Mid-March sees both high and low developments across the gaming industry, from updates to live service titles to uncertainty surrounding in-the-works projects. Bungie responded to player feedback on Marathon’s in-game economy and system, while new details about the upcoming John Wick game revealed that the story will focus on the assassin’s early career before the events of the first action-packed film.
Meanwhile, Capcom confirmed that additional content for Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) is already in development, expanding the game’s world even further. Not all news was positive, however, as NetEase’s decision to cut funding has placed the future of Gang of Dragon at risk, and Highguard officially shut down its servers following a short and turbulent run. Check out a bit of what went down during the second week of March!
Gaming News At A Glance
Highguard Officially Shuts Down Servers, Devs Affirm Negative Discourse as Cause
Gang of Dragon Development at Risk as NetEase Cuts Off Funding
Marathon Buffs New Player Experience and Fixes LUX Bundle Pricing After Backlash
John Wick Game Explores Wick’s Early Career Before the First Film, Dev Confirms
Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) DLC in Development, Expanding the “World of Requiem”
Other News and Developments This Week
Review Roundup: March 8th to 14th
Fatal Frame 2 Recaptures Fans, Monster Hunter Conservatory, Marathon Satisfies
⚫︎ FATAL FRAME 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake Review | Fatally Captivating
⚫︎ Monster Hunter Stories 3 Review [First Impressions] | Simply Rejuvenating
⚫︎ Marathon Review [First Impressions] | Playing The Long Game
Other Reviews This Week
Gaming News At A Glance: Highguard Shutdown, World of Requiem Expands, Gang of Dragon’s Financial Crisis
Highguard Speeds End of Service Due to Negative Backlash
Recent shooter Highguard has officially shut down its servers shortly after release, bringing an abrupt end to the game’s brief lifespan. Despite launching with more than 100,000 concurrent players on Steam, the title quickly lost momentum following mixed reviews and backlash surrounding its reveal and early reception.
According to members of the development team at Wildlight Studios, several factors contributed to the shutdown, including design decisions and challenges with the game’s competitive focus. One developer also suggested that widespread negative discourse surrounding the game accelerated its decline, though they later clarified that multiple issues ultimately led to the closure.
Gang of Dragon Loses NetEase Funding
Development of Gang of Dragon, the upcoming RPG from Nagoshi Studio, has been thrown into uncertainty after NetEase reportedly decided to end financial support for the studio. According to reports, the project would require roughly $44.4 million more to finish, leading the publisher to reconsider its investment.
The move places the future of the studio—and the game—at high risk. However, NetEase has indicated that Nagoshi Studio could continue development independently if it can secure new funding and repay existing development costs. At this time, the team is currently seeking potential partners to keep the project alive.
Marathon Gets Balance Updates and Adjusts Game’s Currency Pricing
Bungie announced plans to improve the new player experience while also addressing complaints about the pricing structure of the $10 LUX Bundle, which originally granted 1,100 LUX—just short of the 1,120 needed to purchase certain cosmetics. Following community backlash, Bungie confirmed that the bundle will be adjusted to provide 1,120 LUX and that players who already purchased it will receive an additional 20 LUX retroactively.
The change is part of a broader effort by the developers to refine the game’s economy and ensure that cosmetic purchases feel more fair for players. Apart from the price change, the developers indicated balance improvements for implementation along with HUD fixes after learning about players’ issues with navigation.
John Wick Game Focuses on His Life Before Baba Yaga
The upcoming John Wick game explores a period in the assassin’s life before the events of the first film. According to Saber Interactive’s chief creative officer Tim Willits, the game follows a younger version of the character who has not yet mastered the precise gun-fu combat style that later defines him.
Because of this earlier timeline, the game’s combat is expected to feel slightly rougher, grittier, and less refined, reflecting Wick’s growth as an assassin. While details about gameplay remain behind closed doors for now, the project is currently planned as a third-person action title that captures the intense close-quarters gunplay seen in the films.
Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) DLC Announced to be in Development
Capcom has confirmed that downloadable content for Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) is already in development. The upcoming expansion aims to explore more of the game’s setting and narrative, offering players new content that expands the world introduced in the main release.
