International Gaming News

08/13/2025

🎮 International Gaming News – August 13, 2025
💎 Brought to you by Infinity Gaming & Gold King, Hickory NC

Gamers, buckle up — August is delivering a powerhouse lineup you don’t want to miss! Whether you’re slinging combos in Mortal Kombat 1, swinging through Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, or exploring brand-new worlds, there’s something for everyone.

🕹 PlayStation Plus – Game Catalog Update (Drops August 19)
Sony just revealed its August lineup, and it’s pure fire:

Mortal Kombat 1 – Brutal, beautiful, and begging for that next flawless victory.

Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered – Swing into a cinematic superhero adventure.

Sword of the Sea – Brand-new release, perfect for fans of Journey.

Resident Evil 2 & Resident Evil 3: Nemesis – Survival horror classics, now in the premium tier.

Bonus: A trial of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach for Premium members.

🎯 Xbox Game Pass – This Month’s Heavy Hitters
Microsoft isn’t slowing down either. New arrivals include:

Assassin’s Creed Mirage – Back to stealth and historical intrigue.

Grounded 2 – Bigger, better, and still full of bugs (the insect kind).

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – A gritty, Soulslike adventure steeped in Chinese folklore.

⚔ Free Upgrades for Hellblade Fans
If you own Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice on PS4, you can now upgrade to Hellblade II: Enhanced on PS5 for free — complete with next-level graphics, a killer photo mode, and developer commentary. Xbox Game Pass and PC players are getting the enhancements too.

💬 Local Spotlight – Hickory’s Gaming & Treasure Duo
Here in Hickory, we’ve got your real-world loot covered:

Infinity Gaming – From retro rarities to the latest releases, trade-ins, collectibles, and all things gaming.

Gold King – Got gold, silver, coins, diamonds, or luxury watches? Bring them to the lion’s den for top-dollar payouts — no mail-ins, all in-person, right here in town.

When the controller’s down, your next big win might be turning that forgotten treasure into cash or snagging the rare game you’ve been hunting for years.

📍 Infinity Gaming – 1752 Startown Rd, Hickory, NC | (828) 855-0025 www.infinitygaminghickory.com
📍 Gold King – 1750 Startown Rd, Hickory, NC | (828) 855-1850 www.goldkingnc.com

08/11/2025

🎮 International Gaming News – August 11, 2025 Gaming Headlines Roundup
Gamers, buckle up — today’s news cycle is packed tighter than a speedrunner’s inventory. From cross-platform shockers to AI shaking up development, here’s what’s lighting up the gaming world right now.

🚀 Helldivers 2 Invades Xbox August 26
The galaxy just got a whole lot bigger. Helldivers 2, the co-op shooter that made waves on PlayStation and PC, is officially dropping onto Xbox consoles on August 26 — with full crossplay. That means whether you’re holding a DualSense, an Xbox controller, or rocking a mouse and keyboard, you’ll be able to fight side by side against alien hordes. It’s a rare cross-platform handshake from Sony, and players are hyped to finally unite under one banner (and probably blow each other up with friendly fire).

🎯 Xbox Game Pass Drops Big August Additions
This month’s Game Pass lineup is no slouch:

Assassin’s Creed Mirage – Back to stealth roots in the bustling streets of medieval Baghdad.

Grounded 2 – The backyard survival sim returns, bigger and more immersive than ever.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – A haunting Souls-like set in a dark, plague-stricken China.

Game Pass continues its cycle of giving and taking, so if you’ve got titles in your queue, play them now before they vanish faster than loot in an open server.

🤖 Razer Powers Up with AI Gaming Hub
Razer’s not just making flashy peripherals anymore — they’ve opened their first AI gaming hub in Singapore, with Europe and U.S. locations on the way. The mission? Use AI to help devs build smarter games, with tools like in-game assistants, AI-powered QA systems, and optimized hardware integration. Translation: expect sharper gameplay, fewer bugs, and maybe NPCs that can actually dodge.

