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E-cards NewsLand: Gaming Digest – September 2026
September brought a packed month of gaming news, from GTA VI and The Witcher 3 remaster to Marvel’s Wolverine, Minecraft, Resident Evil, and major announcements from Xbox, Blizzard, Rockstar, and more.
In the world of gaming, September was all about major comebacks, even bigger figures, and the question of what we’re actually buying when we click the ‘Buy’ button in a digital store. Sony is explaining this in court, whilst CD Projekt RED has given The Witcher 3 a free revamp and, with an opening score of 94 points, has reminded us why Geralt’s adventure still hasn’t retired from the gaming world, even after eleven years. Meanwhile, Rockstar has unveiled further details about GTA VI, tightened the rules for modders and unveiled a €400 collector’s box that’s missing the most important little thing – the game itself.
Things were also busy outside Vice City and the Continent. After fifteen years, Minecraft is set to open up a new dimension; WARDOGS has surpassed three million copies sold; Wolverine has been a success despite lukewarm reviews; and the Resident Evil film has recorded the best opening in the series’ history. Add to that the return of Rayman and the classic tracks from Mario Kart, the war drama Ace Combat 8, new trailers, gameplay footage and a round-up of brief news items for anyone for whom September flew by faster than a loading screen.
Ace Combat 8 Will Borrow the Name of a Fallen Legend
Bandai Namco is preparing the runway for Ace Combat 8 with HOUR ZERO, a four-part live-action prequel. Starring Josh Holloway, Brandon Routh, and Tamlyn Tomita, the series depicts the opening days of the Republic of Sotoa’s invasion, which eventually plunges the entire region into war. The miniseries leads directly into the game’s campaign and introduces the conflict to players who have never followed the complicated history of the Strangereal universe.
The story itself finds the Federation of Central Usea in an almost hopeless situation. Its military has been shattered, its remaining forces operate from the enormous ship Endurance, and their best hope is the famous pilot Jan “Rex” Cope, known as the Wings of Theve. When Rex falls, his name is taken up by the player-controlled co-pilot, who must convince both allies and enemies that the legend is still alive. Ace Combat 8 will therefore combine its traditional aerial combat with a story about identity, propaganda, and the expectations of an entire nation. The Deluxe Edition is already available in early access, with the full release following on October 2 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The Witcher Remaster Will Also Reward Players Who Never Bought the Expansions
CD Projekt RED released the remaster of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on September 29, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central European Time. The upgraded version arrived on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with owners of the original game receiving the upgrade at no additional cost. The package also includes the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, which have been made available to everyone who owns the base game. The changes affect the visuals, movement, combat, and signs, although the redesigned version of Igni, for example, has already divided fans.
The release has also revived the question of whether Assassins of Kings will receive similar treatment. Studio representatives avoided giving a direct answer when asked about a potential remake of The Witcher 2 during a festival in Łódź, although Adam Badowski pointed toward Jakub Rokosz from Fool’s Theory, whose favorite game in the series happens to be the second installment. For now, it amounts to little more than a subtle wink at the audience. Fool’s Theory already has its hands full with the remake of the first Witcher, which will only arrive after The Witcher 4 and will use its technological foundations. Until stronger evidence emerges, this remains nothing more than an intriguing hint. For now, the priority is The Witcher 4, scheduled for 2028.
Prepare 45 GB for Geralt’s Return. Switch 2 Will Need Even More
We’ll stay with Geralt a little longer, although this time for purely practical reasons. The remaster requires a download of roughly 45 GB on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The PC version may be slightly larger depending on the number of installed language packs, while the standalone Nintendo Switch 2 release comes in at around 50 GB. These figures do not represent the game’s total size after installation, but the size of the download itself. Anyone whose storage is already packed to the brim might therefore want to start looking for the first candidate for temporary eviction.
Those dozens of gigabytes are not being spent on a handful of sharper textures. The developers have reworked the lighting, Geralt’s movement, combat system, abilities, and monster behavior, meaning the changes reach far deeper into the gameplay itself. The update became available free of charge to owners of every edition on September 29, while also granting access to both major expansions to players who had never owned them before. Returning to Velen therefore costs no extra money, just a little storage space, some time, and perhaps one painful decision while browsing your list of installed games.
Geralt Looks Younger and Critics Are Impressed. The Remaster Opens With a Score of 94
So how is the main subject of our news roundup actually doing? More than eleven years later, The Witcher 3 has returned in a form that has already impressed the first wave of reviewers. After eight reviews, the remaster holds an average Metacritic score of 94 out of 100, currently putting it ahead of the original game’s 92 and the Complete Edition’s 85. The sample size is still small and the overall score will change as more verdicts arrive, but Geralt has already found himself among the highest-rated games of 2026.
