explore. The ultimate goal of Pocketpair Publishing is to find creators with a genuine passion for games and enable them to create fun, new experiences for gamers all over the world.

Breaking, Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News

How gaming hardware performed in the past months?

The video game industry experienced a turbulent year in 2024, witnessing a significant decline in hardware sales. According to data from Circana, video game hardware sales in the U.S. dropped by 29% compared to the previous year. This blog post delves into the intricate details of this decline, examining the factors that contributed to this downward trend and what it might mean for the future of the gaming industry.

December 2024 U.S. Video Game Market Highlights from Circana – December 2024 projected U.S. consumer spending on video game hardware, content and accessories declined 8.9% when compared to a year ago, to $7.5B. Spending during the 2024 year fell 1.1% compared to 2023, to $58.7B.

— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2025-01-23T14:03:20.587Z

A Year of Decline

In 2024, video game hardware sales fell from $1.55 billion in 2023 to $1.11 billion, marking a steep 29% decrease. Several factors contributed to this decline, most notably the lifecycle stage of current gaming consoles and consumer anticipation for upcoming innovations.

The Impact of PlayStation 5 Pro

November 2024 brought a glimmer of hope with the release of the PlayStation 5 (PS5) Pro. This release temporarily boosted hardware sales; however, the surge was short-lived. By December, hardware sales had plummeted again, reflecting a 25% year-over-year decrease. The initial excitement around the PS5 Pro was not enough to sustain sales momentum through the holiday season.

Platform-Specific Sales Trends

Each major gaming console experienced its own unique challenges and declines in 2024:

  • Nintendo Switch: As the Nintendo Switch approached the end of its lifecycle, its sales dropped by a staggering 38% in December 2024. The console, which enjoyed immense popularity since its release, now faced the inevitable slowdown as consumers anticipated a new generation of Nintendo consoles.
  • Xbox Series Consoles: Microsoft’s Xbox Series consoles also faced a significant decline, with a 38% decrease in year-over-year sales for December 2024. Despite price cuts and holiday promotions, the platform could not escape the overall downturn in the market.
  • PlayStation 5: The regular PS5 saw an 18% drop in sales year-over-year. Even though the PS5 Pro’s release provided a temporary boost, it was not enough to offset the decline in sales of the standard model.

The Best-Selling Console of 2024

Despite the overall decline in hardware sales, the PlayStation 5 emerged as the best-selling console for 2024 in terms of both hardware spending and unit sales. Sony’s efforts to revitalize its offering with the PS5 Pro contributed to this achievement, albeit the gains were not as substantial as hoped.

Accessory Sales Remain Steady

While hardware sales took a hit, accessory sales remained robust. Accessory sales in December 2024 mirrored those of the previous year, showing no significant year-over-year change. Overall, accessory sales in 2024 saw a 6% increase compared to 2023. The PlayStation Portal topped the charts as the best-selling accessory, while the DualSense Midnight Black controller recorded the highest unit sales.

Total Revenue Overview

December 2024’s total revenue for video game hardware and accessories was $4.85 billion, significantly lower than December 2023’s $6.45 billion. This drop further highlights the extensive impact of the decline in hardware sales on the gaming market.

The Insider Gaming article encourages readers to discuss these findings in their forums, providing a platform for gamers, analysts, and industry insiders to share their perspectives and insights. The discussions could offer a deeper understanding of the market dynamics and factors influencing these trends.

The steep decline in video game hardware sales in 2024 signifies a notable shift in the market. This trend may be driven by the lifecycle of current consoles, consumer fatigue, and anticipation for future technologies. Console manufacturers will likely need to adjust their strategies, possibly accelerating the development and release of next-generation systems to rekindle consumer interest and drive future sales.

The decline in video game hardware sales in 2024 poses significant challenges but also opens up opportunities for innovation and growth in the gaming industry. As we move forward, it will be crucial for manufacturers and developers to understand and adapt to these evolving market dynamics, ensuring that they stay ahead of consumer trends and technological advancements.

Games, Gaming, Mobile, News, Nintendo

Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space-Time Smackdown – An Overview

The Pokémon Company has announced an exciting new expansion for Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket: Space-Time Smackdown. This expansion, set to be released on January 30, 2025, will feature over 140 cards, including new Pokémon ex and Trainer cards. The expansion is set in the Sinnoh region and focuses on the legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia, known for their control over time and space.

The expansion introduces powerful new Pokémon ex cards. Dialga ex, a Steel-type with 150 HP, has abilities such as Metallic Turbo, which deals 30 damage and attaches two Energy cards from your Energy Zone to one of your benched Pokémon3. Palkia ex, a Water-type with the same HP, can deal significant damage with its Dimensional Storm attack, which not only hits for 150 damage but also deals 20 damage to each of your opponent’s benched Pokémon.

