Sony will pay nearly $8 million to settle a class‑action lawsuit filed in 2024 over digital game pricing on the PlayStation Store, pending court approval. The lawsuit alleged that Sony exercised monopoly power by requiring publishers to set final prices and by ending sales of third‑party digital download codes redeemable on the PlayStation Store. Sony denied any wrongdoing and sought to dismiss the case. The settlement would cover consumers who purchased eligible games on the PlayStation Store between April 1, 2019 and December 31, 2023. Eligible titles include Nier: Automata, Resident Evil 4, The Last of Us Remastered, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and Killzone: Mercenary. The agreement would dismiss the claims with prejudice, preventing further suits on the same issue. A court hearing is scheduled to decide whether the settlement terms are approved. The resolution ends a four‑year legal dispute without a trial, though the amount each consumer would receive has not been specified.
Art, books, film, gaming, and the conversations defining the week.
Rockstar announced Tuesday that Grand Theft Auto 5 will receive a roleplay‑focused update called Nopixel V, which will add a revamped character customization system and multiplayer roleplay features. Rockstar said the update will improve visual fidelity, make non‑player characters more reactive, and introduce new locations such as a hotel‑casino and a reworked Cypress Flats area. The closed beta for Nopixel V will launch on September 8 and will be accessible directly through the Rockstar Games Launcher. According to a Rockstar blog post, the update will eventually add a PC game overlay, additional events, and broader access to Nopixel. The post quoted Rockstar saying, “Every player helps shape the city, and every relationship matters.” The update does not address how GTA 6 will integrate roleplay elements or its planned PC release date.
Akuen, a new seinen manga by Harada, will be released in Young Animal Zero and on the Young Animal Web platform on September 9.
The announcement appeared in the 17th issue of Hakusensha’s Young Animal magazine on Friday.
Harada first gained attention with the boys‑love series One Room Angel, which was adapted into a live‑action TV series in 2023. The series began as the short story “Tomarigi” in 2013 and was serialized in Shodensha’s BLUE magazine from 2017 to 2019 before being compiled into a single volume in 2019.
Additional works by Harada include Happy Crappy Life, released in English by KUMA in May 2023, The Song of Yoru & Asa and its sequel released in 2022, and Yata‑Momo, licensed by Denpa. Futekiya released an English version of the One Room Angel manga on Manga Platform in December 2020. Harada’s statements were posted on her X/Twitter account, and the information was reported in Young Animal issue 17.
The launch represents Harada’s first seinen series, expanding her catalog beyond boys‑love titles.
Anime Director and Animator Yūji Yanase died on August 22, the official website for his series The Insipid Prince's Furtive Grab for The Throne announced. He began working in the anime industry in 1988 as an in‑between animator on titles such as Akira, Kaze o Nuke! and Doraemon the Movie: Nobita's Dorabian Nights, and served as key animator on Macross 7, The Legend of Zorro, Tenchi Universe and Tetsujin 28‑go FX, and as animation director on episodes of Saber Marionette J, Fancy Lala, Excel Saga, Hellsing, Chobits, Mezzo, Aria the Animation and Symphogear. He made his directorial debut in 2014 with Himegoto and later directed Onsen Yōsei Hakone‑chan, In Another World with My Smartphone, If It’s for My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord, By the Grace of the Gods, In the Land of Leadale, My Unique Skill Makes Me OP even at Level 1, I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History, Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra, The World's Strongest Rearguard - Labyrinth Country's Novice Seeker, and The Insipid Prince's Furtive Grab for The Throne, which premiered on July 6. He continued to work as a key animator, animation director and episode director on various productions. The announcement was made on the series' official website, and no further details about his passing were provided.
Toshiko Machida's manga Hanako-gari concluded with its final chapter published on August 27 on Kodansha's Pocket Magazine platform. The series launched in September 2025 and depicts a setting where spirits are widespread and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government establishes an organization to search for and protect them, though the group ultimately hunts and eliminates the spirits. The second compiled volume was released on March 9. The third and final volume is scheduled for September 9. Machida's earlier series The Demon Consort: “I Love You” Are Frightening Words ended in April 2025 after beginning on NTT Solmare's Comic CMOA platform in March 2024; Shinchosha published its third and final volume in August 2025. Yen Press handles English release and shipped the first volume on August 25. The upcoming September release will complete the series.
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is listed for $899.99 on Best Buy, a discount from its $1,000 list price, through an open‑box program that includes a 15‑day return policy.
The handheld runs Windows with Xbox integration and is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1 TB SSD.
Best Buy offers the units in three condition grades: Fair, Good and Excellent. The Excellent tier is priced at $899.99, described as like‑new in both appearance and performance, with low usage hours and a possible full manufacturer warranty.
