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Source: NetEase / Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals is one of the most popular games out at the moment, so it’s shocking to hear that its development team is experiencing layoffs.
Spotted on Insider Gaming, multiple social media reports state that NetEase has laid off Marvel Rivals’ entire development team. Marvel Rivals’ game director Thaddeus Sasser revealed the sad and surprising news in a post on LinkedIn he shared on Tuesday afternoon.
“This is such a weird industry…” Sasser wrote. “My stellar, talented team just helped deliver an incredibly successful new franchise in Marvel Rivals for NetEase Games…and were just laid off!”
According to Sasser, NetEase laid off the Seattle-based team that was tasked with “coming up with new level design mechanics, gameplay mechanics, and so on.”
Level designer Garry McGee, one of the affected developers, and level designer Jack Burrows, who confirmed the news via his post on LinkedIn, were among those who lost their jobs.
Social Media Is Stunned
According to Circana data from industry analyst Mat Piscatella, Marvel Rivals is one of the top five games with the most active users across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Steam, so it’s not surprising that social media is stunned by the news.
“Marvel Rivals is the hottest game out rn, just revealed 2 banger characters, and people still got laid off. The industry is cooked,” one user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.
Journalist Alyssa Mercante wrote, “Even successful game devs are not safe, because THE PROBLEMS ARE AT THE TOP.”
SpawnOnMe’s Kahlief Adams wrote on X, “Rivals a super popular and profitable game letting go their Game Director the same day as they debut new content seems like Bizzaro land and business as usual at the same time. Success is also in the upside down…”
As Adams mentioned, this tragic news came as Marvel Rivals announced that The Thing and Human Torch from The Fantastic 4 will be in the game this Friday. Blade, the vampire hunter, has also been teased.
Bruh, the video game industry is on one right now. You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
5. When all else fails blame Donald Trump
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Source: Sony / PlayStation 5
According to recent sales numbers, Sony isn’t having a problem moving PlayStation 5 consoles.
During its earnings release, Sony announced that it had its best holiday season yet with PlayStation 5 sales, moving 9.5 million consoles over the last three months (2024 Q3), selling 1.3 million more than it sold in the same quarter the previous year, raising all-time PS5 sales to 74.9 million.
The latest addition to the PS5 console family, the PS5 Pro, could have helped boost those numbers. Sony did not provide sales numbers for that console.
With that record quarter in the books, the PS5 is 1.5 million units behind the PS4 during its sales lifecycle. Sony also posted a profit of 469.3 billion yen ($3.05 billion), which was higher than expected.
Game sales were also up, reaching 95.9 million units sold in Q3 2024 compared to 89.7 million in the previous quarter despite a decline in first-party sales.
Sony’s game software revenue rose to 784 billion yen ($5.1 billion) in Q3 2023, compared to 733 billion yen in Q3 2023.
The company also acknowledged the success of Astro Bot, which took the video game award season by storm, and Helldivers 2, noting it intends to expand its live service offerings despite canceling several projects and Concord flopping before it even hit shelves.
Sony is very optimistic about the future. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Ghost of Yotei, and allegedly Grand Theft Auto 6 will all come in 2025, which could help more consoles fly off shelves.
While Sony reports console sales, it hasn’t been the same for Xbox. Although Xbox’s hardware sales have taken a hit and are down 29% since switching the company model, Game Pass has experienced record growth.
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PGA Tour 2K25 will be released later this month and the folks at HB Studios and 2K Games were kind enough to invite HHW Gaming to try out the full game and capture our first impressions. PGA 2K25‘s customizable features and stellar golf mechanics will transport players to the course via stunning realism.
HHW Gaming was invited with other media to attend the 2025 Waste Management Phoenix Open in sunny Scottsdale, Ariz. on Feb. 3 to get close and personal with 2K Games’ latest sports simulation title.
