Summary

A rare fully functional 1973 two-player Computer Space arcade cabinet is currently up for sale via RR AuctionOwned by Earthworm Jim programmer David Perry the unit features a sparkly green fiberglass body and original rotational joysticksBidding is live and set to conclude on August 20 with estimates exceeding $20,000 USD

Nutting Associates' rare 1973 Two-Player Computer Space Arcade Machine has officially hit the auction block via RR Auction. The vintage arcade cabinet comes directly from the personal collection of game programmer and Gaikai co-founder David Perry.

Released in mid-1973 following the 1971 single-player original designed by Syzygy Engineering founders Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, the two-player iteration represents a monumental piece of early video game history prior to the mainstream rise of Atari. Built with a retrofuturistic silhouette wrapped in a sparkly green fiberglass shell, the cabinet features a control panel equipped with a 25-cent quarter slot, a coin return button, a red "Start Game" button, a green "Two Player Operation" button, and two original rotational joysticks topped with red "Fire Missile" buttons.

Preserved in working condition with minor body scuffing, the machine includes its original functional screen and interior lighting. The rare cabinet is being offered as part of RR Auction's broader Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction Part Two event.

The two-player Computer Space arcade machine is currently open for bidding on RR Auction, with the listing set to officially close on August 20, 2026, at 7 PM ET.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Xbox is celebrating the upcoming release of 'Gears of War: E-Day' with two new limited edition controllersThe lineup includes a textured emergence hole design and a customizable Design Lab option featuring Luke Preece's artBoth accessories will be showcased at Gamescom on August 25 ahead of their respective fall launches

Xbox has officially announced the launch of two new limited-edition controllers arriving alongside the highly anticipated console exclusive, Gears of War: E-Day. Designed to commemorate the return of the iconic franchise, the collection offers fans immersive hardware inspired by the game’s gritty atmosphere.

Leading the announcement is a 3D-molded, laser-etched standard Xbox controller, which takes visual cues from the franchise's infamous emergence holes. The design features cracked asphalt textures, transparent red elements on the D-pad and face buttons, and matching red triggers. To complete the setup, an accompanying 8BitDo charging dock is also available, designed to power the peripheral during downtime.

The second option is a specialized Xbox Design Lab gamepad, set to launch on September 30. This version features exclusive Lancer artwork by heavy metal illustrator Luke Preece, offering a sleek, graphic-forward aesthetic. While the Design Lab edition allows for further customization of triggers and buttons, it trades the 3D-molded asphalt texture of the standard version for a clean, bespoke canvas. Both controllers are scheduled to be displayed at Gamescom on August 25.

The 3D-molded Gears of War: E-Day controller is available for pre-order now, with the Design Lab version following on September 30 and the game title launching October 6, 2026.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Electronic Arts and Bit Reactor have unveiled 'Star Wars Zero Company' a new single-player turn-based tactics gameSet during the Clone Wars era players command a specialized mercenary squad led by a customizable officer named HawksThe title officially launches on August 27 for PC PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S

Electronic Arts and developer Bit Reactor have officially announced Star Wars Zero Company, introducing the sci-fi franchise's first dedicated single-player turn-based tactical video game. The upcoming title is developed in partnership with Lucasfilm Games.

Set during the Clone Wars era, the gameplay puts players in control of Hawks, a customizable former Galactic Republic officer voiced by Jonathan Freeman or Erica Luttrell. Leading Zero Company—a crew of galactic mercenaries including a Clone Trooper, a Mandalorian, and a Jedi Padawan—players are tasked with hunting down Kundri Fathom (Rekha Sharma), the leader of a Separatist-aligned cult known as the Infinite Coil. Iconic figures such as Anakin Skywalker (voiced by Matt Lanter) appear on the story's periphery, utilizing a narrative framework inspired by the AMC historical drama Turn.

Drawing mechanical inspiration from turn-based staples like XCOM, the title integrates tactical positioning, choice-driven progression, and character-driven mission design engineered to be accessible for both franchise fans and tactical genre enthusiasts.

