According to Yoji Fujito, the producer and director of Final Fantasy XI, ongoing support for the game could have ended in 2024. Player interest was high enough that Square Enix ultimately decided not to stop supporting the MMO, though, and a series of new updates is expected throughout this spring and summer.

Final Fantasy XI was the first MMO in the long-running RPG series, and it first launched for PS2 in Japan on May 16, 2002. Live-service support for the MMO, which is now played on PC, has continued ever since. Final Fantasy XI, which GameSpot reviewed all the way back in 2003, has survived Square's merger with Enix, the disastrous launch and lauded rebirth of Final Fantasy XIV, and all of the other changes in the MMO space that have happened in the 23 years since its launch. It's not the most popular MMO, but it has a dedicated and passionate fanbase.

That dedicated fanbase ultimately saved the game. In an interview with Dengeki Online, translated by Automaton Media, Fujito explained that Square Enix had previously considered ending support for Final Fantasy XI by 2024 following the end of The Voracious Resurgence storyline.

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If you're the type of player who likes to share video footage of your mad skills, you may be disappointed to hear that clips recorded on the Nintendo Switch 2 will apparently be limited to only 30 seconds.

According to the Nintendo Today app, the Switch 2 will have the same 30-second video capture limitation as the original Switch. And while the average player just looking to grab a quick clip of a cool in-game moment isn't likely to be particularly bothered by this constraint, it's likely to be much more frustrating for enthusiasts who were hoping the Switch 2 would provide upgraded abilities.

The Switch 2's 30-second cap on video capture falls behind the abilities of the PS5, which can capture up to 30 minutes internally or 60 minutes on external storage. For Switch 2 users to obtain similar capabilities, they'd need to invest in an external capture card, which can be a costly venture.

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The next major collaboration coming to Overwatch was teased last week, as Capcom's Street Fighter franchise will become the first-ever video game franchise to join Blizzard's hero shooter. Eight of Overwatch's heroes will be given the Street Fighter treatment, as they'll be able to dress up as eight of SF's world warriors, with some new themed emotes to boot.

GameSpot sat down with Overwatch art director Dion Rogers and former character art director Arnold Tsang to talk about bringing Street Fighter to Overwatch, from the character-selection process to how Street Fighter inspired some of Overwatch's design choices from the very beginning.

The eight Overwatch 2 X Street Fighter skins"Match made in heaven"

From the beginning of discussions–"about a year ago," according to Rogers--the Overwatch x Street Fighter collaboration has been what Tsang describes as "a match made in heaven." A big part of that, as Rogers describes, is Capcom's shared background in developing games.

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Microsoft has rolled out a new Xbox update allows players to further customize the home screen, and the changes sound pretty nice. For now, the new features are available only to Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha users, before everyone else gets to try it later. You can sign up for the free Xbox Insider program to get early access to Xbox updates.

Microsoft said it's received feedback from fans that they want the Home screen on Xbox to feel more personalized. Specifically, fans have asked for Microsoft to hide tiles they don't regularly use, and in general, make the Home screen feel "less crowded." This new update is an attempt to give fans some updates with those concerns in mind, Microsoft said.

"This update is part of our ongoing effort to make Home more personal, flexible, and responsive to your feedback," the company explained.

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Summer is typically a great time to head outside, enjoy the warmer weather, and work on your tan, but if you're into video games, it's also a season of announcements. Similar to previous years, various developers and publishers are gearing up to reveal what they're working on, as they'll be taking to the internet for a series of livestreams. From indie games to upcoming AAA releases, the next couple of months are going to be a busy--but entertaining--time in the industry.

If you're looking to stay up to date on when these livestreams are being held, we'll be keeping track of everything and updating this post whenever a new livestream is announced. For now, there's a lot to look forward to already as Geoff Keighley's annual Summer Game Fest, the feel-good Wholesome Direct, and the Xbox Games Showcase are all confirmed for this year. A few other events are also coming even sooner--a clever move that will allow these respective initiatives more time to shine.

