Xbox Game Pass grows today with the addition of a popular Call of Duty game. New to the service from today, September 8, is 2020's Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. It's available on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass, and the game supports cloud streaming as well.

Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops Cold War is set in Cold War-era 1981, with its campaign following Russell Adler as he and his team seek out a spy named Perseus. The game also has multiplayer, of course, along with Zombies.

Black Ops Cold War was a bit hit, becoming 2020's best-selling game overall in the US.

Game Pass isn't done adding more titles this month, as The Royal Writ and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage arrive on September 10, followed by RuneScape: Dragonwilds on September 15.

After Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard, many assumed that back-catalog Call of Duty games would flood Game Pass, but that didn't happen. Instead of releasing Call of Duty games en masse to Game Pass, Microsoft has taken more of a selective approach. Black Ops Cold War is now just the sixth Call of Duty game on Game Pass, joining Call of Duty: WWII, Call of Duty: Vanguard, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and Black Ops 6.

Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops 6 were released day-and-date into Game Pass, but that's ending this year, and any Game Pass subscriber who wants to play Modern Warfare 4 at launch this October will have to pay for it ... or wait a year.

Following the reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's remake earlier this year, Nintendo shared an extended look at the game during the company's latest Direct. Naturally, players have been sharing their opinions on social media, and certain aspects of the game's art style has been divisive among the fan base. However, there have been some very positive reactions as well.

The new looks for young Link and some of the other character inspired a round of memes and jokes.

https://twitter.com/harrybookTV/status/2097338008638738442 https://twitter.com/SucumbaGames/status/2097362208820727830 https://twitter.com/MunchingOrange/status/2097337132389929307

Some players had conflicted feelings about the remake's enhancements.

https://twitter.com/NGreentail/status/2097337287440810207

And then there are the Zelda faithful who are thrilled to have Link and company back in an upgraded version of the classic game.

https://twitter.com/HammySisko/status/2097336102394696003 https://twitter.com/SlLENTPRINCESS/status/2097331164138652065 https://twitter.com/ArcanaLegacy/status/2097334868711506208

At least one player was impressed by the game's new feature, which allows fans to hum one of the Zelda themes to make Link play it with his ocarina.

https://twitter.com/twilisita/status/2097330631537578295

The Direct also disclosed additional details about the remake, including Link's newfound ability to jump, the voice acting, and a game mechanic that was apparently borrowed from Breath of the Wild.

Nintendo will release its The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 on November 5. There will also be a Zelda concert tour in 2027.

Xbox's disc-to-digital program looks like it could be a vital step forward for players who want to hold on to their physical games in an increasingly digital world, but it does have limits. Not every game publisher is on board with it, it seems, as Xbox users are reporting that four of the biggest companies aren't "participating" at all.

So far, it looks like games from Sega, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and Bandai Namco are largely incompatible with the disc-to-digital service. As verified by Kotaku, popping in a disc for a game from one of those publishers could result in a "not participating in digital licensing" message. A fan effort to catalogue all the games that do work with it also shows which titles from those publishers are incompatible with disc-to-digital, so if you were holding on to a physical edition of Far Cry 4, Final Fantasy 15, or Dark Souls 3, you're out of luck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FatSqS3VYY&t=19s

This could be rectified in the future if those publishers decide to sign up--Xbox has mentioned that this will be a gradual rollout for the service--but the current wording of the message and the sheer number of games involved suggest otherwise. What's the reason for this? It could be down to good ol' economics, as the companies would probably prefer that you buy one of their games again on the digital storefront. After all, if you decide to pick up a physical copy of a title from a local secondhand store or through a private sale, they're not seeing a cent of that cash when it changes hands.

This is something that Square Enix has been called to task over, as several of its big HD-2D RPGs have no upgrade path to Switch 2. For example, if you purchased Octopath Traveler for the Switch, there's no complimentary or premium upgrade pack to give it sharper graphics and new features on a Switch 2 console. Instead, you'll have to buy the game again when its Switch 2 version launches, and you don't even get an option to transfer your save game over.

All of this paints a worrying picture for game preservation, as Square Enix, Sega, Bandai Namco, and Ubisoft represent a sizable chunk of the gaming market with several big franchises and numerous smaller games spread between them. Microsoft may want to make the transition to an all-digital future easier--and better than Sony's plan to go all in on ditching physical media--but not every company wants to play ball.

Retailer GameStop has released its latest earnings report, and it was a record-breaker for the company. The Texas-based retailer's biggest number for its fiscal Q2 quarter that ended August 1 was $160.2 million. That's how much GameStop made in operating income for the period, and it was the highest Q2 operating income level since the company went public in 2002.

Net income was up, too, reaching $298.7 million, compared to $168.6 million last year.

GameStop benefitted from continued growth in its biggest sales category--collectibles--which saw net sales jump a whopping 57% year-over-year to $356.3 million. For this latest period, collectibles made up 45.1% of GameStop's net sales.

GameStop was once primarily known as a video game retailer, and while it still sells games, consoles, and accessories, the company's biggest revenue-driver today is collectibles. Anyone who has walked into a GameStop store recently can attest to how much shelf space is dedicated to collectibles.

GameStop's next-largest revenue-driver was its "video game" category, which reached $263.2 million for the period, down sharply from $494.6 million during the same period last year that benefitted from the Switch 2 launch. Finally, GameStop's pre-owned and refurbished business made up $170.7 million during the period, down from $250 million last year.

Some might have thought that Sony's decision to end support for physical game discs, and GTA 6 not releasing on a disc, would be a death knell for a company like GameStop. However, physical video game sales are "irrelevant" to the company, CEO Ryan Cohen has said. He has also suggested GameStop could expand its business into the "live commerce" category that is popular on TikTok. The executive has also discussed the possibility of GameStop becoming a marketplace for re-selling digital gaming items.