Star Wars Zero Company officially launches on August 27 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Warner Bros. confirms 'Hogwarts Legacy 2' is in development after the original’s over 40 milion sales.The sequel game anchors WB’s strategy alongside 'Harry Potter', DC, 'Mortal Kombat' and 'Game of Thrones.'Release expected 2027–2028, with previews likely at major gaming events.

Warner Bros. has officially confirmed that a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy is in development, following the massive success of the 2022 original game. The first Hogwarts Legacy became a global phenomenon, selling over 40 million copies and outperforming major titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in its launch year.

As revealed in Warner Bros. Discovery's  Q2 earnings report and shareholder letter, Hogwarts Legacy 2 is a key part of its refocused strategy, which centers on four major franchises: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat and DC. Executives have long hinted at a sequel, with development reportedly coordinated alongside storylines from the upcoming Harry Potter HBO series. Given the original’s billion‑dollar success and enduring fan demand, the sequel is positioned as a cornerstone release for WB Games.

While specific plot details, gameplay features and platforms remain unannounced, industry watchers expect the game to expand on the Wizarding World’s open‑world design and narrative depth. With major gaming events like Gamescom 2026 and The Game Awards on the horizon, fans anticipate a first look at the sequel soon, with insiders suggesting a release timeframe of 2027 or 2028.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Sony has introduced a limited‑edition Marvel’s Wolverine PS5 console and accessories bundle to coincide with the release of Marvel’s Wolverine later this year. The bundle includes a special PS5 Digital Edition console featuring claw‑slash etchings across bold yellow and black faceplates, a DualSense controller with metallic detailing and a Pulse Elite headset carrying the same motif. The design pays homage to Wolverine’s iconic palette, merging comic‑book aesthetics with PlayStation’s hardware.

The Marvel’s Wolverine PS5 bundle will launch on September 15, 2026, with pre-orders opening on August 19, 2026, via PlayStation Direct and select global retailers. The PS5 Digital Edition Battle Yellow Bundle is priced just below $650 USD. Individual DualSense wireless controllers - available in both the Battle Yellow and Adamantium designs - are set at around $85 USD each, while standalone console covers for standard PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro models retail for $75 USD.

Read more at Hypebeast

Summary

Panache Digital Games has officially announced an Early Access release date for '1666: Amsterdam'Created by 'Assassin’s Creed' lead Patrice Désilets the dark narrative game centers on hunting demonic entities across 17th-century AmsterdamThe initial Early Access edition launches August 25 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store for $29.99 USD

Panache Digital Games has officially set the Early Access release for its upcoming third-person action-adventure title, 1666: Amsterdam. The dark narrative game comes from Assassin’s Creed series creator Patrice Désilets.

In 1666: Amsterdam, players step into the role of Noa, "the Collector," who wields witchcraft to uncover "Originals"—demonic entities hiding behind human faces. The narrative follows Noa’s Commencement as she inherits the mantle of the Collector and unravels a mystery spanning centuries across a city shaped by secrets, power, and memory.

The Early Access version includes the first piece of the campaign, which is expected to offer approximately 15 hours of gameplay. Key mechanics showcase a dynamic day and night cycle, companion choices, and distinct playing styles for lead characters Noa and Aaron as they hunt targets across Amsterdam.

1666: Amsterdam drops in Early Access on August 25, 2026, for $29.99 USD via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Capcom unveiled a new trailer for 'Onimusha: Way of the Sword,' reviving the classic survival-action franchise.Players control Miyamoto Musashi, using the Oni Gauntlet to sever demonic malice in dark fantasy feudal Japan.Featuring a playable demo on PlayStation, the full title launches September 4, 2026, across major platforms.

A new trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword has ben unviled. Marking a major revival for Capcom's long-dormant survival-action franchise - which originally debuted on PlayStation 2 in 2001 -the new title follows Miyamoto Musashi as he wields the Oni Gauntlet to battle demonic Genma forces across a dark fantasy reimagining of feudal Japan. The trailer highlights the game's core "Severing Fates" premise, where Musashi must navigate corrupted shrines, answer the desperate prayers of locals and utilize his gauntlet to sever the binding ties of demonic malice.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks the first major installment in the series in over a decade, following Capcom’s renewed interest in reviving classic IPs. A playable demo currently available on the PlayStation Store, with the full game scheduled for an official release on September 4, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC via Steam.

