Assassin's Creed Valhalla was too damn long — but Mirage won't be! We're joined by Sam Tolbert to talk about the new game in the Assassin's Creed franchise, and a preview of New Tales from the Borderlands. We also touch base on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Embracer Group's shopping spree, a handheld console from Logitech, and more.

LINKS:

• Assassin's Creed Mirage officially revealed, more coming at Ubisoft Forward | Windows Central
• Grafaiai — Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Official Website
• New Tales from the Borderlands preview: Misfits and mayhem return | Windows Central
• Embracer Group acquires The Lord of the Rings IP, Limited Run Games, Tripwire Interactive, and more | Windows Central
• Logitech G Gaming Handheld sounds like a squarely mid-range cloud gaming console | Android Central
• Nintendo recap: Direct with Zelda games Wind Waker and Twilight Princess rumored for September | iMore

It's a smorgasbord of news this week as the gang talk about PS5 price hikes, Kirby's Dream Buffet, and all the announcements from Gamescom 2022.

LINKS:

• Sony raises PS5 prices in Canada, Europe, Japan, and other markets | Android Central
• Xbox responds to PlayStation’s price hike | Windows Central
• Gamescom 2022 LIVE: Latest announcements, news, trailers, and more | Windows Central
• Kirby's Dream Buffet for Nintendo Switch review: A sweet little racer reminiscent of Mario Party minigames | iMore

The console wars rage on as Sony says Xbox's Call of Duty acquisition could 'influence users' console choice'. We tell you why it's not such a big deal, plus we nerd out latest on Splatoon 3 information, Kirby's Dream Buffet, and more.

LINKS:

• Sony says Xbox’s Call of Duty acquisition could ‘influence users’ console choice,’ Microsoft responds | Windows Central
• Microsoft says Sony's concerns about acquisition are unfounded, will keep ABK games multiplatform | Windows Central
• Everything announced in the Splatoon 3 Direct | iMore
• How to download the Splatoon 3: Splatfest World Premiere demo | iMore
• Kirby's Dream Buffet rolls onto Nintendo Switch next week | iMore

Our own Nadine Dornieden hangs out with Carli and Rebecca for a look at poor financial earnings from Activision Blizzard due to a decline in Call of Duty sales, and the Xbox Game Pass 'Family Plan'. Nintendo is facing its own reduction in sales. But with a new Pokémon game later this year, we expect things will turn around.

LINKS:

• Activision Blizzard Q2 earnings fall due to Call of Duty decline | Windows Central
• Nintendo's declining sales due in part to economic issues and part shortages | iMore
• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Best Fidough fan art | iMore
• Everything announced at the August 2022 Pokémon Presents | iMore
• Xbox Game Pass 'Family Plan' FAQ: This is how much money you'll save sharing | Windows Central
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3 for Nintendo Switch review: A massive tale with emotional depth | iMore

Sam Tolbert fills in for Jen this week and the crew check in on what's going on with Oculus Quest 2 and mobile gaming. They also chat about the indefinite delay of Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic for PS5, MultiVersus for PC and Xbox, and just generally go off the rails. As usual!

LINKS:

• Meta's making the Quest 2 more expensive. What does that mean for the future of VR? | Android Central
• The Oculus Quest 2's price increase is all our fault | Android Central
• Meta Q2 revenue goes down as it raises Quest 2 prices, deals with VR lawsuit | Android Central
• Report: Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic PS5 remake delayed indefinitely | Android Central
• MultiVersus is blowing up on PC and Xbox because it knows what fans want | Windows Central
• MultiVersus tier list: All characters ranked | Windows Central

Mojang Studios has issued a statement about their decision to not allow NFTs and blockchain tech in Minecraft. We talk about why we're so happy about this stance. We also dig into a significant delay for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Chris Pine's fashion sense, and more.

LINKS:

• Blizzard Entertainment's Albany studio QA workers file for unionization | Windows Central
• Activision Blizzard employees to walk out today to demand end to gender inequity, other issues | Windows Central
• Mojang Studios has published an official stance on NFTs and blockchain tech in Minecraft | Windows Central
• Square Enix has finally introduced NFTs for Final Fantasy 7 collectibles | Windows Central
• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora delayed to 2023-24, four other Ubisoft games canceled | Windows Central

GameStop is in the NFT market. But thankfully we have worthwhile gaming news to discuss as well. Bayonetta 3 is on the way for an October release, and Kirby's Dream Buffett will stuff your Switch this summer.

We also review Stray for PS5, Endling - Extinction is Forever, and more!

LINKS:

• Bayonetta 3 gets October 2022 release date on Nintendo Switch | iMore
• Kirby's Dream Buffet rolls onto Nintendo Switch this summer | iMore
• Nintendo recap: Bayonetta 3 finally gets release date, new Kirby game announced, and more | iMore
• Stray for PS5 review: The game that'll make you want a cat | Android Central
• Endling - Extinction is Forever for PC review: A somber tale of survival | Windows Central

What do sketchy new consoles that incorporate NFTs as a means of preordering and lame X-Men powers have in common? Well, nothing, except they are discussed in this episode of Jiggle Physics! The also chat about Skull and Bones, God of War Ragnarok, a Splatoon 3 themed Switch, and more.

LINKS:

• ABetterABK 💙 ABK Workers Alliance on Twitter: "In light of the recent attacks on the civil liberties of our employees, the employee-led Committee Against Sex and Gender Discrimination has scheduled a walk out action on July 21st, 2022 (1/17)" / Twitter
• Skull and Bones gets November 8 release date on Xbox Series X | Windows Central
• God of War Ragnarok release date set for November 9 | Android Central
• God of War Ragnarok preorder guide: Every edition and what's in them on PS4 & PS5 | Android Central
• Nintendo recap: New Splatoon 3 Switch OLED coming in August and more Switch Pro rumors | iMore

There's a new God of War on the way, but people on the internet are making that difficult for devs. We talk about that, news on the Nintendo front, and go on many other tangents.

LINKS:

• Everything announced in the June 2022 Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase | iMore
• Nintendo recap: Metroid Prime rumors, shareholder talks F-Zero, and several Switch games in fall | iMore

Numerous game companies are speaking out in support of reproductive rights for their employees after the US Supreme Court has revoked Roe v. Wade. Rebecca and Jen are joined by special guest Miles Dompier for a conversation about this along with our review of The Quarry, a new Pokémon game, and more.

LINKS:

• The Quarry review: A summer horror blockbuster | Windows Central
• Microsoft and other companies come out to support US workers after Roe v. Wade decision | Windows Central
• Home - National Network of Abortion Funds