Month: June 2025

Steel City Interactive has revealed an exciting free content update for Undisputed, set to launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam later this week. This update, version 1.4, promises a comprehensive set of gameplay adjustments, bug fixes, and quality-of-life enhancements, alongside the introduction of three new fighters and additional features for players to explore. Following an impressive release of four patches in just five weeks, Steel City Interactive took a brief hiatus from communicating with fans while they worked on the upcoming update. After nearly two months of silence, the studio began sharing details about update 1.4 earlier this month.

One major highlight is the much-requested multi-queue feature that will significantly speed up online matchmaking. This new capability allows players to choose fighters from various weight divisions, thus reducing wait times for matches. The anticipation surrounding the update grew as Steel City teased the return of a controversial boxer who had previously been removed from the game. Confirming the release on June 26, Steel City Interactive offered a glimpse of the new features through a short video shared by the community manager.

Among these is the addition of robes for notable fighters like Terence Crawford and Amir Khan, alongside significant improvements in lighting and visuals on Xbox Series X and PC, particularly in Ultra settings. Fans can also look forward to gameplay enhancements, including a capped success rate for the get-up mini-game in offline modes, making it easier to keep opponents down. Additionally, the update will refine Vasyl Lomachenko’s animations for a more realistic representation. While specific details on the bug fixes are set to be shared in the patch notes, Steel City will also introduce a new DLC fighter pack with unspecified fighters, continuing their trend of adding iconic boxers to the game.

Remedy Entertainment’s latest first-person shooter, FBC: Firebreak, is struggling to find a player base on PC since its release on June 17. The peak concurrent player count has fallen below 2,000, raising concerns about its popularity. Set within the Control universe, FBC: Firebreak marks Remedy’s first attempt at multiplayer gameplay, but initial feedback has been mixed from both players and critics.

The game was officially announced in June 2021 and had a more detailed reveal at the Xbox Partner preview in October 2024, with a gameplay trailer released in March 2025. Retailing at $40, FBC: Firebreak includes some live service elements but notably lacks daily check-ins and battle passes, which are often used to increase player engagement. Players were initially excited to see the game available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, as well as on PlayStation Plus Extra, but the launch on PC has resulted in disappointing numbers.

As per SteamDB, FBC: Firebreak reached a maximum of 1,992 concurrent players on Steam, with only 245 users active in the past 24 hours, significantly lower than many of Remedy’s older titles like Control and Max Payne 3. Currently averaging a “Mixed” review rating on Steam, players express their dissatisfaction about the game’s lack of tutorials, content, and matchmaking issues, resulting in some users completing the game within a day or two. To address these concerns, Remedy plans to roll out two major content updates in 2026, informed by player feedback during the game’s initial weeks.

Upcoming updates will introduce new jobsites, equipment, enemies, and rewards. Although reception has not been as favorable as anticipated, some fans hope that FBC: Firebreak could pave the way for Control 2, as references to popular characters from the original game appear throughout.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, published by Paradox Interactive, remains on course for its planned release despite layoffs at developer The Chinese Room. This sequel to the 2004 original has faced a challenging development path, but recent developments suggest that the timeline for release is unaffected. Fans can anticipate playing the game later this year, reassuring them after a lengthy series of delays.

Earlier in the year, The Chinese Room announced a release date of October 2025 for Bloodlines 2. Although this marks over 20 years since the debut of its predecessor, it provided a glimmer of hope to an eager fanbase weary from constant postponements. After the layoffs were disclosed, concerns arose about potential delays, but sources from Paradox affirm that the development of Bloodlines 2 is still progressing as planned.

Reports indicated that the game is largely complete, with remaining tasks focused on fine-tuning. The layoffs may reduce personnel, but they do not significantly impact the overall development timeline. While fans hope for smoother sailing ahead, this situation also underscores a troubling trend of layoffs and developmental challenges within the gaming industry.

The road to Bloodlines 2 has not been without its hurdles. Following its initial announcement in 2019, it has faced numerous delays, shifting from 2020 to 2021, then to 2024, and finally to 2025. There were even concerns about outright cancellation at one point, although the project has survived these cutbacks.

In 2023, The Chinese Room took the project over from Hardsuit Labs, leading to changes in both gameplay and narrative. Players will navigate a perilous, modern-day Seattle, engaging with powerful characters and navigating a tense power vacuum in the city’s vampire court. As a vampire, players will utilize unique abilities to hunt and interact with the populace while balancing the risks of maintaining the Masquerade against their predatory instincts.

With different vampire clans presenting varied playstyles, Bloodlines 2 promises a deeply immersive experience filled with dynamic combat and narrative choices.

A notable leaker has recently shared some exciting news regarding Helldivers 2, specifically about a new Automaton homeworld called New Cyberstan. The game, which has already introduced a variety of new content with the ongoing Illuminate invasion and the storyline “The Battle for Super Earth,” continues to evolve under Arrowhead Game Studios’ stewardship. Since Helldivers 2’s launch, the game has experienced significant commercial success and has steadily expanded its offerings. Arrowhead has been busy rolling out updates that enhance the player experience, introducing a myriad of features such as new enemies, cosmetics, events, and even substantial free rewards.

While the game’s reception has generally been positive, it faced some criticism in recent months due to changes that didn’t resonate well with players, affecting its Steam rating. Fortunately, these issues have been addressed, restoring the title’s favorable standing in the gaming community. Recent leaks have hinted at an exciting new addition to the game, potentially intensifying the action. The trusted leaker known as Iron_S1ghts shared images on social media showcasing New Cyberstan, a planet currently under terraforming by robotic entities.

