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Subnautica 2 Release Date, Xbox Hardware Plummets, Spiders Shut Down

Apr 24, 2026 — May 1, 2026 · 1mo ago

This week in gaming brought a stark contrast between exciting upcoming releases and harsh corporate realities. While highly anticipated titles like Subnautica 2 and 007: First Light locked in their launch windows, the business side of the industry struggled with plummeting Xbox hardware sales and another tragic studio closure.

Subnautica 2 and 007 First Light Set May Release Dates

Subnautica 2 launches soon after lengthy legal disputeSubnautica 2 early access starts in May, in the wake of its publisher and fired leads’ legal disputeThe VergeVGC Unknown Worlds will officially launch Subnautica 2 into early access on PC and Xbox Series X/S on May 14 The VergeGematsu. The highly anticipated oceanic survival game arrives after a bitter legal dispute that ended with publisher Krafton being ordered to reinstate the studio's ousted leadership VGCPush Square. Despite the drama, the co-publishing partnership remains intact for a sequel that introduces four-player co-op and terrifying new apex predators EurogamerPC GamerPC GamerEurogamer.

Also arriving this May is IO Interactive's 007: First Light, which recently dropped glowing hands-on previews ahead of its launch EurogamerIGN. Critics note the James Bond game trades the sandbox assassination of the Hitman franchise for a character-driven blend of stealth and action developed alongside Amazon MGM EurogamerPlayStation BlogEurogamer. Notably, developers for both Subnautica 2 and 007: First Light made a point this week to explicitly confirm that absolutely no generative AI was used in the creation of their games EurogamerEurogamer.

Xbox Hardware Revenue Plummets as Nacon Shuts Down Spiders

Microsoft Reports 7% Drop in Gaming Revenue, 33% Drop in Xbox Hardware Revenue Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who took the job less than 3 months ago, says 'player and revenue growth has not yet met our ambition' as Microsoft gaming continues to slide This Week in Video GamesPC Gamer Microsoft's Q3 2026 financial results revealed a steep 33 percent year-over-year decline in Xbox hardware revenue, dragging overall gaming revenue down by 7 percent This Week in Video GamesEurogamer. Newly appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma admitted that player and revenue growth have not met the company's ambitions, though Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted the platform still reached record monthly active users PC GamerVGCThis Week in Video GamesGame Developer.

The financial strain was felt even harder in the European market, where French publisher Nacon is liquidating Spiders, the development studio behind RPGs like GreedFall and Steelrising Game Developer. The closure follows Nacon's recent insolvency filing, prompting the French game workers union to call the liquidation a premeditated choice and urge a player boycott Game DeveloperRock Paper Shotgun. In a jarring pivot, Nacon announced a new date for its delayed Nacon Connect 2026 showcase just hours after confirming the studio's demise Push Square.

Sony Debunks PlayStation 5 DRM Always-Online Rumors

PlayStation now requires a ‘one-time online check’ to confirm you own a gameSony clarifies confusion around DRM game licenses on PlayStationThe VergeGame Developer Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially clarified its digital rights management policy for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 following widespread community panic The VergeVGC. Recent system updates sparked rumors that players would be forced to connect their consoles to the internet every 30 days to keep their digital libraries accessible The Verge. A Sony spokesperson confirmed this is entirely false, explaining that the system only requires a single, one-time online check-in to validate a game's license immediately after purchase Game DeveloperGamesIndustry.biz. Once that initial handshake is complete, digital games can be played offline indefinitely The Verge.