While GameStop's operating profit jumped, net sales for the company overall fell from $972.2 million in Q2 last year to $790.2 million this year. GameStop said the decreases was primarily attributable to the launch of the Switch 2 last June, an event that benefitted GameStop. The downturn in overall revenue was also attributable to store closures and GameStop getting out of its business operations in France, the company said. GameStop's share price tumbled after the report came out.

GameStop also scaled back selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) costs during Q2 this year, with those expenses reaching $187.1 million, compared to $218.8 million during the same period last year.

GameStop is forecasting even rosier times ahead, projecting $650 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for its fiscal year ending January 30, 2027. That's up from a previous forecast of adjusted EBITDA of $600 million.

In another move, GameStop is trying to buy the auction site eBay, but so far, its proposals have been rejected buy eBay's board. GameStop owns more than 43 eBay shares, worth about $4.9 billion today.

BlizzCon 2026 begins September 12, and while there is big news every time developer Blizzard decides to host its fan convention, after a two-year hiatus, this year's show in particular seems poised to be a major occasion for fans of Blizzard franchises like Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch.

Blizzard president Johanna Faries hasn't been shy about hyping up this year's show in interviews, calling 2026 Blizzard's "biggest year yet." She said its various development teams are "cooking on big swings" across its key franchises and that this year's BlizzCon will reflect the studio's goal of being the "best gaming and entertainment company in the world." BlizzCon's announcements will deliver the "heart and soul" of what fans want out of a BlizzCon, she said, while still "bringing some very new things to the table."

What, then, should fans expect from what is being billed as the biggest year in Blizzard history? Let's dive into what to expect from BlizzCon 2026, as well as a few predictions.

A Whole Lot Of Warcraft

For years, BlizzCon essentially served as a new World of Warcraft expansion vessel. Blizzard would get on stage, announce a new expansion with a jaw-dropping cinematic, and then dive into all the details of the new expansion.

That will still likely happen this year, though we do already know the name and setting of WoW's next expansion, The Last Titan, since Blizzard announced an entire trilogy of expansions back at BlizzCon 2023. The reveal of the expansion's cinematic and more details, including its revamp of Northrend, major new features, and possibly a release date, is a given. Expect to learn more about Midnight's 12.2 patch as well.

However, there's likely to be more Warcraft this year than perhaps any other time in Blizzard's history. In addition to The Last Titan, it's not exactly a secret that Blizzard is cooking up a new version of WoW Classic, unofficially called Classic+ by the community. What form this version of Classic will take is still unknown, but many fans expect it to serve almost as an alternate timeline for WoW where the game didn't release new expansions every few years and instead turned its focus to the core regions of Azeroth fans were already familiar with. That could mean Blizzard finishing or expanding zones from original WoW, class redesigns, additional endgame content, or even new playable races and classes.

Dataminers discovered a reference to a new build for Classic called "Camelot" within Blizzard's files earlier this year. That codename at first glance didn't mean much but was quickly connected to a once-dismissed Warcraft release slate leak from last year that mentioned Camelot by name.

That connection suddenly made the leak much more credible overall, and it shows Camelot could possibly release this year shortly after BlizzCon. This, of course, wouldn't be out of the ordinary for WoW Classic. The game's previous experiment that many saw as a testing ground for Classic+, Season of Discovery, was announced at BlizzCon 2023 in early November and was then released only a few weeks later. It certainly seems like history could repeat for Classic+, Camelot, or whatever Blizzard officially calls it. 

But Classic+ is far from the only new Warcraft project included on the alleged leaked release slate. According to the alleged leak, Blizzard may also be making a new Warcraft RTS titled Warcraft Chronicles for 2027, as well as an Arthas RPG spin-off for 2028. 

Those would be huge news on their own, but beyond games, the leak additionally lists a tie-in television show for each game. The idea of Blizzard working on television shows isn't as far-fetched as it sounds. Faries said in an interview earlier this year Blizzard has had "exciting conversations" about Hollywood adaptations of its IP, while Blizzard VP and executive producer for WoW Holly Longdale has been on record that the Warcraft IP is "underutilized" and that Blizzard wants to expand it beyond just WoW.

It's possible the leaked slate is years old and no longer accurate (or just an extremely coincidental fake), but it wouldn't be surprising if all of what it detailed and more appeared at BlizzCon.

StarCraft Is Back In A Big Way

StarCraft has been a largely dormant franchise for close to a decade. The last major DLC for StarCraft 2 released in 2017, the same year StarCraft: Remastered released. Since then, Blizzard's sci-fi franchise has been relegated to cosmetic crossovers in other Blizzard games like Diablo 4 and Hearthstone.

That looks to be finally changing at BlizzCon this year. Persistent reports have indicated Blizzard is working on a StarCraft shooter of some kind, though additional details on what kind have been scarce. There are also reports Blizzard is partnering with Korean video game giant Nexon for a licensing deal that could potentially see Nexon develop new StarCraft games.

At least one new StarCraft title getting revealed at BlizzCon this year seems like a certainty, though it's possible Blizzard also officially announces its partnership with Nexon as well.

Blizzard is sending clear signals that something is happening on the StarCraft front. The website for StarCraft: Remastered recently started "glitching" out, perhaps serving as a not so subtle nod that news is on the way. Those "glitches" have revealed secret transmissions and bits of new lore that look to be setting the stage for Blizzard's shooter.

Fans are theorizing the game could be a PvE co-op shooter in the vein of Helldivers 2, where a team of players land on an abandoned lunar mining facility overrun by Zerg, have to complete objectives, and then extract. Or it could be the triumphant return of StarCraft: Ghosts, though my money would be on the PvE co-op shooter. Regardless, StarCraft will almost certainly make a return at this year's BlizzCon, though its new form may disappoint RTS fans.

