Summer Game Fest Archives

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

As Dead by Daylight turns 10, Behavior unveils game-changing overhaul that will “make the next ten better than the first”

Dead by Daylight has evolved over ten years from a lineup of three characters to 43, including iconic horror figures. The game has expanded into comic books, spin-offs, and music. Executive Producer José Ramos confirmed there will not be a Dead by Daylight 2, focusing instead on evolving the existing game. A significant visual update is planned for 2027, enhancing character animations, environments, and audio. New creative modding capabilities and prototypes for new game modes, including a 1v1 experience and a zombie mode, are in development. The anniversary event will introduce a new survivor, Shane Wiigwaas, the first Indigenous character, and improvements to voiceovers for existing survivors. A new zone related to Dwight Fairfield's backstory will be added, and upcoming content includes new horror icons and collaborations with various franchises.

Winsage

June 15, 2026

Should Xbox CEOs have term limits, and did this week show why the question matters?

Microsoft's Xbox division is facing significant challenges, including a margin crisis and the need for substantial organizational changes, as stated by the head of Xbox. The company is preparing for significant layoffs and budget cuts while emphasizing its commitment to console gaming despite the evolving landscape. Xbox is struggling to articulate its value to potential players and is dealing with the impact of rising RAM prices and recent game failures. Phil Spencer, the CEO, has been instrumental in revitalizing the brand but is also associated with the current difficulties, raising questions about leadership transitions in the future.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2

Mojang is developing Minecraft Dungeons 2, a sequel that enhances the original game's mechanics and introduces an interconnected world for exploration. The game features multiplayer cooperative play for up to four players, improved matchmaking, and full cross-platform play at launch. New gameplay elements include a mini-inventory for loadout adjustments, the ability to jump and execute jump attacks, and a guiding line for navigation. Character customization has been expanded, allowing armor categorization by body parts and the introduction of Talismans, which provide passive abilities. The game includes a new Deep Dark biome with visual enhancements and a challenging boss encounter, the Twisted Warden. Minecraft Dungeons 2 is set to release on September 29th for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

I was big into Clutch’s mix of story and racing styles, but the driving’s a lot simmier than I expected

Clutch is a cinematic open world action-driving game set in Monaco, where professional and underground street racing collide. It has sold over six million copies shortly after its release, making it the only racing franchise with sales comparable to major third-person action titles. The game features a narrative that follows siblings Theo and Cass Martial in the R1K racing league, incorporating fully motion-captured actors, cutscenes, and an expansive open world. Players engage in dynamic scenarios, including police chases and street racing with the Midnight Collective, where they can earn money for new cars and perform viewer-requested stunts. Clutch aims to blend narrative with gameplay, offering a vibrant experience that encourages player investment in the characters and their journeys.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II Is Rebuilding The Structure While Adding So Much More

At the Summer Game Fest, Xbox announced Minecraft Dungeons II, a sequel to the 2021 game. The sequel features a vast interconnected world for exploration, new biomes, and a feature called Guiding Light to assist players in navigating. It supports up to four players in cooperative play with options for couch co-op and online multiplayer, including matchmaking and crossplay. Quality-of-life improvements allow inventory access without pausing and teleportation between players. Combat has evolved with new movement abilities and mechanics, and loot distribution ensures fairness, with each player receiving unique drops. The game will launch on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, and will be available on day one through Xbox Game Pass.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Once again players are right to suspect AI was used in a game, once again a dev apologizes for using AI in their game

1666: Amsterdam, a game led by Patrice Desilets, generated excitement during the Summer Game Fest with a narrative teaser featuring themes of witches and the supernatural. However, it was revealed that some visuals were created using artificial intelligence, leading to scrutiny from the gaming community. The studio, Panache, acknowledged this in a Reddit statement, confirming that some marketing and game assets utilized generative AI and that they are reviewing these assets. They assured players that the Early Access and full game will not include AI-generated assets. This incident highlights a trend in the gaming industry regarding the use of AI in development.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

The Fable reboot won’t have horns and haloes because of its ‘nuanced and complex’ take on morality, and also because you’re going to constantly reinvent yourself

The upcoming reboot of Fable by Playground Games will feature a nuanced and complex approach to morality, moving away from the traditional binary of good and evil. Characters in the game will have their own unique moral frameworks, leading to diverse interpretations of player actions. The game will not have a single visual representation of morality, allowing players to craft their hero's identity anew with each settlement visited. This design philosophy emphasizes the fluidity of identity and personal exploration, rather than a fixed reputation system.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

18 embargoes from Summer Game Fest just lifted, so let’s rank everything I saw in LA

Morgan Park attended a recent gaming showcase featuring various titles with mixed reactions from attendees. Grave Seasons had a demo focused on introducing townsfolk and watering seeds, with a plot twist involving a murderer left unexplored. Resident Evil: Veronica was presented in a Capcom theater segment that included a Q&A with producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, but offered little new information. Join Us combined management sim and third-person shooter mechanics, allowing players to expand a cult's influence while fending off a gang. Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 aimed for a Left 4 Dead-style co-op experience, but early impressions noted a lack of excitement in shooting mechanics. Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game impressed with its faithful recreation of the Nickelodeon show's aesthetic and attention to detail in character movesets. Gears of War: E-Day showcased visual engagement but revealed little about gameplay evolution, confirming a shift to 4v4 PvP modes. Bad Magpie featured whimsical chaos-driven gameplay, allowing players to disrupt a soccer match among mice. The Wolf Among Us 2 demonstrated smoother animations and an immersive experience through Unreal 5 and motion capture. Spyro: A Realm Beyond hinted at new gameplay mechanics, including an innovative flight system. Blood Message offered a grounded action gameplay experience set in the late Tang dynasty, blending stealth and combat. Stupid Never Dies featured a zombie protagonist who absorbs enemy powers in a roguelite format. Fable highlighted an intricate social sandbox system with various activities, though some interactions felt mechanical. Onimusha: Way of the Sword showcased exceptional combat mechanics, while N+ Infinity Times Two provided an exciting multiplayer platforming experience, particularly in its Tag mode.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Nintendo’s latest Direct has a lion’s share of exciting Xbox and PC games reveals

Sora, Donald, and Goofy return in Kingdom Hearts 4, set in the city of Quadratum, with a release planned for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Kingdom Hearts Collection [I ~ III] will be released on October 8, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2. Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen will launch on October 9, 2026, introducing a new region and challenges. Final Fantasy Resonance, featuring an HD-2D art style, is set for release on October 22, 2026. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World will be available on December 3, 2026. Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble: Survivaton is expected in 2026, while Atelier Karia: The Kingdom of Night and the Signpost of Reminiscence is slated for early 2027. Tales of Eternia Remastered will launch on October 16, 2026.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Guild Wars 3 won’t have a ‘battle pass fee buried in it’, says studio head: ‘We’re not gonna hold their time hostage’

Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) have integrated live service features like seasonal content and battle passes, with varying outcomes. World of Warcraft has successfully implemented a free battle pass-like system through its Trading Post, enhancing player engagement. In contrast, Guild Wars 2's studio head Colin Johanson has stated that Guild Wars 3 will avoid a battle pass model, aiming for a more balanced player engagement. He noted that contemporary battle passes resemble subscription services and expressed concerns about overwhelming players, while also recognizing the issues with minimal rewards in games. The contrasting approaches of these titles illustrate the challenge developers face in balancing monetization and player satisfaction.