(1) Must Reads + Sales:

> GAMES+ Membership: Our Approach to a Better Gaming Experience

> Crimson Desert Roots of Truth Abyss Puzzle Explained

> Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2019 Tops Steam Charts After 90% Discount

> Arc Raiders Flashpoint Tease Points to Shredders Leaving Stella Montis

> Sand: Raiders of Sophie March Release Date Still Unconfirmed

(2) Milestones + Game Updates:

> Arc Raiders Weekly Patches Explained by Embark Studios

> Pokemon Champions Switch Launch Date, Battle Pass & Monetization

> Resident Evil Requiem Sends Fans Back to Leon's Older Games on Steam

> Diablo 4 Season 12 Bloodsoaked Sigils Are Getting a Significant Nerf

> Best Ditto Thumb Grips for Pokemon Pokopia on Switch 2

(3) Events + Reports:

> OpenAI Shuts Down Sora, Taking Disney's $1 Billion Deal With It

> Xbox's New CEO Asha Sharma Wants Game Pass to Cost Less

> SEGA's Games Are Earning Praise, But Not Purchases

> PAX Aus 2026 Early Bird Tickets Are on Sale March 2026

> Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Playerbase is Overwhelmingly 30+

GAMES+ Membership: Our Approach to a Better Gaming Experience

We have introduced a membership designed to simplify how gamers discover, follow, and access new games. The subscription brings together early insights, exclusive rewards, and an ad-free browsing experience in a single platform.

GAMES+ service now supports a growing community of more than 10,000 gamers and covers over 1,000 titles, offering players earlier access to reviews, beta invitations, and gaming deals.

Key Highlights Include:

>> Free monthly games, helping players gradually expand their libraries.


>> Early access to reviews and guides, allowing gamers to see insights before wider release.


>> 100% ad-free browsing, creating a cleaner experience when exploring games.


>> Priority beta invites, giving members opportunities to test upcoming titles.


>> Members-only deals and bundles, helping reduce the cost of gaming purchases.


>> 24/7 VIP support, providing assistance whenever members need it.


>> Exclusive events and community access, including early tickets and developer discussions.

The membership is available for $4 per month (billed annually) and aims to bring together game discovery, rewards, and community engagement into one service.

As our platform grows, new features and partnerships will continue to expand the benefits available to members.

More information is available on our website here.

Epic Games Lays Off Over 1,000 Staff

Epic Games is undergoing a significant restructuring, as CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed layoffs affecting over 1,000 employees (~23% of the workforce), driven primarily by declining Fortnite engagement.

Key highlights:

>> Workforce Reduction


• Over 1,000 roles impacted as part of cost-cutting efforts
• At least 4 months’ severance, with additional tenure-based compensation
• Follows a previous 830 layoffs in 2023, indicating ongoing challenges

>> Fortnite Engagement Decline


• Still the most-played console game, but with reduced playtime
• PlayStation: avg. 16 hrs/month (down from 21 hrs YoY)
• Xbox: avg. 15 hrs/month (down from 19 hrs YoY)
• Shift toward third-party titles on Epic Games Store (+4% playtime)

>> Financial Pressures


• Over $500M in cost savings identified across operations
• V-Bucks prices increased to offset rising costs
• Epic Games Store described as only “marginally profitable” despite $1.16B in player spending

>> Product & Platform Changes


• Shutdown of Fortnite modes: Rocket Racing, Ballistic, Festival Battle Stage
• Focus on reducing operational complexity and costs

>> Industry Context


• Slower growth and weaker consumer spending
• Increased competition from other entertainment platforms
• Current-gen console sales lagging behind previous cycles

>> Looking Ahead


• Renewed focus on stronger Fortnite seasonal content
• Continued investment in developer tools and future engine upgrades
• “Huge launch plans” expected later this year

Sweeney emphasised that AI is not a driver of these cuts, instead pointing to strategic and operational adjustments as Epic recalibrates for sustainability and future growth.

Read the full breakdown here.

Generative AI Faces Backlash Among Gamers and Developers

Generative AI is facing pushback in the gaming industry, according to the latest GDC survey. Only 7% of developers see it as “good for the industry.”

Here’s a quick breakdown:

>> Venture capitalist Moritz Baier-Lentz of Lightspeed Venture Partners expressed being “shocked and sad” by the negative sentiment, noting the firm’s investments in companies like Anthropic and Nvidia.

>> Job security remains a key concern, as AI tools may automate tasks and follow recent studio layoffs.

>> Hardware pressures are also an issue, with AI data centers driving up GPU demand and increasing costs for PC gaming setups.

>> Microsoft’s Xbox will introduce its AI assistant Copilot to consoles later this year, showing gradual integration despite developer concerns.

The conversation highlights the ongoing tension between innovation and industry stability in gaming.

Read more on our website here!

If you enjoyed this week’s recap, we’d appreciate it if you shared it with a friend.

Until next time, happy gaming!