Amazon Game Studios plans to exit the MMO business, transitioning titles to original developers amid larger industry shifts.
Amazon Game Studios is stepping back from the massive multiplayer online (MMO) genre, shifting the Western operations of Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark back to their South Korean developers, NCSoft and Smilegate, respectively. According to GameSpot, this transition is set for late 2026 and early 2027. Although Amazon didn’t directly develop these titles, it handled their publishing and live service operations in the West, roles which seem increasingly unsustainable for the tech giant. This move signals a shift in focus away from MMOs amid broader realignment within the gaming division.
WARDOGS, a new contender in the competitive shooter space, is building anticipation with its upcoming closed beta. As reported by GamesHub, the game is poised to make a significant impact this year. Details about the beta’s access and features are outlined further in another GamesHub piece, indicating that the developers are preparing for a high-profile release.
In crossover news, 2027 will witness a unique blend of universes with a comic series merging Marvel, Star Wars, and Silent Bob characters. Destructoid notes that this ambitious project celebrates Star Wars’ 50th anniversary and features contributions from well-known comic personalities such as David Marquez and Kevin Smith, promising a creative mash-up that could capture a wide audience of pop culture fans.
Nintendo’s ongoing efforts to expand its virtual console offerings took a step forward with the addition of the GameCube library to the Nintendo Switch 2’s Online Library. GameSpot reports that this new launch not only updates visual resolutions but also includes customizable controls and a nostalgic touch with a specially designed controller. This move underscores Nintendo’s strategy to tap into nostalgic sentiments while broadening the appeal of its ecosystem.
Meanwhile, GameRant brings news for Pokemon GO players, who can currently claim a free maxed-out Mewtwo as part of the game’s 10th anniversary celebration. Offering such high-value rewards continues to be part of the game’s strategy to maintain engagement among its global user base.
Finally, Bethesda is acknowledging a disparity in the performance of Oblivion Remastered across platforms. As Eurogamer points out, while the game’s Switch 2 release has been praised for its optimization, PC, PS5, and Xbox players are left noting persistent performance issues. Bethesda is “looking into” improvements, though specific details or timelines have not been disclosed.
