Square Enix shared a special PV video on YouTube that ended with the phrase “NieR: Automata to be continued.” This suggests we could see a new NieR: Automata project, though the vagueness means it is uncertain if it could be related to the anime adaptation, a game, or book. Additional statements also confirmed current sales figures for that game and NieR Replicant.
First, here’s the “NieR: Automata to be continued” announcement video suggesting a new project like a game or other form of media is in the works. It’s specifically designed to honor the fact that this game passed 10 million units sold physically and digitally worldwide. That applies to the Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC versions of the game. At the 5:48 mark of the PV, the screen scrambles and the ominous text suggesting more is in development shows up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyn1b_5bw-M
Square Enix also shared new key art on social media honoring the sales milestone. That features 2B at the forefront, with 9S right behind her and A2 at the back.
Image via Square Enix
As for the new sales figure update for NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139, that wasn’t accompanied by a special video. Square Enix just took to social media to share the update. It’s now at two million copies sold worldwide digitally and physically. That takes into account the PS4, Xbox One, and PC copies.
There is a piece of art shared to commemorate that, however.
Image via Square Enix
NieR: Automata is available on the Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC, the anime is on Crunchyroll, and Square Enix’s books division handled a number of spin-off books worldwide.
Once every year, Final Fantasy XIV celebrates Little Ladies’ Day, which in practical terms absolutely means people getting glowsticks to cheer for idols putting on a concert. Yes, it is a bit of a walk to get from “a holiday for young women” to that endpoint, but it happened. The latest outing is planned for Thursday, […]
Time to kick up your feet and listen to a classic MMO tune! This week’s pick is We All Lift Together, a popular shanty from, oddly enough, Warframe and written by Keith Power. Give it a listen and see if you’re not whistling it for the rest of the day! And if you have any […]
Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken was published in August of 1915, and it has endured an immense popularity since then. Many people can quote the last couplet of the poem (“I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”), and for years the title alone conjures images of […]
March 9th is shaping up to be a significant boon for Elder Scrolls Online’s community, as ZeniMax is prepping Update 49 and an array of player-requested improvements. These include free build changes, account-wide outfit slot unlocks, an increase to the furnishing limit cap, cheaper bag and bank space expansion, and a whole ton of mounts […]
This week’s Massively Overthinking is inspired by a tweet I saw from SMITE, of all games, where the Hi-Rez devs asked players to propose one god to delete from the game. Obviously, this is not a serious proposition, but in the aggregate, the answers can kinda show a trend in what people are tired of, […]
If your first thought when hearing about Marathon’s March 5th release date was how that would immediately clash with Destiny 2’s plans for a major update for Renegades on March 3rd, well good news! It’s not going to get in the way anymore because Bungie is delaying that update for nearly four months. Wait, no, that’s the opposite of […]
Stillborn Slayer arrives on console today, delivering a grim blend of fast-paced combat, procedural progression, and dark fantasy atmosphere across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
Plant a Seed of Hope - The 4th entry in this super-retro RPG series is here and Dragon Spira is the best one yet so let's head out on a memorable adventure. Read more: Dragon Spira Review
Gear up for a cute adventure - Seashell Island is sinking and it's up to you to find the lost gears to save it in this Zelda-like adventure rich with puzzles and adorable critters. Read more: Under The Island Review
RPG + board game + hilarity - I have a very silly and adorable game for you today because Calamity Angels: Special Delivery is ridiculous stuff that'll tickle your funny bone. Read more: Calamity Angels: Special Delivery Review
Blizzard made a strong showing during Diablo’s 30th anniversary spotlight event, announcing that Diablo IV, Diablo Immortal, and Diablo 2: Resurrected are all getting the Warlock class.
The biggest shock? Diablo 2 getting new content.
Warlock DLC Is Now Available in Diablo 2: Resurrected
The Warlock’s arrival in Diablo 2: Resurrected marks the first new class added to the classic game in 25 years. The DLC, titled Reign of the Warlock, is available starting today.
This doesn’t look like an undercooked addition thrown in to appease longtime fans. Blizzard says the class was tested and refined with feedback from some of the most committed players in the community.
The Warlock taps into Diablo’s demonic roots. One branch focuses on summoning, allowing players to call forth a Goatman, a Tainted, and a Defiler as companions. But that’s just one aspect of the class.
Another path lets the Warlock bind himself to a specific demon type, gaining that demon’s abilities and traits. Players can also devour bound demons for temporary combat buffs. Blizzard states that all demon types can be bound, opening up room for experimentation and build variety.
