Grubb said the open-world role-playing game “has been pushed internally,” suggesting Microsoft is reconsidering the timing of the title’s launch while still aiming for a release this year.

“They’re still trying to get it out this year, but they are worried about the launch of GTA 6,” Grubb said in comments cited by gaming outlet Idle Sloth.

Microsoft had previously indicated during its January Developer Direct presentation that Fable was scheduled for release in the fall of 2026, though the company has not publicly announced any delay.

Publishers across the video game industry have been closely watching Rockstar Games as it prepares to launch Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most anticipated game releases in recent years. Analysts expect the title to dominate consumer spending and player attention following its release, prompting competing publishers to avoid launching major titles nearby.

A holiday-season launch for Fable remains possible, though that would still place the title relatively close to Grand Theft Auto VI’s expected November release window, potentially limiting its commercial visibility.

If the game slips beyond late 2026, a 2027 launch could become more likely, raising questions about the pace of Microsoft’s first-party software pipeline as the company seeks to bolster its gaming division following weaker recent performance in software and subscription services.

Microsoft’s near-term gaming lineup still includes other major releases, including the next installment of Forza Horizon and additional first-party titles expected to be showcased later this year, which may give the company flexibility if it chooses to delay Fable further.

Neither Microsoft nor Playground Games has publicly commented on any change to Fable’s release schedule.

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A cracked version of the game has surfaced online, according to reports from Tom’s Hardware, marking one of the faster-known breaches of Denuvo protection for a major new release. The publication said hacker known as “voices38” has accelerated efforts to bypass the DRM system through a toolkit and methodology that may be adaptable to other protected titles, according to Tom’s Hardware.

https://twitter.com/AyakaMods/status/2042991904682578293

The breakthrough is notable because defeating Denuvo protections has historically taken months or, in some cases, years, with some older titles still remaining uncracked.

Separately, another method known as a hypervisor bypass has also emerged, allowing users to run protected games through a virtualization layer that tricks software into recognizing valid play rights without directly removing DRM code. However, the technique requires users to modify Windows security settings, which cybersecurity experts say may expose systems to greater risk.

The development adds to criticism from some players who argue Denuvo can reduce gaming performance by increasing CPU overhead and memory usage.

Performance analysis published by YouTuber ChillyWillMD indicated that a version of Resident Evil Requiem without Denuvo delivered approximately 5% higher frame rates than the protected version. The testing also showed lower memory consumption, with the DRM-free version using up to 1 GB less system memory and freeing as much as 2 GB of graphics memory in some scenes, according to the benchmark.

The performance impact may vary depending on hardware configuration and whether a system is CPU-limited, the report said.

Despite the breach, publisher Capcom is unlikely to face immediate commercial pressure, as Resident Evil Requiem has posted strong early sales since launch.

Still, the faster turnaround in cracking newer Denuvo-protected releases may raise concerns for publishers relying on the software to protect launch-period revenue, particularly if similar bypasses become available closer to release dates for future titles.

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One of the most notable changes in the patch targets thermal scopes. Target visibility has been reduced, and the maximum highlighting distance has been lowered across several weapon classes. Pistols now highlight enemies up to 40 meters instead of 55 meters. Rifles, light machine guns, and submachine guns drop to 60 meters from 65 meters. Precision rifles are reduced to 80 meters from 100 meters, while sniper rifles experience the largest change, falling to 100 meters from 180 meters.

The update also introduces a small buff for the Overrun weapon, increasing its default ammunition capacity by five rounds.

Combat encounters involving the UESC faction have also been adjusted. Most UESC enemies now have slightly lower health, while UESC bosses have seen minor reductions in shield strength. According to the developer note, the goal is to reduce the amount of ammunition and healing items required during these encounters while maintaining their difficulty.

The patch also resolves several gameplay bugs, including an issue that could cause players to die instantly during confinement events and another that caused shield-break visual effects to persist when heal-over-time and damage-over-time effects were active simultaneously. Audio has also been rebalanced so gunfire and explosions can be heard from greater distances.

Changes to the in-game economy include increased spawn rates for Med Cabinets and Munitions Crates in the Perimeter zone. Free Sponsored Kits from MIDA, CyberAcme, and Arachne now begin with additional ammunition, while UESC Grenadiers will drop EMP grenades less frequently.

The update also adds two new contracts: the NuCaloric Contract and the Traxus Contract. Objective navigation has been improved, with navigation markers now appearing from 20 meters instead of 10 meters to help players locate targets more easily.

Several adjustments were made to the character Rook. A bug that could delete backpacks during extraction has been fixed, and Rook’s position should now display correctly on the map. Reputation rewards from extracting with Rook have been increased, though the character’s WSTR shotgun will now spawn as “Compromised,” requiring the use of a Matter Fixative if players want to extract with the weapon.

A map change affects the Outpost zone, where the switch-access route to the Broken Wing area has been temporarily disabled. Developers said the route previously made it too easy to enter the Pinwheel area and will be adjusted in a future update.

The patch also addresses issues related to the in-game store and rewards system. Silk balances should now update without requiring a restart, bundle prices display correctly, and cosmetics will no longer incorrectly show savings labels when sold at full price.

