Remedy Entertainment revealed Control Resonant near the end of 2025, later revealing that the sequel to the atmospheric, sci-fi, third-person action-adventure shooter would launch around Q2 2026. Now, presumably in the lead-up to the official launch of Resonant, Remedy has shown off some of what's to come in the game's New Game Plus gameplay. According to the PlayStation Blog post, Remedy will rely on more than just more power and increased damage counters for the New Game Plus gameplay, instead giving players more control over their builds in order to face off against more challenging enemies.

Instead, in Control Resonant, when players have finished the game and start a new playthrough in the same save, the game changes how the player and enemies interact, but players keep many of the upgrades they've earned—Aberrant upgrades, health improvements, supernatural abilities, talents, and artifacts will all still be there. "One of the goals for New Game Plus is to give players more room to experiment with builds that weren't possible during the first playthrough, as you cannot unlock everything in your arsenal in one go," Remedy explains. For starters, the player character has an extra artifact slot that allows for both increased damage output and more build diversity, and players will be able to equip more than one combat ability from the same boss for new synergies. The game also unlocks more artifacts and crafting options, making it easier to adapt builds to different scenarios and tougher enemies.

Hot on the heels of the news of Sony's new DRM that earned significant community backlash, Andy Nguyen, the developer who previously showed off running a full Linux installation on a PlayStation 5, has officially published their methodology and necessary steps to get the open-source operating system running on Sony's console. The hack requires a PS5 disc version running firmware version 3.00, 3.10, 3.20, 3.21, and 4.00, 4.02, 4.03, 4.50, 4.51, and there is only support for the M.2 drive in the 4.XX versions at the time of writing. There are supposedly ways to downgrade the PS5 firmware to one of the versions that still supports the hack, but those may not always work reliably. If you've followed the jailbreak steps, injected the payload and rebooted back into Linux, you should be greeted by a full Ubuntu 26.04 Resolute Raccoon installation, replete with the Linux kernel 7.

Interestingly, the PS5 Linux installation is quite full-featured, replete with custom VRAM allocation, fan control, and a boost mode toggling—all from within the terminal or a text file, of course. There are some caveats, and driver development is still ongoing—wireless networking, for example, may require you to manually restart the WLAN adaptor to work. The Sony DualSense controllers also don't currently work via the built-in dongle, although they do with an external dongle. The output refresh rate is also limited to 60 Hz across 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions, although 120 Hz may be added later. The biggest limitation, however, is that it is a soft mod, meaning that if you restart the PS5 while in the Linux desktop, it will not boot back into the environment unless you apply the same jailbreak again. The upside of that is that the PlayStation 5's base OS isn't affected by the Linux installation, so if you want to go back to using it as a regular PS5, you can just reboot.

One of the often-touted benefits of console gaming is how physical media enables access to games, even when there is no internet connection for the DRM to verify the game's license. Now, it seems as though the Sony's PS5 will start locking players out of digital-only games if the console has been unable to connect to PSN servers within the last 30 days. This is according to testing done by Hikikomori Media, who found the issue with Wild Arms 4 and Vampire Crawlers, both of which were purchased as digital-only titles in April 2026.

The content creator simulated an offline PS5 by disconnecting it from the internet, resetting the internal clock by removing the CMOS battery, and then booting up the PS5 without an internet connection. Effectively, he tricked the PS5 into thinking that it had been offline for an extended period of time. The end result is that both Wild Arms 4 and Vampire Crawlers were unable to launch after the reboot. It's notable that games purchased before March 2026 would still launch without a hitch. Based on this testing and further testing with a PS4, which revealed a timer showing how long it had been since the console could call home, it seems as though games purchased after March 2026 will need to connect to PSN servers at least once every 30 days in order to be playable.

NACON, a major player in gaming accessories and parent company of the premium audio brand RIG, today announced the launch of the R8 SPECTRE PRO HS dual-wireless gaming headset, officially licensed by PlayStation. The latest addition to the critically acclaimed R-Series lineup combines studio-grade sound with dual-wireless audio mixing, delivering competitive players a wireless headset that's Built Different.

"The R8 PRO HS is the technical evolution of one of our most celebrated headsets - the 800 PRO," explained Michael Jessup, Head of Audio Product. "With the return of the iconic base station and the addition of graphene drivers plus dual-wireless audio, the R8 PRO HS delivers ultra-low latency performance, enhanced acoustic precision, and the convenience competitive players demand."

