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The Evercade DOOM Collection is set to deliver a nostalgic experience by combining classic DOOM titles into a single cartridge that has multiplayer options, enhanced has and exclusive modifiers. As Evercade forges its distinctive path in the gaming scene in 2026, their recent announcement introduces one of the gaming industry's most iconic franchises to a new cartridge, complemented by exclusive gameplay options and a limited-edition Evercade Nexus console. On August 6, 2026, Evercade revealed that the collection will feature the original two DOOM games along with an array of six map packs. These titles have been meticulously ported from their PC counterparts to ensure a native gaming experience on the Evercade system, complete with several quality-of-life enhancements. Included in the collection are beloved map expansions such as TNT: Evilution, The Plutonia Experiment, Master Levels for DOOM 2, No Rest for the Living and SIGIL. Additionally, the DOOM: Deathmatch Pack is part of the collection, offering a selection of multiplayer maps tailored for local competitive gameplay. The multiplayer experience is further enriched with newly introduced modes such as Chaosmatch and Instagib, alongside the classic Deathmatch and cooperative game modes. For collectors, a limited-edition Evercade Nexus console themed around DOOM will also be available, with only 3,000 units produced worldwide. This collector's edition includes a unique DOOM-themed Evercade Nexus console, special packaging, a big-box version of The DOOM Collection cartridge, a DOOM carry case, a comic, a keyring and a double-sided poster. The limited edition Nexus will be offered at a price of $249.99. Andrew Byatt, CEO of Blaze Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about the release, highlighting DOOM's significant impact on the gaming genre and its longstanding influence. He stated, "This is one of the most exciting releases we’ve ever produced for Evercade. Bringing together every major classic campaign, brand-new Evercade has, local multiplayer, and a stunning collector’s edition of the Evercade Nexus makes this a landmark release for both Evercade and DOOM fans alike." As excitement builds around this announcement, fans are encouraged to share their thoughts on the limited edition Evercade Nexus and the collection in Evercade's official Discord server. For those eager to stay updated on the latest developments, there’s also news of a new DOOM release currently in the works, along with the option to sign up for the Evercade weekly newsletter.

Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has teased that the marketing campaign for Grand Theft Auto VI is just getting started, following a mixed reaction to a limited-time trailer released on Netflix. In an interview with GamesIndustry.Biz, Zelnick described the recent gameplay show as merely "one of the hors d'oeuvres," indicating that fans can expect a full-course meal of promotional content leading up to the game's launch. He elaborated, stating, "there's appetizers and main course," suggesting that there are more exciting reveals on the horizon. However, the trailer's Netflix exclusivity for six hours drew mixed feedback. While many welcomed the sneak peek at gameplay, some fans were displeased by the requirement to pay for a subscription to view it early. Although the trailer was also set to appear on Rockstar's YouTube channel later that same day, the initial exclusivity felt off-putting to parts of the community. Despite this, many expect the content to quickly circulate on social media. Zelnick was also approached for details regarding the financial terms of the partnership with Netflix, how much the streaming service paid for the exclusive rights to the gameplay premiere. However, he refrained from disclosing any specifics, praising Netflix as "a great marketing partner for us, and distribution partner," and referring to the arrangement as "a groundbreaking partnership that Rockstar arranged." In addition to discussions about the trailer, Zelnick commented on the game's pre-order figures, which he described as "unprecedented and astonishing." Despite the encouraging numbers, he emphasized caution, noting that the team at Take-Two is not celebrating prematurely. "Nobody's ever seen anything like this before, at Take-Two or in the industry. One of the reasons we’re not changing our guidance is, to be clear, we haven’t sold one unit yet. You can cancel a pre-order. We’re kind of allergic to victory laps round here, and we don’t do the victory lap before the event," he said during a recent financial briefing. As anticipation builds, GTA 6 is set to be released in November, with expectations for at least one larger reveal this month. Zelnick also weighed in on the rising costs of consoles, asserting that these increases are not beneficial for anyone, but he remains confident that they won’t negatively impact Take-Two as the release of GTA 6 approaches.

