Gaming World News: Metroid Ravenous Revealed and More
The gaming world rarely stays quiet for long, and the past 48 hours have delivered another interesting mix of updates. From potential new Metroid details to changes for Ubisoft games on Steam, there is plenty to catch up on.
PlayStation players also have a fresh batch of PS Plus Extra and Premium games arriving throughout September. Meanwhile, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has attracted attention for a rather unusual Xbox-specific weapon skin feature.
Here are some of the biggest stories making headlines in our latest Gaming World News: Highlights from the Last 48 Hours round-up.
MercurySteam Appears to Confirm Metroid Ravenous
One of the most intriguing developments surrounds Metroid Ravenous, with MercurySteam appearing to confirm its involvement with the project.
The studio has an established history with Nintendo’s Metroid franchise. Most notably, MercurySteam developed 2021’s Metroid Dread alongside Nintendo EPD. The game brought the classic 2D Metroid formula back into the spotlight and received widespread praise.
Now, attention is turning towards Metroid Ravenous.
MercurySteam appears to have indicated that it is working on the new title. While information surrounding the project remains limited, the studio’s apparent involvement immediately gives fans an idea of what they could potentially expect.
MercurySteam’s work on Metroid Dread combined fast movement with exploration and challenging encounters. Therefore, its return could provide some continuity between the two projects.
However, plenty of questions remain.
Exactly how Metroid Ravenous will build upon previous entries remains to be seen. Its structure, gameplay mechanics and place within the wider Metroid universe will undoubtedly become clearer as further information emerges.
For now, MercurySteam’s apparent involvement is enough to make Metroid Ravenous one to watch.
Ubisoft Makes Steam Games Easier to Launch
Elsewhere, Ubisoft is taking steps to simplify how some of its games operate through Steam.
For years, PC players buying Ubisoft titles on Steam have often needed to use Ubisoft Connect alongside Valve’s platform. That additional launcher requirement has regularly been a source of frustration.
Now, Ubisoft is beginning to move away from it.
The company is removing the Ubisoft Connect launcher requirement from some Steam games. Ubisoft has described the move as an initial step towards providing a smoother and more streamlined launch experience.
It’s a relatively small change, but an important one.
PC players generally favour simplicity. If someone purchases a game through Steam, having another launcher appear before the game starts can create unnecessary friction.
Removing that extra step should make accessing supported Ubisoft titles more straightforward.
More importantly, Ubisoft’s wording suggests this could be the beginning of a wider change rather than an isolated adjustment. If the company expands the approach across more of its catalogue, Steam users could benefit significantly.
PS Plus Extra and Premium September Games Revealed
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers also have plenty to play this September.
Rather than arriving simultaneously, this month’s games are being introduced across several dates. The line-up covers everything from wrestling and action to survival horror and dungeon exploration.
The September PS Plus Extra and Premium games are:
- Date Everything! – 9th September (PS5)
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds – 15th September (PS5)
- WWE 2K26 – 15th September (PS5)
- Slitterhead – 22nd September (PS4, PS5)
- Ball x Pit – 22nd September (PS5)
- Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound – 29th September (PS4, PS5)
- Dungeons of Hinterberg – 29th September (PS4, PS5)
- Sniper Elite: Resistance – 29th September (PS4, PS5)
It’s certainly a varied selection.
WWE 2K26 will likely be one of the bigger draws for wrestling fans. Meanwhile, Slitterhead offers something considerably darker for players looking for a horror experience.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound provides another action-focused option later in the month. Sniper Elite: Resistance should also appeal to fans of tactical combat.
With releases spread throughout September, subscribers have new additions to look forward to across the entire month.
Modern Warfare 4 Has a Curious Xbox Weapon Skin
Finally, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is back in the headlines, although this time it is for a surprisingly specific reason.
Interestingly, the game features a weapon skin that players can only see properly on Xbox.
Platform-exclusive content isn’t exactly new to Call of Duty. Over the years, players have become accustomed to particular bonuses, cosmetics and other extras being associated with individual platforms.
This example, however, is rather unusual.
The weapon skin’s visual effect apparently depends on Xbox-specific technology to be displayed as intended. Consequently, players elsewhere may not experience its appearance in quite the same way.
It is an interesting example of how hardware-specific features can influence even relatively small cosmetic elements.
Of course, a weapon skin is unlikely to determine which platform most people choose for Modern Warfare 4. Nevertheless, the detail has sparked discussion because of how unusually specific the implementation appears to be.
As more players get their hands on the game, it will be interesting to see whether similar platform-specific visual features emerge.
Another Busy 48 Hours in Gaming
The latest Gaming World News cycle has brought together announcements, subscription updates and some unexpected technical details.
For Metroid fans, MercurySteam’s apparent connection to Metroid Ravenous could be particularly exciting. After the success of Metroid Dread, expectations will naturally be high for whatever comes next.
PC players, meanwhile, may welcome Ubisoft’s efforts to reduce its reliance on Ubisoft Connect when launching games through Steam. If this really is only the “initial step”, further improvements could follow.
PlayStation Plus subscribers have a packed September schedule to explore, while Modern Warfare 4 continues to generate conversation ahead of its wider impact on the Call of Duty community.
As always, the gaming industry moves quickly. It probably won’t be long before the next major announcement arrives.