There's been a lot of talk lately about the state of platform exclusives in the video game console industry, from controversial rumors about Sony potentially leaving behind much of its PC port business to Microsoft's recent announcement that it would be "reevaluating" platform exclusives as part of its new strategy for Xbox Gaming. All of this aside, however, it seems as though there is a degree of success to be had from casting a wider net when it comes to hardware support.

According to an update on the Virtuos Games website—a game studio that helped Playground Games bring Forza Horizon 5 to the PS5—Forza Horizon 5 has sold more than 5 million copies on Sony's console alone. This nearly matches some of the estimated sales figures for the game's Steam release, which sits anywhere between 7.24 million and 8.36 million, depending on which analytics figures you're referencing. This is despite Forza Horizon 5 only releasing on PlayStation 5 in 2025, nearly four years after the original PC and Xbox launch. This sort of timed exclusivity is very similar to the model that Sony has been following with many of its games and largely one that Microsoft has been moving away from, and will possibly return to in the future. As it stands, Forza Horizon 6 is launching on May 19, with a PS5 release date promised for later in 2026.

Ubisoft has officially announced that the Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a refreshed version of the 2013 title, is set to launch on July 9. Developed by Ubisoft Singapore with involvement from original team members, the release brings the game to modern platforms using an updated version of the proprietary Anvil engine. The new version revisits Edward Kenway's story with updated visuals, improved lighting, and a reworked combat system. Ubisoft says that the game will feature reworked action-adventure combat, new and enhanced stealth gameplay, reworked naval combat, enhanced parkour moves, dynamic weather and objects. On the graphics side, Black Flag Resynced comes with ray-traced lighting with global illumination (RTGI) and reflections, completely reworked graphics assets, fully modernized water rendering and simulation. The PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro versions get their share of attention with optimized performance options: 60 FPS Performance mode, 30 FPS Fidelity mode, 40 FPS Balanced mode (requires 120 Hz display).

Ubisoft also provided details regarding PC requirements that start with 65 GB of storage on a "must-have" SSD and 16 GB of RAM listed across all tiers. Then, the minimum requirements target 1080p at 30 FPS on low settings, with a Core i7-8700K or Ryzen 5 3600 paired with a GeForce GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 5500 XT. For 1080p at 60 FPS on medium settings, Ubisoft recommends a Core i5-10600K or Ryzen 5 3600 with an RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT. For 1440p gaming at 60 FPS on high settings gamers will need an RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT, while 4K at 60 FPS on ultra settings requires GPUs such as the RTX 4090 or RX 7900 XTX, paired with CPUs like the Core i7-12700K or Ryzen 7 5700X3D.

It was recently rumored that PlayStation would be moving away from publishing PC ports of its mainline first-party single-player games, which came with the implication that Sony would not port the upcoming Marvel's Wolverine game to PC. Speaking at a recent ALT Games Festival event in Australia, Shuhei Yoshida, Sony's former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, commented on the PlayStation exclusive situation and how PC ports impact Sony's gaming portfolio and financials in his view. Yoshida is of the opinion that PC ports are largely a positive move for Sony, and that they don't meaningfully detract from console hardware sales or game sales on consoles.

Instead, Yoshida says that Sony's PC ports could help recoup some of the initial game design and development costs—presumably because games usually get a bump in sales when they launch on other platforms, and because developing a new game is far more costly than porting an existing game to a new platform. The latter is especially true with modern hardware, which all share similar x86 platform specifications, with the exception of systems like the Nintendo Switch 2 and Valve's upcoming Steam Frame. He also goes on to say that he is "not seeing any proof of them (Sony) changing their strategy this generation, but if they are changing, it's going to be interesting how they are able to maintain the investment on big budget games." On the topic of AAA game budgets, Yoshida comments that the ever-increasing budgets in the AAA industry don't seem sustainable. The full interview with Shuhei Yoshida on YouTube follows.

It seems as though 2026 will be the year of age verification for online communication platforms. Following the prior news about Discord starting to require age verification for all accounts—a move that the company later walked back after backlash—it has now been revealed that Sony will soon start to mandate age verification for PSN online communication features. This is according to a report by Push Square, which shared a screenshot of an age verification prompt from the PlayStation Store.

The screenshot shows a QR code that redirects users to start an age verification process on their smartphones, which would prompt users to provide a copy of their ID, perform a facial scan, or receive a text message on their mobile phone that uses information stored by the mobile network provider to ascertain their age. Sony has more details about the age verification options on a FAQ page. At the time of writing, age verification seems to be limited to the UK and Ireland, but this seems to be a move to comply with recent age verification requirements, and there are currently age verification laws being implemented or talked about everywhere from the US to the EU, and Australia, and all of those laws restrict teens and children from accessing similarly risky or potentially harmful content online, meaning similar processes may be implemented across the board.

