First Pass

50 stories from 5 sources

Wolverine Leads a Day of Gaming's Bigger Bets

Day’s Recap

Supporting Articles

1:13 PMPolygon

'Wolverine' Is Sony’s Bestselling Game of 2026, Despite Massive Criticism

Summary

Marvel's Wolverine has reportedly sold nearly 2 million copies, making it Sony's best-selling new PS5 game of the year so far. That performance stands out because the game has also faced heavy criticism.

Players are clearly willing to show up for a major Marvel release even when the

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Why it matters

Wolverine's sales suggest Sony still has plenty of commercial power behind its biggest superhero releases.

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2 stories · 2 sources

9:00 AMIGN

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation: Second-Take Preview

Summary

A two-hour preview of Final Fantasy VII Revelation covered airship travel, changing locations from Rebirth, and part of Yuffie’s political story in Wutai. The game appears enormous and even more open than its predecessors, raising fresh questions about whether that freedom will help or worsen the series’ tendency toward bloat.

There is plenty to explore, but more map does not automatically mean a better adventure.

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Why it matters

The game’s scale could be its biggest strength or the thing that makes the remake trilogy drag.

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11:00 AMIGN

Call of Duty Maker Activision Says the Video Game Cheat Market Generates $8.5 Billion a Year

Summary

Activision says the market for video game cheats generates an astonishing $8.5 billion annually. The company is highlighting the scale of the problem ahead of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, where cheating remains a major threat to competitive play.

Cheating is not just a nuisance for players. It has become a lucrative underground business,

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Why it matters

The cheat economy is big enough to challenge the idea that anti-cheat work is merely routine maintenance.

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5:06 PMIGN

The Blood of Dawnwalker Cost Just $40 Million to Develop

Summary

The Blood of Dawnwalker reportedly cost about $40 million to develop before its successful September release. That is a relatively modest budget for a major modern action role-playing game.

The game's performance gives smaller studios a useful counterpoint to the industry's ballooning blockbuster budgets.

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Why it matters

A strong result on a $40 million budget could encourage more sustainable game development.

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3:01 PMPolygon

Marvel’s Wolverine’s Secret Ending Officially Sets up New X-Men Game

Summary

Marvel's Wolverine ends with a secret scene that points toward a future X-Men game. The ending also leaves room for a sequel, a spin-off, or downloadable content, with Apocalypse positioned as the likely major villain.

Insomniac appears to be building a larger mutant corner of its Marvel universe rather than

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Why it matters

Wolverine may be the opening move in a broader X-Men game universe.

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8:45 PMIGN

EA Sports FC 27 Review So Far

Summary

EA Sports FC 27 looks uneven early on. Its new open world hub feels like a shaky bet, while the revamped Tactics system stands out as a more realistic and intuitive way to play.

The game seems to be chasing bigger ideas without fully landing all of them. For

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Why it matters

FC 27 may have a solid football foundation, but its biggest new feature still has something to prove.

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6:26 PMIGN

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Warns of 200GB Install Size for Remake Trilogy's Final Chapter

Summary

The final chapter of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy could demand around 200GB of storage when it arrives next year. Director Naoki Hamaguchi has warned players to start making room now.

That is a huge footprint, even by modern blockbuster standards, and it could make storage

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Why it matters

Players may need to clear substantial space before they can even install the finale.

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11:59 AMIGN

Scalpers Are Trying to Sell Valve's Steam Frame for Up to $2,000, but the Community Is Fighting Back

Summary

Valve has started notifying customers whether they secured a Steam Frame reservation or landed on the waitlist. Predictably, resellers are already posting reservation spots on eBay for as much as $2,000, while the community tries to push back.

The headset has barely entered the reservation stage, and the resale frenzy is already in

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Why it matters

A hot new gaming device can become a resale battleground before most players even get a chance to buy one.

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Other Developments

A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.

7:50 PMIGN

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni Gaming Headset Drops to the Lowest Price Ever at Amazon Resale

Summary

SteelSeries' Arctis Nova Pro Omni wireless gaming headset has hit its lowest price yet through Amazon Resale. It also features a swappable battery setup designed to keep the headset running indefinitely.

That combination makes it appealing for players who hate charging between sessions. The main tradeoff

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Why it matters

This is a strong chance to get a premium wireless headset without paying full price.

