Before starting with the second part of the gaming news, I have to make a disclaimer: I learned from the last Not-E3 weekend rush that trying to post all the articles was... well, let’s say that it a not sensible approach.

This weekend was the Tokyo Game Sshow and PCGamer did a Direct on Sunday that resulted in 44 articles posted just on that day. Well, I’m not going to post them all. In fact, I think only two or three have made it into these round-up posts. Therefore, if you want to check them all, please go to PCGamer’s news section or straight into the archive to find them more easily.

And now, let’s begin with the news:

Everything announced at the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct 2026
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/events-conferences/everything-announced-at-the-pc-gaming-show-tokyo-direct-2026/
The PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct returned, and it revealed new details for 36 games and their DLC, including 13, count 'em, 13, world premieres. There was gameplay, there were developer interviews, scenes from the Tokyo Game Show show floor, you've got demoes to download, and videogames to add to your wishlist.
You can check out our Steam list which includes every game featured in the show, and you can read on for a rundown of all the reveals in the order they aired. There's also an embed to the full broadcast above if you missed it live. Enjoy!

'Players got better than we expected': Monster Hunter Wilds DLC director says Capcom is retuning its difficulty standards for the expansion's endgame
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/players-got-better-than-we-expected-monster-hunter-wilds-dlc-director-says-capcom-is-retuning-its-difficulty-standards-for-the-expansions-endgame/
While Monster Hunter Wilds' performance issues dominated the conversation about its reception on PC, one of the other ongoing sources of player frustration was the entry's approach to difficulty. Initially, a number of players thought the game was too much of a sleepwalk—but once later updates started amping up the threat level, many of those same players thought Capcom's solutions were inelegant, relying on arbitrary increases to monster damage.
In an interview with PC Gamer at this year's Tokyo Game Show, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance director Takuro Hiraoka said Capcom's goal for the base game was to avoid driving away newer players—but he's working to ensure the expansion's endgame will satisfy players who thought its approach to difficulty missed the mark.

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is apparently a super heavyweight 200GB installation: 'We need to overcome the hardware to a certain extent'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/final-fantasy/final-fantasy-7-revelation-is-apparently-a-super-heavyweight-200gb-installation-we-need-to-overcome-the-hardware-to-a-certain-extent/
In a new VGC interview, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi revealed that the upcoming JRPG is looking at a 200GB install size, bigger than almost any game out there, and certainly an outlier among singleplayer RPGs.

Dune Awakening now has a solo mode for players put off by its MMO leanings, while Funcom has adjusted progression so 'you don't have to lose things anymore'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/dune-awakening-now-has-a-solo-mode-for-players-put-off-by-its-mmo-leanings-while-funcom-has-adjusted-progression-so-you-dont-have-to-lose-things-anymore/
Dune Awakening was lauded for its survivalist take on Frank Herbert's sci-fi epic when it was released last year, but there's one element of Funcom's sci-fi adventure that's proved consistently controversial, and that's its MMO-adjacent elements. Players seemingly love constructing bases and braving the many dangers lurking in Arrakis' deserts, but are less keen on sharing that experience with other players, especially when the game becomes more competitive in its PvP focussed Deep Desert.
Now though, in a move that would please Harkonnens galaxy-wide, Funcom has made it so you can keep Arrakis all to yourself. Dune Awakening's long-sought after single-player mode has arrived. Update 1.5 introduces a tweaked version of Awakening suitable for solo play, while also adjusting Arrakis in a bunch of other ways to make it generally more accessible and less punishing.

It rules that a 27-year-old RPG, one of the greatest of all time, is still getting patches
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/it-rules-that-a-27-year-old-rpg-one-of-the-greatest-of-all-time-is-still-getting-patches/
A lamentable fact of our hobby is this: time marches on. Because our games have to be rendered in real-time by whatever tech we load them onto, they inevitably end up harder to run as the years wear on, and the gap grows between the tech we have and the tech the games were designed to run on. On PC, the task of keeping those games running tends to end up in the hands of dedicated fans—and god bless them.
You can't expect devs to maintain games in perpetuity. Unless, I guess, they happen to be the stewards of the Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment Enhanced Editions, which are still getting patches almost three decades after the original games released. Most recently (September 15), Planescape got a beta update to its, uh, beta update: a release candidate for an upcoming patch that will bring the game in line with the 2.7 patches some of Beamdog's other Enhanced Edition games already have.

