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Game Reviews

Switch 2 Reportedly Getting Starfield In 2026 As The Ports Start Flowing

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Cyberpunk 2077 might not be the only massive sci-fi RPG on Switch 2 for long. Could Starfield get ported as well? Why is Dead Space‘s old Creative Director all-in on AI? And How did an AI replica of a real content creator make its way onto the official First Descendent TikTok channel? Welcome to the latest edition of Morning Checkpoint, Kotaku‘s brief daily roundup of gaming culture and news, where we’re doing a bunch of clean-up from the first day of Gamescom 2025.

Starfield will reportedly come to Switch 2 in 2026

Podcaster NateTheHate, who’s quickly developed a reputation for accurate leaks around upcoming Nintendo announcements, now claims Bethesda’s open-world sci-fi RPG is coming to the company’s handheld hybrid next year. “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle won’t be the only Bethesda game coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026,” he posted on X yesterday. “See that planet? You can go there. Aside from landing on PS5…Starfield is planned for release on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.” FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods has also been confirmed for Switch 2 in 2026, and Nintendo has yet to reveal any of its expected slate for the console’s second year. Starfield is reportedly coming to PS5 next year as well, seemingly closer to whenever the second expansion launches.

The First Descendent blames TikTok for AI slop video

Nexon’s free-to-play loot shooter, also known as “Gooner Destiny,” accidentally shared an AI-generated ad on TikTok that ripped off another content creator. The publisher now says a TikTok marketing program automatically solicited the ad and linked it to The First Descendants’ account with no controls to verify copyright infringement or other content concerns. Sounds bad! “We will also be committed to continuously being more transparent and responsible to regain the trust of our community and creators,” the company writes. “Once again, we deeply apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience this incident has caused.”

Final Fantasy 14 could be coming to Switch 2

Director Naoki Yoshida told VGC at Gamescom that Square Enix is in talks with Nintendo about porting the hit MMORPG over. “The discussions have been positive, so I do hope that players will look forward to hopefully good news in the future,” he said. It sounds like Final Fantasy 16 isn’t out of the question either. Yoshida added, “For me, it’s just my aim to provide Final Fantasy 14 and 16 to as many players as possible, and I hope that as many players as possible will be able to enjoy those two games.”

The director of Callisto Protocol is going all-in on AI

Glen Schofield told The Game Industry “AI is going to be fantastic.” He said he’s holding seminars about how AI can make creatives more efficient and thinks the technology will be an inevitable part of game development in 5-10 years, but he’s not sure exactly how it will all shake out. “Is it going to be an engine?” he said. “Right now, it’s a whole bunch of things that just kind of suck it in… and into what? It’s going to have to settle down a bit before we actually use it.” Schofield also claimed Callisto Protocol sold over 5 million copies, but regretted not delaying it. He said AAA games are not dead and is looking for someone to pay him to make another.

High on Life 2 gets a release date

The sci-fi comedy shooter will arrive on PC and console, including on Game Pass, on February 13, 2026. Ralph Ineson, best known as Cid in FF16 and more recently Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, will be voicing the newest gun in the game.

Triangle Strategy shadow-drops on Xbox and PS5

The HD-2D homage to games like Final Fantasy Tactics was previously a Switch exclusive on console. Square Enix’s port is now on Xbox with a starting discount of 30 percent off.

Stalker 2 comes to PS5 in November

The survival horror shooter makes the jump on November 20 as more former Xbox console exclusives get ported and help round-out Sony’s previously anemic 2025 release slate.

The biggest lines at Gamescom are for Silksong

THIS IS THE LINE OF HOLLOW KNIGHT SILKSONG ON PRESS DAY AT 9AM. #Gamescom pic.twitter.com/lNz1q62AZ5

— Daan K. 🔜 Gamescom 2025 (@NintenDaan) August 20, 2025

The Hollow Knight sequel is getting a special announcement on August 21—a release date, hopefully?—but in the meantime, attendees at Gamescom are making the Silksong demos at the Nintendo and Xbox booths the highlights of the show so far. Nintendo Life already went hands-on and confirmed the Metroidvania Soulslike supports 120Hz refresh on Switch 2 in TV mode.

