PlayStation Disc Backlash, Marathon Director Leaves, ZA/UM Layoffs
Jul 18, 2026 · 3d ago
The gaming industry is facing another wave of restructuring and community tension today. PlayStation is dealing with intense player pushback over its physical media phaseout, while developers at Bungie and ZA/UM navigate major leadership departures and layoffs. Upcoming releases on Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2 are also beginning to take shape.
PlayStation Faces Backlash Over Physical Disc Phaseout and Regional Pricing
Sony's decision to cease production of physical discs for PlayStation games by 2028 has triggered widespread community backlash . Fans have flooded social media, leaving negative comments on the newly released Marvel's Wolverine trailer . Independent developers are also being caught in the crossfire, receiving criticism simply for having their games promoted on PlayStation's social channels .
Serenity Forge's leadership recently discussed the heavy implications of this shift for publishers of physical games . Adding to player frustration, Sony is implementing regional pricing changes in Latin America and the Middle East . Players in Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua will also lose access to the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita digital stores in August 2026, ahead of other regions in 2027 .
Marathon game director Joe Ziegler has announced his departure from Bungie . Ziegler, who took over the role in 2024 following the dismissal of Christopher Barrett, is leaving just a month after mass layoffs hit the studio . Assistant game director Del Chafe III will step up to lead development on the upcoming extraction shooter, which is scheduled to receive its mid-season 2 patch next week .
Disco Elysium Developer ZA/UM Announces Layoffs After Poor Sales
ZA/UM has announced layoffs affecting up to 32 staff members across all departments . The decision comes just two months after the release of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, which reportedly suffered from poor sales . The studio has faced continuous public and legal disputes since the launch of its critically acclaimed 2019 RPG, Disco Elysium .
Rebel Wolves Confirms Physical Release and Gameplay Details for The Blood of Dawnwalker
Developer Rebel Wolves and publisher Bandai Namco have confirmed that the upcoming medieval vampire RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker, will receive a physical disc release . The game's director revealed that the title will eschew a traditional main story quest in favor of a 30-day in-game timer, meaning players will have highly individualized experiences .
Halo Campaign Evolved Early Access Details and Dragon Quest XI S Switch 2 File Size Revealed
Halo: Campaign Evolved is set to launch on July 28, with early access starting on July 23 for players who purchase the Premium Edition or Premium Upgrade . Microsoft has revealed that eight games, including Celeste, Mount & Blade 2, and Sniper Elite: Resistance, will leave Xbox Game Pass in late July .
On the Nintendo Switch 2, Square Enix's Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is scheduled for a September release . Its eShop page lists an estimated file size of 23.4 GB, which is a notable increase from the original Nintendo Switch version's 14 GB .
God of War TV Show Recasts Kratos as Call of Duty Movie Universe Confirmed
Amazon's live-action God of War television series is recasting the role of Kratos after actor Ryan Hurst suffered a bicep injury during a stunt . In film news, Paramount Pictures and Activision confirmed that the upcoming Call of Duty movie will be set within the Modern Warfare universe .
IO Interactive revealed that its upcoming James Bond game, 007 First Light, was originally envisioned as an ensemble game . The title initially featured multiple double-O agents working together before shifting focus to a solo Bond experience .
