Rockstar is, or was, "doing tests" of Grand Theft Auto VI on Nintendo Switch 2, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen, according to a new report.

Notable leaker NateTheHate said Rockstar conducted "tests to bring it to Switch 2, but tests don't always equal release." He added: "I know an effort has been made to see if they can bring it to the platform. I don't know the current state of that effort."

In another post, he said, "Experimenting doesn't equal 'in development' and companies often test to see if a game is possible on hardware."

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Nolan North is one of the most prolific voice actors of all time, lending his voice to hundreds of video games and animated series, but he didn't realize a character was supposed to be dead. That's mainly because Ubisoft told him he's still "technically" alive.

North had voiced Desmond Miles (among a few more characters) for the Assassin's Creed series. Desmond had been in five games, until the character's death in Assassin's Creed 3. It wasn't until he had gone online and came across fan reactions following the game's release that he was aware of this, however.

"That technically was Desmond's death scene, and I didn't know it," North told Fall Damage. "I found out on Twitter. 'Are you upset Desmond's dead?' And I'm thinking, what? Because there's no 'Argh!' There's nothing that you'd expect from a main character's death, although the good people at Ubisoft have told me that he's not technically dead."

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The use of generative AI in video games has been a controversial subject, with many people criticizing the technology. PUBG creator Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene has addressed the public pushback on AI, while also addressing questions on if his ambitious project to develop the next internet with his new game-and-technology project.

"We don't use Large Language Models so I'm not super worried [about backlash]," Greene said to Eurogamer. "LLMs have their uses, but there were chatbots in the '60s and '70s that achieved a lot of similar things. So I'm not super worried there. The systems we're building are to enable the artists to sculpt the worlds how they want. It's like an orchestra: We can be either a violin player or we can be the conductor, where you know what everything does, and you just have some levers you can pull and it creates worlds pretty quickly. I've been really heartened to see the community revolt against AI stuff. It's good to see that gamers go: 'No--if it's not built by artists, I don't want to see it.' So that's been really great to see."

Greene added that while his independent studio PlayerUnknown Productions is supported by Krafton, it won't be influenced by its pivot to become an "AI-first" company. The studio is "doing technological research into areas like machine learning, Greene said, but with the aim to give its artists the tools necessary to generate virtual worlds as part of the Project Artemis three-game plan.

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Ghost of Yotei has a unique feature that allows players to press a button to travel back in time to see what main character Atsu was doing many years prior. This is available at specific places in the game world, but the original plan at Sucker Punch was to allow players to do this anywhere, any time.

Creative director Jason Connell said in a conversation with Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan that this feature was something he was "very excited about" when it was originally pitched years ago. He said the appeal was that players could be at one moment experiencing Atsu's story in the main timeline when things are dark and bleak and she's on her lone wolf quest, and the next they could travel back in time and feel the "warmth of her past" and understand what she's fighting for.

"It started off as, 'Let's do that as many places we can, maybe everywhere,'" Connell said. "Like, can we do this as like a, like a stake-in-the-ground game feature?"

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Arcade1Up SpongeBob SquarePants Claw Machine

$600 | Release date TBD

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Arcade1Up is well-known for its range of home arcade machines, but for its next release, the company is gearing up for some nautical nonsense with SpongeBob SquarePants. Fans of the hyper-energetic sponge can test their skills with a full-size claw machine, and it's available to preorder for $600.

Arcade1Up SpongeBob SquarePants Claw Machine $600 | Release date TBD

Just like real-life claw machines, this SpongeBob SquarePants version comes with a selection of themed plushies that you can try your hand--or claw--at winning. Each plushie--SpongeBob, Patrick, Plankton, and Sandy--has a cubic shape that will make them easier for the claw to grasp, and there are also six plastic prize capsule toys included here. Arcade1Up says the machine will offer three distinct modes of play, ranging from Easy Mode for kids or beginners to Normal Mode for a balanced challenge. Or if you feel like a dose of reality, Scam Mode will put your skills to the test.

The cabinet also features a light-up marquee, glowing control buttons, and an internal ceiling light alongside various images of SpongeBob and the main cast of the long-running cartoon series. The full cabinet measures over five feet tall, so you'll want to make certain you have some space at home for it.

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This isn't the first time that Arcade1Up has produced a claw machine, and if you'd like one that doesn't feature SpongeBob gleefully staring at you, you can grab a unit for $550 through Amazon. While you don't get any plushie toys included with it, it does have a more retro-inspired design, and it comes with 12 plastic capsules that you can add prizes to. Like the SpongeBob machine, you can set it to Easy, Normal, or Scam modes.