WoW devs surprised to find pure liquid nostalgia is popular
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/world-of-warcraft/wow-devs-surprised-to-find-pure-liquid-nostalgia-is-popular/
World of Warcraft: Forever's beta has been utterly rammed with server issues—issues that I'm pleased to say were fixed in relatively short order, and one I certainly don't resent anybody for. What does jump my eyebrows up my head is the fact that its developers are shocked that the game's popular.
>> By the way, having a two-name system has led to some funny names (link).

And here’s the third part of the Monday gaming news:

'The PC platform is becoming more and more important,' Take-Two chief says, as we continue to wonder when we're going to get GTA 6
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/grand-theft-auto/the-pc-platform-is-becoming-more-and-more-important-take-two-chief-says-as-we-continue-to-wonder-when-were-going-to-get-gta-6/

Industry vets behind Dishonored, Ultima Online, Her Story and more agree the games industry crisis goes beyond games: 'Ultimately, to fix what’s broken in the videogame industry, we might have to fix reality'
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/industry-vets-behind-dishonored-ultima-online-her-story-and-more-agree-the-games-industry-crisis-goes-beyond-games-ultimately-to-fix-whats-broken-in-the-videogame-industry-we-might-have-to-fix-reality/

Dueling industry surveys show Japanese game devs are embracing AI, while North American ones are still skeptical
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/dueling-industry-surveys-show-japanese-game-devs-are-embracing-ai-while-north-american-ones-are-still-skeptical/
>> Be honest, you thought it would be the other way around.

CD Projekt says abandoning its in-house engine for The Witcher 4 had nothing to do with Cyberpunk 2077's technical woes: 'The dream of the company was actually never to make technology'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-witcher/cd-projekt-says-abandoning-its-in-house-engine-for-the-witcher-4-had-nothing-to-do-with-cyberpunk-2077s-technical-woes-the-dream-of-the-company-was-actually-never-to-make-technology/

Japanese devs aren't facing the same layoff crisis because their executives are paid an order of magnitude less, 'they didn’t get swept up in the live-service trend,' and their teams are smaller, says industry expert
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/japanese-devs-arent-facing-the-same-layoff-crisis-because-their-executives-are-paid-an-order-of-magnitude-less-they-didnt-get-swept-up-in-the-live-service-trend-and-their-teams-are-smaller-says-industry-expert/

Evidence of canceled Grand Theft Auto 5 Liberty City and 'Agent Trevor' DLC, plus early version of GTA6's map surface online
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/grand-theft-auto/evidence-of-canceled-grand-theft-auto-5-liberty-city-and-agent-trevor-dlc-plus-early-version-of-gta6s-map-surface-online/

A 27-year-old tech forum with over 100,000 Warcraft 3 modding threads is closing its doors
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/a-27-year-old-tech-forum-with-over-100-000-warcraft-3-modding-threads-is-closing-its-doors/

Weird to see Happy Wheels (a free game) getting a paid release on steam =p

Anyway what games have you guys been Pirating lately?

If you're really talking about pirating, the last time I did that was last century. I think it was a Spiderman game that didn't run well so I barely played it. And by not running well, I actually mean that, with lots of stutters and an awful framerate.

Not going to lie, I only tried it two or three pirated games. It didn't felt right.

If, however, you mean what I'm playing right now, I wanted to play Titan Quest to try out my new mouse (did I say what I ended up buying after bothering you all asking about it?). Sadly, I had forgotten how grindy the game can be, and nowadays that's something I don't have fun doing.

So, while I'm trucking away, I'm thinking what to play next. Right now the best candidates are Mass Effect Legendary Edition, for the DLCs I didn't have back then, or Divinity Original Sin. But those aren't the only options crossing my mind.

By the way, as if GamePass wasn't a bad enough idea, Microsoft already knows how to make it worse:

Microsoft patents system to freeze games and inject ads during downtimes — watching commercials earns ad-free playtime credits
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/microsoft-patents-system-to-freeze-games-and-inject-ads-during-downtimes-watching-commercials-earns-ad-free-playtime-credits
More games are taking advantage of the free-to-play model, and Microsoft is building systems designed to deliver ads without disrupting the gaming experience. According to Respawn First, the system would first give players some ad-free playtime, which could either be based on time or in-game progress, such as levels and bosses. Once this expires, the company will then open a window and briefly serve “promoted content.”

