The recent update to Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has ignited a firestorm of criticism among players, primarily due to significant changes that alter the game’s treatment of historical figures. The version 1.5 patch, released earlier this week, has effectively removed the ability to kill certain NPCs based on real historical characters, leading to accusations of censorship and altering the narrative integrity of the game. Set in the late Ming Dynasty, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers allows players to engage with a rich tapestry of history and mythology.

In a significant shake-up for the much-anticipated Bioshock 4, 2K Games has replaced key leadership at Cloud Chamber, the studio behind the game. This move comes after the project reportedly failed an internal development review, prompting the publisher to reassess its direction. Kelley Gilmore, the studio head, has departed, and creative director Hogarth de la Plante has transitioned to a publishing role. This change raises questions about the game’s narrative, which has been flagged for improvement, indicating that the developers are committed to delivering a product that meets the high expectations of fans.

Ubisoft’s recent admission regarding the poor sales of Star Wars Outlaws has sent ripples through the gaming community, particularly with the revelation that a sequel was cancelled very early in development. CEO Yves Guillemot’s comments about the franchise being in choppy waters highlight not only the challenges facing the Star Wars brand but also the broader implications for game developers navigating franchise fatigue and market expectations. Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson revealed that the sequel was scrapped before it even entered full production, suggesting that Ubisoft is reevaluating its strategy to avoid being perceived as a trend-chaser.

In a significant move for the British gaming industry, The Chinese Room has regained its independence from Sumo Digital through a management buyout. This acclaimed studio, known for its innovative titles like Dear Esther and Everybodys Gone to Rapture, is now poised to explore new creative avenues. With the backing of venture capital firm Hiro Capital, The Chinese Room is set to work on two original IPs, marking a new chapter in its storied history.

In a surprising turn of events, the PS5 has welcomed the action-adventure puzzle game Worlds End Club, originally a Nintendo Switch exclusive, to its platform. This unexpected release comes just weeks after a leak hinted at its arrival, and it has already made waves among gaming enthusiasts. Priced at $24.99, this title offers players a unique narrative experience crafted by the renowned Danganronpa creator, Kazutaka Kodaka. Worlds End Club invites players into a captivating story where a group of Tokyo school children find themselves trapped in an abandoned underwater theme park after a class trip gone wrong.

In an exciting move for the gaming industry, My.Games has announced a strategic 50/50 joint venture with Crazybit, a Cyprus-based game development studio. This collaboration aims to harness their combined expertise to develop a new wave of PC and console games, with one title already in early development. The partnership promises to bring innovative gaming experiences to players, leveraging Crazybit’s rich history in browser and mobile games along with My.Games’ proven track record in creating visually stunning titles.

In light of recent layoffs at Microsoft, Rare is set to discuss the future of its flagship game, Sea of Thieves, in an upcoming community direct. This event, scheduled for Thursday at 3 PM UK / 10 AM ET, promises to unveil insights into the next two Seasons of the game and significant changes to the Insider Programme. With the departure of key figures like Gregg Mayles and Louise OConnor, the community is eager to see how these changes will shape the game’s trajectory.

In an exciting turn of events for gamers, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, the critically acclaimed superhero strategy game developed by Firaxis, is now available for free to Amazon Prime members as part of the Prime Day celebrations. This offer allows players to claim the game and keep it forever, a significant advantage over other subscription services that only provide temporary access to their titles. Prime Gaming continues to enhance its offerings by including popular games like Midnight Suns and the highly praised Venba this July.

In a surprising turn of events, Romero Games has publicly denied reports of its closure following significant funding cuts from Microsoft. The studio, known for its innovative approach to first-person shooters, confirmed that while it lost funding for its unannounced project, it is actively seeking new partnerships with several interested publishers to revive the game. The situation has left many employees in limbo, with claims of layoffs circulating after the abrupt cancellation of the project.

Xbox has officially unveiled the exciting new features for the upcoming release of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced, set to launch on August 12 across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This enhanced version promises to elevate the gaming experience with a new performance mode that allows gameplay at 60fps, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise. Notably, this marks the first time the game will be available on the PS5, with a Deluxe Edition that includes the optimized version of the original game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.

The gaming industry is buzzing with excitement as the developers behind Lies of P are set to receive substantial rewards following the game’s impressive achievement of surpassing 3 million sales. This milestone, which includes both physical and digital sales across platforms, has prompted publisher Neowiz to generously compensate the team at Round8 Studio with bonuses, additional vacation time, and even the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. As reported, each staff member will receive a launch bonus of 10 million South Korean won (approximately $7,300) and an extra two weeks of paid vacation on top of South Korea’s standard 15 days.

The excitement in the gaming community is palpable as the mobile puzzle game Classroom of the Elite Merge Puzzle Special Exam makes its way to the Crunchyroll Game Vault. With pre-registration now open on both the App Store and Google Play, fans are eager to dive into a game that promises to blend engaging gameplay with beloved characters from the anime series. This title, which debuted in Japan earlier this year, is set to enhance the gaming experience with unique features like missions, character levels, and unlockable “school miniscapes.

In a recent announcement, Gearbox has confirmed that the standard edition of Borderlands 4 will be priced at $70, quelling fears that it might hit the $80 mark. This decision comes after some controversial comments from CEO Randy Pitchford, who suggested that “real fans” would find a way to pay higher prices for games. The confirmation of a $70 price point is a relief for many gamers who are already facing rising costs in the gaming industry.

In a bold move that reflects changing player preferences, Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced its intention to continue adjusting PlayStation Plus pricing as more subscribers opt for the higher-tier plans. CEO Hideaki Nishino revealed that approximately 38% of PS Plus users are now subscribed to the Premium or Extra tiers, a significant increase from previous years, even amidst recent price hikes. The trend towards higher tiers is not just a passing phase; it indicates a growing appreciation for the enhanced value that these subscriptions offer.

The recent launch of Stellar Blade on PC has made waves in the gaming community, as it becomes the second PlayStation-published title to surpass 100,000 concurrent players on Steam. With an impressive peak of 100,904 players, Stellar Blade is carving out its place in the competitive landscape of online gaming, showcasing the growing popularity of PlayStation titles on PC platforms. This milestone is particularly noteworthy as it highlights the success of cross-platform releases, allowing PlayStation games to reach a broader audience.

Supermassive Games has taken a bold step in the gaming world with the announcement of a rewind and replay feature for their upcoming sci-fi horror title, Directive 8020. This innovative mechanic, dubbed “Turning Points,” allows players to rewind to crucial decision moments in the game, enabling them to alter their choices and explore different narrative paths. This feature promises to enhance replayability and deepen the player’s engagement with the game’s multifaceted story.

The latest installment in the Dynasty Warriors franchise, Dynasty Warriors: Origins, has sold over 1 million copies globally, yet the series still struggles to gain a foothold in the Western market. Tomohiko Sho, the producer of the game, recently shared in an interview that despite this impressive sales figure, he does not believe the series can yet be labeled a success in the West. This sentiment highlights the ongoing challenges that many franchises face when trying to resonate with audiences outside their home territories.