The summer of gaming is shaping up to be one of the most crowded and competitive in recent memory. Among the standout announcements is the official release date for Mafia: The Old Country. While previously expected to drop sometime during the summer, Take-Two has now confirmed—via a since-deleted Steam blog post—that the game will release on August 8th. Keep reading for more gaming news from this month.
Set in Sicily during the early 20th century, the game follows Enso, a young man seeking a better life after a harsh upbringing in the island’s mines. Players will align with the Dontoasi mafia family and navigate a more linear experience compared to Mafia 3. Developer Hangar 13, known for their work on Mafia 3 and the Mafia: Definitive Edition, hasn’t released a new game since 2016, making this a crucial launch.
Gaming News Overload: Marathon, Borderlands 4, and the Crowded Calendar
This summer’s release calendar is so packed that many titles risk getting buried. Part of this is due to developers and publishers aiming to launch their games before the expected release of GTA 6 in late October or early November. As a result, the August-to-September window is being dubbed the “summer of death” for gaming.
One of the more high-stakes releases in that window is Marathon from Bungie, launching on the same day as Borderlands 4—September 21st. Bungie, now under Sony’s wing, faces high expectations, especially as Destiny 2’s player base declines. While Marathon features Bungie’s signature gunplay and unique visual style, its core gameplay loop of PvE tasks in an extraction shooter format feels familiar. Without onboarding systems, ranked modes, or story elements at launch, the $40 price point for group play could prove a tough sell.
A closed alpha for Marathon begins April 23rd, with signups available via Discord. While Bungie aims to expand the game post-launch based on player feedback, many features remain missing just five months before release.
Summer Game Fest and Star Wars Titles Tease Big Reveals
June will bring back Summer Game Fest, beginning with its kickoff show on June 6th. While last year’s edition delivered reveals for Phantom Blade Zero, Lego Horizon, and Monster Hunter Wilds, expectations for 2025 are much higher due to a stacked release lineup. Meanwhile, Star Wars Celebration will offer more than just hype. Lucasfilm will reveal two titles—Star Wars: Zero Company, a turn-based tactics game similar to XCOM, and the second DLC for Star Wars Outlaws.
Xbox will also hold its summer showcase on June 8th, followed by a dedicated presentation for Outer Worlds 2. While some fans hoped for major reveals like Gears of War: E-Day, the focus appears to be on smaller titles. Still, updates on Fable, Perfect Dark, and new PS5 announcements remain possible.
Rumor Roundup and What to Watch Next Week (Gaming News)
As always, leaks and speculation run wild in the gaming news cycle. A few highlights:
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Titanfall 3: Debunked by Jeff Grubb, despite gaining traction last week.
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Oblivion Remake: Grubb gives this rumor credibility, expecting a shadow drop in April—potentially during the only Microsoft window without another release.
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Skull and Bones Year 2: Ubisoft plans to announce new features, including sword fighting, on April 14th.
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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: Hardcore mode goes live April 15th.
Fans should also expect announcements or drops for Persona 4 Remake, Minecraft Dungeons 2, Gears Collection, and Ninja Gaiden 4 in the coming months.
With the summer of gaming approaching, the pressure is on for studios to stand out in a landscape filled with releases, remakes, and revivals. The next few months will determine which titles will thrive and which will be forgotten amid the noise.
