Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 rated in Singapore for all platforms
One of the worst-kept secrets this year has been that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 will be getting a remaster. Today, it was noticed by Kurakasis that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 has been rated in Singapore (IMDA) for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. According to the rating, the newest Tony Hawk remaster will be released in 2025. The teases for Pro Skater 3+4 started in Black Ops 6 where a new map teased a reveal for March 4, 2025. Shortly after that, an official countdown started on the Tony Hawk website for the same date and now Activision started sharing teases on its social media accounts. It has been almost five years since we saw the Tony Hawk Pro Skate 1+2 Remasters release on all modern platforms. The next set of Tony Hawk titles had been planned for a while but was briefly halted by Activision due to other projects. Which Tony Hawk games would you like to see be remastered?
New Report Reveals Warner Bros. Closure For Wonder Woman Developer Monolith Production, Player First Games, WB San Diego
The current attitude towards Warner Bros.’ handling of its IPs is certainly questionable with the direction for its gaming division. After the disappointment that was Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the publisher has went on to address it is re-evaluatng the attention to producing games. Although a “strategic asset”, the firm told that its focus lies on DC Comics, Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, and Game of Thrones moving forward. However, there has been some disappointing developments as of this year so far. 2025 has introduced the closure for Multiversus coming later this spring. Moreover, both The Flash & Constantine games were once considered internally at Warner Bros. Games. And, progress on Wonder Woman has essentially restarted since the initial announcement from 2021. According to a new development from Bloomberg, it is revealed that Warner Bros. is to shutter work on Wonder Woman. It is disclosed that studios are to also be closing its doors at Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. San Diego. Jason Schreier breaks the news via a post on BlueSky. Further in the thread, Schreier does elaborate on how Warner Bros. Games reached this outcome for its talent being laid off. “I see a lot of people responding to this news with complaints about David Zaslav, but it was president David Haddad who ran Warner Bros. Games for the last decade and who was responsible for overseeing all of the studios and their output. “By the time David Zaslav took over WB Discovery in April 2022, Monolith had already gone almost five years without shipping a game and lost almost its entire leadership team under Haddad’s management.” Haddad recently announced his departure from spearheading Warner Bros. video game effort in January. Amid this development, James Funn & Peter Safran did press both Rocksteady Studios and NetherRealm Studios have been approached to work on more comic book titles. You can read the full report by heading here. How shocked are you about this new development at Warner Bros. Games?
Playground Games Delays Fable To 2026
Mark the calendar this June will signify five years since the announcement of Playground Games’ Fable. Although the developer most recognized for its Forza Horizon titles, the developer has since been tasked with a proper reboot for the Lionhead Studios’ IP. Early on, it was learned that the title would be developed using ForzaTech – the same game-making suite to develop the racing games. Additionally, progress for the game has shown to be promising as the developer in 2023 confirmed that the project is already in a playable state. Of course, being showcased at the Xbox June presentation then, the game appears to be shaping well. And last year in 2024, Playground Games confirmed that Fable is to launch in 2025 finally putting a cork on the wait for the 2020 announcement years ago. However, as part of the Xbox Podcast this week, Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan shares that Fable will instead be releasing next year in 2026. There is no specifics on when Fable is to release beside the blanket year. You can watch the segment of the podcast in the video below: “So, I just want to start with really excited, really excited about progress, really excited where Playground are. We previously announced the date for Fable as 2025, we are actually going to give Fable more time and it’s going to ship in 2026 now. While I know that’s not maybe the news people want to hear, what I want to assure people of is that it’s definitely worth the wait. And I just, I have unequivocal confidence in the Playground team. “If you think about their history and legacy for Forza Horizon, the last two games critically acclaimed,” Duncan says. “Award-winning, beautiful, played great. And just what they’re bringing to Fable as a franchise, just think of the visuals of what you expect of Playground Games, plus amazing game play, British humor, Playground’s version of Albion, so inspired by what’s gone before with the franchise, but their take. And quite frankly, the most beautifully realized version of Albion you’ve ever seen. “So really excited about the plans and really excited about the future and I want the community to understand that we do these things for the best of the games, and the teams, and ultimately that results in the best games, or the best game for the community.” 2025 shows to be a well-rounded year for Xbox Game Studios as per its promise to release major titles this quarter. You can read the initial report by heading here. Are you shocked by this new update for Fable? Fable is to ship sometime in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S & PC. Source: Xbox Wire
