Today’s Top Gaming News: Epic Games Store’s 2024 Highlights, PlayStation’s Latest State of Play, and More
February 14, 2025
Epic Games Store’s 2024 Highlights:
In its 2024 Year in Review, Epic Games Store revealed that its top five games—Genshin Impact, Rocket League, Honkai: Star Rail, Grand Theft Auto V, and Fortnite—were all released prior to 2024. This trend underscores the enduring popularity of established titles. The platform also reported 32 million daily active users out of 295 million Windows PC players. Notably, only four out of the top 20 games were released in 2024, highlighting a preference for older, well-established games among players.
PlayStation’s Latest State of Play:
Sony’s recent State of Play event on February 12, 2025, showcased a variety of upcoming titles and updates for PS5 enthusiasts. Highlights include the announcement of release dates for new games and additions to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. Notable titles such as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Top Spin 2K25, and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage are part of February’s lineup. The event emphasized Sony’s commitment to expanding its gaming library and enhancing player experiences.
Roblox’s Stance on Social Media Classification:
Roblox is actively engaging with lawmakers to differentiate itself from traditional social media platforms. With 42% of its 85 million daily users under 13, Roblox emphasizes its educational benefits, safety measures, and the absence of typical social media features like posting and scrolling. This initiative comes as new legislation aims to protect children from online harms, and Roblox seeks to ensure it is not misclassified under these regulations.
Crytek Announces Layoffs and Pauses Crysis 4 Development:
Crytek has announced a 15% reduction in its workforce, totaling around 60 employees, and has put the development of Crysis 4 on hold due to unfavorable market dynamics. The company will now focus on its multiplayer shooter, Hunt: Showdown 1896, which continues to experience growth. This move aligns with a broader industry trend of layoffs and project cancellations observed in recent times.
Steam Introduces Warnings for Abandoned Early Access Games:
To protect consumers, Steam has implemented new warnings for early access games that have not received updates for an extended period. This measure aims to inform players about potentially abandoned projects, ensuring they make informed purchasing decisions. The initiative reflects Steam’s commitment to maintaining transparency and trust within its gaming community.
Upcoming Minecraft Attraction in London:
Launching on April 4, 2025, “Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue” is set to open at the Corner Corner venue in Canada Water, London. This 45-minute interactive adventure features seven themed rooms where participants embark on a mission to save a village from a zombie attack. Tickets are available for presale starting February 12, with general sales commencing on February 14. This attraction coincides with the release of “A Minecraft Movie” and is a collaboration between Experience MOD, Mojang Studios, and Microsoft.
LG TVs to Feature Xbox Cloud Gaming:
Announced at CES 2025, Microsoft and LG are partnering to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to select LG Smart TVs later this year. Subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will be able to stream games directly through the LG Gaming Portal. Further details regarding supported TV models and regional availability are expected in the coming months. This development is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to make gaming more accessible across various devices.
Victoria’s Pokies Reform:
The Victorian government is introducing stringent regulations on poker machines to mitigate gambling-related harm and prevent money laundering. Key measures include mandatory cashless cards with preset gambling limits, reducing the maximum load on machines from $1000 to $100, and extending the spin rate to three seconds per game. These reforms are set to roll out starting mid-2025, with full implementation by December 2025. Crown Melbourne has expressed support for these changes, highlighting their commitment to responsible gambling practices.
The Game Awards and Indie Showcases:
In collaboration with Day of the Devs, The Game Awards recently highlighted several upcoming indie titles. Notable games include “Lok Digital,” a language-learning puzzle game, “TankHead,” a sci-fi roguelike, and “Crescent County,” which combines magical elements with street racing. These showcases underscore the vibrant diversity within the indie gaming scene and offer players a glimpse into innovative gameplay experiences on the horizon.
PlayStation Portal’s Expansion into Cloud Gaming:
Initially launched as a secondary screen for the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation Portal is receiving an update to support dedicated game streaming. PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers will gain access to cloud streaming for over 120 PS5 games. While some features are still in development, this move signals Sony’s exploration into cloud gaming, aligning with industry trends towards more flexible gaming experiences.
Stay tuned to WikiGaming.org for the latest updates in the gaming world.
