Category Archives: Game Industry News

Game Industry News

Obsidian Is Making a New Fallout Game — And Avowed 2 Is Dead

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Obsidian Entertainment — the studio that gave us Fallout: New Vegas, one of the most beloved RPGs ever made — is reportedly returning to the Fallout universe. According to reporting by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, a new game in Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic franchise is now in development at Obsidian, with studio design director Josh Sawyer leading the project. The bad news for fans of the studio’s last title: the Avowed sequel is dead.

Avowed — Official Launch Trailer – via XBOX on YouTube

Josh Sawyer Is Leading a New Fallout Title at Obsidian

The new project is in early development and led by Sawyer, who was previously directing a separate role-playing game described by Bloomberg’s sources as structurally and thematically similar to Fallout — but outside the franchise entirely. That original game has now been shelved in favour of an actual Fallout title. No platforms, release window, or title has been publicly confirmed. Obsidian and Xbox have not issued an official statement.

For Singapore’s PC and Xbox gaming community, this is the kind of news worth sitting with. Sawyer directed Fallout: New Vegas — the only Fallout game not made by Bethesda itself, and still widely considered the high-water mark for the series’ storytelling, moral depth, and faction-driven design. Many Singapore and Southeast Asian RPG fans grew up with New Vegas as a formative game. The prospect of Sawyer returning to Fallout, with a full mandate from Microsoft and the full weight of Obsidian behind him, is the most exciting RPG development announcement in years — even if the game is years away.

Avowed 2 Was Killed Before It Could Be Announced

Avowed gameplay — combat with enemies on a coastal beach
Image courtesy of Obsidian Entertainment

The Avowed sequel was well into development and on track to be publicly announced within the coming year, according to sources who spoke to Bloomberg. The cancellation did not come from technical or creative failure — by all accounts it was going well. It came from a strategic decision by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who is reorienting Microsoft’s gaming investments around fewer, higher-profile bets following the company’s wider restructuring announced earlier this month.

An Avowed sequel — solid and well-received, but not a blockbuster seller — apparently did not clear that bar. Bloomberg reports that some Obsidian employees who worked on the sequel will remain attached to it in a holding capacity while the Fallout project ramps up, in the hope of one day reviving it. Whether that happens depends entirely on how Microsoft’s broader gaming recovery shapes up over the next few years.

52 Obsidian Staff Let Go in Latest Xbox Cuts

Obsidian Entertainment logo
Image courtesy of Obsidian Entertainment

A WARN notice filed in California — received and reported by Jason Schreier’s Game File newsletter — confirms 52 employees were let go from Obsidian’s Irvine studio, roughly a quarter of its total headcount. These cuts are the most concentrated to hit any single Xbox studio in the current round of layoffs and represent a meaningful loss of institutional knowledge and development capacity, even as the studio pivots to an ambitious new direction.

What’s Still in the Pipeline at Obsidian

Avowed first-person gameplay — discovering trap wires in a forest
Image courtesy of Obsidian Entertainment

Obsidian is not shutting down or retreating. The studio will continue producing DLC for The Outer Worlds 2 and is actively developing Grounded 2, the sequel to its popular co-op survival game. The new Fallout project is the centrepiece, but Obsidian remains a multi-project studio — a leaner one now, but still operating across multiple titles.

For Singapore players who played Avowed via Xbox Game Pass or picked it up on Steam, nothing about the original game changes. The sequel cancellation does not affect the base game or any existing content. As for the new Fallout title: there is no SEA release window yet, and given the project appears to be in early stages, realistically we are looking at several years. But if Obsidian’s track record in this franchise is anything to go by, it will be worth the wait. Watch this one. Check back at Game Industry News for any further updates.

Game Industry News, Game News

Mario Kart Tour Shuts Down 30 September — What Singapore Players Need to Know

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After nearly seven years of mobile racing, Mario Kart Tour is shutting down on 30 September 2026. Nintendo confirmed the end-of-service date on 8 July, and if you still have Rubies sitting in your account or an active Gold Pass, there are a few things you will want to do before the servers go dark at around 2:00 PM SGT on 30 September.

