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Featured image for February 03, 2026: Steam Quietly Withdraws Under Fire MMO Ashes & Switch 2 Surges

February 03, 2026: Steam Quietly Withdraws Under Fire MMO Ashes of Creation & Switch Surges

Fred
Fred · · 5 min read

Today’s Gaming News Roundup

Steam just pulled the plug on Ashes of Creation. With the director and top dogs bailing just after launch, who’s even gonna maintain the servers now?

Plus, we’ve got Netflix’s next JoJo anime ready to rock our worlds, and news on the Switch 2 already slapping the Wii U’s lifetime sales. And can we talk about that Ubisoft dev getting booted after calling out the end of WFH? Let’s get into the details!

Steam Quietly Withdraws Under Fire MMO Ashes of Creation From Sale As Fans Wonder Who’s Left to Maintain the Servers

Steam Quietly Withdraws Under Fire MMO Ashes - IGN

Steam pulled Ashes of Creation from sale after its director quit. The MMO launched just weeks ago. The leadership team also left, causing uncertainty. This move comes amid big player backlash.

The game’s sudden removal has left many players who recently purchased it wondering what comes next. Steam issued refunds for those who bought Ashes of Creation, adding to the chaos. Intrepid Studios, the game’s developer, has yet to announce any future plans or updates.

Details on IGN

Netflix’s JoJo: Steel Ball Run anime will be a Bizarre Adventure like no other

Netflix is diving headfirst into the anime world with its upcoming adaptation of “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.” This new series is based on the widely popular manga by Hirohiko Araki. Scheduled for release in March 2025, it promises to captivate both newcomers and long-time fans. The series will be directed by Kenichi Suzuki, known for his work on the “JoJo” anime in 2012, ensuring a faithful yet fresh take on the beloved franchise. What makes this adaptation stand out?

It’s not just the nostalgia factor. Netflix is pumping serious resources into this project, aiming for high-quality animation and a stellar voice cast. With anime’s growing popularity on streaming platforms, this could be a big change for Netflix’s anime lineup. Will it live up to the hype and become an instant classic? Only time will tell, but the anticipation is real.

Details on Polygon

Switch Has Beaten The Wii U’s Lifetime Sales In Just 7 Months

Nintendo’s financial results for the nine months ending December 31, 2025, reveal a major milestone: the original Switch is now Nintendo’s best-selling console ever, with 155.37 million units sold. While it hasn’t surpassed the PS2’s record of 160 million units, the Switch has overtaken the Nintendo DS, which sold 154.02 million units. Impressive, right? Looking ahead, Nintendo forecasts selling an additional 750,000 Switch consoles by the fiscal year ending April 1.

The Switch 2’s strong performance is also noted, but the original Switch’s enduring appeal is the headline here. Can it finally dethrone the PS2 in the coming years? We’ll have to wait and see.

Details on GameSpot

Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Dev Fired Less Than Two Weeks After Criticizing Company’s Plans To End Work From Home

David Michaud-Cromp, an Assassin’s Creed developer at Ubisoft, was fired less than two weeks after criticizing the company’s decision to end work-from-home policies. Previously, he faced an unpaid suspension for similar public dissent. This incident was reported by Kotaku, highlighting tensions within the company. Michaud-Cromp’s dismissal reflects ongoing debates over remote work in the gaming industry.

Apparently, the criticism came via a series of tweets, which have since been deleted. Michaud-Cromp’s departure has sparked debate in the gaming community about studio work environments. Ubisoft hasn’t publicly responded to the situation, leaving us all wondering about their stance on employee feedback.

Source: Kotaku

The PC game releases we’re most excited about in February

The PC - PC Gamer

The latest buzz in the gaming world involves an intriguing mashup for fans of The Sims and Resident Evil. A new mod lets players add Resident Evil’s Leon Kennedy into The Sims 4. This unexpected crossover allows players to spice up their virtual lives with the dashing protagonist known for battling the undead. The mod even includes quirky, custom content like weird cats to accompany Leon on his Sims adventures. This interesting blend of survival horror and life simulation could attract fans from both franchises.