Here's a closer look at everything on the way.

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Two beloved PlayStation Vita games were originally getting sequels before Sony decided to put its focus on PS4 in the mid-2010s, according to Shuhei Yoshida. The former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios president recently opened up about plans for Soul Sacrifice 2 and Freedom Wars 2.

VGC reports that Yoshida appeared on Sacred Symbols+ and discussed how sequels were in the works for both Vita exclusives at one point. "We were actually working on Soul Sacrifice 2 and Freedom Wars 2, but because of budget limitation we had to stop and move on to PS4," Yoshida said on the podcast.

Soul Sacrifice launched in 2013 for PS Vita and came from a concept created by former Mega Man designer Keiji Inafune. Meanwhile, Freedom Wars arrived the following year in 2014 for the handheld. Both Vita exclusives featured Monster Hunter-like similarities, which is notable because Capcom's popular franchise skipped the Sony handheld after being a juggernaut on PlayStation Portable. Nintendo was able to secure Monster Hunter 4 as an exclusive for 3DS.

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Naughty Dog's new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, remains largely a mystery, and now one of the actors who will appear in the game has shared some insight into what it's been like working on it.

Speaking to Dexerto, Stephen A. Chang--who played Jesse in The Last of Us--said Naughty Dog is being quite secretive about the project. Change said he knows "probably as much as you" about it.

In fact, Chang said he wasn't even sure the game was Intergalactic and not a new Last of Us game when he signed on.

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Ubisoft has confirmed that players will be able to test out Rainbow Six Siege X starting tomorrow, May 20, and outlined all of the updates players can expect throughout the rest of the year.

On June 10, Rainbow Six Siege X, an overhaul of the first-person shooter, will arrive. It adds a new 6v6 mode called Dual Front, updates several maps, improves player onboarding, and more. On Sunday, Ubisoft also revealed that Siege X will include a dedicated in-game esports tab and that PC players will be able to test out all of these upgrades early through a test server session that will be live between 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET on May 20 and 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET on June 9. Ubisoft is increasing the minimum, high, and ultra PC- spec requirements alongside the launch of Siege X, which it detailed in the image below.

Rainbow Six Siege X PC SpecsMinimum

• CPU: AMD Ryzen3 3100, Intel i3 8100
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB, AMD RX 5500XT 4GB, INTEL ARC A380 6GB
• Ram: 8GB
• OS: Windows 10/11, DirectX 12
• Storage: 65 GB SSD

High

• CPU: AMD Ryzen5 3600, Intel i5 10400, AMD Ryzen7 3700X, Intel i5 11600K
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB, NVIDIA RTX 3070 8GB, NVIDIA RTX 3080 10 GB, AMD RX 6600 8GB, AMD RX 6700 XT 8GB, AMD RX 6800 XT 16 GB
• Ram: 16 GB
• OS: Windows 11, DirectX 12
• Storage: 65 GB SSD

Ultra

• CPU: AMD Ryzen5 5600X, Intel i5-11600K
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti Super 16GB, AMD RTX 7900 XT 20GB
• Ram: 16 GB
• OS: Windows 11, DirectX 12
• Storage: 110 GB SS

Additionally, Ubisoft teased what's to come throughout the rest of Year 10. Siege X launches alongside a new season called Operation Daybreak. It redesigns the Defender Operator named Clash, who can now deploy her shield and activate its taser remotely. Operation Daybreak also brings other balancing updates to the game, such as electricity slowing Operators rather than damaging them now, reducing limb damage, and adjusting the abilities of Blackbeard, Jackal, Jäger, Thunderbird, and Sledge. The developers also plan to be more efficient in making anti-cheat updates throughout the season.

