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EA Buyout Approved, Sony Defends Discless Future, Switch 2 Zelda

Jul 31, 2026

The gaming industry is bracing for massive structural shifts as Electronic Arts prepares to close its historic $55 billion buyout next week. Sony is holding firm on its digital-only future despite mounting player protests, and Nintendo fans are parsing new clues about a major holiday release.

Sony Defends Ending PlayStation Discs as PS5 Sales Hit 95 Million

'We Are Not Seeing Any Impact on Our Business': Sony Says Physical Disc Backlash Is Having Zero AffectSony says it’s been talking to retailers about its disc-free future, suggests US retailers may still sell codes in a boxPush SquareVGC

Sony Group Corporation has confirmed it will proceed with plans to phase out physical PlayStation discs by January 2028, stating the transition is having "zero effect" on its business despite intense backlash from physical media enthusiasts Push SquarePush SquareThis Week in Video Games. During its latest quarterly earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao explained that the company is cautiously moving forward with its digital ecosystem and is currently in discussions with retailers about alternative options, such as selling digital codes in physical boxes VGCVGCGematsu.

The corporate confidence comes alongside strong financial results, with PlayStation 5 console shipments officially reaching 95.3 million units worldwide Gematsu. PlayStation Plus revenue and monthly active users both saw year-over-year increases, reaching 125 million active users by the end of June 2026 Push Square. To protect against global hardware component shortages, Sony also assured investors that it has stockpiled enough RAM to meet its console production goals through early 2027 Eurogamer.

Electronic Arts $55 Billion Private Acquisition Set to Close

EA aquisition set to close on August 4 following approval from required regulatory bodiesThe $55bn private acquisition of Electronic Arts is expected to go aheadGamesIndustry.bizEurogamer

The massive $55 billion private acquisition of Electronic Arts is officially set to close on August 4, 2026, after securing all necessary regulatory approvals GamesIndustry.bizThis Week in Video Games. The blockbuster deal, which has been under intense regulatory scrutiny for over a year, will transition the major publisher into a private entity Eurogamer. The finalization of the buyout is one of the largest acquisitions in video game history, reshaping the competitive market for major publishers This Week in Video Games.

Super Mario Sunshine Joins Nintendo Switch Online as Zelda Remake Rumors Swirl

Nintendo Expands Switch 2's GameCube Library With Another Game In AugustTwo Cancelled Virtual Boy Games Join 'Nintendo Classics' Next WeekNintendo LifeNintendo Life

Nintendo is expanding its retro catalog on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, starting with the addition of GameCube classic Super Mario Sunshine to the Nintendo Classics library on August 13, 2026 Nintendo LifeGematsu. The subscription service will also add two previously unreleased, cancelled Virtual Boy games, Zero Racers and D-Hopper, on August 4, 2026 Nintendo LifeGematsu.

These retro updates arrive alongside intense fan speculation that the highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for the Nintendo Switch 2 is targeting a November 2026 release date EurogamerIGN. The rumors gained traction after the discovery of a pair of newly sighted amiibo figures, leading fans to believe Nintendo is positioning the remake to launch head-to-head with Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto VI EurogamerIGN.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma Outlines Four-Year Growth Plan After Layoffs

"We will not live on past successes or be trapped by past failures" – Xbox CEO outlines priorities to turn platform around in FY27ZeniMax Online Studios Delays Some ESO Content Following LayoffsGamesIndustry.bizThis Week in Video Games

Following a turbulent period of studio closures and a $1.7 billion decline in revenue, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has issued an internal memo outlining a four-year recovery plan focused on four core pillars: Core, Content, Creation, and Connection GamesIndustry.bizPure XboxThis Week in Video Games. Sharma emphasized that the platform holder must not live on past successes as it attempts to stabilize its business for the 2027 fiscal year GamesIndustry.biz.

The fallout from the recent layoffs is already impacting active projects, as The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios announced it is delaying several major updates, including its next trial and combat refresh, into 2027 This Week in Video Games. Despite losing hundreds of employees in the cuts, the studio reassured players that the popular MMORPG is "here to stay" and that they are working closely with Bethesda to build the game's future EurogamerVGC.

Stellar Blade Blood Rain Developer Faces Backlash Over AI Music Video

Stellar Blade: Blood Rain Dev Shift Up Releases Entirely AI-Generated K-Pop Music Video Starring Evie and Pretty Much Everyone Hates It'I Feel Profoundly Disappointed': Stellar Blade Dev Destroyed for 'AI Slop' Music VideoIGNPush Square

Developer Shift Up is facing severe criticism from fans after releasing an entirely AI-generated K-Pop music video to promote its upcoming action sequel, Stellar Blade: Blood Rain IGNPush Square. The video, titled "Wanna Be in Love" and featuring the game's new protagonist Evie, has been widely panned on social media as "AI slop" that lacks artistic merit Push SquareEurogamer. Fans expressed profound disappointment that the studio opted for generative technology rather than employing human artists and animators for the promotional campaign Push SquareVGC.