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.
Kaz, the new roguelike from Kalinarm, offers highly engaging gameplay with its fast-paced reflex challenges and deep perk system, all for $7 on Steam. However, its intense gameplay may come at the cost of wrist strain. With its simple yet addictive design, Kaz captures the spirit of classic Flash games.
Filming has begun on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, with Andy Serkis reprising his iconic role as Gollum, as revealed in a behind-the-scenes video. The project, set for a December 17, 2027, release, will also feature returning cast members Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood. Serkis, who is also directing, showcases his immediate return to character in the video, alongside glimpses of New Zealand location shoots.
Staff at Ubisoft Barcelona, co-developers of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, have gone on strike over the company's "below reasonable standard" severance pay offer, following the announcement of up to 51 job eliminations. The strike highlights the contrast between the game's commercial success—selling 2 million copies in 24 hours—and the treatment of its developers. Employees are fighting to secure fair severance pay and potentially save some roles.
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu is a challenging co-op survival horror game that masterfully crafts a tense, atmospheric experience rooted in the Cthulhu mythos. With clever mechanics like madness effects and a contract system, it promises a thrilling co-op journey, albeit one marred by ruthless difficulty spikes and design flaws. Players must navigate the beautiful yet dangerous 17th-century Chilean wilderness, uncovering secrets across 18 detailed maps in a game that, despite its flaws, is hard to put down.
Microsoft has unexpectedly removed Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 from its July 2026 Xbox Game Pass lineup, despite owning the title through its $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition. The game was set to launch on Game Pass on July 21. The sudden removal, without explanation, sparks speculation about potential licensing issues, a common challenge for music-heavy games like THPS 1+2, which features a soundtrack with numerous licensed tracks.
Spirit Halloween's 2026 collection has unveiled a unique SpongeBob SquarePants item: Squidward's "Hopes and Dreams" Tombstone, inspired by a memorable Season 3 episode. This quirky decoration, retailing at $49.99, has quickly gained popularity for its subtle humor and nostalgic value. The officially licensed replica measures 21" H x 14" W x 3" D and includes ground stakes.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2, despite being published by Activision (owned by Xbox via a $70 billion deal), has been removed from the upcoming Xbox Game Pass titles list without explanation. This move highlights Xbox's confusing Game Pass strategy amid reported subscriber decline following a price hike. The game's removal is puzzling, given its first-party status.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G5, a premium 27" QHD 180Hz QD-OLED gaming monitor, is now available for $299.99 on Amazon, a $200 discount. This monitor boasts exceptional image quality, instantaneous response time, and a 3-year warranty covering OLED burn-in. Ideal for high-speed gaming and workstation use, it's G-Sync compatible for seamless performance.
Mike Zaimont, previously accused of sexual misconduct at Lab Zero, is confirmed to be working on Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game due out July 23. Despite past allegations, Zaimont holds a key role at Gameplay Group International. The community reacts with controversy and disappointment to his involvement.
The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 Gen 2, equipped with AMD's Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090, sees a significant price drop to A$6,599 in Australia. This powerful gaming laptop, featuring a 240Hz OLED display, is ideal for high-refresh 1440p/4K gaming and creative work. With a sleek 19mm chassis and advanced thermal efficiency, it's a strong contender in the high-end gaming laptop market.