Other handhelds with the same Z2 Extreme processor include the Lenovo Legion Go 2 at $1,300 and the MSI Claw A8 at $1,200. The newer Xbox Ally X20 is preordered for $1,299.99 and features a larger OLED display.
IGN reviewer Jacqueline Thomas said the Ally X is "easily the best handheld gaming PC available," noting its performance relative to competing devices.
The price reduction provides a lower entry point for consumers seeking a premium handheld, though the availability of specific condition grades may affect purchasing decisions.
Google announced a Pokémon Sleep edition of the Fitbit Air on September 1, 2026, priced at $129.99, with preorders now open. The Fitbit Air is a small sleep and health tracker that measures heart rate, activity, oxygen saturation and skin temperature, storing up to seven days of minute‑by‑minute motion data and lasting up to seven days on a single charge. The new edition uses the same hardware as the standard Fitbit Air but features a Pokémon‑themed design intended to signal a player's interest in the Pokémon Sleep game. Pokémon Sleep converts sleep data into a collection mechanic, assigning sleep types based on nightly rest and revealing Pokémon around a Snorlax when the user wakes. Google said the device contains no functional changes beyond the themed aesthetic and provides the same health metrics as the regular model. Preorders began on the same day as the announcement, and the product will be sold through Google's online store and select retailers. In addition to the Fitbit release, Nintendo has hinted at upcoming titles in the Pokémon Winds and Waves series for the next Switch console, though details remain limited. The launch offers a way for fans to display their engagement with Pokémon Sleep through a wearable, but the company has not indicated any new sleep‑tracking features beyond those already available.
Xbox Game Pass will remove Cyberpunk 2077 and nine other titles on September 15, ending their availability on the service. The removal follows a six‑month licensing window that began when Cyberpunk 2077 joined Game Pass in March 2024. In September, Game Pass added Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage, and RuneScape: Dragonwild. The games scheduled for removal include Commandos: Origins, Cricket 24, Cyberpunk 2077, Dead Cells, Deep Rock Galactic Survivor, Frostpunk 2, Mullet Madjack, Spiritfarer, Superliminal, and Train Sim World 5. Most of the titles will leave across cloud, console, and PC platforms, while Frostpunk 2 will remain available only on PC. Game Pass continues to rotate its library through regular licensing agreements, adding new releases while removing others.
AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas posted images of a popcorn bucket shaped like an organ transplant bag on their social media accounts on Tuesday, announcing that tickets for the Resident Evil film are on sale and that the concession collectible is available while supplies last. AMC wrote, “One Job: Deliver the Popcorn! See RESIDENT EVIL and purchase our concession collectible starting 9/17, available in theatres only while supplies last.” Regal added, “Need a transplant? We recommend this popcorn bag 🫀🍿 Get your hands on the Resident Evil Organ Transplant Popcorn Bag when you see Resident Evil at Regal.” The promotion follows the release of a new poster for the movie. Director Zach Cregger and actor Austin Abrams are promoting the film, which features first‑person sequences and references the Umbrella Corporation from the video game series. The movie is scheduled to open in theatres on September 18 and is projected to have the largest opening weekend in the Resident Evil franchise.
The Runner, an 84‑minute film starring Gal Gadot, premiered on Prime Video on September 2. The story follows Maia Marten, a lawyer who secures a key witness in a murder trial before being blackmailed by an anonymous caller to locate the witness and kill him, thereby ensuring the release of a crime boss. The caller threatens her kidnapped son, Noah, played by Rory Wilmot, and demands that she act within a strict time limit. The narrative includes a series of chase scenes in which Maia runs through streets, across bridges, onto boats, in front of cars, and onto the London Underground. The caller hacks her phone and uses private information, though his identity remains undisclosed. Billiam Lewis provides the voice for the caller. The film was directed by Kevin Macdonald and written by Mark Gibson. Critical reception has noted that the plot relies on improbable logic and that the antagonist’s role is underdeveloped, with some reviewers describing the resolution as unsatisfying. The Runner is available for streaming on Prime Video.
Christopher Judge said he began physical preparation to play Kratos in Prime Video’s live‑action God of War series but later decided not to take the role. Speaking at Fan Expo Canada, he described workouts and line memorization, then said the difficulty of memorizing lines and concerns about the demanding schedule at age 62 led him to withdraw. He noted that the role would require 16‑18 hour days and constant dieting, which conflicted with his health priorities. Judge expressed support for Dave Bautista as the new lead and voiced concern about Bautista’s recent weight loss. He said Ryan Hurst’s initial casting was appropriate, but Hurst’s bicep injury in July and the decision to recast prompted the change. The series faced a setback when Hurst tore his bicep, leading Amazon to cast Bautista, a move that has drawn mixed initial reactions but improved fan sentiment after a newer photo of Hurst in Kratos makeup was released. Judge previously criticized the showrunners for not consulting the writers of the 2018 game, though he said he wants the adaptation to be great.