Diablo New And Old

What Blizzard is cooking up on the Diablo front is largely a mystery. It is, however, Diablo's 30th anniversary, so it seems safe to bet Blizzard will be announcing big news about the franchise at the show. A Diablo 30th anniversary presentation earlier this year concluded with Blizzard teasing a major BlizzCon announcement, stating "they are going to freak out at BlizzCon when we announce" a moment before the end of the broadcast.

Alongside a Switch 2 port of Diablo 4, the announcement of a new Diablo 4 expansion, alongside a reveal cinematic, is almost a given. Blizzard once pledged yearly expansions for Diablo 4. That didn't come to pass, but the gap between the game's Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred expansion's was faster than Diablo fans are used to, with a little over a year and a half between them. With Lord of Hatred having been released back in April, a new expansion in the back half of 2027 seems plausible.

Blizzard certainly has no shortage of villains to choose from, with Diablo himself having still failed to make an appearance in Diablo 4. The return of Malthael could also be in the cards, with the game's latest season making multiple not so subtle references to the fallen angel. Aside from a new expansion, Blizzard has already promised more details and surprises related to Season 15.

Of course, Diablo as a franchise is bigger than Diablo 4. Earlier this year, Diablo 2: Resurrected received new content in the form of the Reign of the Warlock DLC, adding a new class and some long-requested quality-of-life features to the classic ARPG. There's also Diablo Immortal, the ongoing mobile game Blizzard co-operates with NetEase. 

A quick look at the BlizzCon schedule reveals there sure is a lot of time dedicated to a Diablo Immortal "event" across both days of the show, something fans are finding suspicious. It would certainly be bold of Blizzard to dedicate so much time and space to the game that led to the most memed moment in BlizzCon history, the infamous "do you guys not have phones?" moment from Diablo Immortal's reveal Q&A during BlizzCon 2018. That fact has led some fans to speculate that surely there must be something else related to Diablo coming that will take up more of that timeblock. The real question is what.

It wouldn't be surprising if Blizzard announced a new Diablo 2 expansion. The demand clearly seems to be there given the reception to Reign of the Warlock, and there are still plenty of Diablo fans who view D2 as the pinnacle of the series in much the same way WoW Classic fans put vanilla WoW above all subsequent versions. Given it's the franchise's 30th anniversary, a potential remake of the original Diablo also seems like a possibility, though what form that might take is more uncertain.

Overwatch Keeps Its Momentum

Overwatch has had a big year so far, with Blizzard essentially rebooting its hero shooter by dropping the "2" from its name, putting an emphasis on year-long storylines, and adding more playable heroes this year than ever before. The game added five new heroes at once earlier this year, and has continued to add a new hero every season since.

Going into BlizzCon 2026, I expect Blizzard to keep that momentum going into next year. By abandoning Overwatch 2's promised PvE story missions back in 2024 and even ceasing new content development for the game's newest game mode, Stadium, Blizzard looks to be focusing on what works and cutting out what doesn't. That's resulting in more events, cosmetics, crossovers, and heroes faster than ever, and Blizzard is no doubt putting more resources into ensuring that gravy train continues.

As for what that means for BlizzCon, expect new map reveals and plenty of new hero announcements. Blizzard hasn't yet revealed the game's next hero coming as part of Season 5, so that's a shoo-in. There's a good chance a hero trial for the Season 5 hero goes live during BlizzCon, as was the case with Mauga's reveal at BlizzCon 2023. Season 6's new hero, and heroes even beyond that, will likely be revealed as well. Though Blizzard initially only promised a new hero for each 2026 season, I would be shocked if the new hero per season status quo doesn't continue into 2027. 

BlizzCon will also likely set the stage for the finale of Overwatch's 2026 storyline, The Reign of Talon. Story has been a big focus for Overwatch this year, with plenty of comics, short stories, and animations propelling the game's narrative forward. In addition to getting a good look at how 2026's storyline will conclude, I expect to learn where the story will be going next, too, with Blizzard possibly announcing the name and theme of 2027's seasonal story arc.

One big question is whether Blizzard reveals a new core Overwatch game mode. Blizzard's track record hasn't been great on this front. Clash, added in 2024, hasn't been popular and was removed from both competitive and quickplay. Stadium was added last year, but its low player count saw Blizzard recently announce it was putting the mode on life support. I would be surprised then if Blizzard attempts to throw another new mode at the wall and see if it sticks so soon after Stadium's failure, as it seems like its resources would be better spent elsewhere.

Rather than announcing a brand new mode, Blizzard may instead put more emphasis on 6v6. It's no secret Blizzard has been experimenting more and more with 6v6 in recent months. While I don't expect 5v5 to vanish, the introduction of a proper, permanent role queue for 6v6 seems like a real possibility.

Whatever Blizzard is cooking across its franchises, fans won't have to wait long to learn what's in store. BlizzCon's opening ceremony begins September 12 at 10:30 AM PT / 1:30 PM ET.

Today, Nintendo aired The Legend Of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct. We learned the Ocarina of Time remake is launching November 5. We heard about a new orchestra concert touring the world in 2027. We finally got to see the title of the upcoming full-length movie: The Legend Of Zelda (no, really, that's it). Then, Eiji Aonuma walked us through a 15-minute gameplay demo of the upcoming Ocarina of Time Remake, and while the game's new look and gameplay are already being debated, there's no denying one crucial addition: Link can now jump on command.

At one point, the younger version of Link comes across a pond with rocks that he must jump across. In the previous Ocarina of Time game, Link would automatically jump when approaching the rocks. Now, however, players can make Link jump whenever they like, at the press of a button.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvD3p2yGwc

As Aonuma himself pointed out in the demo, jumping may not seem like a big deal, but because the original game didn't allow for free jumping, this is a major change in the context of Ocarina of Time. Though what was shown was faithful to the original, the combination of this jump mechanic and the new sprint mechanic could lead to some changes in level design in the final game.