Arcade1Up Claw Machine See at Amazon

SpongeBob fans looking to revisit Bikini Bottom can also preorder SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide ahead of its release on November 18 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch 2, and PC. The new 3D platformer will let players switch between SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick on the fly, as they find themselves caught in the middle of a war between King Neptune and the Flying Dutchman.

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It's been years since Valve first launched its in-house VR headset, the Valve Index, back in 2019, but the Steam owner has spent the time well developing its new Steam Frame. This standalone headset brings modern technological standards to Valve's VR efforts, including inside-out tracking, improved streaming support, on-board processing, and even Android compatibility.

There's so much going on with the Steam Frame that simply calling it a next-generation device seems like underselling it, as Valve attempts to thread the needle of top-in-class specifications while also offering a product more attainable than other headsets from the likes of Apple, Meta, and Samsung.

We're rounding up everything we know about the Steam Frame following Valve's announcement, including its release window, full specifications, usage modes, controllers, and, of course, pricing. Check back in for more as we continue to update this post with any new information that Valve divulges leading up to the Steam Frame's release in early 2026. You should also check out everything we know about the Steam Machine in case you're planning to pick up the pair of hardware offerings from Valve in the near future.

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More than 12 years ago, Steam creator Valve attempted to usurp Microsoft's hold on PC gaming by introducing the first Steam Machine. The reliance on Linux and a loose hold on OEM hardware specifications ultimately led to its failure, but Valve is finally in a position to give it a better shot. The new Steam Machine is a compact, powerful PC designed for desks, living rooms, and more, leveraging all of the lessons Valve has learnt with its hugely successful Steam Deck.

We're rounding up everything we know about Valve's ambitious push into living room gaming, including confirmed specifications, its release window, potential pricing, and more. Keep checking for more as we update this post with any new information that Valve shares leading up to the Steam Machine's imminent release in 2026.

Table of Contents [hide]

• Steam Machine Release Date

Steam Machine Release Date

The Steam Machine will be released in Q1 2026. Valve announced a trio of new hardware at once, but also didn't provide a firm release date for the new Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame VR headset. Instead, it provided a vague release window of "Early 2026," with further clarification limiting this to Q1 of 2026. That means you can expect the Steam Machine to go on sale no later than 31 March 2026, unless Valve runs into unforeseen delays.

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Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7's launch weekend is done, and the official social media accounts have shared the traditional thank you post to players and fans--however this year's post is unusually devoid of player stats or any figures that might suggest how the latest CoD title is faring.

In past years, the Call of Duty social media account has always shared a few impressive statistics to celebrate launch weekend. Last year's Black Ops 6 was named "the biggest Call of Duty 3-day opening weekend ever," breaking franchise records for numbers of total players, hours played, and total matches across the launch period. The previous year, the Call of Duty account shared some more select statistics to celebrate MW3 as having "the highest engagement in the new Modern Warfare trilogy."

The Black Ops 7 post, shared at the end of the 3-day launch period, is far more vague with its celebrations. "Across opening weekend, we've seen a great response to the quality and depth of gameplay in Black Ops 7," the post reads, alongside thanking players and developers, and promising "this is only the start," with new content lined up soon.

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8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller

$25.53 (was $40) with coupon

See at Amazon

The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller is on sale for only $25.53 (was $40) at Amazon. To get the full discount, you'll need to click the coupon box on the store page. Only the white edition is available for this price; the black edition has remained close to full price since the controller's July launch.

8BitDo designed its reimagined N64 controller in partnership with retro hardware manufacturer Analogue. Revealed last October alongside the Analogue 3D, the controller wound up launching before the system. But with Analogue 3D preorders finally shipping this week (starting November 18), now's a great time to pick up the 8BitDo 64 if you haven't already.

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In June, Hypixel and its parent company, Riot Games, announced that the Minecraft-inspired adventure game Hytale was canceled after 10 years of development. At that time, Hypixel was set to be shuttered as well. But now, the founders of Hypixel have rescued the studio with plans to finally bring Hytale into early access.

Hypixel co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme announced the news on social media that his studio has repurchased the rights for Hytale from Riot Games and plans to release it as soon as possible. However, he cautioned fans to temper their expectations as the game remains unpolished. While Collins-Laflamme acknowledged that "there's a lot of work to be done," he added that there will be, "No more waiting. You'll get to play it, rough edges and all. It won't be perfect on day one. My hope is that together, we'll shape it into something truly special."

We did it. Hytale is saved. We have acquired Hytale from Riot Games.

— Simon (@Simon_Hypixel) November 17, 2025

In a lengthy post on Hytale's official site, Collins-Laflamme noted that he and his Hypixel co-founder Philippe Touchette are co-funding the resurrected Hytale, with Kevin Carstens as the technical lead and Patrick Derbic as the management lead. They also announced that 30 developers who previously worked on Hytale have been hired to return.

