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	<title type="text">Jay Peters | The Verge</title>
	<subtitle type="text">The Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.</subtitle>

	<updated>2026-06-06T17:35:33+00:00</updated>

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		<entry>
			
			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
			</author>
			
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[The first Story-Rich showcase was packed with narrative-driven games]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/games/944406/fellow-traveller-story-rich-showcase-2026-announcements-trailers" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=944406</id>
			<updated>2026-06-06T13:35:33-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-06T14:00:00-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Entertainment" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Fellow Traveller, the publisher behind games like Titanium Court and 1000xResist, just wrapped up its Story-Rich Showcase, which featured a bunch of narrative-driven indie games. With more than 20 games on display, there was a lot to follow, but we’ve pulled together some of the most notable announcements below. You can also catch the full [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/ss_7d979e3a1f620ba9ba549819da6c8bd15437e5d9.1920x1080.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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<p class="has-text-align-none">Fellow Traveller, the publisher behind games like <a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/915891/titanium-court-review-indie-game"><em>Titanium Court</em></a> and <em>1000xResist</em>, just wrapped up its Story-Rich Showcase, which featured a bunch of narrative-driven indie games. With more than 20 games on display, there was a lot to follow, but we’ve pulled together some of the most notable announcements below. You can also catch the full show <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRVeYxwjuiI">on Fellow Traveller’s YouTube channel</a>.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ambrosia Sky is getting its second and final episode</h3>
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Ambrosia Sky Act Two Announcement Trailer - Story-Rich Showcase 2026" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VzFWc-sCTzM?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<p class="has-text-align-none"><em>Ambrosia Sky</em>, a sci-fi game about death where you have to clean up alien fungi, will be getting its second act as a free update on August 6th. The game was <a href="https://www.gamespress.com/Soft-Rains-Announces-Ambrosia-Sky-Act-Two-As-The-Final-Chapter-Launchi">originally planned</a> to have three acts, but developer Soft Rains announced in March that it would be brought down to two. When <em>Act Two</em> launches, the game’s price will go up from $14.99 to $24.99.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Citizen Sleeper games are coming to Nintendo Switch 2</h3>
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Citizen Sleeper Switch 2 Editions - Story Rich Showcase 2026" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dE4StXft4H4?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<p class="has-text-align-none">The sci-fi RPGs <em>Citizen Sleeper</em> and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games-review/601114/citizen-sleeper-2-starward-vector-review"><em>Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector</em></a> are getting Switch 2 versions <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE4StXft4H4">on June 25th</a>. If you already own them on the original Switch, you can play the Switch 2 versions at no extra charge. Developer Gareth Damian Martin also says they will be revealing their next game during Sunday’s PC Gaming Show.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Desktop Explorer, a spooky game about looking through an old computer, launches in July</h3>
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Desktop Explorer - Release Date Trailer" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qfpuWJIeCXo?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<p class="has-text-align-none">This trailer for <em>Desktop Explorer</em>, a horror puzzle game where you click through a creepy version of an old, Windows-like operating system, might be the scariest way to use a computer. It’s launching on July 17th.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Demonschool is getting DLC and will launch on the Switch 2</h3>
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Demonschool DLC and Switch 2 Announcement Trailer - Story-Rich Showcase 2026" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-eGsADKXGcU?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<p class="has-text-align-none">The upcoming paid DLC for <em>Demonschool</em>, a tactical RPG from Necrosoft that <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games-review/770090/demonschool-review-switch-xbox-ps5">channels Buffy and Persona</a>, has a focus on “puzzle battles” where players work to clear out enemies using certain characters in one turn. Both the DLC and the Switch 2 version (which includes mouse support and an improved frame rate) will launch sometime this year.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The developers of a point-and-click thriller are making a fantasy game</h3>
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Telwynium Demo Announcement Trailer - Story-Rich Showcase 2026" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l1hdkOKdjD8?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<p class="has-text-align-none">Powerhoof, the studio behind last year’s retro-styled mystery game <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games-review/712020/the-drifter-review-pc"><em>The Drifter</em></a>, is now working on <em>The Telwynium</em>, a “fantasy adventure epic.” “Book One” of the game is now available <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2818820/The_Telwynium/">on Steam</a>, though you can also grab it <a href="https://powerhoof.itch.io/the-telwynium">from Itch.io if you prefer</a>.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Mermaid Mask, a new detective game, is launching in July</h3>
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Mermaid Mask Release Date Trailer - Story-Rich Showcase 2026" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Al0fXcTHhAA?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<p class="has-text-align-none">SFB Games, the studio that made games like <em>Tangle Tower</em> and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24153478/crow-country-review-steam-ps5-xbox"><em>Crow Country</em></a>, is releasing its next game, <em>The Mermaid Mask</em>, on July 16th. It’s a locked-door mystery that’s fully voice-acted and features hand-drawn animations — looks like a great story to settle into this summer.</p>
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					</entry>
			<entry>
			
