PlayStation 5 received a system software update introducing new widgets that display the most popular and trending games by region, alongside features for speaker identification in party chats and enhanced image quality settings for PS5 Pro users.
A prominent PS5 hacker named TheFlow announced he is quitting the PS5 hacking scene after another modder named Jordy reported a critical hypervisor exploit to Sony via HackerOne, despite allegedly agreeing to keep it secret until after Grand Theft Auto 6's release. TheFlow had been developing a Linux mod to turn PS5 consoles into Steam Machines and planned to release it in 2027, but the exploit's disclosure will likely result in Sony patching it out via firmware updates.
Samsung's 990 PRO Gen4 2TB NVMe SSD is on sale for $385 on Amazon, a 40% discount from its regular $640 price, driven by global NAND flash memory shortages. The drive offers fast speeds, 2TB storage capacity, thermal control, and Samsung Magician Software for optimization, making it suitable for professionals and creatives working with large files.
Heart Machine, the studio behind acclaimed indie game Hyper Light Drifter, has laid off nearly all staff after a publisher cancelled funding for an unannounced project, leaving the studio's future uncertain. Studio head Alx Preston cited the failure of recent releases like Hyper Light Breaker and Possessor(s) to gain traction as contributing factors to the studio's financial crisis.
Pokémon's 30th anniversary Trading Card Game set features rare RGB Mew cards as the primary chase, with one blue variant already selling for $20,000 on eBay. Early listings range from four figures to $150,000, though prices may stabilize after launch week hype subsides. The cards appear to have extremely low pull rates, possibly around 1-in-10,000 to 1-in-20,000 per pack.
Marvel's Wolverine has faced criticism for being overly handholdy, with players discovering that quick-time event sequences and a viral motorcycle chase segment can complete themselves without meaningful player input. While some QTEs do have minor consequences like damage, many sequences play out identically regardless of whether players respond to button prompts, sparking debate about game interactivity and design.
Pokémon content creator Natalie Roush faced backlash after uploading a video opening what appear to be stolen 30th Anniversary Ultimate Premium Collection boxes months before their official November release. Roush claimed she personally purchased the boxes, but this admission contradicted standard industry practice where creators receive advance products under embargo agreements, implicating her in potential receipt of stolen property that The Pokémon Company confirmed was not legitimately available for sale.
Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind the GTA-like game MindsEye, is permanently closing following multiple rounds of layoffs and workplace controversies including crunch accusations and unlawful employee monitoring. Multiple employees confirmed the shutdown on LinkedIn, with the studio winding down operations while facing ongoing scrutiny from the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain over worker treatment.
Video game merchandise quality has declined as AI-generated designs and print-on-demand services flood the market, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish official products from bootleg alternatives. Traditional screen-printing companies struggle to compete against cheaper, faster competitors using direct-to-garment printing, while major publishers like Nintendo rarely police unauthorized sellers.