LIVE October 15, 2026, last updated 15:13 UTC. Today’s biggest video game news as it happens: releases, trailers, updates, deals and industry news, with links to the original sources and our full stories. Newest updates first. This page starts fresh every day at midnight UTC; earlier days are in our daily archives.
Table of Contents
Key stories so far
- Activision Says a New Call of Duty Sub-Franchise Is in the Works
- GTA 6 squeaks into The Game Awards 2026 eligibility window
- SEGA pulls Total War: Shogun 2 Complete Edition from sale two days after launch
- ROG Xbox Ally X20 Out Now: Price, Bundle and Specs
- Mortal Shell II and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy trials hit PS Plus Premium on October 20
- Steam Next Fest returns October 19 with a week of free demos
Live updates
Activision Says a New Call of Duty Sub-Franchise Is in the Works
Activision CMO Tyler Bahl says groundwork is laid for a new Call of Duty sub-franchise after Black Ops 7 fell short. What he said, and what it means.
GTA 6 squeaks into The Game Awards 2026 eligibility window
The Game Awards' official rules set this year's cutoff at November 20, 2026 at 9 p.m. PT, which means Grand Theft Auto 6, due November 19, qualifies for Game of the Year and the other jury categories by a single day. The Players' Voice category has a later cutoff of November 30. The show streams live on Thursday, December 10 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Source: The Game Awards
SEGA pulls Total War: Shogun 2 Complete Edition from sale two days after launch
SEGA says it is removing Total War: Shogun 2 Complete Edition from sale on PC and restoring the original 2011 release while it investigates problems, admitting in a statement on X that the current experience "is not where it needs to be." The Complete Edition launched on October 13 and quickly fell to an Overwhelmingly Negative rating on Steam, with players reporting bugs, performance issues and what they say are AI-upscaled assets. Existing owners keep access, and SEGA has given no date for its return.
Source: VGC
ROG Xbox Ally X20 Out Now: Price, Bundle and Specs
The ROG Xbox Ally X20 is on sale now for $1,299.99, or $2,499.99 with XREAL AR glasses. Here's what's new versus the Ally X and how to buy it.
Mortal Shell II and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy trials hit PS Plus Premium on October 20
PlayStation Plus Premium members can try Mortal Shell II and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy on PS5 from Tuesday, October 20, Sony confirmed on the PlayStation Blog. Premium game trials usually let you play the opening of a game for a limited time, with progress carrying over if you buy it. The same day, Mafia: The Old Country, Horizon Forbidden West and Mycopunk join the Extra and Premium catalog.
Source: PlayStation Blog
Steam Next Fest returns October 19 with a week of free demos
Valve's October 2026 Steam Next Fest runs from October 19 at 10am PDT to October 26 at 10am PDT, according to Valve's Steamworks event page. The week-long festival brings free demos of upcoming PC games, along with developer livestreams. Demos can be found through the Next Fest hub on Steam once the event starts.
Source: Steamworks (Valve)
Ubisoft asks about 100 staff at its German studios to take buyouts
Ubisoft has started talks with the works council at its three German studios, Düsseldorf, Mainz and Berlin, about a voluntary departure plan, Game File reports. The studios employ roughly 600 people and the target is around 100 departures, with a reported payout of 1.5 months' salary per year of service, though the terms are not final. It follows this week's news that Ubisoft is closing Trials studio RedLynx and cutting staff at Ubisoft Singapore.
Source: Kotaku (via Game File)
GTA 6 Launch Trailer: What It Shows, Release Date and PC Status
Rockstar's GTA 6 launch trailer is out ahead of the November 19 release on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. What it shows, editions, pre-order bonuses and PC status.
Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 Demo: Date, Content, Pre-Orders
The free Monster Hunter Wilds Prologue Demo hits Switch 2 on October 19, with save transfer, local play and $29.99 digital pre-orders ahead of December 4.
Big Walk Won't Come to Xbox, House House Cites BDS Boycott
House House says Big Walk will not be released on Xbox, citing the BDS movement's boycott of Microsoft. The game stays on PC, Mac, PS5 and Switch 2.
12 Best Cozy Games on Switch 2 (October 2026)
The best cozy games on Switch 2, from Pokémon Pokopia to Stardew Valley and Cozy Grove, with verified eShop prices, upgrade costs and who each is for.
Break and Steal an Egg Guide: Zones, Speed and Free Rewards
Break and Steal an Egg beginner guide: free +10K Speed and Sabertooth Egg, every zone's Speed target, best Trails and pickaxes, and the Oct 18 Halloween update.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Beginner Tips and Weapon Guide
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse beginner tips: how mirrors, potions, mana and Arcana work, all seven weapon types compared, relics and custom difficulty.
10 Best Games Like BitLife for iOS and Android (2026)
The best games like BitLife on iPhone and Android: Everlife 2, DogLife, Reigns and more, with prices, ads, ratings and who each life sim suits best.
Modern Warfare 4 Early Access and Preload: Times and Editions
MW4 PC preload opens Oct 15 at 9am PT and Campaign Early Access starts Oct 16. Full schedule, DMZ early access, editions, prices and what Activision confirmed.
Fortnite Sprites List: All 27 in Chapter 7 Season 4 + Checklist
Every Fortnite Sprite in Chapter 7 Season 4 with rarity, powers and the full 162-entry checklist, plus the new Oct 15 Honey and One Wish Willow Sprites.
AION 2 Classes Guide: Every Class Explained and Which to Pick
All 8 AION 2 classes explained: roles, weapons, strengths and weaknesses, plus the best class for beginners, solo play, groups and PvP based on community data.
Epic Free Games This Week: Bad Cheese and Agent A (Oct 15-22)
Bad Cheese and Agent A are free on the Epic Games Store from Oct 15 at 15:00 UTC to Oct 22. Exact times, how to claim, and other free games this week.
Kingshot Beginner Guide: Heroes, Build Order and Tips (2026)
Kingshot beginner guide: first-day steps, building order, best free heroes by generation, troop setup, gem spending and how to redeem gift codes.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Release Time, Price and Reviews
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is out now for $29.99 on PS5, Xbox, PC and Switch. Release times, editions, Switch 2 notes and what critics are saying.
Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2: Price, Bundle and Pre-Orders
The Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 launches Oct 29 at $519.99 with no game. What's in the box, the matching accessories and where to pre-order.
Steal an Egg Roblox Beginner Guide: Speed, Eggs and Biomes
New to Steal an Egg on Roblox? Claim 10,000 free Speed, farm the right eggs, buy the best early trails and treadmills, and unlock every biome faster.
How to Become a Lawyer and Judge in BitLife (2026 Guide)
Become a lawyer and judge in BitLife: law school majors, every law firm and court job, salaries, the 30-year Magistrate rule and achievements.
Xbox Nano Controller: Price, Release Date and Specs
The Xbox Nano Controller costs $49.99, ships November 4 in the US and adds a rechargeable battery and Bluetooth. Here's what it does and what it leaves out.
Ocarina of Time Switch 2 Overview Trailer: What's New
Nintendo's Ocarina of Time Switch 2 overview trailer reveals the Hall of Fallen Heroes, humming ocarina controls and new amiibo ahead of the Nov 5 launch.
