Latest Gaming News
Xbox Developer Direct 2026 Showcase Date and Lineup Announced
Microsoft has confirmed the **Xbox Developer Direct 2026** showcase will be held on January 22 at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT. The show will feature extended looks at **Fable**, debut gameplay for **Forza Horizon 6**, and an in‑depth reveal of **Beast of Reincarnation** from Game Freak, all slated to arrive within the next 12 months.
Ubisoft Shutters Halifax Studio, Union Demands Answers
Ubisoft has **closed its Halifax studio in Canada**, prompting CWA Canada to seek explanations from the company’s lawyers about the decision and its impact on staff. The closure is part of wider restructuring at Ubisoft and has raised fresh questions about employment stability and transparency in major AAA publishers.
GameStop’s EB Games Reportedly Planning to Close All New Zealand Stores
A new report indicates that **GameStop‑owned EB Games is proposing to close all its retail stores in New Zealand**, further shrinking the company’s global brick‑and‑mortar footprint. The move reflects ongoing pressure on physical game retail as digital distribution and online storefronts continue to dominate sales channels.
Kinetic Games (Phasmophobia Dev) Launches Indie Publishing Label
Kinetic Games, best known for **Phasmophobia**, has launched a new **indie publishing label** to support smaller developers. The initiative aims to leverage Kinetic’s experience in horror and live‑ops to help indies with funding, marketing, and production in an increasingly competitive market.
Ghost of Yotei and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Lead 2026 DICE Awards Nominations
**Ghost of Yotei** and **Clair Obscur: Expedition 33** headline the **2026 DICE Awards nominations**, emerging as key critical favorites this awards season. Their strong showing underscores continued industry appetite for ambitious, stylized action‑adventure and RPG experiences from both major and mid‑sized studios.
Global Game Jam on Track to Surpass 500,000 Lifetime Participants
The **Global Game Jam** is expected to exceed **500,000 lifetime participants in 2026**, marking a major milestone for the worldwide creation event. Organizers highlight its role in fostering experimentation, networking, and rapid prototyping for both aspiring and professional game developers.
Mobile Hybrid‑Casual Hit Pixel Flow Secures Seven‑Figure Investment
Fast‑growing hybrid‑casual puzzle title **Pixel Flow** has secured a **seven‑figure investment**, signaling continued investor enthusiasm for mobile puzzle and hybrid‑casual games. The funding is aimed at scaling user acquisition and live‑ops, as hybrid‑casual blends accessible gameplay with deeper monetization and retention loops.
Hacksaw Gaming and bet365 Expand iGaming Partnership into Pennsylvania
**Hacksaw Gaming** has expanded its partnership with **bet365** by launching its titles in **Pennsylvania**, a major regulated U.S. iGaming market. Players in the state can now access Hacksaw’s signature games such as *Wanted Dead or a Wild*, *Le Bandit*, *Stormforged*, and *Densho* via bet365’s platform, supported by Light & Wonder.
US States Advance New Video Gaming and Lottery Terminal Legislation for 2026
**Missouri, Indiana, and Mississippi** have introduced **2026 bills** targeting video gaming and lottery terminals (VGTs), aiming to regulate markets and counter illicit operations. Missouri’s proposal focuses on tackling the black market, while the broader legislative push could reshape revenue streams and compliance obligations for operators and suppliers.
Casino Industry Eyes Texas and Georgia as Next Growth Targets
With major projects in **New York and Chicago** now decided, operators are looking to **Texas and Georgia** among the next frontiers for casino expansion in and beyond 2026. These markets are seen as high‑potential but politically complex, with debates over legalization, taxation, and social impact shaping where new gaming resorts may emerge.