Electronic Express offered a 65‑inch Samsung S90F 4K OLED Smart TV for $1,038.39 during eBay’s Labor Day Sale, applying a 20% discount with coupon code LABORDAY20 and providing free shipping. The retailer is an authorized Samsung reseller and includes a one‑year manufacturer’s warranty.
The S90F is the 2025 model in Samsung’s S90 OLED lineup and represents the last version to use a quantum‑dot OLED panel. The 2026 S90H model removed quantum‑dot technology, making the 65‑inch S95H the only QD‑OLED option for 2026 and listing a price of about $2,800.
Samsung states that the quantum‑dot OLED panel in the S90F delivers higher brightness and richer colors than the W‑OLED panel used in the S90H while preserving OLED benefits such as near‑instantaneous response time, true black levels and wide viewing angles. The TV includes a native 120 Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports, supporting 4K gaming at up to 120 fps on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. The Nintendo Switch 2 can output a 4K signal at up to 60 fps when docked, and the OLED display enhances its picture quality.
The Labor Day promotion ends after the sale period, and the S90F will be discontinued once the S95H series becomes the sole QD‑OLED offering in 2026.
Amazon Resale is offering used "like new" Sony Pulse Elite gaming headsets and Pulse Explore earbuds for the PlayStation 5 at a combined discount of 45%, with an additional 30% off applied at checkout, for a limited time in September 2026. The Pulse Elite headset and Pulse Explore earbuds are officially licensed accessories developed by Sony, using planar magnetic drivers originally introduced after the company acquired Audeze in 2023. Amazon Resale, the official outlet for used items on Amazon, lists the items as "Like New" and guarantees original packaging and a 30‑day return policy. The Pulse Elite features PlayStation Link connectivity, multi‑point Bluetooth and Link support, a retractable microphone with AI noise rejection, on‑button controls, and a battery life of up to 30 hours. The Pulse Explore earbuds incorporate 3D audio, PlayStation Link compatibility, and a USB dongle for PC use; they are larger than typical earbuds because of the planar magnetic drivers and lack active noise cancellation and transparency mode. IGN's Jaron Schneider reviewed the Pulse Elite in 2024, awarding it a 9/10 rating for sound quality and describing the planar magnetic drivers as reproducing sound with near‑perfect accuracy. Schneider also reviewed the Pulse Explore, noting its gaming‑focused design and high marks for audio clarity but pointing out the absence of ANC and transparency mode compared with non‑gaming earbuds. The promotion is scheduled to end after September 2026, and stock availability may vary.
McDonald's unveiled a new Happy Meal promotion featuring characters from One Piece and SpongeBob SquarePants, set to launch on September 15. The campaign includes a line of collectible toys representing both franchises and will be available in multiple countries.
McDonald's first teased the collaboration on August 13 with an image of SpongeBob dressed as Luffy. The partnership follows the debut of the One Piece Elbaph arc in Japan on April 5, which is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
The toy lineup includes SpongeBob as Luffy, SpongeBob as Gear 5 Luffy, Patrick as Zoro, Sandy as Nami, Plankton as Usopp, Squidward as Sanji, Gary as Chopper, Pearl as Robin, Larry as Franky, Smitty as Brook, Mr. Krabs as Jinbe, Mermaid Man as Garp, Barnacle Boy as Koby, Mrs. Puff as Big Mom, and the Flying Dutchman as Blackbeard.
The promotion will be offered in the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, China, Korea, Indonesia, Germany, France, and other regions.
Grand Theft Auto 6's extended trailer became Netflix's top English film in 87 of 93 tracked countries, drawing 31.1 million viewers within days of its September 1 release.
Grand Theft Auto 6's extended trailer became Netflix's top English film in 87 of 93 tracked countries, drawing 31.1 million viewers within days of its September 1 release.
Rockstar Games released the 27‑minute showcase on Netflix and later on YouTube, where it accumulated more than 17 million views. The presentation followed two shorter trailers and marked the first extensive look at the game since 2013.
The trailer indicated that the playable map will be roughly three times the size of Red Dead Redemption 2, encompassing urban areas, beaches, rural regions, and a Florida‑inspired wilderness. Visual details include clothing that moves naturally, individual hair strands, visible sweat, and dynamic reflections. Environmental destruction was shown when characters broke through a wall, causing debris and dust to react to the impact. Players can switch between protagonists during gameplay, with scripted sequences sometimes limiting control to a single character, and the story appears to allow development of a romantic relationship between the two main characters.
