25 stories from 4 sources

Minecraft Expands Its World While Xbox Bets on a Leaner Future

Day’s Recap

Supporting Articles

1:32 PMIGN

Minecraft Confirms Ice Caves as Next Game Drop, Adds Frozen Zombies, Ice Balls, and More

Summary

Mojang has revealed the next Minecraft game drop, centered on a new Ice Caves area. Players can expect frozen zombies, ice balls, and more chilly additions to the blocky survival sandbox.

Minecraft updates rarely stop at one headline feature, and this one looks built around turning

Why it matters

The update gives Minecraft players a new reason to head underground and embrace the cold.

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1:30 PMPolygon

Minecraft Is Getting Its First New Dimension Since 2011

Summary

Minecraft will add a new dimension in 2027, drawing from the world introduced in Minecraft Dungeons 2. It marks the first major new realm added to the main game since 2011.

For longtime players, this is the kind of expansion that can make Minecraft feel new

Why it matters

A new dimension could be Minecraft's biggest change to exploration in more than a decade.

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1:28 PMIGN

Minecraft Is Getting Its First New Dimension in Over 14 Years

Summary

Mojang has announced that the Sift is coming to both Java and Bedrock Edition in 2027. It will be Minecraft's first new dimension in more than 14 years.

That is a major change for a game whose core worlds have stayed remarkably consistent

Why it matters

Minecraft is finally adding a new frontier on a scale the game has not seen since 2011.

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2 stories · 2 sources

10:59 AMIGN

Minecraft LIVE September 2026 — Everything Announced

Summary

Minecraft LIVE has wrapped with a packed set of announcements for the game. The event covered upcoming content drops, new experiences, and major additions planned for the Minecraft universe.

This was less a single update and more a reminder that Minecraft's ambitions keep expanding.

Why it matters

The event laid out a busy roadmap for Minecraft across games, experiences, and new worlds.

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4:52 PMIGN

Microsoft CEO Says 'Streamlining' at Xbox is 'Great to See' as Layoffs Affect Thousands

Summary

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has praised the streamlining underway at Xbox, even as layoffs have affected thousands of employees. His comments frame the cuts as part of a broader effort to make the gaming business more focused and efficient.

That language is likely to land badly with workers and fans who see the human

Why it matters

The comments show Microsoft is standing behind a major Xbox reset despite the fallout for its workforce.

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5:00 PMPolygon

Former D&D Leads Say Critical Role's Daggerheart Represents a ‘Fundamental Shift’ for TTRPGS

Summary

Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford are now helping shape Critical Role's Daggerheart after years of working on Dungeons & Dragons. They describe the new tabletop RPG as a major change in how these games can handle storytelling, character choices, and collaboration.

That is a notable move from two people closely tied to modern D&D. Daggerheart is

Why it matters

Daggerheart could push tabletop RPGs toward more narrative-focused designs and give D&D a serious new competitor.

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1:30 PMIGN

World's First Official Minecraft Hotel Revealed for 2027, First Ever Minecraft Rollercoaster Named

Summary

Minecraft World has announced plans for the first official Minecraft hotel, opening in 2027. It also revealed the name of the first Minecraft rollercoaster, expanding the game brand into a full real world attraction.

Minecraft is moving well beyond screens here, with a themed destination designed to turn its

Why it matters

Minecraft's entertainment empire is growing into a physical destination for fans and families.

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9:32 AMPolygon

Wolverine Now Officially Lets Players Turn Off Its Most-Hated Feature

Summary

A new PS5 update for Marvel’s Wolverine lets players disable the game’s much-criticized scent trails. The feature was meant to guide Wolverine toward clues, but many players found it distracting and hard to take seriously.

Giving players the option is a simple fix for a mechanic that never won much

Why it matters

The update makes a divisive gameplay feature optional instead of forcing it on everyone.

