Video Game News Roundup – March 31, 2025
Welcome to our comprehensive roundup of the most recent video game news! Today’s key highlights include:
- The much-anticipated feature in Monster Hunter Wilds that will allow players to transmogrify their Artian weapons has been confirmed. Additionally, the developers have finally acknowledged the PC performance issues that have been plaguing the game.
- A seasoned developer has sparked a debate on the quality of video game collectibles, stating: ‘collectibles in games shouldn’t have to be disappointing, take the Korok Seeds for example.’
- Monster Hunter Wilds has achieved a significant milestone, selling over 10 million copies in its first month. This statistic is particularly noteworthy as it represents a third of the total sales of Monster Hunter World over its seven-year lifespan.
Monster Hunter Wilds Update: Artian Weapons Transmog and Acknowledgement of PC Performance Issues
Source: PC Gamer – March 31, 2025
Despite being on the market for more than a month, Capcom continues to enhance Monster Hunter Wilds. In addition to a roadmap for future updates such as this week’s Title Update 1—bringing Mizutsune, a gathering hub, and arena quests—there are more updates anticipated throughout May, leading up to a significant patch in the summer. But there’s more to it. To celebrate the game’s impressive milestone of selling over 10 million copies, director Yuya Tokuda penned an extensive blog post. It not only revisits known features but also acknowledges the PC version’s performance issues. Further, the post provides additional details about what players can expect in the coming months.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Seasoned Developer Argues: ‘Videogame Collectibles Don’t Have to Suck, Korok Seeds I’m Looking at You’
Source: PC Gamer – March 31, 2025
What truly constitutes a good collectible in a video game? I can readily identify what makes a collectible undesirable, but pinpointing what makes one compelling is a different story. Is it the satisfying sound it makes upon acquisition? Or perhaps the progress bar it fills on your screen? Joe Morrissey, a veteran writer and director who recently spoke at GDC, posits some interesting thoughts. For those unfamiliar, Morrissey boasts an impressive resume, having contributed to the development of Diablo 2 and 3, InFamous 1 and 2, and Ghost of Tsushima.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Monster Hunter Wilds Sells Over 10 Million Copies in Its First Month, One-Third of World’s 7-Year Sales
Source: PC Gamer – March 31, 2025
The initial month for Monster Hunter Wilds has been enormously successful. Capcom reported that over 10 million copies of the game were sold in the first few weeks alone. Approximately eight million were sold within the first three days of launch, making it the fastest-selling game in Capcom’s history. Despite the subsequent slowdown after the initial excitement, the sale of an additional two million copies in the following weeks is indeed noteworthy. These figures already place Wilds tantalizingly close to the 15 million copies sold benchmark set by 2021’s Monster Hunter Rise. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Wilds surpasses this figure before the year ends.
Continue reading the full article at PC Gamer →
New Expansion for Cult Classic Rain World Unveils Mysterious Slugcat
Source: PC Gamer – March 31, 2025
Anticipation has been building since last year, and finally, the new expansion for the atmospheric and ecologically-driven platformer, Rain World, has arrived. In this extension, titled Rain World: The Watcher, players step into the role of Nightcat, also known as The Watcher. This adorable new slugcat has a unique twist – it’s tasked with discovering mysterious echoes of its past, compelling you to explore new regions of the map.
The official description teases, “Journey beyond to a location only ever glimpsed. As the world beneath your feet shatters, how will you cling to your former life?”
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Path of Exile 2 Dev GGG Discusses Dawn of the Hunt Expansion, the Huntress, and Potentially Overpowered Unique
Source: IGN – March 31, 2025
Three months after the early access launch of Path of Exile 2, Grinding Gear Games’ development team is gearing up for their first major expansion, Dawn of the Hunt. This expansion is set to introduce the first new character class to the action-RPG, along with new endgame activities and additional features. IGN recently interviewed game director Jonathan Rogers to gauge the team’s thoughts on the game’s reception so far and to delve into the exciting details of the forthcoming update. Rogers was asked, “It’s been three months since the game’s early access release. How does the team perceive the response so far?”
Read the full article at IGN →
Blizzard Allegedly Entertains New StarCraft Game Proposals From Renowned Korean Developers
Source: IGN – March 31, 2025
Blizzard Entertainment is believed to have received numerous proposals for new StarCraft video games from Korean studios. This news surfaced via the Twitter account @KoreaXboxnews, referencing an article from Asia Today. It lists four Korean firms — NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble, and Krafton — that are allegedly vying to develop new games based on the StarCraft intellectual property (IP) and secure publishing rights. Some of these companies have reportedly visited Blizzard’s headquarters in Irvine, California, to present their proposals. NCSoft, creator of the Lineage and Guild Wars MMOs, is said to have proposed a type of StarCraft RPG, possibly an MMORPG.
Read the full IGN article here →
SAG-AFTRA Supports Student Developers and Game Jams Amidst Video Game Performance Strike
Source: PC Gamer – March 30, 2025
In the midst of its ongoing strike, SAG-AFTRA has taken a significant step to support student game developers. The organization has introduced a new exception that will permit striking video game actors to contribute to student projects and game jams. On Friday, SAG-AFTRA launched the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement. These initiatives provide opportunities for union member actors to engage in certain projects without violating the terms of their strike. The primary objective of both agreements is to foster the growth of early-career game developers.
As SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland articulated in a press release, “Our members are passionate about this industry and they want to be able to participate in these types of projects where the future of video games is being shaped.”