💥 Battlefield 6 Stays the Course
The upcoming Battlefield 6 isn’t reinventing the matchmaking wheel — and that’s a good thing. Devs confirmed they’ll keep prioritizing low ping and fast “time-to-game” over experimental algorithms. Sometimes the best play is not to fix what isn’t broken.

🎤 Final Word:
August is heating up. Helldivers 2 is breaking console barriers, Game Pass is stacking heavy hitters, Razer’s betting big on AI, and Battlefield 6 is sticking to proven matchmaking. Whether you’re into squad shooters, sprawling RPGs, or cutting-edge tech, 2025’s gaming scene is dropping constant loot.

08/09/2025

🎮 International Gaming News – The Next Big Wave in Gaming Collectibles
While August 9 is packed with real-world celebrations, the gaming world is having a moment of its own — and it’s all about the collectibles market. From sealed retro cartridges to rare limited-edition consoles, the demand for physical gaming treasures is at an all-time high.

In recent months, several record-breaking sales have made headlines — a factory-sealed copy of The Legend of Zelda on NES fetching tens of thousands, a pristine Halo: Combat Evolved Xbox launch edition selling for more than some used cars, and a Pokémon Game Boy title topping collector wish lists. The reason? Scarcity and nostalgia. Gamers who grew up in the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s are now adults with disposable income, and they’re buying back their childhoods.

Industry insiders warn that not all collectibles will hold their value — condition, authenticity, and demand are key. A mint-in-box copy of a cult favorite can skyrocket, while a common title in worn condition might never break the $20 mark. More collectors are also turning to professional grading services to certify their finds, locking in value and protecting them for the future.

Whether you’re hunting for that grail piece or just curious about the market, one thing is certain: the intersection of gaming and collecting isn’t slowing down anytime soon. From game conventions to online auctions, the next big find could be just around the corner — and in the world of gaming collectibles, timing is everything.

08/08/2025

🛍️ HipTrends2015 – 20% OFF Sale!
From rare antique bottles and Civil War collectibles to vintage watches and knives, our Etsy shop is loaded with treasures from every era—now at 20% off.

Whether you’re a collector, a history buff, or just love unique finds, this is your chance to grab one-of-a-kind pieces before they’re gone. Free shipping on every order!

✨ Shop the sale now: hiptrends2015.etsy.com

08/04/2025

🎮 INTERNATIONAL GAMING NEWS – August 4, 2025
Big Delays, Bigger Launches, and Even Bigger Layoffs

It’s a wild week in the world of gaming, with everything from GTA VI delays to record-breaking Switch 2 numbers. Here’s what players everywhere are talking about:

💥 Industry Layoffs Hit Hard
Microsoft just slashed over 3,900 jobs across Xbox, Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax, and multiple studios like Sledgehammer, Turn 10, and Everwild. Blizzard’s Warcraft Rumble was canceled, and the studio will now focus on limited live-ops. It’s another wave in the ongoing contraction shaking the gaming world since 2022.

🚨 GTA VI Delayed Until May 2026
Rockstar confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI is now launching May 26, 2026. The delay didn’t stop fans from noticing that promotional artwork still says “Coming 2025,” fueling speculation of a major marketing twist ahead.

Meanwhile, Twitch is preparing early infrastructure for a massive surge of GTA roleplay content. One exec even called it “the most important game of our lives.” The hype is still alive—just postponed.

📈 Nintendo Switch 2 Breaks Records
Switch 2 has sold 5.8 million consoles in its first quarter, and Mario Kart World alone moved 5.6 million copies. With the absence of GTA VI this holiday season, Nintendo’s ahead in the race.

📺 Nintendo Direct (July 31) Recap
No big first-party bombs, but plenty of third-party gold:

• Apex Legends, Madden 26, and FC 26 hit early August
• Persona 3 Reload and Final Fantasy Tactics confirmed for fall
• Quirky newcomers like Once Upon a Katamari and Cronos: The New Dawn
• Classic remasters like Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac and Plants vs. Zombies
• Indie darling Chillin by the Fire was surprise-dropped during the stream

🗓️ Hot August Game Releases
Get ready for a loaded month:

• Mafia: The Old Country – Aug 8
• Sword of the Sea – Aug 19
• Discounty – Aug 21
• Gears of War: Reloaded – Aug 26
• Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater – Aug 28
• Lost Soul Aside and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance close out the month

And tomorrow? Demon Slayer: Hinokami Chronicles 2 launches August 5 with new story arcs and 40+ fighters.