			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
			</author>
			
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Final Fantasy VII&#8217;s remake trilogy will conclude with Revelation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/games/939396/final-fantasy-vii-revelation-remake-trilogy-third-game-announcement" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=939396</id>
			<updated>2026-06-05T19:38:30-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-05T18:52:06-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Entertainment" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Square Enix has officially announced the third and final game in its Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy: Final Fantasy VII Revelation. It will release on multiple platforms simultaneously — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, and Nintendo Switch 2 — in spring 2027. In footage shown onstage at Summer Game Fest Live, there was [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/FFVII_Revelation_Switch_2_June_Screenshots_1.png?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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<p class="has-text-align-none">Square Enix has officially announced the third and final game in its <em>Final Fantasy VII</em> remake trilogy: <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH3ox5krci8">Final Fantasy VII Revelation</a></em>. It will release on multiple platforms simultaneously — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, and Nintendo Switch 2 — <a href="https://press.na.square-enix.com/FINAL-FANTASY-VII-REVELATION-ANNOUNCED-EXPERIENCE-THE-JOURNEYS-END-IN-">in spring 2027</a>.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">In footage shown onstage at Summer Game Fest Live, there was a lot to take in: You’ll get to fly the Highwind airship, jump off it to land in the game’s open world, play as Vincent Valentine and Cid Highwind in battle (who weren’t playable in <em>Rebirth</em>), challenge the gigantic Weapons, and visit places from the original game, like Wutai. You’ll also get to dress up your characters with armors that have special movesets, in what’s actually called the “FITS” system (“Function Integrated Tactical Suitwear”) — it’s intended to be like a jobs system from classic <em>Final Fantasy</em> games.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">In <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVMg1Ub-6-Y">one trailer</a>, you can get a closer look at things like the game’s world, which Vincent Valentine voice actor Matt Mercer says is “our most expansive open world yet” and one where you can “pick a direction and set sail.” It sounds as if you’ll have the agency to basically go wherever you want: “Where will the winds guide you first? That freedom is in your hands.”</p>
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION - Gameplay Introduction" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uVMg1Ub-6-Y?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<p class="has-text-align-none">And here is Square Enix’s official description of the game, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH3ox5krci8">from the trailer at the top of this post</a>:</p>

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="has-text-align-none">As the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, the final battle against Sephiroth begins. A meteor mars the sky, monstrous planetary guardians wreak havoc across the globe, and the fires of war rage. Now, Cloud and his companions must stand against this chaos to not only decide the planet&#8217;s fate, but bring a legendary conflict to its conclusion.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-none">In the final chapter of the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project, the scale has never been larger and the stakes have never been higher. Take to the skies and explore a boundless world, fight alongside a fully assembled party, master strategic and dynamic combat, and prepare yourself for the climactic finale.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-none">A vast planet awaits. Everything leads here.</p>
</blockquote>

<p class="has-text-align-none"><em>Revelation</em> will conclude a yearslong saga that, so far, has actually turned out pretty well. <em>Final Fantasy VII Remake</em> was <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/6/21207441/final-fantasy-7-remake-ff7-review-ps4">a thrilling, thoughtful take</a> on the original that focused on the Midgar portion of the <em>FFVII</em> story. Four years later, <em>Final Fantasy VII Rebirth</em> let Cloud Strife and friends explore a big <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24079544/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-review-ps5">open world</a> and also added the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24081238/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-queens-blood-triple-triad">excellent <em>Queen’s Blood</em> in-game card game</a>. (If you have save data from the upgraded <em><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/25/22274549/final-fantasy-7-remake-intergrade-ps5-update-graphics-expansion">Remake Intergrade</a></em> or <em>Rebirth</em>, you’ll get bonus summon Materia in Revelation, according to Square Enix.)</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Oh, and one detail that fans of the remake trilogy may or may not be happy about for the third game in the series: Chadley, the <a href="https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Chadley">strange, humanlike cyborg</a>, <a href="https://www.restart.run/articles/final-fantasy-vii-rebirth-director-naoki-hamaguchi-interview">will be back</a>.</p>
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					</entry>
			<entry>
			
