PlayStation State of Play Feb 2026 Recap: They came out swinging!

PlayStation came out swinging in this February State of Play, and I mean opening-bell, no-feeling-out punches. This wasn’t a “check back later” showcase. This was a lineup-flex, and it started with a return that deserved the... spotlight. I was like... "Hold up, let me grab some popcorn." I advise you to do the same before you press play. Afterwards... let's recap. I've already contacted one of the Devs, because I've been waiting for a certain title to be mentioned again for some time. 

Before I jump into that, let's dive into PlayStation's State of Play for February 12, 2026:

 Kena: Scars of Kosmora Opens the Floodgates 

Huge salute to PlayStation for opening with Kena: Scars of Kosmora. And look — I’m not saying this was intentionally tied to Black History Month, but... Ember Lab founders Mike Grier and Josh Grier aren’t just brothers — they’re Black American Brotha's representing a very small percentage of the industry (see what I did there?).

That matters. Visibility matters. And motivation matters. You can do it too!

Kena’s new chapter looks darker, sharper, and more confident. The tone feels heavier. The combat looks meaner. This isn’t just a continuation... it’s an evolution. Kena: Scars of Kosmora will drop at some point in 2026 on PS5 & PC. We’ll be doing a deeper dive on the Grier brothers later, because their journey deserves its own spotlight by way of the path that lead to game development. If you're an aspiring developer... have your notebooks ready!

More from Josh Grier!   

 Ghosts, Legends, and a Free Co-Op Surprise 

Sucker Punch slid in with Ghost of Yotei Legends, a free multiplayer co-op expansion arriving March 10 for owners of Ghost of Yotei. Free expansions always get a nod — especially when co-op is involved.

Meanwhile, 4:Loop showed promise, but this one’s in “prove-it” territory. Strong concept, now it needs sustained momentum.

 Heavy Hitters Keep Landing 

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach looks sharper, stranger, and more confident than ever.

Pragmata instantly triggered memories of P.N.03 based on the suit — and that’s not a bad thing. It's not that they're the same... but the memories came flooding back in. I do like the interactions between Hugh and Diana, beyond the gameplay as well.

You don't just get the puzzles and the action adventure, you get a deepening relationship between the protagonist and his child-like android companion. You want to protect her and it gives the vibes that Hugh is almost like a big brother answering questions that Diana is curious about. Her curiosity isn't presented in a way that a bot would ask, it feels like a small child in those wonder years.

Resident Evil Requiem continues its march toward February 27, and yeah — it looks fantastic. (Duh of the day!) 

By the way, Resident Evil Chronicles should be remade for the Switch 2. I'd even serve up more unique stories/scenarios that tie installments of the main games together for the later titles. This would allow for a worthwhile experience that's different, but also fills in the blanks or making the backstories playable.

Maybe we'll get another dose of the on-rails action from Capcom, but in the meantime... Resident Evil Requiem is creeping our way February 27, 2026!

 Fighters, Free-to-Play, and Franchise Futures 

Dead or Alive 6 Last Round being announced with a free-to-play version is a smart move. Accessibility keeps competition alive. We also got a glimpse of the Dead or Alive 30th Anniversary Project, and while I fell off the series years ago, this new era looks promising.

 Remedy, Game Freak, and Gorgeous 2D Art 

Control Resonant is Remedy’s most ambitious project yet, according to Mikael Kasurinen. No objections from us, it looks amazing.

Beast of Reincarnation continues to look better as we approach August 4, 2026... introducing more characters.

Neva: Prologue proves again that 2D animation can still steal the show.

 Shinobi Vibes, Tenchu DNA, and Wishlist Growth 

One of my biggest lean-in moments was Yakoh Shinobi Ops. Seeing Acquire attached instantly raised my eyebrows — Tenchu fans know why.

It feels like Tenchu. It moves like Tenchu. If Rikimaru or Ayame are involved in any way? Yeah… this will be a must buy. I had to contact them about Tenchu, because why in the world wouldn't we get a remake... if they have the ability to give us one. A quality soundtrack similar to what we received in the original game would be beautiful to enjoy as we become one with the shadows.

 Fun fact:  Shueisha Games is part of the Shueisha group behind Shonen Jump.

This game won't be a walk in the park. Evil lurks... and you don't want to be caught!

 Narrative Powerhouses & Genre Mix-Ups 

Project Windless, based on The Bird That Drinks Tears, gives off serious Black Myth energy. That's a good thing, and it looks incredibly... badass. I also get God of War energy from this game... except it's starring a Rooster like character. Cock-a-doodle-dude!

More on Project Windless!   

Star Wars: Galactic Racer blends racing with off-track action — story might be the deciding factor here.

007 First Light and the untitled John Wick game look like they’ll share audiences with ease.

More on the John Wick Game!   

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse proves the genre is alive and thriving. The gameplay looks buttery smooth in this return to one half of what made... Metroidvania's a thing!

Silent Hill: Townfall going first-person feels creepier — and exciting. Whether it was motivated by Capcom's first-person move with Resident Evil or not... I shrug.