🆓 PlayStation Plus (Aug 5 – Sept 2)
This month’s free PS4/PS5 games:

• Lies of P
• DayZ
• My Hero One’s Justice 2

A nice mix of action, survival, and anime brawling.

🏆 BAFTA Game Awards 2025 Highlights
• Astro Bot won Best Game
• Hellblade II took home Technical Achievement
• Still Wakes the Deep won in multiple narrative and sound categories

🔮 What’s Coming Soon?
The next few weeks could bring:

• A new GTA VI trailer (finally)
• Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition news for Switch 2
• Silksong, FFVII Remake Intergrade, and 007: First Light updates from Gamescom

📣 Final Thoughts
Even with the delays and layoffs, 2025 is delivering. Nintendo’s thriving, August is packed, and the indie scene is stealing hearts. Gamers of all types—whether you're into Soulslikes, cozy games, or triple-A titles—have a lot to look forward to.

Stay tuned. We’ll be watching every reveal, delay, and surprise as the year unfolds.

07/28/2025

🎮 IGN Weekly Pulse: Xbox Makes a Power Move, PlayStation Eyes Handheld Revival, and PC Crossplay Gets a Boost
July 28, 2025 | International Gaming News (IGN)

It’s been a blockbuster summer for the gaming world, and the news this week confirms one thing: the next era of gaming is all about mobility, mergers, and multiplayer synergy.

🔋 Xbox + Asus ROG: A New Portable Challenger
In a move that’s already shaking up the handheld gaming market, Microsoft has confirmed a strategic partnership with ASUS to co-develop a custom Xbox-branded handheld gaming PC powered by Windows 11. Think: Steam Deck meets Game Pass. Early renders suggest a dual-stick design, native Game Pass integration, and a sub-$500 launch target by Q1 2026.

Insiders say it will support full Xbox Cloud Gaming, with physical media support not expected. Microsoft’s goal? “Get Xbox in your hands—even if you’re 30,000 feet in the air.”

🎮 PlayStation's Return to Handhelds?
Not to be outdone, Sony has filed a fresh trademark for a ‘PlayStation Portable Duo’, rumored to be a foldable handheld with backward compatibility stretching from PSP to PS5 Remote Play. If true, it would mark Sony’s first major portable device since the PS Vita—and give Nintendo’s Switch 2 real competition in 2026.

No formal announcement has been made, but leaks from production suppliers suggest a Q2 2026 development window, with integration into the PSN ecosystem and DualSense-style haptics.

🔗 Crossplay Expansion for PC & Console Ecosystems
Cross-platform gaming just leveled up again. As of July 2025:

Ubisoft is rolling out crossplay for Assassin’s Creed Shadows Multiplayer Mode, letting PS5, Xbox, and PC players battle across feudal Japan in seamless lobbies.

Activision is beta-testing a “Platform Blending” option for Warzone 3, allowing players to mix input-based matchmaking across console and PC—a feature long demanded by casual and competitive players alike.

Epic Games announced that Rocket League 2 will feature “progressive cross-save” across all devices and a new ranked system that transcends platform limitations.

This signals an industry-wide shift: your account is now your platform.

🧠 AI in Gaming Gets More Real
The past few months have seen AI-generated NPCs and reactive storytelling becoming more than buzzwords. BioWare’s in-dev project "Project Meridian" is said to feature dynamic dialogue trees that evolve over time, powered by lightweight on-device LLMs (language models).

Expect more studios to follow suit, with announcements expected at Gamescom 2025 next month.

🎮 The Takeaway
This summer has confirmed what we've been watching all year:

Handhelds are back—fast, powerful, and cloud-connected.

Platform wars are morphing into ecosystem alliances.

AI isn’t replacing developers—it’s enhancing immersion.

Stay tuned to IGN for full breakdowns, interviews, and tech deep dives all week long.