Read more at Hypebeast

Summary

Rockstar Games and Netflix have partnered for the debut of 'Grand Theft Auto VI' An Extended Look on August 27The extended preview debuts on Netflix at 3 p.m. ET before streaming on YouTube and the official Rockstar site at 9 p.m. ETPre-orders for the title are currently available starting at $79.99 USD for standard editions and $99.99 USD for ultimate editions

Rockstar Games has officially announced a partnership with Netflix to premiere Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look on August 27, 2026. The collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind broadcast event to showcase the next evolution in the long-running franchise.

The extended preview is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on Thursday, August 27 at 3 p.m. ET, followed by a release on the official Rockstar Games YouTube channel and website at 9 p.m. ET. In development for 13 years, the launch version of the title delivers a single-player narrative set in Vice City across the fictional state of Leonida. The storyline follows dual protagonists Jason and Lucia as they navigate a dangerous conspiracy after an easy score goes wrong.

Pre-orders for the title originally opened in June, offering a standard edition for $79.99 USD across digital and physical boxed versions. Additionally, an ultimate edition is available for $99.99 USD, which includes a curated collection of exclusive in-game vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action content threaded throughout the game.

Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look premieres on August 27, 2026, across Netflix, YouTube, and the official Rockstar Games website.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Development on a fifth entry in the Midnight Club series included a prototype map set in London before Rockstar Games canceled the project to focus entirely on the Grand Theft Auto franchiseFormer senior designer Kris Roberts cited conflict between the Rockstar San Diego development team and the New York headquarters stemming from missed deadlines during the production of Midnight Club: Los AngelesInternal perceptions at the company treated the racing series as a secondary project that lacked the accolades and cultural weight of the studio's flagship open-world titles

Rockstar Games abandoned the Midnight Club franchise following the release of its 2008 Los Angeles installment to consolidate resources around massive open-world titles like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. The legendary racing series was a dominant force during the earlier console generation. Fans assumed the acclaimed fourth entry would lead directly into another blockbuster release. A fifth game was actively in the works and even featured early map development for a sprawling London environment. The project ultimately collapsed under immense internal pressure.

Former senior designer Kris Roberts recently revealed the turbulent final days of the franchise during an interview with Insider Gaming. Roberts explained that the cancellation stemmed from severe friction between the San Diego development team and the global headquarters in New York. The tension was largely rooted in production delays. The Los Angeles chapter was originally slated for an early 2008 launch but slipped to late October. Pushing a release date in the era before digital distribution caused massive financial strain and fractured trust with corporate leadership. Creative control battles further alienated the West Coast crew.

The internal culture at the gaming giant ultimately doomed the sequel. Roberts noted that executives viewed the racing property as a "red-headed stepchild" compared to the staggering success of the main flagship titles. Data proved players were engaging with the street racing game longer than direct competitors like Need for Speed and Burnout. Executives in New York remained unimpressed because the sales numbers could never match the highest tier of the industry. The business strategy dictated that the publisher only cared about producing guaranteed blockbuster hits. Take-Two Interactive maintains a ruthless approach to long-tail projects and smaller franchises to this day.

The cancellation permanently shifted the trajectory of the studio. Leadership completely dismantled the dedicated racing crew once the London prototype was officially shelved. Several former members transitioned to support the internal RAGE engine or build out multiplayer features for the original Red Dead Redemption. Others were let go entirely during a round of layoffs in 2010. The San Diego outfit originally built its reputation on racing hits like Midtown Madness before joining the larger corporate family. Scrapping the fifth installment effectively erased a beloved cornerstone of early 2000s automotive gaming culture.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Pokémon is tying its 30th anniversary card lottery to My Number card identity checks, reserving most winning slots for verified applicantsFour 30th CELEBRATION MEGA products will be sold through staggered lottery windows at Pokémon Center OnlineFans can still enter without verifying, but the odds are deliberately tilted toward those who confirm their identity

Pokémon is putting its 30th CELEBRATION MEGA card lineup behind a lottery gated by identity verification, a notable escalation in how the franchise controls access to its most sought-after releases. Rather than a first-come scramble, Pokémon Center Online will run staggered draws that hand applicants who verify themselves through Japan's My Number card system the majority of available winning slots.

