Steam Sale Runs into Tech Trouble

This week in gaming was anything but quiet. While U.S. players were lighting fireworks and flipping burgers for the Fourth of July, the industry delivered a full plate of headlines. KORG Gadget landed unexpectedly on PlayStation 5, turning the console into a legit softsynth studio. Valve dropped fresh insights on Steam Playtest tools at GDC 2025, while Xbox made waves with major layoffs and project cancellations that have the community talking.

The Steam Summer Sale ran into tech trouble, wishlist data vanished, and mobile games like Honor of Kings and Pokémon Go racked up serious numbers. Toss in cross-platform shifts, legal drama around Nintendo’s console control, and a growing trend of patient gamers reshaping the way people buy and play—and yeah, there’s a lot to dig into. Let’s break it all down.

KORG Gadget Brings Softsynth Action to PS5

In one of the more unexpected PlayStation 5 (PS5) releases this summer, KORG Gadget has officially launched on Sony’s console. Built in Unreal Engine, the app comes packed with 16 synthesizer and drum machine gadgets, giving players a full softsynth experience right from their living room. For those who remember the Nintendo DS version, this is a serious step up in terms of audio tools and visual design. It’s a niche release, but a fascinating one, especially for music-focused players.

Steam Dev Tools Get Spotlight at GDC

Valve took the stage at GDC 2025 to walk devs through its latest tools for running betas and playtests on Steam. Erik Peterson’s talk has now been posted on YouTube and dives deep into how developers can use the platform’s backend to manage pre-release testing and community feedback. It’s a technical overview, but packed with case studies and practical tips.

Steam Summer Sale Hits a Snag

Valve’s Summer Sale is one of the biggest seasonal events on PC, but this year’s edition ran into technical trouble. The platform’s wishlist reporting tool stopped working entirely during the sale, leaving developers without crucial user data. Some devs expressed frustration online, questioning the value of Steam’s revenue cut when key tools go offline during peak periods.

Steam Sale Runs into Tech Trouble

Xbox Layoffs Rock First-Party Studios

Xbox has made significant cuts across its gaming division, with both platform and studio teams affected. Phil Spencer addressed the layoffs in a memo confirming some major projects are impacted. Everwild and Perfect Dark are facing serious setbacks, a Zenimax MMO has been shelved, and The Initiative has shut down entirely. While Microsoft hasn’t issued a detailed breakdown, it’s clear that slower Game Pass growth and the weight of earlier acquisitions are forcing hard choices inside Xbox.

Mobile Game Charts: New and Familiar Faces

The mobile gaming market saw another shake-up in June. Honor of Kings, Whiteout Survival, LastWar, Royal Match, and Monopoly Go each cleared $100 million in revenue. Meanwhile, Pokémon Go climbed back into the top 10 with $62 million. On the download side, Block Blast!, Roblox, and Subway Surfers continue to dominate, while Pizza Ready made a surprise leap into the #4 spot.

Helldivers 2 Is Coming to Xbox

In a move that would’ve seemed unlikely a few years ago, PlayStation and Arrowhead’s hit co-op shooter Helldivers 2 is headed to Xbox Series X and S. The game has already built a strong audience on PS5 and Steam, and the Xbox version will launch August 26. Meanwhile, Microsoft continues to bring some of its own titles like Forza Horizon and an Oblivion remaster to PlayStation, signaling that cross-platform isn’t just a trend—it’s the new normal.

Helldivers 2 Coming to Xbox

Nintendo Faces Legal Heat in Brazil

Nintendo’s Switch 2 is already under legal scrutiny in Brazil. The country’s Consumer Protection and Defence program is challenging Nintendo’s ability to brick consoles remotely if used in unauthorized ways. According to officials, this practice could be considered abusive, and it raises big questions about digital ownership and user rights.

Quick Hits: Tech and Reports

PlayStation 5 Pro is getting a new upscaling tech in 2026, according to Mark Cerny, promising a visual upgrade from the current PSSR system. Over on Prime Gaming, July’s free titles include Saints Row games and Death Stranding on Luna. Meanwhile, Newzoo’s latest report breaks down IP popularity by region, highlighting top franchises like Arcane and Pokémon around the globe. That wraps up a packed week in game discovery, with platform shifts, studio news, and unexpected software drops keeping the industry moving. Stay tuned for more updates.