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E-cards NewsLand: Gaming Digest – July 2026
July 2026 brought major gaming announcements, new gameplay footage, record-breaking sales and significant changes at Xbox, PlayStation and Ubisoft. That and much more below!
Welcome to our round-up of July’s news, a month that brought an exceptionally wide range of events in the gaming industry: from new gameplay trailers and newly revealed release dates to the enormous commercial successes of several franchises, major updates and significant changes in the operations of leading companies. Alongside highly anticipated titles, the spotlight also fell on the return of well-known franchises, upcoming expansions and behind-the-scenes news that sparked ongoing discussions amongst gamers.
This month's main topics included new information on Marvel’s Wolverine, Beast of Reincarnation, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and God of War, whilst the commercial successes of Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced also resonated strongly. July also brought news about the upcoming GTA 6, the Resident Evil series, the future of Xbox, subscription services and several upcoming DLCs. However, Sony bore the brunt of the backlash, having seriously angered not only the gaming community with its statement about physical discs in the future. The following paragraphs therefore offer an overview of the most important events that shaped the gaming world over the past month, which we have covered in detail.
As is customary, the end of the article features a round-up of the latest news in a single sentence, along with the trailers and gameplay videos that have been making waves around the world over the past month.
Beast of Reincarnation Combines Action with a Tactical Combat System
A fresh gameplay trailer for Beast of Reincarnation has offered the best look yet at the combat system of the upcoming action RPG from Game Freak. The heroine, Emma, will rely primarily on her sword and her faithful wolf companion, Koo, as she will be accompanied on her perilous journey by neither futuristic technology nor a large group of allies. Combat places great emphasis on well-timed manoeuvres, which fill a special gauge and subsequently allow players to unleash powerful counter-attacks. The entire system is reminiscent of the mechanics found in games such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and NieR: Automata.
Koo the wolf’s special Bloom Arts abilities also play a key role. These can weaken opponents, exploit their weaknesses, or group them together so that Emma can deliver a devastating blow. Gradually, she’ll also unlock new combat techniques, including rapid combos and powerful lunges finished off with a strike from above. However, the game won’t just reward an aggressive approach, as in some situations it’s worth relying on stealth and stealth mechanics. Beast of Reincarnation will be released on 3 August on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and will also be available on Xbox Game Pass from the day of release.
Marvel's Wolverine Has Revealed More of Its Story
New information about Marvel's Wolverine reveals further details of the story behind the upcoming action-adventure game from Insomniac Games. The story is set before the formation of the X-Men, when mutants live in hiding and are viewed as a threat by much of society. At that time, Logan is still a member of Team X, an organisation protecting mutants from persecution, and during the campaign he faces off against adversaries such as Omega Red, Lady Deathstrike, Mystique, and Bolivar Trask with his Reavers unit. This adventure also takes players to Tokyo, one of the game’s main locations.
The latest gameplay trailer also showcased Logan’s devastating Berserker Rage ability, which is activated after he loses a photograph of Jean Grey – a memory of immense personal value to him – during a fight with Lady Deathstrike. Another surprise is the role of Sabretooth, who this time will not be pitted against Wolverine but will become his ally, and during some missions they will work together to take down enemies. Actor Liam McIntyre, who plays Logan, revealed that whilst recording the voiceover, he drew inspiration from the behaviour of rabid dogs in order to capture his ferocity as faithfully as possible. Marvel’s Wolverine will be released on 15 September 2026 exclusively on PlayStation 5.
Black Flag Resynced is Flying off the Shelves: 3 Million Copies Sold in a Week
Ubisoft’s return to one of the most popular instalments in the Assassin’s Creed series has been a resounding success. The remake, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced, got off to a flying start, surpassing the two-million-copy mark within the first 24 hours of its release. The publisher also celebrated the success on social media, where it thanked all players – whether they were returning to the legendary ship the Jackdaw after many years, or setting off on a pirate adventure for the very first time.
It seems that the charm of sailing the Caribbean, naval battles, treasure hunts and exploring islands has lost none of its appeal, and it is precisely the freedom that Black Flag offers outside the main storyline that remains one of its greatest strengths to this day. Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced launched on 9 July on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam, Ubisoft Connect and the Epic Games Store.
