Liam Martin

Season 5 of Call of Duty Warzone and Black Ops 7 launches on July 23 with new content including the Machine of War event, the Drone Labs point of interest in Verdansk, new maps and modes for Black Ops 7, and the addition of the Spectre Operator in the Battle Pass. Gameplay changes introduce Supply Drones for loot delivery, expanded mobility items, and revised Buy Station mechanics. Patch notes detail bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, and limited-time modes such as Lockdown Casual and Heavy Metal Heroes.

Season 4 of WWE 2K26 introduces new wrestlers, moves, outfits and theme songs, highlighted by the return of the Hardy Boyz. Most additions are part of the paid season pass, while some models are free. Update 1.14 delivers gameplay adjustments, fixes across Universe mode and cutscenes, new tag-team moves, and additional entrance music. The patch also resolves multiple visual and camera issues and adds new store content.

Season 4 of Battlefield 6 introduces the game's largest map, Tsuru, along with naval warfare, enhanced wave physics, and substantial improvements across movement, UI, water interaction, vehicles, and audio. The update adds new tools for portal creators, refines Ranked Battle Royale and REDSEC modes, and delivers extensive bug fixes and clarity improvements throughout gameplay systems and interfaces.

Bethesda confirmed that remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas are in development but did not provide release dates. The updates were shared alongside news that Elder Scrolls 6 remains the studio’s primary focus. While rumors suggested a late‑August release for Fallout 3, the lack of announcement makes this unlikely. Confirmation of a New Vegas remaster counters previous reports that it would not be feasible. Comparisons to the 2025 Oblivion remaster indicate that the updated games may feature improved visuals, gameplay enhancements, and bundled expansions.

Sony is adding seven new PlayStation Plus Extra games and two Premium classics throughout July 2026, including the headline release Avatar Frontiers of Pandora and titles such as Rise of the Ronin and Citizen Sleeper 2. Release dates are staggered between July 15 and July 21, with several titles launching at 9am BST. Multiple games, including Risk of Rain 2 and Tropico 6, will leave the service on July 21, making it the final chance for subscribers to play them.

Sony has delayed the FlexStrike wireless fight stick, originally planned to launch alongside Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls, citing unexpected production issues. The company advises customers who pre‑ordered through PlayStation Direct to check their order status, while those using other retailers should seek updates directly. The fight stick, priced at £179.99 and compatible with PS5 and PC, is designed for competitive play and portability. Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls remains scheduled for August 6 with a roster of 20 characters and online support for up to 64 players.

Crimson Desert update 1.14 rolls out cross-platform save support across PS5, Xbox, Steam and Epic Games, addressing a major fan request. The patch also fixes issues involving quests, combat actions, localisation and various gameplay behaviours, improving overall stability and user experience.

David Beckham joins Fortnite with two character outfits and multiple themed items released in the Item Shop on July 17–18, depending on region. The bundle includes reactive skins, back blings, a LEGO variant, themed emotes and pickaxes, with exact launch times provided for UK, Europe and US players.

Fortnite update 41.20 launches on July 16 with scheduled downtime and introduces the Hot Bat Summer event featuring Batman‑themed skins, items and map additions. New characters such as Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy join the event alongside the Bat Cave, Batman Grapnel Gun and Batman Beach Buggy. Additional collaborations include Odyssey and David Beckham content. Early patch notes highlight storage issues on Nintendo Switch, input binding problems, LEGO mode bugs and interaction issues, with multiple fixes under investigation.

Nintendo announced specific dates and times for The Duskbloods Closed Network Test on Nintendo Switch 2, with sessions scheduled between August 21 and August 24. Players must register on the official website between July 22 and July 28 for a chance to participate. Successful applicants will be notified on August 7 and must redeem a download code. The test aims to evaluate server performance and gameplay balance while offering access to Twilight Battles featuring superhuman Bloodkin characters.

Sony will reveal the July 2026 PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium games on July 15, with the titles becoming playable on July 21. One game, the PS2 classic Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, has already been confirmed for Premium subscribers. Fans are speculating about additional potential titles such as Rise of the Ronin, Atomic Heart, Hades, and Resident Evil 4 Remake ahead of the official announcement.