			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
			</author>
			
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Valve says it&#8217;s ready to launch the Steam Machine this summer]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/games/943657/valve-steam-machine-frame-summer-launch-verified" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=943657</id>
			<updated>2026-06-04T18:48:53-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-04T18:48:53-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Entertainment" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="PC Gaming" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Valve now says that the delayed Steam Machine PC and Steam Frame VR headset are set to launch sometime this summer. In a Thursday blog post detailing its Verified programs for both pieces of hardware, Valve concludes by saying that “We’re excited for players to try your titles on the new Steam hardware once they [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<img alt="The e-paper display that Valve internally built for this Steam Machine displays system stats like CPU and GPU temperature and fan speed." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Everything Time Studio / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/258049_Valve_2025_EverythingTimeStudio_0058.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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<p class="has-text-align-none">Valve now says that the delayed Steam Machine PC and Steam Frame VR headset are set to launch sometime this summer. In a Thursday blog post detailing its Verified programs for both pieces of hardware, Valve concludes by <a href="https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/716780409378048028">saying that</a> “We’re excited for players to try your titles on the new Steam hardware once they launch this summer.”</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">When the company originally announced the Machine and Frame alongside its new Steam Controller late last year, it said that it would start shipping the new gadgets in early 2026. But <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/874196/valve-steam-machine-frame-controller-delay-pricing-memory-crisis">in February</a>, the company announced that the ongoing memory and storage crunch had forced it to revisit its pricing and shipping plans. And in March, Valve said in a blog post that it <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/890986/valve-steam-machine-frame-controller-delay-ram-memory">would be</a> “shipping all three products this year” — though that was after the company initially said in the post that “we hope to ship in 2026,” which it removed in an update.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Valve opted to release the Steam Controller <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/918610/valve-steam-controller-review">on its own</a>, putting it up for sale in early May. For the Machine and Frame, while “summer” isn’t exactly a specific date, it narrows the window for when the products might finally come out.</p>
<img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/258049_Valve_2025_EverythingTimeStudio_0056.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,88.8,100" alt="The Verge’s Jay Peters wearing Valve’s Steam Frame VR headset." title="The Verge’s Jay Peters wearing Valve’s Steam Frame VR headset." data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Me, wearing a Steam Frame.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt; | Photo by Everything Time Studio / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Everything Time Studio / The Verge" />
<p class="has-text-align-none">Ahead of actually launching the devices, Valve is <a href="https://steamcommunity.com/games/593110/announcements/detail/704394876188361009">redesigning the Steam store</a> and sharing information about the Verified programs for the hardware so that developers can prepare their games. Like with the Steam Deck, if a game is verified for the Machine or the Frame, the badge signals that the game should work well without any tweaks from the user.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">For <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/818111/valve-steam-machine-hands-on-preview-specs-announcement">the Machine</a>, the requirements for a game to be verified are “nearly identical” to what they are for the Steam Deck. With the Machine being “roughly six times as powerful” as the Deck, in theory, many more games will be verified for it. Valve also says that it’s testing “every title on Machine that fell below our performance requirements on Deck.”</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">For <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/816118/valve-steam-frame-vr-headset-streaming-arm-steamos-hands-on">the Frame</a>, Valve’s verified badge will signify games that run well while being played natively on the headset — as opposed to games that work well <em>streamed</em> to the headset, which the Frame is also capable of. “Like Steam Deck Verified, the Steam Frame Standalone Verified program focuses on the experience customers will have with the device out-of-the-box in standalone mode,” Valve says.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Now, we just need Valve to share exactly when the Steam Machine and Steam Frame will be released and how much they might cost. After last week’s <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/938340/valve-steam-deck-price-increase">price hikes for the Steam Deck</a>, I’m gearing up for sticker shock.</p>
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					</entry>
			<entry>
			
			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
			</author>
			
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Google is letting social media stars customize their search result page]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/943233/google-search-profiles-custom-page" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=943233</id>
			<updated>2026-06-04T14:43:22-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-04T14:32:23-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Creators" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Google" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Google now lets big creators and publishers in the US claim dedicated profiles in Search to highlight things like videos, articles, and their other profiles online. But this feature won’t be available to most people or organizations; Google is limiting it to people with at least 100,000 YouTube subscribers, 100,000 followers on Instagram or X, [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-04-at-11.42.21AM.png?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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<p class="has-text-align-none">Google now lets big creators and publishers in the US claim <a href="https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/search/a-new-profile-to-help-publishers-and-creators-highlight-their-work-on-search/">dedicated profiles in Search</a> to highlight things like videos, articles, and their other profiles online. But this feature won’t be available to most people or organizations; Google is <a href="https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/16904498">limiting it</a> to people with at least 100,000 YouTube subscribers, 100,000 followers on Instagram or X, or 300,000 followers on TikTok. You’ll need to meet the minimum on one of those platforms and be at least 18 years old to make a Search profile.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">In <a href="https://x.com/UpdatesFromYT/status/2062599042140622944">demo videos</a>, Google shows how a Search profile can feature links to websites and other platforms, a short summary of the person or brand, pinned media from places like TikTok and Instagram, and a feed aggregating posts from multiple platforms. We’ve already <a href="https://profile.google.com/@verge">made a profile for <em>The Verge</em></a> — check it out and follow us!</p>

