
News brief
ESA calls preloaded retro handhelds 'superfakes' and nominates Anbernic for USTR's Notorious Markets review
In an October 7 filing to the US Trade Representative, the Entertainment Software Association says handhelds sold with cards full of unauthorized games are the industry's "superfakes", and nominates Anbernic.com for the Notorious Markets list. It is a nomination. USTR decides what goes on the list.

News brief
Epic reportedly delays its Marvel–Star Wars shooter and goes 'AI first'; Sweeney confirms a 'huge pivot'
Bloomberg reports that Epic Games has delayed its unannounced Disney shooter, with Marvel and Star Wars characters, and told the team to move to "AI first" production. Epic and Tim Sweeney confirm the AI push on the record. Neither has confirmed the delay.

News brief
ARC Raiders' PvE test starts tomorrow, and Embark says it may not stick
Embark Studios opens a PvE matchmaking toggle in ARC Raiders from October 13, 09:00 UTC (06:00 ART) to October 20, 09:00 UTC. Embark is explicit that it may not work: the test "is not a promise" of a PvE mode, and the toggle is removed when it ends.

News brief
Grasshopper Manufacture leaves NetEase and goes independent on October 1, 2026
Goichi Suda's studio announced on September 30, 2026, that it is no longer part of NetEase Games as of October 1 — five years after the buyout, and months after self-publishing Romeo is a Dead Man.
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