The gameplay demo also showed off the remake's updated visual style through multiple locations from the Nintendo 64 classic, including the Deku Tree, Hyrule Market, and Kokiri Forest. Aonuma also revealed new Ocarina mechanics, including the ability to hum a tune or play it on a physical instrument and have it register through the Switch 2's built-in microphone.

The Ocarina of Time remake will borrow at least one mechanic from Breath of the Wild, as the ability to quickly swap between weapons was highlighted during the demo. The game will also feature full voice acting, which means Navi might be up for a redemption tour now that she can say more than "hey" and "listen."

Finally, the rumored Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 console was confirmed during the Direct, along with a Pro Controller, a carrying case, and new Amiibo figures of Young Link and Young Zelda. The console and Pro Controller will launch on October 29, one week before the remake releases, while the Amiibo will release in 2027.

If you were hoping to see older Zelda games ported to or remastered for the Switch at the recent Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, you were likely disappointed, as Nintendo instead dedicated almost the entire show to its upcoming Ocarina of Time remake.

Out of all the Legend of Zelda remasters that have come to Switch consoles over the years, there's still a sizable Wind Waker HD-shaped hole in that collection. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD released on the Wii U in 2013, with a number of upgrades compared to the original 2003 GameCube version.

While the original version of Wind Waker was added to the Switch Online GameCube library last year, the Wii U version is much better in comparison. It provides a smoother experience with various quality-of-life improvements, like a resolution boost, faster loading times, and subtle changes to the game that make it less of a chore to play in its second half. While it isn't considered as influential as Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker's impact can still be felt in modern Zelda games today.

The fact then that the upgraded version of one of the best Zelda games of all time is still only available on the Wii U is a shame. Much the same could be said of Twilight Princess HD on the Wii U.

Maybe I just had unrealistic expectations. For Zelda's 40th anniversary, I imagined Nintendo would do something similar to what it did for Mario's 35th anniversary, when it released Super Mario 3D All-Stars for a (baffingly) limited amount of time. The bundle put together three of Mario's greatest games in one package for the Switch, with updated 3D visuals, improved frame rates, and more.

Is it unreasonable to expect Nintendo would do something along the same lines for Zelda, especially when the best versions of two of the franchise's greatest games are trapped in Wii U hell? Instead, we got a disappointingly limited direct that failed to even show a trailer for the franchise's upcoming live-action film adaptation.

Nintendo certainly delivered on giving fans an in-depth look at Ocarina of Time's stunning remake. It looks fantastic and faithful to the original while still adding small, modern changes (like a jump button).

I have no doubt the Ocarina of Time remake will be great when it releases November 5. But if you wanted to see the best version of classics like Wind Waker and Twilight Princess receive new life on the Switch 2, it appears you'll have to keep waiting. Maybe Zelda's 50th anniversary will be a big enough ocassion.

After months of rumors, Nintendo finally revealed that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake was real back in June. While that reveal was purely cinematic, today's Nintendo Direct for The Legend of Zelda showed off gameplay for the remake and offered a closer look at its updated art direction.

The Switch 2 exclusive stays true to the 1998 original's aesthetics, while showcasing a huge upgrade visually. Link's hat and tunic, for example, showcase detailed threading and embroidering, along with berries on his cap. The lighting system looks fantastic, too, as sunlight pokes through the forest as Link heads to the Great Deku Tree.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvD3p2yGwc

As for gameplay, players will have a button for Link to jump and dash. That may sound silly to younger people who grew up on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, but it's a huge change from the Nintendo 64 title. How the jump button could possibly impact dungeon design wasn't addressed but should prove interesting later this year.

Overall, the first gameplay revealed for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake seemed to address a lot of my concerns of a simple remaster for the game. The Switch 2 title seems faithful while still altering enough for modern audiences--and those of us who played the original (or 3DS remaster) plenty of times already.

Long considered to be the greatest Legend of Zelda game--until the Switch era at least, thanks to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom--Ocarina of Time was originally released for the Nintendo 64 console. The first 3D Zelda game, Ocarina of Time, was a trailblazer and laid the foundation that future entries in the franchise would emulate.

The game has received multiple ports and remasters over the years, and out of all of them, the 3DS version is considered the best of the best thanks to the various quality-of-life changes added to the game--including some welcome revisions to the Water Dungeon.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake will launch November 5 on Switch 2.

Best Zelda Bosses Of All Time View Images

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 looks like a very faithful remake of the Nintendo 64 classic, but as seen in the Zelda 40th anniversary Direct, this updated version of the game takes at least one element from the modern open-world Zelda games.

When demonstrating the returning Fairy Slingshot item, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma showed off the weapon-switching and aiming mechanics, which look nearly identical to the same systems in Breath of the Wild.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvD3p2yGwc

Players can quickly swap their weapons in a horizontal menu similar to the one used in Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and Echoes of Wisdom. Aiming a projectile weapon also uses the same reticle seen in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, with full motion control support as well. The difference in Ocarina is that you can use Z-targeting in conjunction with free aim.

Upon the official announcement of the Ocarina of Time remake, speculation amongst the Zelda fanbase ran rampant about whether the new title would remain faithful to the original game or reimagine it to be similar to modern Zelda titles. While Aonuma made it clear from the beginning of his presentation that Nintendo is taking the former approach, it looks like there will at least be some UI and quality-of-life elements taken from recent games.

In terms of significant changes made in the remake, there's a major difference in how time passes compared to the original game. Link can also manually jump in the remake, a contrast to his auto-jumping in the 1998 original.

