Patch Notes #8 - weekly gaming digest
Welcome to the 8th edition of Patch Notes, let’s get this bad boy going.
This edition will cover the week from 27 January to 02 February.
What caught my attention this week
Like pretty much everyone: DeepSeek. The topic is so big that I am still catching up on it. I recommend this thread from cookies. A lot of resources there.
Biggest news of the week
Games industry layoffs continue. - Shinobi602 Twitter
▪️Phoenix Labs (The Dauntless) has laid off a "majority of the studio."
▪️Ubisoft laid off 185 developers as it closes Leamington studio, downsizes Ubisoft Reflections and others
Xbox boss Spencer says Series S compatibility requirement isn’t going away. - VG Chronicles
Despite criticism, Spencer highlighted that this compatibility requirement could be advantageous, especially with the rise of handheld gaming systems like the Steam Deck and the potential introduction of the Switch 2. He believes that developing games for the Series S prepares developers to target a wider variety of device specs.
Spencer also noted the scalability of modern game engines and pointed out that the Series S spec matches well with many new devices being introduced.
Gears of War: E-Day: People can fly announced as Co-Developers. - IGN
People Can Fly, a Polish game studio, is co-developing Gears of War: E-Day with The Coalition. They previously worked on Gears of War 1-3, focusing on action and storytelling.
Founded in 2002, People Can Fly is known for Bulletstorm and Painkiller. Epic Games acquired it in 2007, briefly renaming it Epic Games Poland, before it became independent again. Gears of War: E-Day will follow the launch of Outriders in 2021.
Hogwarts Legacy gets official PC mod support this week. - Gamespot
Nearly two years after its release, Hogwarts Legacy is getting official mod tools for PC starting January 30. Modders can create and share character creations and outfits and swap brooms for items like vacuum cleaners, phoenixes, or dragons. They can also create new dungeons or customize Hogwarts' portraits.
Hogwarts Legacy has sold over 30 million copies, and Warner Bros. is working on a Definitive Edition with extra story content, while a sequel remains a priority. However, the game faces controversy due to J.K. Rowling's comments about the trans community, yet a Harry Potter TV series is still in development for HBO and Max.
PS5 exclusive Rise of the Ronin has a PC release date. - IGN
PlayStation 5 exclusive Rise of the Ronin launches on Steam March 10, 2025, from Koei Tecmo, priced at $49.99. Developed by Team Ninja, it debuted on PS5 in March 2024 as an open-world RPG set in 1863 Japan during the Bakumatsu period.
The PC version features 8K resolution, DirectX 12 Ultimate, ultra-wide monitor compatibility, ray tracing, 3D audio, customizable keyboard and mouse controls, and support for AMD Fidelity FX Super Resolution, NVIDIA DLSS, Intel XeSS, and Reflex.
IGN rated Rise of the Ronin 7/10 for its setting, combat, and RPG design. Team Ninja is also developing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black and Ninja Gaiden 4, both to be published by Microsoft later in 2025.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth hit any single-player Final Fantasy's most concurrent Steam players.- VG Chronicles
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth peaked at 40,564 concurrent players on Steam, setting a record for single-player Final Fantasy games. Released on PC on January 23, it surpassed the previous record of 29,498 players held by Final Fantasy 15. The overall record for any Final Fantasy game remains with Final Fantasy 14 Online, which hit over 95,150 players after its Endwalker expansion. Square Enix noted that sales for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Final Fantasy 16 fell short of expectations, prompting a shift to a multiplatform strategy. Initially, PS4 and PS5 were exclusives, but both games later launched on PC. Details about the exclusivity of the trilogy's third instalment are unknown.
Assassin's Creed Shadows censored in Japan to remove beheadings and limb amputation. - Eurogamer
The Japanese version of Assassin's Creed Shadows has been censored to comply with the country's ratings board, CERO. Ubisoft will release a version without the ability to behead enemies or amputate limbs. These changes ensure the game receives a Z rating (equivalent to an 18+ rating). Other modifications include altering the appearance of amputated body parts and changing some Japanese voice representations. Japan's rating board has a history of censoring violent content in video games.
After 20 Years, Skies of Arcadia fans have a glimmer of hope for something new. - Gamespot
Sega recently filed trademarks for Skies of Arcadia and Eternal Arcadia, sparking hope among fans for a remaster or a new entry in the series. Known as Eternal Arcadia in Japan, Skies of Arcadia is a critically acclaimed RPG launched in 2000 for the Dreamcast and was later ported to the GameCube in 2002 as Skies of Arcadia Legends. The game follows air pirates Vyse, Aika, and Fina as they resist the Valuan Empire.
MLB The Show 25 is coming in March, but it won’t be on Game Pass or last-gen consoles. - VG Chronicles
Sony announced MLB The Show 25, releasing on March 18, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. This will be the first entry not to launch on Xbox Game Pass on day one and will end support for PS4 and Xbox One. Players buying the Digital Deluxe Edition gain early access on March 14.
The game stars Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates), Elly De La Cruz (Cincinnati Reds), and Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles). The first gameplay trailer drops on February 4, the same day pre-orders begin.
