Intrepid Studios, developer of the crowdfunded MMORPG Ashes of Creation, effectively shut down at the end of January 2026 after a wave of senior resignations and mass layoffs, leaving the game's future in doubt. Former director of communications Margaret Krohn said in a LinkedIn statement published Feb. 3–4 that staff were issued WARN Act notices and that many laid-off employees have not received final paychecks, severance or accrued paid time off. Founder and creative director Steven Sharif resigned in late January, saying he could not ethically carry out board directives; multiple senior leaders then quit. Steam removed the game's purchase option in early February, though the website remains live selling cosmetics with notices that delivery may be delayed. A Discord user identifying as Karen L. Boreyko has claimed a “renewed long-term vision” for the title; reporting links a person of that name to past multi-level marketing ventures, raising community concern. Players and backers are seeking refunds, but eligibility for Kickstarter backers and Early Access buyers is unclear. Media reports also cite outstanding litigation and vendor claims against Intrepid, including a December suit seeking roughly $850,000 for unpaid cloud services.

Bloober Team, the Polish studio behind the Silent Hill 2 remake and Cronos: The New Dawn, has confirmed that a recent rose-themed teaser does not signal a remake of the controversial 2006 PS2 title Rule of Rose. The teaser — hosted at a cryptic URL and featuring a blood-dripping red rose, atmospheric audio and a countdown to mid-February — sparked widespread fan conjecture after being posted in late January. On Feb. 3 CEO Piotr Babieno responded on LinkedIn to coverage of the speculation, calling it a “nice guess” and saying the teaser “definitely doesn’t refer to any remake.” The clarification also appears to rule out expectations that the reveal might be the long-rumoured Born From A Wish DLC or another legacy remake. Bloober has several projects in development, including an announced remake of the first Silent Hill and other original IPs; a further studio reveal is due around Feb. 14–15. Rule of Rose, which has a cult following and a fraught release history, has attracted separate interest for re-release but — at least for now — not from Bloober Team.

Online social game Heartopia's Winter Frost Season is running the Onsen Egg Promise Treasure Hunt in early February 2026, adding a new cracked egg and a furniture bubble each day as limited-time collectibles. Each found egg grants five Wishing Stars and 300 Fashionwave Tokens, usable for event-limited furniture, clothing, emotes and vehicles. Players must be at least D.G. Member Level seven and have completed the beginner main story to access the event area on Onsen Mountain. Day 5 (Feb. 4) places a pale-lavender cracked egg on a roof near Massimo’s penguin cooking station — reachable via a long-jump from the Penguin Stove — and the snowman furniture bubble is on the brick steps of Art Street between the musical rainbow bridge and the white grand piano. Day 4 (Feb. 3) had its egg behind Blanc’s flower cart and the furniture bubble above a lamppost near Deer Tower. Earlier eggs were placed near the snow shelter stairs, on a snow moose’s head at the ice-rink entrance and on a railing by Naughty. The event features 16 daily eggs in total, accessible via the free Winder Utopia bus stop; players can also redeem active Heartopia codes for more rewards.

Video game publisher NetEase has denied claims that it closed a generative artificial intelligence research division or ordered its studios to stop using generative AI, after comments by game designer Goichi “Suda51” Suda. In an interview first reported by Eurogamer on Feb. 4, 2026, Suda51 said NetEase had folded a section that researched AI and told studios not to use AI in games. NetEase issued a rebuttal the same day, telling media the described situation “did not occur” and that it has not published any such policy. The company said it continues to work with AI technologies and pointed to a planned GDC presentation on AI used in Sword of Justice Mobile. Industry outlets also noted NetEase-published titles that incorporate AI elements and flagged the possibility of a misunderstanding or mistranslation underlying Suda51’s remarks. The exchange has circulated widely across gaming press and social platforms, prompting scrutiny about internal policy, public messaging and how studios communicate their use of generative tools.

Nintendo has quietly added two first‑party Game Boy classics — Yoshi and Balloon Kid — to its Nintendo Classics app on Switch Online, rolling out to subscribers on Feb. 3–4, 2026. Yoshi, a 1991 puzzle game developed by Game Freak, and 1990’s Balloon Kid, a side‑scrolling sequel to Balloon Fight, join the growing Game Boy/Color catalogue, bringing the Western total to 43 titles. Japanese Switch Online users receive a Game Boy Color variant (Balloon Fight GB) in place of Balloon Kid. The additions are accessible on both Switch and Switch 2 after updating the Game Boy: Nintendo Classics app and require a base Switch Online subscription. Nintendo also plans a Virtual Boy app launch on Feb. 17 (which needs the Expansion Pack subscription and a separate peripheral for Switch 2). The release coincides with renewed Yoshi visibility in marketing for the Super Mario Galaxy movie sequel and continues Nintendo’s staggered, region‑specific retro library updates.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa declined to outline any specific plans for The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary during the company’s early February 2026 earnings call, instead focusing on ongoing Super Mario Bros. 40th activities. Furukawa highlighted Mario-related initiatives — including the theatrical Super Mario Galaxy movie, new titles such as Mario Tennis Fever, Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Bellabel Park, and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book — and said there was “nothing we can share at this time” about celebrations for Zelda or Pokémon milestones. The Zelda franchise formally turns 40 on Feb. 21, 2026; Nintendo has previously released major entries including Tears of the Kingdom (2023) and a 2D title in 2024. A live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is slated for theatrical release in May 2027 with a subsequent streaming window reported for Netflix. Observers note remasters or collections are plausible nearer-term anniversary options, but Nintendo has given no public commitments to date.