Sony’s 2026 PlayStation Summer Sale begins July 15 and runs through August 12, with a refresh on July 27 that will rotate games in and out of the promotion. Discounts of up to 75 percent will be offered across a wide range of PS4, PS5 and PS VR2 titles, including major franchises, new releases and indie games.

A new Diablo 4 update increases the likelihood of naturally dropped Mythics becoming Iconic Mythics, adjusts Seasonal Reputation and Pandemonium Fragment rewards, and reduces crafting costs. Numerous gameplay, stability, and visual bugs across the base game, expansion, and Season of Death Awakening content are fixed, improving performance and reward consistency.

The Steam Summer Sale ends on July 9, offering significant discounts on a wide range of PC games, including many top titles from 2025. Notable deals include reduced prices on Hades 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Ghost of Tsushima. With no major sale expected until autumn, customers are urged to act quickly to take advantage of the remaining offers.

Argos has opened pre-orders for the revived NEOGEO AES+, a modernized recreation of the classic arcade-style home console launching on November 12. The £179.99 system, developed by Plaion and SNK, supports original cartridges, offers both AV and HDMI output, and introduces features like low-power mode and DIP Switch settings. Argos also lists accessories including a GamePad, wireless arcade stick, and memory card, while ten retro titles will be available at launch.

Sony’s return to social media prompted heavy backlash after promoting its new FlexStrike wireless fight stick, as fans continued protesting the decision to end physical game disc production starting in 2028. Critics expressed concerns about digital ownership and past examples of lost content following license expirations. Sony defended the shift as a response to consumer trends, stating that only games released after January 2028 will be digital-only.

A new HyperMegaTech Super Pocket Activision Edition handheld has been announced by Blaze, featuring 34 classic Activision games including Pitfall, River Raid and Keystone Kapers. The device sports a retro-inspired design and supports the full library of Evercade cartridges. It launches on September 28 at £59.99, with a bundle including a carry case available for £64.95.

PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive three new PS5 Essentials on July 7, 2026, including Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, CrossCode, and For the King 2, which remain available until August 4. Users are urged to redeem the June titles before they expire, including Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.

Fortnite is launching its American Dad crossover in the Item Shop, adding Stan and Francine skins, themed Backbling items, Harvesting Tools, a Jam Track and a new emote. The items release on July 3 in the US and early July 4 in the UK and Europe, following the next Item Shop update.

Evercade announced two new Visco Arcade cartridges launching in August 2026, each containing eight classic arcade titles. The company followed the announcement with a humorous swipe at Sony’s plan to eliminate physical discs on future PlayStation consoles, contrasting Evercade’s cartridge‑sharing approach with Sony’s increasingly digital‑only ecosystem. Sony’s recent removal of purchased digital movies added to fan frustration, while Evercade’s messaging emphasized the value of physical game ownership.

Sony hints that the PlayStation 6 may offer a hybrid design comparable to the Steam Deck and the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, with emphasis on extending gameplay beyond the living room. Comments from Sony Interactive Entertainment president Hideaki Nishino suggest a focus on new usage styles and unique PlayStation value. Alongside the speculation, Sony confirmed plans to close the PlayStation Store for PS3 and Vita by 2027 and to discontinue physical game discs from 2028, coinciding with the upcoming disc‑less release of Grand Theft Auto 6.

The Arctis Nova Pro Omni delivers many of the premium features of SteelSeries’ Nova Elites at a significantly lower price, trading some luxury materials for similar functionality. It offers high‑resolution audio, active noise cancellation, a ClearCast Pro microphone and extensive app‑based customisation, supported by the versatile GameHub with multiple connectivity options and a dual‑battery system. Comfortable design, strong performance and a more accessible price make it an appealing choice for gamers seeking high‑end capabilities without the Nova Elites’ premium cost.

Customers who entered Valve’s randomised draw for the Steam Machine are urged to check their email or the store page to confirm their reservation status, as successful applicants have only 72 hours to complete their purchase once notified. Valve is offering two models with 512GB or 2TB storage, featuring AMD hardware capable of 4K gaming at 60fps, but at high price points. Those not selected will remain on the waitlist and may be contacted if others withdraw.