First Pass

56 stories from 5 sources

Major franchises extend their ecosystems while new projects gain shape

Day’s Recap

Supporting Articles

12:33 PMPolygon

Kojima Officially Reveals Lead Actor for New Xbox Exclusive

Summary

Hideo Kojima has confirmed Bill Skarsgård as the lead actor for his upcoming game, Physint. The actor is known for roles in It and Nosferatu, making him a suitably intense choice for Kojima's next cinematic project.

Kojima has always treated casting like part of the game's main event, so this reveal

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Why it matters

A major casting reveal adds star power and a little more shape to Kojima's mysterious new project.

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6:38 AMVariety

Bill Skarsgard to Star in Hideo Kojima’s ‘Physint’ Video Game From Xbox

Summary

Bill Skarsgård will lead Hideo Kojima’s upcoming action-espionage game, Physint. The project is now set to be published by Xbox after moving on from Kojima Productions’ longtime partner, PlayStation.

Kojima is once again mixing big-screen talent with cinematic game design, and Xbox just picked

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Why it matters

Physint is shaping up as a major Xbox exclusive with Kojima’s name and a recognizable star attached.

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12:50 PMIGN

GTA Online Will Be Supported 'Beyond' GTA 6 Release, PC 'Becoming More and More Important'

Summary

Rockstar plans to keep supporting GTA Online even after Grand Theft Auto 6 launches. Take-Two also highlighted the growing importance of PC gaming as the company looks beyond console releases.

GTA Online is still a huge business, so Rockstar has little reason to shut it

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Why it matters

GTA Online players can expect the service to stick around rather than disappear when GTA 6 launches.

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4:36 PMVariety

Nintendo of America President on Switch 2 Life Cycle and ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Anniversary Plans: ‘This Is Just Beginning’

Summary

Nintendo of America president Devon Pritchard says the Switch 2 is only getting started as the console approaches its first anniversary. The company is also preparing plans around The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary, giving fans plenty to watch for.

Nintendo is clearly thinking beyond the launch window and betting on a long life for

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Why it matters

Nintendo is signaling that the Switch 2’s biggest moments may still be ahead.

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8:31 AMThe Verge

Grand Theft Auto VI’s soundtrack will feature 34 brand-new tracks

Summary

Rockstar has revealed Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, a soundtrack packed with 34 brand-new original songs. Six tracks are already available, giving players an early taste of the music headed into the next big crime sandbox.

GTA has always treated its soundtrack as part of the world, not background noise. Releasing

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Why it matters

GTA VI is shaping up to launch with a soundtrack designed to be an event of its own.

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2:00 PMPolygon

What time are the Kingdom Hearts power hours in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4?

Summary

Fortnite's Kingdom Hearts Power Hours have set times during Chapter 7 Season 4. The schedule breaks down when players in different time zones can join the event and access its special gameplay setup.

This is the kind of event that sounds easy to miss unless you have the

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Why it matters

The timing determines when players can catch one of Fortnite's limited crossover events.

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1:06 PMVariety

‘Fortnite’ Launches ‘Kingdom Hearts’ Crossover (Gaming News Roundup)

Summary

Kingdom Hearts has arrived in Fortnite, bringing Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Roxas to the Item Shop. Each character comes with matching gear and a LEGO Fortnite style. Players can also jump into special Kingdom Hearts Power Hours with the Kingdom Key and Sea Salt Ice Cream.

Fortnite continues to turn its crossover roster into a greatest-hits collection of gaming icons. This

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Why it matters

Fortnite remains one of gaming's biggest crossover stages, and Kingdom Hearts is a major addition.

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7:04 PMIGN

Far Cry TV Show Adds Oscar Nominee Jennifer Jason Leigh, Spider-Noir's Brendan Gleeson to Cast

Summary

FX's upcoming Far Cry anthology series is expanding its cast with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Brendan Gleeson. Hamish Linklater, Sam Spruell, and Jamie Demetriou are also joining the Ubisoft adaptation as production moves closer.

The casting gives the series some serious acting muscle, which could help Far Cry avoid

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Why it matters

Far Cry is building a strong cast before cameras roll, raising hopes for a more ambitious game adaptation.

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12:41 PMPolygon

Blood of Dawnwalker 2 Could Ditch the Original's Most Unique Mechanic, Dev Says

Summary

The first Blood of Dawnwalker stands out with its unusual approach to time, letting quests and events unfold around a ticking clock. That system may not return in the planned sequel, as the developers consider taking the series in a different direction.

It is a familiar sequel dilemma: preserve the hook that made the original special, or

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Why it matters

The sequel could feel very different if it leaves behind the series' defining gameplay idea.

