This Week in Videogames
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Year of the Ninja: Why Japan’s Most Secretive Warriors Are Everywhere You Look in 2025
Ninjutsu practitioners and the developers of Ninja Gaiden 4, Ragebound, and AC: Shadows explain the fascination, fantasy, and reality of ninjas.
thisweekinvideogames.com
With several new games starring Japan's secret warriors, 2025 has become 'Year of the Ninja.' But what continues to make them so fascinating?
We talk to ninjutsu practitioners, the devs of Ninja Gaiden 4, Ragebound, and AC: Shadows, and even the International Ninja Research Centre to find out.
We talk to ninjutsu practitioners, the devs of Ninja Gaiden 4, Ragebound, and AC: Shadows, and even the International Ninja Research Centre to find out.
The Attorney General of Texas has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, accusing the platform of knowingly facilitating the grooming and sexual exploitation of children.
It follows a number of similar suits against the platform, including one from the state of Louisiana in August.
It follows a number of similar suits against the platform, including one from the state of Louisiana in August.
Texas Sues Roblox for Child Grooming and Exploitation
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the lawsuit, joining cases from Louisiana, Florida, and other US states against the platform
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:49 AM
The Attorney General of Texas has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, accusing the platform of knowingly facilitating the grooming and sexual exploitation of children.
It follows a number of similar suits against the platform, including one from the state of Louisiana in August.
It follows a number of similar suits against the platform, including one from the state of Louisiana in August.
A new report from @chrisbratt.bsky.social suggests the firing of over 30 workers from Rockstar Games was related to UK statutory recognition laws.
Almost 10% of Rockstar’s UK workforce was close to being recruited to a new union, which is one of the thresholds for enforced employer recognition.
Almost 10% of Rockstar’s UK workforce was close to being recruited to a new union, which is one of the thresholds for enforced employer recognition.
Rockstar Games Accused of Firing Union Employees to Avoid Statutory Recognition
Former Rockstar employees told People Make Games the union was “very close” to statutory recognition, which would have forced recognition.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:21 AM
A new report from @chrisbratt.bsky.social suggests the firing of over 30 workers from Rockstar Games was related to UK statutory recognition laws.
Almost 10% of Rockstar’s UK workforce was close to being recruited to a new union, which is one of the thresholds for enforced employer recognition.
Almost 10% of Rockstar’s UK workforce was close to being recruited to a new union, which is one of the thresholds for enforced employer recognition.
Sony Interactive announced a Japanese-language PS5 console and a PlayStation-branded gaming monitor during its State of Play Japan broadcast.
An expansion for Elden Ring Nightreign was also announced.
Catch up on all the announcements and trailers quickly:
thisweekinvideogames.com/news/playsta...
An expansion for Elden Ring Nightreign was also announced.
Catch up on all the announcements and trailers quickly:
thisweekinvideogames.com/news/playsta...
PlayStation State of Play Japan – All Announcements and Trailers
Sony Interactive Entertainment unveiled a new gaming monitor and Japan-only console amid trailers for games developed in Japan and Asia.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Sony Interactive announced a Japanese-language PS5 console and a PlayStation-branded gaming monitor during its State of Play Japan broadcast.
An expansion for Elden Ring Nightreign was also announced.
Catch up on all the announcements and trailers quickly:
thisweekinvideogames.com/news/playsta...
An expansion for Elden Ring Nightreign was also announced.
Catch up on all the announcements and trailers quickly:
thisweekinvideogames.com/news/playsta...
Sony CFO Lin Tao has addressed questions regarding Bungie's delayed shooter Marathon. "We are still working on it,” she said. "as needed, we will make corrections.”
“We are fully dedicated to launching the title to schedule... we will assume that we will launch this within this (financial) year."
“We are fully dedicated to launching the title to schedule... we will assume that we will launch this within this (financial) year."
Sony CFO on Bungie's Marathon: "As Needed, We Will Make Corrections"
Lin Tao addressed questions regarding the development and release of Marathon, saying that the company assumes it will launch within the financial year.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Sony CFO Lin Tao has addressed questions regarding Bungie's delayed shooter Marathon. "We are still working on it,” she said. "as needed, we will make corrections.”
“We are fully dedicated to launching the title to schedule... we will assume that we will launch this within this (financial) year."
“We are fully dedicated to launching the title to schedule... we will assume that we will launch this within this (financial) year."
Sony CFO Lin Tao has elaborated on the company's decision to take an "impairment loss" against Bungie and Destiny 2.
