Nintendo brought several reveals this month in its most recent Nintendo Direct, while Activision Blizzard’s legal troubles continue to worsen, in this week’s gaming news recap. Game Rant has compiled some of the biggest gaming news stories from this past week together into a concise post for fans and enthusiasts to stay up to date on the most important events in the industry per week. Highlighting the most relevant stories, this list is not inherently and totally objective, and will not contain every news story this week. Rather, this is intended for gaming fans who want a quick rundown on the largest/most impactful stories that occurred in the last week in games.
In this week’s recap ofgaming news, an updated trailer forBayonetta 3, as well as a brand newKirbygame, were unveiled for Nintendo Switch. Activision Blizzard finds itself under even greater scrutiny as the government investigates its handling of harassment allegations. ThePerfect Darkreboot’s developer The Initiative is teaming up with another AAA studio to assist with development.Phasmophobia’s one-year anniversary brings a surprise update, among other quality of life changes.Overwatchloses another high-ranking developer, just a few months after the previous director left the project. All that and more in this week’s roundup of the biggest gaming news.
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Biggest Reveals From September 2021 Nintendo Direct
This week brought with it a surprise announcement and showcase withSeptember’s Nintendo Direct presentation. In the leadup to this fall and the holiday season, several upcoming games received a few updates, alongside a few surprises coming next year and beyond as well. Announcements and reveals came for the long-lostBayonetta 3, as well as the newKirbygame that leaked hours prior to the show. Here are all the highlights from September 2021’s Nintendo Direct presentation.
Activision Blizzard Under Investigation From SEC, Bobby Kotick Subpoenaed
Activision Blizzard’s legal troubles continue during the continued probe into the company’s harassment allegations, the government has taken a major step. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week thatthe SEC had issued a subpoena to Activision Blizzard, and that the company was complying with an information request on how the company was addressing said allegations. Several higher-up executives in the company were subpoenaed, including CEO Bobby Kotick.
This is one of many developments in the ongoing story of Activision Blizzard’s harassment work culture and the subsequent legal action taken against the company. Since then,Blizzard Entertainment’s chief legal officer Claire Harthas left the company, separate from the many ousted former employees including president J. Allen Brack. Activision Blizzard’s stock has dropped significantly, employees have filed even further complaints of employee threats, among other enduring issues with the company.
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Crystal Dynamics Assisting The Initiative on Perfect Dark Reboot
As Xbox Game Studios' The Initiative continues production on the upcomingPerfect Darkreboot, the studio is planning apartnership with Crystal Dynamics to assist with development. This isn’t particularly surprising, given that The Initiative studio head (Darrell Gallagher) is former studio head of Crystal Dynamics, working during the time when theTomb Raiderreboot released.Perfect Darkdoes not have a confirmed release date/window at this time.
Phasmophobia’s Anniversary Update Adds Singleplayer
Viral cooperative horror gamePhasmophobiacelebrated the game’s first anniversary this week, with Kinetic Games issuing a new update one year after the game’s release date. Other than bug fixes, Kinetic Games alsoadded a new singleplayer mode toPhasmophobia, allowing players to explore haunted sites without connecting to servers. Additionally, quality of life changes to journals and evidence management, contract payouts, and difficulty also make the experience that much better.
Overwatch Executive Producer Leaves Activision Blizzard
After previousOverwatchdirector Jeff Kaplan had previously left Activision Blizzard, three months prior to the initial Activision Blizzard lawsuit,Overwatch’s producer is leaving the company as well.Overwatch’s Executive Producer Chacko Sonny, who had worked on bothOverwatchgames previously, is leaving after working at the company for five years. Sonny also comforted fans in his goodbye statement, assuring them thatOverwatch 2is “in the final stages of production.”
Halo Infinite’s Second Multiplayer Beta Test Began This Weekend
343 Industries announced thenext wave ofHalo Infinite’s upcoming multiplayer beta tests, with the first taking place this past weekend. The first recentHalo Infinitemultiplayer beta took place from Friday, September 24, to Monday, September 27. The secondHalo Infinitebeta test is planned for Thursday, September 30, to Monday, October 4. Fan response has been largely positive to the test thus far, and it’s unclear if 343 Industries has any additional beta tests planned.
