As forecasters predict a mini-heatwave will sweep the nation this week and drive temperatures up, it’s time to find an excuse to stay indoors, and we’re happy to provide one with our weekly news roundup.
The gaming world waits with bated breath for the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 – or, indeed, for further news of the console – but until then, there’s plenty of other stuff to keep yourself busy with.
Let’s take a look at what’s been happening in the world of gaming news this week!
OutRun could be getting a movie
If a new report is to be believed, then Sega arcade racing classic OutRun is getting a movie adaptation, and it’s coming from two pretty big Hollywood stars at that.
According to Variety, Transformers and Pain and Gain director Michael Bay will produce the OutRun movie, along with Madame Web star Sydney Sweeney, although it isn’t clear whether she’s also attached to star.
It’s worth noting that this project is almost certainly in its infancy, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see an official reveal for the movie for some months or even years yet.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is finally revealed
Bethesda finally revealed The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered this week, surprising precisely nobody given just how many leaks for the project had appeared in the preceding weeks.
The game features remastered visuals by developer Virtuos, building upon the original game’s framework with an Unreal Engine 5 makeover that makes Oblivion look truly like a modern game.
It was released on the same day on which it was revealed, too, so you can play it right now on PC and consoles. It’s even available via Game Pass if you’re on the PC or Ultimate tiers!
Sony announces the Ghost of Yotei release date
Ghost of Yotei, the sequel to the 2020 open-world action-adventure game Ghost of Tsushima, got a release date this week, and it’s coming to PS5 this autumn.
The game, which will take place several hundred years after the events of Sucker Punch’s first effort in this field, will be arriving on October 2nd.
There’s no word yet on whether it will also be coming to PC, but given that the first game did eventually get a release on that platform, we wouldn’t be surprised. Just don’t expect it to happen for a few months yet.
Apple gets hit with a big fine over alternative payments
If you’re familiar with the Epic-Apple legal battle over alternative payments on the App Store, you’ll know that it’s been raging for quite a few years now (as has the Fortnite developer’s battle with Google on the same front).
This week, however, saw a major development in Epic’s favour, as the European Commission ruled that Apple has “breached its anti-steering obligation under the Digital Markets Act”.
In essence, this means Apple must pay a €500 million fine and make a number of changes to its App Store in order to allow developers to send consumers to alternative payment methods and distribution channels.
11 bit studios announces Frostpunk: 1886, a remake of the original
Earlier this month, 11 bit studios announced that it would be releasing a new Frostpunk game in 2027, and now, we know exactly what that Frostpunk game is going to be.
It will be called Frostpunk: 1886, and it’s a remake of the original game with all-new systems and visuals, as well as a brand new path to follow.
The game isn’t due out until 2027, and no console version has been confirmed yet either, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see it come to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, if not the newer iterations of said consoles.
RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business is releasing in July
This week, developer Teyon and publisher Nacon revealed that first-person shooter RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business will be arriving in July.
Previously slated simply for summer, Unfinished Business takes RoboCop to the OmniTower, a sinister complex full of traps, enemies, and revelations about Alex Murphy’s past.
The game will officially be arriving on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series on July 17th, so if you’re a big fan of the original Rogue City, make sure to add that date to your calendar.
The Split Fiction movie has a star and a set of writers
We already knew that a Split Fiction movie was in the works and that a major studio bidding war was underway, but now, we know who’ll be starring in the movie and who’ll be writing it as well.
In a report that once again comes from Variety, it’s revealed that the aforementioned Sydney Sweeney will be starring in Split Fiction, although it hasn’t yet been decided whether she will play the role of Mio or Zoe.
Additionally, the movie will be written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, best known for their work on irreverent Marvel superhero movie Deadpool & Wolverine, and directing duties will be handled by Step Up 2’s Jon M. Chu.
You can’t play EA’s new Skate game without an internet connection
If you were hoping to be able to play EA’s upcoming Skate reboot without an internet connection, then you’re out of luck, as EA has confirmed the game won’t be coming with an offline mode.
EA says that in order to realise its vision of “an ever-growing, ever-evolving skateboarding sandbox” in which several major elements change over time, Skate won’t feature any form of offline play.
That’s disappointing if your connection is spotty or if you were hoping to enjoy the game by yourself, especially given that previous Skate entries have allowed you to do just that.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already sold a million copies
Sombre turn-based RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has come out of the gate swinging, developer Sandfall Interactive has revealed, as the game has managed to sell a million copies within just three days.
The game, which sees a team of heroes setting out to defeat a figure known as the Paintress, is also available on Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service, which makes this sales milestone arguably even more impressive.
It’s likely Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will go on to do even better in sales terms, so don’t be shocked if you see the game reaching 2 million in the next few weeks.