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9:02 AMVariety

Nex Playground Gaming Console Maker Raises More Than $150 Million in Funding, Niantic’s Jeff Shouger Joins as CFO

Summary

Nex, maker of the family-focused Nex Playground gaming console, raised more than $150 million to expand retail distribution and develop new content partnerships. The company also plans to introduce connected play, enabling families to play across multiple devices.

Nex is shifting from a hardware sale to a broader family gaming platform. The funding

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Why it matters

The raise signals investor confidence in family gaming as a platform opportunity rather than a niche hardware category.

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Other Developments

A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.

9:00 PMIGN

Magic’s Most-Wanted Marvel Deck Is Discounted – Here’s Why You Should Consider This One Instead

Summary

The Marvel themed Doom Prevails Commander deck is currently marked down on Amazon. It is tempting, but Avengers Assemble offers stronger gameplay value and costs even less.

A discount does not automatically make the flashiest deck the best buy. If you care

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Why it matters

The better deal may be the deck with more lasting fun, not the one with the biggest name.

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8:20 PMIGN

Save Up to 90% Off PC Games During Ubisoft's 40th Anniversary Sale, Plus Get One Game Totally Free

Summary

Ubisoft’s 40th anniversary sale cuts the prices of PC games by as much as 90 percent, with deals starting around two dollars. The promotion also includes one game completely free.

This is the kind of sale that makes it easy to pad out a backlog

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Why it matters

PC players can pick up cheap games and claim a free one while the anniversary promotion lasts.

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8:00 PMPolygon

8 Best Social Deception Games Every Traitors Fan Must Play

Summary

With The Traitors: New Blood arriving this week, a new list points fans toward eight video games built around suspicion, alliances, and betrayal. These are the digital versions of the same trust-no-one pressure cooker that keeps the TV series moving.

Social deception games work because the rules are simple but the human behavior is not.

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Why it matters

Fans looking for more Traitors-style tension have plenty of games ready to turn their group chat against them.

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7:00 PMPolygon

10 Near-Perfect PS4 Games Nobody Played

Summary

The PS4 had plenty of blockbuster hits, but a group of excellent games never got the attention they deserved. This list revisits 10 near-perfect releases that were overshadowed by bigger names or simply missed by players.

The PS4's library is deep enough that even standout games could disappear in the noise.

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Why it matters

There are still PS4 gems worth discovering, especially for players who stuck to the console's biggest franchises.

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6:09 PMIGN

The Last of Us Game Director Finds Modern AAA Games 'Boring,' Says He's 'Not Excited' by God of War Laufey's Gameplay

Summary

Bruce Straley, the game director behind The Last of Us and several Uncharted games, says modern AAA releases have become boring. He also says he is not excited by the gameplay shown for a God of War project involving Laufey.

Straley's complaint taps into a familiar frustration: blockbuster games can feel polished to death, with

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Why it matters

A veteran developer is warning that big-budget games may be losing the originality that made them exciting.

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3:53 PMPolygon

'Midnight Reckoning' quest walkthrough in The Blood of Dawnwalker

Summary

The Midnight Reckoning quest in The Blood of Dawnwalker traps players in a dangerous situation and forces a choice involving Brencis. This walkthrough explains how to escape and what changes if players side with him.

It is the kind of quest where a quick decision can send the story in

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Why it matters

The walkthrough helps players navigate a pivotal choice without missing its consequences.

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3:50 PMIGN

Get Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Switch 2 Edition for Under $9 by Following This 1 Easy Step

Summary

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is available for under $9 on Switch 2 if players follow one simple step. It is a notably cheap way to catch up as the remake trilogy moves closer to its conclusion.

That price makes one of the modern Final Fantasy series’ biggest releases an easy impulse

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Why it matters

Switch 2 owners can pick up a major RPG for less than the cost of lunch.

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3:44 PMIGN

A New Hyperkin SupaBoy Portable SNES Handheld Is Up for Preorder

Summary

Hyperkin has opened preorders for a new SupaBoy handheld that plays full-sized Super Nintendo cartridges. It brings a very old-school game library into a much more portable format.

For retro players, the appeal is simple: use the cartridges already on the shelf without

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Why it matters

SNES collectors get another way to play their original cartridges on the go.

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3:30 PMPolygon

Wardogs Is Officially One of the Best FPS Games of the Decade

Summary

Wardogs, Bulkhead’s new first-person shooter, is still in early access but is already drawing major praise. Its ambitious approach has some players calling it one of the decade’s most exciting FPS releases.

That is a bold claim for a game that is not finished, so the early

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Why it matters

Wardogs could become a standout shooter if it turns its early promise into a polished final release.

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2:10 PMIGN

Save $10 Off Your Grand Theft Auto VI Limited Edition PS5 DualSense Controller Preorder

Summary

A limited edition PS5 DualSense controller themed around Grand Theft Auto VI is available to preorder with $10 off. The design leans into the game’s Vice City setting and gives fans a piece of the hype before launch.