The third branch introduces the hexblade playstyle, where the Warlock summons a floating two-handed weapon while casting chaos spells with his tome.
The DLC is priced at $24.99. Beyond the class itself, it includes new class-specific items, additional runestones, new end-game encounters like the Colossal Ancients, and updates to Terror Zones.
Diablo IV is Getting the Warlock too
Diablo IV also appeared during the spotlight, revealing that Warlock will be the second class introduced in the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion launching on April 28.
More details about this version of the Warlock will be shared during a developer update stream on March 5, where Blizzard plans to take a deeper dive into the class.
The expansion also expands the endgame with two new modes: War Plans and Echoing Hatred.
War Plans Explained
War Plans allows players to create a chain of endgame activities in a single playlist. As you progress through your selected activities, rewards increase in value.
Available activities include:
The Pit
Infernal Hordes
Helltides
Nightmare Dungeons
Lair Bosses
Kurast Undercity
It’s essentially a structured way to grind more efficiently, something Diablo IV’s endgame arguably needed.
Echoing Hatred
Echoing Hatred is a rare event triggered by acquiring an “incredibly rare” item called a Trace of Echoes.
Once activated, players enter an infinite wave-based challenge where difficulty gradually increases. Each run features randomized enemies, making it a test of endurance and build optimization.
Overhauled Skill Tree
One of the more interesting announcements was the overhaul to Diablo IV’s skill tree launching alongside Lord of Hatred.
Blizzard calls it an overhaul, but it feels more like an expansion. Players will be able to modify certain skill properties directly within the tree.
Their example was the Sorcerer’s Hydra skill. Under the new system, players can enhance specific properties, such as increased burning damage or even convert it from a fire Hydra into a frost Hydra.
For further customization, the expansion introduces the Talisman system, allowing players to socket Charms for set bonuses. Charms will start dropping in every activity after unlocking it in the Lords of Hatred expansion. The Horadric Cube will also make its debut in Diablo IV with this expansion.
Diablo Immortal is also getting a Warlock
The free-to-play mobile entry, Diablo Immortal, will also receive the Warlock class between April and June 2026.
Since Immortal takes place between Diablo 2 and Diablo 3, its version of the Warlock will differ mechanically and thematically.
Blizzard described the class as follows:
“The Warlock is brutally powerful and reckless in their destruction. With this power comes a demeanor that leaves her enemies and allies terrified of her intentions. The Warlock uses the long-buried practice of Vizjerei magic and summoned demonic weapons forged in the Burning Hells.”
“Using Vizjerei magic, the Warlock can open portals to hell, carving rifts through reality to summon and command demons. The Warlock wields a demon skull in her main hand, and a sacrificial blade in her offhand.”
This version of the Warlock will also have the ability to summon Soulgorger, a massive beast capable of devouring demons to gain that demon’s traits.
The devs also shared the game’s 2026 roadmap.
Diablo 3 Benched
It’s a lot to process, but it makes sense given the franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
The true showstopper is still Diablo 2 receiving a brand-new class. Few expected Blizzard to invest resources into expanding a 25-year-old title beyond its remaster.
Diablo 3, however, remained quiet. It feels like that entry has been benched for years, clearly showing what their priorites are at the moment.
Still, three active Diablo games receiving major updates is more than most franchises get. Blizzard clearly wants this anniversary to make a solid impact, and I think the Warlock is one way to make sure it does.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Blizzard is making yet another major shift to its live-service hero shooter as Overwatch 2 ditches the “2” and reverts back to simply being called Overwatch. This change comes alongside a new year-long story arc called Reign of Talon, with Season 1 introducing five new heroes, new sub-roles, and more.
Five New Overwatch Heroes
Blizzard is introducing five new characters when Season 1 of Reign of Talon goes live next week, with one of them (Anran) being available via Hero Trial starting today, February 5.
Here’s a breakdown of the new characters and their abilities courtesy of Blizzard.
Domina (Tank)
Heiress and vice president of Vishkar Industries. Though Domina is not a formal member of Talon, a partnership with Vendetta has granted Vishkar Industries lucrative redevelopment rights for territories under Talon control.
Using advanced Vishkar technology, Domina is the first true poke tank since Sigma—an elegant long‑range controller with deadly zone dominance.
Photon Magnum (Primary Fire) - Medium-range beam that culminates in a high impact shot.
