Xbox is rethinking its identity under new gaming chief Asha Sharma, with exclusivity strategy and Game Pass pricing both under review. Retro fans, meanwhile, have cause to celebrate: Retro Games Limited has launched the Spectrum White Edition to mark 44 years since the original ZX Spectrum, priced at £129.99 at Argos. Ubisoft had better news to share too — Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is officially confirmed for 9 July 2026 — though the publisher also quietly axed Alterra, its Animal Crossing-inspired social sim, making it the seventh cancelled title of 2026. Nintendo revealed Splatoon Raiders for Switch 2, arriving 23 July, while Vampire Survivors studio Poncle confirmed 15 projects in development including new IP and licensed spin-offs. US hardware sales surged 69% year-on-year in March, largely on the back of the Switch 2's continued dominance.

On Pick of the Week, Gary brought board game double-header Clans of Caledonia and Industria to the table, Jerome spotlighted Aether & Iron on PC, and the community weighed in via BlueSky — shoutouts to Leaps and Bounds, a nine-generation console history book, plus praise for Murderbot and Twisted Metal as proof that adaptations can genuinely land.

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