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Stitch Interactive Plush

$40

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The live-action version of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch hits theaters on Friday, May 23, and early reviews are calling it an emotional reimagining of the iconic 2002 film. Like most Disney films, this one is accompanied by heaps of merchandise and collectibles--but the Interactive Stitch Plush is one of the most adorable. Featuring a bunch of interactive elements and a charming design, it’s a fun way to bring the little blue extraterrestrial into your home.

Stitch Interactive Plush $40

The Stitch Interactive Plush stands 14 inches tall and is packed with over 50 sounds and phrases inspired by the film. These will trigger when you perform actions like rubbing his head or wiggling him around--and his LED eyes will change expressions based on his reaction. It’s also made from ultra-soft materials, making the Interactive Plush a unique and adorable companion for any young fan of Lilo & Stitch.

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To get a glimpse of all its interactive elements, check out this short video highlighting its coolest features.

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Lego Disney: Stitch (730 pieces)

$48 at Walmart | $52 at Amazon (was $65)

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Lego Disney: Angel (784 Pieces)

$65 | Releases June 1

Preorder at Lego Store Preorder at Target

Lego Disney: Lilo and Stitch Beach House (834 Pieces)

$90

See at Amazon See at Walmart

Disney's live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch arrives in theaters this Friday, May 23. Unsurprisingly, that means there's a wave of new merch hitting store shelves. But even with brand-new products such as this adorable talking Stitch plush, one of the most popular pieces of merch will likely continue to be Lego's buildable Stitch figure. The 730-piece Lego set has remained one of the best-selling Disney Lego sets at major retailers since its release last March. And it will probably be even more in demand in the coming weeks. Right now, Lego's Stitch figure is available for $48 (was $65) at Walmart. If this deal sells out, Amazon has it in stock for $52, which matches the deal we saw during the holidays last year.

And there's another upcoming release that could contribute to Lego Stitch's popularity. On June 1, Lego will release a very similar model of Angel from the Lilo & Stitch animated series. Check out both figures as well as the recently released Lilo & Stitch Beach House Lego playset below.

If you want to watch the original 2002 animated film before heading to the theater this weekend, Disney recently remastered the film in 4K. Fans can pick up Lilo & Stitch on 4K Blu-ray for $32 (was $45) at Amazon.

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The second season of HBO's The Last of Us is coming to a close, with the season finale set to debut this Sunday, May 25. The network has now released a trailer for the finale, and it teases an intense final chapter in the sophomore season.

This video of course contains spoilers, so keep that in mind if you're planning to watch. The video shows more of Ellie and Dina's pursuit of Abby, while Jesse declares, "I am not dying out here." The trailer sets up more scenes with the Seraphites, too. It looks like the episode will be stacked with action, which will be a big change of pace from Episode 6.

There are seven episodes in all in The Last of Us Season 2, which is down from nine in Season 1. A third season has already been confirmed, but there is no word yet on when it could release.

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With MultiVersus shutting down later this month, fans of DC superheroes like Batman and Superman are looking elsewhere for their favorite's next adventure. According to one prominent dataminer from the MultiVersus community, however, they may not have to look far--Injustice 3 may be on the way.

MultiverSusie, a well-known dataminer and leaker in the MultiVersus community recently posted a cryptic message to social media platform X that specifically uses the word "injustice" three times. She followed that post up with another that simply wrote the number "3" and nothing else.

multiversus shutting down is an injustice, then doing it all again is another injustice
leaving me without any leaks is yet again another injustice

— MultiverSusie (@multiversusie) May 17, 2025

"[M]ultiversus shutting down is an injustice, then doing it all again is another injustice," MultiverSusie's post wrote. "[L]eaving me without any leaks is yet again another injustice."

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HBO's The Last of Us finally introduced a character on Sunday that's barely mentioned in the original games, but helps us understand how and why Joel is the way he is: Javier Miller, Joel and Tommy's father. Played by Tony Dalton (Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again, Better Call Saul), Javier is tough on his sons and a cop who tries his best to keep them out of trouble. There's a link, though, in how Javier raised his sons and Joel's temperament when coming to raising Ellie and keeping her safe for the past five years.