The Zelda Direct revealed that the Ocarina of Time remake launches on November 5, a stone's throw away from Grand Theft Auto 6. Nintendo also announced that the live-action Zelda movie is simply titled "The Legend of Zelda," and a 40th anniversary concert tour will take place in 2027.

During The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, Nintendo confirmed that a worldwide 40th Anniversary Concert Tour will take place in 2027.

After an original opening arrangement kicked off the direct and the movie title was revealed, legendary Nintendo composer Koji Kondo showed up to announce The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert, which will tour across Japan, North America, Europe, and Australia in 2027. Considering that Nintendo has not held an officially licensed Zelda music tour in almost a decade, this is a really exciting announcement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0WX-jsir94

The concert tours will have different start dates in different regions, with Japan having the fullest schedule. It'll kick things off in Tokyo on January 23, 2027, before traveling to Fukuoka in February, Hokkaido in March, and Kyoto and Kanagawa in April. In the midst of that, the North America tour begins in Chicago on February 22. Other concert locations and dates for the United States have not been revealed yet.

The European Tour follows suit in London on April 3, while the Australia Tour will cap things off when it starts on May 13. Venues are expected to start selling tickets later this month, so we'll hopefully have a clearer picture of when and where The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert is specifically touring by then.

As for what will be played during the concerts, Kondo teased, "From nostalgic tunes to modern melodies, the concerts will feature a variety of music to mark the 40th anniversary." Before then, we can look forward to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake launching for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5 of this year.

As part of the Zelda-themed Nintendo Direct today, Nintendo announced that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's new remake for Switch 2 will release on November 5. That's just before GTA 6 launches on November 19.

The Ocarina of Time remake will cost $70 for the physical edition and $60 for the digital version.

Nintendo also showed off the first gameplay of the remake, including the game's updated graphics, new features, and more. Nintendo said the game's visuals have been "completely overhauled down to the textures of each material."

What's more, Nintendo is promising "snappier and more satisfying" action, faster load times, and a "much smoother" experience overall. There are new run and jump mechanics, too, and improved camera controls. Additionally, characters that Link meets on his journey are "fully voiced" in what Nintendo says are "expanded cutscenes." The game's day/night cycle is back in the remake, but now the cycle applies to wherever players are, including in towns.

What's more, the Ocarina of Time remake allows players to hum songs in real life, with the sounds then transposed into the game for Link to perform. Nintendo will also sell a real ocarina that players can use.

Ocarina of Time was originally released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, and it's one of the most beloved entries in the series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvD3p2yGwc

2026 is the 40th anniversary of the Zelda franchise. Also during the Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced the title of the Zelda movie, which is set for release in April 2027.

For more, check out all the big announcements from the Zelda Direct. The Nintendo news will keep coming soon, as the next Nintendo Direct broadcast will take place on September 9, and we're expecting big news.

After teasing fans with a few images earlier this year, Nintendo finally gave a little more info about the Legend of Zelda live-action movie. Very little! We now have a final title, but Nintendo chose not to share any additional images or a trailer yet. The movie will release on April 30, 2027.

Series creator Shigeru Miyamoto appeared briefly to share that the final title is simply The Legend of Zelda. He called attention to the lack of subtitle, and said that once you see the movie the simplicity of the title will make sense. The movie stars Bo Bragason (Zelda) and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Link).

"Once you've seen the film, you'll understand why there isn't a subtitle," Miyamoto said. "This is an original film based on the many stories, ideas, and concepts of the series, built up through the years for 40 years. Through the creative power and visual expertise of the talented production team, it's become an artistic work worthy of the Legend of Zelda series."

Directed by Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), this is the first live-action movie based on a Nintendo property since the infamous Super Mario Bros. flick from 1993. Ball has previously mentioned that he's aiming to bring Studio Ghibli aesthetics to this adaptation, as well as a sense of realism to the fantasy adventure. Filming for the Zelda movie began in November 2025 in New Zealand--the same country where Peter Jackson shot his legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy--and production wrapped in April 2026.

The Legend of Zelda movie will hit theaters in May 2027.

Electronic Arts utilizes generative AI systems in its suite of development tools, and now another example has come to light. John Buccigross, the ESPN personality who joined the in-game broadcast booth for NHL 27 this year, has revealed that EA Sports used generative AI to simulate his voice in some scenarios. The developers seemingly did not disclose this prior to launch.

He said on the Chirping Zebras podcast (via 23sabres) that the developers played some AI-produced lines back for him, and he said they were "pretty good."

However, he also recalled times when the AI tools didn't get things completely right, so a human had to make corrections. He said in one scenario, the AI voice said, "And the crowd gets out of the chairs." In ice hockey, though, a commentator in reality would not say "chairs" but instead "seats."

At the end of the day, Buccigross sounded pretty enthusiastic about the AI features in NHL 27. "If it means less work and the same check, I'll take it," he said.

EA Sports previously used generative AI to help with its popular College Football series. The developers said the game would not have been as good without it.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson is a big believer in utilizing AI to help make games faster and more efficiently, even if it means job losses and displacement in the short term. Wilson said EA conducted a study across all of its development processes and found that 60% of development processes have a “high feasibility” of being positively impacted by generative AI. As an example, Wilson said in the past it took six months to develop a stadium for one of its sports games, and now it takes six weeks. In the future, it could take six days, he said.

EA’s ambition, Wilson said, is to use generative AI to make its development processes 30% more efficient. Wilson said EA’s development teams are driven by the desire to “get to the fun faster” and release games faster. The aim is to “get to greatness much more quickly,” he said.

EA was recently sold to an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). The deal came with billions in debt for EA, so many are expecting the company to enact mass layoffs, game cancellations, studio closures, and other cost-cutting efforts, though no specific restructuring plan has been confirmed at this stage.