ICYMI:

Watch This:





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Google Doubles Down on AI: Veo 3, Imagen 4 and Gemini Diffusion Push Creative Boundaries
NFT Gaming

Google Unveils Pixel 10 Lineup With AI Features, New Watch and Earbuds

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In brief

  • The Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a also debuted, adding AI health tools and translation.
  • Google introduced Pixelsnap, a Qi2 magnetic charging system with new accessories.
  • A new AI voice assistant, Gemini for Home, will replace Google Assistant on Nest devices.

Google unveiled the Pixel 10 lineup on Wednesday at its annual Made by Google event, rolling out four new phones alongside a smartwatch, earbuds, and a smart home assistant.

Each device leans on on-device artificial intelligence to power features from messaging to photography.

While the star-studded event included guests like Jimmy Fallon, Steph Curry, and the Jonas Brothers, the main star was the Pixel 10 family, which includes four models—the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold—all running on Google’s new Tensor G5 chip.

The processor powers Gemini Nano, a lighter version of the company’s AI model that runs directly on the device and enables more than 20 generative tools without relying on the cloud.



New AI features

The upgrades reflect Google’s broader push to weave Gemini AI into every product, a strategy it ramped up last year with sweeping updates to Search, Images, and Google Meet.

“We’ve been building toward this universal AI assistant with Gemini,” Google Senior VP of Platforms and Devices Rick Osterloh said during the event. “The assistant has to be personal and intelligent enough to understand you and your context. And it has to be agentic, meaning it can take action for you under your direction.”

On the Pixel 10, that shows up in nine new AI-powered tools.

Magic Cue pulls context from Gmail, Calendar, and other apps during calls and messages. Voice Translate handles real-time translations in 12 languages, replicating each speaker’s voice. Call Screen expands with Take a Message, which generates transcripts for missed calls and suggests follow-ups.

Google is also embedding AI into everyday habits. Pixel Journal offers reflection prompts, Gboard can rewrite texts in different tones, Recorder turns hummed melodies into music, and NotebookLM links screenshots and transcripts into a searchable notebook.

Gemini Live adds visual help by analyzing the camera or screen and is tied into Google apps, including Calendar, Keep, and Tasks, with Messages and Maps support on the way. Its updated voice model sounds more natural and lets users adjust speed, tone, and accents.

The Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL will begin shipping on August 28th. Pre-orders for these models are open now. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available for pre-order on August 20th, with shipping starting on October 9th.

The timing matters: Apple has delayed its own “Apple Intelligence” features into 2026, giving Google a chance to win consumers with AI functions that actually ship.

Gemini for Home

Google is also extending its AI push beyond phones—starting with the home, introducing Gemini for Home, a new voice assistant set to replace Google Assistant in Nest devices.

Rolling out in October with free and paid tiers, it’s designed to handle more complex commands and respond in natural conversation.

Pixel 10 Phones

The Pixel 10 lineup spans four price points: $799 for the Pixel 10, $999 for the 10 Pro, $1,199 for the Pro XL, and $1,799 for the Pro Fold.

The Pixel 10 is the base model with a 6.3-inch display, standard triple-lens camera, and 12GB of RAM. The Pixel 10 Pro upgrades to a sharper LTPO screen, a more advanced camera system with 100x zoom, and 16GB of RAM.

The Pro Fold adds a foldable 8-inch inner display, an extra selfie camera, and the highest price tag in the lineup. Google says its new hinge is twice as durable, though it hasn’t released test data to back the claim.

Preorders are open now. The Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL ship Aug. 28. The Pro Fold launches Oct. 9.

Pixel Watch 4 and Buds 2a

The Pixel Watch 4, powered by Tensor G5, uses Fitbit integration for AI-based workout and wellness coaching.

The $129 Pixel Buds 2a and $229 Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer adaptive audio, Gemini integration, noise cancellation, and real-time translation.

Generally Intelligent Newsletter

A weekly AI journey narrated by Gen, a generative AI model.



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Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal eye Rogers, Eze after Havertz injury
Esports

Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal eye Rogers, Eze after Havertz injury

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Aug 21, 2025, 05:00 AM ET

Arsenal are weighing up a move for Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, while Rasmus Højlund wants any loan deal to include an obligation to make it permanent if he leaves Manchester United. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.

Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

– Sources: Arsenal set to hijack Tottenham’s £67.5m move for Eze
– Source: USMNT’s Aaronson near move from Frankfurt to Rapids
– Source: Orlando Pirates’ Mofokeng on brink of move to Minnesota

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze are both on the radar of Arsenal. Justin Setterfield – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

TRENDING RUMORS

– While Arsenal are closing on a £67.5 million deal to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze from under the noses of Tottenham Hotspur, they are also weighing up a move for Aston Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, claims The Sun. A potential long-term injury to striker Kai Havertz mas made attempt to sign Rogers more likely, but the Gunners had already been closely monitoring the 23-year-old as they looked for somebody to challenge Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing. Villa are determined to keep the England international and are no longer under financial pressure, so they are unlikely to entertain any offers under £80m.

— Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund has made it clear to Napoli, RB Leipzig, AC Milan and any other interested clubs that he wants any loan deal to include an obligation to sign for them permanently rather than an option, reports Fabrizio Romano. The 22-year-old had been keen to stay at Old Trafford but now wants to feel the confidence of his new club if he is to leave. Elsewhere, Corriere dello Sport state that Højlund is the most likely option to replace Napoli’s injured striker Romelu Lukaku.

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

– Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho is now on Internazionale’s shortlist, reports TEAMtalk, which adds that Roma are also still in picture after initially being rejected by the 25-year-old. Sancho could look for a loan to keep his options open as a free agent in 2026, with Borussia Dortmund and Juventus the frontrunners. Turkish side Besiktas are also interested in the winger, who has no future at Old Trafford after signing for €85m from Dortmund in 2021.

– Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott is RB Leipzig’s top option to replace midfielder Xavi Simons, says Florian Plettenberg, with the Netherlands international being set to join Chelsea for around €60m after the Bundesliga opener against Bayern Munich. Leipzig have already agreed personal terms with Elliott — who was a standout performer in England’s U21 Euros win this summer — and the Reds would let him leave if they received a suitable offer.

– Brentford have rejected Newcastle United’s improved offer of £35m, plus £5m in add-ons, to sign striker Yoane Wissa, as reported by The Athletic. Brentford haven’t given any club a valuation for the transfer of the 28-year-old, who wants to make the move to St James’ Park, but clearly want more than £40m. Newcastle had previously had a £25m offer rejected, while Nottingham Forest have seen two bids rejected since last January but have now moved on to other targets.

CONFIRMED DEALS

– Bournemouth have completed the €21m signing of Bayer Leverkusen winger Amine Adli.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN’s Sam Tighe on why Arsenal are unlikely to sign both Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers.

It’s no surprise that Arsenal have reignited their Eze interest — perhaps the surprise was that they let it go cold, after clearly doing a lot of groundwork on the deal in early summer — and Rogers, who was just crowned PFA Young Player of the Year, is a player of such potential, he’ll be on everyone’s watchlist.

The players share some distinct similarities: They’re both exciting, dynamic, ball-carrying forwards who can play across the attacking midfield line (although Eze rarely plays on the right); they both cut their teeth in the EFL Championship, making them relatively late bloomers at the top level; and they’re both homegrown, which always helps with squad registration.

Eze, four years Rogers’ senior, is understandably a much more polished footballer. The highlight reel shows 45 Premier League goal contributions in the last three seasons; the deep dive reveals how often he makes the right choice in possession, which is a truly valuable trait.

Rogers is fairly inexperienced for a 23-year-old these days, but is catching up fast. His 40-yard runs with the ball are thrilling, but he does lose the ball a lot too — he ranked in the 6th percentile last season for mis-controls (3.29 per 90) and the 13th percentile for times dispossessed (2.14 per 90).

Eze is ready for a big step; Rogers less so. Having already signed six senior players this summer, it’s highly unlikely the Gunners can acquire both, and if it is to be Eze, it’s likely the right call.

OTHER RUMORS

play

2:04

Is Rodrygo’s time at Real Madrid over?

Alex Kirkland assesses Rodrygo’s future at Real Madrid.

– Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo have reached an agreement to sign Brighton & Hove Albion attacking midfielder Julio Enciso. The 21-year-old is expected to initially join Strasbourg, but is viewed as a Chelsea player long-term. (Athletic)

– Manchester United have been linked with three midfielders: Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume and Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand, but have yet to progress a deal for any of them. (GMS)

– Everton are interested in Manchester City defender Nathan Ake, with Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaly Mykolenko both having suffered injuries. (Daily Mail)

– Real Betis are looking at signing Arsenal left back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who will be allowed to move on this summer. (GMS)

– Marseille are looking at Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas and West Ham United’s Emerson Palmieri as they aim to sign a left back. (Footmercato)

– Galatasaray and Al Ittihad have joined Internazionale, Juventus and AC Milan in looking at Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot after he was placed on the transfer list for a fight with teammate Jonathan Rowe. (Footmercato)

– Al Ahli have raised their offer to sign Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli to €35m, with a salary of €12m per year. (Nicolo Schira)

– Marc Casado can decide his own future, but Barcelona would be open to offers for the midfielder worth over €30m. Wolves, Bournemouth, West Ham United, Real Betis and Atletico Madrid are among those interested in the 21-year-old. (Sport)

– Villarreal have agreed to sign Renato Veiga from Chelsea in a €29.5m package that includes add-ons and a percentage of the defender’s next move. (Fabrizio Romano)

– AC Milan have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen worth €30m for the loan of striker Victor Boniface with an option to permanently sign him. The Rossoneri are also looking at Sporting CP forward Conrad Harder and Vasco da Gama winger Rayan. (Sky Sports Italia)

– Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement with Juventus for the loan of Douglas Luiz with an obligation to make the deal permanent dependent on the number of games he plays. Forest also have an option to sign the midfielder for around €30m if that figure isn’t met. (Athletic)

– Luiz’s departure means Juventus can move to bring striker Kolo Randal Muani back from Paris Saint-Germain on a €10m loan with a €35m-€40m conditional obligation to make the deal permanent. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Bayer Leverkusen have made Monaco winger Eliesse Ben Seghir their priority for the rest of the transfer window. Negotiations are ongoing with the Ligue 1 side wanting a fee of well over €30m. (Florian Plettenberg)

– Bayer Leverkusen have also put Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber on their shortlist as they look to strengthen that position. (Florian Plettenberg)

– Bournemouth have rekindled their interest in Chelsea defender Axel Disasi. (Daily Mail)

– Galatasaray will make their offer to Manuel Akanji after reaching an agreement with Manchester City for the defender. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Napoli are negotiating with Girona for right-back Arnau Martinez, who they see as a back-up option if they are unable to sign Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez. (Calciomercato)

– Girona are positioning themselves to bring in Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena, but there is also competition from Como and Celta Vigo among others. (Mundo Deportivo)



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Crypto
GameFi Guides

Crypto Industry Urges National Stablecoin Plan For The United Kingdom To Compete With US

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Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

In a recent open letter to Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, figures from the cryptocurrency industry are calling for the United Kingdom (UK) to develop a national stablecoin strategy, seen as essential for positioning the UK at the forefront of the digital asset landscape.

This comes after the US positioned itself to capitalize on the growing adoption of digital assets through pro-crypto legislation, fulfilling President Donald Trump’s mission to establish the country as the crypto capital of the world.

UK’s Crypto Sector At Risk?

The letter, which garnered support from 30 industry players, emphasizes the need for a proactive and coordinated approach to dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies. It argues that they should not be viewed merely as potential risks but as integral components of a financial infrastructure that can be responsibly embraced. 

The letter highlights that the United Kingdom must act swiftly to ensure it remains competitive with countries like the United States, which have taken significant steps to integrate stablecoins into their financial systems with the passage of the GENIUS Act.

Industry players have voiced concerns regarding the UK’s current regulatory stance on stablecoins, suggesting that it places the nation’s crypto sector at a disadvantage. 

One of the primary issues is the legal classification of stablecoins as “crypto-assets with reference to fiat currency.” Critics argue that this definition focuses too much on the form rather than the function of stablecoins, likening it to defining a cheque solely as paper that references currency. 

The establishment of a national stablecoin strategy could enhance the UK’s status as a global financial center, they assert, and generate new revenue streams, particularly in fees and foreign exchange, while also supporting demand for government bonds.

The Key To Unlocking Stablecoin Potential

The letter received endorsements from executives and firms such as crypto exchange Coinbase, Kraken, Copper, Fireblocks, BitGo, and asset manager and crypto exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuer VanEck.

Daragh Maher, HSBC’s head of digital assets research, has highlighted the potential of stablecoins to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset world. 