For years, high-demand Pokémon card releases have been a magnet for scalpers, bots and resellers who buy up limited stock and flip it at inflated prices, leaving everyday collectors shut out. Lottery-based sales have become the usual defense, yet a determined secondary market has repeatedly found ways around them. The 30th anniversary push answers that pressure with a firmer gate. Pokémon is leaning on an identity-verification system built around the My Number card, Japan's government-issued national ID, to sort genuine fans from opportunistic buyers.

The mechanics run through two application tiers. Entrants can apply via a verified slot, which requires completing My Number card authentication inside the Pokémon Card Game Players Club and making sure the registered email matches their Pokémon Center Online account, or via an unverified slot, which only asks for phone-number authentication on Pokémon Center Online. The catch sits in the odds: the majority of winning entries are set aside for the verified pool, and while unverified fans may still enter, completing verification is openly framed as the way to improve one's chances. Verification on its own still guarantees nothing.

The campaign covers four products from the 30th CELEBRATION MEGA range: the expansion pack BOX, the "Espeon & Umbreon" premium deck set, the "Futuristic Box," and a nine-type card set. The first three share an application window running August 10 through August 14, with results on August 21 and shipping timed ahead of a mid-September release. The nine-type card set follows on its own track, with entries open August 28 through August 31, results on September 4, and shipping ahead of a mid-October release. Pokémon has also signaled that further lottery rounds will follow for those who miss out.

The 30th CELEBRATION MEGA lottery runs exclusively through Pokémon Center Online, with the first entry window open August 10 to August 14 and the card set draw following August 28 to August 31. Fans chasing the best odds will need to complete My Number card verification through the Players Club before applying.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Mojang Studios has officially announced that 'Minecraft' will launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27The next-gen port includes default support for Vibrant Visuals featuring enhanced lighting volumetric fog and dynamic shadowsAn upgrade path for current Nintendo Switch owners will be outlined in the coming weeks ahead of release

Mojang Studios has officially announced that Minecraft is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, 2026. The launch brings the best-selling video game of all time to Nintendo’s next-generation console with upgraded visual features built specifically for the new hardware.

By default, the Switch 2 edition will enable Vibrant Visuals, an enhanced graphics mode previously released by Mojang Studios that incorporates directional lighting, volumetric fog, and detailed shadows. Nintendo's platform-exclusive Super Mario Mash-Up pack will also receive the Vibrant Visuals treatment, though the graphics boost will not be available during split-screen play, certain game modes, or select Marketplace Worlds.

While Mojang Studios has yet to confirm whether the title will support Joy-Con 2 mouse controls for precise building, current Nintendo Switch owners will be offered an official upgrade path, with further details expected closer to launch. The arrival follows another major release for the franchise, with spin-off title Minecraft Dungeons II scheduled to hit PC and consoles on September 29.

Minecraft for the Nintendo Switch 2 releases on October 27, 2026.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Microsoft’s upcoming Project Helix console will reportedly support games across all five generations of Xbox hardware alongside PC titlesA leaked internal memo outlines a disc-to-digital initiative allowing players to convert physical Xbox One and Series X games into digital licensesThe backward compatibility rollout heavily relies on publisher opt-in to reactivate legacy franchises and is expected to launch between 2027 and 2028

Microsoft is reportedly prepping a massive ecosystem shift for its next-generation console internally dubbed Project Helix. According to a leaked internal memo, the upcoming hardware aims to run software from every single generation of Xbox history. The support list spans the original 2001 system, Xbox 360, Xbox One and current Xbox Series eras alongside native PC titles. This ambitious strategy positions Project Helix as the ultimate all-in-one hub for Microsoft gaming by merging decades of console legacy with modern digital infrastructure. As the broader industry continues drifting away from physical media, this leak outlines a concrete blueprint for how the tech giant plans to handle game preservation and library continuity in a post-disc gaming landscape.

