NEWS THIS WEEK

• A Blast to the Past Begins with Overwatch: Classic
• Fortnite’s OG map is coming back just in time for the holidays
• 2025's videogame Grammy nominations are the normal AAA fare and one surprising indie entry
• A second Horizon Lego set is reportedly releasing in March 2025
• Half-Life 2 is getting a huge 20th anniversary update 

RELEASE RADAR

• MYSIMS COZY BUNDLE - 19 November 2024 - Switch 
• MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024 - 19 November 2024 - PC, Xbox Series S|X
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYL - 20 November 2024 - PC, Xbox Series S|X
• TOWERS OF AGHASBA - 20 November 2024 - PC, PlayStation 5

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Nintendo says the Switch successor will be compatible with Switch games
• In just 3 days, the state of Nintendo Alarmo hacking went from 'it loads a cat jpg' to 'it runs Doom better than a lot of PCs back in the day'
• Looking into the Nintendo Alarmo
• ‘Mass Effect’ TV Series in the Works at Amazon From ‘Fast & Furious 9’ Writer
• It sure looks like a Warcraft 2 remaster just leaked ahead of next week's anniversary event

RELEASE RADAR

• FARMING SIMULATOR 25 - 12 November 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• THE RISE OF THE GOLDEN IDOL - 13 November 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• TETRIS FOREVER - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• LEGO HORIZON ADVENTURES - 14 November 2024 - PC, PlayStation 5, Switch

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Ubisoft dumps its NFT game on the market to little fanfare
• Concord isn't coming back, and the developer is done for too
• Nintendo launches music player for Switch Online Subscribers 
• Fortnite is streamlining its many battle passes

RELEASE RADAR

• METAL SLUG TACTICS - 5 November 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• PLANET COASTER 2 - 6 November 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• EMPIRE OF ANTS - 7 November 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• MARIO AND LUIGI: BROTHERSHIP - 7 November 2024 - Switch
• SLITTERHEAD - 8 November - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Scoop: Netflix shuts down 'AAA' Team Blue gaming studio, amid gaming shake-up
• Blizzard’s bringing back 6v6 Overwatch 2 in December to see how that whole thing goes
• Video game preservationists have lost a legal fight to study games remotely
• You can bone the Grim Reaper in The Sims 4 now

RELEASE RADAR

• LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE - 29 October 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch
• DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD - 31 October 2024 - PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• HORIZON ZERO DAWN: REMASTERED - 31 October 2024 - PC, PlayStation 5
• FARMAGIA - 1 November 2024 - PC, PlayStation 5, Switch

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Everything announced at Microsoft’s Xbox Partner Preview
• Steam's new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don't actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers 'cannot be taken away from you'
• Game Freak acknowledges massive Pokémon data breach, as employee info appears online
• ‘God of War’ TV Series Shakeup: Showrunner, Exec Producers Exit as Amazon Eyes New Creative Direction‍

RELEASE RADAR

• WINDBLOWN - 24 October 2024 - PC
• ROMANCING SAGA 2: REVENGE OF THE SEVEN - 24 October 2024 - PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 
• SONIC X SHADOWS GENERATIONS - 25 October 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS 6 - 25 October 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

We’re off at Melbourne International Games Week this week, so no news for you, but what we do have is our best mistakes. Enjoy, Walkthrough will be back next week.

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to https://www.sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Report on virtual currencies in gaming: Getting played
• Epic is suing Google — again — and now Samsung, too 
• Ex-EA Devs Form New Melbourne-based Studio, The Three Thousands
• Halo Infinite Is Officially Getting a Third-Person Mode This November

RELEASE RADAR

• SILENT HILL 2: REMAKE – 8 October 2024 – PC, PlayStation 5
• DRAGON BALL SPARKING ZERO – 11 October 2024 – PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X
• EUROPA - 11 October 2024 – PC, Switch
• METAPHOR: REFANTAZIO – 11 October 2024 – PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S|X
• STARSHIP TROOPERS: EXTERMINATION - 11 October 2024 - PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• PlayStation State of Play September 2024 – Every major announcement
• Echoes of Wisdom was a Zelda Dungeon Maker in early development
• Assassin's Creed Shadows Delayed to February 2025
• Saber Interactive is already thinking about a Space Marine 2 sequel: 'Hopefully we'll be working on Space Marine content for a long time'

RELEASE RADAR

• HELL OF AN OFFICE - 3 October 2024 - PC
• SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE PATRICK STAR GAME - 4 October 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• UNTIL DAWN REMAKE - 4 October 2024 - PC, PlayStation 5
• WIZARD OF LEGEND 2 - 4 October 2024 - PC

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Video games with loot boxes will now get minimum M-Rating in Australia
• Alleged images of Nintendo’s new Switch have appeared online
• Nintendo sues Palworld developer Pocketpair for alleged patent infringement
• Amazon is producing The Sims movie
• The Sims 4 will be “modernised” as EA moves away from sequel plans
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered rated by the ESRB‍

RELEASE RADAR

• TINY GLADE - 23 September 2024 - PC
• DISNEY EPIC MICKEY: REBRUSHED - 24 September 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• EARTH DEFENCE FORCE: WORLD BROTHERS 2 - 26 September 2024 - PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: ECHOES OF WISDOM - 26 September 2024 - Switch
• EA FC25 - 27 September 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch 

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• PlayStation 5 Pro vs PlayStation 5: Breaking Down the Specs
• Annapurna Video-Game Team Resigns, Leaving Partners Scrambling
• Microsoft Lays Off Another 650 Staff From Its Video Game Workforce, Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Sends Memo to Staff
• Destiny 2 Nerf Gun And Ace Of Spades Ornament Accused Of Plagiarizing 9-Year-Old Fanart
• 10 Years Later, the Return of ‘Flappy Bird’ Highlights a Dark Turn for the Games Industry

RELEASE RADAR

• THE PLUCKY SQUIRE - 17 September 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Switch
• UFO50 - 18 September 2024 - PC
• FINAL FANTASY XVI - 18 September 2024 - PC
• GOD OF WAR: RAGNAROK - 19 September 2024 - PC
• FROSTPUNK 2 - 20 September 2024 - PC
• COPYCAT - 20 September 2024 - PC
• THE KARATE KID: STREET RUMBLE - 20 September 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Concord Is Being Taken Offline With This Week With Refunds To Be Given
• Acer’s first handheld gaming PC is the Nitro Blaze 
• 'The Beatles had a 25% hit rate': Randy Pitchford reassures fans that he'll carry on 'making stuff' even after a disastrous Risk of Rain 2 expansion and the Borderlands movie
• Bethesda bans Doom mod about a resurrected mech-demon Margaret Thatcher because it's apparently a bit close to 'real-world politics'
• Sorry, The Minecraft Movie Isn’t Meant To Be For You

RELEASE RADAR

• WARHAMMER 40,000: SPACE MARINE 2 - 9 September 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• TEST DRIVE UNLIMITED SOLAR CROWN - 12 September 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• WILD BASTARDS - 12 September 2024 - Switch, PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• FUNKO FUSION - 13 September 2024 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.