Bandai Namco has announced its record results for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. However, the company’s Digital segment, which encompasses its gaming operations, saw notable declines due to a reduced number of title releases compared to the same period last year. For the first three months, the company's net sales reached ¥328.4 billion ($2 billion), reflecting a 9.3% increase. Operating profit rose to ¥69.2 billion ($436.7 million), marking an impressive 33.3% growth, while ordinary profit also increased by 36.3% to ¥74.4 billion ($469.5 million). The standout performer for Bandai Namco was its Toys and Hobby segment, which experienced a remarkable sales surge of 45.9% and a profit increase of 25.4%. Additionally, the company benefited from a refund related to U.S. tariffs. The amusement facilities segment contributed significantly as well, with net sales from existing locations in Japan climbing 7.6% year-on-year. In contrast, the Digital segment faced challenges, with both sales and profit declining. Sales fell by 15.6% to ¥90.9 billion ($573 million), while profit dropped 30.9% to ¥15 billion ($94.5 million). During this quarter, the Home Console Game segment managed to sell 6.9 million units, a stark drop from the 10.8 million units sold in the previous quarter, which also featured 15 new title releases, including a major title. These figures do not include localized or platform-specific versions. Despite the declines, core game app titles maintained their popularity throughout the first quarter. Bandai Namco has stated its commitment to strengthening development capabilities to create an optimized title portfolio and enhance its network content earnings base. Looking ahead, the company has several new titles slated for release, including "Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve" on October 2, 2026 and "Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3" in 2027. Bandai Namco has revised its half-year forecast for the Digital Contents segment, now anticipating sales to rise by 10% from the prior estimate to ¥200 billion ($1.2 billion), which represents a 31.5% decline year-on-year. Operating profit is projected to be ¥26.5 billion ($167 million), an 11.5% increase from the previous forecast but down 10.8% compared to last year. While the company has not modified its full-year projections, it plans to reassess based on market changes, fan demands. The performance trends of major home console titles expected in the third quarter and later, as well as during critical selling seasons.

In the face of rising consumer backlash, Sony has firmly decided to halt the production of physical discs for its PlayStation consoles. By the time this announcement was made, the company’s manufacturing facilities were already in the process of transitioning to new products. This move signifies the end of an era, but the methods behind the creation of PlayStation games are likely to remain closely guarded secrets. Industry journalist Stephen Totilo reflects on this shift in his piece for Game File, noting his own lack of understanding regarding how games are transferred onto physical discs. He reached out to industry insiders who provided insights into the intricate process from game development to disc production, highlighting the varying requirements set by major companies like Sony and Microsoft. One noteworthy detail shared by Totilo’s sources is that the cost of manufacturing a game disc is roughly 15 percent of its suggested retail price. This is a significant increase compared to the minimal expense of producing a standard CD. Should a game necessitate multiple discs, these costs will inevitably rise. However, other specifics about the disc manufacturing process are shrouded in secrecy, with many industry experts reluctant to speak on the record for fear of repercussions. The history of console success has often hinged on the security of its game distribution pipeline. For instance, the Sega Dreamcast faced challenges when its custom discs were vulnerable to piracy, which deterred publishers at a crucial time. The proprietary formats used by consoles, including who can produce them and who gets licensing rights, play a vital role in their success and longevity. Sony's relationship with compact discs has deep roots, as the company originally made a name for itself in home entertainment, producing speakers, portable Walkmen, and, importantly, the discs themselves. Transitioning away from CDs marks a monumental shift for the company, indicating a stronger focus on digital streaming for films and games rather than physical media. As Sony moves further into this digital scene, players may find themselves paying more for games while owning less of the physical products. With the cessation of disc manufacturing, any publisher looking to create physical games for PlayStation will have to navigate new, uncharted territory without the option of alternative production sources. While the homebrew community often steps in to fill gaps left by major companies, obtaining official new releases on PlayStation discs will require significant effort and risk from those within the industry.