Dune Awakening Arrives To PC This May
Dune as a franchise among video games has not received the proper AAA treatment that it deserves with how rich the novels and more recently the films have illustrated. Dune: Spice Wars while an expansive RTS does not scratch that itch. And with DLCs in both Call of Duty & Microsoft Flight Simulator, fans do expect more for the series. However, Funcom is answering that cry. Previously at PAX East 2024, Rectify Gaming got a first look at the upcoming Dune Awakening and it certainly is something to be excited about! “This game has a lot of similarities to the Dune films so fans of it can relate to the intro where the player gets tested by Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam. What we were shown was a beta version of Dune Awakening and the cinematics already looked very impressive. […] Based on what we saw this game looks to be very promising as an MMO and we look forward to hearing more about it.” Recently, Funcom has publicly announced Dune Awakening is officially releasing this May. PC is the only platform for Dune Awakening currently, but consoles has certainly been a consideration later on. You can watch the release date trailer in the video below: “Begin your journey now by downloading the full Character Creator & Benchmark Mode here. Hit the sand running at launch by fully crafting your character now and receiving a redeemable code for the exclusive Frameblade knife skin,” Funcom shares. Those that pre-order Dune Awakening will also receive the Terrarium of Muad’Dib to home the fictional desert mouse. It continues: “Launch the benchmark sequence to test your PC performance and adjust your graphics settings to find the optimal balance for you. The fly-through sequence takes you from a player-built base in the desert to Harko Village, the brooding, bustling Harkonnen player hub, finally concluding with a close encounter with a colossal sandworm.” Are you excited for Dune Awakening? Dune Awakening launches May 20, 2025 for PC. Source: Funcom
Analyst Reveals PlayStation 5 Pro Performance Has Already Fallen Behind PlayStation 4 Pro
PlayStation 5 engagement remains to be one of the leading platforms this generation. This month, Sony Interactive Entertainment confirmed that PlayStation 5 has already sold more than 75 million units. A milestone in itself as it remains to be a steadier seller than Xbox & Nintendo currently. Not to mention the firm also shipping the PlayStation 5 Pro this past holiday as well. While bombastic in pricing, analysts blame the lack of competition for that. And certainly, it can play a large role in how the hardware will compare to the previous PlayStation 4 Pro. In October, select markets imposed specific rules to purchase the hardware as well which resulted in continued availability for the PlayStation 5 Pro. In a post thread on BlueSky, NPD analyst Mat Piscatella shared that the PlayStation 5 Pro has since then been overtaken by prior performance of the PlayStation 4 Pro. And, the digital models for PlayStation is about half while Xbox Series X|S is approximately 88 percent. “January video game hardware spending dropped 45% when compared to a year ago, to $205 million. This is the lowest January total for video game hardware spending since the $131 million reached in January 2020,” he shares elsewhere in the thread. “Double-digit percentage declines compared to a year ago were seen across all major console platforms. PlayStation 5 hardware spending dipped by 38% year-on-year, with Xbox Series declining by 50% and Switch 53%.” Certainly, Sony was not looking to gain next-generation momentum for the PlayStation 5 Pro. But to track behind preceding hardware is a disappointment. In one statement, Hideaki Nishino to Variety did press that players should tame expectations on the power draw for the PlayStation 5 Pro. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you surprised how the PlayStation 5 Pro has performed so far?
Dave Bautista Grows Frustrated On Slow Development For Gears Of War Movie, Interview Shares
With development going as long as the Halo show – which has just been canceled this past year – Gears of War is still at a standstill in its development. Originally announced in 2016, Universal Pictures received the rights to produce. However, the project was then handed to Netflix later in 2022. There has been no updates on the state of the production. But, actor Dave Bautista has remained vocal on his interest in the film. In one interview, he expressed enough interest to overlook casting for Fast & Furious to potentially star in the Gears of War movie. While Bautista has also shared to be unsure of his addition to the cast, he is a major fan of the franchise. With the launch of Gears 5 for Xbox Series X|S, a skin pack starring the former WWE Superstar was added to the game. A new interview with Comicbook.com shares Bautista’s current viewpoint on the state of the film, and he is certainly impatient. Speaking with the outlet, Bautista explains his frustration with how little has been announced nor true understanding on the state of the film overall. “Start an online thing about freaking Gears of War. Come on, Netflix. Come on already. It’s not like I’m not badgering them. Come on, Netflix. Get it together,” he added on himself even press Netflix on the film. In the past, director Zack Snyder (Rebel Moon) has shared interest into taking on the film. Especially with his ties at Netflix and even casted Bautista in a few of his own films, it could be the best option to really materialize the picture. Even more, creator Cliff Bleszinski does approve of the idea for Zack Snyder to direct the film as well. You can read the full report by heading here. Do you hope the Gears of War film will be made? Source: ComicBook.com
Rocksteady Studios, NetherRealm Studios In Discussion To Make More DC Games According To Warner Bros.