The PGA Tour 2K video game series was first developed as The Golf Club series by HB Studios, and aligned with the PGA Tour for an official rendering of real courses which culminated in The Golf Club 2019 featuring PGA Tour title. In 2021, the title was changed to PGA Tour 2K21 and garnered high marks among gamers and publications alike. That was succeeded by PGA Tour 2K23, a game we loved at HHW Gaming, which also featured golf legend Tiger Woods as the cover athlete.
Before our time with the game, we had the pleasure of speaking with PGA Tour golfers, the charming Max Homa and Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, both of whom join the aforementioned Woods as this year’s PGA Tour 2K cover athletes. Homa and Fitzpatrick both had time with the game and shared their thoughts about what players can expect.
“We played nine holes of this course we’re standing at now (TPC Scottsdale) and it’s super accurate, even down to the tee markers and greens,” Homa said after we asked him about the game’s look and feel. “The HB Studios guys know what they’re doing and really captured the course for what it truly is.”
Fitzpatrick added, “I need more time with the game, obviously, and I don’t have a favorite course just yet but the team did an excellent job in getting things right down to the clubs, outfits, and greens.”
Source: HB Studios / 2K Games
As we mentioned above, PGA Tour 2K23 was a top title for us when it dropped in 2022, and we noticed improvements right away during our time with PGA Tour 2K25. After an informative training section that gets gamers familiar with the controls, we launched into the MyPlayer mode and swung for the cup.
Source: HB Studios / 2K Games
The 3-Click system that made its debut with the previous title returns but instead, we opted to use the Swing Stick feature which was seamless, easy to grasp, and immediately satisfying once you connect your club with the ball. Admittedly, we spent the bulk of our time in the training module and other sections of the game like the Top Golf Las Vegas course.
Source: HB Studios / 2K Games
With gamers facing an increasing barrage of first-person shooters, roguelikes, and sprawling open-world adventures, PGA Tour 2K25 felt like a reprieve of sorts. Given the rise of the so-called “cozy” gaming trend, this title might not exactly qualify as such but there is something to be said about hitting the virtual course, examining the layout of famous locales like the Pebble Beach Golf Links, and even the arcade-like fun of Top Golf being added to the mix that does make one slow down and appreciate the moment.
Even if you’re not an avid golf fan or know little about the sport, the always-present help tab gently nudges players in the right direction and never scolds you for not being the digital embodiment of Tiger Woods. The play mechanics are seamless and the player models are vast and versatile. In the future, HHW Gaming will provide a full review of PGA Tour 2K25 but we can confirm right now that this is another feather in the cap already for HB Studios and 2K Games.
PGA Tour 2K25 is slated for a Feb. 21 early access release, with the wider release happening on Feb. 28.
To learn more about the game, including pre-orders and a playable demo, please click here.
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Photo: HB Studios/2K Games
1. PGA Tour 2K25 First Look
Source:2K Sports
PGA Tour 2K25 First Look golf,tech,gaming,2k,pga tour 2k25,hhw
2. PGA Tour 2K25 First Look
Source:2K Sports
PGA Tour 2K25 First Look golf,tech,gaming,2k,pga tour 2k25,hhw
3. PGA Tour 2K25 First Look
Source:2K Sports
PGA Tour 2K25 First Look golf,tech,gaming,2k,pga tour 2k25,hhw
4. PGA Tour 2K25 First Look
Source:2K Sports
PGA Tour 2K25 First Look golf,tech,gaming,2k,pga tour 2k25,hhw
5. PGA Tour 2K25 First Look
Source:2K Sports
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Source: Sony / PlayStation Plus / PSN
PSN subscribers are still awaiting the compensation PlayStation promised them following a global service outage that left them staring at the PS5 and PS4 consoles instead of doing some intense weekend gaming.
Following last weekend’s global service outage, caused by an “operational issue” that took down PSN for about 24 hours, PlayStation broke its deafening silence and told gamers they would extend the PS Plus subscriptions by five days.