Technical fixes include resolving a rare crash affecting dedicated servers and several client crash issues. The update also addresses problems that could occur when using certain input method editor (IME) keyboards, though the developer said some issues may still persist with third-party IME software.

Additional fixes include resolving a bug where doors could lock during the introductory mission, correcting a stuck text chat window issue, updating the Perimeter (Beginner) zone description, and removing an extended black screen that sometimes appeared during map loading.

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The device features artwork inspired by the Street Fighter II franchise, highlighting characters Ryu and Chun-Li alongside a player select screen design on the faceplate. The controller is scheduled to launch on April 9 and will support fighting games on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

The Victrix Pro KO uses a leverless layout, replacing the traditional joystick with four directional buttons intended to allow faster and more precise inputs. The controller includes a total of 16 buttons and uses Cherry MX Speed switches to deliver quick response times for gameplay actions.

Turtle Beach said the controller is designed for customization and performance. Each button is surrounded by RGB lighting that can be individually configured with different colors.

The controller also features a removable top plate that allows users to adjust the button layout or replace switches. The Cherry MX switches are hot-swappable, allowing players to change them without soldering if they prefer a different tactile feel.

On PC, the Victrix Control Hub software allows users to remap buttons or store custom controller profiles.

The wired controller connects via a detachable 3-meter USB-C cable. Its sloped front design is intended to improve ergonomics during extended play sessions.

The Victrix Pro KO Leverless Fight Stick Street Fighter II: Champion Edition will launch with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $299.99 in the United States, €279.99 in Europe, and £249.99 in the United Kingdom. The controller is currently available for pre-order through retailers including Amazon.

Leverless controllers have gained popularity in recent years among both esports competitors and casual players as an alternative to traditional arcade sticks, offering button-based directional controls that can enable faster inputs.

Although themed around the Street Fighter series, the controller can also be used for other fighting games such as Tekken and Dragon Ball titles.

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The comments were made by the YouTube channel Moore’s Law Is Dead, which has reported on the custom AMD processors expected to power future Xbox and PlayStation systems. In a recent video, the leaker said Sony is unlikely to delay the PlayStation 6 significantly, despite reports suggesting the console could slip to a 2029 launch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQxBW7JgkHw

According to the leaker, Sony may still follow the industry’s typical seven-year console cycle. The PlayStation 5 was released in 2020, which would place the next-generation system’s launch window around 2027.

“I do not think it will be delayed to 2029,” Moore’s Law Is Dead said, adding that the PlayStation 6 will “almost certainly come out in 2027, if not, probably early 2028.”

The leaker said Sony has already invested heavily in custom processors being developed by AMD for the new console. Delaying the system could risk complications related to manufacturing timelines and supply allocations from semiconductor manufacturer TSMC.

According to the claims, internal documents referenced by the leaker indicate production timelines linked to the second quarter of 2027. Missing those production windows could potentially affect Sony’s access to advanced chip manufacturing capacity, including 3-nanometer fabrication processes.

The discussion also referenced rising costs for memory and storage components, which have affected hardware pricing across the electronics industry. However, the leaker said these factors alone are unlikely to delay the console’s launch.

Sony previously launched the PlayStation 5 in November 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite global supply chain disruptions at the time.

The leaker suggested that, if any delay occurs, it would likely be limited to several months, potentially shifting the launch to early 2028 rather than late 2027. The same source also said memory prices could stabilize by late 2026 or early 2027, which may influence the final launch decision.

Sony has not officially announced the PlayStation 6 or confirmed any details regarding its specifications or release timeline.

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The details were shared by the YouTube channel Moore’s Law Is Dead during a recent livestream discussing potential specifications for Sony’s upcoming console. The leaker said the PlayStation 6 could aim for significantly higher graphical performance compared with the current PlayStation 5.

Previous reports from the same source indicated that the PlayStation 6 could deliver roughly 2.5 to 3 times the rasterization performance of the PlayStation 5. Ray tracing performance was also suggested to increase substantially, potentially reaching six to twelve times the capabilities of the current console.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQxBW7JgkHw

When compared with the PlayStation 5 Pro, the rumored improvements would represent around double the rasterization performance and three to six times the ray tracing capability, according to the leaked specifications.

The reported performance improvements are said to come from a next-generation graphics processor based on AMD’s RDNA 5 architecture paired with a Zen 6 CPU. However, the leaker noted that achieving native 4K at 120 FPS with ray tracing enabled may be unlikely. Instead, the console could rely heavily on Sony’s AI-based upscaling technology, known as PSSR, to produce higher-resolution output.

The same discussion also addressed speculation about potential delays to the console’s release schedule. According to Moore’s Law Is Dead, Sony is still believed to be targeting a launch timeframe between late 2027 and early 2028.

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Newly appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced on social media platform X that the upcoming console is currently known internally as Project Helix.

Sharma said the project is intended to “lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games,” confirming that the codename refers to the next-generation Xbox console currently under development. The announcement marks one of the first public updates on Microsoft’s next hardware platform since Sharma took over leadership of the division after the retirement of Phil Spencer.