Mario and Peach racing in karts in Mario Kart Tour
Image courtesy of Nintendo
Mario Kart Tour – Launch Trailer — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

Seven Years of Mobile Kart Racing, Done

Mario Kart Tour launched on iOS and Android on 25 September 2019, bringing Nintendo’s signature kart franchise to mobile devices for the first time. The game was a genuine phenomenon in its early years — Singapore players will remember the buzz around the Tokyo Tour, the Peach vs. Daisy debate, and the Gold Pass grinding that consumed many a commute on the MRT.

New tracks, drivers, and karts arrived roughly every two weeks for the first four years before Nintendo wound down content updates in 2023. The game has been in maintenance mode since, rotating existing Tour content on a loop. A surprise Sunshine Tour appeared in 2025 to coincide with Mario Kart World’s launch, but that was the last significant new content. With the announcement of the shutdown, the tour is well and truly over.

Mario, Pauline, Waluigi and Baby Rosalina in costumed outfits racing in Mario Kart Tour
Image courtesy of Nintendo

What Happens to Your Rubies and Gold Pass?

Nintendo moved quickly: as of 7 July 2026, Ruby purchases have already ended and Gold Pass subscription auto-renewals have been cancelled. Here is what you need to know about what remains:

  • Rubies you already own can still be spent in the Spotlight Shop, Mii Racing Suit Shop, and Coin Rush right up until the shutdown — so use them now rather than leaving them to expire.
  • Active Gold Pass subscribers keep their benefits (excluding the continuous-subscription bonuses) for free through to the end of service.
  • Players without a Gold Pass will receive most Gold Pass perks for free beginning with the Vacation Tour on 4 August 2026, through to the shutdown — that includes 200cc mode, doubled base points and coins, and an S+9 multiplayer grade cap. A consolation prize, but not a bad one for casual players who skipped the subscription.

Nintendo has confirmed there are no plans to issue refunds, and no compensation structure has been announced.

No Offline Mode — and That Stings

The decision that has drawn the most criticism is Nintendo’s explicit confirmation that no offline version of Mario Kart Tour is planned. This puts it in stark contrast with Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, which Nintendo released as a paid standalone “Complete” version when its online service wound down — letting players keep their islands and progress. Mario Kart Tour will simply stop working when the servers close, with nothing to show for years of Rubies spent.

For Singapore players who have put real money into the game, that is a frustrating note to end on. The lesson, as with any live-service title, applies here too: spend your premium currency before the lights go out.

Princess Peach in wedding dress and Baby Daisy racing in Mario Kart Tour
Image courtesy of Nintendo

The Legacy: Those Tracks Live On

Mario Kart Tour’s lasting contribution to the franchise is the enormous wave of city-themed circuits it introduced — Tokyo Blur, Paris Promenade, New York Minute, Sydney Sprint, Los Angeles Laps, and dozens more. Many of these found a second life in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, bringing Tour’s global tour concept to the console audience. If you race on those tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Mario Kart World today, you are playing courses that were born in the mobile game.

The shutdown is the end of the app, not the end of what it created. Check out our coverage of the latest Nintendo game news for everything coming next in the franchise.

Game Industry News, Game News

Tokyo Game Show 2026 Reveals 759 Exhibitors for Historic 5-Day Run

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Tokyo Game Show 2026 is already shaping up to be the most ambitious in the event’s 30-year history. The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) revealed today that 759 companies have committed to exhibiting at TGS 2026 — spanning 484 domestic and 275 international participants from 51 countries and regions — across 3,946 booths at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan. Dates: 17–21 September 2026.

Tokyo Game Show 2026 official key visual by illustrator Warashi
Image courtesy of CESA / Tokyo Game Show

Five Days for the First Time

The headline change this year is format: TGS 2026 runs five days rather than the usual four, making it the longest Tokyo Game Show ever held. Under the anniversary theme “The Longest Five Days of Non-Stop Play” (史上最長、遊びづくしの5DAYS), the schedule is split into two business days (17–18 September, for industry and press) followed by three public days (19–21 September). Organisers expect approximately 300,000 visitors across all five days.