GTA 6 is Set to Feature the Most Dense World in Rockstar’s History
A former Rockstar Games producer has hinted that Grand Theft Auto VI will feature a massive game world. It may not just be about record-breaking size, but above all the density of detail, the number of interactive locations and the life between the main points on the map. Vice City will therefore not only be bigger, but also significantly more vibrant.
According to him, Rockstar is paying particular attention to ensuring that the world doesn’t feel like an empty space between missions. Cities, the countryside and smaller towns should react naturally to the player’s behaviour, and the aim is to create an environment in which new situations arise even without following a script.
The Physical Version of GTA 6 Has Regional Restrictions on the PS5
Rockstar has recently clarified the rules for the physical edition of Grand Theft Auto VI; instead of a Blu-ray disc, the package will contain a download code for the game. On the PS5, this code will be tied to the region of the PSN account, so it won’t be possible to activate the US version on a European profile without issues. Slovakia and the Czech Republic belong to the shared EMEA region.
The Xbox version does not have a similar regional lock, and activation codes can be used regardless of the account’s region. Specific rules apply in Japan, where the code expires 170 days after printing. GTA 6 is due to be released on 19 November 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, whilst the PC version has not yet been officially announced.
Metro 2039 Returns to the Dark Tunnels
4A Games is developing a new instalment in the Metro series, subtitled 2039, which is set to be a return to the series’ roots. Vast open areas will give way to cramped stations, dark tunnels and a survival horror atmosphere. One of the new powers will be the Novoreich mega-faction, led by the legendary Hunter, whom fans will remember from previous instalments.
The game is set to be showcased in greater detail at the upcoming Gamescom, and according to available information, its release is scheduled for February 2027. After experimenting with an open world in Metro Exodus, the series is returning to where it’s at its best… Or rather, its darkest, most claustrophobic and, for players, usually its most unpleasant.
Cyberpunk 2077 Has Surpassed 40 Million Copies Sold
CD Projekt RED has announced that Cyberpunk 2077 has reached 40 million copies sold. This figure includes both the base game and the Ultimate Edition, which features the Phantom Liberty story expansion. The futuristic RPG has thus definitively established itself as one of the greatest commercial successes in modern gaming history.
The figure is all the more remarkable given that the game was released in 2020 in a highly problematic technical state and even had to be temporarily withdrawn from sale on older consoles. However, years of fixes, the 2.0 update, the Edgerunners anime and Phantom Liberty have gradually restored the brand’s reputation and won back the gaming community.
Palworld Has Once Again Taken Steam by Storm with Version 1.0
Palworld’s transition from Early Access to a full release has sparked a massive surge in interest from players. Shortly after the release of version 1.0, the game recorded 855,525 concurrent users on Steam – the second-highest figure in its history and proof that this blend of survival, building and monster collecting has not yet run its course.
The update was so extensive that the patch notes contained tens of thousands of words. Pocketpair thanked the community for more than two years of support and confirmed that further new content is gradually on the way. Palworld is available on PC, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S and remains part of Game Pass.
Ubisoft Has Another Ambitious Far Cry Game in the Works, as Well as a New Project
It appears the Far Cry series will not rely solely on the upcoming seventh main instalment. Insider Tom Henderson has reported that a previously unannounced project, codenamed Kodiak, has also moved into active production. It is said to be a large-scale open-world game, though its exact setting and relationship to the main series remain unclear for now.
Meanwhile, work is also continuing on Project Blackbird, which is expected to be the upcoming Far Cry 7. Ubisoft is therefore apparently attempting to expand one of its most important franchises in several directions; however, until the publisher officially unveils these projects, their existence and description should be treated as behind-the-scenes information for the time being.
Avowed 2 is Reportedly Cancelled, Obsidian is Working on Fallout
According to journalist Jason Schreier, Microsoft has halted development of the Avowed sequel. The game was reportedly in the early stages of development, and its cancellation is said to have taken place as part of a wider review of Xbox projects. However, Obsidian is not giving up on the world of major RPGs, as it is reportedly working on a new project in the Fallout series instead.
It is unclear whether this will be a full-fledged instalment, a smaller spin-off or a game reminiscent of New Vegas, but until Microsoft or Obsidian officially confirm the project, the report remains mere speculation. The very idea of Obsidian returning to Fallout, however, has set fans’ imaginations racing.