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://x.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Google</a>’s making it easier for creators to shape their presence on Search. New Search profiles give you a central, customizable place to showcase your latest social posts, videos and links. <a href="https://t.co/wm9sfhxfOU">pic.twitter.com/wm9sfhxfOU</a></p>&mdash; Updates From YouTube (@UpdatesFromYT) <a href="https://x.com/UpdatesFromYT/status/2062599042140622944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Google already has knowledge panels that pop up for notable people and publications, but these new profiles offer those people and publications more control over what’s shown. They also offer an alternative to dedicated link-in-bio services like Linktree that creators already use to aggregate their various online presences into one place.</p>
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									</content>
			
					</entry>
			<entry>
			
			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
			</author>
			
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Amazon’s new plan for games: James Bond and AI Snoop Dogg]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/games/943147/amazon-gaming-strategy-james-bond-snoop-dogg-luna" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=943147</id>
			<updated>2026-06-04T13:01:15-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-04T13:01:15-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Entertainment" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Report" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Amazon’s gaming strategy has never really been clear. It’s been very active in the space: acquiring Twitch, launching its Luna cloud gaming service nearly six years ago, investing heavily in MMOs during the peak of live-service wave, and having access to a huge slate of franchises through Prime Video and the MGM Studios library. Late [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<p class="has-text-align-none">Amazon’s gaming strategy has never really been clear. It’s been very active in the space: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2014/8/25/6066861/amazon-gaming-timeline">acquiring Twitch</a>, launching its Luna cloud gaming service <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21451371/amazon-luna-cloud-gaming-service-twitch-alexa-controller">nearly six years ago</a>, investing heavily in MMOs during the peak of live-service wave, and having access to a huge slate of franchises through Prime Video and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/17/22979800/amazon-mgm-merger-completed-prime-studios">the MGM Studios library</a>. Late last year, the company announced a major pivot, relaunching <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/789658/amazon-luna-cloud-relaunch-gamenight-social-gaming">Luna with a focus on party games</a> you can play with just your phone as a controller — including an AI-powered game starring Snoop Dogg as a judge — and basically <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/808332/amazon-gaming-layoffs-mmo-aaa-first-party-games">jumping ship on MMOs</a>.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">At the time, it looked like a retreat, but Amazon says that isn’t the case. “The reality is nothing could be further from the truth, but we haven&#8217;t really got out and said that,” Jeff Gattis, the GM of Amazon Games, tells <em>The Verge</em>. And while the company says it has a new, more focused strategy in place, its gaming efforts are still spread across several different pillars.</p>
<img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CC_Snoop-Luna-Details-Screenshot_04_Final_1920x1080_CT-000020746.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="A screenshot of Courtroom Chaos: Starring Snoop Dogg." title="A screenshot of Courtroom Chaos: Starring Snoop Dogg." data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;em&gt;A screenshot of &lt;/em&gt;Courtroom Chaos: Starring Snoop Dogg&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; | Image: Amazon Game Studios" data-portal-copyright="Image: Amazon Game Studios" />
<p class="has-text-align-none">Part of that newfound focus comes from a structural change, as the company now has what it believes is a simpler approach. “Luna is our gaming platform, Amazon Game Studios is our development and publishing platform,” Gattis says. He acknowledges that it’s not “entirely unlike” the approach at Xbox, which has an Xbox platform division and Xbox Game Studios. And given Amazon’s push for cloud-streamed party games you can play on just a phone, Gattis is aware of the similarities to Netflix’s strategy, too — which has <a href="https://www.theverge.com/column/926250/netflix-tv-games-strategy">also had its twists and turns</a>. Until recently, Amazon has tried to go after “core” gamers, but Gattis says that part of the market is “well-served” by things like PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam. Amazon isn’t abandoning that group, but it also sees an opportunity to appeal to a more casual audience.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Gattis joined Amazon in March 2025 after many years as an exec at Xbox. Gattis says he came to Amazon because he saw a lot of opportunity. “I, for one, fail to accept that Amazon, as one of the largest consumer entertainment companies in the world, can&#8217;t break into the number-one revenue segment of consumer entertainment,” he says. Since he joined, Amazon consolidated its three separate gaming groups — Prime Gaming, Amazon Game Studios, and Luna — into one organization. “None of these groups were working with one another,” Gattis says.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">For Luna, a select batch of games are included with an Amazon Prime subscription (including its GameNite party games) and you can pay $9.99 per month for Luna Premium, which has a bigger selection of titles. As for Amazon Game Studios, its biggest known games in the works are the remake <em>Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis</em> and <em>Tomb Raider: Catalyst</em>, a new entry in the series. Both are currently set to launch in 2027. And Amazon’s involvement with games extends to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/856476/the-tomb-has-all-its-raiders">a live-action <em>Tomb Raider</em> show for Prime Video</a> starring <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/770357/amazon-lara-croft-tomb-raider-sophie-turner-series">Sophie Turner as Lara Croft</a>.</p>
<img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/ss_ed2cab36765386632d74491a6e53d4b461e185e3.1920x1080.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="A screenshot from Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis." title="A screenshot from Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis." data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis&lt;em&gt; launches &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.theverge.com/games/942155/tomb-raider-legacy-of-atlantis-trailer-release-date-playstation-state-of-play-2026&quot;&gt;on February 12th, 2027&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; | Image: Amazon Game Studios" data-portal-copyright="Image: Amazon Game Studios" />
<p class="has-text-align-none">Amazon’s bet on putting <em>Tomb Raider</em> everywhere — there are also a handful of titles available through Luna — indicates where the company sees things going. “We really believe that this line between TV and video games is increasingly coming together” such that “I think every major IP is going to have to have a video game story” as part of its go-to-market strategy, Gattis says. He also points to Amazon’s rights deals with sports leagues like the NBA and the NFL, saying there are “all kinds” of “companion-type games” that it can make.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Now that Amazon has <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/616488/amazon-now-has-creative-control-over-the-james-bond-franchise">creative control over James Bond</a>, that seems like another obvious franchise for the company to build more games around, especially after <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DY5EMCYD8yk/">the success</a> of <a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/937984/007-first-light-review-james-bond-ps5-xbox">IO Interactive’s recently-released <em>007 First Light</em></a>. IO Interactive self-published <em>First Light</em> because of a deal worked out before Amazon took over the franchise, though Amazon has a “stake in the game” and the company is talking with IO about when to bring it to Luna, according to Gattis.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">“That is exhibit A of going to Prime Video, seeing the Bond films, playing the video game, buying merchandise on [Amazon].com,” Gattis says. Amazon has the rights to “all future Bond titles” and that “I think you can expect [the next Bond game to be] an Amazon Game Studios-published game,” Gattis says. He won’t confirm yet whether IO will be the developer of any potential sequel. “As the dust settles on this one, we&#8217;ll start to pop our heads up and figure out, okay, what does [the next Bond game] look like? Who&#8217;s the right developer for it? What&#8217;s the right storyline? All those things.”</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Right now, Amazon has 10 to 15 games in development, according to Gattis, who says that “probably 33 to 40 percent” are AAA titles.<strong> </strong>But those big-budget games aren’t necessary for the new audience Amazon is after with its new Luna games. The Snoop Dogg game came together in “under a year,” Gattis says. Amazon is also “big believers” in generative AI both for AI-powered games like the Snoop Dogg title but also how it can help with development more broadly. “To be clear, these are human-made games, but using AI as tools,” he says. “We haven&#8217;t cut any people because of AI. We&#8217;re just using it to try to accelerate and try to make different types of games.”<strong> </strong>(Crystal Dynamics, which is developing the <em>Tomb Raider</em> reboot, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/942677/crystal-dynamics-used-ai-assisted-tools-while-developing-the-tomb-raider-reboot#comments">has admitted</a> that it used “AI-assisted tools” during development.)</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Scale is in no way a guarantee of success. Netflix has the biggest subscription business in streaming but hasn’t made much of a dent in games. And even though Amazon seems more focused than before, it still seems to be trying a bunch of different things to see what sticks, and that’s going to take time to play out. Gattis, however, is confident in Amazon’s approach. “Don&#8217;t sleep on Amazon in this space.”</p>
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									</content>
			