The expanded format is a fitting way to mark the show’s 30th anniversary, and for Singapore gamers planning a Japan trip this September, three consecutive open days gives more flexibility for travel logistics than previous years’ two-day public windows.

TOKYO GAME SHOW 2026 【ティザー動画】大公開! — via TOKYO GAME SHOW/東京ゲームショウ on YouTube

Who’s Exhibiting: The Big Names

The confirmed roster reads like a who’s-who of the global games industry. Major exhibitors already locked in include:

  • Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation)
  • Nintendo
  • Square Enix
  • Capcom
  • SEGA / ATLUS
  • Bandai Namco Entertainment
  • Konami Digital Entertainment
  • Koei Tecmo
  • LEVEL-5
  • HoYoverse
  • Nexon
  • Netmarble
  • PlatinumGames

This year’s international tally surpasses TGS 2025’s count of 46 participating countries, underlining the show’s continued growth as a global platform — and giving the event’s live streams an even broader range of titles to showcase for fans who can’t make it to Chiba in person.

Tokyo Game Show 2026 30th anniversary teaser visual featuring an animated character in front of Makuhari Messe
Image courtesy of CESA / Tokyo Game Show

Exhibition Areas and Special Events

The show floor is divided into dedicated zones: General Exhibition, Smartphone Games, Gaming Hardware, Gaming Lifestyle, AR/VR, eSports, Game Academy, Indie Games, Merchandise and Sales, Family Game Park, Business Solutions, and an AI Technology Pavilion. Red Bull returns as a sponsor with a Street Fighter 6 showmatch on the event floor, and Suzuki will display a custom Hayabusa motorcycle — proof that TGS increasingly blurs the line between gaming expo and broader pop-culture festival.

Country pavilions this year include representatives from Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Poland, Brazil, and India. Malaysia’s presence is a positive sign for Southeast Asian developers who see TGS as a springboard for reaching Japanese and wider Asian audiences.

Tokyo Game Show 2026 logo displayed in front of Makuhari Messe venue
Image courtesy of CESA / Tokyo Game Show

How to Follow TGS 2026 from Singapore

The official TGS website at events.nikkeibp.co.jp/tgs/2026/en/ carries the full exhibitor directory and will host ticket and live-stream information as the September dates approach. CESA has also confirmed a giveaway campaign for tickets, details of which will be announced through the official TGS social accounts.

For those unable to fly to Chiba, the TGS live streams on YouTube have historically been among the most-watched gaming events in Asia — expect publisher stage shows, world premieres, and hands-on coverage from the floor across all five days. We will be covering the key announcements as they drop, so follow our Game News and Game Industry News sections for the build-up to September.

Game Industry News, News

Xbox to Lay Off 3,200 Employees and Divest Five Studios

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Microsoft has announced the most sweeping restructuring in Xbox’s history: 3,200 jobs cut across fiscal year 2027, with 1,600 roles eliminated today, and five game studios leaving Xbox ownership. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed the news in an internal memo published on Xbox Wire this morning, calling the state of the business “not healthy” — a remarkable admission that sets the tone for what comes next.

3,200 Layoffs and Five Studios Departing Xbox

The 3,200 figure spans the whole of fiscal year 2027 (starting July 1, 2026), but 1,600 of those roles are gone today. According to Gematsu, the cuts touch virtually every Xbox division: Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, King, Mojang, and Xbox Game Studios are all affected.

Five studios are simultaneously exiting Xbox’s ownership:

  • Compulsion Games (South of Midnight) — returning to independence, retaining its IPs and catalogue
  • Double Fine Productions (Psychonauts) — returning to independence, retaining its IPs and catalogue
  • Ninja Theory (Hellblade / Senua’s Saga) — entering new ownership “with funding to complete” the upcoming Senua project
  • Undead Labs (State of Decay 3) — entering new ownership “with funding to complete” State of Decay 3
  • Arkane Studios France (Marvel’s Blade) — in a French Works Council consultation on “strategic options,” outcome unknown

What Happens to Ninja Theory and the Studios Going Independent

Senua key art from Ninja Theory's Hellblade: Senua's Saga — the studio is leaving Xbox ownership
Image courtesy of Ninja Theory

The key detail is that no studio has been outright closed, and Sharma’s memo states explicitly that no previously announced game has been cancelled. For Compulsion and Double Fine, the structured exits are arguably the cleanest outcome: both return to independence with their IPs, back catalogues, and runway funding intact. Psychonauts, South of Midnight, and We Happy Few stay with the people who made them.