Sony will reveal weekly features leading up to launch, including trailer insights with MLB Network's Robert Flores and premieres from the San Diego Studio team.
Black Ops 6 Season 2 patch notes detail today’s update, including new Zombies and MP maps. - VG Chronicles
Activision has released the patch notes for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 2 update, which went live on January 28, 2025. The update introduces new content across multiplayer, Zombies, and battle royale modes.
Dying Light Studio teases "Multiple unannounced Projects" for the franchise. - VG Chronicles
Techland, the Polish studio behind the Dying Light franchise, plans multiple unannounced projects to expand the series. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, it revealed the franchise has reached 45 million players, with over 67 billion zombie kills and more than one billion hours of playtime. Following the release of Dying Light 2: Stay Human in 2022 and the upcoming Dying Light: The Beast this summer, Techland will continue to grow the franchise with new video games, board games, exclusive merchandise, and an original webcomic series. The original Dying Light and its sequel will soon receive free updates, including new events, rewards, visual improvements, and the remastered soundtrack for the first game, alongside permanent co-op roguelite mode, Tower Raid, for Dying Light 2.
WWE 2K25 release date, new modes and gameplay changes announced. - VG Chronicles
WWE 2K25 launches on March 14, 2025, with early access on March 7 for Deadman and Bloodline Edition buyers. Cover star Roman Reigns leads two new modes: Showcase Mode, focusing on classic Bloodline matches, and Island Mode, exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, featuring quests and customization. New additions include intergender matches, Bloodline Rules, Underground types, Chain Wrestling, improved MyFaction, a new MyRise story, and online MyGM multiplayer. Pre-orders earn the Wyatt Sicks Pack with five playable superstars and cosmetic items.
Helldivers 2 Creative Director goes on sabbatical after 11 years 'working around the clock' on the same IP, will return to work on Arrowhead's next game. - IGN
Helldivers 2 creative director Johan Pilestedt is taking a sabbatical after 11 years on the franchise, starting work on Arrowhead's next game upon his return. His departure follows the success of Helldivers 2, the fastest-selling game from PlayStation Studios, which sold 12 million copies in 12 weeks and is being adapted into a movie.
Pilestedt noted that the game's success led to increased community toxicity. He shifted from Arrowhead CEO to chief creative officer to concentrate on games and community, while Shams Jorjani now serves as CEO. Despite initial server problems and backlash over requiring a PlayStation Network account for PC players, Helldivers 2 receives regular updates, including a new enemy faction, the Illuminate.
During his sabbatical, Pilestedt aims to prioritize personal relationships and well-being. Arrowhead will continue to update Helldivers 2 in his absence.
The original PC ports of Dino Crisis 1 and 2 are now on GOG, with modern improvements. - VG Chronicles
Dino Crisis and Dino Crisis 2 are now available on GOG with modern enhancements, including updated rendering options, DirectX support, controller compatibility, smooth video playback, cloud saves, and stability improvements.
Dino Crisis features 4K resolution and 32-bit color depth and offers Original, Arrange, and Operation Wipe Out modes. Dino Crisis 2 includes enhanced item rendering and fog effects, with Easy, Dino Colosseum, and Dino Duel modes.
Both games are priced at $11.37 each or $19.35 for the bundle as part of GOG's Preservation Program to keep classics playable.
PlayStation Leadership shake-up sees new sole CEO in charge. - Gamespot
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is moving from a co-CEO system to a single CEO leadership. Hideaki Nishino will take over as the sole CEO of SIE starting April 1, 2025, while Hermen Hulst will continue as CEO of the Studio Business Group, reporting to Nishino. This change follows their co-CEO roles since 2024, after the departure of Jim Ryan.
Nishino aims to expand the PlayStation community through IP growth and technology innovation. 2024 saw mixed results for Sony, with the success of Helldivers 2 and the failure of Concord, leading to a reduction in their ambitious plans for live-service games. However, 2025 looks promising with the release of GTA 6, Assassin's Creed Shadows, and Ghost of Yokei. Sony is also expanding into live-action adaptations, with Horizon and Helldivers on the way.
Capcom Spotlight + Monster Hunter wilds showcase set for February 4. - Wario64 Twitter
Capcom Spotlight stream was announced for Feb 4th, 2 PM PT (20 mins long) followed by a Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase (15 mins) https://capcom-games.com/showcase/spotlight/en-us/
PlayStation Plus moving away from monthly PS4 games. - Gamespot
Starting January 2026, PlayStation Plus will prioritize PS5 games, reducing its PS4 offerings. PS4 games will occasionally appear in Monthly Games and Game Catalog, but previously redeemed titles remain accessible to subscribers. Sony aims to enhance PS Plus by adding new PS5 titles monthly, with this update coinciding with February's free PS Plus games, including Payday 3, High on Life, and Pac-Man World: Re-Pac.
Astro Bot and Black Myth: Wukong take the lead in GDCA 2025 nominations. - Game Developer
The Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA) for 2025 have announced their finalists, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Astro Bot by Team ASOBI and Black Myth: Wukong by Game Science are leading with seven nominations each. Both games are contenders for the Game of the Year Award.