The biggest praise has gone to the reworked visuals with path tracing, new animations, revised combat, the ability tree, and enemy behavior. Reviews also point out that the movement and certain parts of the combat system cannot completely hide their age, but the excellent characters, side quests, and richly detailed world continue to hold up with few complaints.
Rockstar Isn’t Chasing Modders Away, but It Has Clearly Defined Their Freedom
Rockstar has a long and sometimes complicated relationship with the modding community. On the one hand, it acquired Cfx.re in 2023, the team behind FiveM and the popular GTA V role-playing servers. On the other, it has now drawn far clearer boundaries around fan-made content. Modders are not supposed to interfere with official continuity, expand the stories or missions of established characters, or transfer maps, locations, and other assets between individual games. Creativity still has a place, but Rockstar intends to keep the keys to the wider universe firmly in its own pocket.
The rules also cover unofficial ports, unauthorized tools for GTA Online, third-party music, characters, logos, and original voice recordings. Pornographic and extremist content is prohibited, as is the promotion of self-harm, endangering minors, and monetizing mods through paid missions, gambling, or gacha systems. The timing naturally raises questions, with GTA VI arriving on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19. Rockstar has not drawn any direct connection between the new terms and the approaching launch, while the PC version, traditionally the main playground for modders, has not even been officially announced yet. Still, it is clear that things are becoming increasingly “GTA-fied.”
Hundreds of Millions Are Flying Around PHYSINT, but Nobody Has Shown the Real Bill
PHYSINT is still years away from release, yet the internet has already slapped a $400 million price tag on it. The figure came from Chris Dring of The Game Business and, according to the original interpretation, was supposedly the amount Xbox had allocated to Kojima’s espionage action game. Jez Corden of Windows Central, however, claims the reality is considerably more modest and that Microsoft’s current agreement with Kojima Productions covers only a small portion of that figure. Until the parties involved speak more openly, the supposed $400 million budget remains mainly a catchy number spreading across the internet faster than any explanation of where it actually came from.
The original estimate may have mixed together plans from the period of collaboration with Sony, costs discussed at different stages of development, Hollywood actors, and film and television rights. PlayStation reportedly stopped financing the project due to concerns over its budget, return on investment, and distant release window, after which Xbox took the project under its wing. That does not mean it will be cheap. Kojima is aiming for a cinematic espionage action game and has cast Bill Skarsgård in the lead role. PHYSINT was also originally associated with the PlayStation 6 generation, meaning we still have a very long wait ahead before either the final budget or the finished game becomes clear.
Three Dimensions Are No Longer Enough for Minecraft. The Sift Is Opening Up
Minecraft is only a veteran if you look at its birth certificate. Even after more than 17 years, more than 300,000 people launch it for the first time on an average day, while total sales have already surpassed 425 million copies. Mojang therefore has no intention of keeping its blocky world alive with minor cosmetic changes alone. In 2027, the Overworld, Nether, and End will be joined by The Sift, the first completely new dimension since the End debuted in 2011. The developers have shown only a small teaser so far, but players can expect unique biomes, creatures, and more reasons to venture far beyond the safety of their carefully built bases.
Impatient players will get to visit The Sift earlier through Minecraft Dungeons 2, which launches on September 29 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. It will also join Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on the same day. Meanwhile, the main Minecraft is preparing an expedition into icy caves filled with icicles, calcite, and softly glowing crystals. Mining will be interrupted by a zombie whose attacks slow the player down, while certain variants can throw ice projectiles. The release date for this update is not yet known, but Mojang is simultaneously expanding its tools for creators and preparing sound packs for the Marketplace. A standalone Switch 2 version of Minecraft launches on October 27, and according to currently available information, upgrading from the original Switch version will not be free.
L.A. Noire 2 Could Take Us to San Francisco on the Trail of the Zodiac Killer
According to unconfirmed information, Rockstar is considering a sequel to the 2011 detective adventure L.A. Noire. The second game would move to San Francisco, where players would investigate crimes linked to the Zodiac Killer. Rumors point to a 2030 release and the return of MotionScan technology, this time significantly improved with modern hardware.
The rumor comes from a GTA Forums user who correctly described several GTA VI mechanics back in 2023. That gives the claim a little more weight, but the sequel remains pure speculation. Rockstar is currently focused on GTA VI and will likely be occupied later by the PC version and the future of GTA Online.
Straight From Early Access Into the Big Leagues. WARDOGS Sells Three Million Copies
WARDOGS needed just over two weeks to surpass three million copies sold, surprising even developer Bulkhead. The 100-player military action game divides combatants between three private companies and mixes a more tactical approach with the chaos of large-scale Battlefield-style battles.
