Good Smile Company announced the party action game Hatsune Miku Starry Party, set to release on the Switch 2 and PC via Steam in 2027. The game will support English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.
The PC is a popular platform for gamers, and Windows 11 enhances this experience with features tailored for gaming. It includes an integrated Xbox app that connects with third-party game stores and Microsoft's gaming ecosystem. The Game Bar allows users to capture screenshots, record video clips, and interact with friends on Xbox Live. Xbox Mode optimizes resource usage for gaming but is not enabled by default. Windows 11 comes with pre-installed gaming features, including the Xbox app and Game Bar, which can be customized through the Settings app. Users can configure display settings, connect an Xbox Wireless Controller, and customize the Game Bar and its widgets. The Xbox app allows users to manage their game libraries, access Game Pass subscriptions, and stream games via Cloud Gaming. Microsoft offers various Xbox Game Pass subscription tiers for access to a library of games. Xbox Mode provides a full-screen, controller-optimized interface that enhances gaming performance.
Players in Meccha Chameleon control a featureless, white, blobby biped and use a color wheel to paint their bodies in real-time to blend into their surroundings. The game sold one million copies within four days of its release. The developer, lemorion_1224, announced this milestone on the Steam community blog and expressed gratitude to players. The game has gained popularity among streamers and YouTubers, and it supports public matches and streaming. Meccha Chameleon is a lobby-based PvP party game where players are divided into seekers and hiders, with seekers trying to locate all hiders before time runs out. The game features creative disguising techniques, such as blending into shadows or textures. It is priced at just under .
The seventh annual Summer Game Fest showcased upcoming titles for 2026 and beyond, featuring a two-hour presentation with trailers and gameplay reveals. Key announcements included:
- Resident Evil: Veronica - A remake of Resident Evil: Code Veronica set to launch in 2027 on Xbox and PC.
- Cuphead - Two new games: a sequel and an 8-bit arcade title called Mighty Cuphead Adventure.
- Alien Isolation 2 - Teased with a trailer; release date not announced.
- gen ATLAS - A mech-themed game from GenDesign.
- Blood Message - A single-player action-adventure game expected on PC and consoles.
- Stranger Than Heaven - Set for release on January 15, 2027, featuring Tupac as a character.
- HAEX - An open-world survival shooter for 1-4 players.
- Mortal Shell 2 - Open beta now available on Steam.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin - A game set in a future New York City.
- Gundam: Rogue Orbit - A new entry in the Gundam series.
- Crossfire - A stealth-action single-player adventure.
- Guild Wars 3 - Set to launch with a beta expected in 2027.
- Star Wars: Galactic Racer - Releasing on October 6, 2026.
- Virtua Fighter Crossroads - Announced for 2027.
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds - Launching on Xbox on September 15, 2026.
- 1666 Amsterdam - Entering Early Access in late 2026.
- SAW: Genesis - A multiplayer horror game.
- Star Wars: Zero Company - Releasing on August 27, 2026.
- The Blood of Dawnwalker - Launching on September 3.
- Among Us Story: On Guard - A story-driven spinoff available for wishlisting.
- Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance - Expansion set for 2027.
- Swords of Legends - An action RPG inspired by Soulsborne games.
- Clutch - An open-world racer expected in Spring 2027.
- Chronicles: Medieval - Entering Early Access later this year.
- Palworld - Fully launching on July 10.
- The Wolf Among Us 2 - Set for release in 2027, alongside a remaster of the original.
- Stellar Blade: Blood Rain - Sequel to Stellar Blade.
- Final Fantasy 7: Revelation - Launching in Spring 2027 on Xbox, PC, and PS5.
NetEase Games has launched a Windows version of its party game, Eggy Party, allowing for cross-platform account and data synchronization between mobile and PC. The PC version includes existing game modes such as Peak Party, Casual Party, and Eggy Farm, along with a new PC-exclusive map editor that enables users to create custom maps using keyboard-and-mouse controls. A Mac version of Eggy Party is also planned for future release.
Steam has released a selection of new free games available for download, including:
- Another Zombie Shooter: A real-time accuracy tracker rewards precision in this shooter game.
- Mulligan Keep: A cooperative deck-building dungeon crawler for up to four players.
- The Pinkman Files: A fast-paced, turn-based combat game with detective elements.
- Crown Chaos: A multiplayer party game focused on gaining points by controlling zones.
- Knockout Carnival: An online multiplayer party game with chaotic physics-based challenges.
- Laser Harp VR: A game where players organize a live show using a laser harp instrument.
- Divine Diner: A narrative game about a demigod seeking to find their godly father.
- ICR - Multiplayer Car Racing: An online multiplayer racing game with high-speed competition.
Hands Over is a new multiplayer horror party game currently in development for PC by Artdock. It reimagines childhood mini-games with a horror twist, offering a blend of fun and fear. The gameplay involves players facing various challenges, such as a mechanical jaw, while maintaining composure under pressure. Players can use influence cards to change game dynamics, disrupt opponents, shield themselves, or set traps. The game aims to evoke nostalgia while introducing elements of discomfort and tension among players. Hands Over is available for wishlisting on Steam.
PlayStation is shifting its strategy regarding PC gaming, confirming that narrative-driven single-player games will be exclusive to PlayStation consoles. Titles such as Ghost of Yotei, Saros, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and Marvel's Wolverine will not be released on PC, making a PS5 necessary for gamers wanting to experience these games. However, multiplayer-focused titles like Fairgames may still be released on PC. Over the past six years, PlayStation has released several popular titles on PC after a delay, but the effectiveness of this strategy is being questioned due to lower player numbers for some games compared to those with simultaneous releases on PC and PS5. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida has expressed concerns about the decision to limit PC releases, noting the revenue potential from delayed launches. Meanwhile, Xbox is also reconsidering its exclusivity strategy, with some titles confirmed for simultaneous launches on both Xbox and PlayStation.
Under CEO Asha Sharma, Xbox has reduced the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 and PC Game Pass from .99 to .99. The removal of day-one access to Call of Duty is part of this strategy, which aims to address consumer concerns and enhance the service's value. Microsoft reportedly faced a 0 million loss due to including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in Game Pass, prompting these price adjustments. Sharma's initiatives include a partnership with Discord, the introduction of Xbox Game Pass: Starter Edition, and plans for a Family Plan. The company is also focusing on improving the Xbox app for PC gaming and reevaluating its approach to exclusives. Frequent updates and player feedback will be prioritized as Xbox prepares for the next generation of consoles, referred to as Project Helix.