When Microsoft announced the next-gen Xbox Project Helix, it confirmed what had been long rumored—that Helix would be a console-PC hybrid, just like Valve's upcoming Steam Machine, able to play both PC and Xbox games. Although it has not yet been confirmed what shape this hybrid experience will take, a recent leak from insider KeplerL2 on the NeoGAF forums has potentially revealed some information about what to expect from Project Helix. While it was previously rumored that the upcoming Xbox hardware would be more powerful than the Canis and Orion APUs Sony is working on for the PS6 series, it now seems as Xbox's Project Helix console APU will feature no customization at all, making it basically a bog-standard PC, albeit a decently powerful one, at that.

This would effectively end the era of console performance back-and-forth that Sony and Xbox have been engaged in since what feels like the dawn of time. It also has a few implications for upcoming scaling methods. For starters, and this is more or less confirmed by KeplerL2, it means that tech like the upcoming FSR Diamond upscaling tech will be cross-platform, perhaps with small tweaks or different presets on a per-platform basis. It also means that the recent rumor that Microsoft was looking to return to platform-exclusive games would culminate in PC and Xbox exclusives, rather than simply Xbox exclusives, if that rumor turns out to be true. It seems as though Helix will still feature RDNA 5 graphics and Zen 6/6c CPU cores, but it will likely be similar to the situation we've seen with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme and Ryzen Z2 used by most Windows gaming handhelds in 2026.

Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard Game from Vampire Survivors, the first-person, "turbo-turn" deck-builder game with roguelite elements from the developer of Vampire Survivors, has just received an official launch date, pricing, and an outrageous new trailer, to boot. According to the release date announcement on Steam, Vampire Crawlers will launch on April 21 at $9.99 (£9.99, €9.99, and ¥1200) on Nintendo Switch, Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles.

Vampire Crawlers combines traditional deck-builder and card-battler mechanics with the fast-paced feel, somewhat akin to a boomer shooter. It is based on the same IP as Vampire Survivors and features much of the same visual style, just with a different POV and the obvious changes to the gameplay style. The spin-off features an incredibly low barrier to entry in terms of hardware, meaning it will be a good time-killer for Steam Deck players, and there are apparently mobile ports coming later in 2026. At launch, there will be no cross-platform save support, but the developer is planning to add the feature when the aforementioned mobile ports are ready. The release date trailer for Vampire Crawlers follows.

Leading gaming accessories maker Turtle Beach Corporation, today revealed the all-new Stealth Pro II wireless multiplatform gaming headset which distinctly sits at the audio summit as the complete gaming peripheral. The Stealth Pro II is the successor to the highly lauded Stealth Pro and represents both Turtle Beach's legacy of gaming sound and the future of premium audio versatility. As the latest and ultimate gaming headset, the Stealth Pro II Wireless Gaming Headset is for anyone who demands flagship-level audio and microphone performance, seamless device switching and stunning design.

The Stealth Pro II lets you hear what you've never been able to hear before—but could it stand up to the master of stealth himself? To find out, Turtle Beach tracked down the world's last surviving ninja, Jinichi Kawakami, and flew him from Japan for the ultimate IRL showdown. One gamer. One ninja. One headset. With the advanced audio of the Stealth Pro II, the gamer was able to capture every sound the ninja made. It was the ultimate stealth showdown highlighting Turtle Beach's legacy of gaming sound and stunning audio performance. If the Stealth Pro II can hear a ninja, it can hear anything. Visit the Turtle Beach website to put your Ninja hearing to the test.

Sony recently announced sweeping price increases for the PlayStation 5, which meant that, as of April 2, the PS5 base would cost $649.99, while the Digital Edition would cost $599.99, and the PS5 Pro rose to a whopping $899.99. According to industry analyst, Mat Piscatella of Circana Reseach, the announcement of a price increase resulted in a buying rush for the PlayStation 5 towards the end of March and during the first week of April.

As a result of this buying rush, PlayStation 5 sales reached an annual high for 2026 during the first week of April. The increase in sales amounted to a nearly 100% increase in year-over-year console hardware sales when compared to the same week in 2025. Part of this increase in sales can almost certainly be explained by the threat of further price increases down the line, which are expected to result in launch pricing of the PS6 sitting at around $800. With no end to the current DRAM supply issues in sight, it makes sense that some prospective PS5 buyers would want to get hold of the hardware before they are priced out, although it remains to be seen how Sony plays the launch of the PS6.

