72 stories from 6 sources

Riot retreats as platforms and publishers test gaming’s next phase

Day’s Recap

Supporting Articles

4:16 PMPolygon

Riot Games Officially Confirms End of an Era for League of Legends

Summary

Riot Games says 2XKO, its League of Legends fighting game, will end active development in 2026. The decision comes less than a year after the game launched.

That is a quick turnaround for a major spin-off, especially after years of anticipation. It

Why it matters

2XKO is becoming a cautionary tale about how hard it is to expand a huge game franchise into a new genre.

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3:59 PMIGN

Riot to End Active Development for 2XKO in December 2026, Online Play to Remain Unaffected

Summary

Riot will stop actively developing 2XKO in December 2026. Players will still be able to play online after that point, but the game will no longer receive the regular updates and new content associated with active development.

For players, this is less of an immediate shutdown than a slow wind-down. The servers

Why it matters

2XKO will remain playable, but its planned content future now has a firm endpoint.

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3:59 PMThe Verge

Riot is ending development on its League of Legends fighting game

Summary

Riot Games will end active development on 2XKO, its free-to-play League of Legends fighting game, at the end of 2026. The company says the game has not retained enough players to find a sustainable path, though online servers will remain available.

The decision is a tough result for a high-profile spin-off built around one of gaming’s

Why it matters

Even a major franchise and a powerful publisher could not turn 2XKO into a lasting fighting-game hit.

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3 stories · 3 sources

1:42 PMThe Verge

Australia says Roblox hasn’t fixed its child predator problem

Summary

Australia's online safety regulator says Roblox still has not done enough to prevent adults from contacting children under 16. Roblox has promised additional safety changes as regulators examine whether the platform is complying with the country's Online Safety Act.

The dispute puts pressure on Roblox to show that its safety tools work in practice,

Why it matters

Regulators are demanding stronger protections for children, and Roblox could face broader scrutiny if its fixes fall short.

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5:05 PMIGN

Malware Disguised as Leaked GTA 6 Copies Are Popping Up on Piracy Sites

Summary

There is no playable GTA 6 build waiting on piracy sites, despite the rumors spreading online. Fake downloads claiming to be the game are instead being used to distribute malware.

The combination of huge demand and secrecy around GTA 6 makes this an ideal trap

Why it matters

The supposed leak is a scam, and downloading it could put your device and personal data at risk.

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10:00 AMThe Verge

We played The Duskbloods, the Switch 2’s wildest new exclusive

Summary

The Duskbloods puts FromSoftware’s signature intensity into a gothic multiplayer game about vampires. It is a sharp departure from Nintendo’s usual approachable fare, but early hands-on time suggests the Switch 2 exclusive could be one of its boldest experiments yet.

The partnership is unusual on paper and even more intriguing in practice. Nintendo brings the

Why it matters

The game could give Switch 2 a genuinely distinctive showcase title.

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10:00 AMThe Verge

FromSoftware can do anything

Summary

FromSoftware’s Tokyo studio looks polished and guarded like any major game developer, but its creative identity feels very different. The team has built a reputation for taking big swings, from punishing action games to strange new worlds that other studios might never attempt.

That sense of possibility is a big part of FromSoftware’s appeal. Players now expect the

Why it matters

FromSoftware has turned unpredictability into one of gaming’s strongest brands.

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12:07 PMTechCrunch

Meta brings Pocket, an app that lets you vibe-code and share games, to US users

Summary

Meta is rolling out Pocket, an experimental app that uses AI to help people create and share interactive games. The company tested it quietly in Brazil before bringing it to users across the United States.

Pocket fits Meta's broader push to make game creation feel less like programming and more

Why it matters

AI game creation is moving from a novelty into something everyday users can try for themselves.

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7:06 PMPolygon

US Army Is Officially Using 'GTA 6' Time as a Reenlistment Incentive

Summary

The US Army is reportedly using the wait for GTA 6 as a reenlistment perk, offering service members time tied to the game's eventual release. The unusual pitch arrives as excitement for Rockstar's sequel continues to build.

It is a striking example of just how much cultural attention GTA 6 commands before

Why it matters

GTA 6 hype has become strong enough to show up in an unexpected place: military reenlistment efforts.

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3:48 PMFortune

Army unit offers ‘special 4 day pass’ to play Grand Theft Auto VI for reenlisted troops as part of ‘unique incentives program’

Summary

An Army unit is offering reenlisting soldiers a four-day pass to play Grand Theft Auto VI as part of a special incentives program. At least 20 troops have signed up, with eligibility tied to committing to another two years of service.