Rockstar has not provided details about the online component of GTA 6. The game is scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, while a PC version has not been announced.
The trailer offers the most comprehensive preview of the upcoming title to date, but the status of its online mode remains undisclosed.
Star Wars Zero Company began as a pitched Titanfall‑based tactics game before Respawn Entertainment redirected the project to the Star Wars franchise, according to a report by Game File's Stephen Totilo. The studio was furloughed weeks before launch after Bit Reactor exhausted its funding, though the company hopes to rehire the staff following the game's success, the report notes.
Game File uncovered legal documents from a lawsuit between Bit Reactor executives that show director Greg Foertsch and co‑founder Alison Kelly initially prepared a pitch for a tactics game set in Respawn's Titanfall universe, which would have linked the title to Apex Legends. Respawn co‑founder Vince Zampella rejected the Titanfall pitch and asked the team to develop a new concept based on the Star Wars IP, which Respawn controls, and the project was subsequently rebranded as Star Wars Zero Company, the report states.
Reviewers have praised the game, and it reached a peak of 77,889 concurrent Steam players in early 2026, with strong word‑of‑mouth activity on social media, according to Steam data. It is unclear whether the original Titanfall concepts will be revisited or if Bit Reactor will be able to bring back the furloughed employees after the game's performance.
Netflix said its GTA 6 extended look trailer was the most-viewed title on the platform last week, with 31.1 million views, surpassing the second‑most-watched title, the movie The Whisper Man, which drew 23.2 million views. The trailer was released on Netflix on Monday and later on Rockstar’s YouTube channel, where it accumulated 17 million views; YouTube metrics differ, and the trailer was also hosted on other sites such as GameSpot. The view counts reflect total hours viewed divided by total runtime, a metric Netflix reports weekly. Netflix categorized the trailer as an English‑language film and placed it at No. 1 in 87 of 93 regions tracked by the service, according to Variety. The partnership between Netflix and Rockstar Games was described by Netflix as a first‑of‑its‑kind offering. The game is scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. No other sources contested the viewership numbers; the data were published by Netflix on Tuesday. The viewership figure highlights the influence of high‑profile game trailers on streaming platforms, though Netflix has not disclosed how the trailer’s performance may affect its overall subscriber growth.
CD Projekt Red joint CEO Michał Nowakowski said the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in December 2020 in a technically flawed state was wrong, but he said the decision was not driven by investor pressure. He noted that COVID‑related fatigue and staff exhaustion contributed to the game’s condition, and that external calls to release the title were not from “magical investors.”
The game launched on December 10 2020, prompting Sony to remove it from the PlayStation Store and leading to thousands of refunds. It sold nearly 14 million copies in its first days, making it one of the largest RPG launches ever, and generated multimillion‑dollar bonuses for executives and developers. Updates and a 2.0 patch released in 2023 improved the game, which has now surpassed 40 million copies sold.
Nowakowski said the fiscal year ending December 31 may have influenced the timing of the release, and that the commercial success did not require external pressure to ship the product. Microsoft announced that Cyberpunk 2077 will be removed from Xbox Game Pass in the near future. The company is developing Cyberpunk 2, though a release is likely years away, while upcoming titles include The Witcher 3: Remastered, its Songs of the Past expansion in 2027, and The Witcher 4 in 2028.
The firm continues to support the game with updates as it prepares future installments.
The Twilight Zone episode 'Living Doll' aired from 1959 to 1964 and depicts a family's interaction with a wind-up doll that becomes threatening.
The series, created by Rod Serling, consists of 156 black-and-white episodes that explore science fiction and horror themes. 'Living Doll' follows a young girl named Christie, her mother Annabelle, and her stepfather Erich, who buys a doll called Talky Tina.
When Erich winds the key on the doll, it says, 'My name is Talky Tina, and I love you very much.' Later, alone with the doll, it says, 'My name is Talky Tina and I don’t think I like you,' followed by increasingly hostile statements. Erich initially assumes the doll is a prank, then attempts to destroy it; the doll reappears in Christie's bed. The episode runs about 20 minutes and has been cited as an influence on later horror doll media, including the Chucky franchise, the Annabelle films, and the movie M3GAN. R.L. Stine has noted that The Twilight Zone shaped his work, and other episodes such as 'The Dummy' and 'Caesar and Me' also feature living dolls. The doll's expressionless face and childlike voice remain unsettling, and the black-and-white presentation enhances the atmosphere. The episode continues to be referenced in discussions of horror doll media and remains available for streaming on Tubi.
