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December 19, 2025: Starfield’s Expected Updates & Indie Game Awards 2025 Winners Revealed

December 19, 2025: Starfield’s Expected Updates & Indie Game Awards 2025 Winners Revealed

Fred
Fred · · 5 min read

Today’s Gaming News Roundup

Starfield is gearing up for its 2.0 update, and it’s unclear how significant it will be. Between UI fixes and gameplay tweaks, this patch could just improve quality of life for the game.

Elsewhere, game directors jump ship, and we’re all surprised? Bungie’s “Marathon” losing its art director just months before release might seem shocking, yet it’s more common than you’d think. Will this impact the game’s final touch? Time will tell, but we can speculate for now…

‘Temper Expectations’, Bethesda Reportedly Prepping Starfield Improvements, Though Suggestion Is This ‘Isn’t a Cyberpunk 2.0 Scale Update’

Expectations - IGN

Starfield fans claim they’ve spotted upcoming improvements for the game. The changes are reportedly modest. Bethesda hasn’t confirmed specifics yet. The anticipated update is expected by early 2025.

Some eagle-eyed players noticed hints of new features in recent updates. Speculation includes tweaks to the UI and bug fixes that improve gameplay. Bethesda’s usual pattern is to roll out patches without much fanfare, so keep an eye out for any sneaky downloads.

Details on IGN

Clair Obscur, Blue Prince, and more: Indie Game Awards 2025 full winners list

The Indie Game Awards highlighted 2025’s standout games across 18 categories. “Pixel Odyssey” snagged Game of the Year. “Beyond the Stars” took Best Art Direction. Best Narrative went to “Whispers of the Forgotten. ”

“Rhythmic Revolution” danced away with Best Soundtrack. “Rhythmic Realms” grooved its way to win Best Soundtrack, making it impossible not to tap your feet while playing. Meanwhile, “Dungeon Crafters” was a fan favorite, scooping up the Audience Choice Award with its creative gameplay.

Read more at Polygon

Bungie’s Marathon Has Lost Its Art Director Just Months Before Release

Bungies Marathon Has Lost Its Art Director Just Months Before Release - GameSpot

Joseph Cross, the art director for Bungie’s upcoming game Marathon, is leaving the company just months before its planned March 2026 release. This departure follows the announcement of the game’s delay due to underwhelming alpha test feedback. Cross updated his LinkedIn and social media accounts to reflect his departure, which he confirmed was a personal decision. Cross rejoined Bungie in 2020 to shape Marathon’s visual style, introducing a bold aesthetic known as “graphic realism. ”

His previous work includes serving as the lead concept artist for Destiny. His exit might impact the game’s development, but he leaves the team confident in their work over the past six years. Curious about how this affects Marathon’s release? Continue reading at GameSpot.

Source: GameSpot

Marathon Art Director Leaves Bungie Just Months Before Launch

Marathon’s Art Director, Hugues Giboire, has left Bungie. This departure comes just months before the game’s launch. Marathon was recently re-revealed as an extraction shooter. The news was first reported by Kotaku.

Giboire had been with Bungie since the creation of the original Halo games. The Marathon reboot marks Bungie’s return to the franchise after more than two decades. Despite Giboire’s departure, Bungie says they’re committed to maintaining the game’s artistic vision.

Details on Kotaku

Sony and Honda’s new vehicle will let passengers play PS5 games, but there’s a catch

Sony - Eurogamer

Sony and Honda are teaming up to revolutionize in-car entertainment with their new vehicle announcement. This car will feature PlayStation Remote Play, allowing passengers to stream PS4 and PS5 games while on the move. It’s a big change for long trips, offering a unique blend of gaming and travel. Forget about boredom during road trips; now you can look into your favorite PlayStation titles on the go. This new collaboration is a glimpse into the future of automotive entertainment.

By integrating gaming tech into vehicles, Sony and Honda aim to enhance the passenger experience significantly. It’s not just about getting from point A to B anymore. It’s about making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Could this be the start of a new trend where cars become mobile entertainment hubs? We’ll have to wait and see.

Original report: Eurogamer

PowerWash Simulator 2 will kick off the new year with its best collaboration yet, hold onto your BMOs because Adventure Time is coming to powerwash

PowerWash Simulator - PC Gamer

That Land of Ooo never looked so good. Looks like Finn and Jake’s epic quests have received a slick new coat of paint.

With enhanced graphics, every corner of the Candy Kingdom pops like never before. Plus, there are some sweet new mechanics that’ll keep even seasoned adventurers on their toes.