Although still in development, the visual representation suggests a foreboding yet fascinating world. Iron_S1ghts assured fans that the planet will evolve into a more aesthetically pleasing environment as the project advances, but he also cautioned that the release is not imminent due to the considerable work still required. In response to players desiring a more metallic aesthetic for New Cyberstan, Iron_S1ghts clarified that it is expected to take on that look once the two planned Helldivers 2 bot cities are added. These cities are anticipated to be megacities featuring distinctive props with slight variations.

Additionally, Iron_S1ghts recently teased a new enemy unit called the Observer, a creature that has a striking resemblance to the Watcher but with the unique capability to shoot lasers. It is essential to remember that while these leaks are intriguing, there remains uncertainty regarding the inclusion of these features in the final game.

Square Enix has recognized the tremendous success of Sandfall Interactive’s RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. One investor during a recent shareholders meeting expressed enthusiasm for the potential return of turn-based combat in future titles, particularly the next Final Fantasy installment.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has generated significant buzz in the gaming community, with fans of classic JRPGs hoping this success might lead to a resurgence of major turn-based games. The indie title has sold an impressive 3.3 million units within its first 33 days, marking both commercial and critical success.

Developed by the small French team at Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 boasts one of the highest player ratings on Metacritic, surpassing iconic titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Super Mario Galaxy. This remarkable achievement has undoubtedly caught the attention of other developers, including those behind long-standing franchises who may consider making significant changes to their gameplay approaches.

During the Square Enix meeting, it was highlighted that the last mainline Final Fantasy game with turn-based elements was 2006’s Final Fantasy 12. Fans have been vocal about their desire to see a return to this style.

Although it remains uncertain whether the forthcoming Final Fantasy 17 will incorporate turn-based mechanics, there is hope that the developers will heed the feedback sparked by Clair Obscur. While Square Enix regarded Final Fantasy 16 as a success, it faced criticism at launch for its action-oriented combat, leading some to question whether it represented a “true” Final Fantasy experience.

Despite these initial concerns, the game’s critical reception has improved. As the company focuses on the final chapter of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Sandfall Interactive is also progressing, with plans for updates and potential DLC for Clair Obscur, along with the development of a new game.

Funcom, the studio behind the survival MMO Dune: Awakening, has revealed plans for significant changes to the game’s endgame. The developer aims to tackle player feedback and enhance the overall gaming experience.

Launched in early June 2025, Dune: Awakening garnered praise for its immersive desert gameplay and competitive player-versus-player (PVP) elements. The game has become a milestone for Funcom, setting records as the fastest-selling title in its history and attracting over a million players.

The combination of the iconic Dune universe with refined survival gameplay appealed to both new and returning players familiar with Funcom’s previous titles, such as Conan Exiles. Currently, thousands of players are actively engaged in building and competing for supremacy on the treacherous sands of Arrakis, the universe’s most crucial planet.

Despite its impressive launch, Dune: Awakening has received criticism, particularly regarding its PVP-heavy endgame structure. Funcom’s Creative Director Joel Bylos addressed these concerns in a recent Steam blog post, proposing an array of changes that will introduce player-versus-environment (PVE) options to enhance gameplay diversity.

Currently, the Deep Desert’s PVP system dominates the endgame, forcing players who prefer PVE to engage in activities they might not enjoy. To improve accessibility, some areas within the Deep Desert will be reclassified as “Partial Warfare (PVE),” allowing players to harvest resources without the threat of PVP.

These new zones will be designed for group play but will still present challenges for solo players. Meanwhile, the most valuable regions will retain their PVP status, catering to those who seek high-risk rewards.

Funcom is also addressing PVP balance issues, notably the prevalence of flying ornithopters. Previous updates reduced vehicle damage, but further adjustments will limit the power of rocket-equipped thopters.

The goal is for PVP battles to emphasize teamwork and strategy rather than rely heavily on any single unit. With these upcoming changes, players hope to see an endgame that better reflects their preferences and encourages collaboration.

Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the Super Smash Bros. series, has expressed concerns about the future of game development, especially for large-scale AAA projects. He believes that the industry may increasingly rely on artificial intelligence (AI) if the current trend continues. Recent headlines have highlighted challenges such as mass layoffs, canceled games, and an uptick in delays. These issues have coincided with rising video game prices, causing disappointment among both consumers and developers.

In a recent interview with Yahoo Japan, Sakurai shared his apprehensions regarding the sustainability of large-scale game development. He noted that creating these games often requires significantly more time than is reasonable. As a potential solution, he suggested that AI could be deployed to enhance work efficiency, making large projects more manageable. This perspective reflects a broader uncertainty in the industry about how to navigate these evolving challenges.

Developing major games, particularly new intellectual properties, often involves extensive time and investment. For instance, a project like Concord, which took nearly a decade to develop, was ultimately terminated just weeks after its release. Conversely, some franchises like Call of Duty have budgets soaring to around $700 million, even as overall game prices have stagnated amid rising inflation. Sakurai’s proposal of integrating AI could potentially streamline development, cut costs, and improve quality control, giving developers more time to eliminate bugs and enhance gameplay.

However, there are valid concerns about the implications of AI in the workforce. Many game developers fear that AI might be used not as an assistant but as a replacement, leading to job losses. Players have expressed frustration with AI usage in gaming, and voice actors are concerned about their roles being diminished. As the industry focuses on large-scale projects, it is crucial that AI aids existing workflows rather than displaces valued workers.