It seems as though God of War studio, Santa Monica Studio, is slated for a busy time in the coming months and years, with recent rumors suggesting that there is another God of War game on the horizon, some even claiming that it may be announced as soon as April 2026. Not all that much is known about the new God of War game, but according to reporting by MP1st and Tom Henderson on the Insider Gaming podcast, it will not follow Kratos. Instead, the new spin-off, which does not yet have a name, will feature Týr and Faye, the erstwhile Norse god of war and Kratos's deceased wife. This suggests that the spin-off will be a prequel to the recent God of War 2018 and Ragnarök.

The reports make mention of a talking sword, which will apparently be Merlin from English legend, as well as elements from Japanese, Chinese, and possibly other East-Asian mythologies. According to Henderson, the next "mainline" God of War game was meant to be announced at an April Sony State of Play, and it is assumed that the spin-off with Faye will be the next mainline installment in the franchise. This news comes not too long after Santa Monica Studio and Sony announced that a remake of the original God of War trilogy was in the works at Santa Monica.

After the success of the Forta Gaming Headset, GXTrust announces the launch of the highly anticipated Forta Wireless - an Official Licensed Product for PlayStation 5 consoles. With all of the premium features that gamers have come to expect from the Forta - immersive sound, seamless connection with their consoles, and ultra-comfortable design - this new edition gives players yet another ultimate feature: complete wireless freedom.

Designed specifically for PlayStation fans, the officially licensed Forta Wireless offers ultra-low latency lossless wireless connection via a 2.4G USB receiver, giving players the freedom to move, cheer, and enjoy with no cables getting in the way. What's more, with no lag, the Forta Wireless ensures precise actions and reactions, keeping gamers fully connected to every crucial moment.

An Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake has long been rumored, with recent news out of the rumor mill indicating an April launch for what will apparently be called Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. More recently, it has been revealed by a game description scraped from the Indonesian Game Ratings System scraped by IGRSDB that Black Flag Resynced will also include new characters and stories compared to the new game. The game will also have an 18+ rating in Indonesia, and it also lists PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series platforms, suggesting Ubisoft will stick with its previous day-one cross-platform launch strategy. Curiously, there is no mention of the Nintendo Switch 2, but given the launch of AC: Shadows on Nintendo's handheld, it seems reasonable to assume it will launch there as well.

The full game description reads:

This title breathes new life into a fan favourite while remaining carefully faithful to the spirit of the original. It follows the story of charismatic pirate and Assassin Edward Kenway as he adventures through 18th Century Caribbean with parkours in cities, and battles at seas, in search of fortune and glory. Modernized in 2026, the new game includes a cast of new characters and stories.

A little over a year after the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft has shipped the Title Update 1.1.10, which, aside from the usual bug fixes, adds PSSR 2 support to the game for PS5 Pro players and a number of quality-of-life updates and gameplay changes across all of the game's platforms. The full changelog is available via an Ubisoft news post.

Ubisoft has not detailed the exact visual upgrades wrought by the addition of PSSR 2, but we can likely expect smoother, higher frame rates with sharper upscaling, as has been seen in other games, like Resident Evil: Requiem and Cyberpunk 2077. As of the new update, all players will be able to access the Bo staff, which was previously locked behind the Claws of Awaji expansion. The Switch 2 version of Assassin's Creed Shadows also now features mouse and keyboard support, and the laundry list of bug fixes include UI fixes for damage indicators, a fix for an unintentional +100% stat cap in some cases, issues with fast travel points not being available, and progression getting stuck at 97.89% despite all content being completed.

As the previously leaked launch date of Sony's upcoming PlayStation 6 approaches, leaks and rumors abound, with many claiming that the upcoming gaming console will launch later than initially expected. Now, reputable leaker, KeplerL2, has taken to the NeoGAF forums to dispel some of the doom and gloom surrounding the launch date and potential delays of the PS6. The leaker's reasoning stems not from some insider information, but rather from a simple application of logic, asking a fellow commenter "What copium? You think AMD is gonna waste resources doing validation on something they think will get delayed?"

