A fan-organized PlayStation Blackout boycott protesting Sony's end of disc production had minimal impact on US PS5 engagement, according to market research firm Circana, which found no significant change in player activity. Sony acknowledged the backlash and stated it would cautiously proceed with its all-digital strategy while exploring how to engage gamers in a digital ecosystem.
Blizzard announced new StarCraft and Diablo games at BlizzCon with release targets years away—2029 and 2030 respectively—to demonstrate confidence in delivering major projects on time. President Johanna Faries emphasized the company's commitment to shipping games successfully while preserving Blizzard's creative culture amid Microsoft ownership.
Sony Interactive Entertainment halted the release of an unofficial Last of Us Part 2 multiplayer mod developed by Specizer, which had been in development since January and was set to release this month. The mod featured custom perks, listening mechanics, and new maps, but Naughty Dog and PlayStation requested its cancellation via cease-and-desist letter.
Level-5's CEO Akihiro Hino admitted the studio used generative AI in recent game reveals for Professor Layton and Yo-Kai Watch to make presentations more spectacular, after fans criticized the heavy use of AI-generated content. Hino apologized for going too far but claimed core creative elements like scenarios and character designs are human-made, and that AI is used only to enhance efficiency in production.
Leaked footage from a PlayStation playtest reveals gameplay for Haven Studios' long-awaited PS5 shooter Fairgames, a competitive heist game where teams infiltrate secure locations to steal cargo and escape. The game, announced in 2023 and delayed to 2026 following producer Jade Raymond's departure, is described as a modern take on the heist genre with PvPvE mechanics.
Ikea released a free Skyrim mod called Kallax Storageborn featuring a talking shelving unit companion voiced by Matt Berry. The mod adds a quest where players fight clutter and build their own Kallax storage unit with unique loot and abilities to manage inventory.
Amazon Prime subscribers can claim nine free PC games in September through its Luna gaming service, including Doom Eternal and High on Life. Unlike competing services, these games are permanent redemption codes for platforms like Epic Games Store and GOG, remaining accessible even after subscription cancellation.
A Steam API vulnerability allowed achievement tracking site Exophase to scrape unreleased achievements for hundreds of unannounced games, including Kingdom Hearts 4 and Persona 6, exposing major spoilers and unconfirmed titles. Exophase's owner confirmed the leak resulted from a mistake on Valve's end that lifted access restrictions. This marks the second significant security incident for Valve in two weeks.