Ninja Theory and Undead Labs face a more conditional future. New ownership is being sought “with funding to complete and grow” their in-progress titles — Senua and State of Decay 3. These games are not cancelled, but their continued development depends on acquisition deals that haven’t fully closed. Arkane Lyon is the most uncertain: a French Works Council consultation can result in a sale, a restructure, or — if no arrangement is reached — a closure.

Double Fine Returns to Independence After Seven Years Under Xbox

Razputin Aquato in Psychonauts 2 — Double Fine Productions is returning to independence
Image courtesy of Double Fine Productions / Xbox

Double Fine’s exit is the most bittersweet of the lot. Tim Schafer’s studio joined Xbox in 2019 and went on to release Psychonauts 2 in 2021 to widespread critical acclaim. Now, just seven years later, they’re going independent again. If the exit terms are genuine — IPs included, runway provided — Double Fine should be fine. They have a beloved catalogue and genuine name recognition. The fact that even a critically acclaimed studio wasn’t ring-fenced does, however, say something about the scale of what Xbox is resetting.

Sharma’s Unusually Honest Admission

The memo from Sharma is worth reading for its candour alone. As quoted by Gematsu, she wrote: “Our business today is not healthy. We are operating at margins that are [three to 10 times] lower than comparable platform and publishing businesses.” Since 2018, Xbox aggressively expanded its studio portfolio, and in a typical year “lost 64 cents for every dollar we invested.”

The structural fix mirrors the financial admission: management layers will collapse from as many as 14 to a maximum of five. COO Dave McCarthy — a 17-year Xbox veteran — retires, with Helen Chiang stepping up to oversee content, hardware, platform, and services with full profit-and-loss responsibility.

Sharma’s closer — “These changes are about a bigger future for Xbox, not a smaller one” — will be tested over the next 12 months. The 2027 growth target is on the record.

What Singapore Xbox and Game Pass Subscribers Should Watch

For Singapore Game Pass players, the near-term picture is more stable than the headlines suggest. No games are cut, and Game Pass itself isn’t being wound back. But the longer-term question — whether Xbox is transitioning into a software and services company that happens to make some hardware, rather than a platform business building an exclusive content empire — is now squarely on the table.

The ones to watch: how quickly Ninja Theory and Undead Labs find new owners, and what happens to Arkane Lyon. If both deals close cleanly, the reset may yet prove to be a stabilising rather than a shrinking moment. If the deals fall through, the calculus changes. For more on the industry backdrop, see our game industry news coverage.

Game Industry News, Singapore Gaming Scene

PlayStation Physical Games Are Ending in January 2028 — What Singapore Gamers Need to Know

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If you love buying physical PlayStation games — and there are plenty of us in Singapore who do — Sony just made a call that changes the equation. On 1 July, PlayStation confirmed on its official blog that physical disc production for all new PS games will cease in January 2028. After that date, every new PlayStation release will be digital-only: available through the PlayStation Store or via digital codes sold at retail, but not on a disc you can hold in your hand.

What Sony Actually Said

The announcement came from Sid Shuman, Senior Director of Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications, writing directly on the PlayStation Blog. Sony’s statement was unambiguous: “Physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028. Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.”

Games released or announced before January 2028 are unaffected — if a disc version ships before the cutoff, it stays in production. Publishers will also reportedly retain the ability to re-order physical stock of existing PS5 titles after the cutoff, meaning beloved older titles could continue getting pressed in smaller quantities. But any game launching after January 2028 will never see a disc version.

Sony’s framing was measured: this reflects “a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs.” They have the data. And the numbers, at least globally, are pointing one way.

Does This Confirm the PS6 Will Be Disc-Free?