New Trainer cards and tools have been added to enhance gameplay. Cynthia’s Full Art card, for example, boosts the performance of Garchomp and Togekiss, allowing them to deal an additional 50 damage to the opponent’s active Pokémon. These additions are sure to offer new strategies and dynamics to the game.

Noteworthy New Pokémon Cards

Here are some of the new Pokémon cards you can expect to find in the expansion:

  • Pachirisu ex (Electric)
  • Leafeon (Grass)
  • Cresselia (Psychic)
  • Gible (Dragon)
  • Honchkrow (Dark)

These Pokémon, along with many others, will provide players with fresh combinations and tactics to explore.

Release Date and Availability

Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space-Time Smackdown will be available starting January 30, 2025. Players can look forward to two booster packs featuring Dialga and Palkia. Pre-release events and promotional activities are expected to build excitement leading up to the launch, making it an eagerly anticipated event for all Pokémon TCG enthusiasts.

The upcoming release of Space-Time Smackdown is set to revolutionize the Pokémon TCG scene with its stunning artwork, new abilities, and strategic depth. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this expansion promises to offer a thrilling experience.

Business, Gaming, News, Playstation

Insomniac Games CEO Announces Retirement After Three Decades

Ted Price, the founder and president of Insomniac Games, announced his retirement after over 30 years with the studio. Price, who has been instrumental in creating beloved franchises like “Spyro the Dragon,” “Ratchet & Clank,” and “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” shared his decision to step down at the end of March 2025.

In his blog post, Price expressed his gratitude for the fulfilling career he has had and his confidence in the new leadership team. He introduced Chad Dezern, Ryan Schneider, and Jen Huang as the new co-heads of Insomniac Games, who will continue to lead the studio into the future.

Price also acknowledged the challenges faced by the team due to recent events, such as the LA wildfires, and praised the Insomniac employees for their resilience and dedication. He emphasized his commitment to supporting those affected and ensuring a smooth transition for the studio.

Therefore, last week, I felt comfortable announcing to the Insomniac team that after having been incredibly fortunate to enjoy such a fulfilling career in games, I’ll be retiring from the industry at the end of March. Today, I’m sharing this news more broadly.

I actually made this decision last year. For me, after over 30 years of leading Insomniac, I felt it was simply time to step aside and let others pave the way for our team. 

During the past year, I had the opportunity to work with the senior leadership team at Insomniac to create a succession plan that I know will provide the continuity, stability and strong leadership necessary to deliver more of what our fans cherish over the next several decades.

Ted Price founded Insomniac Games in 1994 as Xtreme Software, which was later renamed Insomniac Games in 1995. The studio’s first project was “Disruptor” for the original PlayStation, which didn’t perform well commercially.

In 2019, Insomniac Games was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment and became part of PlayStation Studios. This acquisition marked a significant milestone for the studio, solidifying its position within the PlayStation ecosystem.

Ted Price has been the president and CEO of Insomniac Games for over 30 years. Under his leadership, the studio has grown and produced numerous successful games.

Breaking, Games, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, Xbox

Increased External Storage Support for Xbox coming soon

In a significant update for Xbox users, Microsoft has announced that Xbox consoles will soon support external USB drives larger than 16TB. This new feature is currently being tested with Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring and is expected to roll out to all users in the coming weeks.

Key Details of the Update:

  • Expanded Storage Capacity: Newly formatted drives larger than 16TB will be divided into multiple partitions, each appearing as a separate device on your console. This allows users to utilize all available space for games and apps1.
  • Reformatting Required: Drives larger than 16TB that have already been formatted will need to be reformatted to take advantage of the updated support.
  • No Upper Limit Specified: Microsoft has not yet specified an upper limit for storage devices, suggesting that the new partition method may allow for significantly larger storage capacities.
  • Xbox Series X|S Compatibility: While games optimized for Xbox Series X|S consoles still need to be installed on the console’s internal SSD or a matching Seagate or WD_Black Expansion Drive, external drives can be used to store game data and then moved onto the console’s SSD or an NVMe SSD expansion card.

Expand Your Xbox Storage with Support for Larger Drives

We are enabling support for external USB drives larger than 16TB, so you can be sure your favorite games are always ready to play! Newly formatted drives that are larger than 16TB will be formatted with multiple partitions to utilize all available space for games and apps. These will appear as multiple devices in the storage devices list.