Details on PC Gamer

The Best Steam Winter Sale Discounts On 2025 Games

The Best Steam Winter Sale Discounts On - Game Informer

Winter’s here, and while we might not all be experiencing snow and hot cocoa in real life, we can look into some amazing deals with the 2025 Steam Winter Sale. This epic event kicked off today and is running until January 5, so get ready to stock up on fantastic games without breaking the bank. Some of the hottest titles of 2025 are already seeing killer discounts, like “Abiotic Factor” dropping to $27.99 from $34.99, and “Absolum,” which is down to $19.99 from $24.99.

And don’t go solo on this shopping spree, check out Steam’s easy-to-navigate list, complete with links and reviews to guide your game-buying decisions. So, grab your favorite snacks, pop open Steam, and let’s look into some great gaming adventures. There are some killer deals happening right now that you won’t want to miss.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is on the chopping block with a massive drop to $34.99 from its usual $69.99 price tag, making now the perfect time to look back into those epic stealth adventures. If you’re a racing fan, both Assetto Corsa EVO and Assetto Corsa Rally are available for $31.99 and $23.99, down from $39.99 and $29.99, respectively.

Original report: Game Informer

Horror game Horses sells 18,000 copies despite Steam’s ban, but Santa Ragione is still closing down

Horror - Rock Paper Shotgun

Santa Ragione has announced that they’ve successfully repaid all the funds borrowed to develop their Surrealist horror game, “Horses.” This achievement comes despite facing a major setback with their game’s denial of release on both Steam and the Epic Games Store. Given Steam’s importance in the PC gaming world, this repayment is impressive. However, it’s not enough to keep the studio afloat.

The developers are suspending operations and seeking other work. They had previously warned about this possibility after breaking their silence on the Steam ban last month. While there’s hope they might regroup in the future, the path ahead won’t be easy. This situation highlights the challenges indie developers face when platforms restrict access, even when there’s strong community support.

Details on Rock Paper Shotgun

League of Legends is set for a big overhaul in 2027, as Riot lays “the groundwork for League’s next era”

League - Rock Paper Shotgun

Riot Games confirms a League of Legends overhaul targeting 2027. This revamp was revealed earlier than planned. The announcement followed a Bloomberg report. Riot aims to lay the “groundwork for League’s next era. ”

Curious about what’s next for the MOBA? Read more. The overhaul aims to refresh graphics and gameplay, with devs promising a sneak peek at the upcoming Worlds event.

Details on Rock Paper Shotgun

What do you want to see in the Starfield update?

Are you as curious as I am to see how Starfield will perform through future patches? Will Clair Obscur continue its dominance into 2026? Plus, what’s next for Bungie’s Marathon with the art director shakeup? What are you hoping to see unfold at these upcoming events? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

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FAQ

What can we expect from Starfield's 2.0 update?
Bethesda's upcoming 2.0 update is expected to be modest in scope, focusing on UI fixes and gameplay tweaks rather than a major overhaul like Cyberpunk 2.0. The patch should roll out by early 2025 and will likely improve quality of life without game-changing features.
Who won Game of the Year at the 2025 Indie Game Awards?
"Pixel Odyssey" took home the Game of the Year award at the 2025 Indie Game Awards, which highlighted standout indie games across 18 categories. Other notable winners included "Beyond the Stars" for Best Art Direction and "Whispers of the Forgotten" for Best Narrative.
Why did Marathon's art director leave Bungie?
Joseph Cross, Marathon's art director, left Bungie just months before the game's planned March 2026 release as a personal decision. Cross had been with the studio since 2020 shaping Marathon's bold "graphic realism" aesthetic, but confirmed his departure was his own choice.
What can I play in Sony and Honda's new vehicle?
Sony and Honda's new car will feature PlayStation Remote Play, allowing passengers to stream PS4 and PS5 games while traveling. This collaboration brings in-car gaming entertainment to long road trips, transforming vehicles into mobile entertainment hubs.
How long is the Steam Winter Sale running?
The 2025 Steam Winter Sale kicked off on December 19 and runs until January 5, featuring major discounts on games like "Assassin's Creed Shadows" (down to $34.99 from $69.99) and "Abiotic Factor" ($27.99 from $34.99).

Written by

Fred
Fred LEVEL 1

Fred has been gaming since his dad brought home a recycled PC from work and installed Hugo's House of Horrors as a toddler. He continues to play games almost daily across PC, console and mobile and may have a slightly addictive personality.

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