Gamers who love crafting unique stories in The Sims now have a chance to add a heroic twist with Leon. It’s a fun way to bring a favorite character into an everyday setting. Plus, with the addition of bizarre pets, players can expect more unexpected antics in their Sims households. Could this spark more crossovers in the future? Only time will tell.

Read more at PC Gamer

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Review – Smooth Sailing

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Review - Game Informer

We’ve got some exciting news about a fresh take on a classic. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is dropping on February 5, 2026, and it’s available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC. Square Enix has both developed and published this gem, making it accessible to a whole new generation since the original versions are getting harder to play.

This updated version offers a simple and approachable experience, with a cool new art direction and engaging mechanics. However, it’s a bit on the easy side, which might leave veteran players wanting more of a challenge. The story kicks off with our protagonist discovering an ancient map fragment, leading to an epic quest through time to restore lost islands. It’s a delightful mix of nostalgia and fresh gameplay that might just be what you need.

Full story via Game Informer

Valheim developers celebrate the game’s fifth anniversary with flower garlands, sweetbread, and Steam Deck optimisations

Valheim - Rock Paper Shotgun

Iron Gate’s Valheim just celebrated five years in Early Access with an anniversary update. The patch adds flower garlands and mysterious axe heads to spice up your adventures. Even cooler, it optimizes performance with a steady 60 fps on Steam Deck. Forget boring birthday parties; this update is the real celebration.

You’ll also find a new dungeon to look at, packed with treasures and challenges for your Viking squad. The devs snuck in some quality of life improvements, like fixing those pesky inventory bugs we all love to hate. Plus, a bunch of new achievements have been added, so there’s even more reason to sink hours into this survival saga.

Read more at Rock Paper Shotgun

Civilization 7’s big Test of Time update that’ll bring back playing as one civ for the whole game is set to drop this spring

Civilization 7s big Test of Time - Rock Paper Shotgun

Civ 7 is about to celebrate its first birthday next week. Firaxis has spent the year making regular additions and tweaks after the game’s mixed reception. They’re planning big changes with “major implications” for Civ 7. Curious about what these changes might be?

Read more. They’ve teased a new expansion pack that promises to shake up gameplay mechanics and add fresh leaders to try out. Plus, there’s been chatter about a community-driven mod support feature in the works, which has us pretty stoked.

Source: Rock Paper Shotgun

What’s next for Ashes of Creation?

Ashes of Creation getting tossed from Steam could be the plot twist we didn’t see coming. Is it the beginning of the end, or can it rise from the ashes (pun totally intended)? I’m torn, but I’m leaning towards a rocky road ahead. What’s your prediction, are we looking at a redemption arc? Hit the comments with your thoughts!

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FAQ

Why did Steam remove Ashes of Creation from sale?
Steam pulled Ashes of Creation after the game's director and leadership team quit just weeks after launch. The sudden departures sparked major player backlash and left uncertainty about who would maintain the servers going forward.
When is Netflix's JoJo: Steel Ball Run anime coming out?
Netflix's JoJo: Steel Ball Run anime is scheduled to release in March 2025 and will be directed by Kenichi Suzuki, who previously worked on the JoJo anime in 2012.
How many units has the Nintendo Switch sold?
The original Switch has sold 155.37 million units as of December 31, 2025, making it Nintendo's best-selling console ever and surpassing the Nintendo DS's 154.02 million units.
Why was the Assassin's Creed developer fired from Ubisoft?
David Michaud-Cromp was fired less than two weeks after publicly criticizing Ubisoft's decision to end work-from-home policies via tweets. He had previously faced an unpaid suspension for similar public dissent.
What's coming in Dragon Quest VII Reimagined on February 5, 2026?
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined launches February 5, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC, featuring a new art direction and gameplay that follows a protagonist discovering an ancient map fragment and traveling through time to restore lost islands.

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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