Why This Matters:

With game install sizes steadily increasing over the years, this update is a welcome relief for gamers who have extensive libraries and need more storage space. It ensures that your favorite games are always ready to play without worrying about running out of space.

The feature is expected to be gradually released to wider testing groups before becoming available to all Xbox users, probably over the next couple of weeks. This means that soon, you’ll be able to connect even larger external hard drives to your Xbox console, providing virtually unlimited storage power.

Games, Gaming, News, Playstation

Astro Bot wins big at the 14th New York Game Awards

The 14th Annual New York Game Awards, hosted by the New York Videogame Critics Circle, celebrated the best games of 2024 with a spectacular ceremony held in Manhattan. Among the night’s biggest winners was Team Asobi’s Astro Bot, which took home the coveted Game of the Year award, along with two additional accolades for Best Kids Game and Best Music.

Released in September 2024, Astro Bot has been a critical and commercial success. The game, which allows players to control Astro as they attempt to save lost Bots and restore the PS5 mothership, has been praised for its charm, environmental design, and innovative use of the DualSense controller. With a player rating of 100 on OpenCritic, Astro Bot has become the most awarded platformer in history, boasting 110 Game of the Year trophies to date.

During the ceremony, Astro Bot’s director, Nicolas Doucet, expressed his overwhelming shock and gratitude for the win. Doucet admitted that he didn’t expect to win the coveted award and remembered very little of his acceptance speech due to his excitement.

The game’s winning streak doesn’t seem to be over just yet, as more accolades keep pouring in.

While Astro Bot led the night with three wins, other games also received recognition. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree won Best World and Best DLC, and Studio Zero’s Metaphor: ReFantazio took home the award for Best Writing in a Game. Indie hit UFO 50 was named Best Indie Game, and Troy Baker received the award for Best Acting in a Game for his portrayal of Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

With its incredible success, fans are eagerly awaiting what Team Asobi has in store for Astro Bot. Recent rumors suggest that more DLC may be coming in 2025, including a possible Tekken crossover. Additionally, a new speedrunning level for Astro Bot was featured in the finals of a recent PlayStation Tournaments XP event, though it’s unclear when this will be added to the game.

The 14th Annual New York Game Awards Winners

Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year
Astro Bot

Off-Broadway Award for Best Indie Game
UFO 50

Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game
Metaphor: ReFantazio

Statue of Liberty Award for Best World
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game
Astro Bot

Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game
Troy Baker as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game
Batman: Arkham Shadow

Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game
Astro Bot

A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game
Zenless Zone Zero

Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake
Silent Hill 2

Chumley’s Speakeasy Award for Best Hidden Gem
Mouthwashing

NYC GWB Award for Best DLC
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Knickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism
Simone De Rochefort & Clayton Ashley

Andrew Yoon Legend Award Recipient
Sam Lake

Games, Gaming, News, PC

Electronic Arts will officially sunset Origin PC launcher

While it shouldn’t be a surprise for those following up this topic, Electronic Arts has announced the end of its 14-year-old Origin PC Launcher. The decision to sunset Origin comes as a response to the decline in 32-bit software support, with Windows 11 no longer supporting 32-bit applications. This move marks a significant shift for EA, as it transitions users to its newer EA app.

Origin was launched in 2011 as EA’s answer to Valve’s Steam platform. The goal was to create a dedicated storefront and launcher for EA’s games, allowing the company to retain more revenue by bypassing third-party platforms.

However, Origin faced criticism and unpopularity among users due to its lack of features compared to Steam and its controversial decision to pull titles like Crysis 2 from Steam.

Despite these challenges, Origin remained a staple for EA gamers, especially for older titles that were not available on other platforms. Over the years, EA attempted to migrate users to its newer EA app, which launched in 2022 with a more modern interface and improved features.

Transition to the EA App

Starting April 17, 2025, the Origin PC Launcher will cease to function, and users will be directed to install the EA app. EA has assured users that their local and cloud saves, as well as their friend lists, will sync seamlessly between Origin and the EA app.

Additionally, users can merge their Origin friend lists with those on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

However, there are some caveats. Mods may not transfer to the EA app, and users will need to check with mod creators to see if their content can be transferred. For those switching to a new device, redownloading games and manually transferring data will be necessary.

To use the EA app, PC users will need a 64-bit version of Windows 11 or Windows 10, while Mac users will need macOS Catalina 10.15.5 or later. This requirement aligns with the broader industry shift away from 32-bit software support1.

The sunsetting of Origin marks the end of an era for EA gamers. While the transition to the EA app may come with its challenges, it also represents a step towards a more unified and modern gaming experience.

As EA continues to evolve its platform, it remains to be seen how the gaming community will respond to these changes.