 Family Games, Fighters, and Final Heat 

Big Walk looks like a sneaky communication challenge.

Saros keeps getting sharper.

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls finally lands August 6, 2026 — and as a Capcom-era Marvel fighter fan? I’m in.

 The Explosive Finish: God of War Returns 

Sony closed the show by dropping the hammer:

God of War Trilogy Remake, with T.C. Carson returning as Kratos?! I think they're going to go hard in the paint for existing fans and newcomers alike.

More on God of War Trilogy Remake!   

And then… God of War: Sons of Sparta, a 2D side-scrolling God of War experience — available now.

That’s how you end a showcase.

 Also Shown (Rapid Fire) 

• Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered

• Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition

• Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2

• Marathon (still needs clarity)
  

• Tekken Dark Resurrection

This State of Play didn’t just show games — it set tone. Confidence. Variety. Identity. Sony didn’t play it safe, and it paid off.

Game on.

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Pinball M Showcase: The Bethesda Pinball Delivers Legendary Tables and High-Score Thrills

From Wastelands to Dragons: Bethesda Pinball Pack Hits Pinball M

The Bethesda Pinball Pack has officially arrived, bringing three iconic gaming universes together in one energetic, visually striking collection. Released on February 12, 2026, this multi-table pack from Zen Studios delivers a strong blend of atmosphere, challenge, and variety that keeps every table feeling distinct while rewarding players who chase high scores and leaderboard dominance.

Available now on the Epic Games Store — along with other supported platforms — the pack is priced in line with Zen’s premium multi-table releases (around $14.99 USD, though pricing may vary by region and storefront). Enough reading for now, let's play!

 Fallout Pinball — Post-Apocalyptic Precision 

Inspired by the legendary Fallout universe, this table delivers retro-futuristic flair mixed with wasteland grit. Visually, it captures the tone of survival in a devastated world — from faction imagery to thematic mechanical elements that feel pulled straight from the series’ atmosphere.

Gameplay focuses on progression, strategic shots, and objective-driven play that reflects the sense of navigating dangerous territory. The table rewards careful planning and adaptability, making every successful run feel like surviving another day in the wasteland.

 DOOM Pinball — Speed, Chaos, and Control 

The energy ramps up fast with DOOM Pinball. This table embraces speed, intensity, and relentless momentum — visually fueled by fiery environments and aggressive design cues.

Expect rapid ball movement, demanding reaction time, and score-building combos that test precision under pressure. It delivers the raw adrenaline DOOM fans expect — just translated into fast-paced pinball mechanics that challenge reflexes and consistency. DOOM is on the attack before you even launch the ball.

 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Pinball — Epic Adventure in Motion 

Closing out the main trio is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Pinball, a table that captures the sweeping scale and fantasy immersion of its source material.

Visually rich and adventure-focused, the design emphasizes exploration, progression, and layered objectives. The pacing is more deliberate than DOOM, but no less engaging — encouraging players to build momentum through carefully executed shots and structured goals that mirror a heroic journey.

 Variety That Keeps You Engaged 

One of the strongest aspects of the Bethesda Pinball Pack is how different each table feels. The visual style, pacing, and mechanical objectives shift dramatically from one experience to the next. Whether you prefer fast reflex gameplay, strategic scoring, or immersive thematic progression, each table brings its own energy and personality.

And as your skills sharpen, the scoring systems reward mastery — pushing you higher up the global leaderboards with every improved run.

 A Strong Bonus Addition 

Players also gain access to The Wrath of the Elder Gods Director's Cut, a fantastic bonus experience that complements the pack perfectly. Whether it’s your first table or your fourth, it adds even more variety and depth — giving players an additional high-quality playfield if they’re just starting their pinball collection or expanding an existing one.

 Where You Can Play 

The Bethesda Pinball tables are available across multiple Zen platforms, including:

• Pinball M (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Epic Games Store as mentioned)

• Pinball FX on consoles and PC

• Pinball FX VR on Meta Quest from Meta Platforms

• Zen Pinball World on mobile devices from Apple and Google

The Bethesda Pinball Pack is a visually impressive and mechanically rewarding collection that showcases just how much personality themed pinball tables can deliver. Each playfield offers unique challenges, objectives, and scoring opportunities that keep gameplay fresh while encouraging long-term mastery.

With three legendary gaming worlds represented — plus a strong bonus table — there’s plenty here to enjoy whether you’re chasing leaderboard dominance or simply enjoying the artistry of well-designed digital pinball.

The Bethesda Pinball Pack is available now… and it’s one you’ll want to keep coming back to.

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From Animation to Award-Winning Games: The Ember Lab Brothers & Building Your Own Door

To start this one off... did you know that Black History Month didn’t start as a month?

It actually started as Negro History Week. Founded in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, it was created to highlight the achievements of Black Americans in the United States — specifically the descendants of enslaved Black people in America (what some today refer to us Foundational Black Americans). Dr. Carter G. Woodson wanted to make sure our achievements weren’t erased, minimized, or forgotten.

So when we talk about Mike and Josh Grier, the brothers behind Ember Lab... this isn’t just about celebrating a successful studio. It’s about documenting a blueprint — everything needs a starting point.