A central pillar of this roadmap is a new disc-to-digital conversion program. The initiative is designed to let owners of physical Xbox One and Series X discs claim digital licenses that span the entire ecosystem, essentially future-proofing physical collections for a console that may not even ship with a disc drive. However, this vast backward compatibility network is entirely dependent on publisher approval. The leaked document functions as a direct sales pitch to these third-party developers by highlighting the financial upside of reactivating dormant franchises without requiring new engineering efforts. If a user eventually trades a physical disc, the system is reportedly designed to allow the digital ownership to swap to the new owner to maintain the traditional resale market in a digital format.

Behind the scenes, the technical foundation for this unified library is already being laid. Microsoft recently started launching the first wave of original Xbox backward compatibility on PC by bringing classics like Conker: Live and Reloaded and Blinx: The Time Sweeper to the platform with up to 4x resolution upscaling. Data miners examining these recent PC releases uncovered built-in emulators internally named Fission and Fusion designed to handle older code on modern hardware. Microsoft explicitly noted in its memo that Xbox 360 titles are also heading to PC and will run seamlessly on Project Helix.

Despite the robust emulation tech, the reality of licensing remains a major hurdle. Delisted titles plagued by expired music or vehicle licenses could remain trapped in the past unless developers renegotiate terms. For games that do secure publisher opt-in, the gradual rollout of this unified architecture is expected to materialize between 2027 and 2028.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Ayaneo's Konkr Pocket Advance revives the classic 2001 Game Boy Advance layout with modern Android emulation tech.It features a 3.5-inch 960x640 LCD screen with 4x point-to-point scaling for authentic retro gaming.Weighing 224 grams, the console packs L2/R2 triggers, USB-C fast charging and classic Navy Blue and Coral Orange colorways.

Arriving just after the 25th anniversary of Nintendo’s legendary 2001 hardware, Ayaneo is tapping into peak handheld nostalgia with the Konkr Pocket Advance. Revealed during an official product-sharing stream by CEO Arthur, the new release operates under the brand's dedicated KONKR sub-label. The device strictly maintains the ergonomic horizontal form factor that defined a generation of portable gaming while infusing it with a suite of contemporary hardware upgrades.

Front and center is a 3.5-inch LCD screen boasting a 960 x 640 resolution. This specific panel preserves the beloved 3:2 aspect ratio while leveraging 4x point-to-point display technology to deliver crisp integer scaling for classic pixel-art titles. Under the hood, the Android-based system utilizes software emulation rather than vintage cartridges. The hardware operates seamlessly with Ayaneo’s self-developed AYASpace game management ecosystem for streamlined library organization.

The physical control layout strikes a balance between retro authenticity and modern utility. It includes a standard D-pad and conductive rubber ABXY buttons alongside oversized L1/R1 bumpers and newly added L2/R2 triggers to handle demanding 3D layouts. A dedicated microSD card slot manages expanded storage, flanked by a USB-C port for PD fast charging, Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. Preserving the tactile charm of the era, the unit also retains a classic 3.5mm headphone jack and a physical volume adjustment wheel.

Measuring slightly thicker than its muse to accommodate the tech, the 224-gram console will debut in two nostalgic finishes: an elegant Navy Blue echoing the original Indigo and a vibrant Coral Orange referencing the classic Spice Orange variant. Pricing and an official release date remain under wraps. Enthusiasts are hoping for a wider production run following the rapid sell-out of the company's recent Pocket Micro 2. For more information, head over to KONKR's official website.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Electronic Arts has confirmed that all regulatory approvals for its $55 billion merger have been securedThe record-breaking buyout is led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity PartnersUpon closing on August 4, EA will delist from Nasdaq while retaining Andrew Wilson as CEO and remaining in Redwood City

Electronic Arts is set to officially close its record-breaking $55 billion USD go-private deal after securing all necessary regulatory approvals. The video game publisher expects the transaction to finalize on or about the close of trading on August 4, 2026.