In late July, Naoki "Yoshi-P" Yoshida sought to temper fan enthusiasm regarding the possibility of remakes for Final Fantasy VI and VIII, indicating that any such projects would require more installments than the nearing completion of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy. In a subsequent discussion, VG247 and RPGSite's Alex Donaldson shared insights on ResetEra, revealing that while the long-rumored Final Fantasy IX remake had made significant progress, it has since been put on hold. However, Donaldson noted that the work completed thus far could be revisited in the future. According to Donaldson, Square Enix is expected to prioritize the development of new Final Fantasy titles after wrapping up the VII remake trilogy, rather than continuing with remakes of older games. He pointed out that the FF9 remake was initially intended to be a standalone game and had reached a considerable level of development. Yoshida's comments, particularly in relation to content honoring Final Fantasy IX in the last expansion, hint at the potential for the project to be revived, albeit with a more manageable scope compared to FF7R. Despite this, several factors contributed to the project's stagnation, and Yoshida's remarks appear intended to manage expectations among fans. game development paths are not always linear; for instance, a new mobile Dissidia title was effectively canceled for nearly a year before being revitalized. This fluidity in development suggests that while the Final Fantasy IX remake is currently inactive, the groundwork laid could still be leveraged down the road. Yoshida's comments about the future of the franchise, including discussions about Final Fantasy 17, indicate that there is a current plan in place, but as history has shown, strategies can evolve. Square Enix has experienced a dynamic development environment over the past decade, leading to frequent shifts in focus; however, their recent restructuring seems to bring more stability. Ultimately, Square Enix has decided that after concluding the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, the emphasis will be on crafting new narratives rather than continually revisiting older titles. While remakes have yielded positive results, the company appears to believe that continuing this trend may not sustain growth. The last update on the status of the Final Fantasy IX remake suggested it was "in trouble," a statement made nearly a year ago. As fans reflect on Square Enix's strategy, the question remains: Should the company prioritize completing the Final Fantasy IX remake, given its advanced development stage, or is the focus on new stories the right direction for the franchise?

Nvidia is reportedly planning to raise the prices of its graphics cards for the third time this year, with increases expected to range from 20% to 30%. This information comes from a recent report by Taiwan's Economic Daily News, which attributes the price hike to the rising costs of DRAM. Unlike previous increases that primarily impacted high-end models such as the GeForce RTX 5090, this adjustment is set to affect all graphics cards in Nvidia's lineup. According to the report, Nvidia has already informed graphics card manufacturers about the upcoming price changes. The planned increases will affect both GDDR7 and the older generation GDDR6 video memory. Over the past 18 months, GPU prices have surged significantly, with some models seeing increases of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For instance, the RTX 5090, which originally launched at $1,999, is now priced between $3,999 and $4,500. Similarly, the RTX 5060 Ti has seen its price rise from $379 to $569. As of now, Nvidia has not made an official announcement regarding these price hikes. The ongoing increase in DRAM prices is largely driven by extensive investments in artificial intelligence and global data centers, leading to a situation where demand for components exceeds supply, ultimately passing higher costs onto consumers. Nvidia has positioned itself as a leading supporter of AI advancements. Recently, CEO Jensen Huang expressed his views on the skepticism surrounding AI, dismissing it as “doom talk” and labeling the anti-AI narrative as “hurtful” to the industry. With yet another price increase looming for Nvidia's graphics cards, the gaming community is left to ponder the implications. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments section or join the discussion in the official Insider Gaming Discord.

Valve has reached out to customers in Europe who purchased its hardware to inform them of a possible breach of their personal data due to a cyber attack. Users on Reddit have shared that they received emails today from the company, detailing that the distribution partner responsible for delivering Steam hardware to European customers experienced a security incident two weeks ago. The email specifies that CEVA Logistics, the company tasked with shipping Steam Decks and Steam Machines, was affected by this cyber attack between July 29 and August 1. Valve reported that they were notified on August 7 that certain information regarding Steam customers was likely compromised. Valve explained that it shares delivery-related information with CEVA to facilitate hardware delivery to European customers, which is the type of information that may have been accessed by the attacker. CEVA retains this data for up to 90 days after an order is placed, meaning that individuals who ordered a Steam Deck, Steam Controller, or Steam Machine within the past three months could be at risk. According to Valve, the compromised data may include the following details: names, street addresses, postal codes, cities, countries, phone numbers, email addresses associated with Steam accounts and product types ordered. In light of the breach, Valve has cautioned users to be vigilant for potential scams. "Expect fake messages from scammers," Valve warned, advising players in Europe who have recently ordered hardware to be on guard. These fraudulent communications may come via email, SMS, or phone, and could reference their hardware orders to appear credible. Scammers might quote addresses to prove legitimacy and may request confirmation of delivery, payment of a minor customs or redelivery fee, or prompt users to log in to verify their orders. Valve emphasizes treating all such messages as suspicious. Importantly, Valve reassured users that CEVA does not have access to sensitive information such as Steam passwords, payment details, or Steam Guard codes, meaning that this data was not compromised. Affected users do not need to change their Steam passwords or alter their account settings. Valve continues to seek clarity on the full extent of the breach from CEVA, which has reportedly isolated the affected systems, taken them offline, and engaged outside investigators to look into the incident.