CD Projekt Red joint CEO Michał Nowakowski said the studio is not worried that rising console RAM prices or possible next‑generation hardware delays will affect its games, and noted that physical disc production will end in 2028. The price of console RAM has risen in recent months, leading to speculation that next‑gen consoles could be delayed. In a September interview with The Game Business, Nowakowski said pricing is an objective challenge and that any delay could cause some features to be postponed. He emphasized that the quality of the content is the primary concern and that the company will adjust its business model as needed. Nowakowski added that the development team wants more hardware power but remains realistic about timelines. If next‑gen releases are postponed, some ideas may be shelved for future use. CD Projekt Red has supported independent developers, recently offering assistance after a theft at Gamescom. The studio will also provide physical editions of The Witcher 4 for players who prefer disc media despite the upcoming digital‑only console transition. The industry will watch whether other console manufacturers follow PlayStation’s move to an all‑digital model and how that will shape future game distribution.
Zenonia 1, a mobile RPG developed by Gamevil and launched in 2008 for Korean phones, is now officially available on Windows PC. The title originally debuted on flip phones and later appeared on iOS and Android before its removal from major app stores, returning now through a PC port that supports keyboard and controller input. Visually, the game mirrors early Zelda titles such as A Link to the Past, and its protagonist Regret resembles Cloud Strife with spiky blond hair and a greatsword. Players select from three classes — Paladin, Warrior, or Assassin — and manage a skill tree and hundreds of weapons, while a dynamic alignment system lets choices affect whether the character leans toward good or evil. Gameplay involves real-time combat, exploration, and dialogue, with mechanics that require managing hunger and equipment weight, which impact stats and movement. A full playthrough can take fifteen to thirty hours.
The Blood of Dawnwalker, an Unreal Engine 5 title, has been reported to run without the stuttering and crashing that have affected other UE5 games.
The author tested the game on a system with an AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, 32 GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, which exceeds the game’s recommended specifications, and observed frame rates of 70–80 fps at 4K with the Ultra preset and DLSS set to quality.
On a Steam Machine with reduced settings, the game achieved 55–60 fps at 1440p, and console versions on the PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X were observed to run at approximately 60 fps and 40–50 fps respectively using performance‑oriented profiles. Visual fidelity is higher on PC, while console versions show reduced texture detail and foliage density.
These results suggest that The Blood of Dawnwalker may serve as a reference point for UE5 optimization, though broader assessment across diverse hardware configurations remains pending.
Grand Theft Auto 6 will allow players to sprint by clicking the left analog stick, a change from earlier games that required holding or repeatedly pressing a face button. In previous Grand Theft Auto titles, sprinting was performed by holding or mashing a face button, a control scheme that many players found unintuitive. The update was highlighted by Italian YouTuber MikeShowSha, who reported the new control method. Rockstar Games has also added a map three times larger than that of Red Dead Redemption 2, a Criminal Profile system, a feature allowing players to throw dog waste, and a physical‑fitness system. The game is set for release on November 19 for Xbox Series X|S and PS5 and is anticipated to be one of the largest entertainment launches in history. The sprint mechanic change may improve player comfort, though the overall impact of the new features remains to be seen.
Resident Evil will be shown in theaters with a themed popcorn bucket offered at Regal locations. The bucket, modeled after an organ‑transport bag featured in the film, can hold a large portion of popcorn and does not contain a beating heart as shown in promotional material. Regal announced the offering on its official Twitter account on September 1, the same day tickets went on sale. A $5 ticket option is available to T‑Mobile subscribers. The movie, directed by Zach Cregger and co‑written with Shay Hatten, stars Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Paul Walter Hauser, Kali Reis and Johnno Wilson. It is scheduled to open on September 18 and is projected to have the largest opening in the franchise’s history. Pricing for the popcorn bucket has not been disclosed. The availability and cost of the bucket remain undetermined, and the film’s opening performance is awaited.
The Pokémon Company announced on August 18 a partnership with Polaroid to release a line of instant cameras commemorating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. The collection includes the Polaroid Go Instant Camera Generation 3 in Pikachu and Sylveon editions, and a Poké Ball–colored Polaroid Now Instant Camera Generation 3 Pokémon edition. Polaroid will also produce film sets for each camera: the Pikachu edition includes frames featuring Pikachu’s evolution line, the Sylveon edition includes Eevee’s evolution line, and the Pokémon edition includes designs with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Gengar, Umbreon and Mimikyu. Accessories such as a strap, carry case and photo album are styled after Poké Balls. Separately, Crocs announced a new line of Pokémon Classic Clog footwear featuring Pikachu, Gengar and Jigglypuff models, available in adult and children’s sizes on its website. Prices for the cameras range from $54.99 to $84.99, and the shoes are priced from $54.99 to $84.99.
CD Projekt says development of The Witcher Remake is on hold while the studio works on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s Songs of the Past expansion and awaits technological updates for The Witcher 4.