					</entry>
			<entry>
			
			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
			</author>
			
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Nintendo confirms it will sell a new Switch 2 with replaceable battery in the EU]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/games/942808/nintendo-switch-2-replaceable-battery-eu" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=942808</id>
			<updated>2026-06-04T11:11:50-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-03T20:04:04-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Entertainment" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Nintendo" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Policy" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Nintendo is planning to launch versions of Switch 2 hardware in the EU that will let users easily replace the battery. To meet its obligations from a new EU regulation that’s set to go into effect on February 18th, 2027, Nintendo says on its website that it is “implementing measures to comply with these requirements [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<img alt="A photo of Mario Kart World running on a Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/257769_Switch_2_AKrales_0093_0ea1cb.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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<p class="has-text-align-none">Nintendo is planning to launch versions of Switch 2 hardware in the EU that will let users easily replace the battery. To meet its obligations from a new EU regulation that’s set to go into effect on February 18th, 2027, Nintendo says <a href="https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Corporate/Consumer-Information/Compliance-with-EU-Directives-and-Regulations/Compliance-with-EU-Directives-and-Regulations-625942.html">on its website</a> that it is “implementing measures to comply with these requirements by preparing versions of products to meet the Regulation.”</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Thanks to EU regulations, gadgets with user-replaceable batteries are making a comeback, as my colleague <a href="https://www.theverge.com/column/939026/user-replaceable-batteries-eu-european-union-legislation">Dominic Preston wrote recently</a>. Starting on that February 2027 date, EU rules mandate that many types of gadgets, including portable game consoles, must allow users to relatively easily remove and replace their batteries.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Nintendo doesn’t specify exactly what it will change with this new version of the Switch 2 to make battery replacements easier — currently, taking out the battery in the Switch 2 is an involved, multi-step process, <a href="https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+Switch+2+Battery+Replacement/190141">as shown by iFixit</a>. It’s also unclear if a revised model with a replaceable battery will be available in other regions. Nintendo didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">On its website, Nintendo says that, “For current products with model numbers starting with ‘BEE’” — which is used with the Switch 2, as shown in <a href="https://fccid.io/BKEBEE001">Nintendo’s filings with the FCC</a> — “future compliant versions will have unique model numbers and the additional code ‘OSM’ visible on the packaging, designating them as separate products for regulatory purposes.” Switch 2 controllers like the <a href="https://fccid.io/BKEBEE008">Pro Controller</a> and the <a href="https://fccid.io/BKEBEE012/External-Photos/04-STC-External-Photo-8006971">Joy-Cons</a> also carry the BEE moniker, and we’ve asked Nintendo if those will have user-replaceable batteries as well.</p>
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									</content>
			
