The Gaming Brief: October 25, 2026

// BLUFJapan's government named Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto a 2026 Order of Culture recipient.

Japan announced eight recipients on Oct 23, and Miyamoto, 73, is the first from the video game industry. The Emperor is scheduled to present the award on Nov 3, Japan's Culture Day. Miyamoto said the achievements "were not the work of one person" and that he accepts the honor on behalf of his collaborators.

// BLUFHelen Chiang left Microsoft about three months after being named Xbox COO.

An internal memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, first reported by The Verge, said Chiang was leaving that day and that her duties are being split among other Xbox leaders. Chiang spent 21 years at Microsoft and previously led Minecraft. Microsoft said it does not discuss individual personnel matters and gave no reason.

// BLUFThe Marvel's Blade studio has more time to find a partner before a possible closure.

Microsoft told PC Gamer it extended the consultation period past the reported Nov 13 deadline while it explores options, including a partner to support development. Le Monde reported 217 jobs at the French studio. Microsoft said closure documents are part of the required process and do not represent a final decision.

// BLUFBlizzard confirmed the global launch date and an early character-name window.

WoW: Forever launches worldwide Nov 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST. Eligible upgrade buyers can reserve up to three character names from Oct 27 through Nov 3.

// BLUFThe remaster was delisted after player complaints; the original remains on sale.

Players reported bugs, performance problems and apparent AI-generated assets. Creative Assembly VP Roger Collum said the edition was developed externally and missed the studio's usual reviews, and that fixes are in progress with Sega and the outside developer.