Those same gamers, many of whom thought PlayStation’s offer was weak, are still waiting for those five free days after their subscriptions expired.
Damn.
PlayStation’s favorability has taken a serious hit this past weekend due to what many believe is the company’s perceived lack of transparency about what happened.
It took almost a day following the initial interruption of service for them to get on X, formerly Twitter, to say that the global outage that made multiplayer games useless, took the PSN store down, and made some games in folks’ digital libraries inaccessible was the result of an “operational issue.”
Was PSN Hacked? Many Gamers Think So
Many gamers think there is more to this situation and believe PSN was hacked. PlayStation is doing a disservice to its subscribers by revealing this to them.
Some users even tell current subscribers to change their “passwords on everything” out of fear that this is more than just an “operational issue.”
“If you are a Playstation user make sure to change your passwords on everything. This is looking more and more like a giant hack by their lack of transparency,” one post on X read.
We hope it was just an “operational issue” and not a severe hack, as many people feel. We don’t need the ghosts of 2011’s massive attack on the PSN to return.
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Source: Patrick Smith / Getty / Kendrick Lamar / PlayStation
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance had more easter eggs than a Marvel Studios film. One in particular caught the attention of gamers who were tuned in.
You were absolutely correct if you thought Kendrick Lamar’s performance had a video gamey-feel. Super Bowl LIX halftime show art director Shelley Rodgers confirmed to Wired that Lamar uses PlayStation imagery, mainly the icons on the PlayStation controller.
In the interview, Rodgers revealed that K.Dot devised the video game-themed performance, adding that “each performance space was shaped like a button on a PlayStation-style controller, a performance intended to portray Lamar’s life as a video game.”
No one knows why Lamar chose PlayStation or decided to go that route while he bullied Drake again, but the art director did have some suggestions.
“I think the was symbolic, his way to reach young people,” Rodgers told Wired. “A lot of it is showing his journey, [showing him] traveling through the American dream.”
Creative Director Mike Carson added more insight, adding that Lamar and his production company, pgLang, are “really into keeping things clean and minimal.”
“We went with a monochromatic concrete look and allowed the video game motif to come alive through dialogue, lighting, choreography, and music.”
There is no word on whether PlayStation knew about Lamar’s vision, but if they did, do you think Drake would also be BIG MAD at the video company for being involved, or nah?
Fans Loved The PlayStation Inclusion
Fans also had plenty to say about the moment. “Kendrick Lamar brought out the PlayStation symbols and said,’ Game Over,’” one user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote following the performance.
Another user added, “Serena Williams, Samuel Jackson, PlayStation references, the GNX, the whole stadium yelling “AMINORR” ugh the dancers in red, white & blue, SZA?! Thank you Kendrick. The revolution will be televised.”
Kendrick Lamar did that! Debate your auntie.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
4. Still need an answer
6. So cool
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Source: Anadolu / Getty / PlayStation
Next to Kansas City Chiefs fans and Drake, no one had a crappier weekend than PlayStation console owners, thanks to a massive service outage. The company finally explained what happened, but gamers were not feeling it.
The AskPlayStation account on X, formerly Twitter, finally broke its silence on the massive service outage that kept PS5 and PS4 owners from playing multiplayer games, games that require online connectivity,y and even some games in their digital library for over 24 hours.
According to PlayStation, the outage that began on Friday, February 7, around 6 p.m. ET and ended at 6:58 p.m. ET on Saturday (February 8) was due to an “operational issue.” To compensate for ruining gamers’ weekends, PlayStation said it would offer subscribers additional days of service at no additional cost.
“Network services have fully recovered from an operational issue. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank the community for their patience. All PlayStation Plus members will automatically receive an additional 5 days of service.”
That’s all they had to say? Hmm
As you can imagine, gamers are not buying what PlayStation is selling, especially the “additional 5 days of service,” because it just feels cheap on their part.
