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• Crash Bandicoot level inspired running-towards-camera chase used in later games

  IGN reports that an early level in Crash Bandicoot introduced a running-towards-camera chase sequence as a design solution used by Naughty Dog to show the character’s face more. According to IGN, that sequence helped establish a cinematic chase technique later used to raise tension in blockbuster games. IGN cites examples including Leon Kennedy fleeing a giant mechanical statue, Nathan Drake and his brother Sam escaping on a motorbike, and A Plague Tale’s Amicia moving through a wave of plague-infested rats as instances that trace their roots back to Crash Bandicoot. IGN frames the sequence’s beginnings as a humble fix that grew into a common AAA game design element and part of Naughty Dog’s developing cinematic ambition.

• Blue Lock Farm (Roblox) adds codes WEATHER, COMMUNITY, POLISHER

  PCGamesN reports three new redeemable codes for the Roblox game Blue Lock Farm, published September 25, 2026. The article lists WEATHER (Grade Tokens and potions), COMMUNITY (loads of potions), and POLISHER (jackpot token) as the available codes. PCGamesN says redeeming these codes can earn players free potions and grade or jackpot tokens without grinding. The guide on PCGamesN also includes steps to redeem Blue Lock Farm codes.

• The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker — release confirmed for October 2026

  GameRant reports Nintendo has officially confirmed a new release of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker for October 2026. The GameRant story was published on September 25, 2026 and is credited to Joshua Duckworth. According to the article, the new release continues the franchise’s pattern of reinventing Hyrule, Link, and Zelda. The provided excerpt does not list a platform, a specific day in October, regional availability, or other release details.

• GTA 6 fan 3D-prints collector's edition item in one day

  TheGamer reported that a GTA 6 fan 3D‑printed their own collector's edition item in one day. TheGamer framed the DIY print as an alternative to the game's reported $400 collector's edition. The piece was written by James Lucas and published on September 25, 2026.

• Age of Empires veteran Shannon Loftis criticizes Asha Sharma's Xbox leadership

  Shannon Loftis, a former Microsoft director and contributor to the Age of Empires series, posted criticism of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma’s leadership approach in social posts Insider Gaming reports were later deleted. Insider Gaming quotes a LinkedIn post from Loftis saying she was "Crushed to hear the news from Xbox today" and that those affected at World’s Edge are "SO much more than this." The outlet reports a subsequent Threads post from Loftis that slammed Asha Sharma has been deleted. Insider Gaming notes Loftis joined Microsoft in 1993 and served in roles including GM at Xbox Entertainment Studios, a brief VP of Microsoft Game Studios, and Studio Head at World’s Edge.

• Reddit moderator ordered to pay Nintendo $4.5M in Switch piracy suit

  TheGamer reports a court has ordered a Reddit moderator to pay Nintendo $4.5 million in damages after a two-year lawsuit over Switch piracy. TheGamer's coverage labels the defendant a 'Switch pirate' and says the case concluded with the damages award. TheGamer described Nintendo as highly litigious and called the moderator the latest in a long line of individuals targeted by Nintendo's legal action. The story was published by Josh Coulson on Sep 25, 2026, according to TheGamer.

• Bethesda issues official statement on Fallout and Obsidian

  GameRant reports that Bethesda issued a new official statement regarding Fallout and Obsidian. The GameRant article places the statement amid reporting that Xbox's continued 'rest' has coincided with further reductions in jobs, possible studio closures, and several changes in how companies report and are structured. GameRant names Obsidian as one of the surprises in those reporting/structure shake-ups. The excerpted GameRant coverage does not provide the full text of Bethesda's statement or detailed next steps.

• GTA 6: Xbox CSO disputes report claiming PlayStation-skewed pre-orders

  TheGamer reported on Sep 25, 2026 that Xbox's CSO publicly responded to a recent report which claimed GTA 6 pre-orders are heavily skewed toward PlayStation. The original report argued the skew was plausible because there are more PS5 consoles in the market than Xbox Series X|S units, a point TheGamer noted. TheGamer said the PlayStation-favoring pre-order claim provoked a reaction from Xbox leadership, prompting the public response. TheGamer's coverage framed the exchange as a rebuttal to that week's pre-order comparison reporting.

• Sony patents DualSense NFC to enable faster PlayStation purchases, Polygon reports

  Polygon reports that Sony filed a patent to add Near Field Communication (NFC) to DualSense controllers, aiming to enable faster PlayStation purchases. Polygon described NFC as a technology that has simplified card transactions and sped up payment processes. The report framed the patent as turning the DualSense into a payment terminal. Polygon described the filing as a recently filed patent and did not report a confirmed product release or availability timeline.

• Exclusive sleeve for Dragon Quest XI S Switch 2 packaged release in Japan

  Nintendo Life reports Square Enix will include an exclusive sleeve with the packaged Nintendo Switch 2 edition of DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition in Japan. Nintendo Life says Japanese retailers are stocking a GKC version that comes with a "special sleeve." The sleeve's artwork uses the existing cover with added gold details and trim, and the back features an emblem and pixel art, according to images noted by Nintendo Life. Nintendo Life also reported that the Switch 2 edition has no upgrade path from the original Switch, save data is not compatible between the Switch and Switch 2 versions, and that the game-key card release offers little extra incentive.

