Patch Notes #9 - weekly gaming digest
Welcome to the 9th edition of Patch Notes, let’s get this bad boy going.
This edition will cover the week from 03 February to 09 February.
What caught my attention this week
Layoffs, always more layoffs. Neverending story.
Biggest news of the week
Helldivers 2's first big patch of 2025 obliterates road safety laws. - VG247
Helldivers 2's first major patch of 2025 introduces several exciting new features and improvements. Players can now deploy grenades and stratagems while leaning out of their FRV seats, adding a new dynamic to the gameplay. The patch also brings back the popular mid-fall saluting emote, allowing players to express themselves even during dramatic falls.
Additionally, the update includes balancing tweaks and various bug fixes, which enhance the overall gameplay experience and aim to make missions more fun and engaging for players.
Xbox's Age of Mythology and Age of Empires 2 remastered heading to PS5.- EuroGamer
More Xbox first-party titles are coming to PS5, including Age of Mythology: Retold Edition and Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. Age of Mythology: Retold Edition, a remaster of the 2002 original, launches on March 4, along with the Immortal Pillars expansion featuring a new Chinese pantheon, new gods, and mythological units. Cross-play will be supported across all platforms.
Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, set to release this spring on PS5, includes all expansions, improved visuals, gameplay refinements, and cross-play. Two new expansions for Age of Empires 4 are coming in 2025. This follows Microsoft's strategy of multi-console releases, with more Xbox titles heading to PlayStation
5 more Platinum Games leads have quit Platinum Games, according to Hideki Kamiya’s latest YouTube video! - Genki Twitter
Hideki Kamiya revealed in his latest YouTube video that five more Platinum Games leads have left the company. The departing directors include:
Takahisa Taura (Astral Chain Director)
Yusuke Miyata (Bayonetta 3 Director)
Abebe Tinari (Bayonetta Origins Director)
Kenji Saito (Metal Gear Rising Director)
Masaki Yamanaka (Anarchy Reigns and Resident Evil character designer)
It's unclear where these directors will go next, but Kamiya hinted they might join his new studio, Clovers.
Nintendo boss says Switch 2 anticipation not to blame for falling Switch 1 sales. EuroGamer
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated that anticipation for the Switch 2 isn't the primary cause of declining Switch sales. Despite missing its sales targets for 2024 and seeing a 30% drop in console and software sales, Furukawa believes the impact of refraining from purchases due to Switch 2 anticipation isn't significant.
Nintendo will continue to support the Switch 1 "as long as there is demand." The company has upcoming releases like Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, Metroid Prime 4, and Pokémon Legends Z-A to bolster Switch sales.
Sumo Group ditching original franchises to focus exclusively on co-development work - Game Developer
Sumo Group, a UK game studio owned by Tencent, will no longer develop its properties, focusing solely on co-development. This decision balances creative ambitions with commercial realities for stability, affecting its studios and workforce, though the company is committed to supporting impacted employees. Known for titles like Sackboy: A Big Adventure and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Sumo has supported franchises like Forza Horizon and Call of Duty. With 1,500 employees across 18 studios, this shift strengthens its role as a premium development partner, utilizing its expertise to deliver quality games for clients.
Nintendo is "making preparations" to discourage potential Switch 2 scalpers. - GameSpot
Nintendo is taking measures to prevent scalpers from negatively impacting the Switch 2 launch by ensuring sufficient stock to meet demand. President Shuntaro Furukawa emphasized the importance of producing enough consoles to discourage resellers. This strategy stems from lessons learned during the COVID pandemic when the original Switch faced high demand and shortages due to resellers.
A Nintendo Direct scheduled for April will reveal more details about the Switch 2. Despite a challenging sales year, Nintendo remains stable and plans to release big titles like Metroid Prime 4 and Pokemon Legends Z-A in 2025
Avowed, Madden NFL 25 and Starfield headline February’s Game Pass titles. VG Chronicles
Microsoft has announced the latest batch of titles coming to Game Pass for February, including Avowed, Madden NFL 25, and Starfield. These games will be available across console, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. This month's additions include Far Cry New Dawn, Another Crab’s Treasure, and Kingdom Two Crowns.
Titles leaving Game Pass on February 15 include Bloodstained Ritual of the Night, EA Sports UFC 3, and Tales of Arise. Microsoft's next ID@Xbox Showcase, scheduled for February 24, promises new trailers, gameplay, and reveals from various indie game studios.
The next Battlefield game set is to be released sooner than I expected, before April 2026: 'We're looking for this to be the biggest Battlefield we've ever made'.- PCGamer
The next Battlefield game will be released in EA's 2026 fiscal year, from April 2025 to April 2026. EA has invested heavily, enlisting studios like DICE, Criterion, Motive, and Ripple Effect. Expect elements from Battlefield 3 and 4, with a single-player campaign and solid multiplayer modes.