Joint‑CEO Michał Nowakowski said the collaboration with Fool’s Theory began for a remake of The Witcher 1, but the project required additional time because of engine and asset requirements linked to The Witcher 4.
He added that only a limited portion of Fool’s Theory’s team is currently allocated to The Witcher 1, with most staff supporting The Witcher 4 and the Songs of the Past expansion.
Nowakowski said the remake’s development has been temporarily integrated with The Witcher 4’s production to prepare assets, tools and pipelines, and that the majority of the team remains engaged in other projects.
He indicated that no release window has been set and that the remake is unlikely to launch before the The Witcher 3 Remastered, the Songs of the Past expansion in 2027, and The Witcher 4 in 2028.
Vivian Kubrick, daughter of director Stanley Kubrick, addressed online speculation that 20 minutes were removed from her father’s film Eyes Wide Shut after his 1999 death. She posted on X on September 1, 2026, saying her father’s outtakes were incinerated after each film’s completion to prevent studio alterations. Kubrick said the film reached picture lock in 1999, was in post‑production at the time of his death, and no evidence of a 20‑minute cut has emerged. She noted that the University of the Arts London holds the official archive of Kubrick’s papers and production materials, but no Avid edits from Eyes Wide Shut are known to exist. Kubrick clarified that the only documented alteration discussed at the time involved digital censorship of nudity for an R rating, not removal of scenes. She was in Los Angeles scoring a movie when her father died and therefore could not have observed any subsequent changes. She described the missing‑minutes theory as a conspiracy theory lacking substantiated evidence and said she would have been aware of any missing footage had it existed. Filmmaker Roger Avary claimed in a December 2024 podcast with Joe Rogan that Warner Bros. altered the ending over Kubrick’s objections and that the original version included a scene about a child being given to a “pedo cult,” suggesting Kubrick had foreknowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Kubrick dismissed these claims, stating she has never seen evidence supporting them. Warner Bros. has repeatedly said the released version is Kubrick’s intended cut and has not confirmed any missing footage. The discussion highlights ongoing speculation about the film’s production history, but no verified evidence of a 20‑minute cut has been presented.
Activision extended the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 open beta by 12 hours, now ending at 10 PM PT on September 2. The beta was originally scheduled to close on September 1 at 10 AM PT. Players will receive double progression experience and double weapon experience for the additional period. Reaching level 30 before the beta ends grants a special weapon blueprint. The multiplayer will launch on October 23, and the single‑player campaign will become available a week earlier for pre‑order customers. The game is planned for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC, marking the series’ first Nintendo platform release since Call of Duty Ghosts in 2013 and the first omission of last‑generation consoles since that title. The launch comes 34 days before the expected release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on November 19.
Star Wars Zero Company, a tactical video game developed by Bit Reactor and published by EA, launched in 2026 and is set during the Clone Wars era.
The game draws on the XCOM series' turn‑based mechanics and emphasizes the economic challenges faced by a mercenary unit hired to stop a Separatist cult spreading a mysterious plague.
Players control a squad of mercenaries, managing missions and resources while making moral choices to secure credits; characters such as Runa discuss the squad's financial strain and debt to the Hutts.
The narrative has been compared to the anime Cowboy Bebop for its portrayal of a crew navigating inconsistent income, and the writer notes that this grounded approach adds humor and sincerity to the experience.
Zero Company's blend of strategy and economic storytelling may influence how future Star Wars media explore civilian life.
Rockstar North CEO Rob Nelson said the studio feels nervous about meeting expectations for Grand Theft Auto VI, scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. He told IGN that the team avoids dwelling on pressure and aims to create an experience that builds on previous titles while feeling familiar.
Nelson said internal pressure is greater than any external expectations, noting that the game’s large world and detailed simulation represent a notable advancement for the franchise.
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick said Rockstar has focused on quality, seeking perfection and preferring to delay release rather than compromise on polish, despite the tension between market timing and development goals.
Analysts project that preorder revenue could reach $2 billion at launch, potentially offsetting the game’s development expenses.
The title will conclude a development period that began after the 2013 release of Grand Theft Auto V.