Modern Warfare 4 Has Been Given Beta Dates and Its Own Movie
Activision has revealed the dates for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta. Those who have pre-ordered the game on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S will be able to try it out from 21 to 25 August, whilst the open beta for everyone, including Nintendo Switch 2 players, will run from 28 August to 1 September. The beta will feature 19 weapons, the Search and Destroy and Kill Block modes, a training map, and a range of gear and killstreaks.
At the same time, new details have emerged about the upcoming movie set in the Modern Warfare universe. Peter Berg will direct, with Taylor Sheridan writing the screenplay, and the film is scheduled to premiere on 30 June 2028. The game itself is due for release on 23 October 2026, with pre-orders granting early access to the campaign from 16 October.
A Major Expansion, ‘Cost of Hope’, is Coming to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
GSC Game World has finally announced the release date for the extensive story-driven expansion, ‘Cost of Hope’. Players will return to the Zone in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 on 20 August 2026 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The new story will revolve around the fragile truce between the factions and open up access to both Chernobyl and the Iron Forest.
On the same day, the free Update 2.0 will be released for all owners of the base game; its biggest change will be the transition to the newer Unreal Engine 5, along with further technical tweaks and new content.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Will Delight Fans with a Massive Expansion
Capcom has revealed new details about the Dark Arisen expansion for Dragon’s Dogma 2. Development began around six months after the release of the base game, when players were clamouring for more combat, exploration and tougher challenges. Kento Kinoshita, who directed the original Dark Arisen expansion, is returning to lead the project.
The DLC will add a new area, enemies, abilities, dungeons and rare relics, with the content expected to provide over 25 hours of new gameplay. The expansion will be released on 9 October 2026 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Capcom has also removed most microtransactions from the base game and added the infinite Eternal Ferrystone for more convenient travel – good guys, aren’t they?
Remakes Help Capcom Release Resident Evil Titles More Frequently
And let’s stay with the Japanese for a moment. Producer Masachika Kawata explained that reviving older titles isn’t just a simple way for Capcom to capitalise on nostalgia. Creating a completely new Resident Evil every year would place an enormous burden on the developers, whilst the parallel production of remakes allows for a more regular release schedule and offers players a constant stream of new content.
At the same time, according to Kawata, remakes are not considered inferior to the main sequels. The teams working on them can test new technologies, systems and production methods, which are later utilised in other projects as well. Following the successful remakes of Resident Evil 2, 3 and 4, a remake of Code: Veronica is also in the works.
Kratos Will Remain the Hero of the Next God of War
Fans who were worried that Kratos would fade into the background for good can rest assured. Cory Barlog, Creative Director at Santa Monica Studio, confirmed during San Diego Comic-Con that the legendary Spartan warrior will return as the main hero of the next instalment in the God of War series, which is already in development. He also revealed that the upcoming God of War spin-off, Laufey, will be a direct continuation of the existing story and will serve as a bridge to the next chapter of the entire saga.
Barlog also hinted that Laufey will provide answers to some questions following the events of Ragnarök, whilst also raising new mysteries. Although it is not yet known where Kratos’s next steps will lead, speculation amongst fans about Egyptian mythology continues to grow, fuelled by references to the goddess Sekhmet in the trailer. God of War: Laufey is due to be released on 16 February 2027, exclusively on PlayStation 5. Kratos will also appear in the upcoming remake of the original trilogy.
EA Sports FC 27 Adds a Social Mode Called ‘The Grounds’
Electronic Arts has unveiled EA Sports FC 27, due for release on 25 September 2026. The biggest new feature will be ‘The Grounds’, a social mode combining casual matches with competitive play. Players will create their own character, complete challenges and improve their skills under the guidance of football personalities.
The Career mode will feature revamped transfers utilising TransferRoom technology, and player prices will also be influenced by clubs’ financial capabilities. Ultimate Team will introduce the FUT Gallery for collecting special cards, and the game will feature a total of over 21,000 footballers, 800 clubs and national teams, 130 stadiums and 35 leagues.
Trailers & Gameplay Videos
In a Nutshell
• The July PlayStation Plus line-up added games such as Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Rise of the Ronin, Dying Light and the classics Psi-Ops and Indigo Prophecy to the Extra and Premium subscription tiers, whilst the Essential tier was enhanced with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, For the King II and CrossCode.
