A recent Call of Duty crossover event featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has sparked debate among players. The issue centers on the high cost of acquiring all the associated cosmetic items, which could total around $90. Players are drawing comparisons to free-to-play games like Fortnite, where cosmetics are a primary revenue source. Some argue that Activision's monetization strategy is excessive, especially given the game's initial purchase price and the presence of battle passes. Critics suggest Call of Duty should adopt a free-to-play model to align with its current monetization practices, while others defend the choice to spend money on cosmetics. Despite the criticism, Call of Duty's continued financial success suggests Activision will likely maintain its current course.

NetEase has laid off the Seattle-based design team responsible for Marvel Rivals, despite the game's recent success. The news was announced by game director Thaddeus Sasser, who expressed surprise at the decision, especially in light of the game's 20 million downloads since December. NetEase confirmed the layoffs, citing "organizational reasons" and a desire to optimize development efficiency. While the company claims these cuts will not affect ongoing support for Marvel Rivals, as the primary development team is in China, this action follows a pattern of NetEase pulling back from overseas investments. Prior to the Marvel Rivals action, NetEase has closed studios and paused operations with other developers, such as Ouka Studios, Worlds Untold, and Jar of Sparks. The gaming community has reacted with anger and shock.

Marvel Rivals, a hero shooter strikingly similar to Overwatch, has gained significant popularity, potentially impacting Overwatch 2's player base. Overwatch 2's director acknowledges the new competitive landscape and sees it as an opportunity for innovation. Blizzard plans to introduce radical changes to Overwatch 2 in 2025, including hero perks and the return of loot boxes, in response to Marvel Rivals' success. Currently, Overwatch 2 suffers from low Steam player numbers and poor user reviews, while Marvel Rivals maintains a high player count. The issues stem from Overwatch 2's monetization strategies and the cancellation of a promised PvE mode. IGN offers further coverage on Marvel Rivals, discussing datamining and a potential Switch 2 version.

A legendary Diablo speedrun from 2009, long considered unbeatable, has been proven fraudulent through rigorous investigation. A team of speedrunners used custom tools to analyze the game's code and map generation. Their analysis revealed inconsistencies suggesting the run was spliced together from multiple attempts and modified. The findings prompted Speed Demos Archive to remove all of Groobo's Diablo runs. The revelation has reignited interest in Diablo speedrunning after a period of stagnation caused by the seemingly impossible record.

Elden Ring Nightreign introduces an upgraded version of the Morgott boss, known as the Fell Omen, who can unexpectedly invade players' games. This new mechanic is a highlight for many testers, with the Fell Omen appearing in various locations as both a surprise attacker and a conclusive end-of-night boss. Testers have praised the challenging invasions, and some encounters might even inflict curse marks on defeated players. This has also sparked speculation about other surprise enemy appearances, raising anticipation for deeper mechanics in the game. The initial network test had server issues, but the player base is looking forward to a more stable environment on May 30th.

Viktor Antonov, the influential art director behind Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has passed away at the age of 52. Tributes from colleagues highlight his significant contributions to game design and world-building. Antonov's career spanned from early work on titles like Redneck Rampage to designing the iconic City 17, drawing inspiration from his Bulgarian upbringing. His impact extended beyond video games to animated films, showcasing his diverse artistic talent. Antonov's creative vision and unique ability to craft immersive worlds left a lasting mark on the gaming industry and inspired countless others. He recently discussed his work in Valve’s 20th anniversary documentary for Half-Life 2.