This year marks a major milestone for The Legend of Zelda IP, but one that has seemingly had very little fanfare from its parent company, Nintendo. That all changed today, as Nintendo dedicated a whole Direct broadcast to its long-running tale of heroes in green, mythical items of power, and the titular princess Zelda.

This was mostly focused on the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and the presentation also revealed new celebrations being held around the world. We're also going to be brushing up on our musical skills, as Nintendo is going to sell an Ocarina instrument that you can use in the upcoming remake, which launches in November.

While we didn't get a teaser for the upcoming live-action movie, we did get our first look at the logo for it.

And don't forget, there'll also be a Nintendo Direct on September 9. This one will be longer, at 45 minutes, and it'll be followed by a Treehouse livestream featuring gameplay from select titles.

The Legend of Zelda movie

While we didn't get a trailer, Nintendo did show off the official logo for The Legend of Zelda movie. Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto said that because the film is an original work inspired by the franchise, no additional subtitle was needed. The Legend of Zelda hits theaters on April 30, 2027.

The Legend Of Zelda Movie, Based On The Legend Of Zelda, Is Called The  Legend Of Zelda

Prepare your wallet for Zelda merch

It wouldn't be a Nintendo anniversary without some merchandise! A whole bunch of stuff is on the way, including collectibles, Lego, and more.

Additionally, a 40th-anniversary Zelda exhibition is coming to the Nintendo Museum in Japan.

The Zelda orchestra goes global

Legend of Zelda composer Koji Kondo briefly spoke about the franchise's music and confirmed that a musical anniversary concert tour is headed around the world.

The Legend Of Zelda Anniversary Concert Tour Coming In 2027

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwycnPCK0pA

Looking sharp! The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is getting a major glow-up for its remake. Legend of Zelda game designer Eiji Aonuma showed off several new features for the remake, including the option to jump and dive underwater. So far, the art direction focuses on stylized realism, with characters and locations featuring an incredible amount of detail.

"Processing speeds have come a long way since Nintendo 64, so the actions feel snappier and more satisfying," Aonuma said during a combat sequence.

The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake Looks Fantastic In First Gameplay Look

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake release date https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=momx6rC1lyU

The game launches on November 5, because Nintendo has no fear of GTA 6.

Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake Release Date Is November 5, Just Before GTA 6

Ocarina of Time remake features motion controls

Remember the Fairy Slingshot from the original Ocarina of Time? It's still here in the remake, but this time, you can use motion controls to aim your shots.

Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake Borrows At Least One Mechanic From Breath Of The Wild

Loading screens are still here

Loading screens are an intentional part of the remake, Aonuma said, which is certainly a choice. Anyway, here's what the Hyrule Fields look like in this new version of the game. To get around quickly, you can hold down the A button to tumble and then break into a dash.

The Ocarina Of Time Remake Is Adding Something We Never Saw Coming: Voice Acting

The Ocarina of Time has a unique Switch 2 mechanic

Not only can Link manipulate time with the Ocarina, but it also has an extra feature unique to Switch 2: hum into your Switch 2 microphone, and the Ocarina in the game will replicate the sound.

Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Remake Makes A Big Change To Time Passing

And you can take things a step further

There'll also be two official Ocarina of Time replicas to buy, and the game will recognize your notes when you play it. You'll have two options to choose from: a playable version for anyone wanting to flex their musician muscles and an electric version made by Hori that plays notes or entire songs at the mere press of a button.

The Ocarina Of Time Remake Has The Coolest Use Of The Switch 2’s Built-In Mic

Are you taking Zelda Notes?

The Zelda Notes app is being expanded for the remake. It'll allow players to track their progress, challenge them to find in-game locations using hint images, let them play a virtual ocarina, take a daily quiz with over 2,000 questions in total, and more.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake Amiibo

These two Amiibo will unlock special masks that can be worn in the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 and accessories revealed

This Zelda-themed Switch 2 console looks pretty spiffy, and it won't be the only piece of Nintendo hardware getting a Hyrule makeover.

Director Zach Cregger is making one of 2026's most-anticipated video game movies in Resident Evil, but don't expect him to make another film based on a franchise again.

Speaking to Deadline, Cregger said, "I'm doing this [Resident Evil], and that's it for me. I'm not going to go tackle any other franchises."

Why? He said it's because he wants to "write whatever I want to write," as opposed to adhering to a specific franchise's history and lore.

"I don’t want to write something where I have to make sure I’m tagging different data points to satisfy X. I just want to satisfy me," he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNd1gb19A-c

Cregger said the "only reason" that Resident Evil made sense for him was because he's a big fan of the games and he came up with what he believes is an original idea for it.

"I think this movie is cool, and I hope it checks the fan boxes because I’m a fan and I’m checking my boxes. I’m making the Resident Evil movie that I wish existed, so I can do that with a clean heart and a clear conscience and not feel like I’m getting f*cked by some weird industry thing," he said.

Cregger also clarified comments he made previously about his story for the Resident Evil movie. Some had theorized that what Cregger meant when he said he came up with an original story for Resident Evil was that he wrote a story and then slapped the Resident Evil name on it. That's not quite the case.

"What I mean is it’s an original story, but it’s still a Resident Evil story. I’m not taking a story from the games; that’s what that means," he said.

Something else that might have convinced Cregger to sign on to write and direct Resident Evil was the money--he was reported to have been paid $20 million.

While Cregger may be finished with franchise movies, he is attached to co-write the upcoming Siren Head movie. Cregger's next movie is The Flood, a sci-fi movie set in deep space.

Resident Evil releases in theaters on September 18, and it's expected to have the biggest opening weekend ever for the movie series.

