Latest Gaming News

đź“…January 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM
AI and regulation dominate gaming, alongside major industry deals, hardware shifts, esports milestones, and evolving approaches to monetisation and labor.
1

Saudi investment talks raise governance concerns at EA and FIFA publisher

Electronic Arts is reportedly in talks over a major investment from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), sparking concern among players and some staff about human rights and influence over franchises like FIFA and The Sims.Source 3 EA has said its “values are unchanged” and that any deal would not affect its creative independence, but critics point to wider Saudi moves into sport and entertainment as cause for scrutiny.Source 3

2

Lawsuit claims Fortnite and Roblox design harms children’s brains

A new lawsuit filed in the US alleges that the design of **Fortnite** and **Roblox** is so immersive and manipulative that it has “structurally changed” a child’s brain, contributing to addiction-like behavior.Source 3 The case is part of a broader wave of legal and political scrutiny on dark patterns, loot boxes, and the mental health effects of popular online games on minors.Source 3

3

Major publishers harden stance against generative AI in games

Larian Studios, creator of Baldur’s Gate 3, used a Reddit AMA to reiterate a strict policy against using generative AI for writing or art in its projects, emphasizing human-led creativity.Source 3 Separately, Manor Lords publisher Hooded Horse said it is banning AI-generated assets across its portfolio and called such content “cancerous,” reflecting a growing backlash among high-profile studios and players against AI content pipelines.Source 3

4

AI VTuber breaks Twitch viewership records

An AI-powered VTuber recently broke a significant Twitch viewership record, drawing unprecedented concurrent viewers for a virtual streamer and highlighting how AI characters are reshaping live-streaming culture and monetisation models.Source 3 The milestone underscores the rapid fusion of gaming, streaming, and AI-driven personalities, raising new questions about authorship, labor, and parasocial relationships in digital entertainment.Source 3

5

Samsung warns RAM shortages could raise console and device prices

Samsung has warned that a global shortage and rising costs of DRAM could push up prices for TVs, PCs, and gaming devices that rely on large memory capacities.Source 3 If prolonged, higher component costs could impact next‑gen console SKUs, gaming laptops, and cloud gaming server infrastructure, potentially slowing hardware upgrades or prompting smaller memory configurations.Source 3

6

Rockstar’s labor dispute over fired GTA developer heads to court

Rockstar Games is facing a court battle with a union over the dismissal of a developer, a case that could set an important precedent for organized labor in AAA game studios.Source 3 The dispute comes amid broader unionization efforts in the games industry, as workers push for protections around crunch, layoffs, and return‑to‑office mandates at major publishers.Source 3

7

New GTA 6 delay rumors disputed by reporter

Rumors that **Grand Theft Auto 6** could be delayed beyond its previously communicated launch window were pushed back by a reporter who said a widely shared statement had been misconstrued.Source 3 While Rockstar has not formally updated its schedule, investor and fan anxiety over possible delays remains high given the game’s anticipated impact on Take‑Two’s revenues and the broader AAA release calendar.Source 3

8

Switch 2 Joy-Con design underwhelms early observers

Early looks at the new **Switch 2 Joy-Con** controllers suggest a conservative design update, with critics calling the changes “extremely underwhelming” given expectations for Nintendo’s next‑gen hardware.Source 3 Concerns focus on ergonomics and drift history, though Nintendo is betting that incremental refinement plus strong first‑party software will drive adoption.Source 3

9

Baldur’s Gate 3 director says Switch 2 port decision lies with Wizards of the Coast

Larian Studios’ Swen Vincke explained that the lack of a **Baldur’s Gate 3** version for Nintendo’s next‑generation Switch 2 was “not our decision,” indicating that licensing decisions rest with IP owner Wizards of the Coast.Source 6 The situation highlights how licensing and platform negotiations—not just hardware power—shape which marquee RPGs arrive on new consoles.Source 6

10

The Division 3 aims to be “a monster,” says executive producer

Ubisoft’s series executive producer said **The Division 3** is being built up “to be a monster,” signaling ambitious scope for the next entry in the looter‑shooter franchise.Source 3 The comment suggests a heavier live‑service and post‑launch content focus as Ubisoft continues to lean on established brands amid financial pressure and project cancellations.Source 3

11

PUBG: Blindspot spin‑off heading to Early Access

Krafton announced that **PUBG: Blindspot**, a new spin‑off in the PUBG universe, will enter Early Access next month, expanding the brand beyond traditional battle royale.Source 3 The title will test alternative modes and progression systems as the publisher seeks to maintain relevance against Apex Legends, Fortnite, and Call of Duty’s battle‑royale offerings.Source 3

12

Arc Raiders developers roll out stronger anti‑cheat measures

The team behind **Arc Raiders** has promised new, more aggressive anti‑cheating measures following player complaints, aiming to protect competitive integrity in the free‑to‑play shooter.Source 3 Enhanced detection tools and ban waves reflect how central robust security has become for sustaining live‑service communities and monetisation.Source 3