PlayStation Disc Production to End January 2028 — IGN Daily Fix on YouTube

Not officially — Sony has not announced the PS6. But analysts are connecting the dots. Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis wrote, as reported by Video Games Chronicle, that the disc discontinuation “almost certainly guarantees that the PS6 won’t arrive until 2028 at the earliest,” with Ampere’s current expectation being a launch at the end of 2028. The logic is straightforward: if there are no new game discs after January 2028, shipping a next-gen console with a disc drive as standard makes very little sense. At minimum, the PS6 will almost certainly launch without one built in.

Whether Sony offers an optional disc-drive add-on — as it did with the PS5 Slim’s detachable drive — or introduces a disc-to-digital transfer programme for existing physical libraries remains to be seen. But the direction of travel is clear.

A spread of PlayStation game discs across PS2, PS3, PS4 and PS5 generations
Image courtesy of PlayStation / via Gamefile.News

What Happens to Your Physical Games?

Nothing changes for what you already own. Physical PS4 and PS5 games on disc remain playable on any disc-equipped console. The PS5 Disc Edition still fully supports physical media and will do so for its lifetime. What changes is that the library of physical games will stop expanding after January 2028 — if you are playing physical, you will increasingly be drawing from a fixed catalogue that does not grow with new releases.

The longer-term concern is what digital-only means for ownership security. Sony has already sunset the PS3 and PSP digital stores, raising real questions about what happens to digitally purchased titles when storefronts eventually close. Going all-digital does not make that risk disappear — it makes it the only risk, with no physical fallback.

Open PlayStation game cases showing discs from PS3, PS4 and PS5 generations
Image courtesy of PlayStation / via Gamefile.News

The Singapore Picture: Trading, Collecting, and What Comes Next

For Singapore gamers, physical media has always carried a specific economic logic: buy a new release, finish it, sell it back, repeat. That cycle works precisely because games have resale value when they sit on a disc. Once new releases stop shipping on disc, that loop breaks. The flow of recent titles into the pre-owned market will slow to a trickle from whatever was released before January 2028.

Pre-owned game retail — a staple of Singapore’s gaming scene — will feel this shift over time, though the impact will be gradual. The existing physical catalogue for PS4 and PS5 is enormous and will remain tradeable for years. The real question is what the new release landscape looks like post-2028: a world where every game you buy is locked to your account, with no second-hand value and no ability to lend it to a friend.

There is a collector’s silver lining: physical versions of games released before the cutoff may appreciate in value as production ends permanently. If you are building a PlayStation physical library, the January 2028 deadline is effectively a hard last call — nothing new gets added after that. For those who have always preferred the shelf of cases to a download queue, there is still a window.

More details on Sony’s transition plan — including how publishers will handle digital retail codes and whether a disc drive add-on is planned — are expected in the months ahead. Watch this space for updates as they come.

Game Industry News, Game News

Xbox Console Prices Rise by Up to $150 from August 1

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If you have been sitting on the fence about picking up an Xbox, the clock is now ticking. Microsoft has confirmed a worldwide price increase for every Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X model, kicking in on August 1, 2026 — and the jumps are not small.

Xbox Series S and X price increase announcement graphic
Image courtesy of Microsoft

Xbox price increase 2026: the new numbers

Microsoft announced the changes on the official Xbox Wire, with all models affected from August 1:

  • Xbox Series S 512GB — US$399.99 → US$499.99 (+US$100)
  • Xbox Series S 1TB — US$449.99 → US$599.99 (+US$150)
  • Xbox Series X Digital 1TB — US$599.99 → US$749.99 (+US$150)
  • Xbox Series X 1TB with disc — US$649.99 → US$799.99 (+US$150)

The 2TB Xbox Series X model is being discontinued outright and will not continue at any price point. Microsoft has not yet released updated Singapore dollar pricing, but local retailers typically adjust within days of a global announcement, so the window to buy at current SGD rates is narrow. Check with major game retailers and electronics chains in Singapore for current stock and pricing before August 1.

Why is Microsoft raising Xbox prices?

Microsoft was direct about the reason. In the Xbox Wire post, the company stated that “console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027.” The post also reiterated that consoles are sold at or below cost — unlike phones or PCs — making component inflation a direct hit to the business.