Evercade maker Blaze Entertainment has announced it will bring the DOOM franchise to its cartridge-based retro consoles in 2026, marking a new physical release of the seminal id Software series. A short teaser was shared on social media on Feb. 4, 2026, to coincide with id Software’s 35th anniversary; Blaze said more details will follow later in the year. The partnership involved Blaze and IP holders under Xbox-owned ZeniMax/Bethesda, though no formal release date, preorder or precise track list has been confirmed. Observers expect at least the original Doom 1 and 2 to be included, and collectors hope for additional re-releases such as Doom 64 or enhanced legacy editions. The Evercade family (EXP-R, VS-R, Super Pocket and Alpha) targets collectors and retro fans with licensed cartridges from classic franchises; DOOM will join other Evercade licences like Tomb Raider and Duke Nukem. Blaze’s message referenced celebration of id’s milestone rather than technical specifics, leaving open whether ports will be straight emulation, remasters or expanded releases tied to recent entries (eg. 2025’s DOOM: Dark Ages).

Ubisoft has quietly canceled its long-awaited Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake as part of a broader organisational reset, a move that has reignited debate about the pressures of big-budget game development. The cancellation was announced in late January/early February 2026 and reportedly formed part of wider portfolio changes that shelved or delayed multiple projects and led to studio restructuring. The decision drew public sympathy from original Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner, who posted on Feb. 4 that having a project killed is “a brutal experience,” particularly for younger team members. An actor believed to have been cast, Eman Ayaz, said she lost years of work and filmed marketing as recently as November 2025. Compounding the shock, an unlisted unboxing video showing a collectible press-kit Dagger of Time — produced by Ubisoft in 2020 but never distributed externally, the company says — surfaced online, prompting speculation the remake was closer to release than previously thought. Ubisoft said the project could not reach the quality expected and reaffirmed it is not abandoning the franchise, while emphasising that continuing would require additional time and investment.

A voice actor’s online resume has intensified speculation that a new Xenoblade Chronicles release is planned for 2026. Caitlin Thorburn, credited as the voice of KOS-MOS in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, updated her Spotlight page to list a role in “Xenoblade Chronicles” for 2026. The listing was flagged by fan sites and subreddits and reported by gaming outlets; no confirmation has come from Nintendo or developer Monolith Soft. Observers say the credit could indicate a Definitive Edition remaster of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, a wholly new mainline sequel, a crossover Warriors-style title, or even a project tied to the related Xenosaga franchise, where KOS-MOS also appears. The note follows a recent trend of Nintendo and Monolith revisiting older Xenoblade entries — including Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (2020) and a recent Xenoblade Chronicles X remaster — and recalls that an actor previously revealed Xenoblade Chronicles 3 ahead of official announcement. A Nintendo Partner Direct scheduled shortly after the listings adds to the timing’s intrigue, but until an official reveal, details and platform targets remain speculative.

Wizards of the Coast this week announced a seven-part Dungeons & Dragons “Roll for Initiative” Secret Lair superdrop that includes two Baldur’s Gate 3–themed sets spotlighting Shadowheart and Gale. Each BG3 drop contains five reprinted cards; non-foil sets are priced at $29.99 and foil variants at $39.99. Wizards will offer bundles of all seven drops (reported bundles range roughly $199–$465) and a pre-queue opens about an hour before the public sale in early February (announcements cite Feb. 8–9 launch windows and Pacific Timequeueing). The Shadowheart set’s artwork includes a scene fans say echoes Wyll’s personal quest from Baldur’s Gate 3, prompting community debate about representation. The announcement comes amid wider backlash over Secret Lair’s limited-run model and recent “Prints Charming” listings that sold identical card drops at multiple different price points — a move Wizards acknowledged was experimental and widely criticised as price-testing and exploitative. The superdrop and the pricing experiment have reignited discussion about scarcity, monetisation and consumer trust in Magic’s direct-to-consumer drops.

