Pokémon v MAGA, R18+ Checks & A Black Flag Comeback: All The News From March 2-8

Welcome to Recap, our weekly feature--running every Monday morning--where we round up what’s been going on around video games, the internet and beyond.

Build A Rocket Boy, developers of the dismal Mindseye, have announced not only another round of layoffs, but that their investigation into "criminal activity" surrounding the game's launch is still being investigated.

Today is a very difficult day for our studio. Please see the update from Mark, our CEO about changes we are making at Build A Rocket Boy. | Build A Rocket Boy | 32 comments

Today is a very difficult day for our studio. Please see the update from Mark, our CEO about changes we are making at Build A Rocket Boy. | 32 comments on LinkedIn

LinkedInBuild A Rocket Boy

After a long-running dispute with Epic, Google has agreed to lower the cut it takes from Play Store sales from 30% to 20%.

Google resolves dispute with Epic Games, reduces app store fees to 20%

Epic CEO confirms Fortnite will return to Google Play stores globally as a result of these changes

GamesIndustry.bizSophie McEvoy

I didn't have the spiritual reserves to click on the headline "Pokémon Distances Itself From White House Using Pokopia To Promote MAGA", but maybe you do.

Pokémon Responds To White House Using Pokopia To Promote MAGA

The company says its mission is ‘not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda’

KotakuKenneth Shepard

After previous delays, Capcom's Pragmata has had another release date change: this time it's moving up, and will be out a week early, on April 17.

Capcom’s astronaut and small girl-starring Pragmata gets yet another new release date

Pragmata - the long-in-the-works space-based caper from Capcom - has a new release date.

Eurogamer.netVictoria Phillips Kennedy

Assassin's Creed Black Flag, a 2013 video game that still looks amazing today, is nevertheless getting a remake.

Assassin’s Creed: Into 2026

Take a look at what we’re planning over the next few months across the Assassin’s Creed brand.

Starting this week, Australians will need to verify they're 18+ if they want to play 18+ games. Joke's on them, I've had my Steam DOB set for 1901 for over a decade now.

From next week, Australia will require users to verify their age to play GTA Online and other R18+ online games

The age assurance future is coming for games.

PC GamerShaun Prescott

NetEase will stop funding Nagoshi Studio, currently developing Gang of Dragon, in May. It's the latest in NetEase's step back from gaming; the company has previously closed Bad Brain Game Studios and divested from Fantastic Pixel Castle, which later closed.

NetEase to Stop Funding Nagoshi Studio as It Cuts Back on Gaming

NetEase Inc. will cut off funding to the studio led by Yakuza franchise creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, the latest to be affected by the Chinese company’s broader strategy to shrink game development activities.

BloombergTakashi Mochizuki