Industry news: October edition
There’s something in the air during autumn months, a chill, a breeze, a wind of change that sometimes sends us in a different state of mind. For many of us October is about the comfort of cozy or the thrill of the eerie, but not for all. Autumn adventures come in many forms, so grab a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, and let’s dive into the gaming retrospective of October.
The colors of Japan and the winds of battle
This time we’re starting right away with the game releases of October, including a demo and an Early Access release the game community is still talking about.
🟤 Ghost of Yōtei (October 2)
The launch of the standalone sequel from Sucker Punch Productions properly kicked off October with one of the major titles of 2025. There’s no doubt about it, the fascinating open-world is a strong point in Ghost of Yōtei, both when it comes to encounters and visuals and, according to IGN’s review, the protagonist Atsu (played by Erika Ishii) makes the story nuanced and captivating.
🟤 Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (October 2)
Two classic Nintendo platformers got an enhanced version and are available on Switch and Switch 2. The new versions come with a UI and performance updates, while preserving the creativity and the fun experience of the original versions.
🟤 Digimon Story: Time Stranger (October 3)
Another classic franchise makes a comeback in this the new turn-based RPG. Playing as an agent of a secret organization, the story explores both the human world and the digital world. As the title hints, time is a factor, as the action takes us back eight years in the past to prevent a catastrophe.
🟤 2XKO (October 7, Early Access)
The versus fighting title from Riot Games is available in Early Access on PC. Everyone is able to play it, no invitation needed. While in Early Access, the game will feature multiple seasons and community tournaments, and it will focus on fine tuning the matchmaking system and fixing bugs.
🟤 Bye Sweet Carole (October 9)
The hand-drawn adventure from Chris Darril and indie developer Little Sewing Machine is an homage to classic cartoons and 90’s adventure games. The game feature stunning visuals reminiscent of golden age animation, with a strong narrative focus wrapped in an eerie undertone.
🟤 Battlefield 6 (October 10)
In one of the major FPS releases of the year, Electronic Arts brings iconic warfare to modern day. The game supports cross-platform multiplayer for up to 64 players and it amounted to be the biggest launch in the history of the Battlefield franchise.
🟤 Little Nightmares III (October 11)
This sequel from Supermassive Games brings co-op action with the miniature-sized character of Low and Alone. Venturing through the nightmare is now a two-player job, as the characters journey through Nowhere solving puzzles and platforming challenges. The game also features a single-player mode in which a bot substitutes one of the characters.
🟤 Reanimal (October 13, demo)
Another co-op adventure from Tarsier Studios, the original creators of Little Nightmares I&II dropped its demo in October. Reanimal Demo showcases 20 minutes of gameplay and, according to Gamespot, the atmosphere is immersive and the interactions feels dynamic, all in all, looking promising for the future release.
🟤 Pokemon Legends: Z-A (October 16)
October was a big month for both Digimon and Pokemon fans. Available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, the action RPG is set entirely in the Lumiose City. The main character is now a young adult who defends the city against Wild Pokemons, in a story that seems perfectly in tune with Pokemon franchise lore.
🟤 Ninja Gaiden 4 (October 21)
After a long wait, this successful sequel brings the classic hack & slash style of previous Team Ninja games to a new generation of players. The game feature updated battles and stronger bosses, positively showing the influence of the collaboration with Platinum Games.
🟤 Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 21)
And speaking of waiting for a long time, the new Vampire: The Masquerade is out, after two decades since the release of the first Bloodlines game. As expected, the single-player RPG strongly focuses on narrative and player choices, uncovering the memories of an elder vampire while exploring a new setting in the streets of Seattle.
🟤 The Outer Worlds 2 (October 29)
Comedic elements, exciting sci-fi action, vast choices – the new Obsidian Entertainment RPG has it all! The Outer Worlds sequel allows the player to create tailored characters and build their own experience in a dynamic environment designed to support choices.
🟤 Arc Raiders (October 30)
Arc Raiders is set in a futuristic world under siege by the mechanized threat of ARC. Players can queue solo or in teams of three to battle both ARC and other players in cross-platform gameplay. Even though there are a myriad of extraction shooters on the market, it seems that this game immediately stood out, engaging the player base.
Mina the Hollower (delayed release)
Initally set for a Halloween release date, Mina the Hollower, the upcoming title from the developers of Shovel Knight is delayed for the time being. Indie developer Yacht Club Games has made the difficult decision to postpone the release in order to have more time to polish the game. We don’t have a new release date yet, however, it seems the studio doesn’t want to wait too long.
The scent of what’s to come
October was no short of game showcases and events, let’s talk about the main topics presented and upcoming indie games which left an impression.
🍂Steam Next Fest (13-20 October)
Steam held another Next Fest edition, making available more than 2,900 free demos. Some of their most played demos included Reanimal (Tarsier Studios), the medieval combat simulator Half Sword (Half Sword Studios), the turn-based prequel Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era (Unfrozen), adventure puzzle game Servant of the Lake (Rusty Lake), the comedy horror co-op YAPYAP (Maison Bap) and many, many other interesting indie titles.
🍂TwitchCon (17-19 October)
TwitchCom held its 10-year anniversary edition in San Diego, bringing streamers and influencers from all over the world. Major titles were available to play, including Arc Raiders, Resident Evil, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and World of Tanks.
The main topics presented at TwitchCon revolved around mobile streaming, Meta’s AI, the role of the Clips feature, co-streaming, safety on channels, and other topics related to monetization and growth.
🍂gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show (16–19 October)
It’s not August yet, but here we are talking about Gamescom again, because the gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show happened! The first edition was held in Bangkok, and with the two events joining forces, this year brought over 206,000 attendees, both consumers and trade visitors. Xbox, Konami, Nintendo and PlayStation are just some of the exhibitors with games available on the floor.
Another edition is already planned for 29 October – 1 November 2026.
🍂ID@Xbox Fall Showcase (28 October)
The Xbox indie showcase in partnership with IGN presented some truly eye-catching titles. Headlining the event was a deep-dive into the development of Mouse: P.I. For Hire, a black-and-white FPS shooter with visuals inspired by early Mickey Mouse cartoons. The cross-over between Vampire Survivors and Balatro was announced with the launch of the free DLC Vampire Survivors: Ante Chamber and a new trailer of Invincible VS revealed heroes Moster Girl and Robot.
Among other interesting games of this showcase we can list the visual novel Puppergeist, the dark fantasy UnGodly, an action-adventure Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf, a survival horror sequel Darkwood 2, and the platformer Egging On.
