On July 1, a new patch for Monster Hunter Wilds, designated as Update Version 1.020.01.00, was released. Capcom had introduced this latest installment of the beloved Monster Hunter series earlier this year, earning accolades for its expansive world, diverse array of monsters, and upgraded systems. Despite its initial success, the PC version of Monster Hunter Wilds faced significant performance issues, resulting in rising dissatisfaction among players and an “Overwhelming Negative” rating on Steam. Just days before the hotfix, Title Update 2 aimed to tackle the most pressing performance problems affecting the PC version.

After its launch, there was a noticeable improvement in the game, helping to regain some of the goodwill that Capcom had previously lost. However, large patches like Title Update 2 often bring about new challenges, necessitating quick follow-up fixes to address any additional complications that arise. The patch notes for Update Version 1.020.01.00, announced on the official Monster Hunter Wilds website, confirm that this update focuses exclusively on resolving bugs that emerged after Title Update 2. Noteworthy fixes include addressing lower-than-expected rewards for the new monsters, Lagiacrus and Seregios, improving frame rates when equipping specific ranged weapons, and eliminating crashes related to the Appearance Menu—a point of concern for the community.

Although Update Version 1.020.01.00 may not introduce substantial gameplay changes, it demonstrates Capcom’s commitment to responsive development and community feedback. Players are encouraged to restart their game instances to access the latest updates, while online multiplayer options remain unavailable until the game is fully updated. Overall, the reception of Title Update 2 has been favorable. Many players, especially on PC, have reported enhanced game stability, particularly within towns.

While some improvements are still desired, the overall sentiment towards Capcom and the Monster Hunter franchise is becoming increasingly positive.

A recent report has revealed that People Can Fly, the Polish developer behind Outriders, was working on a sequel, tentatively named Project Gemini. Unfortunately, the studio was forced to cancel this project along with another title during significant layoffs.

The news comes after the studio had to scrap several in-development ventures, indicating a tough period for People Can Fly. Outriders was launched in 2021 as a co-op looter shooter that mixed fast-paced gunplay with RPG elements.

It garnered impressive engagement initially, attracting 3.5 million players in its first month. However, it faced backlash due to technical issues at launch, a limited endgame loop, and inconsistent live-service support.

This led many to label it one of the most disappointing games of 2021 despite having a dedicated fanbase that hoped for improvements in a potential sequel. According to a report by Thumb Wars, Project Gemini was reportedly close to completion before its cancellation, a decision attributed to a lack of communication from its publisher, believed to be Square Enix.

This situation leaves fans wondering what prompted such a sudden change, especially since the game seemed to be advancing well. In addition to Project Gemini, the studio also canceled another project known as Project Bifrost, which purportedly aimed to be a live-service game based on a new intellectual property.

However, insiders revealed that Project Bifrost lacked originality and met with little excitement within the studio, making its cancellation not particularly shocking. Overall, the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the Outriders sequel raise intriguing questions about the expectations on franchises in this evolving gaming landscape.

Fans and industry observers alike are left speculating on the future of People Can Fly and the Outriders franchise.

WWE 2K25 is set to hit the Nintendo Switch 2 later this month, but there’s a noteworthy catch for those interested in the physical version. Back in April, during a Nintendo Direct livestream, 2K announced that this year’s wrestling installment would be ported to the new console.

Recently, members of The Judgment Day hinted at a significant update, which turned out to be the release date announcement for WWE 2K25—it will officially launch on July 23. The game promises to deliver all the in-ring excitement and gameplay features fans expect, including The Island, a multiplayer mode that was excluded from other console versions due to hardware restrictions.

Those eager to play can pre-order the game now in Standard, Deadman, and The Bloodline Editions. Pre-ordering grants access to the Wyatt Sicks DLC character pack as well.

However, potential buyers should be aware of a significant downside: the physical version of WWE 2K25 will require an internet connection to download the game. The physical case will only contain a code for downloading the game, as highlighted in the reveal trailer.

This means there will not be a traditional game cartridge included, which has raised eyebrows among gamers, especially considering the controversy over new Game Key-Cards that serve only as proof of purchase rather than containing actual game data. Despite this peculiarity, WWE 2K25 offers an extensive roster of over 300 Superstars, a new Showcase mode celebrating The Bloodline dynasty, and an enhanced MyGM mode allowing four players to compete online.

With intergender matches and various gameplay updates, WWE 2K25 aims to provide an exceptional experience for Nintendo fans while also sparking conversations about the future of physical game media.