And trust me… this blueprint doesn’t require permission, and it definitely doesn’t require going into debt for a degree. There are more accessible ways to learn now than ever. So if you're a creator at heart, this one’s for you!

 They Didn’t Start Where You Think 

Ember Lab was founded in 2009 in Orange, California. But they didn’t start as a game studio.

They started in animation, but... this wasn’t messing around on a laptop. Their short films, including Dust and the now-legendary Majora’s Mask: Terrible Fate, were polished, cinematic, and precise. That Zelda fan film alone made people stop scrolling, and it has over 15 million views so far.

Mike Grier sharpened his craft as a digital artist in Japan. Josh Grier handled operations, writing, and production — which (let’s be honest), is the part many creatives forget about until things get chaotic.

Now to be clear… yes, formal education was part of their journey — but in today’s landscape, that same level of skill can be built through online platforms, targeted courses, and real-world practice without taking on long-term debt.

They weren’t waiting for someone to hire them with fingers crossed... they made their next move their best move and it paid off. They built proof of their capabilities and it caught the eye of Sony.

Proof travels faster than resumes.

 From Proof to The Game Awards 

That proof turned into Kena: Bridge of Spirits in 2021. Best Independent Game + Best Debut Title and the Game Awards stage! That’s not a lucky break... it stemmed from their growing skillset.

Now in 2026, they’re preparing to release Kena: Scars of Kosmora, continuing a franchise that started from what some would’ve called an “untraditional” background.

But here’s the thing… there is no traditional path anymore. SDGT Entertainment didn’t come from a traditional path either. If we had to wait around for a greenlight, we wouldn't exist.

 You Don’t Need a Specific Door 

Some people think the only way into game development looks like this:

College → Internship → Studio Job → Promotion → Maybe Direct a Game

But the Grier brothers showed something more important than a path — they showed what matters:

Skill → Portfolio → Visibility → Opportunity → Ownership

Now how you get that skill? Well... I'm glad you asked.

You can go the traditional route (which I don't advise)… or you can build your skills head on:

Learning (Unreal Engine + Udemy) → Skill → Portfolio → Visibility → Opportunity → Ownership

or Learning (Unreal Engine + Udemy) → Skill → Create → Visibility → Self-Publish → Ownership

Same destination… without the debt.

When you build your own door, you let yourself in. And that’s the beauty of creating your own opportunity. Results will vary, but if this is something you're passionate about... give it your best!

It doesn't always have to be your door if it's open to you... and it's where you want to be.

See Careers at Ember Lab

 Unreal Engine: The Great Equalizer 

Let’s talk tools.

Here’s what that means today:

The engine used by AAA studios is downloadable right now. (BIP!)

Blueprint scripting allows you to build logic without deep coding knowledge. (BOOM!)

Marketplace assets allow you to prototype fast. (BAM!)

Tutorial ecosystems are massive. (POW!)

Documentation is public. (BANG!)

And most of this can be learned for $0 to less than $100 if you move smart. Don't miss this part... we've thumped these drums for awhile now because the barrier isn’t access anymore.

But like anything... it will require discipline, but think about what it will lead to. You'd literally create your own world, characters, and story! Whole fanbases exist because some are just that awesome!

 Portfolio Over Permission 

It doesn't matter what the industry says, a number of studios are out of touch. If you want to create a game, there are faster, more affordable ways to get started today than spending years in college and taking on massive debt. Portfolio's matter more than a degree. If opportunities are hard to come by… research, learn, and build.

And that’s the heart of this story. The Grier brothers didn’t ask if they belonged... they showed up, showed out and the gamers came.

If you want to get into game development? Build... something. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be massive. But it would be your first build... and then you build upon that. Tweak, test, play.

Those ambitious steps forward create that much needed... momentum.

 Representation and Responsibility 

Black developers are still underrepresented in the industry. So if you ever needed motivation that adds to that percentage... Mike and Josh Grier are prime examples, along with the Kena franchise. (By the way, they aren't related to David Allen Grier... I checked!)

But yeah... that’s why visibility matters. When creators see founders who look like them... winning and building on those wins, something shifts. Possibility becomes practical.

So the bottom line is... you don’t need:

• A perfect roadmap
• A massive budget
• Institutional validation

You need:

• Willingness
• Learning
• Skill stacking
• Persistence

Ember Lab didn’t wait for entry... they built it. You can too! No lie, you can literally get started here with the Unreal Engine that takes you from Step 1 to Step 5 (with help from Epic Games):

Step 1 - Download and Install Unreal Engine

• Install Unreal Engine from the Epic Games Launcher.

Step 2 - Your First Hour in Unreal Engine

• Get hands-on with UE in this interactive video course.

Step 3 - Create Your First Game

• Learn how to develop the basic mechanics of a first-person game.

Step 4 - Explore Tools and Features

• Check out the Stack O Bot sample to see how Unreal uses a number of features within a project.

Step 5 - Package, Publish, and Distribute!

• Ready to share your project? Learn how to package your project for distribute.

"Let's go!" - Epic Games

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