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7:17 PMAl Jazeera

Super Macklemore 64: Video game mocks Sheeran concert controversy

Summary

A bizarre new game, Super Macklemore 64, turns a music-world controversy into a chaotic platformer. Players dodge tiny billionaire Robert Krafts while being chased by a giant Ed Sheeran.

It is satire with a deliberately ridiculous setup, using retro game mechanics to poke fun

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Why it matters

The game shows how quickly online controversies can become fuel for pop culture parody.

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5:35 PMPolygon

Should you skip the War Arc (Act 2) in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave?

Summary

This guide explains what changes if you skip the War Arc, also known as Act 2, in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. It also lays out when replaying the arc is worth your time.

Skipping a major section can save time, but it may also affect what you see

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Why it matters

It gives players a clearer way to manage a major story branch without wasting a playthrough.

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5:26 PMPolygon

Where to find wonder leaves in Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave

Summary

Wonder leaves are needed to complete Leda's Elegant Drink Recipes performance quest in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. This guide points players to the locations where they can collect them.

It is the kind of small scavenger hunt that can bring progress to a halt

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Why it matters

Knowing where to look lets players finish Leda's quest without a long search across the map.

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5:14 PMPolygon

Classes and unlock requirements in Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave

Summary

This class guide lists the available classes in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, including the secret ones. It also explains how to unlock each class and identifies the mastery skill tied to it.

With hidden classes and specific requirements in play, choosing a character's path can be easy

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Why it matters

Players can plan builds more confidently instead of discovering key class requirements too late.

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5:00 PMPolygon

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Is Way Easier If You Play a Second Route

Summary

Recruiting characters in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave gets easier when you play through more than one route. A second campaign can open up options that are harder to reach on a single run.

The game is nudging players toward multiple playthroughs instead of treating routes as one-and-done choices.

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Why it matters

Players chasing the full cast should plan for at least two routes.

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4:34 PMPolygon

The 5 Best Roles From Debra Wilson, the Actress in Every AAA Game These Days

Summary

Debra Wilson has become one of the most recognizable voices and performers in big-budget games, with roles in series including Destiny 2 and Marvel's Wolverine. Five standout performances show why she keeps appearing across major releases.

Wilson brings enough range to make her roles feel distinct, even when the games themselves

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Why it matters

Her growing list of roles highlights how central strong voice and performance work has become to blockbuster games.

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4:17 PMIGN

Remedy Honors the Late David Lynch in Control Resonant With Powerful Twin Peaks Quote

Summary

Remedy is paying tribute to the late David Lynch in Control Resonant, a game that continues the studio's long-running fascination with Lynch's surreal style. The tribute includes a memorable Twin Peaks quote.

Lynch's influence has always been easy to spot in Remedy's strange, unsettling worlds. This nod

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Why it matters

Control Resonant is leaning even harder into the surreal atmosphere that defines Remedy's games.

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3:53 PMPolygon

27 years later, EverQuest Legends is just getting started

Summary

After 27 years, EverQuest Legends still has major plans ahead, including new expansions and ongoing development. Its developers are laying out where the long-running game goes next.

Most online games would be thrilled to reach this age, let alone keep expanding. EverQuest's

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Why it matters

EverQuest's next chapter shows that an MMO can keep growing long after its launch-era spotlight fades.

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3:00 PMIGN

What's Happened to Magic: The Gathering’s Monster Hunter Secret Lair?

Summary

The Magic: The Gathering and Monster Hunter Secret Lair drop has been delayed, leaving fans waiting for a new release plan. Wizards of the Coast is reworking the postponed collection before it goes on sale.

For now, the crossover is in limbo rather than canceled. Collectors will need to wait

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Why it matters

The delay pushes back one of Magic's more unusual gaming crossovers and leaves fans without a firm release date.

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2:49 PMIGN

IGN 30 Anniversary Bundle Is Live: Get 7 PC Games for $15

Summary

A new Humble bundle celebrating IGN's 30th anniversary packs seven PC games into a $15 deal. It is available now for players looking to add a quick stack of games to their libraries.

Seven games for $15 is the kind of bundle that makes impulse buying feel almost

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Why it matters

The deal offers a cheap way to pick up seven PC games while supporting a birthday promotion.

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2:19 PMPolygon

Is there romance in Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave?

Summary

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave has a romance question for players hoping to pair up with Eshmel. The guide explains whether romance is available and how to unlock the game's paired ending with him.

Fire Emblem loves making players work for their favorite relationships, so knowing the requirements early

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Why it matters

Players can find out whether Eshmel's ending is romanceable and what it takes to reach it.