However, this system will not just show ads out of the blue. Instead, it will work with the game engine so that they will only appear during downtimes, like after a boss fight, at the end of a cutscene, while a new level is loading, when you complete a quest, or enter a menu. While the ad is being served, the game enters a frozen state to ensure that player progress isn’t disturbed. After you finish watching the ad, it resets the ad-free playtime, allowing gamers to play another round with no distractions.

Well, the RX 6700 non-XT, which is basically the PS5 GPU, is a 175W GPU, while the RX 9070 is at 220W, so not that big of a difference.

Then add in the PS5 Pro, which is more similar to a 6800 or 7800XT, which are 250W and 263W respectively, so both draw more power than a 9070.

Now, make a theoretical mobile 9070 with 3nm process and you probably get down to below 150W of power draw, maybe even 120W, without losing much performance.

I feel like it's gonna be 54CU.

PS4 had 18CU, PS Pro and PS5 had 36 each, twice as much as the PS4. Now, add up 36 + 18, and you get... 54CU!

In fact, I'm surprised the PS5 Pro didn't go with 54CU to begin with...

AMD hits $1 trillion valuation as AI takes priority

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-hits-1-trillion-valuation-as-ai-takes-priority

HP reveals $7,449 price for Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 laptop with 192GB

https://videocardz.com/newz/hp-reveals-7449-price-for-ryzen-ai-max-pro-495-laptop-with-192gb

MediaTek Dimensity CX C10 Max debuts with 8-core Arm CPU and 11-core GPU, designed for Googlebook laptops

https://videocardz.com/newz/mediatek-dimensity-cx-c10-max-debuts-with-8-core-arm-cpu-and-11-core-gpu-designed-for-googlebook-laptops

ASUS GPU Tweak III adds immediate shutdown option when GPU power limit is reached

https://videocardz.com/newz/asus-gpu-tweak-iii-adds-immediate-shutdown-option-when-gpu-power-limit-is-reached

Durabook rugged laptop weighs 9.8 kg and packs three 14-inch displays, Core Ultra 100 CPU and optional RTX graphics

https://videocardz.com/newz/durabook-rugged-laptop-weighs-9-8-kg-and-packs-three-14-inch-displays-core-ultra-100-cpu-and-optional-rtx-graphics

Steam Remote Play gets Pyrowave codec with up to 500 Mbit/s streaming and YUV 4:4:4

https://videocardz.com/newz/steam-remote-play-gets-pyrowave-codec-with-up-to-500-mbit-s-streaming-and-yuv-444

AMD adds GDDR7 support to Linux driver ahead of next-gen Radeon GPUs

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-adds-gddr7-support-to-linux-driver-ahead-of-next-gen-radeon-gpus

AMD Refuses To Let AM4 Die, Pushing Fresh BIOS To 9-Year-Old A320 Boards As DDR5 Costs Soar

https://wccftech.com/amd-refuses-to-let-am4-die-pushing-fresh-bios-to-9-year-old-a320-boards/

The Tuesday gaming news:

SALES/PLAYER COUNTS & DEALS

Steam’s Top 10

(Click here for the Top 100)

Steam has new deals and sales:

• Species: Unknown, still in Early Access, has a demo and will be 25% off until the 24th of September: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2747330/Species_Unknown/
• Escape Simulator 2 gets a 30% discount until Monday: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2879840/Escape_Simulator_2/
• Happy's Humble Burger Cult will have a 35% discount until the 28th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3453910/Happys_Humble_Burger_Cult/
• Undusted: Letters from the Past is going to be 30% off until the 1st of October. It also has a demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891020/Undusted_Cartas_del_pasado/
• Samson will be 50% off until October 1st: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3634520/Samson/
• There are also seven new sales/events:
  • Mexican Entertainment System Showcase 2026 features lots of upcoming titles and games on sale with up to 92% discounts. The deals will end between the 26th and the 30th of September : https://store.steampowered.com/sale/MexicanEntertainmentSystem2026
  • Serbian Games Week brings upcoming titles and games with up to 80% discounts. The deals will end between September 26 and October 1st: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/SerbianGamesWeek2026
  • OUT OF THE BOX GAMES Showcase has upcoming releases, demos and games on sale, up to 90% off. The deals will end between September 26 and October 5th: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46192764/sale/OUTOFTHEBOXGAMES
  • Stronger Togehter Demo Showcase has many upcoming games with demos and has three games on sale, with 10, 10 and 20% discounts that will end between the 28th and the 30ht of September: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46283057/sale/StrongerTogetherDemoShowcase
  • Remnant Franchise Sale puts the games up to 85% off until September 28: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/RemnantFranchiseSale2026
  • Mondo Gamer Showcase 2026 has, surprise, surprise, upcoming titles and games with up to 30% discounts. Most deals will end on October 1st, but not all: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/44053698/sale/MundoGamerShowcase2026-3
  • The Nova Game Day has a few upcoming titles and only two games on sale so far, tho that may change later today as this sale has launched today: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46285685/sale/NOVAGAMEDAY
• And, like every Tuesday, there are new weeklong deals