Luc Couture, a senior designer who spent 24 years at Ubisoft Montreal and helped shape the Assassin’s Creed series, announced his departure in a LinkedIn post on Feb. 3, 2026. Couture began at Ubisoft in 2002 working on the Prince of Persia trilogy and later served as senior level designer and world level design director on multiple Assassin’s Creed entries, most recently on the forthcoming Assassin’s Creed Hexe. His credits also include work on Far Cry 4 and the Watch Dogs titles. Couture said he was "in need for some change" and will join a smaller studio staffed by other industry veterans. His exit comes amid a broad company restructuring at Ubisoft, reports of potential layoffs, employee strikes and mounting criticism of leadership — developments that have coincided with other high-profile departures and legal action from former franchise leads. While Ubisoft employs over 17,000 people globally, the loss of long-tenured designers such as Couture adds to concerns about institutional knowledge erosion at the publisher and the potential creative impact on its flagship franchises.

Yusuke Omura, a former Game Freak character designer, said on Feb. 4, 2026 that the Ultra Beasts introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon were created from previously rejected Pokémon concepts. In posts on X (Twitter), translated and circulated by media outlets, Omura said he deliberately used the very reasons Ken Sugimori — Game Freak’s long‑time art director — rejected earlier designs as the artistic basis for the extradimensional Ultra Beasts. Omura described the creatures as “a manifestation of my own resentment,” while stressing he does not harbour personal ill will toward Sugimori. The Ultra Beasts, introduced in 2016, have long divided fans for their alien, non‑Pokémon aesthetics; the games reflected that distinction in mechanics such as low catch rates and the Beast Ball. Omura left Game Freak in 2016 and now works freelance; his remarks coincide with the tenth anniversary of Sun and Moon and have been widely reported across gaming press outlets.

Blizzard will introduce Jetpack Cat, Fika, as part of a five‑hero content drop for Overwatch on Feb. 10, 2026. Officially a Support hero, Jetpack Cat is the game's first permanent‑flight character: she can fly freely, tether to allies to tow them around the map, and pick up or drop enemies into hazardous positions. Her kit combines healing and disruption — Biotic Pawjectiles heal allies and damage foes, Purr emits a healing pulse with knockback, Frenetic Flight boosts mobility, and an ultimate (Catnapper) can latch onto enemies. The character revives a decade‑old concept first revealed in 2017 and is voiced by veteran actor Jennifer Hale. Developers say the new hero reflects a design shift toward more unexpected, offbeat additions while keeping characters "grounded" in the game's lore. The arrival of Fika also fuels speculation that other long‑dormant concepts from Overwatch’s early development (such as the fan‑requested Mama Hong) could be revisited as Blizzard expands its 2026 story arc. The update is positioned as one of the franchise’s largest single hero releases and will influence gameplay, balance and seasonal content planning.

Blizzard used its Feb. 4 Spotlight to reposition Overwatch for 2026, dropping the “2” from the title and launching a rebooted seasonal structure that begins with Season One on Feb. 10. The company unveiled a year-long narrative arc called “Reign of Talon,” led by a new Vendetta cinematic that appears to maim (and possibly kill) Doomfist, and tied in-game events and map updates. Season One will launch with an unprecedented five-hero drop — tank Domina, DPS Anran and Emre, and supports Mizuki and Jetpack Cat — with five more heroes planned across the rest of the year. Blizzard also detailed gameplay and systems changes: hero sub-roles, perks, a major UI overhaul, Stadium mode updates (including a third-person option), a Hero Builder, competitive refreshes and new cosmetic plans, including a Sanrio (Hello Kitty) collaboration and Mythic skins. Loot boxes return in a non-paid form with visible odds, and Blizzard is running Twitch drops (a Zarya skin and an Epic loot box) during the showcase. The move is framed as a long-term “forever game” strategy that emphasizes annual, story-driven moments and heavier live-service support.

On Feb. 4, 2026 Build A Rocket Boy rolled out Update 7 for MindsEye, calling the patch “a reset for the brand and the title.” The extensive update targets the game’s poorly received summer 2025 launch by clarifying campaign objectives, improving NPC AI and animations, fixing numerous bugs, refining audio and UI, and adding better companion drone controls for PC. Deluxe-edition owners received a new Silva E-Series street-circuit racetrack in Redrock. The studio also teased an upcoming expansion and a multiplayer mode delivered through the game’s Arcadia system. CEO and CTO Mark Gerhard said the team has “listened” to feedback and is committed to steady improvements. MindsEye was widely panned at release (OpenCritic top critic avg ~33/100) and Sony issued refunds after the launch. The title’s troubled roll-out has been further complicated by reporting that game director Leslie Benzies’ name appears in recently released Jeffrey Epstein documents; Benzies denies allegations. Early commentary and community reaction will be watched as the studio seeks to repair the game’s reputation and commercial prospects.