Although the glowing response of Hogwarts Legacy in 2023 ended with it outperforming Call of Duty that year, Warner Bros. Games remains in a sour spot since the start of 2024. With the launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and reported about $200 million in losses, the future for the firm did not look so bright. To offer a better understanding, it did emphasize on select IPs – Harry Potter, DC Comics, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones – to be the focus for its gaming division. So far, 2025 has been no better. Previously, it was announced that Multiversus is to face the end of its support later this spring. Not only that, but more reports on games for its library were also canned/restated. From Bloomberg, both a Flash game & Constantine title were in development before being canceled & rejected respectively. Also, Wonder Woman has also been rebooted internally as Monolith Productions refocuses the direction of the project. In a better light, James Gunn & Peter Safran does press on the current state of gaming for the DCU. Part of an interview with ComicBook.com, Gunn does elaborate that more games are on the way and that both Rocksteady Studios & NetherRealm Studios are being talked to on new projects. “We work incredibly closely with JB Perrette who runs that division. It’s really the first time its ever been this way at Warner Bros. James and I sit with the guys that run the studios under JB whether it’s NetherRealm or Rocksteady. We sit with them and we talk about characters and stories that we’re interested in and that they’re interested in,” Safran tells. Gunn added: “We see designs for the projects in their very earliest stages. We talk about those, we talk about what the story might be and we’ll say ‘Well, you maybe you want to go this way because we’re planning on maybe doing something with this character.’” As per the recent Bloomberg report, it does also understand that Batman for Rocksteady Studios is already being conceptualized. As for the Arkhamverse overall, Gunn has spoke on the matter. In 2023, he told that the universe is not finished with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – before learning the outcome of the game. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you interested to see more DC Comics games? Source: ComicBook.com
Balatro ‘Friends of Jimbo (Pack 4)’ update brings new collaborations
Publisher Playstack and developer LocalThunk had a busy Monday as they announced Balatro has officially joined Xbox Game Pass. They also shared the popular indie game received a new free update that brought new collaborations with iconic franchises. In Balatro Friends of Jimbo (Pack 4) there are new card skins inspired by fan-favorite characters such as Vault Boy from Fallout, Ezio from Assassin’s Creed, and other characters from Bugsnax, Rust, Dead by Daylight, Slay the Princess, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, and Critical Role. The newest update for Balatro is available as a free update across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, iOS, and Android. In December, LocalThunk announced that Balatro sold over 3.5 million units within its first year of release. That number has likely risen and with it being available on Game Pass the player numbers are expected to go up even more.
Call of Duty Steam page confirms some content is AI generated
As of late, we have been starting to see major companies like Microsoft begin using AI tools for future game development. The company recently revealed Muse which will assist in game creation and legacy preservation. After a few months of speculation, Activision revealed on Call of Duty’s Steam page that it uses AI for some of its in-game content. The Steam page for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 says the following: The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this: Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets. This was first noticed by CharlieIntel and according to SteamDB, this disclosure was added on January 27. A couple of months ago there was a lot of talk about Call of Duty using AI for one of its loading screen images as seen below: All developers must now disclose their use of generative AI on Steam as required by its terms. The disclosure on the game listings doesn’t get into too much detail but obviously it’s not that hard to tell what could be AI-generated from video game covers to in-game images and assets. What do you think of AI being involved with game development?
Anna Williams comes to Tekken 8 on April 3
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced early this morning the first character as part of the Tekken 8 Season 2 Character & Stage Pass. Anna Williams will be joining Tekken 8 starting March 31 for Early Access and the official release will be April 3. The Early Access for Anna Williams will only be available for one day, ending on April 1. However, she will be playable full-time just a couple of days later. The latest gameplay trailer’s description says, “Beautiful, deadly, and back with a vengeance. Anna Williams, the Scarlet Lightning, will make you see red in Tekken 8.” There will be more to come in Tekken 8 Season 2, which includes two new stages and three other fighters to be announced in the Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Anna Williams unsurprisingly makes another appearance in a Tekken title, as she was in the starting lineup in Tekken 6 and was also a DLC fighter in Tekken 7. In other Tekken 8 news, the fighting game has sold over 3 million units across all available platforms. The last fighter that came to Tekken was Clive Rosfield from Final Fantasy XVI.