He described them as the cash equivalent of digital assets, serving as a foundational currency for almost all crypto transactions. Maher also pointed out that stablecoins can facilitate money transfers using blockchain technology, offering a modern alternative for the UK financial system.

Despite their potential, regulatory hurdles remain a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of stablecoins. Maher emphasized that creating a suitable regulatory environment is crucial for unlocking the full potential of stablecoins in the UK.

The daily chart shows the total crypto market cap valuation at $3.81 trillion. Source: TOTAL on TradingView.com

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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PlayStation 5 prices are going up, too, just like Xbox
Game Updates

PlayStation 5 prices are going up, too, just like Xbox

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The moment many feared would come following Xbox’s recent, wide-ranging price hikes of its consoles and games has arrived – Sony has officially announced that it’s raising the price of the PlayStation 5 console in the US.

The platform holder revealed the new prices on Wednesday, which go in effect today, August 21.

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All PlayStation 5 console models are going up by $50. Here are the new prices:

  • PlayStation 5 – $549.99.
  • PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – $499.99.
  • PlayStation 5 Pro – $749.99.

PlayStation, of course, technically had its own set of price hikes recently, having raised the price of the PS5 console in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand just this past April. However, Sony has always been cautious not raise prices in the United States, as it’s the market where it has the biggest competition in Xbox.

In 2022, two years after this current generation of consoles launched, Sony raised the price of the PlayStation 5 in Canada, Mexico, UK, Europe, Australia, China, and Japan. The United States has always been spared when it came to these price hikes.

However, with Xbox now raising prices in the US, Sony has likely been emboldened to do the same – even if it took a while for it to get there.

It also doesn’t help that tariffs on goods imported from China and various other manufacturing centres in Asia, which the US has recently imposed, have themselves raised the cost of each unit. As it’s often the case, companies will then pass that added cost on to the consumer.

Imagine the idea of a more expensive PS5! | Image credit: VG247

Even though the tariffs imposed by the US government are meant to influence the country’s relationship with its trade partners, they’ve had wide-reaching effects beyond the borders of the United States. Japanese companies, for instance, had their stocks quickly tumble after the initial tariffs were announced in April, and Nintendo had to delay the Switch 2 pre-orders in the US and Canada very quickly after the console was announced.

Even setting aside the impact of tariffs, this is all highly unprecedented. Consoles typically go down in price the deeper into their respective generations they get. The idea that consoles, which launched five years ago, haven’t dropped in price, but have in fact became more expensive, does not bode well for the growth prospects of the industry.



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Product Reviews

Video Games Weekly: Silksong and Gamescom

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Welcome to Video Games Weekly on Engadget. Expect a new story every Monday or Tuesday (or Wednesday, whatever), broken into two parts. The first is a space for short essays and ramblings about video game trends and related topics from me, Jess Conditt, a reporter who’s covered the industry for more than 13 years. The second contains the video game stories from the past week that you need to know about, including some headlines from outside of Engadget.

Please enjoy — and I’ll see you next week.

On a planet shrouded in myth, in a land surrounded by lore, on a mountain draped in mystery, in a cave suffocated by secrets, the legend sleeps. For six years, the legend has slumbered while wild stories spiral around it, twisting and expanding and entwining. New words have been born and old words infused with evolved meanings: Believer. Doubter. Silkpost. The lies have grown so thick they’ve become corporeal, spreading trickery with a name and a dead smile.

For six years, the legend has slept while the masses roiled, all of them waiting for the signal to awaken and know truth. All of them waiting for a bell that will ring, finally and clearly, on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Skong. Skong. Skong.

It’s a special time in the Silksong subreddit. After years of silence around its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Team Cherry has scheduled a livestream with a “special announcement” about the game for August 21 at 10:30AM ET. Not only is this exciting for Metroidvania fans everywhere, but it’s also possible that this announcement marks the final moments of the Silksong subreddit as we know it. A strange cocktail of game delays, inconsistent updates and hyper-focused cult fandom has cultivated a fascinating little universe in r/Silksong, complete with its own rules, villains and heroes. It’s a place where clown wigs are commonplace and contributors have turned trolling into a role-playing artform. A LARPform, if you will. It’s a place that’s consistently made me laugh every time it’s appeared in my feed over the past year or so.