This is the third price increase for the Xbox Series generation. The first came in May 2025, a second followed in October 2025 (US market only), and this August 2026 wave is the broadest yet, hitting markets worldwide simultaneously.

Xbox Series X console
Image courtesy of Microsoft

Microsoft’s buy-now options before August 1

To soften the blow, Microsoft has introduced several affordability measures alongside the announcement: interest-free buy now, pay later through the Microsoft Store; 0% APR financing for up to 12 months via Amazon; and trade-in programmes for pre-owned consoles with certified refurbished units at up to US$100 off the new MSRP.

For Singapore gamers, the practical takeaway is straightforward — if an Xbox is already on your shortlist, buying before August 1 at current local prices is the better deal. The Series S remains the most affordable entry point into the Xbox ecosystem and Microsoft’s Game Pass library, even at the higher price tier. For those on the fence between the Series X and a PS5, the relative value comparison has shifted slightly in Sony’s favour with this increase.

No changes have been announced to Game Pass subscription pricing at this time.

Game Industry News, Game News

Lords of the Fallen II Delayed to Q1 2027 — GTA VI Among the Reasons

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Lords of the Fallen II won’t be arriving this holiday season after all. Developer Hexworks and publisher CI Games have confirmed the Soulslike sequel has been pushed to Q1 2027 — and they’re being unusually candid about one of the reasons: GTA VI is a nightmare to compete with during the holidays.

Lords of the Fallen II – Official Announcement Trailer — via CI Games on YouTube

Why the Delay?

In a statement this week, CI Games cited feedback from a dedicated “Gameplay Feedback Team of seasoned Souls-like veterans” whose input identified areas to “further refine and elevate key aspects of the experience.” The studio says it would rather take more time than ship a less-polished product into an already brutal holiday window.

The developer was refreshingly honest about the commercial reality too. As PC Gamer put it, GTA VI has effectively cleared the holiday field — the game’s cultural dominance this season makes the Q4 window punishing for any title without a nine-figure marketing budget. Singapore pre-orders for GTA VI have already opened (we covered it earlier today), and that level of hype leaves little oxygen for even a well-reviewed Soulslike sequel.

What We Know About Lords of the Fallen II

The game was world-premiered at Summer Game Fest 2026 to strong reception. A sequel to Hexworks’ critically praised 2023 reboot, it continues the dual-world mechanic that set the original apart from its Soulslike peers — players simultaneously traverse Axiom (the realm of the living) and Umbral (the realm of the dead), with each world affecting the other in real time.

Lords of the Fallen II official key art
Image courtesy of CI Games / Hexworks

Confirmed platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The Nintendo Switch 2 version — announced during the Nintendo Direct in June 2026 — is particularly welcome; the 2023 original never reached Nintendo hardware, making this a first for the franchise on a Nintendo platform.

What This Means for Singapore Players

A Q1 2027 launch puts Lords of the Fallen II somewhere between January and March 2027 for Singapore. The delay isn’t ideal, but it gives Singapore gamers a breather after a packed holiday season — and a well-polished Soulslike in the quieter early-year window could land with much more impact than if it had launched alongside GTA VI.

Local pricing has not been confirmed yet. Based on comparable Switch 2 titles currently available in Singapore, expect a range of around SGD 74–89 depending on platform and retailer. Watch our Game News section for pre-order details when they land.

Last words

A delay is never fun, but Hexworks has earned some goodwill — the 2023 reboot was a genuine return to form after years of the Lords of the Fallen name being associated with a disappointing original. More polish time, combined with the competitive breathing room of Q1 2027, sets the sequel up well. Singapore’s action-RPG fans should add it to their 2027 watchlist.

Game Industry News, News

Beast of Reincarnation: Game Freak’s Action RPG Launches 4 August

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Game Freak — the studio behind every mainline Pokémon game since 1996 — is about to drop something completely different. Beast of Reincarnation, the legendary developer’s first action RPG outside the Pokémon universe, launches globally on 4 August 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Xbox Game Pass subscribers get it on day one, and a physical PS5 edition is also confirmed.

