Quick Hits

• Arc Raiders is getting a PvE matchmaking "test" that lets players opt out of player-versus-player violence entirely — Embark Studios' response to what Eurogamer calls the game's "surprisingly friendly" player base. Pacifist raiders, your time has come.
• Destructoid reports that several Halo projects have been canceled, including remakes of Halo 2 and Halo 3, on the heels of its reporting that the next Halo is likely a complete reboot ditching the current lore.
• GameSpot pulls no punches on Fortnite's Chapter 7 Season 4, arguing the core Battle Royale is drowning under sprites, Overrides, and feature overload.
• Ubisoft's 40th anniversary eShop sale is live with discounts up to 90% off across Switch 1 and Switch 2 — Assassin's Creed Shadows, Mario & Rabbids, and Rayman included.
• The eyes of Valve's creepy portrait are glowing again, and PC Gamer is on the case. You know what that usually means. (We don't. But Valve does.)

Pokémon & Nintendo

It's a big weekend for Splatoon 3 fans: Nintendo Life reports that Splatfests return next month with another spooky Halloween showdown, continuing the annual tradition. Even more impressive — four years after launch, Splatoon 3's player numbers are actually climbing in 2026, per Nintendo Life.

On the reviews front, Nintendo Life calls Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection on Switch 2 "addictive, enormous," and says it "runs reasonably well" — high praise for hell on a handheld. Meanwhile, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave hit Switch 2 last week with five protagonists and triple-digit hour counts, and Nintendo Life is polling readers on their review scores.

Deal hunters, move fast: the Ubisoft eShop anniversary sale is live with some heavy discounts on both Switch generations.

In Pokémon news, 9 News Australia (via r/pokemon) reports priceless Pokémon cards were stolen in a frightening toy store raid — a grim reminder to keep your binders safe. On a lighter note, the Pokémon subreddit is flooded with impressive OC art this week, from a Gengar Casio watch to a commissioned Reuniclus and Espeon hoodie.

Fortnite

GameSpot's bluntly titled "Here's Why Fortnite Sucks This Season" argues Chapter 7 Season 4 has "way too much going on" — sprites handing every player a bonus ability and Overrides fundamentally changing how Battle Royale works. If you've felt overwhelmed dropping in lately, you're not alone.

For a palate cleanser, PC Gamer profiled a 78-year-old grandmother with what the outlet describes as "an insatiable lust for violence (in Fortnite)." Honestly? Iconic. Squad up with grandma.

Call of Duty

Quiet day for Warzone news, but the Activision-Microsoft orbit is roaring. Destructoid reports that multiple Halo projects have been scrapped, including remakes of Halo 2 and Halo 3, with leaks suggesting the franchise reboots completely under new leadership. VGC's latest podcast digs into exactly what "Halo under Activision" means for Xbox's future — plus whether Bungie's Destiny 2 plans are too little, too late.

Rock Paper Shotgun adds a bleaker note: Microsoft's failure to find a home for Ninja Theory has voided "the one, very tenuous upside" to Senua's Summer Game Fest reveal, amid what the outlet calls corporate-mandated cuts and hundreds of livelihoods lost.

Arc Raiders

The big one: Eurogamer reports Embark Studios has announced a new matchmaking test letting players opt into a fully PvE version of Arc Raiders — none of the usual player-versus-player violence. It's a direct response to the community's surprisingly friendly, cooperation-heavy culture. If you've been waiting to raid Topside without watching your back, keep an eye on this test.

And in news that has PC Gamer's writer "seriously hyped," Arc Raiders is finally giving players the chance to build their home Topside. Between housing and PvE testing, Embark is clearly betting big on making the game feel like home — literally.

Indie Games

Hytale's early access gets its first proper Chapter update on October 12th, and Rock Paper Shotgun says Chapter 1 is all about goblins — adding the game's first real boss and a "handcrafted" dungeon after months of smaller patches.

Indie Soulslike Fountains launched just a week ago and is already handing Switch 2 players a free Upgrade Pack, complete with 120fps support and an exclusive "Gauntlet Mode," per Nintendo Life. Free next-gen upgrades one week post-launch? That's how you earn goodwill.

Steam & PC

The eyes of Valve's creepy portrait are glowing again, PC Gamer reports — the kind of cryptic tease Valve loves. Watch that space.

Also from PC Gamer: an 18-year veteran of the outlet shares the 13 games on their Steam Wishlist; a nervous dev bringing a classic Flash game to Steam admits "I sit in terror looking at the 750,000 wishlists"; and a beloved $6 RPG just received a free "beastmode" Enhanced Edition update. Budget RPG fans, rejoice.

Hardware deal via IGN: the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C wireless controller — already a bargain at $29.99 — is down to $24, and IGN calls it one of the best PC gaming controllers you can buy at any price.

Gaming Roundup

• GameSpot has posted its 2027 upcoming games release schedule, noting the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S libraries keep growing "despite their massively increased prices," alongside a busy Switch 2 slate.
• Creature-collecting fans: Aniimo's first legendary, Irisalis, is now catchable via the new "Walking with Irisalis" seasonal event — GameSpot has a full unlock guide.
• Stuck in Silent Hill: Townfall? PC Gamer explains how to open the auxiliary lines in Part 6.