					</entry>
			<entry>
			
			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
			</author>
			
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[PlayStation is getting back to what it’s good at]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/games/942520/playstation-wolverine-god-of-war-laufey-state-of-play-june-2026" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=942520</id>
			<updated>2026-06-03T11:48:51-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-03T11:30:15-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Analysis" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Entertainment" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="PlayStation" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Report" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[PlayStation used its most recent State of Play showcase to make it clear where its focus is. After a series of costly live-service stumbles, it’s getting back to focusing on premium, narrative-driven, single-player games. That statement was made clear with how it started and ended the hourlong show. The showcase began with an extended look [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<figure>

<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/7fa631fcc57afee84f351918717a3cdab924a583a409f14d.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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<p class="has-text-align-none">PlayStation used its most recent State of Play showcase to make it clear where its focus is. After a series of costly live-service stumbles, it’s getting back to focusing on premium, narrative-driven, single-player games. That statement was made clear with how it started and ended the hourlong show.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">The showcase began with an extended look at gameplay <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/939378/marvels-wolverine-playstation-trailer-state-of-play-june-2026">from <em>Marvel’s Wolverine</em></a>, the new superhero title from Insomniac Games. Over seven minutes of bloody action, Logan sliced and diced his way through a bunch of baddies as he tried to rescue some captured mutants, briefly teaming up with Jean Grey for some help taking them down. Insomniac is well-known for its excellent single-player adventures, like <em>Ratchet &amp; Clank</em> and the recent <em>Spider-Man</em> games, and <em>Wolverine</em> seems poised to keep up the tradition when it launches in September.</p>
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Marvel’s Wolverine - Extended Gameplay Trailer | PS5 Games" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OiBo_NgYI5Q?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<p class="has-text-align-none">The show ended with a major reveal: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/941516/god-of-war-laufey-ps5-trailer"><em>God of War Laufey</em></a>, the next mainline, single-player entry in the <em>God of War</em> series from Santa Monica Studio. <em>Laufey</em> stars Faye, Kratos’ wife, and based on the extensive 23-minute trailer shown during the showcase, it looks to have all of the hallmarks of the recent <em>God of War</em> games: gripping combat, a magical world to explore, and charming, chatty companions. In this case, it’s a gelatinous cube voiced by Jack Quaid and sentient ribbons attached to Faye’s sword.</p>
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="God of War Laufey - Gameplay Reveal Trailer | PS5 Games" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HLMX2w3cwuE?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<p class="has-text-align-none">Sandwiched between those showcase titles was a number of third-party games that were similarly single-player focused. Many are launching over the next few months, like <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/942113/remedy-control-resonant-release-date-trailer">Remedy Entertainment’s <em>Control Resonant</em></a> and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/942179/a-different-take-on-silent-hill">Konami’s <em>Silent Hill: Townfall</em></a> on September 24th and Capcom’s <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/942183/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-release-date-trailer-demo-playstation-state-of-play-2026"><em>Onimusha: Way of the Sword</em></a> on September 25th. Some were farther out, like Crystal Dynamics’ <em>Tomb Raider</em> reboot <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/942155/tomb-raider-legacy-of-atlantis-trailer-release-date-playstation-state-of-play-2026">in February</a>. PlayStation also showed off its own slasher sequel with <em>Until Dawn 2</em>, which launches <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/942210/until-dawn-gets-a-little-sun">sometime next year</a>.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">What wasn&#8217;t present at State of Play was much in the way of live-service or multiplayer games. The main exception was a look at season 2 of <em>Marathon</em>, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/940214/marathon-bungie-season-two-turnaround-destiny-changes">the struggling extraction shooter from <em>Destiny</em> developer Bungie</a>. But there was nothing <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/24/23732791/fairgames-playstation-showcase-ps5-sony-haven-studios">about <em>Fairgames</em></a>, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/874434/playstation-sony-horizon-hunters-gathering-live-service-ps5-pc"><em>Horizon</em>&#8216;s co-op spinoff</a>, or any brand-new, live-service title from Sony.