Readers followed stories about studio changes, game launches and esports competition this week. Here are the most-read items from Oct. 26–Nov. 1.
Studio, Publisher & Industry Business
Austin Wintory releases early Mass Effect 5 music after BioWare closure. Austin Wintory released early musical drafts for the canceled Mass Effect 5 on October 26th on X, after BioWare confirmed its closure on October 21st when EA shut down the studio and canceled Mass Effect 5.
Marty Stratton says id Software is doing great after layoffs. Xbox cut roughly half of id Software’s staff earlier in 2026, hitting the Richardson, Texas, studio and remote roles, amid a broader reset of Microsoft’s gaming business. Studio co-director Marty Stratton said Oct. 31, 2026 that about half the studio had exited.
Undead Labs becomes employee-owned after Xbox divests State of Decay studio. Undead Labs became employee-owned after Xbox announced plans to divest the studio in July 2026, and studio head Philip Holt said the company had just over 100 employees before the split. Holt said he received only a small amount of warning before the public announcement.
Reviews & Review Scores
Capcom says internal data backs Onimusha: Way of the Sword difficulty. Capcom game director Satoru Nihei said on Oct. 26, 2026 that internal player data supports the final difficulty of Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Nihei told PC Gamer the team did not intend it to be especially difficult like Sekiro or Nioh.
Esports Coverage
KRÜ Blaze beats Shopify Rebellion Gold 3-1 to reach Game Changers final. KRÜ Blaze defeated Shopify Rebellion Gold 3-1 in the lower bracket final of the VCT Game Changers Championship 2026 on Oct. 31, 2026, in São Paulo, Brazil, advancing to the championship match. The Argentine-based side dropped the opening map before winning three consecutive maps.
Game Release Dates & Launches
HoYoverse sets Petit Planet for December 4 PC launch on Epic Games Store. HoYoverse announced that Petit Planet releases on December 4, 2026, for PC through the Epic Games Store and HoYoPlay and on iOS and Android at no charge. The PC edition comes through the Epic Games Store and HoYoPlay, while mobile editions come through the respective App Stores.
Console Platform News
Nintendo’s October Indie World Showcase reveals Switch and Switch 2 lineup. Nintendo’s Indie World Showcase streamed Oct. 28, 2026, at 7 AM PT and 10 AM ET, running approximately 15 minutes on YouTube and the Nintendo Today app. GameLuster reports that the broadcast was the first Indie World presentation since March 2026, a gap of about seven months.
Argonaut Games confirms Croc 2 digital Switch launch for Oct. 29. Argonaut Games confirmed that Croc 2: Kingdom of the Gobbos will release digitally for Nintendo Switch on Oct. 29, 2026. The sequel will also launch on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and GOG in Q4 2026.
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