Capcom will release Onimusha: Way of the Sword at 12 a.m. EDT on Friday, September 4, 2026, according to the game's PlayStation Store page and Steam DB. The game is a modern remake of the 2002 PlayStation 2 samurai action series and features Miyamoto Musashi as the protagonist. Capcom announced the release schedule on its official storefronts, specifying the exact times in multiple regions. The launch occurs at 9 p.m. PDT on Thursday, September 3 for the western United States, 12 a.m. EDT on Friday, September 4 for the eastern United States, 1 a.m. BRT on Friday, September 4 in Brazil, 5 a.m. BST on Friday, September 4 in the United Kingdom, 6 a.m. CEST on Friday, September 4 in western Europe, 1 p.m. JST on Friday, September 4 in Japan, and 2 p.m. AEST on Friday, September 4 on Australia's east coast. Pre-order bonuses vary by edition. The standard edition provides a Lion Dog charm and a Sealed Curse sword appearance. The deluxe edition adds a White Monkey charm, a White Lion sword appearance, and items such as a Little Dancer charm, a Mentor charm, a Bamboo & Panda sword appearance, a Whittled Oar sword appearance, a Raizan sword appearance, an Enryuu sword appearance, Musashi's Red Armor outfit, and a Crimson Lotus oni gauntlet. The premium deluxe edition includes all deluxe items and also offers a Hellfire haori, a Moonlight haori, a Cloudbiter haori, Okuni's Flower Dance outfit, Okuni's Goldfish Dance outfit, Okuni's Oni Dance outfit, Onu Lady's Bird Call outfit, Onu Lady's Snow Camellia outfit, Onu Lady's Elegance outfit, an in‑game mini digital soundtrack, and all deluxe edition items. Capcom has not indicated a specific narrative focus beyond the historical setting. The varied release times and tiered bonus options allow players to choose the edition that best matches their preferences.
Chihiro Yuzuki announced on X on Monday that her manga series With You, Our Love Will Make It Through will end with the release of its 13th compiled volume. Yen Press will publish the final volume in English. The series debuted on Shueisha's Manga Mee website in May 2019. The 11th compiled volume was released on March 24, and the 12th volume is scheduled for September 25. The story follows high school student Mari, who meets a beastfolk classmate and navigates prejudice and personal feelings. An anime adaptation premiered in October 2025 on Tokyo MX and is streamed by Crunchyroll with an English dub. The conclusion marks the end of the series after more than seven years of publication.
Rockstar Games previewed a new morality system for GTA 6, showing that a criminal profile can become irredeemable for the duration of a playthrough, according to YouTuber TGG. The system categorizes player actions into four states: Professional, Aggressive, Violent, and Psycho, with an additional unnamed state that can shatter if actions become extreme. Rockstar told TGG that reaching the shattering state is difficult and may be intended for players who ignore the system entirely. Players can disable notifications that track the criminal profile, allowing them to act without the game measuring their behavior. The system aims to gauge whether actions are justified; lethal force in response to an armed opponent is considered justified, while unprovoked attacks on non‑combatants lower the profile. Separate profiles exist for protagonists Jason and Lucia, meaning each character’s actions affect their own criminal rating. The morality meter may influence narrative outcomes, though Rockstar has not confirmed whether it will change endings as in Red Dead Redemption 2. GTA 6 also includes a relationship meter that tracks the bond between Jason and Lucia, prompting discussion online about player focus on in‑game relationships versus real life. The depth of these systems remains to be seen, but they suggest a highly interactive and nuanced role‑playing experience.
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) announced on September 1 that its 31st edition will include a Japanese Animation Special program titled 'Masterpieces of Madness, Exhilarating Prospects 12+1', which will screen 13 animated films out of competition. The lineup includes The White Snake Enchantress (1958), Belladonna of Sadness (1973), Phoenix 2772 (Space Firebird) (1980), Angel's Egg (1985), Memories (1995), Metropolis (2001), Mind Game (2004), Kakurenbo (2004), ghost – end of night (2026), Shiranui (2026), We Are Aliens (2026), A New Dawn (2026), and The King and the Mockingbird (1952, 1980), a French fantasy cartoon that influenced Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. The festival noted that the program adds a retrospective of Japanese animation to its lineup, which previously featured live‑action adaptations of anime such as Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters Per Second at the 30th edition and the French‑Japanese co‑production Ghost Cat Anzu at the 29th edition. According to BIFF officials and Variety, the special program aims to highlight the artistic range of Japanese animation across several decades. The 31st Busan International Film Festival will run from September 17 to 26.
Anime fans can watch 11 series for free on ad‑supported platforms such as Pluto TV, Tubi, and RetroCrush. The guide lists titles ranging from classic adaptations to contemporary series. While paid services like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE dominate the market, several free platforms provide extensive anime libraries without subscription fees. Pluto TV streams The Rose of Versailles, a 1979 series about a female commander at Versailles during the French Revolution. RetroCrush offers JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, a genre‑shifting series with distinctive visual style. Tubi hosts Vampire Knight, which follows a student protecting human classmates at a school that also houses vampire students. Pluto TV and Tubi also provide Sailor Moon, a magical girl series about a teenage girl who becomes a guardian. Pluto TV streams Kaiba, a 12‑episode story in which a memory‑less protagonist explores identity in a world where memories can be transferred. Tubi and Pluto TV carry Naruto, a shonen series about a young ninja seeking recognition. Tubi presents Terror in Resonance, an 11‑episode thriller about two teenagers who steal a bomb. RetroCrush includes Hunter x Hunter, which follows a boy entering a hunter examination to find his missing father. Pluto TV offers Terra Formars, a sci‑fi series about humans battling mutated insects on Mars. Tubi streams Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, which follows a cyber‑crime task force investigating terrorism and a hacktivist known as The Laughing Man. Availability of specific titles may change as platforms update their libraries.