The reasoning seems to be that, based on information like prior leaks, that AMD has already been working on custom APUs for both the living room version and the handheld model of the PlayStation 6, and that AMD would not continue validation of those APUs if it thought there were supply constraints that would lead to a delay ahead of the console family's expected launch date. It's also possible that AMD and Sony signed the supply contracts for the Canis and Orion APUs before the current DRAM crisis was in full swing, effectively making a launch delay impossible or at least less likely. However, this would mean that the console makers would have a batch of hardware ready for launch followed by intermittent or delayed supply—at least as long as the DRAM shortage holds. There have also been rumors that Sony will be drastically increasing the price of the PS6 consoles compared to the PS5 generation, although this appears to be at least somewhat contingent on Microsoft's Xbox Helix pricing strategy.

After previously announcing an April 24 launch date, Capcom moved the launch of Pragmata forward to April 17 and subsequently celebrated hitting 2 million demo downloads and game wishlists. Now, in another stroke of positive news, Capcom has announced that Pragmata has gone gold, meaning that the game is in a stable, functional state and ready for launch on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows.

Pragmata was originally announced in 2020, with the release date originally slated for 2022. However, the game went through multiple iterations during that time and ended up being pushed back to 2026. Pragmata was Capcom's first new franchise since the launch of Dragon's Dogma in 2012, and it seems to be attempting to implement an interesting combination of third-person shooter combat and hacking mechanics, alongside sci-fi, narrative- and exploration-driven core gameplay.

Microsoft recently revealed that Xbox Project Helix would be its next-gen gaming console and that it would play both PC and Xbox games, however, previous leaks tipped a rather high price tag for the upcoming console generation—some expect it to be upwards of $800. While this may have its effects on Microsoft's sales, it also has bigger implications for the wider console and gaming hardware market itself. According to notorious hardware leaker, KeplerL2, on the NeoGAF forums, the reduced pressure from Microsoft may be enough for Sony to raise prices on the PS6. There have also been rumors that Sony is planning a PlayStation 6 Portable, which would be a standalone device and could theoretically fill the gap left by Sony in the more affordable console space if this price prediction is true.

The leaker explains that their "current BOM estimate for PS6 is ~$760, so I would say $699 is still possible with a reasonable subsidy. The question is if Sony will even bother now that Xbox is not direct competition anymore." These comments come at a time when hardware prices have skyrocketed, and availability is low, thanks to the ongoing DRAM crisis largely caused by increased demand from the AI industry. This bill of materials cost estimate also assumes that there will be no decrease in memory or hardware costs, which is currently an unknown, with all the talk about AI being a bubble. Those same hardware shortages and price increases have been the justification for predictions of console delays and numerous cancellations by PC hardware manufacturers. It also recently came to light that Sony will be scaling back its PC port efforts, meaning fewer Sony exclusive games will end up on PC, giving players more of an incentive to buy the PS6, even if prices are somewhat inflated.

Gameplay Group International and PM Studios, in collaboration with Paramount, Skydance and Avatar Studios, Today announced a global publishing partnership for AVATAR LEGENDS: The Fighting Game. Developed together with Nickelodeon Animation Studios, the fast-paced 1v1 fighter is set to launch July 2 for $29.99 USD SRP on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, with full cross-play support available at launch. The game's release date was unveiled live at the EVO Awards, marking a major milestone for the fighting game community. Players can pre-order now on Steam and wishlist the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S Today.

Set within the iconic worlds of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, AVATAR LEGENDS: The Fighting Game delivers fluid combat, expressive bending abilities, and competitive gameplay designed to engage both seasoned fighting game players and newcomers alike. Players are challenged to master the elements across a roster of fan-favorite characters, combining strategic depth with fast-paced, accessible action.

A recent leak claimed that Sony would be increasing the price of the PlayStation 5 across the board by as much as €100 in Europe, although it was unclear at the time whether the US and other international markets would see the same price increases. Now, thanks to an official PlayStation Blog post, Sony has confirmed the extent and details of the price increases, which apply the US, UK, Europe, and Japan. Starting on April 2, US buyers will pay $649.99 for the PS5, $599.99 for the PS5 Digital Edition, and $899.99 for the PS5 Pro, while UK buyers see the PS5 go up to £569.99, the Digital Edition increase to £519.99, and the PS5 Pro spike to £789.99. In Europe prices increase to €649.99, €599.99, and €899.99 for the PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, and PS5 Pro, respectively. In Japan, the PS5 increases to ¥97,980, while the PS5 Digital Edition and PS5 Pro increase to ¥89,980 and ¥137,980, respectively.

