Splash Damage

On the heels of Sony’s announcement that the PlayStation 6 won’t include a disc drive, Microsoft launched a program that allows you to convert your physical game discs into digital game licenses. However, we suspect this is merely softening the blow of the news that the next Xbox will also not include a disc drive. We discuss the bleak future of next-gen consoles along with the Grand Theft Auto VI leaks, Shift Up’s hiring of a DEI specialist, the horrible Halo demake, and plenty more!

After removing 500 digital movies from purchasers’ libraries, Sony announced PlayStation will stop the production of game discs in early 2028, meaning expensive digital titles will be the only way to game on future PS consoles. We discuss this news along with Xbox’s layoffs and announcement of “resetting,” the hilarious day-one issues with Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynched and Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Fortnite’s addition of bikini skins.

A trailer for Stellar Blade: Blood Rain released, and everyone who detests attractive women in games instantly accused the new protagonist, Evie, of looking like a child. We discuss the reaction along with Shift Up’s defense of her design along with news of Grand Theft Auto VI and the Steam Machine’s prices, Microsoft’s ridiculous “considerations” for developers and their shuttering of Xbox studios, Lara Croft’s classic look in the upcoming Tomb Raider game, Bungie layoffs, and more.

Another one of PlayStation’s exclusive franchises is following the trend of replacing its mainstay male protagonist with a woman. In God of War: Laufey, Kratos is out, and you instead will play as his dead wife, Faye. We discuss this trend and what it means for the series along with Halo’s dumb gay pride skins, Subnautica 2’s refusal to kill flora and fauna that can easily kill you, and Fortnite’s move toward a more mature audience.

The developers of Lords of the Fallen 2 claimed it would include attractive female characters, and they delivered: Concept art from the game shows its women will wear somewhat revealing fantasy outfits. The drew the ire of industry staples, including The Gamer. We discuss their reaction to the art along with Slay the Spire 2’s reviews tanking after it came to light Anita Sarkeesian was involved in the game’s development, Invincible’s creators crucifying themselves for the sin of being white men, and the wokeness behind Christopher Nolan’s upcoming The Odyssey.