Humble Bundle presents The Almighty God Games Bundle, with up to 7 games to get during 20 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/almighty-god-games-bundle

Fanatical’s new Star Deal is Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition, 58% off during 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/borderlands-4-super-deluxe-edition

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready 617.14 driver
https://videocardz.com/driver/nvidia-geforce-game-ready-617-14

HIGHLIGHTS
Game Ready for 007 First Light, Active Matter, Aniimo & WARDOGS
This new Game Ready Driver provides the best gaming experience for 007 First Light’s Path Tracing Update as well as the latest new games and updates supporting DLSS and RTX technologies including Matter, Aniimo, PUBG, and WARDOGS.

FIXED ISSUES

• Intermittent flicker may be observed in browsers when navigating to certain websites [6673430]
• Fixed an issue where virtual displays could not be created after updating to driver 616.56 [6674464]
• Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions may display a black screen after updating to driver 616.56 [6687328]

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Fable 2 Unofficial Native PC Port Available for Download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/fable-2-unofficial-native-pc-port-available-for-download/
An unofficial PC version of Fable 2, which came out exclusively on Xbox 360 in 2008, has just been released. This PC port will let you enjoy the game on your PC. So, let’s take a look at it.
Fable 2 Recomp brings the Xbox 360 classic to PC through static recompilation. The project turns the original PowerPC game code into C++ code at build time. This lets the game run through a native PC executable instead of relying on an emulator. The current build is aimed at Windows and uses the ReXGlue SDK.
One of the biggest PC features is uncapped frame rates. The original game is locked to 30 FPS, but this recomp includes a 60 FPS option. It also has an uncapped mode.
The project also adds keyboard and mouse support. Keyboard keys can act as Xbox controller buttons, and the controls can be fully remapped. Mouse movement can also control the camera through the right stick. Mouse sensitivity can be changed in the config file or while the game is running. A real gamepad still works alongside the keyboard.
There is also support for D3D12 and Vulkan. D3D12 is the default renderer and is currently available through the prebuilt GPU plugin. A Vulkan renderer is also being worked on. Its basic Vulkan pipeline is already working, while full game rendering through Vulkan is still in progress. The renderer can be selected when launching the game.
The recomp also has useful PC configuration options. You can change the window size, use fullscreen mode, select different content folders, and edit settings through a human-readable TOML file. Save files and caches are stored next to the game executable, making the build portable.
Finally, the project includes built-in patch support, FPS tools, logging, and debug features. These tools make it easier to test and improve the recomp.
The latest version adds a new config system, and the game’s settings are no longer hard-coded. This is a huge deal as it was a pain to change the settings in the previous versions. There are now two config files: fable2_config.toml and fable2_patches.toml. These files let you change specific parts of the game.
You can go ahead and download this unofficial PC port of Fable 2 from here (Github). As with all recompilations, it does not contain any in-game assets. This means that you’ll have to provide your own ISO. Also note that this project is still in an early stage, so you might encounter some bugs and glitches.
>> The article has a roughly 2 minutes video.

