Live Feed

Latest news

• SimCity 2000-style scenes: Miles Buckle turns films into imaginary retro games

  Eurogamer reports Miles Buckle uses SimCity 2000 and other retro game aesthetics to recreate film moments as entirely imaginary video‑game clips on his Instagram. The feature cites examples including The Shining's "here's Johnny" scene rendered in a The Sims 2‑like style, the Twin Peaks opening reimagined through SimCity 2000 orthographic experiments, and a low‑poly Peter Finch performing the monologue from Network. Eurogamer describes the feed as a window into nostalgia and fiction and says these short clips produce perfect fever‑dreams that "can't and won't exist" outside the clips. The feature was published by Eurogamer on Sept. 13, 2026 and written by Alexis Ong.

• Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call featured in Nintendo Life Box Art Brawl

  Nintendo Life's Box Art Brawl this week pits the two regional covers of Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call (also known as The Last Specter). The feature says there are just two covers to choose between and is presented as part of a celebration of The New World of Steam finally getting a release date. Nintendo Life describes the game as the first entry in the series' prequel trilogy, introducing Emmy alongside Layton and Luke as they investigate spooky goings-on in the town of Misthallery. The site adds this was the last Layton title to use the series' classic 2D visuals, with later 3DS and Switch releases moving to three-dimensional presentation.

• Polygon lists five action shows streaming free on Pluto TV, Tubi and Roku

  Polygon reported that five near‑perfect action shows are available to stream for free on Pluto TV, Tubi and Roku. The article contrasted those free offerings with higher‑profile series such as Prime Video’s The Boys, Reacher and Daredevil, which Polygon said require paid subscriptions. Polygon described the recommended free titles as featuring kinetic choreography and visceral action that inject excitement between quieter moments. The piece framed the list as options for viewers looking to watch action series without a paid subscription.

• Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave file size estimated at 29.5GB

  Nintendo Life reports Nintendo's Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is listed on the Nintendo eShop with an estimated file size of 29.5GB for the Switch 2. The eShop listing also identifies the game as a Switch 2 exclusive set in the Dagdan Empire and shows a launch date of 17 September 2026. Nintendo Life notes that day-one and post-launch updates for first-party titles can change final file sizes. For comparison, Nintendo Life gives file sizes of about 11.5GB for Fire Emblem: Three Houses and 16.5GB for Fire Emblem Engage on the original Switch.

• Lee and Andrew Child to release new Jack Reacher novel in October as season 4 ends

  Polygon reports Lee and Andrew Child will publish a new Jack Reacher novel in October, marking the character’s return in print rather than on television. The news arrives as Prime Video’s Reacher season 4 nears its conclusion. Polygon also says a Reacher spin-off is in development and that the TV series has established the character as a reliable action lead. The provided excerpt does not include the novel’s title, plot, or an exact release date.

• Street Fighter 6 at UFA 2026: CPT Premier featuring Tokido, Leshar, Blaz

  Esports.gg reports Street Fighter 6 was the biggest title at Ultimate Fighting Arena 2026, a CPT Premier event held in Paris, France from Sept. 11–13 and featuring players such as Tokido, Leshar, and Blaz. The outlet says its coverage includes the live stream (on the official Capcom Fighters YouTube channel), the full schedule, and broadcast talent listings. Esports.gg also documents event formats like the SF6 Beast Cup Arena 3v3 team matches and provides top-bracket results and a character-pick breakdown. Readers are pointed to Esports.gg’s UFA 2026 guide for watching the tournament and for full results and participant information.

• Counter-Strike 2 FISSURE Playground #3 sees G2 vs Legacy in grand final

  Esports.gg reports G2 and Legacy faced each other in the grand final of the Counter-Strike 2 FISSURE Playground #3, held Sept. 8–13 in Suzhou, China. The tournament featured 16 teams and used a group stage (Sept. 8–10) followed by single-elimination playoffs (Sept. 11–13). Esports.gg says the event was postponed from April and revived through a new partnership with GGMEDIA, a move that delayed two other tournaments run by the same organizer. The article lists top entrants including G2, FURIA, Legacy and FaZe and notes the grand final was streamed on Kick’s fissure_cs_a channel.

• Beneath a Steel Sky reviewed as a must-buy for serious adventure fans

  PC Gamer called Revolution Software's 1994 point-and-click game Beneath a Steel Sky "a must-buy for all serious adventure fans." The review reports that comics artist Dave Gibbons supplied the dystopian cityscape, character designs, and part of the story after a planned Watchmen game fell through. PC Gamer says the game's art is its most convincing aspect and suggested it made the reviewer question the need for 3D graphics, while also noting the title's puzzles align with traditional adventure-game design. The review situates Beneath a Steel Sky alongside Revolution Software's other adventure titles such as Lure of the Temptress and the Broken Sword series.

• GTA 6 seems set to reinvent car-stealing gameplay, Polygon reports

  Polygon reports that GTA 6 appears poised to reinvent car-stealing gameplay. Polygon writer Jen Glennon links this possibility to material shown in "Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look," which premiered on Netflix on Aug. 27. The article emphasizes that vehicle theft is a defining feature of the Grand Theft Auto series and says the newest installment "seems like it's about to revolutionize" that core experience. Glennon also says rewatching the Extended Look produced additional observations about the game.