07/27/2025

POSH CASINO
The world is a sad place. I’ve lost millions to your casinos and companies. After all that, I finally win $10,000 and decide to cash it out—and you stiff me on $7,500. What kind of justice is that?

We live in a dog-eat-dog world, spiraling toward failure as a civilization. People stand by while poor children starve. Brute-force men trample over citizens and strip them of dignity—even taking food from their children’s mouths. With all the medicine and resources available, no child anywhere should be dying of hunger. Children in places like Africa could be healthy and well-fed, yet billionaires keep buying another million-dollar car, another multi-million-dollar home—while women cradle starving babies in their arms.

GOD—yes, GOD—will eventually right these wrongs. The ultra-rich may think they’re untouchable, but when they die, they’re buried in caskets no different from anyone else's. They will answer to a higher power.

When someone like me believes in people like you—and even spreads that trust to others—only to be denied a mere $7,500 after losing millions, it breaks something inside. It makes me question whether civilization has any hope left. I pray I’m not around when it all crashes down on the ultra-rich. If that day comes, they’ll have no idea how to survive.

I’ve been treated terribly in life. Born poor, dismissed as “white trash,” a high school dropout—but I’ve become a millionaire three times and gone broke four times. Rising from the ashes is second nature to me.

So, I will hand this over to God. The scripture says to be kind to those who spitefully use you—because in doing so, it will be like pouring hot coals on their heads. Tell your owner to go gamble my $7,500 away in Vegas. Maybe after winning millions from me, he really needs it.

As far as I’m concerned, you are the pirates of the modern age. Maybe one day, God will make you walk the plank.

07/24/2025

i made a deposit in posh casino, won 10,000 dollars, they paid me 1800, and will not send the rest, THEY WILL NOT PAY OUT, THEY WILL STEAL YOUR MONEY, DO NOT DEPOSIT WITH THEM, THEY ARE PIRATES OF THE CARABEAN.

07/22/2025

07/22/2025

🎮 INTERNATIONAL GAMING NEWS (IGN) – WORLD BRAIN DAY: GAMING'S INTELLECTUAL EVOLUTION
📅 July 22, 2025

It’s World Brain Day — and we’re not talking crossword puzzles. Today we recognize how gaming isn’t just a pastime — it’s a mental marathon. From high-level strategy games to fast-paced competitive shooters, the best titles demand memory, focus, calculation, and creative thinking on the fly.

Take real-time strategy legends like StarCraft II or modern tactical shooters like Valorant: pros aren't just quick — they’re brilliant. Processing hundreds of inputs per minute, adapting to new metas, and coordinating with teams in real-time requires brainpower that rivals any boardroom. And with the rise of AI in game design, from procedural narratives to adaptive enemy tactics, the games themselves are getting smarter too.

IGN’s spotlight today is on games that flex the mind:

The Talos Principle 2 – Philosophical puzzles with stunning visuals

Baldur’s Gate 3 – Strategic D&D storytelling meets moral dilemmas

Against the Storm – Roguelike city-builder with long-term planning baked in

Human Resource Machine – Logic puzzles for the programmer brain

Portal Reloaded – A fan-made mod that challenges time and space logic

Whether you're boosting your brain through creative builds in Minecraft or optimizing a loadout in Escape From Tarkov, today's a reminder that gaming and intelligence go hand-in-hand.

🧠 Game smart. Play smarter.

07/17/2025

🎮 INTERNATIONAL GAMING NEWS (IGN) – July 18, 2025
“Mods, Metal & Midnight Patches: Why 2025 Is the Year Gamers Took Back Control”
📅 July 18, 2025
📰 Powered by International Gaming News | A Gold King Family Company

HICKORY, NC — In 2025, while AAA publishers double down on live-service fatigue and “AI-powered game assistants” that no one asked for, gamers are staging a rebellion—and they’re winning.

From modding communities that outperform actual dev teams to the skyrocketing demand for physical media and unplugged experiences, this is the year players stopped waiting for patches and started playing their way.