Barrier Array - A segmented hard‑light barrier deployed in front of Domina. Each segment must be individually destroyed, creating dynamic defensive angles.
Crystal Charge - Project an explosive crystal and reactivate to denotate it.
Sonic Repulsors - Push enemies back, stunning them if they hit a wall.
Ultimate — Panopticon - Fire a hard-light barrier that imprisons enemies and detonates on expiration.
Passive – Reconstruction - Dealing damage with abilities restores shields.
Emre (Damage)
Emre is a former member of the Overwatch Strike Team. He once stood as an example of Overwatch’s ideals, but as Overwatch lost sight of its mission, Emre chose to leave. Freja tracked him down and discovered that his body has been altered with cybernetic modifications. His mind appears to be in conflict; sometimes he behaves like the person he once was, and other times he seems detached.
Now aligned with Vendetta, Emre brings a fast-paced, run‑and‑gun damage style.
Take Aim (Secondary Fire) - Hold to zoom in, tightening accuracy and increasing fall off range.
Siphon Blaster - Temporarily wield a semi-automatic pistol with life stealing explosive rounds. Move faster and jump higher while wielded.
Cyber Frag - Throw a grenade that detonates shortly after bouncing.
Ultimate — Override Protocol - An override initiates, transforming you into a living weapon. Fires rapid explosive blasts or charged mega‑shots capable of wiping teams.
Passive – Altered Vitals - Passive health regeneration activates sooner and instantly restores 30 health when activated.
Mizuki (Support)
Mizuki is a member of the Hashimoto clan, which is aligned with Talon. He has endured years of misfortune and pressure within the clan’s hierarchy. Some believe he may not be suited for the life he has been raised into, but through dedication and influence from senior clan members, he has become a key player. Mizuki has been tasked with infiltrating the Yokai near Kanezaka, but there is concern that he may be influenced by them or potentially drawn to Overwatch.
Spirit Glaive (Primary Fire) - Throw a spinning blade that can bounce off walls, impact enemies and rapidly deal damage.
Healing Kasa - Throw your hat to heal an ally, bouncing to nearby allies and healing you when it returns.
Katashiro Return - Leap forward, leaving behind a paper doll. Reactivate to return and gain increased movement speed while active.
Binding Chain - Launch a tethering chain that hinders the first enemy hit.
Ultimate — Kekkai Sanctuary - Create a sanctuary that heals allies and absorbs enemy projectiles from outside the area.
Passive – Remedy Aura - Heals nearby allies. Healing scales with resources generated by dealing damage and healing.
Anran (Damage)
The older sister of Wuyang, Anran harnesses the power of Fire when in the heat of battle. She is confident and hardworking, holding others to the standards she maintains for herself. Anran joins Overwatch with the intent to save the world and to keep Wuyang out of trouble.
Zhuque Fans (Primary Fire) - Hand fans that shoot fiery projectiles.
Fan the Flames (Secondary Fire) - Hot wind blast that amplifies burning damage.
Inferno Rush - Propel yourself forward and damage enemies you impact.
Dancing Blaze - Strike nearby enemies while dodging all damage.
Ultimate — Vermillion Ascent (Alive) - Charge forward, exploding on impact and instantly igniting enemies.
Ultimate — Vermillion Revival (Dead) - When dead, revive yourself in a fiery explosion.
Passive – Ignition - Hit enemies with fire attacks to burn them.
Jetpack Cat (Support)
Yup. Jetpack Cat is finally joining the lineup.
Found as a stray in Gibraltar, little is known about Jetpack Cat other than how dangerous she is in fights, with quick reflexes and a kit befitting a feline Hero.
Biotic Pawjectiles (Primary Fire) - Mid‑range projectile spread that heals allies and damages enemies.
Lifeline - Toggle into transport mode, allowing an ally to be towed. Increases movement speed and heals your ally.
Frenetic Flight - Accelerate in your movement direction. Fuel recovery is slower while carrying another player.
Purr - Pulsing area heal that increases in frequency over time. Knockback nearby enemies when activated.
Ultimate — Catnapper - Dive towards a ground location, knocking down enemies and tethering the nearest one to you.
Passive – Jetpack - Permanent flight.
Overwatch Adding Sub-roles
The new season isn’t just about new heroes and a new story arc, they are also deepening the roles of each hero in the game through what they are calling sub-roles.
Tank Role
BRUISER: Reduces critical damage received. While at critical health, gain movement speed.
RECON: You detect enemies below half health through walls after damaging them.