Marvel Rivals is gearing up for its thrilling third season, set to launch on July 11. This season centers around Knull, the God of the Symbiotes, and it promises an exciting lineup of new skins and characters.

Among the highlights is an eye-catching Symbiote skin for Jeff the Land Shark, reflecting the season’s theme. Developer NetEase has teased several upcoming cosmetic skins.

Captain America will don an impressive Captain Klyntar Symbiote skin, while Spider-Man will showcase his Future Foundation skin, allowing players to switch between black and white versions. The iconic trio of the Thing, Invisible Woman, and Mister Fantastic will also receive their own Future Foundation designs, showcased in the recent reveal teaser.

Anticipation is building as the season draws near, and fans are eager to see how the new Skins will pan out. The Season 3 trailer introduced new playable characters Jean Grey as Phoenix and Blade, along with a special Symbiote skin for Jeff.

Other characters like Magik, Wolverine, and Blade were also hintingly featured, all dressed in attire that seems inspired by Jean Grey and her alternate form. While it remains uncertain which skins will be available through the battle pass or in-store purchases, the Symbiote theme has captured the minds of the Marvel fandom.

Speculation abounds about potential additional Symbiote suits for other characters. Among the most desired is a Symbiote suit for Spider-Man, with strong references to its portrayal in Sam Raimi’s 2007 film or the sleek variant from Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man 2.

The excitement for Season 3 is palpable, with new skins likely to be unveiled throughout the season. Fans are encouraged to keep an eye on Marvel Rivals’ social media for updates and surprises involving their favorite characters.

On July 1, Amazon Prime Gaming announced an exciting selection of 13 free PC games available to subscribers throughout the month, with eight titles ready to claim immediately. Amazon Prime members who have linked their Twitch accounts can also take advantage of early Prime Day offers, featuring popular games like Star Wars: Rebellion and new additions such as Paquerette Down the Bunburrows.

The monthly games made available by Prime Gaming can be played through various PC apps, including GOG Galaxy and the Epic Games Store. Most notably, they are primarily accessible through the Amazon Games app available for Windows 10 and 11.

To take advantage of these offers, an active Amazon Prime subscription is necessary. However, once claimed, the games can still be enjoyed even if the Prime membership is temporarily paused.

Previous months have featured notable titles like Thief: Deadly Shadows and Station to Station. As Prime Day approaches on July 8, the excitement builds, especially since subscribers can currently claim eight of this month’s 13 free games.

The enticing selection includes late June surprises, such as Saints Row 2, the Tomb Raider Remastered series, Dungeon of the Endless Definitive Edition, and more, available until July 7, just before Prime Day kicks off. Following Prime Day, gamers can look forward to additional titles released throughout July.

On July 17, Endless Space 2 Definitive Edition and the Besiege: The Splintered Sea DLC will be available. Additionally, starting July 24, players can claim Venba along with I Love Finding Wild Friends Collector’s Edition.

The month will wrap up with Heroes of Loot on July 31, rounding out an exciting July for Prime Gaming users. Furthermore, Amazon Luna users can enjoy free titles throughout the month, including Death Stranding Director’s Cut and World War Z.

It remains to be seen if more Prime Gaming offers will be introduced throughout July.

With the arrival of Season 9 in Diablo 4, players have been greeted with a welcome quality of life enhancement to the armor customization process. The community buzz surrounding the new season is palpable, and for good reason. Season 9 not only rolls out a wealth of fresh content but also implements significant modifications to the core gameplay experience. The patch notes for Season 9, titled Sins of the Horadrim, introduce various new features, such as Horadric spellcrafting abilities, jewel crafting, and the chance to explore Strongrooms.

However, beyond these substantial additions, players have also noticed several changes to the existing classes and gameplay mechanics. One particularly well-received adjustment involves a refinement in the transmog system for armor, which allows players to effortlessly alter their armor’s visual style. Now available is the Equip Theme option, which streamlines the process of customizing armor by eliminating the need to manually change each piece individually. This new setting has proven to be a major hit among players, as it saves valuable time and effort.

Additionally, a preview feature for cosmetic items and a shortcut to the in-game store for purchasing missing items have been introduced, further enhancing the customization experience. On the other hand, not all updates have been met with enthusiasm. While many players have enjoyed the new pets introduced in Season 9, such as the Scapegoat and Dante, the pricing for some bundles has led to frustration. The Azul Pet, a fox companion available at the Tejal Shop for 2,500 Platinum, has drawn criticism for its cost, with community members expressing reluctance to spend such an amount for what they perceive as an excessive price.