Microsoft has historically used internal codenames during console development, including earlier projects associated with previous Xbox generations. However, Sharma did not reveal additional technical details about the device.

Industry speculation suggests the new console could move toward a more open platform model, potentially allowing users to access multiple game stores and run PC-style software. Earlier comments from Sarah Bond indicated that the future Xbox ecosystem could support booting into Windows, enabling the console to function partly as a personal computer.

Reports and rumors also suggest the system may use a next-generation processor from Advanced Micro Devices manufactured using advanced processes from TSMC, although Microsoft has not confirmed any hardware specifications.

The announcement comes as debate continues within the gaming community about the direction of Microsoft’s gaming strategy under Sharma. Seamus Blackley has publicly expressed concerns about the long-term future of the Xbox brand, suggesting it could shift toward broader technology initiatives.

For now, Microsoft appears to be continuing development of its next console generation, which could arrive around 2027, following the typical seven-year hardware cycle seen in the gaming industry.

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The sequel to the popular deckbuilding roguelike was originally announced in April 2024, with plans for an early access release in 2025. However, developers delayed the launch to 2026 to allow additional time for development and polishing.

Early player data suggests a strong start for the game compared with its predecessor, Slay the Spire. SteamDB statistics show that the original game reached a peak concurrent player count of 57,025 users, meaning the sequel exceeded that figure by nearly three times within hours of its debut.

Although the early access version has only accumulated a few hundred reviews so far, the reception has been largely positive. On Steam, about 93% of the roughly 487 early reviews have been positive, indicating strong initial feedback from players.

Because the game has launched in early access, developers expect ongoing adjustments and improvements as players provide feedback.

According to the development team, the early access phase may last between one and two years while new gameplay content, additional cards, new modes and other features are introduced gradually.

The early release allows players to experience the game while the developers continue refining mechanics, addressing bugs and expanding the overall content ahead of a full launch.

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The console includes 256GB of internal storage, but large game downloads and the growing use of digital distribution are quickly filling available space. Many players rely on MicroSD Express cards to expand storage, but their prices have climbed as global demand for memory chips increases.

Journalist Takashi Mochizuki cited research from TrendForce indicating that memory prices may continue rising. The report predicted “as much as a 90% increase in NAND contract prices this quarter,” driven partly by demand from artificial intelligence data centers.

The price pressure has already been felt in markets such as Japan, where MicroSD Express cards have become more expensive since the console launched. While prices in some regions have remained stable, the report said Nintendo has taken steps to prevent increases by asking retailers to accept lower profit margins on official accessories.

Despite strong hardware sales, the company’s financial data suggests owners may be purchasing fewer games than with previous consoles. By the end of 2025, Nintendo reported that an average of 2.18 games had been sold per Switch 2 console, compared with 3.88 titles per console at a similar point in the lifecycle of the original Switch.

Storage limitations are particularly noticeable with larger third-party releases. Titles such as Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade can require downloads exceeding 90GB, which can quickly consume the system’s available storage.

To manage cartridge size limitations, publishers including Square Enix have also adopted so-called “Game-Key Cards,” which contain only a portion of the game data and require players to download the remainder.

The growing reliance on large downloads means players often need to delete existing titles or purchase additional storage before installing new games.

Analysts cited in the report said memory and storage costs may remain elevated for several years, with some expecting prices to stabilise only around 2028.

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The turn-based dungeon crawler is now priced at about $9.80, down from its usual cost of around $35. Data from SteamDB shows the reduction marks the deepest discount since the game launched, exceeding the previous high-water mark of 65%.

Gloomhaven was developed by Saber Interactive and Flaming Fowl Studios, and published by Twin Sails Interactive. Released on PC in October 2021, the title adapts the acclaimed board game designed by Isaac Childres, aiming to replicate its strategic depth and long-form campaign structure in a digital format.

Set in a dark fantasy world of ruined cities and monster-infested dungeons, the game follows a group of mercenaries undertaking dangerous contracts and morally ambiguous choices. The digital version includes more than 95 scenarios and 17 unlockable character classes, with each decision influencing progression across a sprawling campaign. According to gameplay tracking site HowLongToBeat, completing the main story alone can take close to 100 hours.

Gameplay centers on turn-based combat and a distinctive card-driven system in which players select two cards per turn to determine both actions and initiative. Cards also function as a limited resource tied to character endurance, forcing players to balance short-term power against long-term survival. Reviewers have widely described the system as demanding careful planning and positioning, leaving little room for error.

Critical reception has been broadly positive. The Steam community has rated the game “Very Positive,” with around 82% of more than 15,000 user reviews recommending it. On Metacritic, Gloomhaven holds a Metascore of 82, reflecting generally favorable reviews from critics. Some outlets have cited randomness and AI behavior as drawbacks, while also noting a steep learning curve for players unfamiliar with board games.

The game is rated “Playable” on the Steam Deck, meaning it can be run on the handheld system with minor adjustments. The current discount positions Gloomhaven as a lower-cost entry point for strategy and role-playing fans interested in a challenging, campaign-driven experience.

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