Echo / Freja / Pharah / Sombra
Support Role
TACTICIAN: You can gain excess ultimate charge, which carries over after using your ultimate ability.
Ana / Baptiste / Jetpack Cat / Lucio / Zenyatta
MEDIC: Healing allies with your weapon also heals you.
Kiriko / Lifeweaver / Mercy / Moira
SURVIVOR: Using a movement ability activates passive health regeneration.
Brigitte / Illari / Juno / Mizuki / Wuyang
Conquest Meta Event will be 5 Weeks Long
The new season will also come with a 5-week meta event where the Overwatch community can pick to side with either Overwatch or Talon. This results in players completing missions tied to the game’s ongoing story, as the faction with the most missions completed will be rewarded at the end of the event. Thankfully, you are not locked into one faction after picking a side.
This event will feature these rewards:
75 Base Lootboxes
12 Epic Lootboxes
7 Legendary Lootboxes
9 new Voice Lines
31 2D Cosmetics
2 Weapon Charms
1 of 2 faction-themed Legendary Echo skins
Exclusive new Rare, Epic and Legendary titles (and a secret hidden one!)
The new season also includes a UI/UX update following the removal of the sequel branding, a competitive reset with unique rewards, and a large batch of new cosmetics. This includes a new Mercy Mythic Skin, with a Mei Mythic arriving mid-season.
Overwatch 2026 Roadmap
Blizzard also shared a glimpse of the game’s roadmap, promising a new hero for each of the next three seasons following Season 1’s launch on February 10, 2026.
Carlos Hernandez is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Too Much Gaming, where he writes about video games, reviews, and industry news. A lifelong gamer, he would do anything to experience Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time again and has a love/hate relationship with games that require hunting for new gear to improve your character.
Time flows exactly how you think it does in Fallout 4, and while it's normally a non-issue, you may need to be in certain in-game time windows if you want to make progress with certain quests (or if you just want to skip the days/nights away). Thankfully, like in Bethesda's other RPGs, players can skip time in Fallout 4 whenever they want, provided they aren't getting mauled or shot at, and that there's an actual resting place nearby.
Resident Evil Village wears its RE4 inspirations on its sleeves, from the general vibe of the setting to the way the inventory works. Buying and selling items is also present in this series entry, and if players want to stock up on supplies or upgrade their gear, they'll need plenty of Lei. Selling treasures is the best way to get money in Resident Evil Village, and thankfully, they're all marked on the player's map. However, in the case of the Treasure Under the Stronghold, map markers alone won't get you any closer to its location.
In a recent interview, Geralt's voice actor Doug Cockle offered his personal ranking of romances in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. His take differs considerably from the usual fan debate over Geralt's romance options in the game by placing a comparatively minor The Witcher 3 character ahead of the two entrenched favorites.
It leaked earlier, but it has now been confirmed that Need for Speed: Unbound on PS5 is part of the PS Plus January 2026 games!
Start at the bottom, race to the top in the latest entry in the iconic Need for Speed franchise. With separate single and multiplayer campaigns, this latest edition in the Need for Speed franchise from Criterion Games delivers hours of electric, adrenaline-pumping racing action. Race against time, outsmart the cops, and take on weekly qualifiers to reach The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your style, exclusive fits, and a vibrant global soundtrack that bumps in every corner of the world.
Criterion developed the game and it was published in 2022 by EA, and when it was released we gave it 9/10 in our review, calling it “the best arcade racer of 2022”. Since then it has had multiple updates but support for the game ended in in 2024 when Criterion moved on to help make Battlefield 6.
Play as Mickey Mouse and embark on an epic journey through Wasteland, a realm of forgotten Disney characters. Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed brings the magic of Disney to life in a vibrant 3D platformer. This beautiful remake sends Mickey into a fantastical world where you use paint and thinner to shape your adventure and the fate of this alternate world. Every stroke of your magic brush matters! Use paint to restore beauty and harmony or thinner to alter your environment and uncover hidden secrets. Encounter iconic characters like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney’s first creation. Collect virtual Disney pins and tackle creative challenges while exploring classic platforming levels inspired by animated films and shorts.
Your third and final game is Core Keeper on both PS4 and PS5.
Awaken as an explorer in a long-forgotten cavern teeming with untold secrets. In this award-winning, 1-8 player mining sandbox adventure, your choices shape an epic journey. Harvest relics and resources, craft advanced tools, build your base, and explore a dynamically evolving world waiting to be unearthed. Level up your skills, defeat legendary Titans, and unveil the power of the Core. Grow your garden, fish in mysterious waters, master a vast array of recipes, raise and care for animals, encounter the Cavelings, and carve out your own unique world in an enchanting underground adventure.