Ahead of Thursday’s special announcement, this sub is experiencing the last gasps of desperate myth-making and hopeless anticipation before it transforms into something else entirely, armed with actual information about the sequel, gameplay videos and maybe even a firm release date. Or, dare I say it, a surprise launch. For just a moment longer in r/Silksong, anything is possible.

And then it’ll be over. No matter what happens during Thursday’s livestream, the day will come when Silksong comes out and the drip-feed of silkposts dries up completely. But for now, our face paint is ready. Sometimes it’s just nice to recognize the madness and the beauty of the moment, before it slips away for good.

The news

News from ONL 2025

Gamescom 2025 kicked off on Tuesday with Opening Night Live, a showcase hosted by Geoff Keighley and the folks behind The Game Awards, and there were plenty of delightful morsels on display. Engadget UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith is on the ground at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, to play upcoming titles and talk to developers, but for now, here are our headlines straight out of ONL 2025:

And our headlines from Gamescom 2025 so far:

Gamescom 2025 runs through August 24.

ROG Xbox Ally lands in October

Microsoft is slowly establishing its handheld era with news that the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will be available on October 16. There’s still no official word on how much they’ll cost, but there are hints: As spotted by Wario64, Best Buy recently listed the Xbox Ally at $550 and the Xbox Ally X at $900, and these fall in line with our predictions, which were based on the prices of existing ROG Ally handhelds. Alongside the release date, Microsoft announced the Handheld Compatibility Program, an initiative aimed at optimizing games for portable devices and informing players about how well they perform. It’s essentially Steam Deck Verified, but for Xbox handhelds, and it’s yet another sign that Microsoft’s portable gaming ambitions stretch beyond just one hardware manufacturer.

The PS5 will cost more tomorrow than it does today

First Nintendo and Microsoft raised the prices of their latest consoles, and now it’s Sony’s turn. Sony on Wednesday announced the following price increases for the PS5 family:

  • Standard PS5 with a disc drive: $550, up from $500

  • PS5 digital edition: $500, up from $450

  • PS5 Pro: $750, up from $700

Sony blames the increases on a “challenging economic environment,” echoing sentiments from its contemporaries. The price hikes come at a time in the hardware generation when we’re used to seeing consoles get cheaper, which just makes this whole thing more frustrating.

Rod Fergusson is in charge of BioShock again and already making big changes

There have been signs of turmoil at BioShock 4 studio Cloud Chamber for a while now, including news earlier this month that the game failed a review with 2K executives and was due for a complete narrative revamp. Now, we’re seeing even more fallout. Former Gears of War and Diablo head Rod Fergusson has left Blizzard to lead development of BioShock 4 at Cloud Chamber, and his appointment comes alongside news that 80 people at the studio are being laid off. This is actually the second time Fergusson has joined the development of a BioShock game at the last second — he similarly swooped in and cut aspects of BioShock: Infinite at Irrational Games in 2012.

The race through development hell between Judas and BioShock 4 continues.

Blizzard’s cinematic and narrative team is unionizing

Microsoft is the home of another video game union. Workers with Blizzard Entertainment’s Story and Franchise Development team, which handles in-game cinematics and lore for titles including Overwatch and World of Warcraft, voted this week to unionize under the Communications Workers of America. This covers about 169 developers and it marks the fourth unionization effort from Microsoft’s gaming teams, joining QA workers at Activision, ZeniMax and Raven Software.

Steam censorship is breaking PayPal

PayPal isn’t a valid way to buy games on Steam in certain countries any longer. Steam in July removed hundreds of games with adult and NSFW themes from its storefront, and updated its policies to ban “content that may violate the rules and standards” of its payment processors. This was incredibly vague and raised immediate concerns around financial censorship, especially when combined with a related culling of thousands of games from Itch.io. Now, it’s confirmed that PayPal has terminated its partnership with Steam in multiple countries, affecting any denomination “other than EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, AUD and USD.”

Valve says it’s being pressured by payment processors including Visa, MasterCard and PayPal to remove certain games and implement puritanical censorship policies, and this has already resulted in at least one game being unjustly removed from the platform. That game, VILE: Exhumed, is now available as shareware.