In a flashback sequence, we see Joel attempting to take the blame for Tommy trying to buy drugs and getting into a brawl with the dealer. Expecting a beating, the young Joel (Andrew Diaz) is offered a beer by his dad instead.

"What Joel has done now is different," Druckmann explained to EW. "He used violence to protect his tribe, to protect Tommy, and now it's almost like there's something for them to relate to, and they connect on this level. What the dad ultimately says is, 'I think I've done the right things, but I'm not entirely sure. I just know that I did things better than my dad, who beat me even worse.' His insecurity about that stays with Joel as well. Joel's doing the best he can with the tools that are in front of him, but he loves Ellie unconditionally."

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Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has commented on GTA 6's recent delay, confirming the push was less than six months, while he stressed that another delay is unlikely.

Speaking to CNBC, Zelnick said GTA 6's delay was "pretty short," amounting to "less than six months."

GTA 6's new release date is May 26, 2026. Six months prior to that is November 26, 2025. Rockstar never confirmed a specific GTA 6 release date, only stating that it would come out in Fall 2025. If the delay was less than six months, as Zelnick said, this suggests the company was originally eyeing a late-November or December release date for GTA 6. But of course, nothing is absolutely confirmed on that front.

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There will apparently be two handy features for GameChat on Switch 2, the new social hub where players can chat online and stream gameplay with each other. A recent report shows off text-to-speech functionality and live chat transcription on the upcoming hybrid system.

On X (via VGC), OatmealDome posted a Japanese video of GameChat functionality for Super Mario Party Jamboree TV + Switch 2 Edition. The clip--seen below--highlights a player typing in text that is then read aloud for other chat members. An on-screen keyboard pops up to type in the message. Keyboard support hasn't been officially announced for Switch 2, but since the original Switch supports them, people assume that option will eventually come to the new system.

[Switch 2]
GameChat supports text-to-speech. If enabled, you can type in text and the system will read it for you.
While not explicitly confirmed, USB keyboards should be supported too (the Switch 1 already supports them for text input). pic.twitter.com/POY4YMiCKu

— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) May 16, 2025

In addition, a screenshot was shared by OatmealDome on X showcasing live chat transcription, or speech-to-text. Both of these accessibility features would be helpful for the Deaf and nonspeaking cultures, as well as provide alternate options for players when maybe they can't wear headphones or talk aloud (like on public transport). However, keep in mind that Nintendo hasn't displayed this functionality working in English or other languages yet.

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With Death Stranding 2: On The Beach due next month, and multiple other projects announced like the Death Stranding movie and OD, it's not surprising to hear that Hideo Kojima is a little bit busy these days. There's one future Kojima project fans are particularly interested in--Physint, the Metal Gear Solid creator's return to the stealth-action genre--but Kojima himself says that one is going to take a while.

Speaking with French outlet Le Film Francais and spotted by VGC, Kojima was talking about all of the different projects he's currently working on in reference to the Death Stranding film, which is currently in production with A24. Specifically, he was asked if he'd like to work on more film-based projects, and his response will not be music to the ears of those looking to play Physint--it's still "five or six years" away.

"Besides Death Stranding 2, there is Physint in development. That will take me another five or six years," Kojima said in the interview. "Maybe after that, I could finally decide to tackle a film. I grew up with cinema. Directing would be a kind of homage to it. Besides, I’m getting older, and I would prefer to do it while still young."

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Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida has sounded off on increasing game prices, saying he questions why people are complaining about $80 games when that price is actually a "steal" in terms of what's being offered, at least for some games. He said this in an interview with Critical Hits Games, stating that many products in regular life have gone up in price over the years, so it was only a matter of time before video games did as well.

"I think it was almost too late for the video game companies to start looking at the pricing structure," he said, as reported by GamesRadar.

In the '90s, many new releases sold for $60 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's around $80 today, which is the price that Nintendo and Xbox will charge for some games this year. Sony, for its part, has said it might increase prices, too.

