➀ Microsoft Game Studios founding member claims 'Xbox has no desire' to ship hardware; ➁ Laura Fryer, a founding member of Microsoft Games Studios, expresses her concerns about the future of Xbox; ➂ Fryer suggests that Xbox's focus is shifting towards Game Pass and away from hardware development.

➀ Microsoft has announced the release date, price, features, and bonus content of the enhanced version of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II for PlayStation 5. The game will be available as a free update on August 12 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Steam. The Standard Edition costs $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition is priced at $69.99 and includes the first game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, optimized for PlayStation 5. ➁ The enhanced version introduces several improvements and additions, such as Performance Mode on PS5/Pro and Xbox Series X, a new 'Very High' fidelity preset on PC, official Steam Deck verification, the return of the Dark Rot mechanic, improved photo mode, and 4 hours of developer commentary. ➂ The PS5 version of the first game is currently unknown if it will be available outside of the deluxe edition.

➀ After a year of PlayStation 5 exclusivity, Stellar Blade from studio SHIFTUP launched on PC last week, selling over 1 million copies almost immediately and breaking records for Sony on Steam. ➁ According to new reports, a Switch 2 version of Stellar Blade is on its way. ➂ The studio SHIFTUP has secured an official developer kit for Switch 2 and has begun initial work, which is closely linked to their IP expansion strategy.

➀ The PS5 has generated over $13 billion in profits; ➁ This figure exceeds the combined profits of all previous PlayStation console generations; ➂ The rise of multiplayer live service games and microtransactions has contributed significantly to PlayStation's profits.

➀ The ROG Xbox Ally handhelds were officially unveiled at Microsoft's recent Xbox Games Showcase; ➁ The release date is tentatively set for late October, with the lower-powered version costing $499 and the premium version $799; ➂ The OS of the Xbox Ally is more open, allowing users to access multiple storefronts without subsidies.

➀ The PlayStation 5 has finally surpassed the PS4 in monthly active users, marking a significant milestone for the console. ➁ Sony's latest business segment meeting revealed that around 2/3rds of the 124 million active PlayStation users are on PS5. ➃ Despite the majority of titles still supporting last-gen consoles, the PS5's user base continues to grow.

➀ The DualSense controller of the PlayStation 5 can receive updates to improve connection stability and haptic accuracy. ➁ An upcoming update will allow it to pair with multiple devices simultaneously. ➂ This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently switch between PS5, PC, and smartphones.

➀ GAME has unexpectedly cancelled several pre-orders for the upcoming Switch 2, just a week before its launch; ➁ The official statement from GAME digital apologizes for the cancellations and promises to reinstate as many pre-orders as possible; ➂ The reason for the cancellations remains unclear, leading to speculation among fans.

➀ The Xbox exclusive game Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II will have a physical release through Limited Run Games; ➁ Microsoft has announced an Enhanced version for PlayStation 5; ➂ Limited Run Games has been chosen as the partner for the physical release.

➀ Sony announced the shutdown of PlayStation Stars, a loyalty program introduced in 2022; ➁ The program was not as successful as expected and will be discontinued; ➂ Existing members will have until July 23, 2025, to continue earning rewards, after which the service will cease entirely.

➀ Sony's PlayStation Portal has been a surprise hit since its launch; ➁ Sony has provided strong support and added new functionalities; ➂ The PS Portal is said to be a 'strong and profitable peripheral'; ➃ Initial stock sold out in two days; ➄ Continued improvement and addition of cloud streaming.

➀ Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is announced; ➁ A limited edition DualSense controller is revealed; ➂ Preorders start on May 22nd for £74.99.

➀ Nintendo has released a significant firmware update for the original Switch; ➁ The update brings visual changes and new features in line with the upcoming Switch 2; ➂ It includes new icons, user-verification settings, and improvements to data transfer and online licensing.

➀ Sony has restored fan-favorite console themes to the PS5 with the latest system update; ➁ The update also includes a new Audio Focus mode to enhance the audio experience; ➂ The return of the 30th anniversary PlayStation themes is now available under the 'Appearance and Sound' settings.

➀ Sony has launched a PS5 rental service in Japan; ➁ The service is achieving high utilization rates; ➂ GEO Corporation's rental service is particularly successful with nearly 100% utilization at half of the stores.

➀ Toho has announced plans for a dedicated Godzilla video game; ➁ The game is set to be a console title, marking the first such game since 2014; ➂ The announcement includes several new projects in the Godzilla universe.

➀ Following economic turmoil in the US due to increased tariffs, Nintendo delayed pre-orders for the Switch 2 in various regions. ➁ An insider suggests that Canadians should be able to pre-order the Switch 2 in a week's time. ➂ The pre-order date is expected to start from April 23rd, 2025, in Canada, but it is not confirmed for the US.

➀ The PS5 is experiencing a price increase in several regions, including the UK, after five years on the market; ➁ The price of the PS5 Digital Edition has risen by £70 in five years; ➂ The console is now more expensive than it was five years ago, despite the typical trend of hardware prices decreasing over time.

➀ The PS5 version of 'Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' includes only 20GB of data on the Blu-ray disc; ➁ The game requires an additional 100GB download to play; ➂ The decision not to use a 100GB disc is considered unfortunate, especially considering the minimum size for a 4K Blu-ray is 50GB.

➀ Sony has introduced a limited number of new themes for the PS5's Welcome Hub; ➁ The new themes are animated and based on various games; ➂ The update is currently available to select accounts only.