The historic buyout is spearheaded by a consortium comprising Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, with stockholders receiving $210 USD per share in cash. Once completed, the publisher behind major franchises such as Battlefield 6, The Sims, and Madden NFL will delist from the NASDAQ and transition into a privately held company.

Despite the shift in corporate ownership, EA will remain headquartered in Redwood City, California, with Andrew Wilson continuing his role as CEO to oversee operations across its global studio network.

The $55 billion USD merger is expected to officially close on August 4, 2026.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

For the upcoming release of NBA 2K27, gaming publisher 2K has launched a dedicated trailer capturing the action and graphics of the latest video game.

The premiere of the trailer comes after last week’s announcement of the game’s new cover athletes. On a trilogy of images, San Antonio Spurs Center Victor Wembanyama was unveiled as headliner for the Standard edition, three-time WNBA All-Star starter Caitlin Clark landed in the visuals for the Deluxe edition, while Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls star and youngest MVP in NBA history, headed up the Ultra edition campaign.

Bringing fans in for a closer look at the game, the trailer showcases clips of the basketballers on the court alongside Philadelphia 76ers’ latest signing, LeBron James, and new Miami Heat acquisition, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The graphics and gameplay also appear to have become more dynamic compared to NBA 2K26 with the introduction of a timed dunk meter as well as AI Defenders that bring precision to contesting shots.

Other features not seen in the trailer include the addition of 19 new badges in the MyPLAYER Builder and the return of Cap Breakers, which can now be previewed and optimized before competitions. Beyond the court, the gaming publisher has unveiled several updates to The City setting. One of these is the arrival of the iconic street basketball landmark, Rucker Park, which lands amongst The REC, Arena, and other key locations to add another layer of basketball culture to the simulation game.

Watch the full gameplay trailer in the gallery above, and be sure to stay tuned to Hypebeast for more on the video game.

NBA 2K27 is available to buy on September 4, 2026, with early access to the special edition beginning August 28. Head to the 2K website to find out more about how to purchase.

Read more at Hypebeast

Bandai Card Games has officially pulled back the curtain on its upcoming Naruto card game. Developed by Bandai Namco, the game draws inspiration from the long‑running anime and manga series, featuring iconic characters like Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura rendered in dynamic artwork. The teaser video previews two starter decks and booster packs, with cards categorized by attributes such as attack power, chakra cost and special abilities.

Gameplay revolves around building a deck of ninja cards and strategically deploying them to outmaneuver opponents. Players use chakra points to activate abilities, summon allies and unleash jutsu techniques, while balancing offense and defense across turns. Victory is achieved by reducing the opponent’s life points or overwhelming them with superior tactics. The official site confirms that the Naruto TCG is currently in production, with a global release slated for 2027.

Read more at Hypebeast

Summary

Logitech G head Robin Piispanen confirmed the company has no immediate plans for a second-generation G Cloud handheldThe executive cited a lack of proprietary content as a significant disadvantage compared to industry leaders like Nintendo and ValveRoughly 80 percent of original buyers eventually stopped using the streaming device to pivot toward other projects

Logitech G global head of gaming Robin Piispanen revealed that the company is currently focused on different priorities than a follow-up to its 2022 streaming handheld. Speaking to The Verge, the executive explained that successful portable platforms typically require deep integration with proprietary games. This specific strategy propelled the success of the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch. Without a dedicated storefront or exclusive titles, the brand faces a massive hurdle in competing against established hardware giants.

The original G Cloud found a dedicated niche of users at launch. Piispanen admitted that the product failed to sustain long-term engagement for the vast majority of buyers. He noted that approximately 80 percent of consumers bought the device, tested it and ultimately placed it in a drawer. Slow development of cloud gaming infrastructure played a major role in this decline. Major providers did not build out the necessary architecture quickly enough to support a seamless portable streaming experience. Microsoft even acknowledged that running cloud operations remains highly expensive.

