Hey everyone,

A bit of a shorter one this week, but as this issue marks a bit of a milestone for the newsletter I just wanted to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to everybody reading.

I can’t believe it’s been 50 weeks already. The newsletter has changed quite a bit since it first launched (for the better, I hope) and the subscriber count is growing nicely, but I’m not ready to sit back with my feet up just yet.

The Week in Games is for you. I want to keep it relevant, and I want to keep it interesting.

To do that, I’d like to ask for a small favour…

If you wouldn't mind quickly casting your vote in the poll below to let me know how much you enjoy the newsletter, it would be hugely appreciated. Once you’ve voted you’ll have the chance to leave some additional feedback if you wish. Alternatively, if you’ve got a bit more to get off your chest you can simply reply to this email and respond directly.

What do you want from a gaming newsletter? What do you want to see more of? Or less of? What’s your favourite section of each issue? What’s your least? What do you think of the new Sunday Supplement? Last week’s interview with the Director of Seasons: A Letter to the Future was a first for the newsletter… would you like more of that?

Any feedback at all is a huge help, and I’ll be sure to respond to you.

It means the world to me that you give The Week in Games space in your inbox, and it’s something I never take for granted. I want it to be the best it can be and something you look forward to opening every week. To achieve this, your feedback is vital.

As always, thank you so much for reading and for your support.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the newsletter and have a great weekend,

Jeff

THE WEEK IN GAMES

The best news, deals and gaming content of the week!

NEWS

• The next batch of PlayStation Plus games for February have been officially confirmed.

• Sony has also confirmed that the PlayStation Plus Collection will be removed in May. If you want continued access to the (very good) selection of games on offer, be sure to claim them before then.

• Microsoft has revealed that over 40 games will be removed from the old Xbox 360 marketplace from February 7th. Although many will still be available via backwards compatibility on the current Xbox Store, some will be gone for good. Check out this Time Extension article to see which titles are affected.

• A new bundle of games has been launched on Humble Bundle to celebrate Black History Month.

• Amazon has big plans for Tomb Raider, including a movie, a game, and a Phoebe Waller-Bridge-produced TV series.

• Sony says it has not cut PlayStation VR 2 production numbers, following a report from Bloomberg.

• Sources have told IGN that neither Xbox, Sony or Nintendo will be an official part of E3 when the show returns this June.

• Nintendo and Illumination have released a new teaser trailer that reveals Mario's cat suit and more of Donkey Kong.

• Upcoming Xbox exclusive Redfall will require an online connection for single player, as well as for co-op.

• Square Enix has announced that it has officially registered January 31st as "Final Fantasy VII Day" in Japan.

• Amiga classic Sensible World of Soccer has received a 2022/2023 player and team update courtesy of fansite SensibleSoccer.de.

• EA has reportedly cancelled an unannounced Respawn-developed single-player game set in the Titanfall/Apex Legends universe.

• Digital Foundry has said the new Dead Space is what a best-in-class remake looks like in their extensive tech review.

• AMD's Ryzen 7000X3D gaming-focused processors finally have release dates.

DEALS

• PlayStation has a Games Under £15 Sale currently running, and a Critic's Choice Sale, with up to 70% off a big selection of well-reviewed games.

• PlayStation's Deal of the Week is 50% off the PS4 and PS5 versions of Cyberpunk 2077.

• Over on Xbox there's a new Anime Month Sale offering up to 80% off anime games, a THQ Nordic and Handy Games Sale, and a Ubisoft publisher Sale, offering up to 80% off, you guessed it, Ubisoft games.

• As usual there's no themed sale over on Nintendo's eShop, but there's a general sale currently running, with a large number of decent AAA and indie games on offer.

• On the Epic Games Store City of Gangsters and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider are both free to download.

• Finally, over on Steam there's no themed sale at the moment, but as always there are plenty of games on special offer, including Black Ops III for less than £15, Battlefield 1 for £7, Mass Effect Legendary Edition for £12.49, and more.

MORE!

• The Last of Us: Episode 1

Desperate to find out why everybody's raving about The Last of Us TV series but don't have Sky or HBO? Well you're in luck, Sky have made the entire first episode available for free on their YouTube channel.

• Mika and the Witch's Mountain

The crowdfunding campaign for the utterly delightful looking Mika and the Witch's Mountain is now live. If a mix of Kiki's Delivery Service and The Wind Waker floats your boat, be sure to give it a look.

• Switch Player Three for Three

You can currently grab three issues of the brilliant Switch Player magazine for just £3. Six issues are included in the deal across two bundles, so if you missed them (or if you've never picked up an issue before) now's a great time to grab them. Check out the issues on offer here.

NEW RELEASES

All the major releases arriving this week and next!

THIS WEEK:

• Powerwash Simulator (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4) – January 30

• Trek to Yomi (Switch) – January 30 – Read review

• Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One) – January 31

• Inkulinati (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – January 31

• Season: A Letter to the Future (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC) – January 31

• SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – January 31

• Football Manager 2023 (PlayStation 5) – February 1

• Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – February 2

• Deliver Us Mars (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – February 2

• Life Is Strange 2 (Switch) – February 2 – Read review

• Tails: The Backbone Preludes (PC) – February 2

• The Pathless (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch) – February 2 – Read review

NEXT WEEK:

• Endling – Extinction is Forever (iOS, Android) – February 7

• Hogwarts Legacy (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – February 10

SUPPORT US

Support independent games writing!

The Week in Games remains possible thanks to the support of members such as BitBloggist, johnXprinter, Seán Lynch, Px, Marcos & Anthony.

If you enjoy it, please consider a Premium Membership. Your contribution goes directly towards maintaining and improving The Week in Games.

More for your inbox!

• The Goodnewsletter* - The world is filled with good news - if you know where to look.

• Tip News Daily Brief* - Daily news highlights on the most need-to-know issues.

• Classic Nerd* - Twisted takes on old-school nerd topics, trivia, and rad giveaways.

*These newsletters are part of a cross-promotion. Any sign-ups help The Week in Games grow!

…and that’s it for this week!

If you have any comments or suggestions, are interested in advertising your game, product or service to The Week in Games' passionate readers, or would like to sponsor the monthly giveaway, please reply to this email directly or catch me over on Twitter!

Thanks again, and see you next week!

Jeff