• Tim Cain says Steve Jackson Games objected to Fallout's Vault Boy

  Fallout co‑creator Tim Cain told PC Gamer that Steve Jackson Games, the game's original partner, objected to the inclusion of Vault Boy and specifically asked for it to be removed. Cain said Steve Jackson Games also disliked a Monopoly reference and felt Vault Boy did not fit the game's tone, and that they did not like Vault Boy in the cinematic. PC Gamer reported this as part of an interview and noted it wasn’t just violence that the partner took issue with. PC Gamer published the report on 25 September 2026.

• Final Fantasy VII Revelation will include an automatic character level-up option, IGN reports

  IGN Japan reported that Final Fantasy VII Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi announced at Tokyo Game Show 2026 that the game will include an option to automatically level up characters. IGN said the feature is intended to let players reach major story beats without grinding, and that the announcement has prompted disagreement among players.

• Epic Mickey: Rebrushed — THQ Nordic says existing Switch owners will get a free Switch 2 upgrade

  THQ Nordic's official FAQ, as reported by Nintendo Life, states that existing owners of Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed on Nintendo Switch will receive a free upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 version delivered via a patch on the Switch 2 console, and that this applies to both digital and physical owners. Nintendo Life also reports the Switch 2 release is planned "next month" and notes the article's excerpt of the FAQ does not include a full, confirmed redemption procedure.

• RPG round-up: Player ownership, accessibility shifts, and remakes lead the week

  This week’s biggest development: Summer Eternal announced it will give 5% of the studio to players as part of a FairShares-style governance model. That move dovetails with broader RPG-sector stories about who games are made for — from accessibility toggles in big-name releases to new, player-facing governance experiments — while remakes, mods and surprise indie hits keep legacy RPG conversations lively. Read on for what each of these trends means for players, developers and the wider scene, and what to watch next week.

• Nintendo: Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 leads a week of hardware, patches and Pokémon noise

  The biggest development this week is that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2, with Nintendo Life reporting the remake arrives on November 5 and a 40th‑anniversary Switch 2 console will ship October 29. Around that anchor release, Nintendo’s platform strategy showed two parallel priorities: celebrating legacy IP with premium physical products, and smoothing technical rough edges on Switch 2 through firmware and game updates. Elsewhere, Pokémon activity — from official ports and in‑game teases to TCG market turbulence — and a surprising cancelled Ganondorf project punctuated a busy week for fans and retailers.

• Gaming: GTA6 front‑runner and a week of live‑service experiments and indie surprises

  Polygon reports Grand Theft Auto 6 has emerged as the clear frontrunner for Game Awards 2026 Game of the Year. That development sits alongside major live‑service shifts (Destiny 2 'unvaulting', Arc Raiders' PvE test, WoW: Forever changes), community‑led mod activity and safety concerns, and a batch of playable demos and surprise indie hits.

• RuneScape: Dragonwilds team promises visual fixes for Switch 2 build

  Nintendo Life reports Jagex has acknowledged visual problems with the Switch 2 build of RuneScape: Dragonwilds and said it will improve the game's visuals over time. The developer said it prioritised framerate stability over resolution and visual fidelity during development and described the current framerate as a "good start." Jagex told players there will not be a single update to fix the issues but rather a "long-term commitment" and "incremental" improvements. The Switch 2 version launched last week and player reports of blurry visuals were raised earlier this week, according to Nintendo Life.

• Five fantasy shows claimed to have better villains than Game of Thrones

  GameRant published an article claiming five fantasy shows have villains better than Game of Thrones. The piece is by Samantha Lord and was published on Sep 24, 2026. The supplied excerpt states Game of Thrones' villains were among the show's greatest strengths and frames the article as a comparison that argues other shows surpass that aspect. The specific shows named and the article's detailed comparisons are not included in the provided evidence.

• Former GTA 6 developer discusses possibility of Nintendo Switch 2 version

  A former Grand Theft Auto 6 developer publicly discussed the possibility of GTA 6 coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, GameRant reported. GameRant's article lists Rockstar Games and Nintendo as sources. The report frames the remarks as discussion of a possibility rather than a confirmed release or official announcement.

• Gravhounds: PC Gamer reports free weekend open playtest on Steam

  PC Gamer reports that Gravhounds is running a free weekend open playtest on Steam for its unreleased early access build. In PC Gamer’s hands-on, the game presents as a co-op wave shooter with player characters described as dog-like humanoids and movement that includes gliding along buildable cables. The playtest includes light resource-mining and tower-defense elements and a gravity gun mechanic for moving resources, which PC Gamer found satisfying. PC Gamer noted the playtest is free "for the next few days" in its 25 September 2026 coverage.