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">This shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Sony’s live-service push, for the most part, hasn’t worked out, despite the company <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-projects-launching-12-live-service-games-by-2025/1100-6503924/">making it a key pillar of its strategy</a>. Much like <a href="https://www.theverge.com/column/893294/live-service-games-mess">the rest of the industry</a>, it has had more misses than hits. <em>Helldivers 2</em> <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/770311/playstation-game-helldivers-2-best-selling-game-on-xbox">is a big success</a> and <em>Gran Turismo 7</em> is <a href="https://www.gran-turismo.com/us/gt7/news/00_4137336.html">chugging along</a>. But other games haven’t been so lucky, with <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/31/24210476/bungie-to-layoff-220-employees-new-project">rounds of layoffs</a> at <em>Marathon</em> and <em>Destiny 2</em> developer Bungie, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/4/24235163/concord-cancellation-live-service-games">the abrupt shutdown of the very expensive <em>Concord</em></a>, the cancellation of a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/14/24002141/naughty-dog-the-last-of-us-online-multiplayer-canceled"><em>The Last of Us</em> multiplayer game</a> and an <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/16/24345575/sony-god-of-war-bluepoint-games-bend-games-canceled">unannounced live-service <em>God of War</em> game</a>, and no <em>Fairgames</em> in sight despite being revealed nearly three years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">This doesn&#8217;t mean that Sony is completely retreating from live-service games. There are likely some unannounced projects, and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/874434/playstation-sony-horizon-hunters-gathering-live-service-ps5-pc">new titles have been announced as recently as February</a>. It’s also worth noting that <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/877875/playstation-state-of-play-february-2026-ps5-news-trailers">past State of Plays</a> have had a similar focus on single-player titles, albeit with few major first-party Sony releases. But at a time when <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/926772/nintendo-switch-2-price-hike-console-gaming-future">the console space is struggling</a>, and Sony in particular has seen <a href="https://www.gamefile.news/p/playstation-first-party-sales-decline">a significant drop in first-party game sales</a> (not to mention <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/926609/sonys-ps5-sales-plummet-memory-costs-price-hikes">hardware sales</a>), getting back to basics makes a lot of sense. The PlayStation brand is closely associated with single-player epics like <em>The Last of Us</em> and <em>God of War</em>, and the State of Play was a chance to show that they’re still a priority for Sony. And while the rest of this year seems largely sorted for PlayStation, there are still a lot of question marks about its future: <em>Laufey</em>, the remakes of the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/878375/god-of-war-sons-of-sparta-trilogy-sony-playstation-ps5-release-date-trailer">original <em>God of War</em> trilogy</a>, and Naughty Dog’s <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24320197/intergalactic-the-heretic-prophet-naughty-dog-trailer-game-awards-2024"><em>Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet</em></a> are all without release dates.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Actually <em>playing</em> those games is a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/902224/sony-ps5-playstation-price-hike">more expensive proposition than ever</a>. But in stepping back from live-service games, Sony has a much clearer path to convincing people to do that: Make memorable, expansive single-player games that you can’t play anywhere else.</p>
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									</content>
			
					</entry>
			<entry>
			
			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
			</author>
			
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Remedy’s Control sequel launches in September]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/games/942113/remedy-control-resonant-release-date-trailer" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=942113</id>
			<updated>2026-06-02T18:30:14-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-02T17:55:32-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Entertainment" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="PlayStation" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Control Resonant, the upcoming sequel to Remedy Entertainment’s Control, will be released on September 24th, 2026, according to a trailer that premiered during Tuesday’s PlayStation State of Play show. The trailer also gave a preview of the game’s story, which stars Dylan Faden, who was imprisoned for much of the first game. He will be [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/ss_7077752e1450db6e34350faf00008080ae65a57c.1920x1080.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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</figure>
<p class="has-text-align-none"><em>Control Resonant</em>, the upcoming sequel to Remedy Entertainment’s <em>Control</em>, will be released on September 24th, 2026, according to a trailer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAzxTMaA6j4">that premiered</a> during Tuesday’s PlayStation State of Play show.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">The trailer also gave a preview of the game’s story, which stars Dylan Faden, who was imprisoned for much of the first game. He will be the “sole playable character,” Remedy’s Mikael Kasurinen <a href="https://blog.playstation.com/2026/06/02/control-resonant-launches-september-24-on-ps5/">says in a blog post</a>, but his sister Jesse, who was the protagonist of <em>Control</em>, also “shapes the path” in <em>Resonant</em>.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">&#8220;In <em>Resonant</em>, we go further into the&nbsp;Fadens’ complicated past. Their lives have been anything but easy, and the cost of what they carry is about to come due,” writes Kasurinen. “What lies ahead will push them further than&nbsp;either has&nbsp;gone before.”</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">The game will be available for preorder today. If you preorder the Digital Deluxe Edition of the game, you’ll get 48-hour early access to play and other goodies, like a digital artbook and the game’s soundtrack.</p>
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									</content>
			
