Gaming News Digest — July 10, 2026
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Top news
Palworld — Palworld leaves Early Access on July 10 with the massive 1.0 update, adding new Pals, regions, and tech. The patch notes exceeded Steam's character limit, and mods may break saves. The game remains $29.99 as a thank-you to 40 million players, with a 30% discount available until 8 PM MSK.
Avowed 2 — Avowed 2 has been cancelled as Obsidian pivots to a new Fallout led by Josh Sawyer, creator of New Vegas. Bloomberg reports 52 layoffs (about 25% of staff), though Avowed 2 may get a "re-presentation" later.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — The pirate legend returns rebuilt on the modern Anvil engine with ray tracing, dynamic duels, and environmental destruction. Despite a 32% positive Steam rating due to review bombing over early access for streamers, it smashed the franchise online record with 99K concurrent players.
Frostpunk 2 — Frostpunk 2 has sold over 1 million copies in a year and nine months, slower than the original. A June DLC added a story campaign and new buildings, and a 2027 remake of the first game is announced.
Genshin Impact 7.0 — Genshin Impact 7.0 on August 12 boosts graphics but may leave older GPUs behind. Minimum requirements remain Snapdragon 660/Helio G88, 4GB RAM, Android 10.
Escape from Tarkov — The new Expansion Center lets players customize PMCs with TarCoin, offering piece-by-piece gear purchases and auto-discounts on owned items.
Helldivers II — Helldivers II cracks down on cheaters farming super credits too fast, with a new system flagging suspicious activity. Honest players won't notice, but bot users and duplicators are punished.
CS2 Season 5 — CS2 Season 5 brings back Cache to the Active Duty pool and introduces directional C4 blasts that curve around obstacles. New collections Arabesque and Spy T are added to the Armory.
DOOM: The Dark Ages — The Revelations DLC drops the Slayer into purgatory with a new Chain Spear, fresh demons, and three arenas, plus an overhauled battle editor.
Subnautica 2 — Subnautica 2 hits 5 million copies in under two months and patch 1.1 adds a sonic resonator to stun hostile creatures, along with fauna behavior tweaks and more.
The Outlast Trials: Season 7 — Season 7: Project Boneyard launches July 14, bringing a new Trial environment, MK-Challenges, and a returning antagonist. Free for current owners.
Ubisoft Barcelona layoffs — Ubisoft Barcelona is laying off 51 employees despite the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. Staff are striking until July 16.
Bethesda layoffs fear — Bethesda staff fear mass layoffs will delay The Elder Scrolls VI, as over 50 veteran developers have left. Morale is wrecked, and delays are almost certain.
Fallout 3 Remake — Fallout 3 Remake is confirmed past the prototype stage with gameplay footage, expected in 2027 to coincide with the Fallout show's third season.
Marathon — Ex-lead Christopher Barrett settled his dispute with Sony and Bungie, restoring his name to the game's credits after being fired in 2024.
Dawn of War IV — A 16-minute gameplay showcase pits Necrons vs Adeptus Mechanicus. The game launches September 17 on PC with Space Marines and Orks, and first DLC in spring 2027.
Crimson Desert — Pearl Abyss brings Crimson Desert to gamescom 2026 with playable demos on 6K monitors, and confirms a Nintendo Switch 2 port.
Faker — Faker is now a global esports icon beyond League of Legends, with Riot fearing a future without him. He renewed his T1 contract through 2029 and is a co-owner.
David Gaider on Dragon Age — Former lead writer David Gaider says EA never understood Dragon Age, calling it an "unwanted child." He dreams of bringing the series back to its dark roots.
Perfect Dark pitch — Before layoffs, id Software pitched Xbox a Perfect Dark reboot and a John Wick-style shooter codenamed Fury, both rejected.
Majora's Mask HD leaks — Leaks hint at Majora's Mask HD and an Oracle revival, alongside the Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2.
Steam deals
Steam Discounts — Today's Steam deals include up to 90% off: Bendy and the Ink Machine, Dead Island 2 (-85%), Devil May Cry 5 (-80%), Kingdom Come: Deliverance (-75%), Euro Truck Simulator 2, and BioShock Infinite.
Epic — free & deals
Epic Games Discounts — Epic Games offers free Nova Lands (100% off) and discounts up to 95% on Rustic Farm Life, Hell Division, Euphoria: Supreme Mechanics, Family Man, and My name is Tang Sanzang.
Spotlight
Havoc Runner — On Saturn's moon Titan, the base computer "Tupan" launches a missile attack. Pilot the mechanical vehicle "Lampião" to disable defenses and stop the launch, facing killer robots and traps. Details
Will To Live Online Spanish EspAion — Will To Live Online is getting a Spanish fan translation by the EspAion team, an unofficial patch to fully localize the MMO. Details
ViiKONDO Army Men Toy Soldier Military Playset — Green vs tan figures clash in battle action with this toy soldier playset. Details
The Legacy: Prisoner Collector's Edition — Diana searches for a lost artifact in another world, rescuing a prisoner from an ancient temple. Features over 40 mini-games and puzzles. Details
Raptor: Call of The Shadows - 2015 Edition — A 90s arcade shooter returns with 27 missions, upgradable ship, epic boss battles, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack. Details