The price of the PlayStation Portal will also increase in all the aforementioned regions to $249.99 in the US, £219.99 in the UK, €249.99 in Europe, and ¥39,980 in Japan. Meanwhile, Sony has confirmed that price increases are inbound for South-East Asia—specifically Indonesia, Malaysia, the Phillipines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—but it has not yet revealed the exact price changes, stating that the blog would be updated at a later date. Sony blames the price increases on "pressures in the global economic landscape," which is not particularly specific, but it's likely that at least part of the price increase is down to the current RAM and general hardware shortages and price increases caused by outsized demand from the AI industry.

Marathon launched almost exactly three weeks ago, with a mix of both fanfare and criticism, but given its reasonably strong player counts—with a stable 28,000-40,000 daily concurrent players—it's not surprising to learn that the game has sold an estimated 1.2 million units across the three platforms where it is available. According to Alinea Analytics, Marathon has earned $55 million in revenue across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. The analytics firm estimates that Steam holds around 800,000 of those players, while Marathon sold 217,000 units on PlayStation 5 and 133,000 on Xbox Series platforms.

The researchers also looked into the correlation between Bungie's previous games and Marathon, and it seems as though the developer's reputation may have been a substantial driving force for Marathon players. As many as 78.2% of Marathon's Steam players had previously played Destiny 2, while 62.7% had played Helldivers 2, and 55.9% played Arc Raiders—although it should be noted that all three titles had colossal player counts, so some of this may be pure coincidence, and some of it could also be attributed to Steam's recommendation algorithms, which would be more likely to show Marathon to fans of similar Bungie games. There have also been rumors of Marathon potentially launching on last-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles, but nothing has been confirmed regarding that release just yet.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today unveiled the Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed for Xbox - White Edition and Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed for PlayStation - White Edition.

Bringing a clean new colorway to one of Razer's most lightweight, high-performance wireless console headsets, the White Edition is designed to complement next-generation consoles while delivering the same esports-ready performance that the BlackShark line is known for.

Rumors recently popped up claiming that Sony would be moving away from PC ports of its major first-party game releases in 2026, especially single-player games. While those rumors have yet to be confirmed by Sony itself, Mike Ybarra, the former president of Blizzard Entertainment, has commented in a recent post on X that this may be the case, but he also points the finger at Valve's Steam Machine as partly to blame for this turn of events. He also adds that Sony sees the recent shake-up at Xbox as the "last nail in the coffin there," implying that Sony is making the right choice and that the shake-up will only embolden the Japanese gaming giant.

The former executive says that the incumbent console manufacturers "view Valve as a major new competitor" in the living room console space, adding that there will be third-party variants running SteamOS that will likely only compound this external pressure on Sony. He goes on to argue that Steam, and by extension the Steam Machine, has the biggest player base and biggest game library of all three living room console makers, and that "shipping good exclusive games matters." Ybarra also notes that Valve's independence, being a private company, allows it more freedom than Sony, who has to answer to shareholders and investors. For Sony's part, it's easy to see how cutting back on PC ports—effectively reducing the Steam Machine's library—could be an easy way to gain a competitive edge. As we discussed previously, it seems as though Sony's PC port business isn't a massive revenue driver in the first place, so it could be a low-risk way for Sony to protect its console ecosystem from incoming competition.

A new patent application by Sony may provide players with an alternative to pausing a game that would ostensibly prevent halting gameplay execution by putting the game into an alternate gameplay state while players deal with momentary distractions or decide whether they want to fully pause the game to deal with something like a message. The patent, (US20260021411) filed with the USPTO, explains a number of potential ways to achieve this, seemingly with the idea that different games and genres could implement different versions of Soft Pause. Sony touts Soft Pause as particularly useful for VR use cases, in which a jarring pause and cut to a menu screen may cause nausea or dizziness

The Soft Pause concepts include everything from having the game slow down while the feature is active, making the game easier, guiding the player towards objectives or enemies, boosting player assist features—features like aim assist or stretching time windows for certain inputs—or even having a machine-learning tool take over from the player entirely while Soft Pause is active. It's unclear if that ML model would be trained on player data or if it will offer more generic support. It remains to be seen if or when this will be implemented at all, and, realistically, it could go either way. If it is implemented, it will also be interesting to see how each game implements it, especially in competitive games. Currently, being AFK in a competitive game can be disastrous, and, while something like Soft Pause might be able to provide something of a solution to short AFK moments, although games like Paladins already have an AI that takes over gameplay when players are disconnected. Other recent Sony patents include an adaptive controller of sorts that puts all controls into a touch interface.