NEWS THIS WEEK

• Xbox chief Phil Spencer is leaving Microsoft
• Asus ROG Xbox Ally X gets price hike in a second region
• WD and Seagate confirm: Hard drives for 2026 sold out
• Kristen Bell Joins ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’ as Amy Rose
• Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green appear in coming soon section of Switch eShop
• Pro Jank Footy Is Set To Release This Year On All Platforms

RELEASE RADAR

• REIGNS: THE WITCHER - 25 February 2026 - PC
• RAIDEN FIGHTERS REMIX COLLECTION - 26 February 2026 - PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch
• RESIDENT EVIL REQUIEM - 27 February 2026 - PC, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• LAYSARA: SUMMIT KINGDOM - 27 February 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, Courtney Smith, 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

• PlayStation State of Play: All the big game announcement
• France gives 28 Clair Obscur developers a knighthood and says ‘video games have reached a new level of recognition’
• Discord To Roll Out "Teen-By-Default" Settings, Require Age Verification
• Game on: Screenwest launches first digital games strategy as production surges with record number of releases in January

RELEASE RADAR

• UNDER THE ISLAND - 17 February 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• STYX: BLADES OF GREED - 19 February 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• STAR TREK: VOYAGER – ACROSS THE UNKNOWN - 19 February 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• LOVE ETERNAL - 19 February 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, 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.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Next-Gen Xbox To Launch in 2027, Suggests AMD CEO
• Steam Hardware: Launch timing and other FAQs
• Sony has patented a touchscreen PlayStation controller that lets players choose where to put the buttons
• Sony patents AI-generated podcasts voiced by characters from its games
• Latest Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase features new and classic titles coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch
• Everything Announced At The February 2026 Nintendo Direct
• Announcing Horizon Hunters Gathering, Guerrilla’s new co-op action game 

RELEASE RADAR

• MEWGENICS - 10 February 2026 - PC
• ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN - 11 February 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• MARIO TENNIS FEVER - 12 February 2026 - Switch 2
• REANIMAL - 13 February 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• HIGH ON LIFE 2 - 13 February 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, Courtney Smith, 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

• Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Direct
• Dispatch Is Censored on Nintendo Switch Due to Platform 'Content Criteria', Developer Says
• It looks like Atari is working on a Rayman revival for the series’ 30th anniversary
• A New The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer Has Dropped

RELEASE RADAR

• ACES OF THUNDER - 3 February 2026 - PC, PSVR
• MENACE - 5 February 2026 - PC
• LOVISH - 5 February 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2
• DRAGON QUEST VII REIMAGINED - 5 February 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2
• NIOH 3 - 6 February 2026 - PC, 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, Courtney Smith, 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

• Prince of Persia: The Sand of Time Remake is cancelled as Ubisoft announces major internal restructuring and more layoffs and studio closures on the way
• Xbox Developer Direct 2026: Everything Announced
• An update from Freeplay
• Experience The Emotional Conclusion Of The Max And Chloe Saga In Life Is Strange: Reunion

RELEASE RADAR

• WINNIES HOLE - 26 January 2026 - PC
• HIGHGUARD - 26 January 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5
• OMI OH MY AI - 28 January 2026 - PC
• CAIRN - 29 January 2026 - PC, PlayStation 5
• I HATE THIS PLACE - 29 January 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Switch
• DON'T STOP GIRLYPOP - 29 January 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, Courtney Smith, 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

• The First Pokémon LEGO Sets Are Up for Preorder
• The God of War TV show casts a surprising Ragnarök vet as Kratos
• Palworld branches into tabletop with official card game
• Amazon has greenlit a Fallout reality show where contestants live in a vault for a ‘huge cash prize’
• SXSW Sydney canned by NSW government after three-year run

RELEASE RADAR

• LUNARS - 19 January 2026 - PC
• GHOST CAM - 19 January 2026 - PC
• 2XKO - 21 January 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 
• MIO MEMORIES IN ORBIT - 21 January 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2
• CULT OF THE LAMB: WOOLHAVEN - 22 January 2026 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch, 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, Courtney Smith, 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

• SILKSONG EXPANSION, HOLLOW KNIGHT REFRESHED, AND MORE!
• Naughty Dog Studio Orders Employee Overtime for ‘Intergalactic’
• VicScreen, Massive Monster announce new Melbourne co-working space and investment fund
• Hordes of Fate continues the legacy of Defiant Development

RELEASE RADAR

• PRITTO PRISONER - 25 December 2025 - PC, Switch, Switch 2
• DUNECRAWL - 5 January 2026 - PC
• Check out the best Australian Made Games on SIFTER's annual list: 2025 The Definitive List of Australian Made Video Games

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, Courtney Smith, 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

• 2025 Game Award Winners
• Everything Announced At The Game Awards 2025
• Everything Shown During Frosty Mini 2025
• Netflix Considers Warner Bros. Games To Be Pretty Much Worthless
• Paramount counters Netflix with hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces Netflix’s Stranger Things expansion

RELEASE RADAR

• SPLITGATE: ARENA RELOADED - 17 December 2025 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
• YOOKA-RE-PLAYLEE - 18 December 2025 - PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• DADISH 4 - 18 December 2025 - Mobile, PC, Switch
• DRINK HUMAN BEANS - 18 December 2025 - 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, Courtney Smith, 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

• Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros, including game developers behind Mortal Kombat, Hogwarts Legacy
• New Helldivers 2 update just shaved 131GB off its PC file size with a "slim version" beta, and I'm ecstatic — here's how to opt into the patch
• Hollow Knight’s developers expect Silksong to lose at The Game Awards: ‘Expedition 33 is exceptional’
• Zootopia 2's Japanese Version Casts Metal Gear Legend Hideo Kojima as a Mole at the Zootopia Police Department
• Capcom is reportedly working on a new Dead Rising sequel starring Frank West
• Following The EA Buyout Deal, The Saudi Arabian PIF Face Money Trouble

RELEASE RADAR

• SKATE STORY - 8 December 2025 - PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2
• UNBEATABLE - 9 December 2025 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• TERMINATOR 2D: NO FATE - 12 December 2025 - PC, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch 
• HALCHEMIST - 11 December 2025 - 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, Courtney Smith, 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

• The Makers of ‘Silksong’ Aren’t Done Just Yet 
• Nintendo Buying Bandai Namco Studio That Co-Developed Splatoon 3, New Pokémon Snap
• Valve Finally Confirms Leaked Steam Machine Price Rumors
• Valve's decision not to sell the Steam Machine at a loss 'isn't stupid' but it is 'peculiar' says Baldur's Gate 3 publishing boss

RELEASE RADAR

• MARVEL COSMIC INVASION - 1 December 2025 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch, Switch 2
• TINGUS GOOSE - 3 December 2025 - PC
• METROID PRIME 4: BEYOND - 4 December 2025 - Switch and Switch 2 
• DON'T SCREAM TOGETHER - 4 December 2025 - PC
• OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 - 4 December 2025 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch, 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, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Hope Corrigan is Hardware Editor. 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.