Spider-Man: Edge of Time PC Update 2.0 Released
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/spider-man-edge-of-time-pc-update-2-0-released/
Earlier this month, we informed you about an unofficial PC version of Spider-Man: Edge of Time. A couple of days ago, its team released a new major update for it. So, let’s take a look at what new it brings to the table.
Spider-Man: Edge of Time is a linear third-person action game that lets you play as two versions of Spider-Man: Peter Parker and Spider-Man 2099. The two heroes live in different time periods, but their actions are linked. This is also a big part of the gameplay. What one Spider-Man does in the past can change the world of the other Spider-Man in the future.
Version 2.0 adds several useful PC features and fixes. It now has a new single-screen installer, which replaces the old setup flow that often ran into 404 errors.
The game can now output from 720p up to 4K. It also supports 30, 60, 75, and 120 FPS modes. Other graphics options include VSync, monitor and GPU selection, and anisotropic filtering up to 16x.
Mouse support has also been expanded. This is something that really pleases me. Moreover, the update adds better controller support, full key rebinding, and settings profiles.
A separate Mod Manager is now included. It supports installing mods from ZIP, 7Z, RAR, and folder formats. It also has load order and conflict detection. The new Mods_active system helps prevent mods from overwriting the original game files.
The team has also worked on support for some PS3 and Wii texture mods. Work is still ongoing on PSO, shader stutter, microstutter, and frame pacing.
Finally, the project has been rebranded as Project 2099. The previous GitHub repository became unavailable three times, so the new name also makes the project’s unofficial community status much clearer.
You can go ahead and download the PC version from here (Github). As with all recompilations, it does not contain any in-game assets. As such, you will have to provide your own ROM/ISO.
>> The article has a video showing the game running on the Steam Deck.

GTA 6 Early Map for GTA 5 Legacy Is Now Available for Download
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/gta-6-early-map-for-gta-5-legacy-is-now-available-for-download/
GTA fans, here is something special for you today. A few days ago, a huge archive of old Rockstar development files surfaced online. The files came from the company’s 2022 hack and include early GTA 6 assets from around 2014 and 2015.
Among the leaked files is a very early version of the GTA 6 map. Modders have used these assets to recreate parts of this old map inside GTA 5. You can now download and get a look at this early version of Leonida and see how the game was taking shape more than 10 years ago.
Keep in mind that this is not the final GTA 6 map. The files are from a very early stage of development, so many areas are rough and unfinished. Some locations may also have been changed or removed during the years of development.
Needless to say, you should download this map as soon as possible. I’m almost certain that Take-Two and Rockstar will take it down in the blink of an eye. Still, since this map has already hit the Internet, I’m sure there will be other links once the original ones are taken down.
Also note that this map is for Grand Theft Auto 5 Legacy. It’s not for the Enhanced Edition. So, that’s kind of a bummer. Still, a lot of GTA fans won’t mind as they’ll definitely want to check it out.
I don’t believe we’ll see any videos of this fan map on YouTube. Rockstar will copyright strike anyone who attempts to do such a thing. The only video we have is this one. It does not show a lot, so don’t expect much.
You can go ahead and download this early GTA 6 map for GTA 5 Legacy from here (Mediafire). You’ll also need this patch (Mediafire).
>> There is a very short video in the article.

Rockstar asks modders to please take its games very seriously
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/grand-theft-auto/rockstar-asks-modders-to-please-take-its-games-very-seriously/
What happened

• On September 10, Rockstar Games published new mod guidelines on its website, which it says are intended to "maintain a fun, creative, and welcoming place for players and content creators."
• The guidelines are seem primarily targeted at mods for the FiveM and RedM platforms, which Rockstar acquired—along with their developers—in 2023.
• Rockstar says mods must "respect our games": As part of its "right to set limits on how others can use our games and brand," the studio says mods can't expand or modify official storylines, missions, and characters, and can't combine settings and characters from different Rockstar franchises.
• Rockstar says modders can't incorporate other intellectual property or real-world likenesses, and forbids cheat menus or modifications that interfere with its official multiplayer and online services.
• Rockstar calls its official modding platforms "the exclusive licensed home for our community to monetize their mods," forbidding alternative monetization or commercialization of mods for its games.

Do these guidelines have any teeth?
Like Rockstar's more formal terms of service and platform license agreements, these guidelines are the sort of standard rhetorical armament a company equips itself with when in case it needs a quick fix for something egregious: If a mod emerges that could give the studio a legal or financial headache, all it'll need to do is tap the sign before giving the offending user-generated content the boot.
Of course, those guidelines are theoretically more difficult to enforce on platforms the studio doesn't own. For Rockstar, removing a mod that breaks its commandments is easy enough on FiveM. But if that mod's on a third party site—like the one our Josh Wolens used to murder a charmander on the streets of Los Santos (gta5-mods)—making that problem go away isn't so simple. House rules are a lot harder to enforce at someone else's house.