The big September Nintendo Direct is right around the corner, and so far, the only thing that Nintendo has confirmed about it is that it'll run for 45 minutes. Beyond that, the company is keeping a tight lid on tomorrow's broadcast, where it's expected to make a few big reveals that could help soften the blow of a $50 increase to the Switch 2 console.

That hasn't stopped leakers from making some bold predictions, as one insider claims that we could finally see a new 3D Mario game revealed. Malo932--who correctly predicted the reveal of the recent Star Fox game and the remake of Ocarina of Time--also correctly revealed that two Nintendo Directs were coming this week. Their latest leaks (via Centro Leaks) have teased not only a 3D Mario but also a new Super Smash Bros. game, the return of the Nintendogs franchise, Mario Kart World DLC featuring Fox McCloud in action, and a brand-new Star Fox game.

https://twitter.com/CentroLeaks/status/2096391885191282882

Another prominent leaker, NecroFelipe, has also added that Luigi's Mansion 4 is reportedly in development. That would make for a sizable stack of games from Nintendo, but even if they are real, could we see all of them in tomorrow's Direct? NecroFelipe isn't so sure, as they wrote on X that Nintendo won't play its entire hand in one Direct. Malo932 has also deleted their recent YouTube comments since then and changed their display name to "Stop" (via Kotaku), suggesting that something is afoot. Did Nintendo's lawyers finally close in on them?

We'll have to wait until September 9 to find out, but if previous September Directs are any indication, this year's edition should have plenty of games from Nintendo and its third-party partners to check out. Don't forget, there's also a Legend of Zelda-themed Direct kicking off today.

A new Onimusha game hit PC and consoles last week, and so far, it looks like Capcom has yet another win on its hands. Onimusha: Way of the Sword sold 1 million copies on launch day--bringing lifetime sales for the franchise up to 10 million--which is pretty impressive for a series that has been dormant for the better part of 20 years. Commenting on the early sales milestone, Capcom said that it wants to repeat Onimusha's success with other games that haven't seen a new release in many years.

"In addition to regularly releasing major new titles each year, Capcom is focusing on reactivating IPs that haven't had a new title launch recently," Capcom wrote in a statement. "The company is working to further maximize corporate value by leveraging its rich library of content, including this title."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2sSPdSPvCU

Capcom added that "several marketing initiatives," alongside demos and hands-on exhibitions, also helped spread awareness of the new Onimusha, helping to drive sales. It also helps that the game is genuinely good, with gorgeous visuals and exciting combat that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

As for which games could make the cut, take your pick. I'd argue that Devil May Cry is due a fresh sequel, considering that the last game, Devil May Cry 5, was released in 2019, but Lost Planet, Viewtiful Joe, and Dino Crisis fans might fervently disagree with me--and those are just a few of the games that have been gathering dust at Capcom over the years.

Whatever Capcom does decide to reactivate, it'll land in the wake of a very successful 2026 for the company. Things got off to a hot start with the release of Resident Evil Requiem in February, and the momentum increased with the launch of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection in March and the sleeper hit Pragmata in April.

On top of that, several Capcom games like Street Fighter 6 have continued to enjoy post-launch support, and future releases include Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen in October, a major expansion for Monster Hunter Wilds, and Resident Evil Veronica. We're even getting a first taste of Capcom's reactivation strategy next year, with the launch of Mega Man: Dual Override.

Can you believe that The Legend of Zelda franchise turned 40 this year? It's true, and it's the main focus of today's new Nintendo Direct. The series is in the spotlight, and Nintendo says it'll celebrate its ruby anniversary with a new broadcast that fans will want to check out. Don't forget, there'll also be a Nintendo Direct on September 9, but for now, here's a closer look at how you can watch the Zelda stream.

How to watch the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct

As usual, you can watch the Legend of Zelda Nintendo Direct on YouTube and Twitch. Once the livestream wraps up, Nintendo typically uploads individual versions of the trailers and footage shown off, all available to watch on its official YouTube page.

• YouTube
• Twitch

Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct start time

Kicking off early on September 8 at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET, this Legend of Zelda Direct will run for around 30 minutes.

• 7 AM PT
• 10 AM ET
• 3 PM BST
• 4 PM CEST
• 11 PM JST

What to expect from the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct

Nintendo says the presentation will deliver "a variety of information" related to The Legend of Zelda. Beyond that, your guess is as good as ours, but we expect to see a new look at the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, with a closer look at its gameplay, how it differs from the classic Nintendo 64 game, and its release date. A teaser for the upcoming live-action movie ahead of its 2027 release would also be welcome, and if we had to take an educated guess, we'd expect 40th-anniversary limited-edition hardware for the Switch 2, more merchandise drops, and maybe even concert tour celebrations.

And if we're really lucky, maybe we'll finally get an update on two outstanding Legend of Zelda ports: Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD. Considering how Nintendo has brought other Legend of Zelda adventures into the modern era, it's high time that these classics made their way to Switch consoles.

Naughty Dog's first effort to adapt The Last of Us for the screen was not as an HBO TV show, but a movie, a fact that recently began doing the rounds again on social media. Like with many Hollywood productions, The Last of Us had a tumultuous, long development period as a movie before it was ultimately abandoned in favor of what is now a hit series. 

While not everyone agrees with the creative departures from the source material for the TV series on HBO, it's undeniably a success and one of HBO's biggest hits lately. Let's look back at how The Last of Us originated as a movie and run through the key developments that led to it becoming a TV show.

The original movie pitch

People across X recently discovered a post from Sony Pictures in 2014 declaring that The Last of Us was "soon to be a major motion picture." 

This was a real, studio-sponsored image, not a fan mock-up. There was officially produced key art, showing Ellie wielding a knife. There was a "secret panel" at San Diego Comic-Con that year featuring director Sam Raimi, who was originally attached to produce the movie, having already had huge success at Sony with his Spider-Man films.

https://twitter.com/sonypictures/status/492757891229552641?s=46

That The Last of Us was originally going to be a movie is not surprising given how many video game movies came before it and how many have been released since (with varying degrees of success). 