“What was the reason behind Network failure? this is extremely shady and tone deaf communication. I lost my profile back in ps3 hack and this one of the reason why i don’t trust this Brand atleast security wise,” one post on X read in reply to AskPlayStation’s post.
Another post read, “5 days of PlayStation Plus as an apology? That’s like getting a small fry after they mess up your entire order.”
Listen, we understand that there has to be a better explanation for what happened. However, we still believe that it was Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fault.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
7. Interesting
9. Howling
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Source: Anadolu / Getty / PSN
Yup, PSN is still down, and nobody at PlayStation is saying a damn thing about it.
Last night, everyone who wanted to play online games on their PS5 and PS4 consoles over the weekend found out that they won’t be able to because the PlayStation Network suffered a massive global service outage.
PSN has been down for over 14 hours, and PlayStation has not shared any details about what is happening. The official PlayStation X account shared a post from the US AskPlayStation account stating, “We are aware some users might be currently experiencing issues with PSN,” and directing gamers to the PlayStation Network service status page only to see red dots across the board signaling PSN is still down,
https://x.com/AskPlayStation/status/1888041723831484682
This outage has been one of the most prolonged outages in recent memory, but it still pales in comparison to the outage of 2011, which saw PSN not function for 23 days following an “external intrusion” that took the service out and saw the private user data of 77 million subscribers be swiped.
While this situation is probably not on that level, it is bad enough that games, specifically ones that require gamers to be online, like Marvel Rivals, have done more talking than PlayStation on the matter.
Per Marvel Rivals:
Due to PlayStation server’s emergent issue today, PlayStation users might have difficulty launching games, apps, or network features. We are actively communicating with the PlayStation team and will restore the game once we receive a solution plan from the PlayStation team.
We apologize for any inconvenience and will notify the community through official channels once the issue is fixed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Was PSN Hacked?
Some gamers believe that PSN has been hacked, and that’s why PlayStation is so mum on the situation and is suggesting folks should reset their passwords.
https://x.com/Troydan/status/1888078195934609665
Bruh.
We hope it’s just a PlayStation issue and that the company can get PSN back up and running before the weekend is over. The gallery below shows more reactions on the dire situation for PlayStation owners.
2. Sound adivce
3. Ruh Roh
6. Howling
7. Accurate
8. We have a winner here
9. This is all of us right now
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Source: Anadolu / Getty / PlayStation Network
Gamers worldwide are screaming at their televisions because the PlayStation Network (PSN) is experiencing a major outage heading into the weekend when most people play video games.
PlayStation 5 and PS4 owners have taken to social media to voice their displeasure that they cannot connect to Sony’s online services, including multiplayer and the PlayStation Store.
While the US PlayStation account is still silent about the outage, the Ask PlayStation Japan account acknowledged the network’s current struggles in a post on X that Kotaku translated.
“At this time, the PlayStation Network (including PlayStation Store) may not be available,” the announcement reads that was posted at 7:12 p.m. ET on Friday, February 7. “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers. We are currently investigating the issue and working to restore service, so please be patient.”
PlayStation has yet to provide a reason for the massive outage affecting gamers across the globe. All services are still down if you check the PlayStation status page.
The timing of the outage couldn’t have come at a worse time, with Monster Hunter Wilds currently holding a beta test weekend and Call of Duty having a double XP weekend.
Gamers Are Not Taking This Well
The reactions to the outage are pouring in on X, formerly Twitter. “Xbox mfs taking the chance to say “should’ve gotten an Xbox” while PlayStation network down. B***h f**k you & your shit box,” one post hilariously said.
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. came up with a gem, reminding gamers that there are games with single-player campaigns that do not require an online connection.
Welp.
You can listen to Roy Wood Jr. or turn on one of your Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch, PC, or Steam Deck. If you don’t have any of those other options, you’ll have to wait this out.
Hit the gallery below for more reactions to the PSN outage.