EA introduced Battlefield Labs, a playtesting program for early player feedback. Despite past challenges, EA aims to make this the largest Battlefield game and regain player trust.
Capcom shares new Onimusha details and confirms a PS2 remaster is coming. VG Chronicles
Capcom announced Onimusha: Way of the Sword, releasing in 2026. It will highlight compelling characters, including a new protagonist, set in Kyoto, and focus on "the ultimate sword fighting action." Players will explore historic sites and battle Genma using an Oni gauntlet that absorbs souls for health and special moves. Additionally, a remastered PS2 title, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, will be released this year. The new game aims to deliver thrilling sword fights and engaging stories, utilizing Capcom's latest technology for enhanced gameplay.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Review. IGN
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offers an action-packed medieval saga reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster. It features skill-focused melee combat and expands on the original's concepts. The story begins right after the first game, following Henry, a blacksmith's son turned warrior, amid dynastic conflict and chaos.
The game boasts around 100 memorable quests beyond simple tasks, each feeling like a well-crafted episode. Despite some technical issues and conflicting design choices, its grandeur remains clear. Playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is captivating, making the 120-hour journey rewarding and immersive.
Switch has 72 1st party games that have sold over 1 million units worldwide! - Genki Twitter
All 72 known 1st party million sellers on Nintendo Switch (Nintendo published only). Better quality here: https://ibb.co/FkNwnYFj
Iron Galaxy lays off 66 employees in a 'last resort' effort to 'enable our long term survival'. - PCGamer
Iron Galaxy Studios, developer of Killer Instinct and Rumbleverse, is laying off 66 employees to keep the studio afloat amid industry changes. Despite this, the studio remains committed to supporting the gaming industry. Founded in 2008, Iron Galaxy has co-developed high-profile games like Skyrim and Overwatch and will seek new ways to sustain operations and support partners.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has already sold 1 million copies, dev calls It a ‘Triumph’. - IGN
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has already sold one million copies just a day after its launch on February 4 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. The medieval Europe action RPG sequel by Warhorse Studios reached a peak of 159,351 concurrent players on Steam and is currently the top-selling game on the platform by revenue.
The game has surpassed the launch success of the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance and has been called "a triumph" by Warhorse. With excellent melee combat and an exceptional story, the sequel has received positive reviews, including a 9/10 from IGN.
Metroid Dread developer teases the next game, which is codenamed Project Iron. GameSpot
MercurySteam is ready to reveal more about its dark-fantasy action RPG, Project Iron, in collaboration with 505 Games. A short teaser clip was released, and more details will be shared at the IGN Fan Fest from February 24-28. With the working title Project Iron, the game is a single-player action RPG with a third-person perspective in a dark fantasy setting.
MercurySteam, known for Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread, previously collaborated on the Castlevania series. 505 Games has published titles like Terraria, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, and Control. The game's tagline hints at a theme of forging one's legend.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater arrives in August, according to the PlayStation Store. IGN
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, the remake of the original Metal Gear Solid 3, is set to release on August 28, 2025, according to a PlayStation Store leak. The updated release date includes a new trailer and teases of further crossovers, including an Ape Escape collaboration.
The game, expected to be a faithful recreation of the original with a new first-person perspective, was initially set for a 2024 release. Rumours suggest that a Sony PlayStation State of Play showcase might provide more details next week.
As Kojima teases a new trailer, Death Stranding 2 has been rated. VG Chronicles
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach has been rated in South Korea, indicating that the game is nearing completion. Creator Hideo Kojima has teased a new trailer on social media, hinting at a possible release date soon. Additionally, there are rumors of a PlayStation State of Play presentation later this month, which might feature the new trailer.
Forget E3: The ESA is back with a new video game conference for 'changemakers'. Game Developer
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is launching the Interactive Innovation Conference (iicon) from April 27 to 30, 2026, in Las Vegas, aiming to unite changemakers in interactive entertainment.
High-profile companies like Amazon Games, Disney, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros. Games will attend. Unlike the traditional E3 showcase, iicon will be an invite-only event to foster innovation and collaboration among industry leaders.
Bandai Namco reportedly lost over 100 staff in the last year. Eurogamer
Bandai Namco has reportedly lost over 100 staff members in the past year, dropping its headcount from 1,294 to 1,177. This follows several project cancellations, including the MMORPG Blue Protocol and the mobile game Tales of the Rays. The company has faced challenges with demand and has been accused of using "oi dashi beya" (expulsion rooms) to pressure employees to resign. Bandai Namco denies these claims.
Steam now warns you if that early access game you're eyeing up has been abandoned by its devs. PCGamer
Steam added a feature that warns users if an early-access game hasn't been updated in over 12 months. A note appears on the game's store page indicating that if there's no update to the default Steamworks branch or news post within a year, the game may be abandoned. However, this could mislead users; for example, Heartbound is still in development but shows a warning due to a lack of updates on the default branch for over 13 months, despite recent beta updates. Valve might need to clarify what constitutes an 'update'.
