PlayStation Focuses on Profitability and Live Service Strategy

To start off this week’s gaming news, Sony’s latest financial report revealed a 43% boost in operating income, reaching $2.8 billion. This growth came from increased software and add-on sales, primarily driven by third-party titles on the PlayStation Store. However, first-party game sales declined from 39.7 million to 28.9 million units year-over-year. The absence of a tentpole release like Spider-Man 2 was a major factor in this drop.

The PlayStation 5 sold 18.5 million units without a price cut—an impressive figure considering the console’s premium cost compared to the PS4. Tariff-related pricing concerns may trigger a US price increase, so players planning to pick up a PS5 for titles like GTA 6 might want to act soon.

Sony’s new direction centers on engagement and monthly active users (MAU). The goal is to prioritize time spent in the PlayStation ecosystem through devices like the PlayStation Portal. This could influence the scope of future exclusives, potentially extending playtime to align with live service expectations. Their own push into live service took a hit, though, with the departure of Haven Studios founder Jade Raymond. Her game Fairgames was delayed to spring 2026 and dropped the dollar sign from its title, suggesting a shift in focus.

Ubisoft Delays Multiple Projects After Star Wars Outlaws Fallout (Gaming News)

During its recent investor call, Ubisoft confirmed that several of its upcoming IPs have been delayed. The reception to Star Wars Outlaws caused the publisher to re-evaluate its release slate, giving teams more time for polish. This includes a 4-month delay to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which benefited from a smoother launch. Far Cry 7 is now expected in late 2026.

Other affected titles include the Splinter Cell remake, the upcoming Ghost Recon title with first-person gameplay, and additional Assassin’s Creed entries. Assassin’s Creed Hexe, being developed by the Valhalla team, is still expected to arrive during holiday 2026. Meanwhile, the Black Flag remake could move to early 2026.

Ubisoft also confirmed that Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake will release in early 2026, with possible reveals at Summer Game Fest or Gamescom. Plans for a new Division game in 2027 and more Assassin’s Creed RPGs are part of their 5-year roadmap. The company aims to reduce costs by $100 million over two years, potentially impacting support studios but stopping short of a full restructure.

Stellar Blade Expands on PC With New Features and Boss Content 

Stellar Blade’s PC version will feature uncapped frame rate support, ultrawide compatibility, and bonus content. A new boss fight against “Men” is being added to the Boss Challenge mode, rewarding players with the Royal Guard suit. Players can also unlock 25 new outfits, with the Crimson Wing available for free.

Despite being a console-first title, the game is now the second highest global seller on Steam. With modding on the horizon, interest is likely to grow even further once the PC release drops.

Delays and Rumors: Marvel 1943, Kingdom Hearts 4, and Rockstar Plans (Gaming News) 

Marvel 1943, led by Amy Hennig, has been delayed to early 2026. With no gameplay footage yet, the game may show up at The Game Awards in December. Meanwhile, Kingdom Hearts 4 remains elusive. Although new images were shared, key characters like Donald and Goofy are absent from Sora’s UI, hinting at a potential narrative split. A playable Mickey scene was also shown.

On the Rockstar side, CEO Strauss Zelnick reaffirmed that GTA 6 will release on its new target date. While skepticism remains, the set date is seen as more reliable than previous windows. Rumors suggest that GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption 2 may be getting re-releases. The latter is rumored to be coming to Switch 2, along with a long-awaited PS5 and Xbox Series patch.