"...due to the changes in the competitive environment, the level of sales and user engagement have not reached the expectations we had at the time of the acquisition of Bungie."
"...due to the changes in the competitive environment, the level of sales and user engagement have not reached the expectations we had at the time of the acquisition of Bungie."
Destiny 2 Hasn't Reached Sony's Expectations For Bungie Acquisition, Says CFO
CFO Lin Tao said that Destiny 2 had "not reached the expectations we had at the time of the acquisition of Bungie."
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Sony CFO Lin Tao has elaborated on the company's decision to take an "impairment loss" against Bungie and Destiny 2.
"...due to the changes in the competitive environment, the level of sales and user engagement have not reached the expectations we had at the time of the acquisition of Bungie."
"...due to the changes in the competitive environment, the level of sales and user engagement have not reached the expectations we had at the time of the acquisition of Bungie."
Sony has sold 84.1 million PlayStation 5 consoles (on a sell-in basis) as of 30 September 2025.
The company reported 3.9 million PS5 consoles sold in its Q2 FY2025 earnings report.
It confirmed that 80.2 million PS5 consoles were sold as of 30 June 2025 following its previous earnings report.
The company reported 3.9 million PS5 consoles sold in its Q2 FY2025 earnings report.
It confirmed that 80.2 million PS5 consoles were sold as of 30 June 2025 following its previous earnings report.
PS5 Console Sales Top 84.1 Million, Ghost of Yotei Sells 3.3 Million in One Month
Sony reported 3.9 million PS5 consoles shipped in Q2 FY2025, on top of the cumulative 80.2 million figure reported at the end of June 2025.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Sony has sold 84.1 million PlayStation 5 consoles (on a sell-in basis) as of 30 September 2025.
The company reported 3.9 million PS5 consoles sold in its Q2 FY2025 earnings report.
It confirmed that 80.2 million PS5 consoles were sold as of 30 June 2025 following its previous earnings report.
The company reported 3.9 million PS5 consoles sold in its Q2 FY2025 earnings report.
It confirmed that 80.2 million PS5 consoles were sold as of 30 June 2025 following its previous earnings report.
Sony has also reported that Ghost of Yotei has sold 3.3 million copies in its first month of sale.
November 11, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Sony has also reported that Ghost of Yotei has sold 3.3 million copies in its first month of sale.
Sony has reported that its Q2 FY2025 profits were affected by "impairment losses" against "intangible and other assets" related to Bungie and Destiny 2, worth approximately US $204 million.
Sony says the PlayStation segment would have otherwise seen quarterly profit growth of 23%.
Sony says the PlayStation segment would have otherwise seen quarterly profit growth of 23%.
Sony Reports Profit Hit Worth US $204 Million Due To Bungie "Impairment Loss"
Sony's PlayStation segment would have seen profit growth of 23% were it not for losses against "intangible and other assets" related to Destiny 2.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Sony has reported that its Q2 FY2025 profits were affected by "impairment losses" against "intangible and other assets" related to Bungie and Destiny 2, worth approximately US $204 million.
Sony says the PlayStation segment would have otherwise seen quarterly profit growth of 23%.
Sony says the PlayStation segment would have otherwise seen quarterly profit growth of 23%.
Arc Raiders has set a new concurrent player record on Steam during its second weekend, overtaking Battlefield 6 and suggesting a growing playerbase.
Chatter around the game's pacifist-leaning community has been prevalent this past week, as have concerns around its pricey cosmetics and AI voicework.
Chatter around the game's pacifist-leaning community has been prevalent this past week, as have concerns around its pricey cosmetics and AI voicework.
Arc Raiders Surpasses Battlefield 6 in Concurrent Steam Players During Second Weekend
The Arc Raiders audience has seemingly only grown following its release, with discussions about its friendly playerbase likely fueling its appeal.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Arc Raiders has set a new concurrent player record on Steam during its second weekend, overtaking Battlefield 6 and suggesting a growing playerbase.
Chatter around the game's pacifist-leaning community has been prevalent this past week, as have concerns around its pricey cosmetics and AI voicework.
Chatter around the game's pacifist-leaning community has been prevalent this past week, as have concerns around its pricey cosmetics and AI voicework.
Halo Infinite will receive no further major content updates past Nov 2025, with work shifting to "multiple Halo titles in development."
Originally lauded as a title that would last 10 years, the studio formerly known as 343 Industries has seen significant upheaval since Infinite's release in 2021.
