Aftermath of the PlayStation Showcase
PlayerUnknown is facing financial challenges, while an unexpected partnership is forming in Japan. Meanwhile, the buzz from the recent State of Play event is still lingering. It’s the gaming roundup for June 3, 2026, and I’m still recovering from my dive back into Marathon, which was just as disorienting as I remembered. Maybe tonight I’ll take a break and build a Gundam in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom instead.
The next installment in the God of War series won’t feature Kratos as the main character. Instead, players will step into the shoes of Faye, his deceased wife, navigating the afterlife. This new direction has sparked discussions among some of the more vocal segments of the gaming community. The backlash, particularly from anti-woke critics targeting a game led by a female character, seems to be another chapter in the ongoing culture war.
It’s tough to separate the negativity from the engagement-driven nature of social media. The dislikes on the Laufey trailer, which was the standout reveal of the show, are surprisingly high, yet the comments section is filled with fans sharing jokes and excitement about the new project from Santa Monica Studio. It’s unclear how the online uproar will impact the game; titles like Ghost of Yotei and Marathon faced similar scrutiny but continued on their paths without significant changes.
Some brands can’t resist jumping on the latest wave of outrage. The Domino’s Pizza UK account quipped, “God of War game with no Kratos = Pepperoni Passion with no pepperoni,” to which Sony Santa Monica humorously replied, “ok thanks for the feedback, dominos pizza corporate account.”
Remedy Entertainment showcased their upcoming action game during the recent State of Play, revealing a release date that differs from what was initially listed in the YouTube trailer. The game is set to launch on September 24, although the trailer mentioned August 27, hinting at a possible last-minute delay. Premium buyers on PlayStation 5 will enjoy a 48-hour early access period, and the game is priced at $60, a welcome change from the usual $70.
“The most important thing is to launch a great polished game,” communications director Thoma Puhaw stated on social media. “Instead of launching too early, I’m sure we all agree on that. We also took great consideration with the pricing of the game.” However, after players expressed frustration over the lack of early access for PC and Xbox users, he followed up with a comment addressing communication issues that arise during global announcements.
The collector’s edition of Spider-Man 2 sparked the infamous 19 inches of Venom meme, but Insomniac Games has opted to release only a Deluxe Edition this time, leaving some fans disappointed. “The Spider-Man 2 Venom statue was so sick,” one fan remarked. “A Wolverine in that style would have been neat. Also, no special DualSense announcement yet? Dropping the ball here for sure.” Perhaps last year’s $250 collector’s edition for Ghost of Yotei didn’t sell as well as expected, as it’s now marked down to $150.
Brendan Greene, the original creator of PUBG, is scaling back operations at his independent studio under Krafton due to recent struggles in the survival game genre. “Unfortunately, I have reached the limits of how far I can continue to fund this journey in its current form. As a result, I have made the hard decision to restructure the studio,” he stated. “We will continue developing our Melba technology with a smaller team while halting further development of Go Wayback. Our immediate priority is to support our affected employees during this difficult transition.”
In an exciting development, Crim CEO Sawaki Takeyasu will lead a new team in Japan as part of Luca Galante’s company, Poncle, known for creating Vampire Survivors. The two have expressed mutual admiration for each other’s work, with Poncle’s name inspired by the Poncoles from Okami, a game Takeyasu contributed to. “In his new role as head of Poncle’s Japan studio, Takeyasu will support the company’s broader goals while establishing a foundation in Japan,” reports indicate. “A long-term team size has yet to be determined, but Poncle intends to continue operating with relatively small development teams.”
For those interested, El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron was one of the standout cult classics from the late PS3 era.