• GameRant reports Halo is giving Activision a Call of Duty problem

  GameRant published an article on September 24, 2026 reporting that Halo is giving Activision a Call of Duty problem it has never had to solve. The piece was written by Christopher Adams, identified in the article metadata as a GameRant features and lists contributor. The supplied evidence does not include details about the nature of the alleged problem or any response from Activision. No other sources or corroborating reports are present in the provided evidence.

• PlayStation reportedly polling developers with lengthy survey about selling physical discs

  IGN reported that PlayStation is reportedly sending game developers a lengthy survey that includes a question about how they sell physical games. IGN connected the report to comments made by content creator Tom on the Broken Silicon Podcast, whose sources said the questionnaire may be the largest Sony has ever distributed. IGN wrote the outreach comes after PlayStation’s reported decision to stop producing physical game discs, which the outlet said prompted intense backlash. The report does not quote an official Sony confirmation of the survey.

• GTA 6 pre-orders reported skew toward PS5; Xbox exec says Xbox orders 'breaking records'

  Push Square reports The Verge claimed GTA 6 pre-orders are heavily skewed toward the PS5. Push Square also reports Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball replied on Twitter on September 24, 2026, saying Xbox is "very happy" with GTA 6 pre-orders and that "the title is breaking records for Xbox." According to Push Square, Ball added his internal analysis shows Xbox's share of pre-orders "to be matching our share of the console market." Push Square's article was updated on September 25, 2026, and the cited reporting does not present an official platform-level pre-order breakdown from Rockstar Games.

• Summer Eternal says it will give 5% of studio to players

  PC Gamer reported that developer Summer Eternal announced it will give 5% of the studio to players. The studio's Director of Operations, Aleksandar Gavrilović, told PC Gamer the studio's governance model is based on the FairShares idea and explicitly includes players as stakeholders. PC Gamer quoted the studio saying the move is intended to 'mend the trust broken in this industry a thousand times over.'

• Polygon lists eight BioWare games that 'aged like fine wine'

  Polygon published a feature titled "8 Best BioWare Games That Aged Like Fine Wine," naming eight BioWare titles it says have aged well. The piece highlights gameplay moments and systems as reasons those games endure, noting that in Baldur's Gate 1 a pack of wolves can end a playthrough shortly after the tutorial, according to Polygon. Polygon also says Mass Effect 2 can include permanent squadmate death during a mission and points to BioWare's range beyond Mass Effect, including party-based dungeon crawling, approval systems, and martial arts combat. The article additionally references a BioWare-made Sonic RPG on Nintendo DS that, Polygon reports, ends with the heroes returning to find Eggman has conquered Earth.

• Steam makes two games 100% free until September 28

  GameRant reported that Steam has made two games 100% free until September 28. According to GameRant, the pair includes a single-player simulator and a multiplayer military shooter as part of Steam's Free Weekend promotion. The report was published on September 24, 2026. The provided excerpt does not list the specific game titles or clarify whether the free access is a permanent giveaway or a limited-time trial.

• Xbox consoles receive September 2026 system update with fixes, GameRant reports

  GameRant reported on Sep 24, 2026 that Xbox quietly rolled out a September 2026 console update bringing several fixes to the Xbox Series X, Series S, and Xbox One. The outlet described the rollout as quiet and said the update includes multiple fixes for those consoles. GameRant's report does not list specific fixes in the excerpt provided. The piece identifies the affected consoles as Xbox Series X, Series S, and Xbox One.

• Arc Raiders to test PvE mode from October 13–20

  Embark Studios will run a PvE test for Arc Raiders from October 13 to October 20 that adds a PvE toggle allowing players to switch into lobbies where other players cannot damage them. PvE sessions will award lower-valued loot because the developer says the mode carries lower stakes, and AI ARCs will target downed players but will ignore players who remain still. Embark Studios said it will monitor the player economy and matchmaking times during the trial and warned "it's possible that this will not work," noting the experiment "is not a risk-free test."

• Over the Hill demo arrives on Steam; full release due in three weeks

  Polygon reports that Over the Hill, an off‑road exploration game, has a demo available on Steam and that its full release is scheduled in three weeks. Polygon describes the game as a minimalist, chill alternative to Forza Horizon 6 focused on solo driving of customizable 4x4s through rugged wilderness. Polygon's coverage credits Funselektor Labs and Strelka Games in its images. The article says the demo is out now ahead of next month's full release, according to Polygon.

• Super Mario: PC Gamer spotted Mario and Luigi imagery at Harajuku barbershop

  PC Gamer's Wes Fenlon reported seeing imagery that appears to show Mario and Luigi at a barbershop in Harajuku. Fenlon described the sighting as the brothers "getting lit at this barbershop" and referenced the Super Mario Bros. Super Show lyric "hooked on the brothers." The article was published on 24 September 2026 and included a rhetorical question asking whether anyone from Nintendo had visited a shop called "Mr. Brothers" for a haircut. PC Gamer did not present confirmation in the piece that the display is an official Nintendo collaboration.