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PlayStation Plus March 2024 Games: Monster Hunter & Elder Scrolls Confirmed

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor February 26, 2026

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

PlayStation Plus members will have access to a quartet of new titles starting March 3, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced Tuesday. The lineup includes PGA Tour 2K25, Monster Hunter Rise, Slime Rancher 2 and The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Gold Road, and will be available to all PlayStation Plus members until April 6.

PGA Tour 2K25, released in February 2025, marks the debut of the PGA Championship, The U.S. Open, and The Open Championship within the 2K golf franchise. The game features an expanded MyCareer mode and new customization options, alongside cross-platform multiplayer capabilities. IGN’s review of the title awarded it an 8/10, praising its substantial improvements to gameplay and visuals.

Monster Hunter Rise, a globally popular installment in the Capcom series, brings new gameplay features and monsters inspired by Japanese folklore. Players can personalize their hunter, choose from 14 weapon types, and team up with Palico and Palamute companions to explore diverse hunting maps. The game originally launched in 2021 and also received an 8/10 rating from IGN.

Slime Rancher 2, a farm simulation and first-person adventure game developed by Monomi Park, offers a unique blend of genres. Players manage a ranch and explore a vibrant world filled with slimes.

Rounding out the March offerings is The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Gold Road, Zenimax Online Studios’ massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in the Elder Scrolls universe. The collection provides access to major zones and quest arcs, but does not include the 2025 Content Pass.

February 26, 2026 0 comments

Technology

Xbox Leadership Shakeup: Asha Sharma Takes Helm, Phil Spencer Steps Down

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor February 21, 2026

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Asha Sharma has been named the new Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, succeeding Phil Spencer, who is retiring after 38 years with the company. The appointment, announced Friday, marks a significant leadership shift for the Xbox division as it navigates a competitive landscape and increasing investment in artificial intelligence.

Sharma joins Microsoft Gaming from Microsoft CoreAI, where she led product development overseeing AI infrastructure, foundation models, and related toolchains. Prior to Microsoft, she held leadership positions at Instacart and Meta. Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, stated Sharma’s experience in scaling services reaching billions of users will be “critical in leading our gaming business into its next era of growth.”

The leadership restructuring similarly sees Matt Booty elevated to Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, reporting to Sharma. Booty’s career spans a lifelong commitment to gaming, and under his leadership, Microsoft Gaming has grown to encompass nearly 40 studios, including Xbox, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, and King – the creators of franchises such as Halo, The Elder Scrolls, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Candy Crush, and Fallout.

Sharma outlined three core commitments in an internal memo: “great games,” “the return of Xbox,” and “the future of play.” She emphasized a renewed focus on the Xbox console and a commitment to its core fanbase. “We will empower our studios, invest in iconic franchises, and back bold new ideas,” Sharma stated, adding that the company will “grab risks” and explore new markets.

Addressing the growing influence of AI, Sharma signaled a cautious approach, stating the company would have “no tolerance for subpar AI” and would not prioritize short-term efficiency at the expense of artistic integrity. “Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans, and created with the most innovative technology provided by us,” she said.

The leadership change occurs as Microsoft Gaming faces challenges including tariff-driven cost pressures and uncertain consumer spending. Sharma’s appointment signals a renewed focus on core gaming and long-term growth, aiming to reverse recent slides in market position.

Spencer’s departure follows 38 years at Microsoft, during which he became a prominent figure in the gaming industry. Sharma acknowledged his legacy, stating she has “deep respect” for his leadership.

February 21, 2026 0 comments

Technology

PlayStation Plus: New Games Added – Extra & Premium (May 2024)

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor February 13, 2026

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Sony Interactive Entertainment announced today a substantial expansion of its PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium game catalogs, headlined by the inclusion of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, available starting February 17, 2026. The addition of the critically acclaimed title, originally released in October 2023, marks a significant offering for subscribers of both tiers.

Alongside Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the February lineup includes Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, a reboot of the open-world racing franchise, and the indie title Neva, available on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Further additions to the Extra and Premium tiers encompass Monster Hunter Stories and its sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, both for PlayStation 4, as well as Venba, Echoes of the End: Enhanced Edition, Season: A Letter to the Future, and Rugby 25, playable on both PS4 and PS5.

PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers will also gain access to classic titles, including Disney Pixar’s Wall-E, extending the service’s library of retro games. The inclusion of Wall-E was announced alongside the broader February catalog update.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 allows players to control both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, navigating an expanded Marvel’s New York while facing threats from Venom and Kraven the Hunter. The game features new traversal mechanics, including Web Wings, and builds upon the foundation established by the original Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, after a 13-year hiatus for the series, aims to redefine the open-world massively multiplayer racing genre, featuring licensed vehicles from manufacturers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche. The game is exclusive to PlayStation 5.

The full lineup of games will be available to play on February 17, according to Sony. The company did not comment on the duration of availability for these titles within the Game Catalog, noting that streaming availability of digital PS5 games may vary by region and country.

February 13, 2026 0 comments

Technology

State of Play: Marathon, Wolverine & PlayStation News Revealed

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor February 12, 2026

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Sony’s PlayStation State of Play presentation is set to air this Thursday, February 12, 2026, and will run for over 60 minutes, marking the gaming giant’s largest showcase since 2023.

