• Destiny 2: Every End is a New Beginning
• Bungie Plans Layoffs After Ending ‘Destiny 2’ Development
• Sony Announces PlayStation Plus Price Increases 'Due to Ongoing Market Conditions'
• Forza Horizon 6 immediately beats its predecessor's all-time Steam record with 130,000 concurrent players – and that's only counting people willing to pay $120 for early access

• 007 FIRST LIGHT - 27 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• BLUEBERRY - 28 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch
• CRASHOUT CREW - 28 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S
• NICKELODEON EXTREME TENNIS: NEXT! - 28 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch
• MINA THE HOLLOWER - 29 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2
• STARVESTER - 29 May 2026 - PC

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne and Mitch Loh are Senior Producers and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

• Party Animals holds an AI-Slop contest, leading to their Steam page getting review bombed
• AI Video Contest: Statement and Community Vote
• Leaked images show Microsoft’s new Xbox Cloud Gaming controller
• Leaked images reveal Xbox Elite 3 controller with mysterious new buttons
• Valve snuck a Wilhelm scream Easter egg into the new Steam Controller
• New sci-fi D&D adventure crashes Kickstarter, raises $3.7 million on its first day
• Neon Odyssey Official Trailer | Animated Music Video

• FORZA HORIZON 6 - 19 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• PROJECT MIST - 19 May 2026 PC
• SCHRODINGER'S CAT BURGLAR - 21 May 2026 - PC
• YOSHI AND THE MYSTERIOUS BOOK - 21 May 2026 - Switch 2
• COFFEE TALK TOKYO - 21 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2
• LEGO BATMAN: LEGACY OF THE DARK KNIGHT - 22 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

• Star Fox announced for Switch 2, out June 25th
• Star Fox Direct 5.6.2026
• Valve opens Steam Controller reservations, but it's "limited to one" per person, so you better act fast
• Diablo 4′s Secret Cow Level Has Finally Been Found, So Now Obviously Players Are Trying To Summon The Cow God
• The Nintendo Switch 2 Just Got A Price Increase
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 cruises Australian skies

• OUTBOUND - 11 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2
• DIRECTIVE 8020 - 12 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• SUBNAUTICA 2 - 14 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

• Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced preview – release date, new details revealed
• Australian Government Orders Steam, Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox to Outline Child Grooming and Extremism Prevention Measures
• Game Pass Gets Price Drop, New Call Of Duty Games No Longer Included
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Just Got A Massive Price Drop And Here’s The New Aussie Pricing
• The Lenovo Legion Go S is RAMageddon’s latest victim
• Japan entertainment giant Toei is forming its own gaming division

• MOOMINTROLL: WINTER'S WARMTH - 27 April 2026 - PC, Switch, Switch 2
• APHELION - 28 April 2026 - PlayStation, Xbox, PC 
• DIABLO IV: LORD OF HATRED - 28 April 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• SAROS - 30 April 2026 - PlayStation 5
• INKONBINI: ONE STORE. MANY STORIES - 30 April 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2
• BUS BOUND - 1 May 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5

‍

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

• FREEPLAY FOREVER ☆*:・ﾟ
• Xbox CEO Reportedly Tells Employees "Game Pass Has Become Too Expensive For Players"
• It’s Official! Filming on the Zelda Movie Has Wrapped, Sony Pictures Confirms
• Roblox adds Kids accounts, experts fear for pressure on parents

• PRATFALL - 20 April 2026 - PC
• TIDES OF TOMORROW - 22 April 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• KILN - 23 April 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• PAWS COVEN - 24 April 2026 - PC‍

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

• Castlevania headlines a big list of exciting indie game reveals 
• Nintendo Removing 'Thousands' of Super Mario Maker 2 Levels, Tells Fans They're 'Advertising'
• Mass Effect TV series reportedly rewritten to appeal to non-gamers
• The Metal Gear Solid Movie Is Still Happening But With New Directors
• Take-Two Reportedly Lays off "Entire" AI Team

• REPLACED - 14 April 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S
• OPUS: PRISM PEAK - 16 April 2026 - PC
• MOUSE: P.I. For Hire - 16 April 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• GECKO GODS - 16 April 2026 - PC, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2
• TOMODACHI LIFE: LIVING THE DREAM - 16 April 2026 - Switch, Switch 2
• PRAGMATA - 17 April 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2 

‍

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

• A PS5 now costs $250 more than it did at launch in Australia
• A Zelda Ocarina Of Time Remake And A New Star Fox Game Are Apparently On The Way
• Dave the Diver's Generative AI Translations "Go Through Substantial Internal Review"
• Asha Sharma Nixed "This is an Xbox" Because It "Didn't Feel Like Xbox"

• ORIGAMENT: A PAPER ADVENTURE - 7 April 2026 - PC
• PEOPLE OF NOTE - 7 April 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• STARFIELD - 7 April 2026 - PlayStation 5
• HIGH ABOVE - 9 April 2026 - PC

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

• Announcing NVIDIA DLSS 5 | AI-Powered Breakthrough in Visual Fidelity for Games
• "It's Re-Rendering the Game!" – It Turns Out Game Artists Don't Love DLSS 5, Despite Nvidia's Claims
• Netflix Assassin's Creed Series Setting and Exact Time Period Confirmed
• The hotfix solution for broken Custom Content and Mods is here in the latest Sims 4 Update Hotfix!
• The Sims 4 Mods and CC Broken In Latest Update
• SteamOS update preview brings "initial support" for the Steam Machine, plus new power and Bluetooth tricks for Steam Decks
• Nintendo really just silently dropped the biggest backwards compatibility update in the Switch 2's life, and I need to upgrade my setup
• Screen Canberra announces inaugural recipients of new Screen and Games Fund

• DAMON AND BABY - 25 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• LIFE IS STRANGE: REUNION - 26 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• SCREAMER - 26 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• MEGA MAN STAR FORCE LEGACY COLLECTION - 27 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch‍

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

• Sony is testing dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store
• We Had 400 People Shop For Groceries. What We Found Will Shock You
• The Pokémon Company Is Actively Recruiting PhD Holders With Backgrounds in Ecology to Work in Tokyo
• Embark Studios head Patrick Söderlund explains how Arc Raiders was made on "a quarter of the budget" of a AAA title
• Acting out on Steam
• Announcing the finalists for the 23rd Annual Samsung IT Journalism Awards

• THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS: ORIGIN - 16 March 2026 - PC, PlayStation, Android, iOS
• STARSHIP TROOPERS: ULTIMATE BUG WAR! - 16 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• MLB THE SHOW 26 - 17 March 2026 - Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• CRIMSON DESERT - 19 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• DRAGONKIN: THE BANISHED - 19 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5

‍

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Highguard is closing next week: 'Despite the passion and hard work of our team, we have not been able to build a sustainable player base to support the game long term'
• Sony Pulls Back From PlayStation Games on PC
• The 2026 Women’s Day Sale is now live on Steam with some great discounts on games by women and other gender-marginalised developers
• Nintendo’s Indie World showcase has given players some new titles to look forward to

RELEASE RADAR

• GHOST OF YŌTEI - LEGENDS - 10 March 2026 - PlayStation 5
• WWE 2K26 - 12 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• JOHN CARPENTER’S TOXIC COMMANDO - 12 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• GREEDFALL: THE DYING WORLD - 12 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• MONSTER HUNTER STORIES 3: TWISTED REFLECTIONS - 13 March 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.