KILL THE THINGS, BLOKE WITH NICE HAIR. Ok, Capcom, he’ll kill the things in the new game mode your latest update adds to Resident Evil Requiem. YES, LEON MUST DIE FOREVER. Indeed, it’s a name that’s arguably a bit on the nose, but it certainly does the job.
**Nintendo Unveils Price Hike for Switch 2 Following Financial Results**
In light of its latest financial results, Nintendo has announced a considerable price hike for the Switch 2, effective September 1, 2026. The price for the Switch 2 will rise to $450, representing a 12.5% increase for a console that has been available for under a year.
Speculation about a possible price escalation for the new Switch model had been circulating earlier this week. Investors were said to be urging Nintendo to pursue higher profits following a tepid response in share prices, despite the successful debut of the Switch 2. Bloomberg had anticipated that the earnings report would coincide with a price increase, reflecting shareholders’ concerns given the company’s stock had seen a consistent drop over the past five months.
Nintendo’s formal announcement confirmed that the Switch 2’s price would rise globally, increasing from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 in Japan immediately, with similar increases in other areas: from $630 to $680 in Canada and from €470 to €500 in Europe. Significantly, the U.S. increase of 12.5% from $400 to $450 represents the largest adjustment outside of Japan, far surpassing changes seen in Europe.
The justifications for these price adjustments include the effects of tariffs and hardware shortages, with Nintendo remarking that “the implications of various market condition changes are anticipated to persist over the medium to long term.”
**A Domestic Struggle for Japan**
Japan is facing the largest impact from these increases, with the Switch 2 seeing a 20% price rise. Furthermore, older models—including the original Switch, the OLED variant, and the Switch Lite—are experiencing notable increases of 33%, 26%, and 36%, respectively. Currently, no other nations are set to see price changes for older Switch models.
In addition, Nintendo Switch Online services in Japan and Korea will experience a price hike of 25% starting July 1, with no similar adjustments announced for other regions at this moment.
In summary, Nintendo’s announcement included an apology to its customers and stakeholders, recognizing the repercussions of these price changes. “We sincerely apologize for the impact these price adjustments may have on our customers and other stakeholders, and we deeply appreciate your understanding,” the company conveyed.
These price increases occur amidst a broader trend impacting the gaming sector, with competitors like Sony and Microsoft also raising prices for their consoles since their launches in 2020. The swift adjustment from Nintendo is especially noteworthy, considering the Switch 2 was launched in June 2025 at a price already considered high for a new model. Thankfully, customers are provided with at least four months’ notice to acquire a Switch 2 before the price hike is enforced.
But down… in the underground…
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Many are those who stray before Vlad the Impaler seeking eternal life as a vampire. Poor, ignorant cattle! Immortality is a goblet of ashes, a bouquet of thorns, an endless stairway among the fading portraits of bygone loves. Besides, you have to solve a bunch of alchemy puzzles first, and if I’m interpreting the announcement materials for Dracula: The Disciple correctly, you might only get halfway there and transform into a normal dude with a gross undead hand.
The recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss Apple’s appeal in its ongoing legal confrontation with Epic Games has sparked substantial debate. This decision is linked to a prior ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, with the Supreme Court choosing to affirm a contempt ruling against Apple, which had recently been accused of not adhering to a court order mandating the allowance of third-party app stores on iOS devices.
The case originates from a legal conflict that began in 2021 when Epic Games challenged Apple’s App Store policies, notably the 30% commission levied on developers for in-app purchases. The court found that Apple not only lost parts of the case but also took actions considered anticompetitive. California’s District Court criticized Apple for its defiance, alleging that the company intentionally added extra barriers to compliance to safeguard its profit margins.
Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers denounced Apple’s actions as a “gross miscalculation,” claiming they introduced a new charge of 27% designed to discourage developers from exploring alternatives. Apple’s reaction to the court’s previous decisions was viewed as insufficient, resulting in the contempt ruling by the 9th Circuit. This circuit expressed exasperation over Apple’s strategies, stating that the company misrepresented terms to developers and imposed unreasonable conditions that hindered their ability to use external payment links.