Bungie confirmed that its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, will be featured during the event. Game director Joe Ziegler announced the segment via the official Marathon Discord server, with a gameplay livestream featuring Ziegler and special guests scheduled to follow the main presentation around 3 PM PT. Bungie also clarified that a previously rumored preview weekend drop will not occur this week, but promised to announce dates for a future preview in advance.

The Marathon segment is expected to initiate approximately one hour into the State of Play, according to reports. The game, slated for a March 5 release, will likely receive a launch trailer and a deeper exploration of the “Sea of Darkness” lore teased in recent playtests.

Insomniac Games is also anticipated to present a significant gameplay reveal for Marvel’s Wolverine, though the studio recently indicated that further news wouldn’t arrive until “Spring 2026.” Despite this, industry insiders suggest a cinematic teaser or a concrete release window for the latter half of 2026 remains possible. Speculation also points to a potential cameo appearance by Daredevil within the game.

PlayStation Studios’ Housemarque, the developer behind Returnal, is expected to showcase its next sci-fi project, Saros, currently scheduled for release on April 30. While the State of Play is expected to focus heavily on first-party titles and anticipated third-party releases, reports indicate that Marvel’s Wolverine may not be featured.

February 12, 2026 0 comments

Technology

God of War: Multiplatform Spin-Off Rumors Emerge | PlayStation News

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor February 12, 2026

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Sony Interactive Entertainment is reportedly considering a multiplatform release for a rumored 2.5D God of War spin-off, potentially bringing the franchise to the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the PlayStation 5. The possibility emerged from comments made by industry insider NateTheHate, responding to questions about the project on X, formerly known as Twitter.

NateTheHate, known for accurately predicting announcements such as the date of the Nintendo Partner Showcase and the recent PlayStation State of Play, stated that when initial discussions about the 2.5D God of War game began last year, “whispers” circulated regarding a potential multiplatform release. He cautioned, however, that he does not realize if those initial considerations evolved into a firm plan.

The rumored spin-off is described as a Metroidvania-style game, potentially serving as a bridge between God of War Ragnarök and a future main installment in the series. Reports suggest the game could be a prequel set in Ancient Greece, the setting of the original God of War trilogy. Development is said to be led by Mega Cat Studios, with Santa Monica Studio, the primary developer of the main God of War titles, in a supervisory role.

This potential shift in Sony’s release strategy would represent a departure from the traditionally PlayStation-exclusive nature of the God of War franchise. However, Sony has recently demonstrated a willingness to release titles on competing platforms. In November 2024, Lego Horizon Adventures launched on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

The possibility of a multiplatform release is being discussed as Sony prepares for a State of Play presentation on February 12, 2026. Industry observers speculate that an announcement regarding the God of War spin-off could be made during the event. Another insider indicated that Sony Santa Monica’s next project may be showcased at the presentation.

The 2.5D God of War project has been assessed as “Probable” with a 75% confidence level, based on source credibility, corroboration, technical feasibility, and timeline analysis. The assessment, reported by Wccftech, indicates strong evidence supporting the game’s development, but leaves the platform exclusivity question open.

February 12, 2026 0 comments

Technology

Cancelled Lord of the Rings Game by Eidos Montréal Revealed in Images

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor February 10, 2026

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Illustrations originating from the portfolio of a former artist at Eidos-Montréal offer a first public glimpse into a cancelled Lord of the Rings game project the studio was developing prior to internal restructuring, according to reports surfacing this week.

The artwork, initially highlighted by the website Mp1st, depicts a highly stylized vision of Middle-earth, featuring a bird’s-eye view perspective and a focus on the port city of Umbar, a stronghold of pirates located on the coast of Gondor. Images showcase both the city before and after a presumed fall, suggesting a narrative arc centered around conflict and potential destruction. The portfolio as well includes renderings of the Prancing Pony inn, a key location in the early stages of Frodo’s journey, indicating the game intended to incorporate recognizable elements from J.R.R. Tolkien’s world.

The project’s cancellation occurred before a significant internal investigation within Eidos-Montréal, according to reporting from Indian-tv.cz. Prior to the investigation, the studio was reportedly working on a “soft reboot” of the Legacy of Kain series, a new installment in the Deus Ex franchise, and the Lord of the Rings title.

Initial reports suggested the Lord of the Rings game would combine card-based mechanics with a narrative structure similar to those employed by Telltale Games in titles like The Wolf Among Us and Tales from the Borderlands. Whereas, the visual style evident in the released artwork – featuring a high camera angle and environments designed for real-time action – appears to contradict this earlier description, potentially indicating a shift in design during development. Some observers have noted similarities to the combat systems found in games like No Rest for the Wicked.

The emergence of these images coincides with a period of upheaval at Eidos-Montréal’s parent company, Embracer Group. Insider Gaming reported in December 2025 that the cancellation of the Lord of the Rings project was linked to broader restructuring efforts within the studio, prompted by the extensive development timeline of an internal open-world action-adventure project, codenamed P11. That project, reportedly being developed by the team behind Shadow of the Tomb Raider, is now in a late stage of development, with core systems completed and beta testing anticipated.

Embracer Group acquired the rights to adapt The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in 2022 through the purchase of Middle-earth Enterprises, granting them control over video game, board game, and film adaptations. Existing licensed projects, including The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, a Weta Workshop game, and an Electronic Arts mobile title, remain unaffected by the recent cancellations.

According to Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming, Eidos-Montréal has initiated at least eleven projects since 2019, with only Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy reaching release in 2021. The studio’s current focus remains on P11, with a planned release next year.

February 10, 2026 0 comments