Welcome to another This Week in Gaming article. In the fast-paced world of gaming, staying updated on the latest releases, updates, and industry news is essential for avid gamers. Today, we will explore some exciting news about various games that have recently generated buzz, including GTA 6, the newly launched inZoi, the upcoming God of War title, and much more. Let’s dive into the details!
Free Games to Claim
Epic Games Store:
Let’s kick things off with some exciting news about free games! The Epic Games Store is giving away two mystery games this week for PC users: Cat Quest and Neko Ghost Jump. And for those who didn’t know, Epic has also started offering free games for Android users. This week, you can snag an action game called Abolent 2 and a strategy game named Out There.
Playstation:
Additionally, PS Plus has revealed three new games for April, including Roboquest, Chess, and a Digimon title. Don’t miss out on the ongoing Ramadan sale on Jio Game Store, featuring discounts up to 75% on games like Indiana Jones and Starfield. So, make sure to grab these deals while you can!
Indus Developer Faces Major Layoffs
In some unfortunate news, the developers behind Indus Battle Royale, Super Gaming, have faced massive layoffs. Since December 2024, they have let go of 45 out of 150 employees, which is about one-third of their team. This decision likely stems from the game not performing as well as expected.
Interestingly, during the hiring phase, even undergraduate interns were offered salaries around $14K+ per year, which is significantly higher than the industry average. They invested heavily in marketing, with some agencies reportedly receiving $29K+ just for creating 20 Instagram reels. We hope that those affected find new opportunities soon.
New God of War Game Coming This Year?
Could we be returning to the world of Greek mythology sooner than we thought? According to insider Jeff Grubb, a new God of War game might be released this year. This wouldn’t be a main entry in the series, but rather a smaller-scale side story based on Greek mythology, potentially featuring a young Kratos alongside his father.
This wouldn’t be a remaster or remake, but a separate game similar to Miles Morales or Lost Legacy. Despite rumors of a remastered collection for the 20th anniversary, Sony only announced Ragnarok DLC. Grubb believes this new game will be a completely new title. The modern God of War games have primarily taken place in the world of Norse Mythology, which is a departure from the originals that were based on Greek mythology. It would be interesting to see the series return to it’s roots, even if in a smaller capacity.
GTA 6 Rival Release Date Announced
After much speculation, the release date for the highly anticipated GTA 6 rival, Mind, has been confirmed for June 10th. The studio behind it, Build Rocket Boy, has also released a new trailer showcasing exciting additions. Pre-ordering will grant players exclusive content, and expectations are high for this title.
Hogwarts Legacy DLC Canceled
In a surprising turn of events, Warner Bros. has canceled an unannounced DLC for Hogwarts Legacy. Reports suggest that the content didn’t justify the price tag, although there has been no official comment from the company. Warner Bros. is still focusing on the sequel, given the first game’s impressive sales of over 30 million copies.
Once Human Mobile Release Date
Moving on to Once Human, it will be launching on iOS and Android on April 23. After a successful PC release, this mobile version is generating buzz, especially with its positive reviews. Pre-registration is open, allowing players to earn rewards upon launch.
Ubisoft and Tencent Collaboration
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows is expected to have 3 million players within its first seven days.
In other Ubisoft news, they’ve announced a new company involving the Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six franchises. Tencent (TST) has invested €1.16 billion for a 25% stake. Ubisoft will retain the remaining games like Splinter Cell, The Division, and Prince of Persia.
New Prince of Persia Game on Mobile
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is coming to mobile on April 14th. Pre-registrations are open for Android and iOS. This is the official mobile version of the PC and console game. It will have controller support, 60fps gameplay, and features like auto-potion and slow-time options. A free trial will be available at launch. To unlock the full game, you will need to buy it.
inZOI: Ultra-Realistic Game Finally Launched
On the simulation front, inZoi has finally launched in early access. This live simulation game is being compared to The Sims and has already garnered significant attention. Crafton has confirmed that future updates and improvements are planned, as this game has become one of the most wish-listed titles on streaming platforms.