Assassin's Creed Shadows prequel announced. EuroGamer
Assassin's Creed Shadows will get an official prequel story through a tie-in manga series set before the game's events. The manga's first instalment will be available in Japan alongside the game's release on March 20, with a later release elsewhere.
The manga follows a young Assassin apprentice fighting the Templars' growing presence in Japan. The cover art shows a young female Assassin wielding a sword and the iconic Hidden Blade. This character might differ from the game's co-protagonist, Naoe. The prequel aims to provide additional context and backstory to the game's narrative.
Dozens of developers were reportedly impacted by another round of cuts at Hi-Rez Studios. GamesIndustry
Hi-Rez Studios, the developer behind Smite, has recently laid off dozens of employees in another round of cuts. This follows previous layoffs in October 2024 and June 2023. The studio now focuses primarily on Smite 2, which recently switched to a free-to-play model. The layoffs have affected various departments, including marketing, game design, and production.
The Wonder Woman game has reportedly been rebooted and is ‘years away’. VG Chronicles
The Wonder Woman game, developed by Monolith Productions and announced in 2021, has been rebooted and is now years away from release. The project has already cost over $100 million and has switched directors1. Warner Bros.' gaming division has faced several issues, including high-profile failures and leadership changes. Despite these challenges, Rocksteady Studios is reportedly working on a new single-player Batman game.
Nintendo is adding Wario Land 4 to the Nintendo Switch Online Library.IGN
Wario Land 4 will be added to the Nintendo Switch Online library on February 14. The Game Boy Advance title will be available at no extra cost to users with a Nintendo Switch Online membership and the Expansion Pass. The game features 20 stages, treasure hunts, and mini-games. Originally released in 2001, Wario Land 4 received high praise, earning a 9/10 from IGN. It is the 24th Game Boy Advance game added to the library, joining other classics like Mario Kart: Super Circuit and The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap.
Football Manager 25 was cancelled after multiple delays, and Dev moved on to the next game. GameSpot
Football Manager 25 has been cancelled after multiple delays, with developers Sports Interactive and Sega deciding to focus on their next game instead. The game was delayed twice from its original November 2024 release to March 2025, but the team ultimately felt the player experience and interface weren't up to standard. Preordered copies will be refunded.
The decision to cancel Football Manager 25 was made to avoid releasing a subpar game and to ensure future projects meet their desired standards. Football Manager 24 will also not receive an update with 2024/2025 data to allocate resources to the next project.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake exceeded Square Enix expectations, but game sales dropped overall. EuroGamer
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake has exceeded Square Enix's sales expectations, shipping and downloading 2 million copies. However, the company's overall net sales for games have declined by 10.7 percent year on year, with profits down by 9.9 percent. This is partly due to the underperformance of recent HD games compared to previous titles like Final Fantasy 16.
PUBG's top-down tactical shooter spin-off gets a new name, an impending demo. EuroGamer.
PUBG Studios' new 5v5 top-down tactical shooter, previously known as Project ARC, has been renamed to PUBG: Blindspot. The game features teams either hacking or defending a hidden crypt, with a shared real-time line of sight adding a tactical element. A demo will be available from February 21 as part of Steam Next Fest, featuring 10 unique characters, three team deathmatch maps, and four demolition mission maps.
In related news, PUBG creator Brendan Greene revealed a three-project plan for his PlayerUnknown Productions studio, including a single-player open-world survival game, an immersive tech demo, and the mysterious Project Artemis.
Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick on tariffs, AI and GTA 6. GamesIndustry
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick discussed various topics in a recent interview, highlighting strong Q3 FY 2025 results and the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Zelnick emphasized the company's strategy of balancing annualized properties with long-term projects to build and maintain strong franchises. He also mentioned the growth of the mobile market, driven by new titles like Match Factory.
Zelnick preferred free trade but acknowledged the need for tariffs in certain situations. He praised Rockstar's commitment to quality and the continued success of GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. On AI, Zelnick emphasized its role as a digital tool that enhances efficiency without reducing employment and stressed the importance of respecting intellectual property.
Yes, PSN is still down after 12 hours. EuroGamer
PlayStation Network (PSN) is still offline after going down unexpectedly around midnight last night (UK time). The outage is affecting all services, including account management, gaming, social features, PlayStation Video, PlayStation Store, and PlayStation Direct. Sony has acknowledged the issue but hasn't provided an update on the cause or estimated time for service restoration.
Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 210 million copies, and Red Dead Redemption II has sold 70 million. Shinobi602 Twitter
Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 210 million copies, while Red Dead Redemption II has sold around 70 million copies.
Biggest releases this week