Originally lauded as a title that would last 10 years, the studio formerly known as 343 Industries has seen significant upheaval since Infinite's release in 2021.
'Halo Infinite' Comes to Finite End in November 2025
Halo Studios will release one final planned major content update and then shift its workforce to "multiple Halo titles in development."
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Halo Infinite will receive no further major content updates past Nov 2025, with work shifting to "multiple Halo titles in development."
Originally lauded as a title that would last 10 years, the studio formerly known as 343 Industries has seen significant upheaval since Infinite's release in 2021.
Originally lauded as a title that would last 10 years, the studio formerly known as 343 Industries has seen significant upheaval since Infinite's release in 2021.
Previous inductees into Future Class, a program run by The Game Awards highlighting emerging talent, have criticised the program amid reports of its discontinuation and the removal of alumni acknowledgements from the event's website.
The Game Awards Future Class Program Criticised By Alumni After Continued Absence
The Game Awards’ Future Class program has not invited new inductees for the second year, leading to speculation that it may have been retired.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Previous inductees into Future Class, a program run by The Game Awards highlighting emerging talent, have criticised the program amid reports of its discontinuation and the removal of alumni acknowledgements from the event's website.
Blizzard has confirmed that World of Warcraft will get its first premium currency, which will be used to purchase housing cosmetics.
Players have been vocal about the move — “You need to go back to the drawing board,” said one.
Players have been vocal about the move — “You need to go back to the drawing board,” said one.
Blizzard Faces Backlash Against Premium Currency Plan for World of Warcraft
Blizzard has announced that it will introduce a premium currency into World of Warcraft for the first time in its upcoming 2026 expansion.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Blizzard has confirmed that World of Warcraft will get its first premium currency, which will be used to purchase housing cosmetics.
Players have been vocal about the move — “You need to go back to the drawing board,” said one.
Players have been vocal about the move — “You need to go back to the drawing board,” said one.
Protests were held outside of Take-Two and Rockstar Games offices this week, following the firing of over 30 employees and accusations of union busting.
"It’s heartwarming to see so many of our colleagues supporting us and holding management to account," one of the affected workers told us.
"It’s heartwarming to see so many of our colleagues supporting us and holding management to account," one of the affected workers told us.
British Workers Union Protests “Amazon-style” Layoffs at Rockstar
The union and the Scottish Green Party staged protests in London and Edinburgh, respectively, in response to accusations of union busting at Rockstar Games
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Protests were held outside of Take-Two and Rockstar Games offices this week, following the firing of over 30 employees and accusations of union busting.
"It’s heartwarming to see so many of our colleagues supporting us and holding management to account," one of the affected workers told us.
"It’s heartwarming to see so many of our colleagues supporting us and holding management to account," one of the affected workers told us.
Reposted by This Week in Videogames
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty have been in the media recently, saying that the biggest competition for Xbox is TikTok.
Nathan Brown of @hitpoints.bsky.social isn't quite sure they know what that means...
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/bonu... [PAYWALLED]
Nathan Brown of @hitpoints.bsky.social isn't quite sure they know what that means...
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/bonu... [PAYWALLED]
Hey Microsoft, TikTok Is Not an Xbox - Bonus Hit Points
Microsoft has been saying the biggest competition for its Xbox gaming business is TikTok. Nathan Brown isn't sure they know what that means.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty have been in the media recently, saying that the biggest competition for Xbox is TikTok.
Nathan Brown of @hitpoints.bsky.social isn't quite sure they know what that means...
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/bonu... [PAYWALLED]
Nathan Brown of @hitpoints.bsky.social isn't quite sure they know what that means...
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/bonu... [PAYWALLED]
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty have been in the media recently, saying that the biggest competition for Xbox is TikTok.
Nathan Brown of @hitpoints.bsky.social isn't quite sure they know what that means...
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/bonu... [PAYWALLED]
Nathan Brown of @hitpoints.bsky.social isn't quite sure they know what that means...
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/bonu... [PAYWALLED]
Hey Microsoft, TikTok Is Not an Xbox - Bonus Hit Points
Microsoft has been saying the biggest competition for its Xbox gaming business is TikTok. Nathan Brown isn't sure they know what that means.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty have been in the media recently, saying that the biggest competition for Xbox is TikTok.
Nathan Brown of @hitpoints.bsky.social isn't quite sure they know what that means...
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/bonu... [PAYWALLED]
Nathan Brown of @hitpoints.bsky.social isn't quite sure they know what that means...