Interestingly, inZoi’s director announced the removal of a DRM feature that was initially intended to prevent piracy. The decision was made to enhance gameplay experience, and it seems to have been well-received by the community.
Baby Steps: New Game From Getting Over It Developer
Bennett Foddy, the developer of the notoriously frustrating Getting Over It, is working on a new game called Baby Steps.
In Getting Over It, players control a character in a pot who can only move using a hammer. The game is known for its difficulty and requires precision to overcome obstacles. The new game will continue that trend of awkward and frustrating gameplay mechanics.
In Baby Steps, players explore a new world and control their character’s movement with four separate buttons, one for each leg. It’s expected to be just as challenging and frustrating as Getting Over It, and will be interesting to see streamers getting frustrated once again!
GTA 5 Enhanced: Ultra-Realistic Mod on the Horizon
While GTA 6 is on the horizon, the modding community is still pushing GTA 5 to its limits. While the latest version of GTA 5 features RTGI for better lighting and reflections.
A new mod called Natural Vision Evolved is in the works, and the images suggest it could rival GTA 6 in terms of visual fidelity. Script Hook and Rampage SP are supported in the enhanced version, and a mod even allows players to remove GTA+ and GTA Online options from the startup screen, letting them focus on the single-player experience.
Witcher 4: Release Delayed?
Don’t get your hopes up too soon, Witcher fans. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not be released before 2027, and delays could push the release to 2028. The game may even be released on PS6 and the next Xbox!
CD Projekt Red is also partnering with Scopely for a new mobile game based on Cyberpunk, The Witcher, or a new IP.
Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic and New Game
Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic is slated for 2027 and may be released on both PS5 and PS6.
Reportedly, Naughty Dog is also working on another game led by the director of Uncharted: Lost Legacy. This is surprising, as Neil Druckmann has stated that the studio is focused on Intergalactic. This unannounced game might have been canceled or shut down.
Indiana Jones and Forza Horizon 5: Coming to PlayStation 5
Microsoft continues its multi-platform push, bringing more games to PlayStation. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle releases on PS5 on April 17th, with early access available on April 15th with pre-order. Forza Horizon 5 is also coming to PS5 in April, and Doom: The Dark Ages will also be available on PS5.
Pre-orders for Indiana Jones and Forza Horizon 5 have surpassed PlayStation exclusives, showing that there’s high demand for Xbox games on PS5.
Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date and Pre-Orders
Nintendo’s recent event featured announcements like Shadow Labyrinth, Marvel vs. Capcom, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. A Nintendo Direct event for the Switch 2 is scheduled for April 2nd, and pre-orders may go live on the same day!
Palworld might be ported to the Switch 2 if it is powerful enough.
Split Fictions: Setting Guinness World Records
The co-op game Split Fiction has broken three Guinness World Records: most played local co-op game on Steam (200,000 concurrent players), fastest-selling local co-op game (1 million copies in 48 hours), and best-selling co-op game in its first week (over 2 million copies).
Miscellaneous News
Here’s a quick rundown of other gaming news:
- The upcoming Lies of P DLC, Overwatch, will be 15-20 hours long and will be a prequel story set after Chapter 9 of the main game.
- After Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Control’s ultimate edition is coming to Mac.
- Ghost of Yotei is set to be released in 2025.
- Dune: Awakening is confirmed for May 20th.
- F1 25 will be released on May 27th.
- Game of Thrones will have a new pre-register game called Kingsroad for iOS and Android.
- Marvel Rivals is in hot water after a Venom Twerk Emote was spotted by a user.
That’s All Folks!
And that’s a wrap on This Week in Gaming! We covered a lot of ground, from exciting new releases and juicy rumors to disappointing layoffs and controversial emotes. It’s been a wild ride, and we can’t wait to see what next week brings. Be sure to check back for more gaming news, reviews, and features!
