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.
Valve has announced the end of Steam's retail gift card program due to unrelenting scamming activities. Despite efforts to combat scams, the decision aims to protect users. Digital gift cards remain available, with improvements on the way.
Xbox Game Pass has suffered a significant loss of millions of subscribers following a 50% price hike in fall 2025. The increase, which made the service "too expensive" for many players, was recently reversed in April 2026. This move comes as part of a broader strategy adjustment, including the removal of Call of Duty from the platform.
Toys for Bob, developers of the successful Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, have achieved independence from Activision after a corporate mandate shifted their focus to supporting Call of Duty: Warzone. Following Microsoft's 2024 layoffs, the studio secured a buyout, described as "many mini miracles" by studio head Paul Yan. Now, they're developing a new, original Spyro game.
Halo Campaign Evolved, set for release on July 28, transforms the original into a near-brand-new experience. A 2-hour demo on Xbox Series X showcased significant changes, including a third-person view, sprinting, and vehicle boarding, blending nostalgia with modern flair. This remake by Halo Studios feels remarkably fresh, despite some quirks betraying its age.
Sony announces its PlayStation Plus Extra June 2026 catalog, featuring Final Fantasy 16 alongside Kingdom Come: Deliverance and more, set to arrive on June 16. Final Fantasy 16 brings action-focused real-time combat to the franchise, receiving an 87/100 score on Metacritic and OpenCritic, despite narrative criticisms. This addition enhances the catalog's appeal, especially for action RPG fans.
PlayStation Plus' June Game Catalog is headlined by Final Fantasy XVI, Sonic X Shadow Generations, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance, offering a diverse mix of genres. Final Fantasy XVI brings a dark, action-RPG twist to the series, while Sonic X Shadow Generations combines new content with a remastered classic. With additional titles like Life is Strange: Double Exposure and the Premium addition of Gitaroo Man, this month's lineup caters to a wide range of gaming interests.
A dedicated GTA 6 fan, Then-Pomegranate-625, has been counting cigarettes outside Rockstar North's HQ to gauge developer stress levels, predicting this unusual method indicates Trailer 3's release is imminent. Over 19 hours, 71 cigarettes were counted, suggesting high stress among devs. The fan is confident Trailer 3 will arrive this week.
Minecraft is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year, boasting enhanced visuals, lighting, and shadow effects. Players will also enjoy seamless world transfer from the original Switch version, ensuring no progress is lost. This upgraded release promises a fresh, polished take on the survival crafting classic.
The long-rumored Kingdom Hearts and Fortnite collaboration is nearing, suggested by a recent Rocket League update adding a Kingdom Hearts theme. This move indicates the collab's release might be sooner than expected, possibly this season. Fans anticipate character skins and the Keyblade as a weapon.
Fortnite Chapter 7, Season 3, introduces a challenging quest to investigate a vision clue at Heatwave Harbor. Players have a 3-minute timer to find the clue after picking up Hope's spray paint cans. This guide details how to locate and interact with the Pizza Box item at the Crabby Cabana building to complete the quest before time runs out.