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/bonu... [PAYWALLED]
Meta's VR/AR Reality Labs division has once again posted a quarterly loss in the billions — US $4.4 billion in Q3 2025.
The division drew in US $470 million in revenue during the same period, with Meta's CFO suggesting that the company is "really trying to shift momentum towards AI glasses.”
The division drew in US $470 million in revenue during the same period, with Meta's CFO suggesting that the company is "really trying to shift momentum towards AI glasses.”
Meta’s Reality Labs Continues To Lose Billions in Quarterly Operating Costs
The virtual and augmented reality division reported operating losses of US $4.4 billion in Meta’s third quarter financial report.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Meta's VR/AR Reality Labs division has once again posted a quarterly loss in the billions — US $4.4 billion in Q3 2025.
The division drew in US $470 million in revenue during the same period, with Meta's CFO suggesting that the company is "really trying to shift momentum towards AI glasses.”
The division drew in US $470 million in revenue during the same period, with Meta's CFO suggesting that the company is "really trying to shift momentum towards AI glasses.”
Take-Two's CEO has addressed investor queries regarding successes in using AI for “non-creative” parts of game development such as “quality control and artwork.”
He noted efficiencies, but said: “We are not either using this as an excuse to, or frankly seeing the opportunity to, reduce headcount."
He noted efficiencies, but said: “We are not either using this as an excuse to, or frankly seeing the opportunity to, reduce headcount."
Take-Two CEO Rejects Using AI As "Excuse" To Reduce Headcount
Strauss Zelnick told Take-Two investors that the company is not using AI "as an excuse" or "opportunity to reduce headcount."
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Take-Two's CEO has addressed investor queries regarding successes in using AI for “non-creative” parts of game development such as “quality control and artwork.”
He noted efficiencies, but said: “We are not either using this as an excuse to, or frankly seeing the opportunity to, reduce headcount."
He noted efficiencies, but said: “We are not either using this as an excuse to, or frankly seeing the opportunity to, reduce headcount."
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, the next game from Uncharted creator Amy Hennig, has been delayed "beyond early 2026."
It's the second AAA game to receive a second delay today, having been originally slated for 2025.
Little has been shown of the title outside its debut trailer in March 2024.
It's the second AAA game to receive a second delay today, having been originally slated for 2025.
Little has been shown of the title outside its debut trailer in March 2024.
'Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra' From 'Uncharted' Creator Delayed Beyond Early 2026
This is the second delay for the game, which was slated for 2025 before being pushed to Early 2026. Uncharted creator Amy Hennig is involved.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, the next game from Uncharted creator Amy Hennig, has been delayed "beyond early 2026."
It's the second AAA game to receive a second delay today, having been originally slated for 2025.
Little has been shown of the title outside its debut trailer in March 2024.
It's the second AAA game to receive a second delay today, having been originally slated for 2025.
Little has been shown of the title outside its debut trailer in March 2024.
Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick:
"It's always painful when we move a date. We have done so occasionally in the past, and we've never regretted it."
"...we have certain competitors that in the event where more polish was required... they chose not to slip the date, and they did so at their peril."
"It's always painful when we move a date. We have done so occasionally in the past, and we've never regretted it."
"...we have certain competitors that in the event where more polish was required... they chose not to slip the date, and they did so at their peril."
Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed, for the second time, to 19 November 2026.
Take Two's CEO remarked that the delay would help provide time for "a "high level of polish," and "we feel quite good about this date.”
The delay comes amid the contentious firing of dozens of workers at Rockstar Games.
Take Two's CEO remarked that the delay would help provide time for "a "high level of polish," and "we feel quite good about this date.”
The delay comes amid the contentious firing of dozens of workers at Rockstar Games.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Delayed For Second Time To November 2026
GTA6 has been pushed once more to 19 November 2026, in order to allow "additional time to finish the game" with a "high level of polish."
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick:
"It's always painful when we move a date. We have done so occasionally in the past, and we've never regretted it."
"...we have certain competitors that in the event where more polish was required... they chose not to slip the date, and they did so at their peril."
"It's always painful when we move a date. We have done so occasionally in the past, and we've never regretted it."
"...we have certain competitors that in the event where more polish was required... they chose not to slip the date, and they did so at their peril."
Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed, for the second time, to 19 November 2026.
Take Two's CEO remarked that the delay would help provide time for "a "high level of polish," and "we feel quite good about this date.”
The delay comes amid the contentious firing of dozens of workers at Rockstar Games.
