Phantom Blade Zero Doesn’t Have an Achievement for Beating Its Hardest Mode; A Growing Trend in the Games Industry Is to Blame

ign.com Nov 10, 2026

Phantom Blade Zero Doesn’t Have an Achievement for Beating Its Hardest Mode; A Growing Trend in the Games Industry Is to Blame

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 10, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

S‑GAME’s upcoming action RPG, Phantom Blade Zero, features a 66‑Days Mode that challenges players to finish the campaign in 66 attempts. Despite the mode’s difficulty, the studio announced no separate achievement for it, stating all achievements are obtainable in a single playthrough on any difficulty. The article argues this reflects a broader industry trend of simplifying achievement systems to appeal to players who use trophies as purchase criteria, potentially undermining the purpose of achievements.

💡 Why It Matters

· By removing hard‑mode rewards, developers risk eroding the incentive for dedicated play, reshaping how gamers value completion and potentially shifting design priorities toward easier, more marketable trophy lists.

Capsules Gaming

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World of Warcraft: Forever devs know faction restrictions in PvP are “frustrating,”…

World of Warcraft: Forever has faced a faction‑balance crisis since its launch, with Horde dominating in North America and Alliance in EU role‑play PvP. Blizzard acknowledged the 55/45 split and announced character‑creation restrictions to curb over‑populated factions. The changes aim to push balance toward a 50/50 split, even if it temporarily limits new players from choosing the majority faction. The studio stresses the long‑term health of PvP and its commitment to restoring equilibrium across regions.

💡 By tightening character creation, Blizzard directly tackles the root cause of faction skew, ensuring competitive integrity and preventing runaway guild dominance. This proactive move could set a precedent for future MMO balance strategies.

ign.com · Nov 10

GTA 6 Preloads Are Now Available

Rockstar Games has opened preloads for Grand Terror Auto 6 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, allowing preordered players to download the 212‑GB title ahead of its November 19 release. The game is available in standard and ultimate editions; the ultimate edition adds exclusive vehicles, weapons, missions, and cosmetic items. Physical copies are boxed packages containing a digital code, with a separate upgrade option to convert a standard edition into the ultimate edition at no extra cost. Preloads are available immediately for digital preorders, while physical copies must arrive first.

💡 Enabling preloads gives players a head start on a highly anticipated launch, reducing launch‑day queue times and ensuring instant access. The tiered edition structure also illustrates how digital-only releases can still offer tangible collector value through boxed packages and upgrade paths.

ign.com · Nov 10

You Don’t Need a Current-Gen Console if You’re Happy to Play GTA…

Rockstar announced that GTA 6 will run at 30 fps on all current‑generation consoles, including the Xbox Series S. The game will also be available through Xbox Cloud Gaming on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, using Series S graphics settings. While the title will not stream to PC, the cloud version will match the lowest‑end console’s visuals, aiming to reduce server strain during launch. Players must consider bandwidth limits, potential lag, and a 15‑hour Game Pass Ultimate cap. The game will occupy 212 GB of storage locally.

💡 By enabling cloud play on older hardware, Rockstar expands GTA 6’s reach without requiring new consoles, potentially boosting early sales and streamlining launch logistics.

9to5mac.com · Nov 10

Apple Arcade unveils three new games from hit franchises

Apple Arcade released Football Manager 27 Touch, the latest entry in the long‑running football simulation series, today. The update introduces an enhanced Match Engine, new Recruitment and Match Preparation tools, and a redesigned iPhone interface for easier navigation. Apple also announced several additional titles for December 3, including franchise‑based games and a roguelike solitaire variant from Playstack. The subscription service remains $6.99/month, granting ad‑free access to over 200 games.

💡 The launch expands Apple Arcade’s sports portfolio, positioning it as a competitive alternative to other mobile sports simulators. The roguelike solitaire addition showcases the platform’s willingness to blend classic genres with innovative gameplay.

playstationlifestyle.net · Nov 10

PS Store Users Renew Demand for Gifting Feature After Nintendo

PlayStation users have intensified calls for a gifting feature after Nintendo announced eShop gifting for family groups starting November 17. Nintendo’s limited but first‑in‑class capability contrasts with Xbox and Steam, leaving the PS Store as the sole major platform lacking game gifting. Fans argue that Sony’s omission undermines its market position and consumer experience. The demand highlights a growing expectation for digital marketplaces to support peer gifting, a standard now common elsewhere.

💡 The absence of gifting on PlayStation forces users to rely on third‑party solutions, limiting social engagement and potential sales. Sony’s delay risks eroding its competitive edge in an increasingly digital‑first ecosystem.

eurogamer.net · Nov 10

Europe is about to get very tough on loot boxes in games,…

A leaked draft of the European Digital Fairness Act proposes stringent rules on loot boxes and in‑game monetisation, including default disabling for minors and mandatory opt‑out options for all players. The draft demands price transparency for virtual purchases, bans pay‑to‑progress and pay‑to‑win mechanics for under‑18s, and requires age‑appropriate ratings. It also targets influencer marketing, opaque pricing, and dark‑pattern design. The legislation could reshape the EU gaming market, potentially curbing the profitability of systems like EA’s Ultimate Team.

💡 The Act threatens the core revenue model of many popular titles, forcing developers to rethink monetisation strategies and potentially reducing the availability of high‑profit loot‑box mechanics in the EU.