Quick Hits

• Nintendo's New Console is a Juggernaut: The Nintendo Switch 2 has reportedly already surpassed the lifetime UK sales of the GameCube. Combine this with Capcom confirming a high likelihood of a Pragmata sequel after selling 2.5 million copies, and the Switch 2 ecosystem is looking incredibly healthy out of the gate.
• Fortnite Gets Wick-ed: The Simpsons are officially returning to Fortnite today, July 30, alongside John Wick. Even bigger, Springfield is dropping as a brand-new Reload map to close out Chapter 7 Season 3 with a bang.
• Executive Paydays Amidst Layoffs: The industry's contrasting fortunes continue. EA's CEO secured a $38 million payday driven by Battlefield 6's record-breaking success, while Xbox executives are aiming for a massive "gaming division bounce back" by summer 2027 following their recent post-layoff restructuring.
• Arc Raiders Players Already Cheesing the Beta: Sneaky players in Embark Studios' upcoming extraction shooter are already acting as "rats," intentionally jumping in front of friendly fire to manipulate and cheat the game's matchmaking systems.

Pokémon & Nintendo

It’s a massive day for monster collectors. Following a release date announcement earlier today, The Pokémon Company dropped a seven-minute extended overview trailer for the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass. The first content drop, the Bubbly Basin DLC, officially launches for Nintendo Switch 2 on August 5th. If that isn't enough water content for you, a new underwater-themed free limited-time in-game event is set to make a splash in the game next week.

Away from the mainline titles, the upcoming LEGO Pokémon collaboration is generating hilarious behind-the-scenes stories. Designers recently shared an anecdote about a kid testing prototype Pikachus, who aggressively rejected one figure despite being told it was identical to the one he wanted—reminding us all how particular fans can be! Speaking of nostalgia, a brilliant new Pokémon Red and Blue Recompilation Project mod is turning the classic Game Boy titles into gorgeous 3D voxel dioramas.

On the broader Nintendo front, it’s a great time to be a retro and modern fan alike. A rating for the highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake has surfaced online, practically confirming a 2026 return. For action fans, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is getting a "Legendary" Switch 2 physical release courtesy of Nighthawk Interactive, with a new DLC character already teased. Finally, if you're diving into the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition today, make sure to grab the Version 2.0.0 update for Torna - The Golden Country, which brings the beloved prequel expansion fully up to date.

Fortnite

Get ready to take a trip to Springfield, because Fortnite is bringing the heat for Chapter 7 Season 3. Launching today, July 30, The Simpsons are returning to the Item Shop alongside the legendary John Wick. This isn't just a cosmetic drop, either; Epic Games is introducing Springfield as a brand-new Reload map, which should completely shake up the current meta and offer a fresh coat of paint for mid-season skirmishes.

Arc Raiders

Extraction shooters are all about emergent gameplay, but players in Arc Raiders are already finding incredibly devious ways to exploit the system. According to PC Gamer, sneaky players—or "rats"—are intentionally throwing themselves in front of friendly fire to cheat the matchmaking system. It's a hilarious, albeit frustrating, quirk of the current build that Embark Studios will likely want to tighten up as development continues.

Indie Games

If you're looking to step away from the massive AAA blockbusters, the indie scene is delivering the goods. Fans of deep survival will be thrilled to hear that publisher Krafton has massive plans for the Subnautica franchise. Executives noted that the once-divisive co-op in Subnautica 2 successfully "confirmed the potential to expand beyond the existing fan base," promising big things for the oceanic survival series. Meanwhile, former Bungie and Riot developers are teaming up for Tyr, a new tactical tank shooter where stealth and armor placement rule supreme; a public playtest is live right now.

Steam & PC

PC players are eating incredibly well this week. Modders are keeping multiplayer alive, with a massive The Last of Us multiplayer mod hitting a "big milestone" ahead of its official launch in September. If vehicular destruction is more your speed, the ultimate soft-body physics sandbox BeamNG.drive just received its biggest update ever, overhauling the graphics engine, adding fresh rally stages, and dropping a sporty new coupe.

Strategy fans should keep an eye on Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand, a new roguelite spinoff that is breathing fresh life into the series' oldest mechanics—even if it's a tough one to 100%. Also flying under the radar but raking in the cash is PUBG. Despite not dominating the daily news cycle like it used to, Eurogamer reports that the PUBG IP grew its revenue by a staggering 25% in the first half of 2026. Finally, horror fans should note that Silent Hill: Townfall is shaping up to be something special. Set in a remote Scottish town on the edge of the internet age, the developers admit it's terrifying to carry the torch for the series, but they're confident in the experience.

Gaming Roundup

The business side of gaming remains as unpredictable as ever. Battlefield 6 was the highest-selling game of the year, a triumph that resulted in a massive $38 million payday and an $8 million raise for EA's CEO—though this celebration comes just four months after the developers responsible for the game were laid off. Over at Microsoft, Xbox executives are trying to rally the troops post-layoffs, admitting that "our business did not grow with our audience" and setting a target for a major gaming division bounce-back by summer 2027.