• Twin Peaks now free to stream on Pluto TV

  Polygon reports Twin Peaks is now available free on Pluto TV. Polygon calls the series the greatest detective thriller and highlights its original blend of small‑town life with strange, genre elements. The report notes Twin Peaks was developed by David Lynch and Mark Frost, began in the 1990s, and officially ended in 2017. Polygon also connects the show’s approach to later series such as Widow’s Bay, Stranger Things and The X‑Files.

• Anime Astral Simulator on Roblox: codes grant over 500 free-to-play tickets

  GameRant reports that Anime Astral Simulator on Roblox has redeemable codes that can provide players with over 500 free-to-play (F2P) tickets. The GameRant guide by Tom Bowen describes the title as an anime-inspired Roblox game with a robust combat system, multiple themed worlds, and a variety of game modes. GameRant's article includes a 'How to Redeem Codes' section and a link to the official Anime Astral Simulator Discord server. The piece was updated Sep 13, 2026, and notes the game has amassed more than 80 million visits.

• Stranger Things returns to Netflix with 10 new episodes

  Polygon reported Stranger Things officially returns to Netflix this week with 10 new episodes. Polygon said the show's core cast — the D&D-playing kids known as "The Party" — will be back. Polygon noted the series premiered in 2016, concluded with a series finale at the end of last year, and that its 1980s Stephen King/Spielberg-style vibe was a major draw.

• Peanuts' Sally Brown quote remains iconic 63 years later

  Polygon reports that a line by Peanuts character Sally Brown is still considered an iconic comic-strip line 63 years after it first appeared. The feature, written by Thomas Hindmarch, surveys notable lines from Charles Schulz's Peanuts and highlights Sally's anti-school stance. The piece references appearances such as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) and places Sally's line amid the strip's recurring focus on Charlie Brown's misfortune. The article was published on Polygon on Sep 13, 2026.

• Blizzard sets StarCraft Returns for 2030 and Diablo 5 for 2029

  PC Gamer reported Blizzard announced StarCraft Returns is slated for 2030 and Diablo 5 for 2029. The outlet said the StarCraft reveal—announced as an open‑world shooter—ended with “STARCRAFT RETURNS 2030,” a detail that tempered initial excitement. PC Gamer called the Diablo 5 date surprising and noted there were 11 years between Diablo 3 and Diablo 4, while Diablo 5 would arrive six years after Diablo 4. The report also quoted Blizzard as saying it wants to “convey confidence in some of our biggest bets coming forward,” and described announcing titles years ahead as increasingly uncommon.

• Power Rangers: GameRant reports Tommy Oliver wasn't at his best as Green Ranger

  GameRant reported that Tommy Oliver wasn't at his best as the Green Ranger. The piece was written by Nicholas Beach and published September 12, 2026 on GameRant. Beach's author bio on the site notes he graduated from Drew University in 2023 with a degree in film studies and lists his gaming and pop-culture interests.

• Diablo 5 to borrow ideas from Diablo 2, Blizzard says

  GameRant reports that Blizzard has said Diablo 5 will borrow several ideas from Diablo 2. The claim appears in a GameRant article by Dominik Bošnjak published on Sep 12, 2026. The article includes images credited to Blizzard. GameRant presents the connection as reported by Blizzard rather than as independently verified.

• Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World demo launches on Nintendo eShop

  Nintendo Life reports a free demo for Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World is now available on the Nintendo eShop and allows players to transfer up to eight monsters into the full game. The demo covers the story from the start through the conclusion of events in Witherwood and lets players try recruiting, raising, and synthesizing monsters, Nintendo Life says. Players who keep their demo save receive a bonus item set for use in the full release. Nintendo Life notes the demo was shown during a Square Enix segment in a Nintendo Direct sizzle reel earlier in the week.

• Total War: Warhammer 40,000 dev says controller support 'really does work'

  PC Gamer reports Creative Assembly's battle product owner Dave Petry told TechRadar at Gamescom that controller support "really does work" in Total War: Warhammer 40,000 and that the team has "landed in a really solid spot." The studio is committed to releasing the game on consoles, PC Gamer adds, and Petry described the idea that controllers can't work for RTS games as a "myth." PC Gamer notes the RTS genre has traditionally relied on mouse and keyboard, with only a few console-focused exceptions such as Herzog Zwei and Halo Wars. The reporting does not confirm detailed control mappings or a console release date.

• Dragon Ball: GameRant ranks the 7 strongest versions of Krillin

  GameRant published a ranked list identifying the seven strongest versions of Krillin across the Dragon Ball multiverse. The article recounts that Krillin has been Goku’s best friend since they trained together under Master Roshi and that Goku was regularly surpassing him by the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament. It reports Krillin often struggles to keep up but still puts in a solid effort throughout Dragon Ball Z, and the ranking highlights differences in his power across various incarnations. The piece is presented as a retrospective ranking rather than an announcement of new Dragon Ball media or gameplay changes.