The Supreme Court’s decision not to consider Apple’s appeal effectively eliminates further options for the company within the legal framework, compelling it to return to the District Court where the disputes are likely to persist. The outcome could significantly alter the dynamics of in-app purchases, potentially allowing developers to circumvent Apple’s commission structure entirely. This may foster enhanced competition and reduced prices for consumers as game publishers might direct customers to their own payment systems.
Epic Games’ CEO Tim Sweeney conveyed his approval of the ruling, welcoming the chance to return to court and negotiate more equitable terms with Apple regarding the fees associated with implementing external purchase options.
As the legal drama unfolds, the ramifications of this ruling will be closely monitored, especially concerning app store policies and digital commerce regulations. The ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing discussion surrounding corporate dominance in digital marketplaces and consumer rights in the modern technological landscape.
Look for the Roman numerals.
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How dare you condemn me without knowing the facts! SHUT UP – I’m having a rhetorical conversation with myself. True, there was no new PC game round-up post yesterday, which might be offered as evidence that somebody forgot to write one, but you have no proof, no proof whatsoever that this wholly speculative ‘forgetful RPS editor’ was me. Also true: I’ve written 99% of the previous round-ups, but this guarantees nothing, for as David Hume reminds us in A Treatise of Human Nature, our minds are ill-equipped to identify relationships between past and future experience; all we have is the appearance of events following each other.
As such, the list of PC games below is but a sputtering of alienated atoms across the endless instant of ineffability. My memory informs me that PC games were released last week, and there appear to be more being released this week, but to argue for some kind of causal ‘trend’ would be buffoonish – and you, my dear friend, are no buffoon, or you wouldn’t be even now writing a comment about why my reading of Humean skepticism is pretentious and incorrect. Onward!
**Exploring the Soundtrack of Adolescence in *Mixtape***
A particularly captivating element of coming-of-age narratives is their capacity to resonate with the shared experience of youth, especially the anxious navigation of intense emotions and significant life transitions. This storytelling genre frequently depicts adults reminiscing about their own adolescent awkwardness and the myriad ways they managed the chaos of growing up. The forthcoming game *Mixtape* encapsulates this theme with its distinctive premise: a teenage girl connects pivotal moments in her life to specific songs, underscoring music’s deep-seated influence as a backdrop to personal experiences.
*Mixtape* focuses on three high school friends—Stacy, Slater, and Cassandra—who share an essential night before setting off on their individual journeys after graduation. Each character harbors ambitious aspirations that are both optimistic and infused with the innocence typical of youth. Stacy acts as the narrator, choosing not to accompany her friends on a planned road trip to their college, instead opting to chase her dream of becoming a music supervisor in New York City. This choice lays the groundwork for a narrative interwoven with themes of friendship, transition, and the moments that shape one’s identity.
As Stacy gets ready for her last day with friends, she starts a quest to create a mixtape that narratively expresses their shared memories. Each selected song functions not just as a personal soundtrack but also as a symbolic link to collective experiences. This method introduces an engaging mechanic where players relive nostalgic events alongside the characters, appealing to anyone who has relied on music to commemorate life’s important milestones.
Stacy’s introduction of each track is infused with youthful enthusiasm and a hint of frustration that encapsulates the essence of teenage self-awareness. Her character, with a profound love for music, mirrors feelings voiced by many who seek comfort and clarity through melodies. For example, the writer draws on personal experiences with iconic musicians like Florence + The Machine, suggesting that music often intertwines with memories—highlighting both peaks and valleys in life.
The various episodes within *Mixtape* not only depict the trio’s escapades but also reveal the broader motif of self-mythologizing that adolescents frequently engage in as they handle the intensity of their feelings. Ordinary activities are transformed into meaningful life events, illustrating the exaggerated manner in which youthful experiences are often viewed. The backdrop of a small hometown further enhances this sensation, making every fleeting moment feel significant.
While the setting of *Mixtape* might seem limited against the expansive future awaiting the characters, this intimacy is vital. The game captures the essence of youth—everything appears monumental and significant at that stage. Music, in particular, serves as a lifeline connecting the characters to a realm beyond their upbringing, establishing ties to every memory that holds importance.