🛠️ Modding Is Mainstream Now
Whether it’s Starfield finally feeling complete (thanks to third-party quest packs) or Palworld’s absurd fusion of crafting chaos and community-made chaos-er mods, players are realizing:
Modding is where the best content lives.

NexusMods hit a record 100M downloads in June

CD Projekt Red and Larian now officially hire top modders

Indie devs are releasing open tools on day one

“Modders are fixing the games that corporations released half-baked,” says Marty McDaniel, founder of International Gaming News and owner of Infinity Gaming in Hickory, NC.
“It's not just about skins and texture swaps anymore—it's about quality control.”

💽 Physical Media: The Silent Revolution
Gamers are tired of renting their collections. When games vanish from digital stores or arrive 70% complete, physical ownership becomes rebellion.

At Infinity Gaming, located right next to IGN HQ, retro demand is off the charts:

🕹 PS2 and Wii titles flying off the shelves

💾 Modded Game Boys outselling sealed Switch Lites

🔌 Even Sega Saturns are getting trade-in offers again

“You can’t delete what’s in your hand,” says McDaniel. “You don’t need a server for Tetris.”

⏳ Midnight Patch Culture Is Cracking
When Last Outcry Online shipped with a 19GB patch on day one (and promptly crashed its own servers), it was the last straw for many. Players are trading bloated digital chaos for small, complete, beautiful discs and cartridges that just… work.

🧠 What It All Means
In an era of corporate overreach and digital fragility, 2025’s gaming heroes aren’t devs or influencers—they’re players.
Players who mod.
Players who own.
Players who say, “Nah, I’ll pass on the Season Pass.”

📍 International Gaming News HQ
Powered by the Gold King Family of Companies
Based in Hickory, NC
💻 www.infinitygaminghickory.com
📞 (828) 855-0025

07/14/2025

🎮 International Gaming News
July 14, 2025 – Shark Awareness Day + Pandemonium Day
“Depth Charges & Game Glitches: Shark Attacks, Game Hacks, and Sea-Level Mayhem”

There’s blood in the water today—figuratively and literally—as Shark Awareness Day meets Pandemonium Day, and the gaming world is right at the center of the chaos.

While marine biologists remind us not to fear sharks (just respect them), gamers know that some of the wildest shark attacks come from pixels, not real predators.

Let’s dive into the most iconic shark encounters, underwater panic, and deep-sea pandemonium in gaming history:

🦈 Shark Games Worth a Second Bite:
Maneater (2020) – You are the shark. Devour swimmers, evolve with mutations, and wreak havoc across Gulf Coast waterways. Equal parts terrifying and absurd.

Depth (2014) – A multiplayer showdown between divers and player-controlled sharks. Brutal. Strategic. Paranoia in every shadow.

Raft (2018) – The ocean is endless, the sharks are relentless, and your little floating pallet is dinner if you’re not careful.

Stranded Deep (2015) – Survival meets open water terror. The sharks don’t need to be fast—they just need you to be distracted.

⚠️ When Game Devs Release the Sharks…
In the spirit of Pandemonium Day, we salute the bugs, glitches, and balance issues that made these games pure chaos at launch:

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – Shark hunt missions were buggy at first, often resulting in the hunter getting eaten mid-harpoon animation.

Subnautica – Early versions had aggressive sea creatures that could spawn through walls—or worse, follow you onto dry land.

Grand Theft Auto V Mods – Why stop at real sharks when you can mod in Megalodons, land sharks, or Sharknado chaos?

📈 Trending Today:
“Shark AI” is trending in modding forums after a fan-made patch to Sea of Thieves made sharks smarter, faster, and able to break the surface to attack small rowboats.

Indie devs tease Feeding Frenzy Reboot with ultra-HD animation and a roguelike mechanic.

Gaming charity stream “Bytes & Bites for Sharks” is raising funds to support ocean cleanups by livestreaming Maneater with permadeath challenges.

🎧 Pro Tip:
If you’re a streamer or content creator, Shark Awareness Day is a golden opportunity to ride a niche wave. Update your tags, cue your Jaws theme remix, and dive in.

Stay updated. Stay chaotic. And remember—if there's a splash on screen, it might already be too late.

🌊