Need For Speed Unbound, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and Core Keeper will be available to PlayStation Plus members from Tuesday January 6th 2026 until Monday February 2nd 2026
Sony had previously announced that from January 2026, PS4 games will no-longer be a guaranteed part of the PlayStation Plus monthly games lineup. Cross-gen games that have a PS4 version could certainly still be included – and there’s still tons of PS4 games being released – but it’s not going to be a requirement anymore.
Here’s Sony’s statement from the PS Blog:
As many of our players are currently playing on PS5 and have shifted toward redeeming and accessing PS5 titles from the Monthly Games and Game Catalog benefit, PlayStation Plus is also evolving with this trend and will focus on offering PS5 titles through the Monthly Games and Game Catalog benefit starting January 2026. As we shift to PS5, PS4 games will no longer be a key benefit and will only be occasionally offered for PlayStation Plus Monthly Games and Game Catalog starting January 2026. We may still provide titles that can be playable on both PS4 and PS5 consoles after this date.
Please note, this won’t affect the PS4 Monthly Games that you have already redeemed from PlayStation Plus. You’ll continue to have access to games you’ve already redeemed as long as you remain a member. For Game Catalog, PS4 games will still be available to play until it leaves the catalog as part of our monthly refresh.
We’ll continue to evolve the experience of PlayStation Plus and optimize the benefits you receive, including exclusive discounts, online multiplayer access, online game save storage and more. As we shift our focus to PS5, we look forward to adding new PS5 titles monthly for you to enjoy.
The PS Plus January 2026 games should be officially revealed later today on the PlayStation Blog.
What are the PS Plus December 2025 Monthly Games?
There’s a big bundle of titles for PS Plus this month, available from Tuesday, 2nd December until January 6th, 2026
PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch/Switch 2, Xbox, PC; Square-Enix This landmark role-playing game remains a revolutionary tour de force
At first glance, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, first released in 1997 and now available in newly remastered guise, does little to separate itself from other boilerplate fantasy fiction. There is a hero, Ramza – an idealistic nobleman with luscious blond hair who cavorts about the medieval-inspired realm of Ivalice in search of high adventure. But quickly, and with narrative elegance, the picture complicates: peasant revolutionaries duke it out with gilded monarchists; machiavellian plots plunge the kingdom into chaos. Ramza must navigate this knotty political matrix, all while experiencing his own ideological awakening.
There is a strong case to be made that Final Fantasy Tactics tells a better story than the landmark Final Fantasy VII (which saw Cloud Strife and a ragtag bunch of eco-terrorist pals taking on the shady megacorporation Shinra). And with our real-world political focus shifting from the looming threat of the climate crisis to the more pressing rise of fascism (though the two are inextricably linked), one can make the argument that Tactics is now also the more timely game.
Pathologic 3 – the first proper release of the year (HypeTrain Digital)
Get the latest video game release date information for 2026 in our detailed schedule for upcoming titles, starting this week with Pathologic 3.
As usual for the start of the year, we don’t know too much about video game release dates beyond the next few months, but there are some that have already staked out a specific launch time, including 007 First Light, PlayStation 5 exclusive Saros, and Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight.
Of course, the biggest game of the year is set to be Grand Theft Auto 6, although that’s assuming it sticks to its current release date, which is by no means guaranteed.
We’ll update this list of upcoming titles every week, usually on Thursday, and you’ll find it’ll quickly begin to fill out with new releases, especially once Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have their first preview showcases of the year.