The gameplay of *Mixtape* mirrors the diverse nature of music itself, incorporating a broad range of mechanics. As players move through the characters’ homes gathering party supplies, they engage with flashbacks associated with different songs—each memory showcased through distinct mechanics that rejuvenate the experience. The game’s rhythm aligns with the music, leading players through various scenarios that amplify the emotional impact of the narrative.
The artistic design, inspired by a blend of nostalgia and modern aesthetics, resembles a playable animated film. While *Mixtape* indulges in some jovial humor characteristic of youth culture, its sincere investigation of the relationship between music and memory transcends these aspects, tapping into broader sentiments. As Stacy and her friends face the conclusion of their time together, their journey resonates with anyone aware that although high school may feel all-encompassing, life beyond those corridors is rich with promise and memories—each intricately linked to the songs that have accompanied those traversing through adolescence.
*Mixtape* holds the promise to not only encapsulate the dramatic volatility of youth but also to celebrate the lasting influence of music as it intertwines with the tapestry of memory—a testament that while life moves forward after high school, the enchanting tunes of our formative years will forever remain ingrained in our hearts.
Come on, you know you want to. This is what those who’re keen to play GTA 6 on PC around the same time it releases on console have been saying to Rockstar and Take-Two for years. It’s also now what the Bank of America are saying to the publisher’s boss Strauss Zelnick, as they try to convince him that putting the game’s price up to $80 would be good not only for the GTA makers, but the industry as a whole. As of right now, Zelnick seems totally unfussed by the former and might be considering the latter.
**Sony’s Purchase of Bungie: Metrics, Obstacles, and Future Consequences**
In the early part of 2022, Sony captured attention with its purchase of Bungie for $3.6 billion, a decision seen by many as a strategic enhancement for the PlayStation ecosystem, particularly with the upcoming launch of *Destiny 2*’s celebrated expansion. Fast forward to the conclusion of the 2025 fiscal year, and the repercussions of this acquisition are becoming clearer. Sony has recently disclosed a notable impairment expense of $560 million linked to Bungie’s intangible assets, indicating a challenging phase for the once-praised partnership.
The financial impact of the acquisition is stark; Sony revealed an accumulated deficit of nearly $765 million tied to Bungie for the fiscal year. Specific figures from the company highlighted impairment losses of 31.5 billion yen in Q2 and 88.6 billion yen in Q4, culminating in a total of 120.1 billion yen for the fiscal year, raising alarms regarding long-term viability and value creation from the investment.
A critical moment arrived with the launch of *Marathon* on March 5, 2025—Bungie’s inaugural new IP in over a decade. However, despite initial excitement, Sony has not disclosed specific sales data or player statistics for the extraction shooter, leaving analysts and fans wondering about its commercial success. Presently, it averages between 10,000 to 15,000 concurrent players on Steam, failing to make it into the top-10 most-played games across significant platforms. This marks a distinct contrast to the robust player engagement experienced with *Destiny 2*, which is also facing challenges, currently at its lowest point on Steam.
Adding to the instability, Bungie has undergone several rounds of layoffs since the acquisition, including the dismissal of its previous CEO, Pete Parsons. The ongoing nature of such layoffs raises concerns regarding the studio’s operational stability and its capability to keep up with market demands in the live service gaming sector. Fans and industry observers are closely watching for indications of further staff reductions amidst reports of Bungie’s high overhead costs and the dwindling prospects for its current major titles.
As Bungie seeks to revitalize *Marathon*, there are signs that the company is contemplating more casual-friendly game modes to broaden its player base. Nevertheless, without assertive marketing tactics from Sony, including possibly reducing the game’s $40 price or introducing promotional free trial weekends, achieving a notable improvement in player engagement may be difficult.
In summary, while Sony’s acquisition of Bungie intended to leverage the studio’s expertise and enhance its portfolio, the current scenario presents a series of obstacles that could impede the expected synergy. The forthcoming fiscal year will be pivotal for both Bungie and Sony as they address these challenges and aim to redefine their gaming strategies in an increasingly competitive landscape.