For more details, read the full article at PC Gamer →
Potential Nintendo Switch 2 Remake Reveal Ignites Excitement for Final Fantasy 9’s 25th Anniversary
Source: IGN – March 31, 2025
Anticipation is building around the much-anticipated Final Fantasy 9 remake following the launch of the official Final Fantasy 9 25th Anniversary website by Square Enix. The Japanese website highlights the original release date of Final Fantasy 9 (July 7, 2000) and reminds fans that the game is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. “We are preparing various projects, including merchandise and collaborations, to commemorate the 25th anniversary. Please look forward to it!” the site announces. This seemingly casual statement, coupled with the launch of the anniversary website, has reignited speculation that Square Enix might finally unveil the long-awaited Final Fantasy 9 remake.
Read the full article at IGN →
Developers of Palworld Announce Potential Launch of a High School Dating Sim
Source: Kotaku – March 31, 2025
The creators of Palworld have made a surprising re-announcement of their high school dating simulation game, Pal♡world! ~More Than Just Pals~. Initially thought to be an April Fools’ prank in 2024, it seems the game may be a genuine project this time around. This unexpected news has left many in the gaming community puzzled.
The announcement was accompanied by a comprehensive Steam page, a new trailer, screenshots, and detailed descriptions of the main characters. The game, which at first glance appears to target a niche audience, has left everyone wondering: What’s coming next after Pokémon: The Indigo Disk?
For more information, read the full article at Kotaku →
Experience a Unique Twist in Monster Hunter Wilds with a Mod that Transforms the Lance into a Huge Pointing Finger
Source: PC Gamer – March 30, 2025
Monster Hunter Wilds’ action-packed gameplay has always been engaging, but it was lacking a certain…finger? That’s right! The game was missing the opportunity to defeat monsters with a comically large yet disturbingly realistic pointing finger. Thankfully, mods are here to fill in the gaps where the game might have fallen short. The Handy Lance mod, developed by Nexus Mods user placeholder0646, provides this unique experience. It swaps out either the Hope Lance or the Artian Lance for an oversized pointing finger, large enough to reach a Rathalos’s nostrils from a safe distance. Fear not, your protection is still intact. The shield has been revamped into a giant palm, facing outward for maximum defense.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Ubisoft Considers Introducing a More Challenging Difficulty Option for Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Source: GameSpot – March 31, 2025
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows already poses a challenge depending on the chosen gameplay options, Ubisoft is contemplating the introduction of an even harder difficulty level. This consideration comes in the wake of community feedback and ongoing patch updates. Ubisoft reveals that they are “actively exploring” the possibility of a higher difficulty setting to cater to fans eager to test their skills to the utmost. GamesRadar had an exclusive chat with Jonathon Dumont, the creative director of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, who confirmed that the development team is contemplating the addition of “a more challenging difficulty level for certain players.” The team is also paying close attention to player feedback on the game. Dumont stated, “While we can’t implement every suggestion, we are planning to act on some of them. The upcoming updates will feature a substantial number of bug fixes and small feature enhancements.”
Read the full article at GameSpot →
Monster Hunter Wilds Surpasses 10 Million Sales, Capcom Details Reasons for Remarkable Success
Source: IGN – March 31, 2025
The exceptional success of Monster Hunter Wilds shows no signs of abating. The game has effortlessly surpassed the 10 million sales mark, establishing a new record for its developer and publisher, Capcom. This achievement denotes a first-month sales record for Capcom, as no other game in the company’s history has sold more copies within a month of its release. Monster Hunter Wilds had already set a record as the fastest-selling game in Capcom’s history after selling 8 million copies in its first three days. In an issued press statement, Capcom outlined why it believes Monster Hunter Wilds has been so successful, even exceeding the performance of Monster Hunter World. The company highlighted the introduction of crossplay and the simultaneous launch on both console and PC platforms (unlike World, which was released on PC six months after its console launch) as pivotal factors contributing to Wilds’ success.
Read the full article at IGN →
Lazarus: A Stylish Enigma
Source: Polygon – March 31, 2025
Lazarus, the latest anime from the esteemed Shinichirō Watanabe, is a smorgasbord of thought-provoking elements. It combines scientific wonders, thrilling action, and a captivating mystery that’s just starting to unravel. The show’s appeal, however, extends beyond its intricate plot. Its visually stunning and evocative design is so compelling that it takes center stage. A new project from Watanabe is always anticipated, but the team working on Lazarus is uniquely impressive. Alongside Watanabe and animation from MAPPA (known for Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man), Lazarus boasts big names on the score, including jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington and English DJs Bonobo and Floating Points. The action is designed by none other than Chad Stahelski, the mastermind behind John Wick.
Read the full article on Polygon →
Considering a split keyboard? Here’s an unconventional DIY approach
Source: PC Gamer – March 31, 2025
Split keyboards may not suit everyone’s preference. However, if you’re intrigued by the concept of wide-set typing but hesitant to shell out $200+ for models like the Kinesis Freestyle Edge, there’s an unorthodox solution available. The Japanese YouTube channel, Nomoluk Report, presents a method for converting a regular keyboard into a split one. Admittedly, the process isn’t exactly quick or straightforward. As noticed by Hackaday, the Nomuluk Report takes a saw blade to a standard mechanical keyboard, dividing it in half, akin to a magic show going awry.
Following the audacious act of keyboard dissection, the channel proceeds with a soldering iron to rewire the components, resulting in a contraption that seemingly pleads for mercy.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
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