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Super Mario Bros. 1993 Movie - 30th Anniversary Edition (4K Blu-ray)

$56 | Limited to 3,000 units

See at Amazon

Super Mario Bros. 1993 Movie - 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)

$45 - 30% discount (if eligible) | Limited to 1,500 units

See at Amazon

The 30th Anniversary Edition of Super Mario Bros. is up for grabs at Amazon. Released in 2024 by Umbrella Entertainment, this commemorative edition includes a 4K remaster of the infamous 1993 live-action film. The two-disc set also comes with a newly restored alternative cut of the film as well as a bevy of fresh bonus content. It's a bit surprising to see the 30th Anniversary Edition in stock at Amazon, as it sold out alongside the pricier collector's editions last year. Plus, the 4K Blu-ray release was limited to 3,000 units, and the 1080p Blu-ray was limited to only 1,500 units. Both versions are shipped and sold by Amazon and include a numbered slip cover.

The 4K remaster is available for $56, and the 1080p remaster is $45. If you live in the Midwest or a different qualifying region, you might see a 30% coupon on Amazon's listing that will drop the price to only $31.50 at checkout. Note: Umbrella Entertainment is an Australian distributor, but the 30th Anniversary Edition is a region-free release, so the discs play on US Blu-ray players.

The 30th Anniversary Edition being in stock at Amazon is probably partially related to its poor visibility. It's easy to miss it due to the many different Blu-ray listings for the movie on Amazon. The most popular Amazon store page for Super Mario Bros. has over 8,000 reviews and includes a listing for the 30th Anniversary Edition on 4K, but it sold out a long time ago. In comparison, the store page where you can buy it only has 58 customer reviews and has at least partially been buried due to incorrect labeling.

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Monkey Palace Lego Strategy Board Game

$19.11 (was $40)

See at Amazon ($19) See at Walmart ($35) See at Target ($40) See at Lego Store ($40)

Monkey Palace, an officially licensed Lego board game, is discounted to its lowest price yet at Amazon. For a limited time, you can pick up the family-friendly strategy game for only $19.11, which is over 50% off its $40 list price. Monkey Palace is a fun experience that turns the act of piecing together Lego bricks into a fast-paced and varied strategy game for 2-4 players. As with many of Amazon's deals, the Monkey Palace discount doesn't have an end date listed, so it could disappear at any time.

Created by Bezzerwizzer in collaboration with Lego, Monkey Palace released last October and still frequently sells for its full $40 MSRP at most retailers. At the moment, Walmart has it for $35, while Target and the Lego Store are selling the game for $40. Since we often times see price-matching on board games at major retailers, it's a bit surprising that Amazon is selling Monkey Palace for such a low price.

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Red Dead Redemption is celebrating its 15-year anniversary today, May 18, 2025. Below, we consider that it may be better at showing than telling.

As a rule, Westerns are sincere. Sure, there are outright farces like Blazing Saddles. Plenty of classic Westerns like Rio Bravo have a warm, comedic side. Even dark epics like the Searchers have moments of levity. But even when they are funny, Westerns play their archetypes straight. They are easy to make fun of because they are so unfeigned. In this context, Red Dead Redemption struggles to find its place. It imports Grand Theft Auto's satire into a bare and somber world. In many moments, protagonist John Marston is the only voice of reason among cliches and caricatures. When Red Dead Redemption talks, it is often cheap and unserious. When it shuts up, it manages a real poetry, thanks to its austere landscapes and unpretentious world.

First, let's dig into its writing. RDR is a sunset Western, set in the waning days of Western expansion. Marston is a man out of time: a cowboy criminal in a world that wants to kill him (and will). Marston is foolish. He hunts down his former compatriots on the behest of the US government, because he hopes they will keep his promise to return his family to him and leave him alone. He is wrong. The killings he undertakes swing back on him and his family alike.

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