Bad news for Destiny 2 fans. Bungie has announced that they will stop developing new content for their popular online shooter starting June 9. That will be the date they release their last content patch, at which point the game’s servers will remain open, but there will be no new game content. This final update, in any case, will be packed with content. Defined by the developers as “a love letter to the players,” it will add a version of the Portal Director, as well as bring back an old acquaintance for the veterans: the races […]
Bad news for Destiny 2 fans. Bungie has announced that they will stop developing new content for their popular online shooter starting June 9. That will be the date when they release their last content patch, at which point the game’s servers will remain open, but there will be no new game content.
This latest update, in any case, will be packed with content. Defined by the developers as “a love letter to the players,” it will add a version of the Director of the Portal, in addition to bringing back an old favorite for the veterans: the races of the Sparrow Racing League from Destiny. All of this in an update that was originally scheduled for last March but was delayed for reasons that were not commented on at the time.
A Study in Trouble
Bungie is currently in a very delicate situation. Marathon,which was released on March 5, is performing below Sony’s expectations, who bought the studio in 2022 for 3.6 billion dollars. Since then, Bungie has not met the expectations of the Japanese corporation regarding account performance, announcing a depreciation of almost 750 million dollars in its value.
This leads to the conclusion that, according to journalist Jason Schreier in Bloomberg, Bungie is not working on any new projects. Although they have proposed making Destiny 3, among other games set in the Destiny universe, Sony has not given them the green light for any of these projects. At the same time, Schreier claims that a series of massive layoffs are about to occur within the company. It seems that Bungie, with the end of Destiny 2, may also be at the end of an era for the company.
Sony is not escaping the mouths of gamers. Not for the better. For every interesting news like the upcoming State of Play on June 2, there are at least a couple of much less positive news. The general perception is that Sony is in serious trouble this generation. PlayStation 5 is a console that is perceived as lacking video games, and moreover, it seems that Sony is not doing anything to improve that situation. In fact, it seems they have no problem worsening it. PlayStation 5 will have exclusives, but in what way Hermen Hulst, CEO of Studio Business […]
Sony is not escaping the mouths of gamers. Not for the better. For every piece of interesting news like the upcoming State of Play on June 2, there are at least a couple of much less positive news. And the general perception is that Sony is in serious trouble this generation. PlayStation 5 is a console that is perceived as lacking video games, and moreover, it seems that Sony is not doing anything to improve that situation. In fact, it seems they have no problem worsening it.
PlayStation 5 will have exclusives, but in what way
Hermen Hulst, CEO of Studio Business Group —in charge of first-party studios and adaptations of PlayStation IPs to other media—, communicated last Monday, May 18, to the company’s internal studios that most of their games will become exclusive to PlayStation 5. This has caused quite a stir of discontent among players.
This has nuances. As Hulst himself clarified, this will not affect all video games, since multiplayer games, like Marathon or Helldivers 2, will continue to appear normally on PC. But narrative games focused on an exclusive single-player experience, like Spider-Man, God of War, or Ghost of Tsushima, which have currently appeared on PC, will not have their sequels on PC as their fans might expect.
This is not new information. Bloomberg already warned last March that these were the internal plans within Sony, although without an official confirmation, everything remained up in the air. But now that it has been made, it seems evident what its purpose is: to create a reason for users to buy PlayStation 5 and integrate into the PlayStation ecosystem.
A convenient price increase
If this weren’t enough, PlayStation has decided to raise the prices of all its products. In addition to the fact that PlayStation 5 already increased in price last March, the third time in this generation, they have also decided to raise the prices of their PlayStation Plus service, essential for online gaming. This is something that, once again, has not been well received among users. Having to pay between 1 and 2 euros more on average for each month of the service may seem like a small increase, but it must be added to all the other price increases of the company’s products.
What is the reason for all this? It is because the situation of PlayStation this generation is tremendously precarious. Although they attribute it to the economic and geopolitical situation, due to the price of oil, computer materials, and customs —which they have also tried to take advantage of—, they also face a self-induced problem.
At the beginning of the generation, they decided to firmly bet on games as a service, announcing up to 12 of them for mid-2026. Of those, less than half have survived. With all the released ones being a failure, except for Helldivers 2, it seems that PlayStation’s policy has changed again to refocus on narrative-driven single-player games, with one problem. They have been in development for a long time, and all their studios have been busy making games as a service at the company’s insistence.
If users feel that PlayStation 5 lacks games, it is because the cadence of their release has been minimal. And it is not going to improve in the future. They tried to find their own Fortnite in games like Marathon, but they failed, and now they are trying to save the situation by raising prices, returning to single-player games, and putting the burden of the price on the players. But is this a good strategy? Only time will tell. But what is evident is that Sony is not in a good situation. And to a large extent, it is not because of what they have done to themselves.
Dungeons & Dragons is a franchise with decades behind it. Today being synonymous with role-playing games, few franchises have more prestige and renown associated with them. That’s why it’s not surprising that Hasbro and its subsidiary, Wizards of the Coast, want to exploit it by focusing on its potential for video games. But it seems that their biggest bet to date is not going to see the light of day. According to information from Jason Schreier at Bloomberg, the game has been canceled. A tremendously ambitious game without a public name, we already had quite a bit of information about what the game was going to be. […]
Dungeons & Dragons is a franchise with decades behind it. Today, being synonymous with role-playing games, few franchises have more prestige and renown associated with them. That is why it is not surprising that Hasbro and its subsidiary, Wizards of the Coast, want to exploit it by focusing on its potential for video games. But it seems that their biggest bet to date will not see the light of day. According to information from Jason Schreier at Bloomberg, the game has been canceled.
A tremendously ambitious game
Without a public name, we already had quite a bit of information about what the game was going to be. An AAA action game for a single player developed by Unreal Engine 5 by a newly created studio under the umbrella of Hasbro called Giant Skull, led by Stig Asmussen, director of God of War 3 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Fallen Order. Something they aimed to compete not only against the classic Dungeons & Dragons games, which have always had a medium budget, but to venture into high-budget games. Looking to go head-to-head against titans like EA or Square Enix.
Now the game has been canceled, according to statements from the company itself to Bloomberg. “We have decided not to move forward with an early concept of Giant Skull, but we have great respect for Stig Asmussen and his team, and we value our relationship,” a representative from Hasbro stated.
In any case, this is not the only recent editorial move by Hasbro. A closure of the internal studio Atomic Arcade also occurred in parallel, which was working on a Snake Eyes game, a character from the popular G.I. Joe toy franchise. Although it is not officially canceled, the game does not seem likely to see the light of day. And while they claim to still be interested in publishing video games, with their anticipated Warlock on the horizon, these cancellations raise suspicions that something is going wrong at Hasbro.
Jason Schreier, a video game journalist from Bloomberg who already talked about this information last March, has confirmed on Bluesky that the CEO of PlayStation Studio, Hermen Hulst, told his employees last Monday that the company will release its narrative games exclusively for PlayStation consoles. This will only affect games that provide a single-player experience, like Ghost of Yotei or the recent Saros, but not games that are multiplayer experiences, like Marathon or the anticipated Marvel Tokon. PlayStation wants you to play its games on its console This is […]
This will only affect games that provide a single-player experience, such as Ghost of Yotei or the recent Saros, but not games that are multiplayer experiences, like Marathon or the anticipated Marvel Tokon.
PlayStation wants you to play its games on its console
This is something that has been rumored for months, but there was no confirmation until now. This means that anyone who has played Sony games on PC, such as God of War or Ghost of Tsushima, will need a PlayStation 5 to play their sequels.
Although it is a commercially sensible measure, as it provides reasons to buy their hardware, it is also being perceived among users as a move against PC gamers. Many of them have invested their time and money in the games they have released on PC and have no interest in switching to console, even if they are interested in the franchises they have developed. This demonstrates a disconnect between the player base and Sony’s business interests.
Moreover, it does not seem to fit the economic reality of these titles. All of Sony’s narrative titles have sold millions on PC, extending their lifespan.While it is true that they have also faced, on more than one occasion, compatibility issues and less than optimal performance.
Pending official confirmation, it seems that PC users will no longer be able to enjoy Sony titles on their platform.
Naughty Dog, the renowned video game developer, has been forcing its employees to work at least eight extra hours a week since October to complete an internal demo of its upcoming title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This game, which combines action elements with a narrative centered on faith and religion, was revealed at The Game Awards 2024, capturing the attention of fans for its visual style reminiscent of a mix of Uncharted and Ready Player One. However, after the release of this trailer, the silence about the project has been notable. They promised not […]
Naughty Dog, the renowned video game developer, has been forcing its employees to work at least eight extra hours per week since October to complete an internal demo of its upcoming title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This game, which combines action elements with a narrative centered on faith and religion, was revealed at The Game Awards 2024, capturing the attention of fans for its visual style reminiscent of a mix between Uncharted and Ready Player One. However, since the release of this trailer, the silence surrounding the project has been notable.
They promised never to do crunch again
According to a Bloomberg report, Naughty Dog workers have faced significant pressure to meet internal deadlines, as the developer has repeatedly failed to close important milestones in the game’s development. To try to make up for lost time, working hours over 60 per week were prohibited, and a return to the office five days a week was mandated, instead of the three that were previously allowed. Although this measure seems to have ended for most staff, many employees remain concerned about a possible increase in crunch as the game’s release date, scheduled for 2027, approaches.
Naughty Dog has a recognized history of crunch, with a 2020 Kotaku report describing brutal labor practices at the studio, despite it being considered a top-tier creative environment. Edwin Goss, quality lead, admitted in 2024 that Naughty Dog’s reputation regarding crunch is difficult to change in the long term, although he committed to eradicating these practices. However, the studio’s recent past suggests that such commitments are complicated to maintain, especially in an industry where excessive work has been normalized.
Swen Vincke, head of Larian Studios, has shared his perspective on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video game development, noting that his company uses it to facilitate certain processes, but not to replace human talent in content creation. In a recent talk with Bloomberg, Vincke explained that generative AI is used to explore ideas, develop presentations, and draft placeholder texts, stating that “everyone is a human actor” in the creative process. They are using AI, but little, really Despite his defense of the use of AI, the statements […]
Swen Vincke, head of Larian Studios, has shared his perspective on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video game development, noting that his company uses it to facilitate certain processes, but not to replace human talent in content creation. In a recent talk with Bloomberg, Vincke explained that generative AI is used to explore ideas, develop presentations, and draft placeholder texts, stating that “everyone is a human actor” in the creative process.
They are using AI, but very little, really
Despite his defense of the use of AI, Vincke’s statements have received negative responses from some employees, such as artist Selena Tobin, who has expressed her discontent on social media. Tobin, credited as a junior environmental artist on Baldur’s Gate 3, expressed her disappointment by commenting that she enjoyed working at Larian “until AI came along,” urging the company’s management to “show respect to their employees,” who, according to her, do not need the help of AI to generate innovative ideas.
Vincke has defended the use of AI as a tool that accelerates workflows and improves productivity, but he has insisted that the art and voices in his games, including future releases, are products of human work. In response to the criticism, the founder of Larian Studios intends to clarify his position in an upcoming interview with Gamespot, where the implementations of AI in the company for 2025 will be detailed.
With the growing use of AI in the video game industry, the debate about its role in the creative process intensifies, generating different opinions on the balance between technology and human talent in the creation of artistic and entertainment works.
After seven years of waiting, Hollow Knight fans have finally been able to explore the realm of Telalejana in Silksong. This release has sparked speculation about the upcoming projects of Team Cherry, the Australian studio behind the franchise. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, co-founders William Pellen and Ari Gibson shared their thoughts on the game’s development and what the future holds for them. They do not rule out working on something new. With the conclusion of Silksong on the horizon, Team Cherry is considering the possibility of creating additional content for the game, as well as the option of […]
After seven years of waiting, Hollow Knight fans have finally been able to explore the realm of Telalejana in Silksong. This release has sparked speculation about the upcoming projects of Team Cherry, the Australian studio behind the franchise. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, co-founders William Pellen and Ari Gibson shared their thoughts on the game’s development and what the future holds for them.
They do not rule out working on something new
With the conclusion of Silksong on the horizon, Team Cherry is considering the possibility of creating additional content for the game, as well as the option of developing Hollow Knight 3 or even a completely new title. However, both developers expressed their concern about the time that each project demands and the impact this has on their personal lives. As Gibson notes, “the only temporal concern is death,” highlighting the tension between the desire to keep creating and the reality of limited time.
Despite this concern, Pellen and Gibson are not eager to leave the Hollow Knight cosmos. According to them, the desire to explore new themes and genres remains, although they will keep certain familiar elements in their future titles. Pellen mentions that they are in a constant search for ideas that could expand the narrative without abandoning its distinctive essence.
Team Cherry’s statement suggests that they may continue to experiment within their already known universe, but they are also willing to explore other creative territories. Gibson concludes that “it would be interesting to explore the same things we are interested in, but perhaps in a slightly different genre.” This has led to speculation that the team may be on the path to diversifying their repertoire while continuing to captivate fans with their unique narrative style.
A few days before the highly anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, a report from Bloomberg has sparked intense debate about Nintendo’s business strategy in Japan. According to the publication, the Japanese company planned to allow retailers to earn an unusually high profit margin of 5% on each console sold, exceeding the unofficial industry standard, which hovers around 2%. This strategy aims to incentivize local distributors and ensure a strong presence of the Switch 2 in Japanese physical stores. Nintendo seems to disagree with what is being said about it […]
Just days before the highly anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, a report from Bloomberg has sparked intense debate about Nintendo’s business strategy in Japan. Saccording to the publication, the Japanese company planned to allow retailers to earn an unusually high profit margin of 5% on each console sold, exceeding the unofficial industry standard, which hovers around 2%. This strategy aims to incentivize local distributors and ensure a strong presence of the Switch 2 in Japanese physical stores.
Nintendo seems to disagree with what is being said about it
However, Nintendo has rushed to deny these claims through a statement on its official Twitter account, where it stated: “This text is false. Nintendo does not disclose any information about the business conditions with its distribution and retail partners.” Despite this clarification, the company’s shares fell by 2.2% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, highlighting the market’s sensitivity to news related to the Big N.
The measure of higher margins seeks to alleviate the growing pressure on retailers in an increasingly digital sales environment, where downloads surpass physical copies and accessories are marketed online. This paradigm shift has led physical stores to seek ways to remain relevant in the transition to a more digital business model.
Despite the controversy, the conversation about Nintendo’s business strategy persists. The company anticipates selling 15 million units of the Switch 2 before March 2026, although projections could exceed 20 million if production conditions allow. In this context, both players and analysts will be watching closely how the initial commercial steps of a console that has already generated significant interest even before its launch unfold.
A new report from Bloomberg has revealed that Warner Bros. Games has canceled a planned expansion for Hogwarts Legacy, as well as a Definitive Edition that would include both the base game and this new content. The cancellation comes amid a significant restructuring within Warner’s video game division, which has suffered losses of $300 million due to failures like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Multiversus. A game that will not receive new content Despite the fact that the expansion was never formally announced, it is speculated that the Definitive Edition could have been […]
A new report from Bloomberg has revealed that Warner Bros. Games has canceled a planned expansion for Hogwarts Legacy, as well as a Definitive Edition that would include both the base game and this new content. The cancellation comes amid a significant restructuring within Warner’s video game division, which has suffered losses of $300 million due to failures such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Multiversus.
A game that will not receive new content
Although the expansion was never formally announced, it is speculated that the Definitive Edition could have been a director’s cut that was first reported in 2024. According to sources, the decision to cancel the additional content was based on the fact that production costs were not justified in relation to the amount of expected content.
The cancellation is especially surprising given that Hogwarts Legacy was a resounding success in 2023 and is considered one of the four “key franchises” for Warner, alongside Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and DC. Just last month, the company reaffirmed its commitment to projects related to Harry Potter, emphasizing its importance in the future of the company’s video game business.
However, in the midst of the restructuring, several development studios were also closed, including Monolith and Player First Games, and other ongoing projects were canceled, such as the video game based on Wonder Woman. Despite the bad news, Warner has confirmed that a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy is still in development and remains one of its top priorities.
It can be anticipated that, given the success of the original title, the cancellation of an expansion and a Definitive Edition could have a negative impact on the franchise’s short-term revenue potential, raising questions about the business strategy to be followed by Warner in the video game industry.
PlayStation Vita lives. In our hearts. Sony’s handheld didn’t sell much, but it was a great console. Those of us who had it can vouch for it. Even today, it remains one of the best handheld consoles that have ever existed. And it’s no surprise that later Nintendo and Valve took notes from it to make their own handheld consoles. Nor is it surprising that Sony has decided it’s a good idea to return to the handheld console market. According to several reliable sources. Bloomberg mentioned last November that Sony was developing a new handheld console. Still only in […]
PlayStation Vita lives. In our hearts. Sony’s handheld didn’t sell much, but it was a great console—those of us who had it can attest to that. Even today, it remains one of the best handheld consoles that has ever existed. It’s no surprise that Nintendo and Valve later took notes from it to make their own handheld consoles. Nor that Sony has decided it’s a good idea to return to the handheld console market, according to several reliable sources that have already confirmed it.
Bloomberg commented last November that Sony was developing a new portable console, after realizing that there was a market for portable devices. Still only in the prototyping stage, this was due to the success of PlayStation Portal. It seems they are not the only ones who have heard that information, as other media outlets are joining in to confirm the news.
Last Monday, in their podcast DF Direct Weekly #191, Digital Foundry confirmed that they had heard the rumors that Sony was working on a portable console weeks ago. If they hadn’t commented on it, according to John Linneman, it’s because “we’re not in the business of leaking things.” He also mentioned that “it’s interesting that the news has finally started circulating, because it confirms what we had already heard.”
Sony is not the only one interested in portable consoles
Although they have not been able to provide many more details, it seems that there may already be a prototype of the console, or at least, a concept of what they are looking for. Considering that Sony has already made two handhelds in the past, the PSP and the PS Vita, not counting the Portal device, it would not be surprising if they have made more progress than we imagined.
For now, all we know is that they are interested and their idea is for it to be a console capable of running PlayStation 5 games. This also coincides with Microsoft’s interest in making a portable console, undoubtedly due to the success of Valve, Rog, and Nintendo, with their portable consoles. It seems they are experiencing a second life that is not close to ending.