Current market conditions make returning to the portable sector even more difficult for independent hardware manufacturers. Competitors operate on extremely slim margins while relying on partnerships to maintain relevance. Component prices are currently surging across the tech industry. High-powered alternatives like the Ayaneo Next 2 command premium price tags, while select Steam Deck models recently saw significant price increases. Constructing a standalone device would require Logitech to navigate these steep supply chain costs without software sales to subsidize the hardware.

Despite the initial setback, the tech company is not abandoning portable gaming concepts entirely. Executives are holding ongoing discussions with industry heavyweights like Microsoft and Tencent to explore how the ecosystem might evolve. The design team is actively investing in the future of remote processing technology. Streaming solves major hardware barriers by eliminating the need for heavy batteries and intense local graphics computation. Logitech could eventually reenter the space if data center capabilities expand and infrastructure costs drop dramatically in the coming years.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Independent developers continue to release original titles for the Sega Dreamcast more than 25 years after the console was officially discontinued in 2001The latest project is White Creek, a survival-horror game that utilizes the system's 3D capabilities to deliver a cinematic experience comparable to the NAOMI arcade eraThe console's enduring homebrew scene is supported by its lack of modern digital rights management and hardware that allows booting from standard CDs

Twenty-five years after Sega exited the console market, the SEGA Dreamcast remains a viable platform for new software development. The recently announced White Creek, developed by Story Bird Studios and published by PixelHeart, arrives as a dedicated survival-horror title built specifically for the vintage hardware. Instead of merely drawing inspiration from late-1990s classics, the development team engineered the project to maximize the technical limits of the Dreamcast. Players experience 3D environments and fixed cinematic camera angles that rival high-end arcade productions of the NAOMI era. The title is also planned for a simultaneous release on Steam.

Set in an isolated and cursed wintry town, the narrative follows exorcist protagonist Alicia Morelli. She investigates a localized outbreak of violence and encounters possessed residents haunted by lost souls. Gameplay balances action and psychological tension by forcing players to make critical moral choices. Alicia can execute threats with firearms or use her psychic powers to exorcise and save them. Her arsenal includes a mobile phone used to detect spiritual anomalies and solve environmental puzzles. Confronting corrupted souls in intense Exorcism Overdrive sequences requires gathering evidence and breaking through visual illusions to bring peace to the town.

The sheer longevity of the Dreamcast is rooted in its highly accessible architecture. Hackers easily bypassed the proprietary GD-ROM format years ago, allowing users to boot homebrew software directly from standard CDs without requiring internal hardware modifications. Unlike modern platforms that rely on mandatory network authentication, the final Sega console lacks remote kill switches. This open environment prevents the manufacturer from disabling the system and effectively freezing player libraries. Sites like The Dreamcast Junkyard and boutique publishers like JoshProd maintain a persistent ecosystem of new retro ports, remakes and completely original releases.

This resilient aftermarket proves that gaming communities will sustain a platform indefinitely when provided with a stable foundation and zero digital red tape. While modern industry giants routinely shutter digital storefronts and abandon legacy hardware, the Dreamcast continues to host active multiplayer servers and an unstoppable development scene. The system serves as a crucial bridge between offline and online gaming eras, maintaining a devoted audience a quarter of a century after its official discontinuation.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

A new 'Far Cry' game codenamed Kodiak has reportedly entered development at Ubisoft's Vantage Studios after passing its conception stageKodiak is said to be built on the foundations of 'Maverick,' a canceled extraction shooter, signaling a retreat from that marketThe report positions Kodiak alongside 'Blackbird,' the next mainline entry, which sources describe as the start of a potential multi-game vision

Far Cry is reportedly recalibrating, with a new entry codenamed “Kodiak” said to have entered development at Ubisoft's Vantage Studios. According to a report from Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson, the project cleared its conception stage earlier this month and is being described by sources as highly ambitious, though it remains several years from release.