GTA VI is apparently powerful enough to join the military’s retention toolkit. The unusual perk

Why it matters

One of gaming’s biggest releases is being used as a very unconventional incentive to keep soldiers in uniform.

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2 stories · 2 sources

11:11 AMFortune

One U.S. Army unit is offering 4-days off to play Grand Theft Auto—but there’s a catch: they’ll have to reenlist if they take the day off to play

Summary

One U.S. Army unit is dangling four days off for soldiers who want to play Grand Theft Auto VI when it arrives. There is a catch: anyone who takes the gaming break has to reenlist.

Organizations are already planning around what could be one of gaming's biggest launches in years.

Why it matters

GTA VI's launch is becoming a cultural event that employers and institutions are already trying to use to their advantage.

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4:53 PMPolygon

All match overrides and console locations in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4

Summary

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 adds match overrides that can change how a game plays. The guide lists every override and explains where players can find the consoles needed to activate them.

These systems add another layer of planning to Fortnite, since finding the right console can

Why it matters

Knowing the override effects and console locations can give players a meaningful edge in the new season.

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2:07 PMPolygon

All sprites in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4

Summary

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 adds a fresh batch of collectible sprites. The lineup includes new Sonic the Hedgehog sprites alongside the season's other additions.

Fortnite continues to turn small collectibles into a steady stream of reasons to explore the

Why it matters

The full list helps players track down every new sprite before the season moves on.

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2:55 PMPolygon

How to open the Temple Vault in Stone Sanctum in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4

Summary

The Temple Vault is a hidden area in Stone Sanctum that requires special keys to unlock. The guide explains where to find those keys and how to open the vault.

Fortnite's secret areas often hide their best rewards behind a short puzzle or scavenger hunt.

Why it matters

Finding the keys gives players access to a concealed reward area that casual exploration may not reveal.

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10:00 PMThe Verge

Genki’s new customizable controller has a big screen and adjustable buttons

Summary

Genki’s Manta controller takes a very different approach to gamepad design. It puts the thumbsticks and buttons above a large 2.9-inch LCD screen, while letting players adjust parts of the layout to fit their preferences.

It looks chunkier than a standard controller, but the built-in display and customization could make

Why it matters

Genki is betting that flexible controls and an onboard screen can make a controller stand out in a crowded market.

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Other Developments

A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.

9:21 PMPolygon

Steam Makes Two Games Completely Free To Play Until Aug. 4

Summary

Steam is letting players try two very different games for free until Aug. 4. The lineup includes a 200-player World War I shooter and a tactical role-playing game built around giant mechs.

It is a good weekend-sized excuse to sample both a chaotic multiplayer battlefield and a

Why it matters

Two free trials give PC players an easy way to find something new without spending a cent.

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8:20 PMPolygon

Zelda: Ocarina of Time Mod Remakes the N64 Classic in True 3D

Summary

A fan-made mod for the original Nintendo 64 version of Ocarina of Time transforms the game’s pre-rendered backgrounds into fully 3D environments. It keeps the classic adventure recognizable while giving its spaces a more modern sense of depth and movement.

The project shows how much visual potential remains in a game people have known for

Why it matters

A beloved N64 classic gets a fresh visual twist without being rebuilt from scratch.

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7:50 PMIGN

Double Your PlayStation 5 Storage With This 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD for Just $136.39 Shipped

Summary

A 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD is available for $136.39 with shipping included, giving PlayStation 5 owners a straightforward way to expand their storage. That is enough room for a sizable collection of modern games, which can quickly eat through the console’s built-in space.

The PS5 supports compatible internal M.2 drives, so this is the kind of upgrade that

Why it matters

More storage means less juggling large game installs on a console that fills up fast.

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7:10 PMIGN

Newegg Has a 512GB Nintendo Switch 2 Memory Card for Just $95 With Free Shipping

Summary

A 512GB memory card for Nintendo Switch 2 is on sale for $95 with free shipping. It can roughly triple the console’s available storage, giving players much more room for digital games and downloadable content.

Switch 2 games can take up serious space, so expanded storage is likely to become

Why it matters

The deal offers Switch 2 owners a lot more breathing room for a growing digital library.

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5:43 PMIGN

Halo: Reach Designer Reveals that Modern Warfare Series Were a 'Huge' Inspiration for Bungie

Summary

Halo: Reach designer Niles Sankey says Bungie took major inspiration from the first two Call of Duty: Modern Warfare games. Their influence helped shape the game's tone, pacing, and presentation.

It is a useful reminder that even blockbuster game series borrow heavily from one another.

Why it matters

The revelation adds some unexpected context to one of Halo's most ambitious entries.