Fixed classes are replaced by gradual progression in the activities players actually perform, meaning scouting, piloting, or fighting will unlock better options over time. Money earned carries over between matches and can be invested in weapons, vehicles, or base construction. WARDOGS is available in Early Access on PC, while Season 2 begins on October 15. Its first teaser promises a greater impact from weather and a serious amount of rain.
Rockstar Priced a Box Full of Vice City at €400. The Game Isn’t Inside
GTA VI collectors can order the luxurious The Goodtime State – Vice City Collection, priced by Rockstar at around €400 plus shipping. There is one fairly significant catch: the game itself is sold separately. The collection is inspired by the fictional Macca the Gator show from the state of Leonida and, rather than offering digital bonuses, focuses on physical souvenirs that could easily look at home in stalls lining the Vice City promenade.
The standout item is a 15-centimeter Macca alligator figure with a hidden compartment, accompanied by Oakley Frogskins sunglasses, a New Era cap, a crossbody bag, a magnetic mirror, and a Chunky shot glass. The box also contains a mixing spoon, a razor-blade-shaped keychain, a set of pins, stickers, and a double-sided poster. The separate fold-out map familiar from older Rockstar games is missing, although the back of the poster provides a look at the whole of Leonida. The collection launches on November 19 alongside GTA VI.
Vice City Will Connect Social Media, Leisure Time, and Crime
The people of Leonida in GTA 6 will not simply exist as background scenery between missions. Characters seen in posts on the game’s social networks can later be encountered directly on the streets, while the reactions of people around them will change depending on the behavior of Jason and Lucia. Players will be able to spend their free time taking part in circuit, street, and off-road races, playing basketball, diving, hunting, or fishing, with the latter tied to challenges and collectible content. Kayaking, the zoo, and nightlife venues can serve as activities for the pair to enjoy together and may influence their relationship. Even the fish will not simply disappear into the protagonists’ pockets, as a catch-and-release system returns them to the water after they are caught.
The protagonists’ everyday routines will have consequences as well. Overeating will increase their weight, neglecting fitness will lead to muscle loss, and too little sleep will slow down the recovery of their status bars. Gyms, for example, will unlock different exercises once a membership has been purchased, while working out together as Jason and Lucia may also strengthen their personal bond.
A far less romantic side of the system will come in the form of separate criminal profiles for both protagonists, which react to encounters with the police. Color-coded hit indicators will distinguish between wounded, disarmed, and dead enemies, while the violence will reportedly extend as far as shooting off limbs. All of this comes from a presentation of the game running on a base PS5 at 30 fps. So far, there has been no mention of a 60 fps mode, multiplayer, or a PC version. GTA VI launches on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Rayman Will Ride a Dragon and Open an Entirely New Realm
Rayman Legends Retold launches on December 3 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2, expanding the original platformer with voiced cutscenes, dragon flights, and a sixth realm called Land of the Livid Dead. It is here that Rayman will gain the Fairy Radiance ability, allowing him to remove corruption and open new paths. Musical levels will return alongside Kung Foot Evo, which adds more arenas, power-ups, and customizable rules, while the Cave of Trials will offer regular challenges, tougher Nightmare Trials, and leaderboards. The game will also add dozens of costumes, and the entire campaign can be completed in local co-op for up to four players.
The New Resident Evil Made Almost as Much in One Weekend as Afterlife Did During Its Entire Theatrical Run
After the success of Barbarian and Weapons, Zach Cregger has struck gold again. His Resident Evil opened with $60 million at the US box office, despite analysts expecting a debut between $40 million and $50 million. That marks a new record for the film franchise as well as the strongest opening weekend of Cregger’s career. The previous leader, Resident Evil: Afterlife, opened with $26.7 million in 2010 and ultimately finished its entire US theatrical run with $60.1 million.
Worldwide, the film opened with $108.3 million against a budget of roughly $75 million, surpassing the total theatrical gross of the first live-action Resident Evil movie from 2002 in a single weekend. That film earned just under $104 million over its entire run. The new release is also receiving very positive reactions from both critics and audiences, with premieres in several major markets, including Japan, still to come. A film franchise once widely mocked has unexpectedly become one of the biggest horror success stories of the year.
Zlatan Is Commentating and The Sims Are Kicking a Ball Around. FC 27 Gets a Wild Launch Trailer
The launch trailer for EA Sports FC 27 has turned into a showcase of football stars, cameos, and hidden jokes. Kylian Mbappé is joined by Zlatan Ibrahimović as a commentator, while Kenan Yıldız somehow finds time between training sessions to play on a Switch 2. Even The Sims get involved in the virtual football action, and a ball even makes an appearance during a fishing trip, turning the whole video into an Easter egg feast. FC 27 is already available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and both generations of Switch, although the new social hub The Grounds is exclusive to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2.