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2:42 AMIGN

Marvel's Wolverine Dev Adds Option to Turn Off Controversial Scent Trails and More in New Update

Summary

Insomniac Games has released a new update for Marvel’s Wolverine that lets players switch off the scent trails used to find collectibles. The option answers one of the game’s more debated design choices and gives players a cleaner way to explore.

Small accessibility and preference settings can make a big difference, especially when a gameplay feature

Why it matters

Players can now explore Wolverine’s world without being constantly nudged by scent trails they would rather avoid.

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2 stories · 2 sources

3:33 AMAl Jazeera

Yuki Kurihara, Japan’s 11-year-old e-sports prodigy, wins Asian Games gold

Summary

Yuki Kurihara has won Asian Games gold at just 11 years old. The primary school student is now the youngest athlete in the history of the Games hosted by Japan.

It is a striking reminder that competitive gaming is increasingly sharing the stage with traditional

Why it matters

Kurihara’s win shows how quickly e-sports is becoming a serious part of international competition.

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8:15 AMPolygon

World of Warcraft Forever's Plan to Bring 'Classic Plus' to New and Old Players

Summary

Blizzard is outlining how World of Warcraft Forever will serve longtime Classic players while welcoming newcomers nearly 22 years after the original game launched. The plan centers on delivering a fresh version of the old-school experience without making new players feel lost.

That is a tricky balance: veterans want the rough edges and slower pace they remember,

Why it matters

The success of Forever could show whether Classic WoW can grow beyond its longtime audience without losing its identity.

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Other Developments

A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.

7:00 PMPolygon

This 35-Year-Old Video Game Is Somehow More Fun Than Ever

Summary

One Super Nintendo classic has outlasted the usual problems that come with age and remains genuinely fun to play 35 years after its release. Its simple design and lasting appeal make it feel less like a relic and more like a game that still knows exactly what it is doing.

Old games often get praised through rose-colored glasses, but the best ones do not need

Why it matters

A great game can remain relevant for decades when its core ideas are still satisfying.

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6:04 PMIGN

The Best Deals Today: Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Metroid Prime 4, Nintendo Switch 2, and More

Summary

Today's gaming deals spotlight Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Metroid Prime 4, the Nintendo Switch 2, and other popular hardware and games. It is a quick shopping roundup for players looking to save on Nintendo gear and upcoming releases.

The biggest appeal is convenience: all the notable discounts are gathered in one place instead

Why it matters

Gamers can find potential savings on some of the year's most sought-after releases and hardware.

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4:00 PMPolygon

5 Nintendo Games That Still Need a Switch 2 Edition

Summary

Nintendo has already upgraded some Switch favorites for its newer console, but several major games are still waiting their turn. These five picks stand out as strong candidates for better visuals, smoother performance, or other Switch 2 enhancements.

The appeal is obvious: Nintendo can refresh proven hits without starting from scratch. Fans, meanwhile,

Why it matters

More Switch 2 Editions could quickly strengthen the console's library while extending the life of Nintendo's biggest games.

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2:29 PMIGN

The Last of Us Gets Animated Background on PS5 as Naughty Dog Teases Announcements for TLOU Day 2026

Summary

Naughty Dog has added a free animated The Last of Us background for PS5. It is also hinting at more news for The Last of Us Day 2026, giving fans a small preview before the bigger announcements arrive.

For now, this is a modest fan-service drop rather than a major reveal. Still, Naughty

Why it matters

The free PS5 background is a small signal that more The Last of Us news may be on the way.

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1:24 PMIGN

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Extended Clip Reveals Closer Look at Ganondorf

Summary

Nintendo has released an extended clip from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. The footage offers a closer look at Ganondorf and gives fans another glimpse at how the classic adventure is being reworked.

Ganondorf is one of Zelda's most recognizable villains, so even a short character preview is

Why it matters

The clip gives fans a clearer look at one of the remake's most important characters.

