Ubisoft has recently announced layoffs affecting 19 positions at Red Storm Entertainment, the studio known for contributing to the Tom Clancy franchise. This move comes amid a wave of layoffs across the entire video game industry, including the earlier closure of Ubisoft’s Leamington studio. Fortunately, the recent cuts at Red Storm will not significantly impact the studio as it aims to maintain its operations. While Ubisoft has avoided substantial workforce reductions in 2025, it has faced criticism for its unpopular decisions, particularly concerning the delisting of popular games.

This controversial move sparked the emergence of the Stop Killing Games movement, which recently garnered over 1 million signatures on a petition aimed at the European Parliament. The petition seeks to impose regulations on the delisting and deletion of video games. According to IGN, Ubisoft described the layoffs as part of a cost-cutting restructuring effort. Established in 1996 with Tom Clancy’s assistance, Red Storm has shifted to a support role for other Ubisoft projects in recent years.

Notably, the studio’s most recent endeavor, The Division: Heartland, was canceled last year. Though the layoff of 19 employees may seem modest compared to recent mass layoffs at Microsoft and other firms, it’s a sobering reality that impacts the industry. Given Red Storm’s nearly three-decade history rooted in Tom Clancy’s legacy, this decision is particularly regrettable. However, fans may find solace in the fact that popular titles, like Rainbow Six Siege, were developed by Ubisoft Montreal.

These layoffs happen during a period where young Americans appear to be spending significantly less on gaming. While there may not be a direct link between these trends, the restructuring efforts highlight the industry’s attempt to adapt to evolving consumer needs. The effectiveness of these decisions remains to be seen, but the necessity of such drastic measures is still up for debate.

Despite experiencing a wave of negative reviews, Ready or Not has notably doubled its concurrent player count on Steam, evidencing the tactical shooter’s sustained popularity. Developed by VOID Interactive, the game launched in early access in 2021 and reached its full 1.0 version in 2023. Set in the fictional American city of Los Suenos, Ready or Not has faced some controversies leading up to its release on consoles.

Earlier this year, the game was subjected to review bombing as players expressed dissatisfaction with certain changes. To secure certification for the console launch, VOID Interactive modified several aspects of the game, including the removal of nudity, a reduction of gore, and alterations to some sensitive scenes involving NPCs. These adjustments did not sit well with a segment of the player base.

Currently featuring 18 maps, Ready or Not players are encouraged to approach them in a specific sequence to grasp the overarching narrative. Despite the game’s recent reviews trending Mostly Negative on Steam, its popularity has remained largely intact. On July 6, it peaked at 17,269 simultaneous players, a significant rise from just under 6,000 on June 26.

This increase coincided with the Steam Summer Sale, prompting new purchases due to a 50% discount. Moreover, Ready or Not: Digital Deluxe Edition is leading trends on PlayStation’s pre-order list, indicating strong future sales on consoles. The game is set to be available on July 15 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with the Standard Edition priced at $50 and the Deluxe Edition at $70.

Upon launch, new single-player and online co-op missions will be added, further enhancing the gaming experience. Overall, Ready or Not’s enduring appeal is underlined by its reputation as a top-tier SWAT-inspired game.

During the recent Nintendo general shareholders’ meeting, an investor raised concerns about the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2, suggesting it might be too high for young gamers. In addressing these concerns, Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, maintained that the price reflects the system’s value and the features it offers.

Launched on June 5, the Switch 2 has quickly become the fastest-selling console ever, selling over 3.5 million units in its first four days. Despite its impressive sales, Nintendo is facing challenges in meeting the global demand for the console.

The base price of the Switch 2 is set at $450, with the Mario Kart World bundle priced at $500. However, potential changes in tariffs on imports from Japan and South Korea, set to take effect on August 1, might affect prices in the U.S.

During the meeting, Furukawa acknowledged that the Switch 2 is priced higher than past consoles.

He expressed confidence in the game’s value, emphasizing that Nintendo aims to deliver entertaining experiences that justify the cost. He also indicated that they would keep an eye on pricing to ensure it does not hinder accessibility for younger customers.

In response to concerns about rising development costs due to the Switch 2’s performance, Furukawa mentioned that Nintendo plans to expedite the production of select titles. However, he did not specify which intellectual properties would be prioritized.

As one of the best-selling products of 2025, the Switch 2’s demand and pricing could keep it in high demand even into 2026, leaving uncertainty about future pricing changes throughout its lifespan.

Developer Sunblink has released a new update for Hello Kitty Island Adventure, titled the City Classics update. This update introduces fresh stories and new activities for players. Initially, the game debuted as an exclusive title on iOS through Apple Arcade, but it has since expanded to platforms including PC and Nintendo Switch.

The genre of “slow life” simulators, popularized by titles like Animal Crossing, has gained attention over the years. The arrival of Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch brought a surge in popularity to the genre, thanks in large part to its regular updates and new content. This success motivated developers to create similar titles, one of which is Hello Kitty Island Adventure, launched in 2023.