Denuvo Wants to Unmask voices38. The Trail Leads Through Steam, Reddit, and Discord
Denuvo has filed a lawsuit in the United States against an anonymous hacker known as voices38, who allegedly bypassed its protection in at least 26 PC games, including Hogwarts Legacy, Black Myth: Wukong, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Resident Evil Requiem. Since the Austrian company does not own the copyrights to the games themselves, the lawsuit is based on US rules prohibiting the circumvention of technological protection measures.
Denuvo does not yet know the hacker’s real name, but it has linked their activity to a Reddit account, a Discord identifier, and seven Steam profiles. The company now needs court approval to compel the platforms to hand over associated data and IP addresses. Voices38, meanwhile, claims the lawsuit has not intimidated them and that they plan to continue cracking games.
Trailers
In a Nutshell
• Microsoft has introduced Mythic Achievements, its own equivalent of PlayStation’s Platinum trophies, which players earn by completing all of a game’s base achievements, with the system also working retroactively for supported titles dating back to the Xbox 360 era and currently being tested by members of the Xbox Insider program.
• 007: First Light received free DLC on October 1 that could introduce a new mission featuring the Aston Martin Valhalla, while IO Interactive is already preparing a larger story expansion starring pirate king Bawma, played by Lenny Kravitz.
• Discord is preparing an experimental Game Mode that will automatically reduce the app’s animations and visual effects while gaming, lowering CPU and GPU usage and freeing up more performance for the game itself.
• Naughty Dog is developing two new projects set in the world of The Last of Us that will expand on the stories of the original games, while a more substantial reveal of its ambitious sci-fi title Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is not planned until 2027.
• According to insider information, GTA VI is receiving significantly more pre-orders on PlayStation 5 than on Xbox, although Microsoft says the game is also breaking records on its platform and that the difference in sales reflects the respective market shares of the two consoles.
• GTA VI will receive its own music album alongside its November launch, with Rockstar Games partnering with Atlantic Records on 34 completely new tracks created specifically for the game, featuring confirmed artists such as Travis Scott, PinkPantheress, Keith Richards, Yung Lean, and Rauw Alejandro; the first six singles are already available to stream, and in addition to the digital release, the album will also be issued on CD and in several collectible vinyl editions.
• Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse launches on October 15 for PC and consoles, with a playable demo becoming available on October 1 and allowing players to carry their saved progress into the full game, which takes them to a demon-infested Paris in 1499.
• Titan Quest 2 will leave Early Access on January 19, 2027, and launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with the Greek mythology-inspired action RPG offering extensive character customization, a confrontation with the goddess Nemesis, and planned long-term support.
• As part of a major Xbox restructuring, Microsoft has canceled an unannounced project from World’s Edge, the studio behind the Age of Empires series, moved the developer under Activision, and reportedly laid off nearly half of its employees, including creative director Adam Isgreen.
• Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 30 in complete editions containing all major expansions, with both games available either separately or together in the discounted Shadow Bundle.
• Blizzard has confirmed that its upcoming open-world StarCraft shooter, planned for 2030, will not be an Xbox exclusive, although the company has yet to reveal whether it will come to PlayStation or Nintendo consoles in addition to PC.
• Blizzard plans to release Diablo 5 in 2029 and a new open-world StarCraft shooter in 2030, with company leadership headed by Johanna Faries assuring players that despite the distant release dates, both ambitious projects remain under control and are expected to be completed according to the original schedule.
• At BlizzCon 2026, Blizzard announced a partnership with Netflix on an animated series set in the Diablo universe, which will form part of broader plans to expand its gaming franchises beyond video games, with Warcraft and Overwatch potentially receiving similar adaptations in the future.
• Warcraft 3: Reforged has received a new paid campaign called Forsaken Kingdom, but Blizzard has also removed LAN multiplayer support and offline mode, forcing players to maintain a constant internet connection and triggering a wave of criticism from the community, while both features remain available only in the original Classic client.
• Valve has revealed pricing for its Steam Frame VR headset, which will be available in a 256GB version for €1,049 and a 1TB model for €1,279, offering standalone operation without external sensors, a lighter design, more modern displays, and wireless PC game streaming, with sales initially handled through a reservation system.
• Capcom will bring the Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 remakes to Nintendo Switch 2 on October 16, 2026, in complete editions including all relevant expansions, with the digital versions becoming available immediately and physical releases following in January 2027.
• Metro 2039 launches on February 4, 2027, across all planned platforms, with the PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X versions offering a Performance mode with 60 frames per second and ray tracing from day one, as demonstrated by the developers in new gameplay footage captured on PS5 Pro.