This was a year after The Last of Us came out in 2013. It was a hot property, as the game was a critical and a commercial success for Naughty Dog and Sony. With Sony also owning and operating its own film studio, all the synergies were there for Sony to make a Last of Us film.

Neil Druckmann, who directed The Last of Us game, confirmed in 2014 that the movie would adapt the story of The Last of Us, as opposed to branching off in some other way. At the time, Druckmann said the movie would "take into account the unique properties of film," but he stressed it was early days and the team hadn't yet mapped out how it would condense the game's story into a two-hour film. In 2015, Druckmann confirmed he had written a second draft of the movie's script, which he said contained "pretty big changes" from the source material.

It was also at this time that Druckmann said a table read had already taken place with "a bunch of actors," though he did not name any outright. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams was said to be a frontrunner to play Ellie, and many people said that casting was perfect. Williams herself confirmed she met with Druckmann and Raimi about it, but remarked at the time that there was no script or director at that point. Williams, who was 17 at the time, also joked at the time that she hoped Sony would make the movie quickly because, "If they make it in 30 years, they can't have a 40-year-old Ellie." Kaitlyn Dever was also considered for the role of Ellie in the film, and, spoiler alert: Dever would go on to play Ellie's adversary, Abby, in the HBO TV show.

Development Hell

Hollywood productions can take a lot of time to come together, and when the production process goes on for an extended period of time, that's known as "Development Hell." The Last of Us movie was yet another example of this unfortunate phenomenon.

In 2016, Druckmann said the movie hadn't progressed for "over a year" at that point. "It kind of entered development hell like these things tend to do," he said. The movie also never had a director signed on, nor was there a cast or a release date.

The Last of Us

This wouldn't be the last time a Naughty Dog film project was subject to development hell, as the Uncharted movie is a very infamous example of this, but that did eventually come together for release in 2022 after a decade of development.

The Last of Us "would have been awful" as a movie

Druckmann said in an interview with Sacred Symbols that movie executives told him to "make it bigger, make it more like World War Z," and he pushed back against this. "Go make World War Z. Why make The Last of Us? The Last of Us is not that," he said. Conversely, Druckmann said HBO boss Casey Bloys told him, "'Do as much action as you need to, and no more. Do as much violence as you need to, and no more. Here, we sell drama.'" 

Druckmann said he got the opposite notes when The Last of Us was envisioned as a feature film. It's not a stretch to imagine this is part of the reason why Naughty Dog opted for a TV show instead of a film, in addition to there being a more supportive and understanding team at HBO to produce and back the show.

Druckmann also said HBO approached the source material with "such reverence and artistry," ensuring Naughty Dog would be involved in the process too. This is not always the case, of course, as the Baldur's Gate TV series at HBO does not involve Larian Studios. Druckmann also mentioned that HBO was supportive of the many changes to the source material that Druckmann and writer/showrunner Craig Mazin made. 

Appearing on Logically Speaking in 2024, Druckmann said the movie version of The Last of Us "would have been awful." He said, "It would have been one of those bad adaptations had we finished that one." 

"You have two hours, max, and the feedback I got was, 'This will lead it down a bad path,'" he added.

In a recent interview with GamesBeat, Druckmann said he changed his mind about how to approach such projects. Whereas in 2014 he said The Last of Us movie would be an adaptation of the game, in 2016, he said Naughty Dog had "evolved our feelings" about adaptations. 

"As time goes on, we are not excited by a direct adaptation of a story for a game into a movie,” Druckmann said. “We have told that story well, cinematically. The idea for The Last of Us film was to be a direct adaptation. I don’t want that movie to be made."

Bella Ramsey as Ellie.

Druckmann indeed got his wish, and that movie was never made. The TV series with HBO, meanwhile, premiered in January 2023, and its first season--starring Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Pedro Pascal as Joel--was a huge success in terms of critical reception and viewership numbers. A second season aired in 2025, and was similarly successful, though not quite to the same degree. A third--and potentially final--season is in the works now, but Druckmann dropped out to focus on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and other projects at Naughty Dog (maybe The Last of Us 3?).

A prolific Japanese game developer has finally addressed all that weird foot imagery in his video games. What? No, I'm not talking about Hideo Kojima (he's busy hanging out with The Backrooms director right now, anyway). I'm referring to Dark Souls and Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki, who has finally addressed online speculation that he is a foot guy.

“It's not necessarily something I’m consistently aware of--maybe it’s something subconscious coming through,” Miyazaki told The Guardian in response to a question about all the hand imagery in his upcoming action-RPG, The Dusbloods. "Take a look online and there’s a rumor that I have a bit of a thing for feet, but I’m not honestly sure where this comes from."

Seriously, stop making it weird.

Though Miyazaki says he's not sure where the idea that he has a "thing for feet" comes from, it's something fans of his games have noticed for years. Whether we're talking The Maiden in Black from Demons' Souls or Priscilla (or Gwunevere, or Sister Friede, or Maneater Mildred) from Dark Souls, it's hard to ignore how many barefoot women are roaming Miyazaki's fictional worlds. Elden Ring's Malenia is rocking bare feet, too, although hers are metal prosthetics. The game's beaches even differentiate between barefoot players and those who are wearing footwear.

So what's with all the shoeless women in Souls games? According to Miyazaki, it's about depicting the human experience. Or something.

"I feel like I’m trying to depict some side of human nature or the human existence that is difficult to describe,” he elaborated.

But regardless of what fans might think, Miyazaki insists this is not a Tarantino situation. And to be fair, plenty of other games are even more foot-focused than Miyazaki's work--and far less subtle about it.