Video summary

AJSN WK31B- Comic Con '26, Xbox ADS in Games, Black Flags 3 Mil+, Tomb Raider DELAY, 007 back at IO?

Main summary

Key takeaways

News and Commentary

Overview

This video is a round-up of gaming, tech, and entertainment news (with heavy commentary). It focuses on two main themes:

  1. Platform/publisher business moves and legal/regulatory actions
  2. Big Comic-Con franchise announcements

Key news & arguments

1) Surfshark sponsor pitch (VPN/security)

  • The hosts promote Surfshark VPN and additional security/privacy tools, including:
    • Content blocking
    • Protection from scams
    • “Alternative ID” features
  • They also discuss the ability to bypass geo-restrictions (example: limits around Texas availability) and using a promo code at checkout.

2) Google fined again by the EU (antitrust/search manipulation)

  • Google receives another billion-dollar EU antitrust fine for:
    • Self-preferencing in Google Search
    • Allegedly restricting businesses in ways that steer users toward alternatives (often cheaper)
  • The hosts argue the fine isn’t meaningfully deterrent, comparing it to “a billionaire getting a speeding ticket.”
  • They contrast EU consumer/pro-competition enforcement with the US, claiming US action is weaker.
  • They also point out how earlier EU rulings can influence practices elsewhere (e.g., Apple charging-cable rules).

3) Xbox/Amazon: “007” IP control concerns; potential reversal

  • The hosts discuss Amazon/MGM walking back earlier statements about removing James Bond (007) from IO Interactive.
  • They tie the shift to the film/game receiving praise and demonstrating success.
  • The commentary criticizes Amazon’s earlier idea (turning over sequels to other studios) as a form of corporate “control.”
  • They argue that if Amazon takes over, it often causes studios to lose what made the original successful—though they note there’s now a chance the sequel returns to IO or the situation improves.

4) Tomb Raider: “Catalyst” delayed to 2028

  • In a Assassin’s Creed / Tomb Raider segment:
    • Tomb Raider Catalyst is delayed to 2028
    • Legend of Atlantis is still planned for February
  • The hosts treat the delay as unsurprising given the release cadence.

5) Player revenue rankings: Fortnite still dominating; MechaChameleon #2

  • On PC revenue for June, MechaChameleon ranks second, which surprises the hosts (they expected it to be #1).
  • Despite MechaChameleon’s success, Fortnite remains the top earner on PC and console.
  • The hosts imply Fortnite continues to generate money even without major new “event” justification.
  • Monetization discussion:
    • MechaChameleon is framed as around $7
    • Fortnite’s ecosystem drives far higher spend via skins, coins, and bundles players “need.”

6) Live player counts update: Battlefield experiment helps briefly; overall trends

The hosts provide Steam-monitoring style updates for multiple games:

  • Battlefield: a net increase (about +20,000 players versus the referenced week), attributed to an experimental mode
  • Marathon: a spike (peaking around ~14,000, based on chart reading) followed by a rapid drop; latest monitoring suggests only hundreds remain, and the hosts wanted “thousands”
  • Destiny 2: declines by several thousand (described as “a lot,” with a joke about “two marathons”)

Overall argument:

  • The experimental boost likely wasn’t sustainable: “success for three days” then decline.

7) Ubisoft: Black Flag revenue success—yet layoffs follow

  • Ubisoft reportedly claims Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag exceeded revenue expectations quickly (over a two-week period vs. annual targets).
  • The hosts praise the idea of a “good game,” but criticize Ubisoft for repeatedly harming franchises through:
    • monetization choices
    • poor decisions
  • They highlight a contradiction: about a third of the team was laid off shortly before/around the success.

8) Microsoft: original Xbox exclusives coming to PC (official)

  • Microsoft is bringing original Xbox exclusives to PC for the first time, emphasizing official availability rather than unofficial emulation/workarounds.
  • Titles mentioned include:
    • Bio (referred to as “Blinks: the Time Sweeper”)
    • Conker Live & Reloaded (called out by the hosts as not as good as a referenced alternative)
    • Crimson Skies
    • Fusion Frenzy
    • Hunter the Reckoning (implied to be part of “locked away” options)
  • The hosts frame this as a consolation prize following a period of weaker current-gen output.

Comic-Con (2026) / Entertainment franchise announcements and commentary

9) Marvel at Comic-Con: strong slate through multiple big releases

The hosts claim Marvel “looks hot,” rapidly advancing confirmed/announced projects:

  • X-Men ’97
    • Discussed as a high-level long-term plan
    • They want many seasons to adapt comic storylines the show previously didn’t cover
  • Avengers Doomsday
    • An exclusive trailer is shown at the event (not shown to the video audience)
    • Discussion includes the possibility that Deadpool may appear
    • Ryan Reynolds reportedly attended and teased it
  • Black Panther 3
    • Announced with a date around Dec 15, 2028
    • Directed by Ryan Coogler
    • Focus on T’Challa’s son
    • Casting described vaguely; actor is said to be from a recent Alien film and “Long Walk”
    • The hosts note the original actor passed away, discussing replacing the character rather than straightforwardly recasting the same role
  • Ghost Rider
    • Officially announced for 2028
    • Speculation connects it to Ryan Gosling wanting the role
    • A joke ties the partner/wife (Eva Mendes) to Ghost Rider via an earlier film
  • Secret Wars
    • Mentioned as next year
  • Overall emphasis: Marvel is stacking major releases with short intervals.

10) DC at Comic-Con: criticized as lacking “heavy hitters”

  • The hosts say DC’s Comic-Con presence felt weak/underwhelming.
  • They criticize a slate heavy in niche/spin-off concepts rather than major character excitement.
  • Examples mentioned:
    • A “Gorilla Grod” direction instead of picks fans wanted (like Mr. Terrific)
    • Confusing/odd character choices and low confidence that they’ll become successful screen projects
  • They also mention James Gunn being active on social media with DC references, including a humorous moment involving a Superman ride/park attraction.

11) Resident Evil and other media

  • Resident Evil
    • Zack Craigler presents an interpretation at Comic-Con
    • Online fans react negatively because it isn’t a shot-for-shot remake of the games
  • Capcom strategy (as discussed):
    • Capcom supposedly wants a Resident Evil every year
    • Remakes are used to “catch up” between larger releases
  • Hosts’ concern:
    • This could exhaust the pool of remakes/rematerial
    • They still acknowledge the upcoming adaptation “looks fun”

12) Overall framing: “Marvel is building momentum; DC needs foundation; leaks may mislead”

  • The hosts argue Marvel’s approach is working because they’re moving major “heavy hitters.”
  • For DC, they claim momentum/fan enthusiasm suffers without big announcements earlier.
  • They also caution that leaks about Avengers Doomsday may be unreliable and shouldn’t be treated as definitive.

Presenters / contributors

  • Alex
  • Joe (Angry Joe)

Original video