The reported move reads as a course correction after a bumpy stretch for the franchise. Kodiak is said to be built on the foundations of Maverick, a Far Cry extraction shooter that was reportedly canceled, and its arrival suggests Ubisoft is stepping back from the extraction-shooter space, at least for the time being. Rather than chase that trend, Kodiak is described as an open-world shooter oriented around player choice and emergent, player-driven storytelling, a framing that leans back toward what the series has traditionally done well.

That context matters because the broader Far Cry pipeline has reportedly been turbulent. Blackbird, positioned as the next mainline installment, is said to have faced repeated internal delays, though the report suggests it has since steadied and is now tracking in a healthier direction. Notably, Blackbird is also reported to be gaining a multiplayer dimension that would let more than one player share its world, a meaningful departure for a series long defined by solo play.

The most telling detail may be how the franchise's future is being talked about internally. In an internal interview at Vantage Studios, Charlie Guillemot reportedly praised Blackbird and characterized it as "Act One," language that implies Ubisoft is eyeing several mainline Far Cry games built on similar ideas, provided Blackbird lands well with players. Read against Kodiak's parallel development, that suggests a deliberate attempt to rebuild the series into a sustained slate rather than a run of one-off entries.

For Vantage Studios, Kodiak deepens a pipeline that reportedly spans several of Ubisoft's biggest properties, sitting alongside work tied to Assassin's Creed, Far Cry and Rainbow Six Siege. Taken together, the reports sketch a publisher trying to steady one of its marquee franchises after a run of false starts, betting on open-world fundamentals over the live-service experiments that stalled. As with any pre-announcement reporting, none of it is official, and plans at this stage remain subject to change.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast

Summary

Pokémon will require mandatory facial-recognition scans at five temporary card stores in Japan tied to the Storm Emerald Mega expansion launchThe system enforces a one-entry, one-queue-ticket limit per person each day, automatically flagging anyone who tries to returnThe rollout extends a widening campaign against Trading Card Game scalping that has recently included proposed identity checks and government-level intervention

Pokémon is deploying mandatory facial recognition at five temporary Pokémon Card Stores in Japan, requiring shoppers to clear a scan before they can enter or collect a numbered queue ticket. The measure arrives with the launch of the Trading Card Game's Mega expansion Storm Emerald and marks the most forceful entry in a steadily escalating effort to keep resellers away from limited stock.

The move fits a pattern that has been building for some time. Scalping has become one of the defining pressures on the Pokémon TCG, with limited print runs and surging collector demand turning sealed products into a speculative commodity that routinely sells out before ordinary buyers reach the shelf. The company has responded with a widening toolkit rather than a single fix, and the facial-recognition trial reads as the latest and most direct escalation in that campaign.

The immediate predecessor is a separate proposal to fold Japan's My Number identity system into certain Pokémon Center Online sales, lotteries, and official events, a plan still under consideration for a possible launch around August 2026 that has not yet gone live. That effort sits alongside other recent friction points in the resale fight, including a broader Japanese push to police trading-card scalping and counterfeits. Seen together, they suggest a company willing to test increasingly stringent verification methods, moving from purchase caps toward hard identity and biometric gates.

Pokémon has stopped short of branding the store system an anti-scalping tool, instead describing it as a way to provide a safe shopping environment, deter crime, and enforce entry and purchase limits fairly. The practical effect is harder to separate from the reseller problem, since blocking repeat entries directly frustrates professional buyers who rely on clearing stock in volume before collectors and children get a chance. That gap between stated intent and obvious outcome has become a familiar feature of these rollouts, and it raises questions the company has largely left unanswered, including how long biometric data will be retained before deletion.

The scope, for now, remains deliberately narrow. The policy applies only to these temporary pop-ups running from July 31 to August 16, and Pokémon has not signaled any intention to bring facial recognition to its permanent Pokémon Centers or to stores outside Japan. Whether the trial becomes a template or stays a one-off experiment tied to a single high-demand launch is the open question, and the Storm Emerald window will likely serve as an early read on how far the company is prepared to take biometric gatekeeping.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast