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0 of 6 readToday's gaming news centers on project cancellations and studio closures: Krafton canceled the PUBG spin-off Black Budget, and Nerial announced its closure. Meanwhile, Sony unveiled new PS5 upscaling tech, and memory shortages may continue to affect hardware costs.
Krafton cancels PUBG spin-off Black Budget
After evaluating the project's development status and future direction, Pop Studios concluded the current path would not deliver a long-term enjoyable experience, so it terminated development of PUBG: Black Prison Escape and thanked closed beta participants.
Why it mattersThis is the official's first public explanation of the cancellation, and it notes the team will apply development and testing experience to future projects.
Reigns developer Nerial announces closure
Nerial, the studio behind Reigns and Card Shark, has closed and entered 'hibernation mode' following significant trading losses over the past two years.
Why it mattersThe closure highlights the economic pressures in the game industry, especially for small and mid-sized developers.
Sony unveils new PS5 upscaler tech QSSR
Sony has revealed a new upscaling technology called QSSR, which unlike PSSR will work on standard PS5 consoles.
Why it mattersThis could improve visuals and performance on standard PS5, extending the current console generation's lifespan.
Micron warns memory shortages will worsen in 2027
Memory maker Micron says demand will exceed supply through 2028, driving prices higher.
Why it mattersRising memory prices could increase costs for game consoles and PC hardware, ultimately affecting consumer prices.
Xbox CEO denies sale rumors
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated 'Xbox is not for sale' in an interview with The New York Times.
Why it mattersThis quells recent speculation about Microsoft potentially selling Xbox, providing some certainty about the platform's future.
Sony consults partners on ending physical game releases
Sony is surveying development partners for input on its decision to end support for physical game releases, a move criticized for its sequencing.
Why it mattersThe end of physical game releases will affect retail channels and collector players, but Sony's consultation approach raises questions about decision transparency.