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4:00 PMPolygon

5 Classic Nintendo Games that Are Completely Unplayable Today

Summary

Nintendo has made progress on preserving its back catalog, but several historically important games remain unavailable on modern systems. The list highlights five classics that players cannot officially access today.

For a company built on beloved old franchises, Nintendo still makes fans work surprisingly hard

Why it matters

Important pieces of gaming history remain at risk of disappearing from public access.

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5:33 PMVariety

Sonic the Hedgehog to Headline Fortnite’s ‘Override’ Season (Gaming News Roundup)

Summary

The Sims 4 is getting two paid fashion kits inspired by Clueless and Mean Girls. Players can dress their Sims in '90s and early-2000s staples, including miniskirts, matching sweaters, and velour tracksuits.

This is pure nostalgia shopping, with two of the era's biggest teen movies turning Sim

Why it matters

The crossover gives longtime fans another stylish reason to return to The Sims 4.

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3:00 PMPolygon

BG3's Best New Mod Adds an Entire 3-Part Campaign About Astarion

Summary

A Dream of Silence: ReVamped adds a three-part campaign centered on Astarion. The adventure traps players and the vampire rogue inside a shifting nightmare, with four possible endings and the option to betray him.

This is the kind of ambitious fan-made expansion that fits Baldur's Gate 3 perfectly: character-driven,

Why it matters

The mod shows how much room Baldur's Gate 3's characters and systems still leave for substantial new adventures.

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2:31 PMVariety

How an Indie Studio Convinced ‘Naruto’ Creator, TV Tokyo to Let Them Make Franchise’s First Official Digital Cards App (EXCLUSIVE)

Summary

Naruto is getting its first official digital card app, Naruto Ninja Cards. Players can collect characters, find exclusive artwork, and compete in real-time strategy activities with friends.

The project is a notable win for an indie studio, which managed to secure approval

Why it matters

A major anime franchise is moving into digital cards with an officially licensed experience built by a smaller studio.

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2:15 PMIGN

Today’s Best Deals: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, CAP Dumbbells, and LEGO Mario Kart

Summary

A new roundup highlights discounts on Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, CAP dumbbells, LEGO Mario Kart sets, and other gaming and tech products. Best Buy’s 60th Anniversary Sale adds more deals to the mix.

It is a broad shopping list rather than a single must-have bargain, so the best

Why it matters

Gamers and gift shoppers have a fresh batch of discounted releases, accessories, and collectibles to browse.

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2:00 PMPolygon

10 Replay Ideas to Make Elden Ring Feel Brand New Again

Summary

Elden Ring has plenty of life left after a first playthrough, and New Game Plus is only the beginning. Different builds, challenges, routes, and self-imposed rules can make the Lands Between feel surprisingly fresh.

The game’s huge build variety makes replaying it less about repeating the same adventure and

Why it matters

A few smart rule changes can turn another Elden Ring run into a very different game.

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1:52 PMIGN

Nitro Deck 2 Is Finally Out for Switch 2 Next Week

Summary

The Nitro Deck 2 controller for Switch 2 is set to launch on August 28. The handheld accessory is nearly ready for players looking for an alternative to Nintendo’s standard controls.

The release gives Switch 2 owners another way to improve the handheld setup, especially if

Why it matters

Switch 2 players will soon have a new third-party option for more substantial handheld controls.

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1:31 PMIGN

'I Bet Many of You Would Not Like It' — Halo Co-Creator Says He Would Make Series 'Darker' if He Made a New Game

Summary

Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto says he would take the series in a darker direction if he were making a new game. He also believes many fans would not like his version of the franchise.

That tension is the interesting part: a creator’s instincts may not line up with what

Why it matters

The comments reopen the debate over whether Halo needs a sharper tonal change or a return to its familiar formula.

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11:40 AMIGN

Save $75 Off the Nintendo Switch 2 Plus Up to $130 in Best Buy Credit When You Trade in a Switch Console

Summary

Best Buy is offering $75 off a Nintendo Switch 2 when you trade in an eligible Switch console, plus up to $130 in store credit. That brings the potential savings to $205, but the console's retail price is set to increase on September 1.

The deal is most appealing to current Switch owners who were already planning to upgrade.

Why it matters

Switch owners have a narrow window to upgrade before the Nintendo Switch 2 gets more expensive.

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1:01 PMIGN

Modern Warfare 4 Developers Address Need for Balance in Call of Duty

Summary

The developers behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 say players have become much better as the series has grown into a pop culture powerhouse. That rising skill level is shaping how the team thinks about balance and the game's competitive feel.

Call of Duty now has to serve players who know every angle, weapon and exploit

Why it matters

The game's designers are balancing not just weapons and maps, but a player base that keeps getting harder to surprise.

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