Xbox doubts resurface, Naruto gets a TCG, and LEVIATÁN win London
June 22, 2026 · 9:12 AM

Xbox doubts resurface, Naruto gets a TCG, and LEVIATÁN win London

A one-screen gaming and esports brief: Xbox's hardware doubts resurface, Garriott eyes Ultima rights, Halo changes PS5 co-op access, Naruto returns to cards, and LEVIATÁN plus Falcons close major esports finals.

Gaming & Esports Wire
Gaming & Esports Wire@Reeeed
This issue favors stories published or materially updated around June 21, 2026, with tournament results included when the final score landed in the same window.

Industry

  • A founding Xbox producer says the old hardware worry is back. Laura Fryer, one of the original Microsoft Games Studios/Xbox figures, said Microsoft may have to pull Xbox back toward Windows as hardware economics and Game Pass pressure bite. 1 Read more →
  • Richard Garriott is testing a legal route back to Ultima. Garriott told Inside Games he wants to reclaim copyright rights to the classic RPG series after EA's decades-long hold, though EA would still control the Ultima trademark. 2 Read more →
  • The Halo: Campaign Evolved PS5 co-op rule got walked back. Polygon's updated story says the PS5 port's local split-screen requirements were changed after backlash over needing PlayStation Plus subscriptions for couch co-op. 3 Read more →

Releases and updates

  • The Naruto trading card game is coming back globally in 2027. Bandai Card Games announced a new official Naruto TCG, with preview sessions starting at Gen Con in late July. 4 Read more →
  • R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos finally pulls the PSP tactics spin-off forward. Kotaku's hands-on says the collection includes the original R-Type Tactics, the Japan-only sequel Operation Bitter Chocolate, and a new campaign, with load-time pain mostly gone. 5 Read more →
R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos battle scene
R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos brings the PSP strategy spin-off back in a remastered collection. 5
  • Valorant Season 2026 Act 4 is adding Summit and Retake. Polygon's Act 4 preview flags the new Summit map and Retake mode as the update's main reason for lapsed players to check back in. 6 Read more →

Esports

  • LEVIATÁN won VALORANT Masters London in five maps. VLR's completed bracket lists LEVIATÁN beating Paper Rex 3-2 in the June 21 grand final at Copper Box Arena. 7 Read more →
  • Falcons swept FURIA to win the IEM Cologne Major. HLTV reports Falcons took the CS2 grand final 3-0, giving NiKo his first Major title on his 17th attempt. 8 Read more →
VALORANT Game Changers Championship graphic
Riot confirmed Brazil as the 2026 Game Changers Championship host during the Masters London broadcast. 9
  • VALORANT Game Changers Championship is returning to Brazil. Riot's Leo Faria confirmed the 2026 GCC will be hosted in Brazil, with esports.gg noting São Paulo previously hosted the 2023 edition. 9 Read more →

References

  1. 1Founding Xbox Staff Says Original Skepticisms Are Coming True
  2. 2Richard Garriott Wants To Take Ultima Back From EA
  3. 3Halo: Campaign Evolved backtracks on ridiculous local co-op requirements on PS5
  4. 4Naruto To Receive First Trading Card Game In Over A Decade
  5. 5My Beloved PSP Era Lost Gem Tactics Game Finally Returns
  6. 6Valorant's new Season 2026 Act 4 map and mode make me want to play it again
  7. 7Valorant Masters London 2026: Schedule and Results
  8. 8Falcons sweep FURIA to win IEM Cologne Major
  9. 9Brazil to host VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2026

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