					</entry>
			<entry>
			
			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
			</author>
			
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Here&#8217;s seven bloody minutes of Wolverine on the PS5]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/games/939378/marvels-wolverine-playstation-trailer-state-of-play-june-2026" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=939378</id>
			<updated>2026-06-02T17:11:46-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-02T17:11:46-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Entertainment" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="PlayStation" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[At its big State of Play show on Tuesday, Sony shared new look Marvel’s Wolverine, the next big title from Insomniac Games that’s launching exclusively on PS5 on September 15th. Dressed in the iconic yellow Wolverine outfit, Logan slunk around and stabbed his way through a bunch of enemies, using his blades to take them [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<img alt="A screenshot from Marvel’s Wolverine." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/10652b392b136411f6fd67ba07c681d6669b7b44-scaled-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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<p class="has-text-align-none">At its big State of Play show on Tuesday, Sony shared new look <em>Marvel’s Wolverine</em>, the next big title from Insomniac Games that’s launching exclusively on PS5 on September 15th. Dressed in the iconic yellow Wolverine outfit, Logan slunk around and stabbed his way through a bunch of enemies, using his blades to take them out. Combat looked weighty and satisfying — though the game is extremely bloody, with red flying everywhere as Logan fought his opponents. </p>

<p class="has-text-align-none"><em>Wolverine</em> has been a long time coming, with Sony and Insomniac initially announcing the game all the way back in 2021. At the time, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/9/22665529/insomniac-wolverine-ps5">details were scarce</a>. But Sony finally showed off some gameplay in a separate State of Play <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/611201/sony-playstation-5-ps5-wolverine-gameplay-trailer">in September 2025</a> and revealed the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/883760/playstation-marvels-wolverine-release-date-insomniac-games">official release date in February</a>.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">Insomniac has a long history with Marvel games; it was the studio behind the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/4/17817392/spider-man-marvel-ps4-review">excellent<em> Spider-Man</em> game</a> that launched on PS4 in 2018, and it followed that up with the spinoff <em>Spider-Man: Miles Morales</em> and a full sequel, <em><a href="https://www.theverge.com/23915605/spider-man-2-review-ps5">Spider-Man 2</a></em>, that starred both Peter Parker and Morales.</p>
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			<author>
				<name>Jay Peters</name>
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			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Microsoft’s first advanced reasoning AI is here]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/941664/microsoft-ai-model-reasoning-mai-thinking-1-build-2026" />
			<id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=941664</id>
			<updated>2026-06-02T14:28:09-04:00</updated>
			<published>2026-06-02T14:12:44-04:00</published>
			<category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="AI" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Microsoft" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Microsoft Build" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" />
							<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Microsoft announced a bunch of new in-house AI models at Build 2026, including a new “flagship” model: MAI-Thinking-1. It’s an ambitious step into model development for Microsoft, which introduced its initial in-house models last year — before then, it had relied on OpenAI’s models. The two companies recently renegotiated their deal to loosen ties. According [&#8230;]]]></summary>
			
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<img alt="Vector illustration of the Microsoft logo." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25832912/STK095_MICROSOFT_2_CVirginia_A.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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<p class="has-text-align-none">Microsoft announced a bunch of new in-house AI models at Build 2026, including a new “flagship” model: MAI-Thinking-1. It’s an ambitious step into model development for Microsoft, which introduced its initial in-house models <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/767809/microsoft-in-house-ai-models-launch-openai">last year</a> — before then, it had relied on OpenAI’s models. The two companies recently <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/921210/microsoft-openai-partnership-divorce-notepad">renegotiated their deal</a> to loosen ties.</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">According <a href="https://microsoft.ai/news/building-a-hillclimbing-machine-launching-seven-new-mai-models/">to Microsoft</a>, MAI-Thinking-1 is a “medium-sized model” that “matches leading models” on “key” software engineering benchmarks. Microsoft says the company “trained it from the ground up on clean data, without distillation from third-party models.” </p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">As for other models announced today, they’re focused on image generation, transcription, voice, and coding.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="has-text-align-none">MAI-Image 2.5 and the flash version can do text-to-image and image editing. MAI-Transcribe-1.5 is “five times faster than competing models.” MAI-Voice-2 and the flash version of that model (which Microsoft says is “coming soon”) add 15 new languages and new options for voices. The new coding model, MAI-Code-1-Flash, is “inference-efficient” and is integrated into GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code. </p>
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