Latest Video Game News & Releases: PlayStation Goes Digital, Diablo 4 Season Update – July 2, 2026

Key points

• •Sony announced that starting January 2028, all PlayStation games will be digital-only, ending physical disc production to capitalize on rising digital sales and increase profitability. This major industry shift could influence other console manufacturers and reshapes how players access PS games.[GameSpot]
• •Diablo 4, praised as one of the top action RPGs, has faced player disappointment due to its latest 'Season of Death Awakening,' which ignored key gameplay elements that made previous seasons highly regarded. This controversy highlights challenges of maintaining long-term player engagement in live-service models.[PC Gamer]
• •The upcoming Hellraiser game is shaping up as a survival horror action title drawing inspiration from iconic franchises Resident Evil and P.T., promising to deliver a blend of atmospheric and intense gameplay for horror fans.[IGN]
• •After recent layoffs, Thick as Thieves studio is down to fewer than 10 employees, placing its future in jeopardy amidst a turbulent development environment. Such downsizing reflects ongoing volatility faced by mid-sized game developers.[PC Gamer]
• •Rust’s 'Common Ground' update introduces innovative multiplayer features including clans, rentable shops, and new Monuments at the Apartment Complex, empowering player cooperation and social dynamics in the survival sandbox game.[PCGamesN]
• •Company of Heroes 3 has been reimagined as 'Final Stand,' a standalone roguelike spin-off that frees players from needing the original version, expanding accessibility and experimenting with new genre blends in the WWII RTS series.[PCGamesN]
• •Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, slated for 2027 release, may feature a post-launch story expansion pass as leaked by a store listing, which could extend the narrative and gameplay beyond the main storyline milestones fans are awaiting.[GameSpot]
• •Frictional Games delayed their next title Ontos until 2027 to better fulfill its ambitious sci-fi vision, aiming to follow up their successes with Soma and Amnesia with a more immersive gaming experience.[Eurogamer]
• •Microsoft’s Free Play Days event from July 2 to 5, 2026, offers Xbox players free access to popular games including multiplayer and Zombies modes for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, boosting engagement during the holiday weekend.[GameSpot]
• •Nintendo’s July 2, 2026 eShop update introduces fresh titles such as Rhythm Heav, Tekken, Gecko Gods, and Mythmatch to the Switch platform, providing diverse new gameplay options for North American users.[Nintendo Life]

Relevant articles