• The second wave of Game Pass in July brought games such as Halo: Campaign Evolved, Hell is Us and Beast of Reincarnation to the subscription service, whilst titles such as Celeste, Crusader Kings III and Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord were removed from the line-up at the end of the month.
• According to behind-the-scenes information, Microsoft intends to focus more heavily on Xbox and PC exclusives once again, whilst the release of its own games on PlayStation is expected to be significantly more limited.
• Sales of the Xbox Series X/S in the US rose by 86 per cent year-on-year in June, likely partly due to the impending price rise in August, whilst the PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 saw a decline.
• Despite the successful launch of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Ubisoft has once again been making redundancies, with the cuts affecting its Barcelona studio and dozens of staff involved in the game’s development.
• Ubisoft and Microsoft are allowing owners of selected Xbox games to obtain their PC versions free of charge via Ubisoft Connect; however, this offer does not work the other way round and does not apply to purchased DLC.
• After almost twenty years, Sony will gradually phase out (in 2027) the PlayStation Store on the PS3 and PS Vita, meaning players will lose the ability to purchase new digital content and reigniting the debate on the preservation of older games.
• From January 2028, Sony will stop releasing new games on physical Blu-ray discs, replacing them with digital versions and activation codes – however, games released on discs before January 2028 will still be able to be manufactured and distributed.
• On 28 July, Halo: Campaign Evolved was released on PC, Xbox Series X/S and, for the first time in the history of the main Halo series, on PlayStation 5.
• Microsoft launched the biggest restructuring in Xbox’s history – it made thousands of staff redundant, whilst Compulsion Games and Double Fine became independent studios, and Ninja Theory and Undead Labs came under new ownership.
• Microsoft has brought the first classics from the original Xbox to PC via Xbox Play Anywhere, thereby expanding backwards compatibility and making console exclusives from years gone by available to PC gamers as well.
• The new head of Xbox, Asha Sharma, revealed that Microsoft aims to reach up to a billion players a day in the future through consoles, PCs, the cloud, Game Pass, mobile games from King, and franchises such as Call of Duty, Minecraft, Halo and The Elder Scrolls.
• The fourth season of Battlefield 6 introduced naval battles featuring aircraft carriers, controllable boats, a new map called Tsuru Reef, and the return of the legendary Wake Island.
• According to Alinea Analytics, the Resident Evil 4 remake has become the most commercially successful remake of the current generation, with an estimated 16.8 million copies sold and revenue of around $560 million.
• Capcom has announced that Resident Evil Requiem has now sold over 8 million copies, whilst the new sci-fi franchise Pragmata has sold more than 2.5 million copies.
• According to insider AestheticGamer, Capcom is preparing an extensive story-driven DLC for Resident Evil Requiem, which is said to be similar in scale to Separate Ways or Shadows of Rose, although the studio has not yet officially confirmed this information.
• The Electronic Arts takeover is nearing completion – the European Commission has approved the acquisition of the publisher of the Battlefield, EA Sports FC, The Sims and Mass Effect by an investment consortium led by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) for approximately $55 billion, although the fact that part of the financing is through loans is raising concerns about possible future restructuring and redundancies.
• A new Warhorse Studios trademark suggests that the upcoming Kingdom Come could explore themes of redemption and guilt, although the studio has not yet officially revealed any details about the open-world RPG.
• The second story-driven DLC for Borderlands 4 will feature the return of FL4K, a new Vault Hunter named Loveless, a tropical island, new missions, abilities and legendary gear.
• Producer Motoi Okamoto revealed that the writers of Silent Hill f read between 100 and 200 books during development to better understand the style of lead writer Ryukishi07 and create a story faithful to his vision.
• Microsoft has revived the previously cancelled ‘The Baltic Powers’ expansion for Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition, which will add the Danish and Polish playable civilisations, more than 25 maps, two new modes and additional content in September.
• The indie hit Meccha Chameleon faced a security incident when malware was spread via malicious maps on the Steam Workshop, whilst hackers also took control of the game’s official Discord server, although, according to the developers, the game itself was not compromised.
• Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is set to launch on 25 August on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, offering co-op for up to four players, new classes, smarter Xenomorphs, special editions and the Rain’s Jackson’s Star Pack DLC, inspired by the film Alien: Romulus.