Beast of Reincarnation — key art showing the world of post-apocalyptic Japan
Image courtesy of Fictions / Game Freak

What Is Beast of Reincarnation?

Beast of Reincarnation is a story-driven action RPG set in post-apocalyptic Japan in the year 4026. Developed under Game Freak’s internal “Gear Project” initiative — a programme that lets the team explore projects beyond their Pokémon work — it is directed by Kota Furushima and produced by Shigeru Ohmori, two longtime names from the Pokémon series. The publisher is Fictions, the label that also brought Hi-Fi Rush into the world.

The game’s tone is ambitious: “warmth, trust, and loneliness”, in Furushima’s own words. It is the studio’s first release on both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and their most technically complex project to date.

Beast of Reincarnation | Release Date Trailer — via Fictions on YouTube

A Shiba Inu and the End of Japan

You play as Emma, a warrior known as a “Blighted One” — someone whose body has been transformed by a mysterious corruption called the Blight, with flowering vines growing from her hair that she uses for grappling and traversal. Cast out from the surviving human colonies, Emma travels with her constant companion Koo, a Shiba Inu whose role in the story Game Freak is deliberately keeping under wraps for now.

Beast of Reincarnation — post-apocalyptic Japanese highway environment
Image courtesy of Fictions / Game Freak

Together, Emma and Koo are tasked with hunting down and eliminating the titular Beast that threatens the last major human settlement. Along the way they’re joined by allies including Brad, the warrior Kagura, and the mysterious Kunai, a swordsperson who travels alongside a malefact of her own. The setting draws heavily on Japanese iconography — ancient shrines, crumbling highways, and corrupted wildlife — reimagined through the lens of a civilisation that has already fallen.

Soulslike Combat With a Pokémon-Style Twist

Beast of Reincarnation — Emma and Koo in synergy combat
Image courtesy of Fictions / Game Freak

Combat is real-time and skill-driven, built around a parry and deflect system with a soulslike rhythm. Successfully parrying builds power for Koo’s special moves, called Blooming Arts — a co-combat mechanic that rewards reading enemy attacks rather than simply dodging them. Emma’s katana can be stacked with elemental effects via Spirit Stones, and her vine-based mobility (double jumps, gap-crossing) opens up three-dimensional combat spaces that typical soulslikes don’t always offer.

Furushima has been explicit that he wanted moments where players can “pause, think carefully, and fight with the tactical mindset of a command-based RPG” rather than relying purely on reflexes. To that end, Beast of Reincarnation ships with three difficulty settings including a Story Mode, making it accessible to players who want the narrative experience without the punishing wall of a traditional soulslike.

Boss encounters are large-scale set pieces against creatures called Nushi, described as Shadow-of-the-Colossus-style confrontations. Enemies include organic malefacts and robotic foes with a dismemberment system for the latter.

PS5, Xbox Game Pass, and PC — Singapore Players, Take Note

Beast of Reincarnation releases on 4 August 2026 across PS5 (including a physical edition), Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get it on day one at no extra cost — a strong value proposition given the Singapore Xbox Game Pass subscription price.

There is no Nintendo Switch 2 version confirmed at this time, which may be a slight sting for fans expecting Game Freak to stay in the Nintendo ecosystem. Pre-orders are open now on Steam and the PlayStation Store. Singapore digital pricing on PSN is expected in line with the US launch price, though at time of writing the SGD price has not been officially listed.

For those still on the fence, the PC Gaming Show on 7 June (streaming now in the US, early 8 June SGT) is set to feature Beast of Reincarnation — so there may be fresh gameplay before the month is out. Check the latest gaming news here for any updates from that showcase.

Last words

Beast of Reincarnation is a genuine left-field swing from a studio Singapore fans have grown up with, and it looks like one of the most distinctive Japanese action RPGs in years. Post-apocalyptic Japan, a Shiba Inu co-pilot, soulslike combat with an accessible mode, and Game Pass day one — the value proposition for Singapore gamers is strong regardless of which platform you’re on. Mark your calendar for 4 August.

