Brief Gaming News Updates General Gaming

[Boot Cleaner]

Announced earlier this year during the most recent State of Play, Hitman World of Assassination is being brought to PSVR2. Unfortunately, it's been delayed by a few months; initially planned for December, it's now scheduled to arrive on 27th March, 2025.

The game is essentially the full trilogy of modern Hitman titles, and was already ported to the original PSVR. On PSVR2, the title will have a few enhancements, such as full dual-wielding and ambidexterity, giving you more flexibility and control. Active reloading is also implemented, letting you eject old ammo clips and insert new ones.

There are other small improvements, most of which are all about more immersive interactivity throughout the game.

Hitman World of Assassination launches on PS VR2 March 27, 2025

IO Interactive details the new PS VR2 enhancements that’ll make you feel like the world’s ultimate assassin.

blog.playstation.com

 

[Snoops]

The F1 Manager series has officially come to an end, with Frontier confirming that no new game will be released in 2025. This marks the conclusion of a franchise that has captured the attention of racing fans worldwide. The future of F1 Manager remains uncertain.

 

[David76]

The F1 Manager series has officially come to an end, with Frontier confirming that no new game will be released in 2025. This marks the conclusion of a franchise that has captured the attention of racing fans worldwide. The future of F1 Manager remains uncertain.

I'm not surprised. All the games have been dogged with bugs and the lack of an online mode really didn't help.

 

[Tom]

Electronic Arts (EA) revealed it will be releasing its next "Battlefield" game by March 2026 when it reported its latest quarterly earnings results Tuesday.

Details on the new installment in the "Battlefield" franchise are set to be revealed this summer, per EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who calls the title a "pivotal step in delivering on our next generation of blockbuster entertainment."

 

[David76]

A new report suggests that Grand Theft Auto IV may finally be making its way to modern consoles, with Rockstar Games reportedly developing a port for PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and Series S.

According to trusted Rockstar insider Tez2, the port has been in development for about a year and could release as soon as later in 2025.

While fans have long hoped for a full remaster, this upcoming release is said to be more of an upgraded port rather than a major overhaul. It's also rumored to be part of a broader strategy from Rockstar, which includes a potential port of Max Payne 3 and ongoing remakes of Max Payne 1 & 2. Tez2 also speculated that a bundle or "Definitive Edition" could be in the works.

If true, this would be a major release for longtime fans, as GTA IV has been largely confined to Xbox 360, PS3, and PC since its original 2008 launch. Despite being accessible through Xbox backward compatibility and Steam, it has yet to receive a proper upgrade for modern platforms—until now. Rockstar has not officially commented on the report, so fans should treat it cautiously for the time being.

 

[Tom]

In a somewhat strange turn of events, Rockstar has bumped up the non-sale prices for Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 in certain regions, including here in the UK.

Using the data tools over at RDR2 Deals and RDR Deals, we're seeing £5 price increases for the digital versions of Red Dead 1 & 2 on the Xbox Store. The new prices are £59.99 and £29.99 respectively, up from £54.99 and £24.99, which were the RRP values before early May 2025.

Curiously, the US manages to avoid these price bumps, as do most Euro-spending countries, but some other nations have seen even bigger price increases this month. The Czech Republic, Chile and Brazil are just some of the other countries where the two games have gone up in value, with the latter seeing an almost 50% jump with the first Red Dead Redemption specifically.

 

[David76]

An Elden Ring live-action film is officially in the works! This project is being spearheaded by acclaimed writer and director Alex Garland, known for his work on films like Ex Machina. The production is a collaboration between A24, a company known for its unique storytelling, and Bandai Namco, the publisher behind our beloved game.

One interesting tidbit is that George R. R. Martin, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire (which inspired Game of Thrones), is one of the producers. He played a significant role in developing the game's story and characters, so it's great to see him involved in bringing it to the big screen.

Here's what we know so far:

• Production Companies: A24 and Bandai Namco
• Director/Writer: Alex Garland
• Producers: Includes George R. R. Martin and others from British film company DNA, which has collaborated with Garland before.

At this point, details about the plot, casting, or release date are still under wraps. So, it's a bit of a mystery what direction they'll take with the story. FromSoftware's involvement hasn't been confirmed either, nor has the participation of Hidetaka Miyazaki, the game's creator.

Interestingly, there have been rumours about an Elden Ring film circulating for a while, with Martin teasing its possibility in the past. He has previously played coy about his involvement, stating he has nothing to announce. However, it seems like the project is now a reality!

 

[Tom]

Recent whispers from industry insiders suggest that a new instalment in the Ghost Recon series is currently in internal alpha testing, with a potential release window targeting fall 2026. This news has sparked excitement among fans of the franchise, who are eager to see what new innovations and gameplay mechanics might be introduced.

In the meantime, players can take advantage of current sales to explore previous entries in the series at discounted prices, making it a great opportunity to catch up on the lore and gameplay that have defined Ghost Recon over the years.

The Ghost Recon series is known for its tactical gameplay and immersive environments, and the anticipation for the next chapter is already building. It will be interesting to see how the developers choose to evolve the series while staying true to its roots.

 

[Tom]

In a surprising yet disheartening move, Microsoft has cancelled the much-anticipated reboot of Perfect Dark and shut down its development studio, The Initiative. This decision coincides with significant layoffs affecting approximately 9,100 employees across the company, as announced by Xbox head Matt Booty. He emphasised that these changes aim to align resources more effectively and ensure future success in a rapidly evolving industry.

The cancellation of the Perfect Dark reboot, which had been in the works since 2020 but was reportedly still in its early stages as of 2023, highlights the challenges faced by the project. Additionally, the decision to cancel Rare's Everwild further illustrates the company's shift in priorities. While Microsoft recently reported a robust net income of $25.8 billion, the layoffs and project cancellations suggest a reevaluation of their strategic direction.

Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, reiterated the necessity of making tough choices for sustained success. This context raises questions about the criteria used for such decisions, especially as reports indicate that senior leadership salaries remain untouched amid these cuts.

 

[Tom]

Recent reports indicate that Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind the Forza Motorsport series, has undergone significant staff reductions, with rumours suggesting nearly 50% of its workforce has been laid off. This news follows a troubling trend within Microsoft's Gaming Division, which has seen other studios like Rare and The Initiative also facing cancellations and layoffs.

According to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, the cuts at Turn 10 come amid broader restructuring efforts at Microsoft. Similar layoffs have been reported at other studios, including Raven Software and Sledgehammer Games, both of which have been involved in the Call of Duty franchise.

The implications for Forza Motorsport are concerning. The recent reboot of the game has received criticism from fans, particularly regarding its progression systems, though updates have aimed to address some of these issues. As Turn 10 navigates these challenges, the future of the franchise remains uncertain, especially with another Forza title anticipated for release next year, potentially building off the success of Forza Horizon 5.

I don't think Forza Motorsport was a particularly good game, and over the past few editions, Forza Horizon has been better than Motorsport, but these cuts are brutal.