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The city-building RTS Anno 117: Pax Romana had barely been released when sharp-eyed fans noticed the tell-tale signs of AI artwork in one of the loading screens. But rather than deny it, publisher Ubisoft has promised that it will replace the artwork in an upcoming update.

The image in question was first spotted by a user on Reddit, as seen below. The scene is set at a Roman banquet, and the background elements and characters feature some common AI mistakes including misshapen faces and bodies that don't line up to human physiology. It may not even be the only AI pic in the game, as Kotaku has pointed out another image that has a pair of Roman senators who are missing their heads.

An Ubisoft spokesperson told IGN that the initial version of the banquet art was meant to be replaced in the final version of the game.

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Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition

$40 (was $60)

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The physical versions of Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition are discounted during Amazon's early Black Friday offerings. You can pick up either the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X versions for $40, saving you $20 off the original price of $60. This version includes the base game, all the post-launch story DLC expansions, and a selection of bonus digital content.

Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition $40 (was $60)

Alan Wake II first launched in 2023 as a digital-only title, but finally received an official physical release in Fall 2024 with this Deluxe Edition on PS5 and Xbox Series X. Along with the physical box and game on disc, you also receive a selection of bonus content, including The Lake House and Night Springs story expansion DLC packs. Here's everything included in the Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition:

• Alan Wake Remastered Digital Edition Download Code
• Night Springs DLC
• The Lake House DLC
• Crimson Windbreaker Saga Anderson Skin
• Celebrity Suit Alan Wake Skin
• Parliament Shotgun Skin
• Nordic Shotgun Skin
• Lantern Charm

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Alan Wake 2 was the sequel over 10 years in the making. When it finally released in 2023, it was one of the year's best games, earning a coveted 10 out of 10 from GameSpot's Mark Delaney in his review. In it, players once again assume the role of titular troubled writer Alan Wake, who has been trapped in the Dark Place since the end of the first game. This time, however, you also play as FBI Agent Saga Anderson, who's been sent to Bright Falls, Washington to investigate mysterious and gruesome ritualistic murders. The game features stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, great writing, and plenty of jump scares, perfect for fans of the survival horror genre.

If you're looking for something less spooky, there are still plenty of other games getting early Black Friday price cuts. The Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remasters Collection is at its lowest price ever, going for $40 (was $75), and the recently released Borderlands 4 is at a steep discount by new game standards. Whatever the genre, there are great video game deals to take advantage of this Black Friday. Check the links below for a few more noteworthy early price cuts, and be sure to check out GameSpot's Black Friday deals hub throughout the month for the latest holiday shopping discounts.

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Fast food and video games come together every so often, in a myriad of ways. Most of the time, we're talking about new toys or Pokemon Cards in a kid's meal, but Popeyes has decided to celebrate the upcoming release of Five Nights at Freddy's 2 in theaters with a new meal offering.

The meal, called the Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box, packs two new menu items, along with a new way to taste a long-standing classic, for $13. We put the meal to the test thanks to a sample meal sent by Popeyes, and truth be told, we may go back for seconds.

The Popeyes Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box, as it arrived at the door.

The Freddy Fazbear Deluxe Box contains the following:

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Lego Super Mario - Soda Jungle Maker Set (598 Pieces)

$25 (was $55) | Retired

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If you're shopping for a Lego Super Mario fan this holiday season, check out Amazon and Walmart's deal on the adorable Soda Jungle Maker playset. Normally $55, the 598-piece building set is down to just $25 at both retailers as part of early Black Friday sales. It's extremely rare for a Lego Mario set to receive a discount of this size. We can't recall the last time a retailer sold one of the Mario playsets for over 50% off its MSRP.

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Battlefield Studios has outlined the many changes coming to Battlefield 6 this week with the launch of the new 1.1.2.0 update on November 18, including the promised changes for aim-assist. You can see the full patch notes down below.

Aim-assist is also seeing changes that will make it feel more similar to the game's open beta. That should make aim-assist "feel smoother and more predictable," according to Battlefield Studios. The aim-assist changes apply to "all input types," including controller and mouse-and-keyboard setups.

"As we got closer to launch, we revisited aim-assist tuning based on internal testing and the full range of maps and combat distances coming with release. Our goal was to make aim-assist feel more effective beyond mid-range fights which was one of our focuses within Battlefield Labs and open beta," the developer said. "At launch, we increased slowdown at longer ranges, but once the game went live, we saw that this made high-zoom aiming feel less smooth and harder to control.

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Hot off the heels of its introductory set Origins, Riot Games is already expanding on their popular League of Legends trading card game Riftbound with a new set. The set, titled Spiritforged, is set to expand the mechanics of the approachable yet deep card game in new and exciting ways.

Glorious Executioner and Spinning Axe cards.

