Episodes / October 24, 2026
EA Closed BioWare. Is Battlefront 3 Real? | Unit 500 Ep 2
EA shuts down BioWare, Shrek 2 Remastered is official, and Final Fantasy Resonance lands big. Then the Rumor Meter: Battlefront 3, a $1,800 next Xbox, and Half-Life 3 (again). Sky rates every rumor LEGIT, LIKELY or LOL.
Week of October 26 · Briefing 情報
The intel
Every story from this episode with its source. Rumors carry Sky’s rating and are not confirmed unless the publisher says so.
- News
EA closes BioWare; early work on the next Mass Effect ends
EA told staff on Oct 21 it is closing BioWare and its Edmonton workspace and ending early development on the next Mass Effect. Bloomberg reports about 400 jobs across EA, around 50 at BioWare; EA did not give a number and says it will help staff find other roles.
- News
Shrek 2 Remastered is official: November 10
Aspyr announced the remaster at the Oct 20 ID@Xbox Showcase with a GTA 6-style trailer: 4K, Photo Mode, Cheat Mode and four-player co-op. Out Nov 10, nine days before GTA 6. Last week's leak, rated LEGIT.
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Switch 2
- Switch
- PC
Source: Gematsu
- News
Final Fantasy Resonance launches to strong reviews
The first HD-2D Final Fantasy came out Oct 22. Game Informer gave it 9/10 and IGN 8/10.
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Switch 2
- Switch
- PC
Source: Digital Citizen
- Rumor
Respawn and DICE's new project is Star Wars Battlefront 3
EA confirmed the two studios are teaming up on a future project. Variety and Bloomberg report it is Star Wars Battlefront 3. Neither EA nor Lucasfilm has announced it.
Source: Shacknews (Variety, Bloomberg)Unconfirmed by the publisher
- Rumor
Next Xbox 'Project Helix' could cost $1,200 to $1,800
Fortune's sources put the console at $1,200 to $1,800 before any subsidy, with a handheld by holiday 2027 and the console by holiday 2028. Microsoft has not commented on price.
- Xbox
Source: This Week in Videogames (Fortune)Unconfirmed by the publisher
- Rumor
Valve says 'HLX' out loud, and Half-Life 3 rumors return
At an Oct 21 GameSoundCon audio panel, Valve composer Mike Morasky said "HLX has its own version." He never said Half-Life 3 or called it a game, and Valve has confirmed nothing.
- PC
Source: G2A NewsUnconfirmed by the publisher
Release Radar 発売予定
What was dropping
| Date | Game | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Wed · Oct 28 | Phantom Blade ZeroOct 29 outside the US |
|
| Thu · Oct 29 | The Wolf Among Us RemasteredNew Noir Mode and restored scenes |
|
| Thu · Oct 29 | MouthwashingDay one on Game Pass |
|
| Thu · Nov 5 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |
|
| Tue · Nov 10 | Shrek 2 Remastered |
|
| Thu · Nov 19 | Grand Theft Auto VI |
|
Boss Fight
Boss Fight ボス戦
With BioWare gone, what should happen to Mass Effect?
Pick a side. Results on Sunday’s episode.
Vertical
Shorts from this episode
EA shuts down BioWare, Shrek 2 Remastered is official, and Final Fantasy Resonance lands big. Then the Rumor Meter: Battlefront 3, a $1,800 next Xbox, and Half-Life 3 (again). Sky rates every rumor LEGIT, LIKELY or LOL.
- 00:00 This week
- 00:13 The Briefing
- 01:20 Rumor Meter
- 02:25 Release Radar
- 02:47 Boss Fight
THE BRIEFING
- EA is closing BioWare; early work on the next Mass Effect ends (EA staff letter, Oct 21). About 400 jobs across EA, ~50 at BioWare, per Bloomberg (not EA's figure). https://back2gaming.com/news/bioware-announces-closure-as-ea-layoffs-begin-under-new-restructuring-plan (opens in new window) https://tech-insider.org/ea-shuts-bioware-400-jobs-mass-effect-2026/ (opens in new window)
- Shrek 2 Remastered is official: November 10 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch and PC (Aspyr). https://gematsu.com/2026/10/dreamworks-shrek-2-remastered-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-switch-2-switch-and-pc (opens in new window) https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-remaster-of-the-shrek-2-game-from-2004-has-been-announced-via-a-gta-like-trailer/ (opens in new window)
- Final Fantasy Resonance launched October 22 to strong reviews (Game Informer 9/10, IGN 8/10). https://www.digitalcitizen.life/final-fantasy-resonance-scores-strong-reviews-ahead-of-october-22-xbox-release/ (opens in new window) https://tech-insider.org/final-fantasy-resonance-review-87-critic-score-2026/ (opens in new window)
RUMOR METER (rumors are rumors; unconfirmed by the publishers)
- LEGIT: Respawn and DICE's new project is Star Wars Battlefront 3. EA confirmed the two studios are collaborating; Variety and Bloomberg report the game. Not announced. https://www.shacknews.com/article/151093/dice-respawn-battlefront-3 (opens in new window) https://mp1st.com/news/respawn-dice-collaboration-project-confirmed-ea-sources-confirm-star-wars-battlefront-3 (opens in new window)
- LIKELY: The next Xbox, Project Helix, could cost $1,200 to $1,800 before subsidies (Fortune's sources). Microsoft has not commented on price. https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/xbox-project-helix-console-could-cost-1200-1800-unless-subsidised-report/ (opens in new window)
- LOL: A Valve composer said "HLX" at GameSoundCon. Half-Life 3 confirmed? No. https://www.g2a.com/news/gaming-leaks-rumors/valve-just-said-hlx-out-loud-and-half-life-3-rumors-are-back/ (opens in new window)
RELEASE RADAR
- Oct 28: Phantom Blade Zero (PS5, PC) https://store.steampowered.com/app/4115450 (opens in new window)
- Oct 29: The Wolf Among Us Remastered https://store.steampowered.com/app/3884860 (opens in new window) · Mouthwashing on Xbox + Game Pass https://windowsreport.com/microsoft-reveals-21-games-at-october-2026-idxbox-showcase/ (opens in new window)
- Nov 5: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2) · Nov 10: Shrek 2 Remastered · Nov 19: Grand Theft Auto VI https://www.gamespot.com/articles/2026-upcoming-games-release-schedule/1100-6534941/ (opens in new window)
BOSS FIGHT Last week (GTA 6: day one or wait for reviews?): 0 votes. This week: With BioWare gone, what should happen to Mass Effect? Vote at https://unit500.com (opens in new window) or tell us in the comments. Results Wednesday, October 28. Send a tip: https://unit500.com/tips (opens in new window)
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Sky Hayashi and Juno Sato are AI-generated hosts. Unit 500 is an independent fan show, not affiliated with any publisher. Rumors are rumors. Game art: official store assets from the publishers.