Roblox is changing its rules after so, so many child-safety lawsuits

Roblox is locking down its system for sharing and viewing user-generated games following a wave of lawsuits accusing developers of failing to protect their young userbase. All unrated experiences, or user-created games, will be restricted to the developer and anyone actively working on them, rather than being available to anyone over the age of 13, as is currently the case. This change and others, including a new system that automatically detects and tracks “violative scenes” on individual servers, will roll out over the coming months.

Analogue delayed its N64 remake again

It’s now due out in Q4 2025. 🙁

Additional reading

  • Kris Holt’s indie game roundup

  • More action than RPG, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 struggles to convince after a few hours’ play by Robert Purchese at Eurogamer



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Stargate Draws Second Acquisition Bid With Wormhole Topping LayerZero's $110M Buy Offer
NFT Gaming

Stargate Draws Second Acquisition Bid With Wormhole Topping LayerZero's $110M Buy Offer

by admin



Wormhole has jumped into the bidding plans for bridging service Stargate, promising a bid above LayerZero’s initial $110 million token-swap proposal.

It wants the Snapshot vote delayed so the community can weigh its offer.

Stargate’s numbers explain the interest. The bridge processed $4 billion in July, holds $345 million in TVL, and sits on a treasury of $92 million in stables and ether, plus $55 million in STG and other assets. The annual revenue is approximately $2 million.

“Based on our initial review, we believe that STG holders deserve a more competitive process, and we are prepared to submit a meaningfully higher bid,” the proposal said.

LayerZero’s proposal would transfer both the treasury and future income, which critics call a discount. Wormhole says the terms shortchange tokenholders and that “STG holders deserve better.”

A Wormhole–Stargate tie-up would create one of the largest cross-chain hubs in crypto, pairing Stargate’s unified liquidity pools with Wormhole’s integrations across dozens of networks. The foundation argues this would boost volume and long-term resilience for both ecosystems.

“The Wormhole Foundation sees unrealized value in the Stargate brand, protocol, and protocol assets,” the proposal said. “The Wormhole Foundation is confident that a successful combination of Stargate and the Wormhole ecosystem will lead to the most immediate and long-term value for current holders of STG, as well as current and future holders of Wormhole (W).”

Wormhole has requested a five-day delay in the vote, seeking more time for due diligence and a fairer process.

Read more: LayerZero Proposes $110M Stargate Token Merger in Consolidation Play



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Bitcoin Crash to $100? Harvard Professor Rogoff Revisits 2018 BTC Price Prediction
Crypto Trends

Bitcoin Crash to $100? Harvard Professor Rogoff Revisits 2018 BTC Price Prediction

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In 2018, Kenneth S Rogoff, professor of economics at Harvard University and a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, predicted bitcoin

was more likely to be worth $100 than $100,000 in a decade.

In reality, bitcoin’s price rose above $100,000 this year, a 10-fold increase from March 2018’s sub-$10,000 level when Rogoff predicted the crash.

On Tuesday, with bitcoin hovering around $113,000, Rogoff reflected on how he had missed the mark, saying he had been “far too optimistic about the U.S. coming to its senses regarding sensible cryptocurrency regulation.”

In a post on X, Harvard economist Ken Rogoff expressed said he’d expected policymakers to adopt a firm stance to curb the use of cryptocurrencies in tax evasion and illegal activities. He was, indirectly, criticizing the regulatory environment as being less than prudent and allowing cryptocurrencies like BTC to flourish in ways he did not anticipate.

Rogoff underestimated how bitcoin would compete with fiat currencies to serve as the transaction medium of choice in the 20 trillion-dollar global underground economy.

“This demand puts a floor on its price, as I discuss at length in my new book Our Dollar, Your Problem,” Rogoff said.

He also flagged a “blatant conflict of interest,” with regulators “holding hundreds of millions (if not billions) of dollars in cryptocurrencies seemingly without consequence.”



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Gaming Gear

Xbox unveils its Handheld Compatibility Program

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Microsoft announced Wednesday during Gamescom 2025 that not only will its Xbox Ally handhelds be released on October 16, but the company is spinning up a new initiative to support optimized gaming on these devices called the Handheld Compatibility Program.

The initiative seems to be similar to Valve’s Steam Deck Verified, where Xbox will test games to ensure their compatibility with the new Xbox Ally handhelds. “We have worked with game studios to test, optimize, and verify thousands of games for handheld compatibility, allowing you to jump into the game without having to tweak settings, or requiring only minor adjustments,” said Roanne Sones, CVP of Gaming Devices and Ecosystem at Xbox.

