Vishal Kamal has been covering video games for 7 years, writing about everything from hardware deals and new releases to esports and the business
side of the industry. He runs TheBadGamer, focused on gaming news worth your time.
The Elder Scrolls Online faces community fears of entering 'maintenance mode' after Xbox layoffs impacted developer ZeniMax Online. Despite assurances from the team, including Associate Design Director Jason Barnes and Community Manager ZOS_Kevin, that new content is still planned, uncertainties linger. The game's future remains uncertain, with a revised roadmap in the works.
Games Done Quick has cancelled a sponsored stream with SNK, developer of the Metal Slug series, following community backlash over SNK's 96% ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The move comes after viewers criticized the partnership due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record. GDQ apologised for the oversight, promising to review and strengthen their sponsorship process.
Steam has achieved its highest half-year revenue on record, generating $11.1 billion in H1, a 14.5% year-over-year increase. The surge is driven by back-catalogue sales, strategic promotions, and viral co-op games. Notable performers include Resident Evil Requiem and Forza Horizon 6, highlighting the platform's reliance on established franchises and discounted classics.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced suffered a critical failure of its Offline Mode when a 1-hour Ubisoft Connect outage rendered the game unplayable on PC, despite its advertised offline capability. Over 15,000 players upvoted complaints on Steam Forums and Reddit, decrying the issue and the game's costly cosmetic microtransactions. This debacle highlights persistent problems with Ubisoft's PC ports and DRM implementation.
A fan-made PC port of Silent Hill: Downpour is in development by Indie_RU, promising to restore cut content, including a boss battle against the "Monocle Man," and offer improved performance with uncapped framerate and higher resolutions. Expected to release in September/October, this port aims to breathe new life into a title often overshadowed by its attempts to echo Silent Hill 2. Fans can look forward to revisiting the game with restored weapons, cutscenes, notes, dialogue, and sidequests.
A new gameplay video for Total War: Warhammer 40,000 showcases detailed battle mechanics, including a cover system, dynamic squad splitting, and destructible environments, all of which may heavily test players' graphics cards. The video highlights the expendability of Imperial Guardsmen, with a narrator solemnly stating, "These men did their duty." With an average life expectancy of just 15 hours in combat, these troops are as fragile as the environments they fight in.
Obsidian Entertainment director Brandon Adler addresses critics claiming the studio has changed following recent Xbox layoffs, emphasizing the studio's consistent "DNA" despite staff changes. Adler defends the team's composition, noting key leaders worked on iconic titles like The Outer Worlds and New Vegas. The response comes amid uncertainty after Microsoft's widespread layoffs affected several Xbox studios.
Steam is on track for its most lucrative year ever, generating $11 billion in gross revenue in the first half of 2026, driven in part by high-priced new releases like Resident Evil Requiem and Forza Horizon 6. The platform's success also stems from its thriving back catalogue and growing adoption in Asian markets, particularly China. Despite the industry's challenges, Valve's platform continues to thrive.
A Dutch consumer group is suing Sony for €400 million, arguing its 30% PlayStation Store fee is unfair. The lawsuit gained new momentum as Sony announced the end of physical discs by 2028, eliminating the second-hand market and alternative pricing. The group claims this gives Sony sole control over game costs and usage duration.
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