GAMING NEWS

Samson Update #8 Brings Major Tweaks & Improvements – Patch Notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/samson-update-8-brings-major-tweaks-improvements-patch-notes/
Liquid Swords has released a new major update for the PC version of Samson and shared its full patch notes. So, let’s see what Patch #8 brings to the table.

Tuesday gaming news, part two and also last:

Oh good, the pervert's back
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/oh-good-the-perverts-back/
While I've been pleased to watch Capcom begin teasing out previews of the expanded monster roster we'll face in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, its returning Elder Dragons have left me with a persistent feeling that something's still missing—something utterly detestable and unsettlingly phallic.
Thankfully, that hole in my life has been filled. Over the weekend, Capcom confirmed that Ascendance will be a homecoming for its most hateful horror: Khezu, the flabbiest, drippiest member of the Flying Wyvern family that for years has given hunters cause to ask "why is it like that" and "how did they manage to make it even worse?" If you're not already acquainted with its many unpleasant aspects, allow me to introduce you.

Bungie un-cancels Destiny: Vaulted content is coming back as new leadership promises 'Destiny is foundational to our future'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/bungie-un-cancels-destiny-vaulted-content-is-coming-back-as-new-leadership-promises-destiny-is-foundational-to-our-future/
Bungie's new leadership duo laid out the "next chapter of Bungie" today in a blog post with an accompanying video. The big news is that Bungie has essentially uncanceled Destiny 2, or will at least go the lengths to finally undo its greatest mistake: vaulting a bunch of raids and multiple of its story campaigns. Funnily enough, that work has already begun on the community side with a mod project that makes vaulted content playable through an offline build of Destiny.
>> Oh, Bungie, how desperate are you to do this? Anyway, Zippy6 has made a thread about this.

Should action games let us skip the action?
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/should-action-games-let-us-skip-the-action/
I spent around 50 hours playing The Blood of Dawnwalker for my review. I played on the default "Fair" difficulty and didn't find it very challenging: as far as modern blockbuster RPGs go it's pretty easy-going (and I speak as someone who is not an apex gamer. Metal Gear Solid 4 is currently kicking my ass. How did I cope with this in 2008?). So Rebel Wolves' new "even easier" difficulty is an interesting proposition. Based on Tomaszkiewicz's quote it sounds like the new setting will allow players to skip combat entirely, which—if true—is quite a radical move.

This guy just sold me on his game with the health bar alone
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/this-guy-just-sold-me-on-his-game-with-the-health-bar-alone/
Ever heard of Mirklurk: Every Step Matters? Nope, me neither. That is, until a video from its solo dev called "Rethinking the health bar" came across my desk. The dev in question is Mattias Myde, and he's revolutionising this oldest of videogame building blocks by converting it from a simple resource pool into a sort of quasi-Battleship arrangement, where your weapons do damage patterns, not numbers, and enemy health pools become big maps of tiles, just waiting to be cleared.

World of Warcraft: Forever players competing over enemies is 'extremely important' to the experience, Blizzard says: 'This is one of those things that we simply must hold the line on'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/world-of-warcraft/world-of-warcraft-forever-players-competing-over-enemies-is-extremely-important-to-the-experience-blizzard-says-this-is-one-of-those-things-that-we-simply-must-hold-the-line-on/
When the gates opened on the World of Warcraft: Forever beta, it was a free-for-all. Everyone fought to be the first to "tag" enemies with their attacks so they would count for their quests—a problem that is essentially obsolete in modern WoW.
My memories of doing this in the real classic WoW came flooding back as I frantically tried to claim enemies before someone else did. But that old frustration also prompted old solutions: Whenever I came across a quest to kill seven wolves or whatever, I invited other players into my group so that everyone got credit.
This, according to senior game designer Josh Greenfield on X, is exactly what Blizzard wants to see.
>> Blizzard warns that they’ll “’very aggressively’ punish anyone who buys gold with real money” (link).

https://x.com/Stealth40k/status/2102401788376756659

It's been a long time coming. 343 had too much good will under Phil Spencer imo. It's insane that they couldn't even make a proper Halo 1 remake without adding stupid stuff like the girl-boss missions. It's time these studios got what they deserved and hopefully something better will come out of it.