The controller is mostly a collector item, but the discount makes the preorder a little

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Why it matters

Fans can lock in a GTA VI accessory now while paying slightly less for it.

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2:09 PMIGN

Activision Calls Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 'The Epic Conclusion,' Leaving Fans Wondering What's Next

Summary

Activision is promoting Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 as the series’ “epic conclusion.” That wording has fans wondering whether the Modern Warfare storyline is ending for good or simply making room for the next chapter.

Big franchise finales have a habit of being less final than advertised, especially in Call

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Why it matters

The game could close one of Call of Duty’s central storylines and reshape what comes next.

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2:00 PMPolygon

Watch Point It Out! Episode 4, the Big Blizzcon Breakdown

Summary

The latest episode of Point It Out! breaks down the biggest announcements from BlizzCon. Simone de Rochefort and Giovanni Colantonio discuss what Blizzard revealed and what it could mean for the company's games.

BlizzCon announcements tend to arrive in a rush, making a quick rundown useful once the

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Why it matters

It provides a fast way to catch up on Blizzard's latest announcements without sorting through the entire event.

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2:00 PMIGN

Brandon Sanderson Is Eager to Adapt His Books into a Video Game, Calling Himself a 'Lifelong Gamer'

Summary

Author Brandon Sanderson wants to bring his books, especially Mistborn, to video games. He says the series’ magic system could translate naturally into game mechanics, but he is looking for the right studio before moving forward.

Sanderson’s enthusiasm is clear, but the hard part is finding a developer that can handle

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Why it matters

A successful Mistborn game could open a major new chapter for Sanderson’s already massive fantasy universe.

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1:04 PMPolygon

All battle pass skins in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4

Summary

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 includes a new lineup of battle pass skins, along with alternate styles to unlock. The guide lists every outfit and explains how players can earn each one.

For Fortnite players, the battle pass is less a checklist than a second job with

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Why it matters

The full skin list helps players plan their battle pass progress before the season ends.

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12:49 PMPolygon

What Pokémon Would You DATE? Simone's Street Interviews!

Summary

Simone de Rochefort takes the Pokémon dating question to the streets of New York. People share which Pokémon they would choose, producing a mix of sincere, surprising, and deeply questionable answers.

It is a silly question with an impressive ability to reveal people's priorities. Some answers

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Why it matters

The interviews turn a goofy Pokémon debate into a quick, entertaining look at fandom's stranger instincts.

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12:32 PMPolygon

Where to find Shirakawa-go in Forza Horizon 6

Summary

Shirakawa-go is one of the key landmarks in Forza Horizon 6 and the destination for the Rural Lotus photo challenge. This guide points you to the village so you can find it quickly and complete the shot.

The location is easy to miss when you are racing across the map, especially if

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Why it matters

Finding Shirakawa-go lets you check off a photo challenge and keep your Horizon progress moving.

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12:12 PMIGN

Nintendo Switch 2 + Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Bundle Is Up for Preorder

Summary

A new Nintendo Switch 2 bundle that includes Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is now available for preorder at select retailers. It costs $529.99 and is scheduled to launch in October.

The package gives Nintendo a straightforward way to sell the upgraded console alongside an easy-to-pick-up

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Why it matters

The bundle adds another entry point for buyers who want a Switch 2 with a ready-made group game.

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12:00 PMThe Verge

Xbox’s clever disc-to-digital feature was 15 years in the making

Summary

Xbox's new feature lets players convert physical games they own into digital licenses, but the idea is far older than the announcement suggests. It traces back to plans around the Xbox One era, when Microsoft explored ways to bridge disc collections and digital libraries.

The timing makes the feature look like a quick response to the industry's shift away

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Why it matters

Disc-to-digital could make physical libraries more useful as consoles increasingly favor downloads.

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10:30 AMIGN

The Blood of Dawnwalker’s Hunger Is a Dark Urge to Match Baldur’s Gate 3

Summary

The Blood of Dawnwalker’s vampiric hunger system can push players toward killing non-player characters to survive. That temptation creates a grim feedback loop reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Dark Urge storyline.

It is a clever way to make the character’s curse feel like a constant gameplay

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Why it matters

The game’s central vampire mechanic may turn ordinary exploration into a steady moral battle.

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5:03 AMNew York Times Arts

‘Resident Evil’ Review: Return to Raccoon City

Summary

This new Resident Evil reboot heads back to Raccoon City for a loud, chaotic horror ride. Directed by Zach Cregger, it is being praised as one of the year’s most entertaining thrillers.

The franchise appears to be leaning into mayhem and momentum rather than slow-burn dread. That

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Why it matters

Resident Evil may finally have a screen reboot that captures the games’ wild energy.

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