Sega has unveiled a comprehensive 100-track playlist titled "Jun Senoue: Essential Works," paying tribute to the prolific musician Jun Senoue. This collection highlights Senoue's extensive career, showing his contributions as a composer and arranger, particularly for the beloved Sonic the Hedgehog series. Available on both Spotify and Apple Music, the playlist can be found on the Sega Sound Team artist page and offers a listening experience of approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. While the majority of the tracks originate from Sonic titles, the playlist also has selections from other notable Sega games that Senoue has worked on, such as Daytona USA Circuit Edition, Sega Rally 2 and Victory Goal. Since joining Sega in 1993, Senoue has made a significant impact on the gaming music scene, starting with his work on Sonic the Hedgehog 3. He has since contributed to iconic titles like Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, and Sonic Generations, with his most recent project being Sonic X Shadow Generations. he is the lead guitarist and founder of the band Crush 40, which emerged from the Sonic franchise and is known for providing many vocal tracks for the series. In a statement, Senoue expressed his nostalgia while reflecting on the songs included in the playlist, noting, "This playlist has songs from various titles, primarily from the Sonic series, ranging from 90s releases to more recent tracks. Listening back to them, I realized how many memories I have of working on each song. Some of you may already know all of these songs, but I think there will be some you’re hearing for the first time through this playlist. I hope that by exploring songs from different eras, you’ll find some new favorites. Also, this playlist isn’t finished yet – I plan to add more songs from time to time, so please look forward to it." This release marks Sega's second curated playlist focused on one of its composers. The first, titled "Tomoya Ohtani: Essential Works," is also accessible on Spotify and Apple Music and has 100 tracks composed by Ohtani, the sound director of the Sonic series who joined Sega in 1999. Sega has made a substantial contribution to the gaming music community, with the official Sega Sound Team artist page boasting over 200 full soundtrack albums, including music from iconic titles such as the Sonic series, Burning Rangers, Alex Kidd, Fantasy Zone, Jet Set Radio, Like a Dragon/Yakuza, Daytona USA, NiGHTS and Out Run, among many others.

Dave Bautista, the well-known Hollywood actor famous for his role as Drax the Destroyer in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy films, is reportedly in discussions to take on the role of Kratos in the upcoming live-action adaptation of God of War. Previously, Ryan Hurst, known for his role in Sons of Anarchy, was cast as Kratos but suffered a bicep injury on set, which will prevent him from continuing for four to six months. Consequently, Amazon, the show's owner, has opted to recast the character. According to Variety, Bautista is currently in talks with Amazon to star in the series. He has previously collaborated with the company on projects such as The Wrecking Crew and My Spy, and he is set to appear in upcoming Amazon productions like Road House 2 and Highlander, indicating a solid working relationship. In addition to the casting news regarding Kratos, there are reports of casting calls for actors aged 14 to 17, likely for roles relating to a teenage Atreus and Thor's daughter, Thrud. Callum Vinson, a 12-year-old actor, has already been cast as Atreus, suggesting that these new casting calls might pertain to a potential second season of the show, which could look into events from the Ragnarok game. Before Hurst's injury, four episodes of the series had already been filmed, and production is expected to resume in October. This year has seen its share of challenges on Amazon's game adaptations, as actress Sophie Turner also sustained an injury while filming for the live-action Tomb Raider series, although that production has reportedly resumed. Meanwhile, the God of War franchise continues to evolve, with a new game titled Laufey set to release in February. This game will focus on the titular character and will run parallel to the events of the 2018 God of War game, keeping fans of the series engaged with new content.

