Guangzhou, China , Where Winds Meet, the open-world action RPG from developer Winking Entertainment, is set to enhance its universe significantly with the upcoming release of the Hidden Mountain expansion on July 23. This release will usher in what has been termed “Where Winds Meet 2.0,” featuring substantial advancements in environmental realism, innovative combat systems, and a captivating “Eastern Steampunk” aesthetic.
Two obscure horror titles from the 1990s, “Night Cry” and “Harvester,” are set to make a return with their release on Steam, rekindling interest in this often-overlooked era of gaming. As first reported by PC Gamer, this announcement has generated excitement among fans of retro horror games, who have long been yearning for a chance to revisit these unique experiences.
NVIDIA has announced the launch of its latest solutions in the Jetson lineup, the Jetson Thor T3000 and T2000, aimed at advancing the fields of robotics and Edge AI. These new products were unveiled during Jensen Huang’s recent visit to Japan, as first reported by Wccftech.
In an enlightening discussion about player expectations and design choices in role-playing games (RPGs), Josh Sawyer, the director of the acclaimed Pillars of Eternity series, emphasized the conflict between player autonomy and storytelling constraints. As first reported by PC Gamer, Sawyer’s insights reveal a nuanced understanding of what makes RPG players tick and how their expectations can challenge developers.
In a refreshing departure from the frenetic pace often found in modern gaming, Space Raccoon Game Studio has launched their latest title, A Game About Chopping Trees, on Steam. As first reported by GamesPress, the game is now available for players seeking a serene, immersive experience centered on nature and the art of woodcutting.
In a surprising turn of events, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 will not be part of the Xbox Game Pass lineup this July. Originally slated for a July 21 release, the classic skating game has now been quietly removed from the subscription service’s offerings. This news has left fans disappointed, as they were eagerly anticipating the return of the beloved franchise to the platform.
Compulsion Games, the studio behind the upcoming title South of Midnight, has announced a new direction following its recent separation from Xbox. As first reported by Nintendo Life, the Montreal-based developer is actively seeking collaborations with various studios after being one of the teams affected by Xbox’s latest layoffs.
In a surprising development, a game developer with a history of sexual harassment allegations has been confirmed to be working on the upcoming title Avatar Legends. This revelation comes just one week ahead of the game’s release, generating considerable attention and scrutiny from fans and industry watchers.
NVIDIA’s H200 AI GPUs have officially started shipping to China, as confirmed by U.S. officials. This development marks a significant shift in the landscape of AI hardware in the region, especially following a series of trade restrictions that had previously hindered NVIDIA’s ability to export advanced technology.
Lyria Labs has officially revealed the gameplay announcement trailer for their upcoming title, Idle Casino Empire. This single-player incremental casino tycoon game is set to launch on Windows PC via Steam in January 2027, as first reported by GamesPress.
As the gaming landscape evolves, the Call of Duty franchise continues to be a focal point for both casual and hardcore gamers. Activision’s upcoming installment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, must consider its long-standing fanbase if it hopes to maintain relevance. As first reported by Eurogamer, the franchise risks alienating its most devoted players unless it introduces a feature reminiscent of the Classic mode found in Black Ops 7.
On July 13, 2026, indie developer npckc released TRUE LOVE’S CURSE, a fantasy visual novel that invites players into a world of enchantment and emotional depth. As first reported by GamesPress, the game is currently available on Steam, where it is featured with a 15% discount during its launch period.
Tripwire Interactive has rolled out a new quality-of-life update for Rising Storm 2: Vietnam, a tactical first-person shooter that has been a staple on PC since its release in 2017. As first reported by GamesPress, this update focuses primarily on enhancing gameplay mechanics and addressing user feedback, improving the overall experience for both new and veteran players.
Frustration is mounting among Xbox players as they voice their concerns about recent layoffs and studio closures directly on Microsoft’s official fan feedback platform. As first reported by IGN, a post by Xbox supporter Witt Yao has sparked widespread discussion among the community, highlighting the distressing impact of ongoing workforce reductions.
A recent surge in social media interest has brought several classic Xbox games back into the limelight. Titles like Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer, Bee Movie Game, and Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Mis-Edventures are gaining millions of views on platforms such as Twitter and TikTok. This renewed attention can largely be attributed to an account called “Xbox Nostalgia,” which focuses on sharing gameplay clips from these beloved titles. As first reported by Pure Xbox, the account has amassed a significant following, demonstrating that there is still a strong appetite for retro gaming experiences.
