Latest Gaming News
Widespread Gaming Outage Hits on Christmas Day Due to AWS and Epic Online Services Issues
Hundreds of popular games including Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rocket League, and ARC Raiders are down worldwide on December 25, 2025, ruining holiday gaming sessions. The outage stems from a major AWS issue and Epic Online Services (EOS) authentication failure, also affecting platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and EA during winter sales.
Millions of players reported problems via Downdetector, with developers working to resolve the server troubles.
Epic Games Store, Steam, and EA Platforms Experiencing Downtime Amid Outage
Major gaming stores like Epic Games Store, Steam, and EA are impacted by the ongoing outage, leading to login failures and performance issues. This coincides with holiday winter sales, causing significant revenue loss for platforms and developers.
Players are unable to access special in-game Christmas events in affected titles.
Final Fantasy XIV Bans Players for Real Money Trading on December 25
Square Enix has taken actions against in-game real money trading (RMT) and other illicit activities in Final Fantasy XIV, as these violate the Terms of Service. The crackdown aims to maintain game balance and fair play for all users.
This update was released specifically on December 25, 2025.
Brook Wingman FGC VX Game Converter Launches in the US with PS5/PS4/PC Support
Japan's top-selling game converter, Brook Wingman FGC VX, officially launches in the United States on December 24, 2025, after its July debut in Japan. EVO-approved for fighting games, it offers ultra-low latency, PS4 support, and plug-and-play compatibility for arcade controllers.
Priced at USD $71.99, it includes customizable features like turbo and macros via firmware updates.
Nintendo eShop New Year Sale Starts December 26 with Deep Discounts on Major Titles
Nintendo announces its eShop New Year Sale from December 26, 2025, to January 8, 2026, featuring discounts on games like Minecraft (25% off) and Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak (84% off). Other deals include Hollow Knight: Silksong (20% off), Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (40% off), and Super Robot Wars Y (20% off).
The sale celebrates the holiday season across regions like Singapore and Malaysia.
Steam Users Can Claim 3 Free Games Until End of December 25
Steam is offering three free games for users to claim before December 25, 2025, ends, providing a holiday giveaway amid the outage disruptions. This limited-time promotion allows players to add the titles to their libraries permanently.
Details on specific games are available via Steam's platform announcements.
Crypto Gaming Sector Faces Major Collapse in 2025 with Multiple Shutdowns
2025 marks the collapse of crypto gaming, with high-profile titles shutting down due to vanished venture capital funding. Experts note that funds raised in 2022 have run dry, leaving developers unemployed and player assets worthless.
Industry voices like Animoca Brands' Robby Yung highlight the drying VC investment in gaming.
Fortnite Among Thousands of Games Affected by Christmas Server Outage
Fortnite servers are down as part of the widespread outage, with thousands of player reports on social media and Downdetector. The timing disrupts special in-game holiday events during peak gaming hours.
Epic Games is impacted broadly, including its online services authentication.
Apex Legends and ARC Raiders Unplayable Due to Global Outage on Dec 25
Respawn's Apex Legends and Embark Studios' ARC Raiders are among major titles hit by the AWS-related outage, preventing logins worldwide. Players report issues loading games amid holiday excitement.
The disruption affects competitive and casual play alike.
Rocket League Servers Down, Impacting Holiday Matches
Psyonix's Rocket League is experiencing server issues from the broader outage, with widespread reports on December 25, 2025. This prevents multiplayer matches during Christmas festivities.
Platform stores like Epic, which hosts Rocket League, are also affected.
Mobile Game Development Trends Highlight Viral Hits in 2025
By 2025, mobile gaming has evolved into a hyper-competitive industry focusing on viral mechanics, technology, and player retention strategies. Development companies emphasize self-marketing hits through distribution and behavior insights.
This shift underscores ongoing innovation despite sector challenges.
Nintendo Switch 2 Editions and Updates Teased Amid Recent Releases
Recent Nintendo news references Switch 2 editions for titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, available from early December 2025. These updates coincide with sales preparations, boosting holiday interest.
Minecraft receives new content drops like Mounts of Mayhem.