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2:01 PMPolygon

Final Fantasy 14 Is Bringing Back a Fan-Favorite Crossover for the First Time in Over Two Years

Summary

Final Fantasy 14 is bringing back its popular Final Fantasy 15 crossover event for a limited time. It marks the event's first return in more than two years, giving players another shot at its crossover rewards and content.

Longtime players get a welcome rerun, while newer players finally have a chance to catch

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Why it matters

FF14 players have a limited-time chance to experience one of the game's most requested crossover events.

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1:58 PMPolygon

41 Wardogs tips the FPS game doesn't teach you

Summary

This beginner's guide collects 41 useful tips for getting started in Wardogs. It focuses on the small lessons the game leaves unexplained, from basic survival habits to smarter ways to approach combat.

Like many multiplayer shooters, Wardogs expects players to learn through trial and error. A checklist

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Why it matters

The right early habits can make the difference between feeling lost and actually enjoying the game.

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1:34 PMIGN

Mega Man: Dual Override Preview: We Played as Proto Man This Time

Summary

Proto Man brings a different style of play to Mega Man: Dual Override, with challenges that are distinct rather than simply tougher. Players choose either Proto Man or Mega Man at the start and stick with that character for the full run, creating room for replayability. The game is scheduled to launch in spring 2027, with upgrade chips and Proto Man's final moveset still under wraps.

Locking in one character turns the two campaigns into more than a simple mid-game swap.

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Why it matters

Proto Man could give Dual Override a stronger replay hook when the game arrives.

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1:00 PMPolygon

9 Years Ago, One Dating Sim Taught Me to Never Trust Dating Sims

Summary

Nine years after its release, Doki Doki Literature Club still stands out for turning dating-sim expectations against the player. Its central twist made an entire genre feel suspicious, even when later games appeared perfectly harmless.

The game's trick worked because it weaponized familiar routines and genre comfort. Once players saw

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Why it matters

Doki Doki Literature Club remains a defining example of how one sharp twist can permanently change the way players read a genre.

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12:24 PMPolygon

The Best Multiplayer Pirate Game Is Free on Steam

Summary

Steam is offering six games free to play for the weekend, including Diablo 4 and Sea of Thieves. It is a solid excuse to gather a crew and spend a few days chasing loot, demons, or both.

Sea of Thieves is an especially good fit for a free weekend because its best

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Why it matters

Players can sample several major multiplayer games without spending anything this weekend.

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11:50 AMIGN

Former PlayStation Execs Recreate Iconic Disc-Sharing Xbox Diss — Without the Physical Games This Time

Summary

Former PlayStation executives Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes have revived their famous game-sharing gag, this time without needing physical discs. The bit lands differently as Sony and the wider industry continue moving toward discless consoles and digital libraries.

What was once a jab at Xbox now feels like an accidental snapshot of where

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Why it matters

The old console-war punchline now doubles as a glimpse at gaming's increasingly digital future.

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11:00 AMIGN

Exclusive Preview: The Upcoming Halo Full-Cast Audiobook Features the Original Voices of Master Chief and Cortana

Summary

An upcoming full-cast Halo audiobook will bring back the original voices of Master Chief and Cortana. The project is designed to give the series' story a more immersive, performance-driven treatment than a standard audiobook narration.

Hearing the characters through the voices fans already associate with them should make this feel

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Why it matters

The audiobook gives Halo fans a new way to revisit the universe while preserving its most recognizable voices.

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10:41 AMThe Verge

This cartridge-playing Game Boy clone is smaller and cheaper than Analogue’s Pocket

Summary

FunnyPlaying has announced the FPGB Mini, a compact handheld that plays original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, along with ROMs. It will cost less and take up less space than the Analogue Pocket, though it does not support Game Boy Advance games.

It is a focused alternative rather than a full replacement for the Pocket. For players

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Why it matters

Retro handheld fans are getting another way to play their old cartridges without paying premium hardware prices.

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9:00 AMNew York Times Arts

In Control Resonant, There’s Freedom at Every Mind-Bending Corner

Summary

Control Resonant’s boss fights seem built less around twitch reflexes and more around spectacle. Battles twist space, movement, and visual performance into something closer to interactive theater.

That sounds very much in line with Remedy’s taste for turning combat into a surreal

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Why it matters

The fights could make Control Resonant feel as inventive to play as it is to look at.

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