It provides a unique twist by incorporating Sanrio’s beloved characters, especially Hello Kitty, while emphasizing character-driven stories and engaging gameplay elements, such as underwater adventures. With the City Classics update, players on iOS can now access version 2.7 of the game, which includes the exciting ability to run a tourist shop on City Town, a region first introduced in version 2.0 in 2024. This update features Kuromi-themed furniture sets, the opportunity to form a band with Retsuko, and opportunities to take photos with Tsunoda.

However, it’s important to note that the City Classics update has not yet reached the Switch and PC platforms, although a release is anticipated soon. Meanwhile, players on Switch and PC can look forward to the summer-themed Sunshine Celebration event launching on July 10. This event will introduce tropical clothing, furniture options, and relaxing seaside activities.

Despite facing criticism early on for being similar to Animal Crossing, Hello Kitty Island Adventure continues to thrive through regular updates. The incorporation of diverse activities, such as diving and snowy mountain adventures, showcases how the game is carving its own niche in the cozy life simulation genre.

Asmongold, a prominent streamer on Twitch and Kick, has achieved the remarkable status of being the most-watched streamer globally for the second quarter of 2023. This accomplishment places him ahead of other notable figures in the streaming world, including IShowSpeed, Kai Cenat, and Hasan.

Despite being a polarizing character, Asmongold’s popularity is undeniable. His metrics reflect this, as he garnered the most hours viewed on Twitch in March before becoming the top streamer on the platform in April.

Interestingly, Asmongold’s recent success can be attributed, in part, to his decision to stream on platforms beyond Twitch. He recently disclosed that he earned more from just two streams on Kick compared to an entire month of streaming on Twitch.

According to Reports from StreamsCharts and Dexerto, Asmongold was declared the most-watched streamer globally for the second quarter of 2023, amassing a total of 28.58 million hours viewed across both Twitch and Kick. Although he fell to the second place on Twitch with 26.41 million hours, the addition of his Kick streams boosted his overall viewership.

Looking ahead, Asmongold’s future in streaming is intriguing. The streaming landscape is dynamic and can shift rapidly, meaning he could face challenges from rising competitors or new strategies from rivals.

Despite this uncertainty, if Asmongold continues to stream on both platforms throughout the upcoming quarter, his viewership numbers could continue to grow significantly. Kick, while not yet matching Twitch’s popularity, has attracted many streamers by offering a favorable revenue model.

It shares 95% of the revenue with streamers, contrasting sharply with Twitch’s 50/50 split. Although multi-streaming can reduce earnings on Kick, many streamers see the benefits outweighing the drawbacks.

If more significant names follow Asmongold’s path by streaming on both platforms, he may face increased competition in the future.

Persona 5: The Phantom X has announced an exciting update for its beloved character, Joker, who will be receiving a new skin later this year. Although the game made its Western debut in June, it is already progressing towards Version 1.0 and will unveil its first major update on July 10. As a spin-off of the highly acclaimed Persona 5 series, Atlus’ latest gacha game has captured the attention of many players, achieving 1.5 million downloads and dominating both Steam and the App Store rankings. Recently, the developers hosted a special livestream that provided details about the upcoming Version 1.1, which promises fresh story content, events, and more.

During this event, players also got a sneak peek at new character cosmetics slated for future updates, beginning with Joker, also known as Ren Amamiya. In the latest developments, Joker is set to don a Butler skin in Version 1.2. This new look replaces his classic mask with a monocle and changes his outfit to a black-and-white striped vest while transforming his red gloves to white. The release for Version 1.2 is expected in July, as outlined in Persona 5: The Phantom X’s update schedule.

However, details on how players will be able to acquire this skin remain unclear. In the past, the Chinese version utilized a gacha system for skin releases, raising potential costs for players hoping to obtain Joker’s new outfit. In addition to Joker, the game features familiar faces such as Ryuji Sakamoto, Ann Takamaki, and Morgana, who are accessible through the Standard banner. Other characters from the original series, including Queen, Crow, and Fox, are anticipated to be introduced in future updates.

As part of its commitment to keeping players engaged, Persona 5: The Phantom X is adapting its content release strategy for Western audiences, ensuring faster access to new Phantom Idols, main story chapters, and special events.

Krafton has come under scrutiny after the abrupt layoff of the entire leadership team at Unknown Worlds, the studio behind Subnautica 2. Allegations suggest that this move was made in bad faith to sidestep a $250 million earnout tied to the game’s performance. On July 2, reports revealed that Krafton had severed ties with leading figures such as co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, alongside CEO Ted Gill.

The company also announced a significant delay in the early-access release of Subnautica 2, now pushed back to 2026, supposedly to meet the developer’s standards. However, some believe there are ulterior motives behind this decision. Just two days after the layoffs, Cleveland spoke out, asserting that Subnautica 2 was ready for its intended early access launch.

He expressed disbelief over Krafton’s handling of the situation, which only fueled speculation about the company’s true intentions. Reports now indicate that Krafton’s acquisition terms included a hefty earnout contingent on the game’s sales in 2025; by delaying the launch, Krafton might avoid paying this bonus altogether. This context has led to assertions that the layoffs were merely a strategy to escape financial obligations to Unknown Worlds.