Event, Game Industry News

Golden Joystick Awards 2024: A Celebration of Gaming Excellence

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The Golden Joystick Awards 2024 has come to a close, honoring the most remarkable achievements in gaming this year. From breathtaking visuals to unforgettable storytelling, this year’s winners set the bar higher than ever. At GameTrader.SG, we’re thrilled to celebrate these titles and recognize what made them stand out. Let’s dive into the highlights of the evening!

Ultimate Game of the Year: Black Myth: Wukong

The action RPG Black Myth: Wukong was crowned Ultimate Game of the Year. Its breathtaking visuals and thrilling gameplay captivated players worldwide. Inspired by Journey to the West, the game immerses players in Chinese mythology with cinematic combat and stunningly detailed environments. Black Myth: Wukong is more than a game—it’s a cultural phenomenon that sets a new benchmark for RPGs.

Best Audio Design: Astro Bot

Winning Best Audio Design, Astro Bot proved that sound can transform a gaming experience. Its immersive 3D audio created a rich soundscape, making every jump, movement, and interaction feel alive. The attention to detail in its auditory elements is a testament to Team Asobi’s dedication to innovation.

Best Storytelling and Best Soundtrack: Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

Square Enix once again delivered an unforgettable masterpiece with Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, earning accolades not only for its stunning soundtrack but also for its captivating storytelling. The game’s soundtrack masterfully reimagines classic themes while introducing new compositions that amplify the depth of its emotional narrative. Complementing this auditory brilliance, the storytelling weaves a rich, immersive tale that has garnered widespread acclaim, winning the award for Best Storytelling alongside Best Soundtrack. Together, these elements create a symphony of nostalgia and innovation, solidifying Rebirth as a landmark achievement in gaming history.

Best Multiplayer Game: Helldivers 2

For those who love chaotic fun with friends, Helldivers 2 is the perfect choice. Winning Best Multiplayer Game, it combines tactical gameplay with fast-paced action. Teamwork is not just encouraged—it’s vital to survive its intense missions. Its ability to foster camaraderie and deliver thrilling gameplay makes it a standout.

Best Visual Design: Black Myth: Wukong

Taking home another trophy for Best Visual Design, Black Myth: Wukong stunned players with its incredible art direction. From mythical creatures to lush landscapes, every frame of this game feels like a work of art. The use of Unreal Engine 5 brought this vision to life, making it a visual masterpiece that’s impossible to ignore.

Best Indie Game: Balatro

Balatro charmed its way into the Best Indie Game category with its inventive deck-building mechanics and heartwarming story. Its quirky art style and engaging gameplay prove that indie games continue to deliver unique and memorable experiences.

Studio of the Year: Team Asobi

The creators of Astro Bot, Team Asobi, were rightfully awarded Studio of the Year. Known for their playful, innovative games, they’ve consistently delivered experiences that delight gamers of all ages. Their work on Astro Bot showcases their ability to merge technical excellence with heartwarming fun.

Best Lead Performer: Cody Christian (Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth)

Cody Christian brought unparalleled depth to Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. His nuanced performance captured the character’s emotional complexity, earning him the Best Lead Performer award.

Best Supporting Performer: Briana White (Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth)

Briana White’s heartfelt portrayal of Aerith brought warmth and depth to one of gaming’s most beloved characters. Her performance was key to making Rebirth an emotional journey for players.

Critics’ Choice Award: Helldivers 2

Critics and players alike celebrated Helldivers 2 for its engaging gameplay and polished design. It’s no wonder this cooperative shooter took home the Critics’ Choice Award.

Most Wanted Game: Grand Theft Auto VI

The hype is real for Grand Theft Auto VI! Winning the Most Wanted Game award, Rockstar’s next entry promises to redefine open-world gaming with groundbreaking scale and realism. But with delay after delay, it may just win this award again same time next year.

Final Thoughts

The Golden Joystick Awards 2024 highlighted the best of what the gaming industry has to offer. Each winner demonstrated creativity, innovation, and a commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences.

At GameTrader.SG, we’re excited to see what’s next for gaming as these titles inspire future developers. Stay tuned for more gaming news, reviews, and updates on all your favorite titles!

Which winner are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

For a full list of winners refer to Games Radar post.