First up, are the new Equipment cards. These are a new subtype that can be attached to units to make them even more powerful. The best part about Equipment? Even if your unit is killed in battle, they stay in play for you to equip another unit providing a great deal of value.

One of the most exciting new pieces of Equipment is Draven’s signature Spinning Axe. This piece of equipment can be played as a Reaction instantly, and provides a +3 bonus that’s sure to catch opponents off guard. Combine this with Draven, Glorious Executioner's effect to draw a card every time he wins a combat and your opponents won't know what hit them.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 developer Treyarch is reminding players what playlists do and don't have skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), stating it's "committed" to its current approach.

In a post on X, Treyarch said it was following discussions surrounding Black Ops 7 multiplayer, and wanted to "assure everyone of a few things." Those few things are that the game's Open playlists and Quick Play use what Treyarch calls "open matchmaking," where skill is "minimally considered."

They also feature persistent lobbies from match to match that, when combined with Quick Play, results in what Treyarch states are "unique interactions that we are monitoring to improve over time."

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Last month Xbox president Sarah Bond confirmed that Microsoft is developing a next-gen Xbox console. Bond has reiterated that statement several times as Microsoft faces rumors that it's getting out of the hardware business. Now, Bond is once again hyping up the next incarnation of Xbox by calling it "a powerful experience."

While speaking with Fortune, Bond said, "Hardware is absolutely core to everything that we do at Xbox, because we know that our most valuable players, the people who love Xbox, love the hardware experience. That's why we’re working on our next-generation hardware. It's going to be a powerful experience, and one that also enables people to take their library with them."

Bond shared her belief that players want the freedom to choose to play their games on Xbox, PC, or the cloud, and that the next Xbox will give them the option to do so. She made similar comments while promoting the ROG Xbox Ally in October.

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Donkey Kong & DK Jumbo (387 Pieces)

$23.10 (was $35) | Retiring Soon

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Donkey Kong fans can score a bananas deal on DK's Lego Mario Kart playset at Amazon. As part of the retailer's early Black Friday 2025 sale, Donkey Kong and DK Jumbo is on sale for only $23.10 (was $35). This is a new all-time low price for the 387-piece Lego Super Mario set. Over 60% of available units have been claimed at the time of writing, so this deal is unlikely to be available beyond today (November 17).

Donkey Kong and DK Jumbo was one of five playsets released in January to kick off the Lego Mario Kart series, but it will be the first one to leave the race. Lego is officially retiring DK Jumbo, so Amazon's Lightning Deal could be the last big discount for the figure and kart building set. It's also the only Donkey Kong Lego set still in print (for now).

Donkey Kong and DK JumboAll Donkey Kong Lego Sets:

• Donkey Kong & DK Jumbo (387 pieces) -- $23.10 ($35) | Retiring soon
• Dixie Kong's Jungle Jam (174 pieces) -- $16.50 ($27) | Retired
• Donkey Kong's Tree House (555 pieces) -- $60 | Retired
• Diddy Kong's Mine Cart Ride (1,157 pieces) -- $90 ($110) | Retired
• Rambi the Rhino Expansion Set (106 pieces) -- $11 | Retired

Dixie Kong's Jungle Jam

Lego discontinued the original four Lego Super Mario Donkey Kong expansion sets last November. They were sold out for months at all major retailers before Amazon randomly restocked the series a few months back. The discontinued Donkey Kong sets have effectively become exclusive to Amazon. While you're picking up the DK Jumbo deal, check out Amazon's discount on Dixie Kong's Jungle Jam. The 174-piece playset is on sale for only $16.50 (was $27). Interactive Lego Mario, Luigi, and Peach figures from the Super Mario starter sets play Donkey Kong music when on stage with Dixie Kong.

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The legal battle between the former leaders of Subnautica developer Unknown Worlds and publisher Krafton has taken another turn. In new documents filed with the court, Subnautica director and designer Charlie Cleveland, Unknown Worlds co-founder Max McGuire, and ex-CEO Ted Gill allege that Krafton executives turned to AI as part of a bid to get out from under a $250 million bonus that would have been due if Subnautica 2 met certain financial goals.

At the heart of the latest filings are exchanges between Krafton CEO Kim Chang-han and the company's head of global operations Richard Yoon that were obtained via discovery. As reported by Kotaku, the documents allege "Kim turned to artificial intelligence to help him brainstorm ways to avoid paying the earnout. ChatGPT likewise advised that it would be 'difficult to cancel the earn-out.'"

The founders also alleged that Krafton refused to produce those ChatGPT conversations and stated that they no longer exist. However, there is a series of messages between Kim and Yoon that appear to suggest that Krafton's inability to renegotiate a lower payout for the bonus led Yoon to say "it might be easier to take over [Unknown Worlds]," than to obtain better terms.

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