Meccha Chameleon--a multiplayer prop-hunt game that's been blowing up on Steam lately--seems to have hit its first real road bump since it launched in early June. As pointed out by a player who goes by Feint, some of the game's player-made maps are basically just Trojan horses containing malware. One of Feint's friends had mentioned briefly seeing a command prompt appear while they were downloading the map. Curious, Feint dug into the files and concluded that the map known as Lazer Tag Zero contained a "malware dropper."

The map was quickly pulled from Meccha Chameleon's Steam Workshop page after Feint published their findings in a Medium article. But the chaos was just beginning. Other malware-filled maps started appearing, and then the game's official Discord server was hacked.

"Security was completely breached, the server creator's account was hijacked, and all admins were banned, so we can't take action from our side," Meccha Chameleon creator Lemorion_1224 shared in an auto-translated X post over the weekend. 

The news was also shared via an update on the game's Steam page, clarifying that the game itself wasn't a security risk, and could still be played safely as long as user-made maps weren't used. Still, things were looking rough--the hackers even put up a fake listing for a Meta Quest-compatible version of the game, which doesn't exist. 

"Currently, a product called 'Meccha Chameleon VR' is available for preorder on the Meta Quest store, but we have not granted any production permission for it," Lemorion_1224 explained in an X post shared early this morning. "We are currently submitting a request for removal, so please refrain from purchasing it. We will not handle any monetary issues arising from counterfeit products."

But after a weekend of abject chaos, it seems things are finally stabilizing. A few hours after the announcement about the fake Meta Quest product listing, Lemorion_1224 revealed that a new update is now live for the game.

https://twitter.com/lemorion1224/status/2081710107214426595

Mini-update 3.3.1 replaces the Discord link on the game's title screen with a link to the correct server (which is now back in the possession of Mecca Chameleon creators Lemorion_1224 and Haganiero), fixes a physical collision issue, and perhaps most importantly, strengthens virus protection, though it's not clear if the issue with player-made map malware has been fully resolved for good.

For now, the safest bet is probably sticking to the game's default maps.

Pokemon card scalpers are generally regarded as the worst part of the hobby, and in Japan, The Pokemon Company is taking steps to address the problem. As part of its crackdown to create a safe shopping environment, The Pokemon Company is introducing a facial recognition system for adult shoppers and children of a certain age.

According to its website, this will be a mandatory measure for gaining access to a Pokemon Card Store, and customers may only enter a shop once per day. Preschoolers are not required to undergo a facial scan, but they do need to be accompanied by a guardian to gain entry.

"If the system detects that the same person has entered the store more than once in one day or received more than one entry ticket--and a notification (alert) to that effect is displayed on the screen--entry will be denied to that person based on the system's judgment," the new guidelines read. For now, this system will only be in place for Japanese Pokemon card shops.

Scalping Pokemon cards has become a lucrative side-hustle over the last couple of years, as the trading card game has grown in popularity throughout the 2010s. At the same time, this has made the hobby hard to break into for regular players, as new stock is often pounced upon the second store doors open, as scalpers rush to grab as much inventory as possible.

This has also led to a surge in burglaries across the globe, as numerous stories have surfaced lately of thieves targeting collectibles shops specifically for their Pokemon cards. In January, thieves armed with guns and hammers stormed a newly opened Pokemon store and stole over $100,000 worth of collectibles.

Even trying to get rare Pokemon cards legitimately can be a headache, as chaos erupted during a Pokemon promotion at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam when scalpers attempted to snatch up all the Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat cards.

With the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy reaching its conclusion next year, franchise fans are already asking which game will be next for a modern-day glow-up. The subject was brought up during the Final Fantasy Fan Festival in Berlin on the weekend, and Final Fantasy 14's Naoki Yoshida said that some of the most-requested titles for a remake would need multiple games to pull off successfully.

Final Fantasy 6 appears to be at the top of the list--with Final Fantasy 8 and 9 also in contention--but Yoshida said that this would be a mammoth undertaking. "Of course I understand the feelings of the players, but you've got to think about it," Yoshida (via a translator and GamesRadar). "Look at Final Fantasy 6, it's such an incredibly huge game. The scale is just immense. So, of course, now because you are working on the Final Fantasy 7 series, I do get that people would be asking for remakes of other titles. But if we did remake those other titles, we'd probably end up having to release them in four or maybe even five installments."

Yoshida isn't joking, as Final Fantasy 6 on its own is a massive title. With over a dozen protagonists, several major battles, and some of the best worldbuilding in the series, it's a miracle that it even managed to squeeze onto an SNES cartridge back in the day. Final Fantasy 8 and 9 are also incredibly massive games, combining a huge scope with distinct gameplay systems and stories. They might look primitive by today's standards, but in terms of content, they are considerable timesinks.

https://youtu.be/R6Yb4ZS3rLo

Compare that to today, and creating a game of similar size has become even more complex as hardware--and audience tastes--have become more advanced. The other challenge is that creating a game on that scale requires a talented team, one that you'd want to keep around for sequels down the line, as that would make the process easier. Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a prime example of this, as the majority of developers who worked on the first chapter in the trilogy have stuck around for the two sequels, Rebirth and Revelation.

It's safe to say that a Final Fantasy 6, 8, or 9 remake probably won't be happening anytime soon, but if Square Enix did decide to remake its beloved SNES classic, it has the perfect format for it: HD-2D. Square Enix has produced multiple games in this style, which merges retro-inspired two-dimensional pixel-art with modern 3D environments, lighting, and effects. Games like Octopath Traveler and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales scratch that itch for a nostalgic adventure that also looks modern, and at long last, a Final Fantasy game featuring this eye-catching art direction will be out soon.