Helldivers 2 is crossing over with one of gaming's most iconic sci-fi universes. Arrowhead Game Studios has announced the Warhammer 40,000: Castellan's Creed Legendary Warbond, launching on Aug. 12, bringing a host of Imperium-inspired gear to the battlefield. The new Warbond is heavily themed around the Cadian Kasrkin, introducing a range of weapons and equipment pulled straight from the Warhammer 40K universe. Players will be able to wield the Hot-shot Marksman Rifle, a scoped weapon built for medium- and long-range combat, alongside the iconic Bolt Pistol as a secondary weapon. A new throwable, the Meltamine, can be deployed as an explosive trap, while the Meltagun arrives as a stratagem, unleashing a superheated beam capable of melting through heavily armored targets. On the defensive side, the Warbond includes the TG-8 Sharpshooter medium armor and the TG-122 Demo-Trooper heavy armor. Both feature the True Grit passive, which grants +20 weapon handling and a 30% faster reload speed for support weapons. The collaboration also adds a selection of cosmetic rewards, including Warhammer-themed skins for the FRV buggy, Exo Suit, shuttle, and Hellpod, as well as new capes, player banners, and an exclusive player title. Notably absent are the legendary Space Marines. Instead, the crossover focuses on the more grounded Imperial Guard aesthetic—a fitting choice, given that Helldivers are far closer to ordinary soldiers than the genetically enhanced warriors of the Adeptus Astartes. Arrowhead has yet to officially reveal pricing, but the previous Halo ODST Legendary Warbond launched at 1,500 Super Credits. Super Credits are sold in bundles ranging from 150 credits for $1.99 to 2,100 credits for $19.99, making it likely this crossover will carry a similar price tag. Since launching in early 2024, Helldivers 2 has maintained a healthy player base despite naturally settling below its massive launch peak of more than 458,000 concurrent players on Steam. Major content updates have consistently driven fresh surges in player activity, and the Warhammer 40K collaboration is expected to do the same.

Sony's decision to stop releasing new PlayStation games on physical discs starting in 2028 has sparked widespread criticism, but the company remains confident it's making the right move. The shift away from physical media has become one of the gaming industry's most divisive topics. Preservation advocates warn that an all-digital future could make it harder to preserve games and may even encourage piracy, while some developers and publishers argue the move disadvantages studios that still support boxed releases. Lords of the Fallen 2 publisher Marek Tyminski, for example, described Sony's decision—and GTA 6's reported digital-only release—as "unfair to studios still backing physical." Despite the backlash, Sony shows no signs of reversing course. Speaking during the company's latest quarterly earnings Q&A, chief financial officer Lin Tao said the primary reason behind the decision is the industry's ongoing shift toward digital content. "The biggest factor is the digitalization of content overall," Tao explained. "It's not just PlayStation—digitalization is progressing across all forms of entertainment." Tao emphasized that the decision wasn't made lightly. According to her, Sony spent considerable time evaluating its options before deciding to move forward. "When we think about the future, we put in a lot of thought and time. We considered this carefully before reaching the conclusion that we would move ahead. We know people have strong opinions, and we've heard the community's feedback. Games are something many people deeply care about." She also acknowledged the emotional attachment many players have to physical games, noting that gaming is closely tied to personal memories and nostalgia. "We understand those feelings, and we want to take them into account," Tao said. "As the digital ecosystem evolves, we want to continue exploring how we can best engage with gamers." While those comments suggest Sony recognizes fans' concerns, they stop well short of indicating any return to physical media. Instead, the company's focus remains firmly on building its digital future. Sony also stated that it does not expect the transition away from physical discs to have a negative impact on its business.

The highly anticipated $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA) is on track to finalize on August 4, having received the necessary approvals from all regulatory authorities. In a recent filing with the SEC, EA noted that "completion of the merger remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining customary closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement." Earlier this week, the European Commission also gave its green light to the merger, determining that it "would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active. The notified transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure." In an amended annual report submitted on July 28, EA shared insights into its financial performance following the conclusion of its fiscal year. The company experienced a significant boost, with net income climbing by 81.5% to reach $461 million, while net revenue rose by 12% to $2.1 billion. Much of this success has been attributed to the latest installment in the Battlefield franchise, Battlefield 6, which reportedly met "all milestones for a high-quality launch" and garnered "positive critical reviews and stable services." However, it hasn't been all smooth sailing for EA. In March, an undisclosed number of employees were laid off from four studios associated with the Battlefield series. In a statement provided to GamesIndustry.biz, EA remarked, "We’ve made select changes within our Battlefield organization to better align our teams around what matters most to our community." The company reaffirmed its commitment to the franchise, emphasizing that Battlefield remains one of its top priorities and that it will continue to invest in it, guided by player feedback and insights from Battlefield Labs. The acquisition plan was first unveiled last September by a consortium of investors, including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Silver Lake Capital. Following a shareholder vote in December, EA's stakeholders supported the acquisition. Once the deal is finalized, it is projected that the PIF will hold over 93.4% of EA's shares. In the lead-up to the merger's approval, US lawmakers expressed concerns, urging the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a thorough examination of the deal. They warned that the acquisition could have potential negative implications for workers within the company. This developing situation highlights the significant shifts taking place in the gaming industry, particularly concerning mergers and acquisitions. As the deal approaches its closing date, all eyes will be on EA and the potential changes that may come with the new ownership.