Friday 9 January 2026
Pathologic 3 (PC)
Saturday 10 January 2026
Code Violet (PS5)
Monday 12 January 2026
Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (PC) Big Hops (NS/PS5/PC)
Wednesday 14 January 2026
Cassette Boy (PS4/XO/NS/PS5/XSX/PC) Streetdog BMX (PC)
Thursday 15 January 2026
The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Beyond The Horizon (PS4/NS/PS5/NS2/PC) Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (NS2)
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Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
Friday 16 January 2026
BrokenLore: Unfollow (PS5/PC)
Tuesday 20 January 2026
2XKO (XSX/PS5/PC) MIO: Memories In Orbit (NS/PS5/XSX/PC)
Thursday 22 January 2026
Sega Football Club Champions (PS4/PS5/PC/iOS/Android) Hermit And Pig (PC) Arknights: Endfield (PS5/PC/iOS/Android) Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade (XSX/NS2) Dynasty Warriors: Origins (NS2)
Friday 23 January 2026
Escape from Ever After (PS4/XO/NS/PS5/XSX/PC) Banquet For Fools (PC)
Monday 26 January 2026
Highguard (PS5/XSX/PC)
Tuesday 27 January 2026
Speedball (PS5/XSX/PC)
Wednesday 28 January 2026
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin (PS5/PC/iOS/Android)
Thursday 29 January 2026
I Hate This Place (NS/PS5/XSX/PC) Cairn (PS5/PC) Dark Auction (NS/PS5/PC) Dusk Index: Gion (NS/PS5/XSX/PC) Dispatch (NS/NS2)
Friday 30 January 2026
Code Vein 2 (XSX/PS5/PC) The 9th Charnel (PS5/XSX/PC)
Tuesday 3 February 2026
Aces Of Thunder (PS5/PC) Unemployment Simulator 2018 (PC)
Thursday 5 February 2026
Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined (NS/XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) Deus Ex Remastered (NS/XSX/PS5/PC)
Mario Tennis Fever (NS2) Ride 6 (PS5/XSX/PC) BlazBlue Entropy Effect X (PS5) Disciples: Domination (PS5/XSX/PC) ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard (PS5/XSX/NS2/PC) Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties (PS5/XSX/NS2/PC)
Friday 13 February 2026
High On Life 2 (PS5/XSX/PC) Reanimal (XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azume (PS5/XSX)
Other video game release dates 2026:
27 February – Resident Evil Requiem (XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) 27 March – 007 First Light (XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) 24 April – Pragmata (XSX/PS5/NS2/PC) 30 April – Saros (PS5) 29 May – Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight (XSX/PS5/PC) 9 September – Phantom Blade 0 (PS5/PC) 19 November – Grand Theft Auto 6 (XSX/PS5)
Resident Evil Requiem is out relatively soon (Capcom)
Despite years of complaints from fans, Call Of Duty is still extremely popular (Activision)
Any studio looking to release a new live service game in 2026 needs to take a long hard look at what the most played games in the US were last year.
The start of a new year should instil everyone with a sense of anticipation and the thought of new possibilities. But for the games industry at least, the last few years have brought more worries than excitement.
At the very least, it’d be nice to see publishers stop pinning all their hopes on live service games and becoming the next Fortnite, because it’s simply not going to happen. If you need further evidence of that, just take a look at what most people in the US were playing last year.
Circana analyst Mat Piscatella took to Bluesky to share the top five most played video games in the US, on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles, according to a survey of ‘active’ gamers.
On PlayStation, the top five were Fortnite, Call Of Duty, GTA 5, Minecraft, and Roblox. And on Xbox, it’s the exact same list, with the only difference being Roblox and Minecraft’s positions are swapped.
These are all long-running games with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer and have been consistently updated over the years – with only Call Of Duty being a traditional yearly release.
What’s especially telling is that, according to Piscatella, these lists are unchanged compared to 2024. The order’s slightly different for Xbox, but it’s still the same five games.
2025's top 5 most played games on US Xbox ranked by % of active panel that played:1 – Fortnite2 – Call of Duty3 – GTAV4 – Minecraft5 – RobloxSame list for 2024:1 – Call of Duty2 – Fortnite3 – Minecraft4 – GTAV5 – RobloxSource: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
Fortnite is the youngest of the bunch, having launched in 2017, which means no other games, live service ones or otherwise, have managed to come close to this list’s level of popularity in the last eight years.
Knowing this, it’s hard to imagine things being any different this time next year. Call Of Duty may drop a couple of places thanks to Black Ops 7, which only launched two months ago and has been a relative flop, at least by the series’ standards.
While there are no public figures on console, SteamDB’s data shows Call Of Duty has been bleeding players for years on PC, with even 2024’s well received Black Ops 6 bucking the trend.
Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders may be the go-to multiplayer shooters for the moment but Call Of Duty clearly has a tight stranglehold on the gaming community when it’s still among the most played games in the US despite its online reputation.
This knowledge should be a turn-off for any studio hoping to break into the live service games market, but comments from Ubisoft suggest it’s unperturbed (even after multiple failures) and the big closure of The Game Awards 2025 was a new live service shooter from the Apex Legends creators called Highguard, that’s set to launch later this month.
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Highguard has pedigree behind it, but will that be enough? (Wildlight Entertainment)
