In this week’s gaming round-up, we zoom in on Xbox, plus updates on The Minecraft Movie sequel and Astro Bot’s big BAFTA wins.
The big picture
Xbox may seem like a third-party games company that happens to own a console — but it’s thriving, especially when it gives some divisions room to breathe.
Xbox Southeast Asia is a prime example. It partners with indie developers — some being solo outfits — and brings their games into the Game Pass ecosystem. In doing so, it’s helped fuel growth in the regional gaming scene.
Let’s hope the US headquarters stays out of the way — what’s working shouldn’t be fixed.
Short beats
Xbox’s Asia Developer Session spotlighted upcoming Southeast Asian and Korean indies: Kriegsfront Tactics, Nightmare Circus, 13Z: Zodiac Trials, Vapor World, and Agni: Village of Calamity.
Astro Bot dominated the BAFTA Game Awards 2025. Still Wakes the Deep took home three awards, while Helldivers 2 bagged two.
SNK’s Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves got a fresh reveal at EVO. Producer Yasuyuki Oda confirmed three years of character DLC, with the full legacy cast returning.
World of Goo 2 hits PC (Steam) on 25 April.
HBO’s The Last of Us has been renewed for a third season.
Sirius Studio — a new developer based in Tokyo — was announced, led by ex-SIE Japan Studio producer Teruyuki Toriyama.
A Minecraft Movie sequel has been confirmed. The first film earned US$301 million during its opening weekend.
Diablo 4’s next expansion drops in 2026, as part of a roadmap extending through 2026.
Sonic Rumble, Sega’s multiplayer party game, launches this May for PC, iOS, and Android.
PlayStation Plus subscription prices go up from 16 April.
Capcom announced that Elena, the next Street Fighter 6 character, will be out on June 5.
Op-Eds
We spoke to Xbox Southeast Asia’s Strategic Markets lead Jun Shen Chia about the region’s indie game future and the goals behind the Asia Developer Session.
Games out this week
Blue Prince (PC): Explore shifting corridors in search of Room 46.
Crashlands 2: A survival action RPG with slapstick alien chaos and interstellar friendships.
Monaco 2: A co-op stealth heist game — plan, sneak, and dash when the plan goes sideways.
Promise Mascot Agency: From the creators of Paradise Killer, a weird adventure where a down-and-out yakuza revives a struggling mascot agency.
Recommended viewing
Rewatch the full BAFTA Game Awards 2025 livestream for the best of this year’s gaming achievements.
Don’t miss Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ EVO showcase — featuring surprise guest characters like Cristiano Ronaldo and Salvadore Ganacci.
