Microsoft is raising the prices of its Xbox consoles globally, and has also announced that it will charge $80 for games starting later this year. “We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development,”Microsoftsaid in a statement toIGN. “Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value forXboxplayers....

Software company AppLovin has proposed an offer to purchase Unity for $17.54 billion in an all-stock deal. Unity is currently evaluating the offer, which would see the engine creator own 49% of voting power in the new combined company. Currently, Unity is in the midst of plans to merge with another mobile tech company, IronSource. However, the IronSource deal wouldn’t progress if Unity’s board opts for the new AppLovin proposal....

The director of MultiVersus has criticised fans who have threatened the game’s developers following news it’s being shut down. Last week Warner Bros Games and developer Player First Games announced that Season 5 ofMultiVersus– which starts on Wednesday – will be the last, withthe game shutting down on May 30. At this point existing players will still be able to play an offline version of the game, but it will otherwise be delisted from thePlayStationStore,MicrosoftStore,SteamandEpic Games Store....

Naughty Dog has released the second piece of concept art for its standalone The Last of Us multiplayer game. The studioshared the first concept art for the projectlast June, when it revealed that the title will feature its own story and a brand new cast of characters. Studio co-presidentNeil Druckmannsaidin a blog post today that more information on the game will be revealed later this year. “We’re looking ahead to The Last of Us’ 10th anniversary in June, and we’re so excited to share more with you about the future of this franchise,” he wrote....

Nintendo is reportedly “deep in conversation,” with external studios to work on its first-party IP. That’s according toGamesIndustry.bizjournalist Chris Dring, who claims the company is looking to find new partners for its next console. “I also know thatNintendois actively meeting with independent developers to find new partners,” wrote Dring. “Some of that is around publishing indie games, which Nintendo does from time to time, but it’s also seeking studios that could work on some of its IP....

Nintendo has reassured fans of Animal Crossing: New Horizons that more free content is in development. A tweet from the officialNintendo of America Twitter accountinformed players that the next free update for the game is coming on Thursday. This new update will include weekly fireworks shows and new seasonal items. However, it then followed up with a second tweet telling players that more content was still coming. In addition to these updates, more free content for#AnimalCrossing: New Horizons is currently in development for later this year....

Ogre Oustin is a brand-new minigame that has been introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet The Teal Mask. In the minigame, which players will have to try during the main game, players have to pop balloons, which then reward the player with Mochi. Players then take the Berries to color-coded bowls that are at the start of the course. Once Mochi has been deposited, players will then have to defend their pile from wild Greedant and Skwovet who will attempt to steal the Berries....

One of the reasons I’ve been covering video games for nearly two decades is because I still love that thrill of discovering something unexpected. Every now and then I’ll be presented with a game that completely takes me by surprise, and goes from something I previously had zero knowledge of, to an immediate entry near the top of my wishlist. At this year’sSummer Game Fest, that game was Out of Words....

Overwatch 2 is the latest live service game to give fans a trip down memory lane by launching a throwback mode. Blizzardhas announcedOverwatch: Classic, which is billed as a series of nostalgia-inducing events that take players back to the game’s early days. Featuring original heroes, abilities and maps in the classic 6v6 team-based format, the first such event will run from November 12 to December 2. “Each Overwatch: Classic event will feature heroes and balance from popular moments in the game’s history, ranging from the fast paced and frantic gameplay of the 2017 Moth Meta to the triple-tank, triple-support style of ‘Goats’, Blizzardsaid....

Paper Mario’s producer has said it is undecided if the series will continue to move further away from its RPG origins. Rather than offering a return to the series’ hardcore RPG roots, recently releasedNintendo SwitchgamePaper Mario: The Origami Kingmore closely resemblesthe divisive 3DS andWii UPaper Mario titles, with a stronger focus on action and accessibility than stats and levelling screens. But whetherNintendocontinues to apply this design approach to future series instalments is uncertain, Nintendo’sKensuke TanabetoldEurogamer Germany(translated byNintendo Everything)....

Persona 1 and Persona 2 are due to receive remakes, it’s claimed. According to Midori, an X user with a history of publishing information aboutAtlustitles before the information is in the public domain, the games are planned to receive remakes. Responding to another X user, Midori said: “Yes. P1 and P2 are going to receive remakes too.” Later Midori clarified saying: “to be safe, I will call them updated form for right now....

PlayStation is rolling out an update to the way multiplayer parties work on PlayStation. Included in the update is a new way to invite other players to multiplayer parties using a shareable link. These links will be in the form of QR codes which can be posted to social platforms or via third-party apps like WhatsApp and iMessage. “This feature is designed to complement existing methods of joining a session from within aPS5game and is consistent for any supported PS5 game,” reads ablogpost explaining the changes....

Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Essential monthly games for July. The games, which will be available to claim from July 1, are available for players on all tiers ofPlayStationPlus – Essential, Extra and Premium. Finally, PS5 game Jusant will also be available to claim. Released in 2023, this puzzle platformer was developed by Don’t Nod (Life is Strange) and has players trying to reach the top of a tall tower....