Steam is currently experiencing significant outages, affecting users’ ability to connect to the service and play games. Reports have flooded in from players across various regions, highlighting connectivity problems that have persisted since early Monday morning. As first reported by PC Gamer, many users are encountering login failures, disrupted game launches, and challenges accessing their libraries.
In a bold move for the genre, Lunarium, an isometric action role-playing game (ARPG) featuring dual protagonists, is set to launch on PC via Steam on July 29, 2026. As first reported by GamesPress, this title from developer Lunarium Game Studio and publisher Imperfect Games aims to immerse players in a richly detailed hand-drawn world where two intertwined destinies shape the narrative.
Glazial has announced that Holonoptic, an ambitious economic simulation combined with party-based RPG mechanics set in a vivid alpine cyberpunk universe, will officially launch on PC on July 16, 2026. As first reported by GamesPress, the game invites players into a world where they assume the role of a CEO, tasked with strategic decisions that influence faction dynamics and the broader narrative.
After much anticipation, Palworld has officially launched its 1.0 version on PC and consoles, leading to a significant increase in player engagement. As first reported by Eurogamer, the game’s player base has swelled, positioning it as one of the most-played titles on Steam, even managing to surpass Dota 2 in concurrent player counts.
Fans of quirky life simulation games can now get a taste of “Capy Stream: Rise to Fame,” a charming title from indie developer SQRT Games. As first reported by Store, the game launched its early access demo on Steam, inviting players to step into the fluffy paws of a capybara navigating the world of streaming. Set in a luxurious villa that resembles a Hollywood dream, this game offers a unique blend of creativity and casual gameplay.
Brandon Adler, director at Obsidian Entertainment, has voiced his frustration regarding the public discourse surrounding the studio’s identity following recent layoffs at Xbox. The commentary, which he refers to as coming from “cold take artists,” has drawn his ire as it misrepresents both the studio’s current capabilities and the talent that has shaped its history. As first reported by IGN, Adler’s remarks came in a LinkedIn post where he expressed his disappointment at the conversations emerging after the significant staffing cuts at Xbox.
A peculiar incident involving an Xbox Series X has gone viral after a gecko was discovered nestled within the console, drawing laughs and nostalgic remarks from gamers. This unexpected visitor was spotted by an Xbox owner who shared their experience online, prompting a flurry of comments, including a humorous suggestion to buy the Gex Trilogy, the classic platformer featuring a lizard protagonist.
In a recent communication, the studio behind The Elder Scrolls Online, ZeniMax Online Studios, emphasized that it has retained its original workforce size from a decade ago, despite the backdrop of layoffs impacting Xbox. As first reported by PC Gamer, the studio’s assertion comes in the wake of significant restructuring within Xbox Game Studios, which has seen a number of employees let go.
A new role-playing game scheduled for release in 2026 is set to blend the narrative depth of Disco Elysium with the immersive mechanics of classic titles like Deus Ex. The game’s creator, Rick, revealed that while the game will showcase an aesthetic reminiscent of the critically acclaimed Disco Elysium, its gameplay and narrative structure will draw heavily from the design philosophies established in Deus Ex. As first reported by PC Gamer, Rick aims to create an experience that resonates with players seeking both rich storytelling and dynamic gameplay.
An indie developer has recently criticized Steam’s refund policy, highlighting potential exploitation by players. This developer claims to have processed around 55,000 refunds due to the platform’s two-hour return window, which allows players to get a full refund as long as they haven’t played the game for more than two hours. As first reported by Eurogamer, the developer argues that this policy creates an environment where players can easily game the system, undermining the integrity of sales and reviews.
Tempest Rising, the upcoming real-time strategy game from 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks, is set to introduce a third faction, along with a dedicated single-player campaign. This new content will be available as a paid expansion, marking a significant step for the game as it approaches its launch.
Before the closure of Arkane Austin, the studio’s walls were adorned with a variety of design philosophies that encapsulated its creative ethos. Among these was a particularly memorable directive: “Fuck ladders.” This phrase, now circulating in the gaming discourse, highlights both a humorous and critical perspective on game design challenges that developers often face when integrating vertical movement mechanics.