Although specific details about the DLC’s story or gameplay features have not yet been revealed, the announcement signals Capcom’s continued support for the title following its launch. Fans can expect additional updates in the future as the developer shares more information about what the expansion will include.
Other News and Developments This Week
⚫︎ Crimson Desert Launch Trailer Reveals Global Release Times, Gameplay, and PC Features
⚫︎ Mewgenics Will Get At Least Two
DLC Expansions, Devs Confirm
⚫︎ Marathon Players Slam Latest PvP Audio Update, Calls for Devs to Revert Changes
⚫︎ Highguard Officially Shuts Down Servers Today, Devs Affirm Negative Discourse as Cause
⚫︎ Trails Series Final Game Headlines Falcom’s 50th Anniversary in 2031
⚫︎ Dispatch Lacks Silent Dialogue Because Nobody Used Them in Telltale Games
⚫︎ Diablo 4 x DOOM: The Dark Ages Crossover Arrives With Season of Slaughter
⚫︎ Marathon Nerfs Enemy Health in Balance Patch, Announces First-Ever Official Tournament
⚫︎ Saros Devs Showcase Cast and Characters in New Behind-the-Scenes Video
⚫︎ Marathon Devs Expand Battle Pass After Player Feedback, Addresses Bugged Twitch Drops
⚫︎ Dungeon Stalkers to Shut Down on June 9, Ending Less Than a Year of Service
⚫︎ Fortnite x Hoshimachi Suisei Collab Kicks Off Ahead of New Season on March 12
⚫︎ Monster Hunter Stories 3 Introduces Ranger Kora in New Character Trailer
⚫︎ Pokémon GO Adds Gigantamax Pikachu as In-Game Ditto Event Celebrates Pokopia Launch
⚫︎ Granblue Fantasy: Relink - Endless Ragnarok Showcases Beatrix’s Gameplay in New Trailer
⚫︎ Slay the Spire 2 Devs Apologize for Marathon Quip After Record-Breaking Launch
Review Roundup: March 8th to 14th
Fatal Frame 2 Recaptures Fans, Monster Hunter Stories 3 Conservatory, Marathon Satisfies
This week’s review lineup covers a mix of horror, action, and RPG adventures. The remake of Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly revisits one of the most iconic entries in the survival horror genre, while Bungie’s Marathon introduces a competitive sci-fi shooter experience into the ever-growing FPS extraction market. On the other claw, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection continues the series’ RPG spin-off formula with a new story, an updated combat system, and conservationist-like mechanics.
FATAL FRAME 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake
The remake of Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly revisits one of the series’ most beloved entries while preserving the tense atmosphere and unsettling storytelling that defined the original. Players once again follow twin sisters Mio and Mayu as they explore a haunted village filled with restless spirits, using the Camera Obscura to capture and defeat ghosts.
While the remake enhances visuals and updates gameplay elements, it still remains more focused on ghostly horror. The eerie environments, emotional narrative, and methodical pacing continue to deliver a chilling experience that highlights why the title remains worth revisiting as a standout in the survival horror remakes.
Monster Hunter Stories 3
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection continues the series’ turn-based RPG approach while expanding its creature collecting and worldbuilding. Players once again take on the role of a Rider who bonds with monsters, exploring a story centered on a new set of characters and the mysterious forces affecting the world. The game brings back the formula established in previous entries by refining combat mechanics and widening caretaking options for the riders and their Monster pals.
Marathon
Marathon reintroduces Bungie’s sci-fi shooter franchise with a focus on competitive gameplay and a unique but appealing art style. The game takes on familiar gunplay with extraction-style mechanics, encouraging players to complete objectives and escape with valuable resources while facing both AI enemies and rival players. Early impressions suggest that the core gameplay loop is engaging and rewards strategic play, making the FPS a rising contender.
Other Reviews This Week
⚫︎ Towerborne Review | A Game That Should've Caught On
⚫︎ John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando Review | Too Awesome For Its Own Good
⚫︎ Ghost of Yotei: Legends Review | A Free Update That Could Be a Standalone
⚫︎ Everwind Review [Early Access] | The Shaky First Step to A Very Long Journey
⚫︎ Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime Review | A Bear-y Fun, Whimsical Adventure