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1:23 PMPolygon

13 Most Influential Video Games of the Past 45 Years

Summary

A retrospective looks at 13 games whose influence has lasted across the past 45 years. The list spans different eras and genres, focusing on titles that changed how games are designed, played, or understood.

Influence is not always about the biggest sales numbers. Some games leave their mark through

Why it matters

These games helped shape the medium that modern players know today.

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1:08 PMPolygon

Sega's '90s'-Era Fire Emblem Replacement Needs To Make A Comeback

Summary

The success of Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave has renewed interest in Sega's long dormant tactics RPG series, Shining Force. The argument is simple: Sega has a ready made strategy franchise that deserves another chance.

Shining Force once occupied a similar space to Fire Emblem, but Sega has left it

Why it matters

A Fire Emblem style revival could bring one of Sega's forgotten series back into the spotlight.

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1:00 PMPolygon

Larian Officially Ended Baldur's Gate 3 DLC. Modders Missed the Memo

Summary

Larian moved on from official Baldur's Gate 3 expansions years ago, but the game's modding community is still charging ahead. Fans are creating ambitious, expansion-sized adventures that keep the Forgotten Realms campaign going.

The official story may be over, but the player-made one is still picking up steam.

Why it matters

A thriving mod scene can give a game a surprisingly long second life.

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12:00 PMPolygon

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave's 5 Weirdest Little Guys, Ranked

Summary

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave may take a more grounded approach to its cast, but Dagsion still has no shortage of oddballs. This ranking celebrates five of the game's strangest and most memorable little characters.

Even a comparatively serious Fire Emblem entry needs a few delightful weirdos in the mix.

Why it matters

The right eccentric side characters can make a game's world feel much more alive.

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10:00 AMPolygon

Control Resonant Violates the Number One Commandment of Video Game Lore

Summary

Control Resonant has plenty of fascinating ideas, but it delivers them through a nonstop stream of lore logs. The sheer volume can make the worldbuilding feel less like discovery and more like homework.

There is a fine line between giving curious players extra context and burying the main

Why it matters

Even strong worldbuilding can lose its appeal when the game keeps asking players to stop and read.

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9:00 AMThe Verge

Control Resonant is a great game — it’s even better when you read everything

Summary

Control Resonant hides some of its best worldbuilding in the mountains of paperwork left behind by the Federal Bureau of Control. Reading those files is optional, but it adds strange, funny, and surprisingly rich details to the chaos around you.

The game rewards players who slow down and investigate instead of sprinting from one crisis

Why it matters

The optional lore turns a stylish action game into a much deeper mystery for players willing to do some reading.

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2 stories · 2 sources

8:00 AMPolygon

Nintendo Should Make More Games About People

Summary

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave brings more sex, romance, and emotional messiness to Nintendo’s usually polished worlds. As a Switch 2 exclusive, it makes a case for Nintendo embracing stories that feel more openly human.

Nintendo has never lacked memorable characters, but its games often keep adult complications at arm’s

Why it matters

Nintendo could broaden its storytelling by treating messy human relationships as a strength, not a risk.

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7:16 AMPolygon

Overwatch Seasonal Hero Releases 'The Right Thing for the Game,' Blizzard Says

Summary

Blizzard says Overwatch will continue releasing new heroes through its seasonal model. The plan comes ahead of Overwatch Spotlight 2027 and the arrival of the new hero Doctrine.

The shift makes hero releases part of Overwatch’s regular rhythm instead of saving them for

Why it matters

Overwatch is committing to a steadier pipeline of playable heroes.

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5:30 AMIGN

Delta Force Celebrates Its Second Anniversary with New Season Reorientation

Summary

Delta Force is marking its second anniversary with a new season that aims to reset and refocus the game. The update signals a fresh direction for the military shooter as it moves into its next phase.

A second anniversary is a useful moment for Delta Force to take stock and sharpen

Why it matters

Delta Force is using its anniversary to make a clearer push for the game’s future.

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