In a notable legal victory for consumer rights, a Brazilian gamer has successfully challenged Xbox after their account was hacked and subsequently suspended. The gamer was informed by Xbox that they would need to repurchase their entire library of digital games if they wished to regain access, prompting them to take legal action. As first reported by Eurogamer, the court ruled in favor of the gamer, highlighting significant implications for digital ownership and account security in the gaming industry.
In an unusual twist of fate, a Reddit user recently found himself in possession of a high-end CPU he hadn’t ordered. This unexpected hardware upgrade saw him receiving the Ryzen 7 9800X3D instead of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D he initially requested. As first reported by Wccftech, this incident underscores the unpredictable nature of hardware retail, where customers can occasionally benefit from such mix-ups.
Digital Extremes has unveiled significant developments for Warframe during TennoCon 2026, including a major new narrative chapter titled Tau. This expansion marks a pivotal moment for the game, as it takes players beyond the long-established Origin System for the very first time, leading them to a new area known as Fornax City. As first reported by Wccftech, this new content promises to enrich the Warframe experience with new gameplay elements and storylines, which are set to arrive as part of a free update later in the year.
In a significant legal development, Microsoft has been ordered by a Brazilian court to restore an Xbox account that was compromised due to hacking, as first reported by Tomshardware. The court ruled that the tech giant must not only reinstate the account but also provide compensation amounting to $400 for the inconvenience caused to the user.
ZeniMax Online Studios, the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online, has faced significant setbacks due to Microsoft’s recent strategic decisions. As first reported by PC Gamer, the studio has navigated two major challenges in the past two years, raising questions about Microsoft’s commitment to supporting its development teams.
As first reported by Wccftech, G.Skill has launched its Trident Z5 NEOX RGB DDR5 memory kit, which stands out with its impressive performance characteristics despite the escalating prices in the current memory market. The kit, featuring a capacity of 32 GB (2 x 16 GB), operates at a speed of 6000 MT/s with a CAS latency of CL36.
At the recent I3D Symposium, AMD unveiled groundbreaking research that could significantly enhance the field of neural texture compression. Titled “PEPS: Positional Encoding Projected Sampling,” this research proposes an innovative approach to improving the efficiency of texture encoding, achieving a 25% reduction in model parameters without sacrificing quality, as first reported by Wccftech.
Bethesda Game Studios, the renowned developer behind iconic titles like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, has seen significant layoffs amid a larger restructuring initiative from Xbox. As first reported by IGN, the company’s Maryland offices have been particularly hard hit, with a total of 379 employees affected across various studios. This includes 213 layoffs at ZeniMax Online Studios in Cockeysville and 166 cuts at ZeniMax Media Inc. in Rockville. Additionally, id Software, the creator of the Doom franchise, lost 96 staff members from its Richardson, Texas office, along with 40 more remote positions.
Microsoft has appointed Tyler, a seasoned gaming journalist and veteran from PC Gamer, as its new chief strategist, with a noticeable focus on the metaverse. As first reported by PC Gamer, Tyler, who grew up in Silicon Valley during the 1980s and 1990s, has a rich background in gaming that spans decades. His extensive experience is expected to influence Xbox’s direction as it integrates more digital and immersive experiences into its lineup.
Studio Null Games has officially made its development and publishing debut with the release of Will O Wing, an atmospheric puzzle platformer now available on Steam. As first reported by GamesPress, this title introduces players to a vibrant world filled with both visual charm and intricate challenges.
In light of the recent announcement of substantial layoffs at Microsoft, the company has taken steps to clarify misconceptions surrounding the reasons for these job cuts, particularly concerning the use of H-1B foreign-worker visas. The layoffs, which initially impacted 1,600 employees, are expected to affect a total of approximately 3,000 positions over the next year.
Recent reports indicate that Avowed 2 may not be doomed after all, as a small team at Obsidian Entertainment continues to work on the project despite its cancellation by Xbox. As first reported by Wccftech, this development suggests that the sequel to the popular RPG Avowed is not entirely shelved and may still see the light of day.
In response to unfounded conspiracy theories regarding recent layoffs, Microsoft has clarified the background of Asha Sharma, the newly appointed CEO of Xbox. The company sought to dispel allegations suggesting that Sharma’s position was influenced by her ethnic background. As first reported by PC Gamer, Microsoft emphasized that Sharma is “American born, raised, and educated,” underscoring her qualifications for the role.
