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.
Forza Horizon 6, set to release on May 19, has suffered a significant leak, with players accessing the game early via unencrypted files on SteamDB. Developer Playground Games has vowed to take strict action, including franchise-wide and hardware bans, against those found playing the leaked build. The move has drawn a mixed response from the community, with some questioning the punishment given the leak's apparent origin from a review build mishap.
Rumors of a "World of Warcraft Classic Plus" have intensified after Blizzard hosted a secretive event in California for popular WoW Classic streamers, sparking speculation about a modernized version of the old MMO. This potential new iteration would deviate from the original update timeline, instead incorporating modern updates akin to Old School Runescape. With BlizzCon approaching in September, anticipation grows for an official announcement.
Subnautica 2, the highly anticipated survival adventure game, releases in early access on May 14, boasting over 5 million Steam wishlists. Its launch follows a tumultuous year marked by the firing of Unknown Worlds' studio heads in a bid to avoid a $250 million bonus payout, a move that backfired after a Delaware judge ruled in their favor. With the bonus eligibility reinstated, the game's success could significantly impact both the studio and its publisher, Krafton.
Discover if the Star Wars: Mandalorian & Grogu Burger King Bounty Meal is a galactic hit or a cosmic miss. This limited-time bundle, featuring a BBQ Bounty Whopper, Imperial Cheddar Ranch Tots, Grogu's Blue Cookie Shake, and Grogu's Garlic Chicken Fries, was put to the test. While some items shone, others felt like a scam, making the experience a mixed bag for fans and foodies alike.
Path of Exile 2's 1.0 release is set for before the end of the year, after early November's ExileCon, cautiously avoiding a direct clash with the highly anticipated GTA 6 on November 19. Director Jonathan Rogers acknowledges the unavoidable impact of GTA 6's massive media presence, opting for a strategic buffer. Despite the challenge, Path of Exile 2's dedicated 13-year-cultivated PC fanbase is expected to drive significant excitement around its launch.
Peacock's highly anticipated Crystal Lake, the prequel series to Friday the 13th, is set to release on October 15, 2026, starring Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees and Callum Vinson as Jason Voorhees. After years of development challenges, the eight-episode show promises to delve into the Voorhees family's story before the infamous lake incident. Fans of the horror franchise can finally look forward to a new narrative exploration of the Jason Voorhees legend.
The Ghost in the Shell anime reboot, produced by Science Saru, is set to premiere on July 7, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video worldwide, except in China and Russia. Directed by Touma Kimura (Mokochan), this series is a full retelling of Masamune Shirow’s manga. Episodes will drop every Tuesday at 11 PM JST, with a special early screening at the Annecy Animation Film Festival.
The Steam Machine's launch lineup has been partially uncovered, revealing four distinct package options set to debut alongside a reservation queue system. While pricing remains elusive, the lineup includes a confirmed 512GB entry-level model and a 2TB version, with speculation around the other two, potentially including a bundle with the Steam Frame and Controller. The upcoming launch is anticipated to be imminent, with the reservation system aiming to mitigate scalper inflated prices.
Nintendo has confirmed a global price hike for the Switch 2, increasing costs by $50 in the US, $50 in Canada, and €30 in Europe. Despite this, the company assures a higher adoption rate than its predecessor and promises multiple unannounced Switch 2 games for later this year. The move follows an 8% drop in Nintendo's share price since the announcement.
The upcoming Steam Machine, Valve's PC gaming console, has been revealed through a datamine to come in four different models, potentially varying by storage size. This discovery, alongside a significant hardware shipment to Valve, suggests an announcement may be imminent. The Steam Machine is expected to offer a console-like experience with substantial storage options, though pricing remains uncertain.
