Splatoon Raiders Reviews, Xbox Game Pass Lineup, Unity 7 Announced
Jul 22, 2026 · 3h ago
Nintendo's latest spin-off is making waves on the Nintendo Switch 2, even as the developer looks ahead to the franchise's future. Microsoft's subscription strategy faces renewed scrutiny from former leadership just as its next wave of titles is announced. Across the industry, shifting physical sales data and engine advancements are redefining how games are sold and built.
Splatoon Raiders Reviews Praise Nintendo Switch 2 Spin-Off as Splatoon 4 Plans Confirmed
Nintendo has released its single-player and co-operative treasure-hunting spin-off, Splatoon Raiders, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 to critical acclaim . Reviewers have praised the title as a hectic, challenging, and incredibly compelling looter-shooter that successfully adapts the franchise's signature mechanics into a solo experience . In a newly published interview, producer Seita Inoue explained that the team wanted to deliver this co-op spin-off after working "full speed ahead" on the franchise for over 11 years, while reassuring fans that Nintendo still intends to develop a proper mainline Splatoon 4 in the future .
Xbox Game Pass Adds Halo and Beast of Reincarnation Amid Developer Criticism and Executive Exit
Microsoft has unveiled its second wave of Xbox Game Pass titles for late July and early August, headlined by Halo: Campaign Evolved, Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation, and Mistfall Hunter. However, the announcement arrives alongside the sudden departure of Jared Palmer, the newly appointed Vice President of Engineering at Xbox, who resigned after just two months to join an artificial intelligence firm . The leadership exit coincides with sharp criticism from former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown, who argued that while the concept of Xbox Game Pass was strong, the service's failure to meet subscriber targets ultimately contributed to Microsoft's recent layoffs and studio closures .
Only Seven PlayStation Games Top 100k Physical Sales in US This Year
Newly released data from Circana analyst Mat Piscatella reveals that only seven PlayStation games have sold more than 100,000 physical copies in the United States so far this year . This stark business reality aligns with Sony's planned transition to a discless future, with the company set to stop manufacturing physical discs entirely in January 2028 . In response to the digital shift, Chinese indie publisher Astrolabe Games has released a manifesto pledging to safeguard developers by producing physical PlayStation 5 discs for all eligible upcoming titles until Sony's manufacturing officially ends .
Unity 7 Engine Announced for 2027 with Unreal Engine Cross-Compatibility Demo
Unity Technologies has officially announced Unity 7, with a beta scheduled for December 2026 ahead of a full release in the first quarter of 2027 . The next-generation engine is designed as a direct continuation of Unity 6, promising faster workflows and a more open approach that allows collaborators to contribute using third-party tools . To demonstrate this new interoperability, Unity showcased an Unreal Engine character running seamlessly through a Unity-rendered world, earning praise from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney .
Nintendo Seeks Dismissal of US Tariff Refund Class-Action Lawsuit
Nintendo has filed a motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit in the United States that accuses the company of failing to pass tariff refunds back to consumers . The lawsuit was filed after Nintendo raised prices on the original Nintendo Switch and various peripherals in August 2025 due to US tariffs that were later deemed illegal . Nintendo argues that it has no legal obligation to issue rebates, stating that consumers received exactly what they bargained and paid for at the time of purchase .