Take Two's CEO remarked that the delay would help provide time for "a "high level of polish," and "we feel quite good about this date.”
The delay comes amid the contentious firing of dozens of workers at Rockstar Games.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Delayed For Second Time To November 2026
GTA6 has been pushed once more to 19 November 2026, in order to allow "additional time to finish the game" with a "high level of polish."
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed, for the second time, to 19 November 2026.
Take Two's CEO remarked that the delay would help provide time for "a "high level of polish," and "we feel quite good about this date.”
The delay comes amid the contentious firing of dozens of workers at Rockstar Games.
Take Two's CEO remarked that the delay would help provide time for "a "high level of polish," and "we feel quite good about this date.”
The delay comes amid the contentious firing of dozens of workers at Rockstar Games.
Rockstar Games has provided a statement to Bloomberg on the firing of over 30 developers.
The studio says the workers were “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum.”
The IWGB says they were in a “private trade union group on Discord" discussing collective action.
The studio says the workers were “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum.”
The IWGB says they were in a “private trade union group on Discord" discussing collective action.
Rockstar Games Says Fired Workers Were "Distributing" Confidential Information
The GTA6 studio says the workers were "discussing confidential information in a public forum." The union says it was a private Discord group.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Rockstar Games has provided a statement to Bloomberg on the firing of over 30 developers.
The studio says the workers were “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum.”
The IWGB says they were in a “private trade union group on Discord" discussing collective action.
The studio says the workers were “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum.”
The IWGB says they were in a “private trade union group on Discord" discussing collective action.
Bad Brain Game Studios, founded by NetEase in 2023, has announced its closure.
It was making a 1980s action-adventure game, which it had seemingly tried to find alternative funding for.
It will close the same day as Fantastic Pixel Castle, another NetEase studio which announced a closure this week
It was making a 1980s action-adventure game, which it had seemingly tried to find alternative funding for.
It will close the same day as Fantastic Pixel Castle, another NetEase studio which announced a closure this week
Bad Brain Game Studios, Another Former NetEase Studio, Announces Closure
Bad Brain was working on a 1980s action adventure game, and is the latest in a long line of NetEase studio closures over the past 12 months.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Bad Brain Game Studios, founded by NetEase in 2023, has announced its closure.
It was making a 1980s action-adventure game, which it had seemingly tried to find alternative funding for.
It will close the same day as Fantastic Pixel Castle, another NetEase studio which announced a closure this week
It was making a 1980s action-adventure game, which it had seemingly tried to find alternative funding for.
It will close the same day as Fantastic Pixel Castle, another NetEase studio which announced a closure this week
Football Manager 26 has been met largely negative reviews following its release this week, with players taking issue with bugs and a revamped user interface.
The popular annual series took a break last year, with FM25 delayed and then cancelled to allow devs more time to shift to a new game engine.
The popular annual series took a break last year, with FM25 delayed and then cancelled to allow devs more time to shift to a new game engine.
Football Manager 26 Receives Mostly Negative Reviews Despite Taking a Year Off
Football Manager 26 has been met with harsh criticism, with Sports Interactive’s dramatic redesign and game-breaking bugs cited as big issues.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Football Manager 26 has been met largely negative reviews following its release this week, with players taking issue with bugs and a revamped user interface.
The popular annual series took a break last year, with FM25 delayed and then cancelled to allow devs more time to shift to a new game engine.
The popular annual series took a break last year, with FM25 delayed and then cancelled to allow devs more time to shift to a new game engine.
Nintendo says 84% of the 10.36 million Switch 2 owners out there transitioned from Switch 1.
November 5, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Nintendo says 84% of the 10.36 million Switch 2 owners out there transitioned from Switch 1.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has told investors that the company will shift its primary development focus to Switch 2 moving forward.
He confirmed Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console in Nintendo history, and remarked that Switch 1 owners have also been “uniformly migrating to Switch 2."
He confirmed Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console in Nintendo history, and remarked that Switch 1 owners have also been “uniformly migrating to Switch 2."
Nintendo Will Now Shift Primarily To Switch 2 Game Development, Says President
Nintendo confirmed that Switch 2 is now the fastest-selling console for the company, with the largest launch-year lineup in its history
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has told investors that the company will shift its primary development focus to Switch 2 moving forward.
He confirmed Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console in Nintendo history, and remarked that Switch 1 owners have also been “uniformly migrating to Switch 2."
He confirmed Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console in Nintendo history, and remarked that Switch 1 owners have also been “uniformly migrating to Switch 2."