3. All of us right now
4. Felt this one
5. Uggghhhh
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Source: Rockstar Games / Grand Theft Auto 6
Take-Two Interactive is adamant that Grand Theft Auto 6, easily the most anticipated game of all time, is coming out this year.
Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, shared its quarterly earnings results for October to December 2024 on Thursday but did not give a concrete release date for GTA 6.
But, the company made sure to reassure gamers that Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on track for it’s Fall 2025 release date. Also noted is that this year will be stacked for Tale-Two Interactive because of other notable releases.
Per Variety:
“We’ve announced a pretty narrow window. So I think our view is that right now, that’s fine,” Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick told Variety Thursday ahead of the video game company’s latest quarterly earnings results release. “And then when it’s appropriate, of course, Rockstar is going to have more to say.”
What has moved since the last time Take-Two reported earnings is the release date for “Borderlands 4,” which has switched from a slot in the company’s fiscal year 2026 (April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026) to within calendar 2025. On that front, Zelnick says “you will have a date soon, and then all will become clear,” in regards to how the title will slot in around “Mafia: The Old Country” releasing this summer and “GTA 6” coming in the fall.
Zelnick couldn’t contain his excitement, telling the website that the 2025 calendar is Take-Two’s “most extraordinarily exciting release schedule I think we’ve ever had.”
He continued, “Because we have our annualized titles, plus all these sequels coming from 2K, plus our live services, plus ‘Match Factory!’ and other titles from Zynga, plus ‘Borderlands 4,’ ‘Mafia,’ the list continues. So I’m not sure we’ve ever had a more exciting lineup. And of course, our expectations are that that’s going to be reflected in sequential growth and net bookings in Fiscal 26 and 27, as well as new records being set in both of those fiscal years.”
Gamers Are Both Excited & Still Skeptical
As expected with any news around GTA 6, gamers are always excited when they get updates. The energy is a mix of excitement that the game is still coming this year and skepticism that Rockstar Games can deliver on that.
https://x.com/GTASixInfo/status/1887611457841365385
https://x.com/vicious696/status/1887628467090694144
We get it.
Hopefully, this update from Take-Two Interactive means that Rockstar Games has another trailer for GTA 6 ready to release. Until then, you can see more reactions in the trailer below.
1. Heard you killa
3. Have some faith
4. We all did
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Source: Konami / Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
The PS Store has accidentally revealed when we can expect to experience Operation Snake Eater after accidentally revealing the release date for Metal Gear Solid Delta.
In what many assume was a mistake and possibly confirmed that the rumored February State of Play is indeed happening, the PS Store leaked the August 28, 2025 release date of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and a new trailer and confirmed it would be PS5 Pro Enhanced. However, it’s unclear whether those enhancements will be ready by launch.
https://x.com/DavidBHayter/status/1887574904356413896
According to the PS Store, Metal Gear Solid Delta’s Deluxe Edition will be released on August 25, while the Standard Edition will arrive on August 28. Basically, those who pony up the extra dollars get to play the game three days early.
After some more digging into the leak, players will be happy to learn that the Snake vs. Monkey game mode featured in the original game will be in the remake.
“In this mode, you’ll play as Snake and round up all the escaped apes running amok in each stage!” a description for the mode reads.
https://x.com/Wario64/status/1886796020304220436
Is Hideo Kojima Also Cooking Up Something For The February State of Play?
Even more interesting is that Metal Gear’s creator, Hideo Kojima, has also been stirring the State of Play pot by teasing people that he is back in the lab editing. This has left many wondering if he is cooking up a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach or another look at his new tactical espionage game, Physint.
https://x.com/HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN/status/1887104251010404518
We need PlayStation to confirm this State of Play because it has become the company’s worst-kept secret of the month.
The sad part is that the Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater release date leak is a buzzkill for the presentation, but don’t get it twisted—we are all still excited that this game will be released this year.