Other notable mentions include Animal Well with five nominations, Balatro with four, and 1000xRESIST with three. The awards ceremony will take place on March 19, 2025, during the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
Dr Disrespect’s Midnight Society is shutting down and its FPS is canceled. - VG Chronicles
Midnight Society, co-founded by Guy 'Dr. Disrespect' Beahm, has shut down and canceled its debut shooter, Deadrop. Founded by Call of Duty veteran Robert Bowling and Halo designer Quinn Delhoyo, the studio urged support for its laid-off employees.
Midnight Society worked on the free-to-play first-person shooter Deadrop for three years. It severed ties with Dr. Disrespect last summer following allegations, leading to significant layoffs.
An industry survey revealed 11% of game developers were laid off last year, up from 7% the previous year, reflecting a troubling trend in the industry.
Xbox's Forza Horizon 5 is officially heading to PlayStation 5 this "spring". - Eurogamer
Forza Horizon 5 launches on PS5 this spring, marking another Xbox title moving to Sony's platform. Released in 2021, this open-world racing game is set on a fictional island inspired by Mexico. The PS5 version includes cross-play with other platforms, all content from the PC and Xbox versions, plus additional Car Packs and two expansions—Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure—for purchase.
Additionally, Microsoft announced a free update for all platforms called Horizon Realms, allowing exploration of community-favorite Evolving Worlds and other surprises.
Summer Game Fest returns on June 6 in LA with a 2-hour showcase. Wario64 Twitter
Summer Game Fest 2025 announced its plans and dates, featuring a 2-hour Live Kickoff show on June 6 at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, showcasing new game announcements and surprises. This will be followed by the annual Play Days media event from June 7-9 in Downtown LA.
New for 2025 is a B2B event curated by Christopher Dring, focusing on industry changes and the cultural impact of video games. This event will host thought leaders from gaming and entertainment for insightful discussions.
Public tickets for the live show go on sale this Spring. Fans can sign up at Summergamefest.com for updates. Summer Game Fest has become a key industry event since E3 was confirmed to not be returning.
Pokémon Center Japan will release a life-size Gardevoir plush. - Genki Twitter
Pokémon Center Japan will release a life-size Gardevoir plush
Simu Liu (Shang Chi) says he's working with the rights holders of Sleeping Dogs to bring it to cinema. - Shinobi602 Twitter
Simu Liu (Shang Chi) says he's working with the rights holders of Sleeping Dogs to bring it to cinema
https://x.com/SimuLiu/status/1884874449754664972
The Sims and The Sims 2 have been officially re-released, with expansions and DLC. - VG Chronicles
EA has officially re-released The Sims and The Sims 2 as the Legacy Collections, available on PC via the EA App, Epic Game Store, and Steam. The Sims costs $19.99, and The Sims 2 costs $29.99, with a 25th Birthday Bundle for $39.99, saving $10. Both collections include almost all previously released DLC, except for The Sims 2's IKEA Home Stuff DLC.
Warner Bros. says that's all, folks for Multiversus: The next season will be its last, but you'll be able to play offline 'for the foreseeable future'.- PC Gamer
WB Games announced that Multiversus, the Smash Bros.-style brawler, will end with its fifth season on February 4. The game will go offline and be delisted from digital storefronts on May 30, but players can still enjoy it offline indefinitely. In Season 5, new characters Aquaman and Lola Bunny will be available through the battle pass and login rewards. Real money transactions are disabled as of today. To keep your purchased or earned content for offline play after May 30, launch the game at least once during the last season to create a local save file.
Ridge Racer 64 is finally playable again after its N64 debut 25 years ago. - Eurogamer
Ridge Racer 64 is now available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. Initially released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, this arcade classic offers fast-paced races across three different environments with nine courses. The game includes modes like Quick Play, Grand Prix, Car Attack, Time Attack, and various multiplayer options.
Black Myth Wukong has sold over 25 million copies since launch. - Shinobi602 Twitter
Black Myth Wukong has sold over 25 million copies since launch
BioWare has reportedly lost at least half its staff, with fewer than 100 people left, and the studio is a ghost of its former self. - PC Gamer
A Bloomberg report states that BioWare has lost over half its staff, now with fewer than 100 employees, down from 200 during Dragon Age: The Veilguard's development. At its peak, it employed over 400 across three studios. The decline started when EA loaned developers to other studios during Mass Effect's pre-production following The Veilguard's launch. Additional layoffs occurred after the game missed its sales target by 50%. Internal struggles and EA's shift to live services have worsened the situation. Once a leader in North American RPGs, BioWare is now a shadow of its former self.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is shaping up well on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. - Eurogamer
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a highly ambitious, current-gen-only RPG that delivers impressive visuals and a more immersive medieval experience. It offers 60fps and 30fps modes on PS5 and Xbox Series X, while PS5 Pro provides a single optimized 60fps mode with enhanced visuals. Xbox Series S is the weakest performer, locked at 1080p 30fps with noticeable visual downgrades. Overall, the game runs best on PlayStation consoles, with PS5 Pro offering the most balanced experience.