• Gears of War: E-Day achievement may be Xbox's first Platinum Trophy

  GameRant reports a mysterious achievement in Gears of War: E-Day may be the first Xbox 'Platinum Trophy'. The story was published by GameRant and written by Adrian Morales on Sep 12, 2026, and includes an image credited as 'Source: Xbox'. GameRant frames the item as a possible first-of-its-kind but the evidence supplied does not include official confirmation from Xbox.

• Level-5 says it used generative AI in Professor Layton showcase footage

  IGN reports Level-5 apologized and acknowledged using generative AI after viewers identified suspected AI artifacts in footage from its Level5 Vision 2026 II: Dreams showcase. The alleged AI use was noticed mainly in background scenes from reveals including Professor Layton and the Curious Village, Yo‑Kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain, and DecaPolice. According to IGN, the 50-minute Nintendo Direct-style presentation was overshadowed as fans debated the apparent AI use instead of focusing on the games. Level-5 told IGN it had made extensive use of AI and has offered explanations and an apology amid the resulting controversy.

• NYT Strands #923: hints and answers published for September 12, 2026

  Insider Gaming published hints and the answers for The New York Times’ Strands puzzle #923 for Saturday, September 12, 2026. The article offers tips and strategies intended to help players find words faster and warns that it contains spoilers for that day’s puzzle. It describes Strands as a daily NYT word-search launched in 2024 that uses a 6×8 letter grid where players find words that share a common theme and a Spanagram that reveals a deeper theme. The piece also notes key mechanics such as three-letter-or-fewer words not counting, correct-theme words appearing in blue, and the Spanagram turning yellow when found, and directs readers to the game’s website to play.

• StarCraft rumors surface ahead of BlizzCon 2026

  Polygon reported that BlizzCon 2026 is expected to bring announcements across Blizzard franchises and that rumors have surfaced of a new StarCraft game. Polygon said the event will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center with in-person attendance available and online streams for those watching remotely. PC Gamer highlighted ongoing speculation about whether any new StarCraft title would be a traditional RTS or a new FPS take on the franchise. Both outlets pointed to the BlizzCon opening ceremony as a focal point for major reveals this weekend.

• Na Hong-jin shifts to breakneck sci-fi monster movie Hope

  Director Na Hong-jin has moved away from slow-burn horror and mystery toward a fast-paced sci-fi monster movie, Hope, Polygon reported. Polygon wrote that the film abandons slow-burn storytelling in favor of relentless speed and quoted Hong-jin saying, "speed was an incredible focus for us." The article notes Hope arrives after nearly a decade away from directing following The Wailing. Polygon also reported that it conducted a Zoom interview with Hong-jin for the movie's U.S. release.

• Warcraft and Diablo set for reveals at Blizzard's BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony

  IGN reports Blizzard will use the BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony to present "major game announcements," with President Johanna Faries joined by leaders of all Blizzard franchises. IGN is live-blogging the event, which it says has more buzz than perhaps any previous BlizzCon. The outlet notes fans are especially hopeful for a StarCraft-related reveal after weird glitches were spotted on the official StarCraft website and follow-up reports suggesting Blizzard is working on something. Specific game details or confirmed announcements beyond the promised "major game announcements" have not been published yet.

• Nintendo roundup: Zelda 40th fuels demand as Switch 2 gains VRR and exclusives

  This week Nintendo leaned hard into Zelda’s 40th anniversary — selling out a limited Switch 2 bundle and staging a Direct that pushed Switch 2-first software — while the console itself received a major firmware update adding VRR. Meanwhile, Nintendo used tariff-related refunds to underwrite a big U.S. sale, raising questions about pricing and corporate optics.

• Counter-Strike: Spirit's sweep and a busy week of roster moves, tournaments and talent shifts

  Spirit's back-to-back titles in Porto under coach magixx and another MVP from donk dominated the headlines, consolidating them as world No.1. Off the server, a crowded competitive calendar — from FISSURE Playground 3 to the Thunderpick closed qualifier — plus coaching exits and late signings leave several teams juggling form and preparation.

• Gaming: AI's big footprint, blockbuster launches, and mod‑scene flashpoints

  This week the industry felt two competing forces: AI at unprecedented scale reshaping tools and PR, and heavy player engagement around big releases — some of it expressed through mods that alter core game systems. Those trends intersect with platform moves and developer stances that will matter to players and studios alike.

• Nintendo’s new Switch sale funded in part by tariff-related refunds

  Nintendo announced a new Switch sale offering about 30% off and said part of the discount was made possible by tariff-related refunds the company received. Multiple sources note those refunds are not being handed directly to customers but are being used to subsidize the promotion. Exact timing, which Switch products are included and how long the sale will run have not been confirmed.

• Nintendo Switch 2 gains VRR support in docked/TV mode

  Nintendo has added variable refresh rate (VRR) support to the Switch 2 when the console is docked to a TV through its latest system update. The change is delivered at the console/system level rather than as a game-specific patch. Coverage of the update consistently frames the feature as limited to docked or TV mode. Available information does not list a firmware version, rollout timing, or which displays and games are supported.