As Diablo 4 continues to evolve, players can look forward to an action RPG experience packed with a rich narrative, engaging multiplayer elements, and endless possibilities for adventure.

July 14 promises to be a significant day for Pokemon Sleep, as it marks the beginning of the game’s Second Anniversary Fest event. However, the celebrations will commence a bit earlier with the Second Anniversary Prelude Event kicking off in Pokemon Sleep on July 7. This event sets the stage for a month filled with excitement in honor of the app’s anniversary.

Pokemon Sleep stands out as a unique addition to the Pokemon franchise, encouraging players to focus on attaining a healthy sleep routine. The app utilizes a phone’s built-in sensors to track sleep quality, rewarding players with more Pokemon visits to their research area as they improve their rest. The upcoming events will introduce new Pokemon, offering players fresh encounters during their nightly slumbers.

On July 20, the Pokemon Sleep app officially turns two years old, and players can look forward to new content throughout the month. Notably, starting on July 14 at 3:00 PM local time, players will have the chance to meet three starters from Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire—Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. Their evolved forms will also be included, allowing players to discover their favorites at camps after a restful night.

From July 7 to July 14, fans of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet can also participate in a pre-anniversary celebration. This event will increase the chances of encountering Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly, along with their evolutions. Players will receive 150 bonus sleep points daily, alongside 1.5x bonuses on Dream Shards and cooking pot size.

On Sundays, the cooking pot size will triple, enabling players to gather ingredients for a Snorlax power-up. To maximize their experience, players may want to strategically choose their campsite depending on the Pokemon they wish to encounter. Different locations feature specific Pokemon and their evolutionary families, ensuring a rich variety of experiences throughout the event.

Minecraft has announced an exciting update focused on Copper, which is set to enhance gameplay significantly. This often-overlooked material is getting a revamped presence in the game with new items for players to craft. One of the most thrilling aspects of this update is the introduction of the Copper Golem, a creature that previously lost in a mob vote but is making its way into Minecraft now.

The anticipation for this update began with a teaser screenshot containing the letters “CU,” which coincides with the atomic number for copper. Players quickly deduced that an update surrounding this element was imminent, and they were right. The new features include a Copper tier for weapons, tools, and armor, positioned between Stone and Iron.

This provides a better progression path for newer players, thanks to the accessibility of Copper. However, the developers are mindful about balancing the game; Copper tools, while faster and more durable than Stone ones, cannot mine higher-tier materials. This decision allows players to gather the essential Iron needed for upgrading without making Copper overpowered.

Adding to the excitement is the introduction of the Copper Golem. This mini-goal will not only be crafted alongside a new Copper Chest but will also assist players in organizing materials. The Golem can relocate items from the Copper Chest to other chests, ensuring a more streamlined inventory management for players who often struggle with clutter.

At present, these features are only accessible in the Beta and Preview editions of Bedrock Minecraft, with a Java Snapshot on the horizon. Players eager to experience these new additions are encouraged to participate in the Beta or Preview versions and provide feedback to the developers. The exact release date for these features in the main game remains unannounced.

Respawn Entertainment has rolled out a new update for Apex Legends, refining several weapons in the popular battle royale game. Following significant changes made in the midseason update for Season 25, the developer continues to implement smaller balance patches to further adjust the game’s meta. Despite a decline in popularity since its launch, Apex Legends maintains a robust player base, frequently attracting over 100,000 concurrent players on Steam. Fans appreciate the game’s fast-paced gameplay, and Respawn consistently introduces updates to keep players engaged.

The latest patch includes key changes to the Devotion and EVA-8 weapons that may significantly alter the weapon meta. The update nerfed the Devotion LMG by removing improved scaling from high-tier barrels and stocks and decreasing its magazine size from 52 to 48 rounds. These adjustments should make the weapon less forgiving to use. Meanwhile, the EVA-8 shotgun received an increase in damage per pellet from six to seven, although its fire rate was decreased.

The adjustments made to purple and gold bolts for shotguns have also been aligned with other similar weapons in the game. In addition to these weapon changes, the update brought quality-of-life improvements to the Arenas: Duels mode. Players will now only be highlighted during the countdown, and the timing and transitions between duels have been accelerated for a more dynamic gameplay experience. While the responses to the weapon adjustments have been mixed, with some players expressing satisfaction with the nerf to the Devotion, others believe more changes are needed.

With ongoing efforts to refine the game, Respawn aims to enhance the overall gameplay experience and ensure that characters like Wattson and Vantage are more effective in the current meta. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see the impact of these changes.