PlayStation announced that its PlayStation Plus service will offer four free games to subscribers from September 1 through October 5, 2026. The titles include Sniper Elite: Resistance for PS5 and PS4, MLB the Show 26 for PS5, Wobbly Life for PS5 and PS4, and Chained Echoes for PS4.
Sniper Elite: Resistance is a World War II shooter set in occupied France, where players engage Axis forces with long‑range and close‑quarters combat.
MLB the Show 26 provides realistic baseball simulation across multiple eras, featuring updated gameplay mechanics and stadium effects.
Wobbly Life is a cooperative open‑world sandbox game that supports solo play, allowing players to explore and build in a physics‑driven environment.
Chained Echoes is a single‑player role‑playing game in which a group of heroes battles three warring kingdoms across the continent of Valandis, incorporating swords, magic and mech units.
Subscribers can claim the games through the PlayStation Plus interface and retain access until the expiration date.
T-Mobile customers in the United States can purchase Resident Evil movie tickets for $5 through Atom Tickets. The discount is accessible via the T-Life app on September 15, three days before the film’s September 18 theatrical release. Thursday night showings are scheduled for September 17. The movie, directed by Zach Cregger and starring Austin Abrams as Bryan, follows a courier who encounters a crisis in Raccoon City. The film seeks a strong opening after earlier entries underperformed. Cregger previously directed Weapons, his highest‑grossing release, and announced plans for a spin‑off centered on Aunt Gladys.
The 11‑film Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts 4K Blu‑ray collection is on sale at a reduced price, marking the first significant discount since its May release. The set includes the eight Harry Potter movies and the three Fantastic Beasts films. It contains 11 4K UHD discs packaged in a standard box. IGN reported that the discount is the first sizable reduction on the collection. The collection is available at Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers. It offers the highest‑definition physical format for the series, while streaming versions are also available on HBO Max but provide lower visual quality. The price reduction may appeal to collectors and fans seeking a permanent high‑definition copy.
Nintendo released an update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe that adds support for the Nintendo Switch 2. Listed in Nintendo's patch notes, version 4.0.0 enables up to eight players in split-screen using up to seven controllers, requiring at least one Joy‑Con 2 or Switch 2 Pro Controller. CameraPlay is included, which requires a USB camera sold separately and can be used only during GameChat sessions. Player speed during races has been increased by the equivalent of one coin, and loading times have been shortened. The update also adds a 96‑Race endurance challenge for users with the Booster Course Pass. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe originally launched for the Nintendo Switch in April 2017.
Bilibili launched a global version of its app on Android on August 19, eliminating the need for identity verification for overseas users. The company plans to release an iOS version and expand to other countries soon. Founded in 2009, bilibili is China's largest streaming platform for Japanese animation and also hosts Chinese animation and user‑generated videos. Revenue comes from advertising and pay‑per‑view subscriptions. It partnered with Aniplex on the series To Be Hero X, which premiered in April 2025. The series is streamed worldwide by Crunchyroll except in Asia, while Japan viewers can watch it on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Bilibili acquired Haoliners Cultures Media Co., Ltd., including its Japanese subsidiary Emon Animation Company, in February 2021. In March 2019, Funimation and bilibili announced a joint effort to acquire anime licenses for television, video‑on‑demand, electronic sell‑through, home entertainment, gaming and merchandise in the United States and China. Sony Corporation of America invested about $400 million in 2020, acquiring 17.3 million shares that represent roughly 5 percent of bilibili's equity. Sony and bilibili said they will collaborate on animation and mobile game projects in the Chinese entertainment market. The iOS release is expected soon, and the mixed content library aims to broaden the platform's international audience.
Microsoft revealed the September 2025 lineup for Xbox Game Pass on September 1. The update adds seven titles across Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Speedrunners 2 becomes available on September 3 as a day‑one title for Ultimate and PC Game Pass members. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War joins the service on September 8 for Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass users. The Royal Writ and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage arrive on September 10 for Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass. RuneScape: Dragonwilds will be added on September 15 for the same tiers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077 will leave the service at the end of September. The new titles broaden the library ahead of the fall gaming season.