The controversy has incited a call for boycotts among the Subnautica 2 community. Following the Bloomberg report, thousands of fans took to Reddit to express their anger, urging others not to buy the game and to remove it from their Steam wishlists. Despite being one of the most anticipated titles on the platform, Krafton’s moves have sparked outrage and hesitance among players.

In response, a Krafton spokesperson contended that the delay was unrelated to contract issues, while also sharing new gameplay footage to reassure the audience that development is still actively progressing. As events unfold, it will be intriguing to observe the repercussions of these decisions and whether more evidence regarding the alleged bad faith termination will surface.

Monster Hunter Wilds, a critically acclaimed action role-playing game, is set to release Title Update 3 in late September, promising exciting new content for players. Since its launch on February 28, the game has enjoyed commercial success, selling over 10 million copies within just two months and becoming Capcom’s fastest-selling title. With a current OpenCritic score of 89, it ranks among the highest-rated games of 2025, competing with notable titles like Death Stranding 2 and Split Fiction.

Capcom has announced a new Festival of Accord event, which will offer exclusive rewards, alongside Title Update 3. While specific details about the upcoming update remain under wraps, fans are anxious to learn what major monster will be introduced next, similar to the addition in Title Update 2, which debuted on June 30. Capcom is expected to provide more information as the release date approaches.

Despite the excitement surrounding Title Update 3, Monster Hunter Wilds has experienced a significant drop in its concurrent player count on Steam, with reports indicating a decline of up to 98% of its player base. This decrease is typical as time progresses after a game’s release. However, many fans remain hopeful about the future of Monster Hunter Wilds, largely due to Capcom’s commitment to ongoing updates and support.

As the release of Title Update 3 nears and the Festival of Accord approaches, the community is looking forward to new in-game features and experiences that may reinvigorate player engagement. Capcom’s continued dedication assures players that there are more adventures and challenges to come in the Monster Hunter Wilds universe.

GSC Game World has recently unveiled the patch notes for the 1.5.1 update of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. This update, while smaller in scale, signifies the conclusion of a chaotic period for the game.

Launched in November 2024 after years of delays, STALKER 2 is the fourth installment in the survival horror series and the first in 15 years since 2009’s Call of Pripyat. The game was met with enthusiasm, achieving one million sales within just two days of its release.

This latest patch follows the extensive 1.5 update rolled out in June, which introduced essential features like guns and looting mechanics. Players benefitted from several enhancements, including mutant loot mechanics, new weapons, and major stability fixes.

Since the initial launch, GSC Game World has been diligent in releasing updates aimed at refining the player experience and resolving various technical issues. In a delightful announcement, GSC Game World also celebrated a significant milestone in player engagement.

The 1.5.1 patch addressed numerous bug fixes, including preventing NPCs from floating after being shot and ensuring they would no longer get stuck during patrols or refuse to seek shelter during in-game Emissions. Despite some players expressing concerns about the A-Life 2.0 system, the update corrected issues related to the spawning of mutants and NPCs in restricted areas.

Moreover, the update introduced a new Zone Kit for mod support. This MOD SDK update aligns with content from the latest patch, allowing players to seamlessly integrate modifications.

The player community responded positively, with many expressing appreciation for the continued enhancements, while also suggesting further wishlist features. Overall, the Q2 content roadmap for STALKER 2 has provided players with various perks, including new controller abilities, critical fixes for A-Life systems, and the introduction of additional weapons.

Recently, fans also received the STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy Enhanced Edition, which brings together the classic titles of the series.

To celebrate its first anniversary, Nexon is offering players of The First Descendant a free character and an array of ultimate weapons. Since its launch, The First Descendant experienced an exciting start but has seen a decline in player engagement recently.

In response, Nexon is actively collecting feedback to enhance the player experience, aiming to keep both returning and new players engaged. Despite a decrease in active players, Nexon is committed to the game’s growth by introducing player-requested features and offering generous in-game rewards to attract audiences back.

Recently, the developers decided to focus on improving the experience for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S by discontinuing support for older console generations. This strategic shift is meant to enhance the quality of future updates, starting with Season 3, which aligns with the anniversary festivities.

At PAX East 2025, producer Beomjun Lee revealed news about the upcoming Season 3 update and an exciting collaboration with NieR: Automata. The First Descendant launched on July 2, 2024, and to commemorate its first anniversary, a special event began on July 3, running until August 13.

During this period, players can complete daily missions to earn anniversary tokens, which can be exchanged for various rewards, including a unique soundtrack release. Players can redeem tokens at Anais in the Albion social space for exclusive cosmetic items, resources, and significant rewards such as 10 million gold or 1 million Kuiper Shards.

While players can select a character from the base game for 300 tokens, they also have the opportunity to choose from three ultimate weapons. These powerful weapons, typically challenging to craft, can be unlocked three times during the event for 200 tokens each, featuring popular options like Thunder Cage and Enduring Legacy.