April is shaping up to be an eventful month in for gaming news, especially for Xbox titles making their way to PlayStation. With Forza Horizon 5 arriving at the end of the month and Indiana Jones launching on PS5 on April 17th (with early access on April 15th), Microsoft’s strategy raises some questions. Surprisingly, there has been no official announcement yet. Additionally, the Oblivion Unreal Engine 5 remake may be arriving sooner than expected, bringing significant gameplay improvements such as an improved stamina system, better blocking mechanics, and enhanced damage responses.
Rumors suggest that a potential shadow drop could be in the works. This raises speculation about whether Xbox will host another Direct-style presentation to highlight these releases. South of Midnight is also expected to launch in April, meaning Xbox could be rolling out a major title every week. Given the quality of these releases, it seems odd that Indiana Jones on PS5 isn’t receiving a more prominent marketing push. Furthermore, with Expedition 43 joining the lineup, April will be a massive month for Game Pass.
Ubisoft’s Future Hinges on Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Gaming News)
Ubisoft faces mounting pressure as Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally approaches release after multiple delays. The game’s performance could significantly impact the company’s future, especially given Ubisoft’s struggles over the past several years. Since Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, they haven’t seen a major blockbuster success. Titles like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Skull & Bones have underperformed, leading to a stock decline of over 75% in five years.
Recognizing this, Ubisoft is reportedly exploring new strategies, including discussions about selling some of its intellectual properties to companies such as Microsoft and EA. Bloomberg reported that Ubisoft is restructuring its business, focusing on its most valuable franchises—likely Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry—under a new entity. The company is also considering selling a minority stake in this venture, with potential deals closing as early as the end of the month.
With major game publishers shifting toward consolidating their most profitable franchises, Ubisoft appears to be following suit. Given the financial investment in projects like Beyond Good & Evil 2, which has cost hundreds of millions with no clear path to profitability, streamlining its focus may be necessary. Industry speculation suggests Just Dance, The Division, and even Splinter Cell could be sold.
God of War Ragnarok and Major Game Updates (Gaming News)
A significant update for God of War Ragnarok drops this week to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the franchise. The update includes the Dark Odyssey skin for Kratos, inspired by the unlockable skin from the original God of War after completing the game on God Mode difficulty. The update also introduces Dark Odyssey outfits for Freya and Atreus, new weapon appearances, and gold-and-black Dark Odyssey shields. Players must fully upgrade their weapons to unlock these new appearances. Additionally, a transmog option will be introduced, allowing customization of weapon attachments and shield runes.
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 3 has officially entered development following the massive success of Space Marine 2, which sold 4.5 million units in its first month.Focus Entertainment struggled to gain traction with past releases, but Warhammer 40K became a breakout hit, making a sequel inevitable. Expect the next entry around 2028 or 2029.
Naughty Dog’s new IP, Intergalactic, is shaping up to be a significant departure from the studio’s past work. Unlike The Last of Us or Uncharted, the game will not feature a companion system, emphasizing a sense of loneliness in its universe. The story aims to be less guided, drawing inspiration from Monkey Island and Half-Life 2. However, the game is still years away, likely targeting a late 2027 or 2028 release.