Final Fantasy Resonance reimagines the original free-to-play mobile game as a dedicated single-player adventure, and so far, it looks like a clever way to recycle an adventure that many Final Fantasy fans might have missed out on or dismissed due to its gacha gameplay elements. While a project like this isn't any less complex than a full-fledged 3D remake, the consistent pace at which Square Enix publishes its HD-2D games suggests that development is quicker and smoother in comparison to something like Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

There might even be a push for this project to happen inside of Square Enix, as Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake producer Masaaki Hayasaka mentioned that Final Fantasy 6 would be at the top of his list for his next HD-2D game project. Final Fantasy 6 is also beloved for just how far it pushed the SNES to create its world of steampunk and magic, and seeing those nostalgic visuals reimagined in HD-2D could make it an easy sell. It'd be the best of both worlds, as fans of the original could experience a revitalized version of the classic game, while newcomers could find out why Final Fantasy 6 is still considered to be one of the best games in the franchise.  

Final Fantasy Games, Ranked – Where Does Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Land? View Images

Stalker 2 has been out for nearly two years, and if you've been itching to jump back into the post-apocalyptic hellscape, you'll have a great reason to do so. The game's first expansion, Stalker 2: Cost of Hope, releases in just a few weeks across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Cost of Hope puts you back in control of Stalker 2 protagonist Skif, with the character following a "mysterious PDA signal" as the dangerous Zone's Duty and Freedom factions come into conflict. GSC Game World promises "dozens of hours of content" along with new allies and enemies, weapons, and locations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5BwA-OUyNY

The expansion will launch alongside the base game's Update 2.0, which will include "a new version of Unreal Engine 5" alongside "a variety of new content and improvements." Unlike the expansion itself, this update will be free.

Stalker 2: Cost of Hope arrives on August 20. You can watch the release-date trailer above. The game originally launched on PC before coming to Xbox Series X|S and later to PS5. In our Stalker 2 review, Richard Wakeling said, "It doesn't reinvent the wheel, and at times it feels like you're playing a game straight out of 2010, but that's part of the charm and feeds into what makes Stalker 2 the quintessential Stalker experience."

It's not just you; the Xbox network--or parts of it, depending on when you read this--is down. After users across the globe began reporting issues with the Xbox Network, Xbox identified several issues affecting its online services today. At the time of writing, the following functions are still experiencing "major issues" on the Xbox network:

• Account and profile
• Store and subscriptions
• Games and gaming
• Apps and mobile

These problems are widespread, and include an inability to sign into network services, disconnections, and missing games from the storefront. Xbox says that the problems have been identified, and it is working on a solution, but there's no ETA for when these fixes will be applied. "We are aware that some users are encountering errors when attempting to sign in, see your game library, or launch games," Xbox's official support account posted online. "Our engineers are actively working to mitigate the issue."

Console gamers also had to contend with an outage on the PlayStation Network last week, which saw account management, gaming and social, PlayStation Video, the PlayStation Store, and PlayStation Direct go down for several hours--bad timing for anyone looking to jump into the Marvel Tokon open beta, and more fuel for the fire that PlayStation's social media has become as users demand that Sony reverse its decision to kill discs in 2028.

Outages like these have also brought into question the decision for companies to embrace a digital-only future, as they effectively prevent users from accessing their game libraries.

Kratos' story isn't over yet, as God of War developer Sony Santa Monica announced that the main face of the franchise will lead a new game, following the launch of God of War Laufey in February 2027. Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, Santa Monica Studio head of creative Cory Barlog briefly announced a new Kratos-led game that will connect directly to next year's new God of War adventure that stars his deceased wife, Faye.

"Everything we are doing in the Faye game is a continuation of what came before and to set up and expand what comes next," Barlog said (via IGN). "Faye is--while it's a different thing--it's still part of the larger tapestry of what we truly really want to explore, all of these different characters in there. But there's always going to be Kratos games, like, throughout the whole history. We're super excited about that."

Beyond that, Barlog and the rest of the studio are keeping details on the next God of War game tightly under wraps, with no mention of when it's expected to arrive, when it's set, and its lead platform. It's a busy time right now for the franchise, as in addition to the release of the metroidvania-inspired spin-off Sons of Sparta earlier this year, God of War fans can expect to see what Faye got up to in the afterlife when God of War Laufey launches next year, and a remake of the original God of War trilogy is also in development.

For now, the focus is on God of War Laufey, which was officially revealed during the State of Play livestream in June with a dedicated 20-minute gameplay preview.

The God of War Laufey release date has been announced and, much like we anticipated, you won't have to wait too long before you can play Faye's story.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Sony Santa Monica Studios officially announced that the God of War Laufey release date will be 16 February, 2027.

https://twitter.com/SonySantaMonica/status/2080831512820519253

Game director Cory Barlog also announced that the game will ship with physical discs. That announcement comes just weeks after Sony announced that it would be halting the production of physical discs entirely from 2028.

The release date announcement wasn't the only surprise, as Barlog also confirmed that the next God of War game will put players back in the boots of Kratos.

According to IGN, he said, "Everything we are doing in the Faye game is a continuation of what came before and to set up and expand what comes next. Phranque has been around since the beginning. It's interesting to see how to build this world out. Everything in the game is setting up for something so amazing."

While there are many theories about what, or who, Phranque could be, it sounds like we'll have plenty of time to get familiar with him throughout the future of God of War.

God of War Laufey was originally revealed with 20 minutes of gameplay during a Sony State of Play broadcast in June 2026. The game looked pretty polished then, so it's unsurprising that its release date is just seven short months away.

It also means that February 2027 is looking pretty stacked now, with God of War Laufey, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, Persona 4 Revival, Fable, and Metro 2039 all slated to release within two weeks of one another.