Nintendo has confirmed a roughly 30-minute Partner Showcase livestream for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, that will focus on upcoming third-party games for the Nintendo Switch and the new Switch 2. The company published the event via its Nintendo Today app; the stream will air globally on Nintendo’s YouTube and Twitch channels and in the app (6:00 a.m. PST / 9:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. GMT). Nintendo said the presentation will feature titles from publishing and development partners rather than Nintendo’s first‑party slate. Media and fans expect updates or release windows for delayed Switch 2 ports such as Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, new material on FromSoftware’s Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods, and appearances from major partners including Capcom and Square Enix (Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, Monster Hunter entries, and other ports have been suggested). Outlets also anticipate indie and smaller third‑party announcements. Nintendo is continuing a run of themed livestreams this year, with a separate Pokémon Presents planned for Feb. 27 to mark Pokémon Day and the franchise’s 30th anniversary.

Square Enix’s Dragon Quest VII Reimagined launched in early February 2026, arriving on consoles and PC (including Steam) as a modern rework of the 2000 PlayStation classic and its 3DS remake. Developed by Square Enix with HexaDrive, the title replaces the original’s sprite-and-3D look with a handcrafted “diorama” visual style, introduces partial English and Japanese voice acting, and significantly trims the game’s famously slow opening and some scenarios to shorten total playtime to roughly 35–60 hours. Gameplay overhauls include the new Moonlighting vocation system that lets characters equip two jobs simultaneously, streamlined progression features (Career Sphere, quality-of-life shortcuts), and flexible difficulty and modifiers. Early critical response has been broadly positive — Metacritic sits in the low 80s and outlets praised the presentation and accessibility — though several reviews note a reduction in challenge that may disappoint series veterans. PlayStation trophy lists and guides indicate a 61-trophy structure with a comparatively achievable platinum, reflecting the title’s more approachable design.

Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja’s Nioh 3 is due to release on PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5 in early February 2026, with regional Steam countdowns and launch times listing February 5–6 for many territories. A free demo — available on PS5 and Steam — carries progress into the full game; PS5 supports preloading while Steam does not. The new instalment moves the series to an open-world structure, retains Soulslike combat, and adds dual playstyles and upgraded systems, with early hands-on reports praising performance (including 120 FPS on high-end PCs) and deep loot and exploration incentives. A PlayStation trailer includes fine print stating Nioh 3 will not be available on other consoles “for at least 6 months” after its February 6, 2026 release, implying a potential window for Xbox Series X/S and possibly Nintendo Switch 2 ports around August 2026. Publisher Koei Tecmo has not confirmed additional platforms or exact port timelines; rumours and industry observers suggest this could mark the first entry in the franchise to appear on non‑PlayStation consoles if ports proceed.

A content creator known as “Blurbs” has transformed Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 into a Pokémon-style, creature-catching RPG via a high-profile mod showcased in videos and developer streams this week. The modification lets protagonist Arthur Morgan capture and nickname wildlife using makeshift “Arthur balls,” build a party, and engage in turn-like trainer battles against NPCs — including members of the Van der Linde gang repurposed as gym leaders. Blurbs rebuilt core mechanics from scratch, created retro-style battle menus layered over RDR2’s realistic graphics, and implemented custom types, movesets and “legendary” beasts drawn from the game’s fauna. The mod was developed rapidly and relies on streaming software (OBS) for some UI and sound integration; the creator says a public release is planned after cleaning and simplifying the code. Blurbs also intends to avoid using original Pokémon music or assets to reduce intellectual-property risk, though he acknowledges potential legal scrutiny from rights holders. The work has been widely covered across gaming outlets since early February 2026.

Multiple reports from Feb. 2–4, 2026 indicate Blizzard is ramping up Diablo 4 content ahead of the Lord of Hatred expansion due April 28, 2026. Dataminers on the 2.6.0 PTR have surfaced concept art and filenames (reportedly including “2DUI_Expansion2_Info_Page_01_WarlockUpdate_0”) suggesting the expansion’s unrevealed second class may be a Warlock or a blood-themed fighter similar to Diablo Immortal’s Blood Knight; other theories point to a return of Witch Doctor-like mechanics. Blizzard has already made the Paladin available as a pre-order bonus. Separately, Season 12 (PTR Feb. 3–10; live from March 10 until the expansion launch) will introduce several systems and items: killstreaks (five tiers with XP and reputation bonuses), Bloodied gear and Sigils that raise endgame difficulty and rewards, a slate of general Uniques usable across multiple classes, and other endgame tweaks (Horadric Cube return, War Plans and the Echoing Hatred arena). Blizzard will present more Diablo news during a Feb. 11 showcase. Developers note Season 12 is a focused bridge to Lord of Hatred, designed to test new mechanics and broaden build diversity before the expansion arrives.