The program will be available on release day and users will be able to see handheld compatibility directly in their game libraries. Games will be badged as “Handheld Optimized,” indicating games with default controller inputs, appropriate resolution for full-screen play and more. Games badged as “Mostly Compatible” may require minor in-game setting adjustments for an optimal experience on the Xbox Ally handheld.

Microsoft says it will continue to partner with developers to submit their titles for handheld compatibility testing.

In addition to the “Handheld Optimized” badge, games will also be given a Windows Performance Fit indicator of either “Should play great” or “Should play well.” In a statement to Engadget, a Microsoft spokesperson said “Windows Performance Fit predicts how well a game will run on a specific device using telemetry-based performance data, such as expected frame rates. For example, games that carry the ‘Should play great’ designation should average 60FPS or better on this device, while games that carry ‘Should play well’ label should average 30FPS or better on this device.”

Update, August 20, 6:20 PM ET: This story has been updated after publish with further explanation from Microsoft about Performance Fit.



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HEAT in Wargaming's first cross-platform day one release
Esports

HEAT in Wargaming’s first cross-platform day one release

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Revealed at Opening Night Live from gamescom, World of Tanks: HEAT is the latest from Wargaming. This time set in WWII, the game will be launching across multiple platforms day one, including support for the Steam Deck. Check out the details below!

August 19, 2025 — Wargaming, the award-winning online game developer and publisher behind World of Tanks and World of Warships, is proud to reveal World of Tanks: HEAT — a new standalone free-to-play tactical vehicle shooter set in an alternate post WWII era, where players command hero-enhanced tanks in fast-paced 10v10 battles.

World of Tanks: HEAT brings the franchise’s tactical tank combat into faster, more dynamic, and explosive grounds. Players operate a roster of experimental vehicles — each with unique abilities, deep customization, and powers to dominate the battle. Tanks can be outfitted with advanced weapon systems, armor modules, visual upgrades, and battlefield-altering abilities. As elite Agents — specially trained to pilot these mighty war machines — players will shape every vehicle to match their playstyle.

“World of Tanks: HEAT is our bold vision for the franchise, delivering an entirely new tank experience with a fresh setting, new gameplay mechanics, faster pace, and cutting-edge tech,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming. “Inheriting the renowned World of Tanks DNA, the game lets players enjoy tank warfare like never before, battling in ways we once only could imagine.”

“Today’s announcement is an important milestone for our team, reflecting all the hard work and creativity we’ve invested in the project,” said Artyom Yantsevich, World of Tanks: HEAT Product Director. “We are looking forward to working closely with players to shape HEAT’s future and we’re excited to present the game for the first time at gamescom.”

Built on Wargaming’s new proprietary engine, World of Tanks: HEAT will be available on PC (Wargaming Game Center and Steam), PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam Deck, and is planned to be Wargaming’s first ever simultaneous full cross-platform release with cross-progression.

Key Features:

  • Heroic Tank Gameplay – Specialized tanks with unique roles and hero-enhanced abilities. Agents add tactical depth with combat skills and support powers. 
  • Build The Ultimate Tank – All tanks are inspired by original designs, with a creative reinterpretation of post-WWII vehicles. By blending real-world tanks and technologies from that era, players can craft truly unique machines. Each tank can be personalized with advanced weapons systems, armor modules, visual mods, and battlefield-altering abilities.  
  • Variety of Game Modes – The game adapts and transforms classic shooter modes (Kill Сonfirmed, Domination, Conquest) into a new and exciting tank experience. 
  • Visual Excellence – Powered by Wargaming’s new proprietary engine with stunning graphics, immersive environments, and dynamic cinematic effects. 
  • Сross-Platform / Cross-Progression – Wargaming’s first-ever simultaneous, cross-platform launch, allowing players to join the action seamlessly across PC (Wargaming Game Center and Steam), PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam Deck. 
  • Free-to-Win – Designed to foster long-term engagement where success is driven by skill. Monetization focuses on cosmetics, battle passes, and time-savers.

Stay tuned for more exciting news and wishlist World of Tanks: HEAT on:

For more information, please visit the World of Tanks: HEAT website https://wotheat.com.

Stay tuned to GamingTrend for more World of Tanks: HEAT news and info!


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