This Week in Gaming: Apple’s Big Move, Microsoft’s Union Milestone, and More!

Apple is stepping up its game with a brand new app just for video games!

Launching later this year on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, the app will centralize achievements, leaderboards, and

more, making it easier than ever to play and connect.

This move comes as Apple aims to compete with gaming giants, and it’s set to replace the old

Game Center.

Plus, Apple recently acquired RAC7 Games, showing they’re serious about gaming!

In a major win for video game workers, over 300 quality assurance testers at ZeniMax, a Microsoft-owned studio,

have reached a tentative union contract.

This is Microsoft’s first union contract in the U.S., and it includes a 13.5% pay raise and new

agreements on AI use.

One union member called it “a monumental victory for all current video game workers and for those that

come after.” Nintendo’s much-anticipated Switch 2 is making waves even before launch!

In Slovenia, a retailer filled their car with consoles for a pre-launch road trip, while in the UK,

some pre-orders were unexpectedly canceled, leaving fans anxious but hopeful as retailers work to fix the issue.

Scientists are using video games to study how seals navigate in dark, cloudy waters!

By watching dots on a screen and tapping a red ball, seals like Nick, Luca, and Miro showed

they can figure out direction even in tricky conditions.

One researcher said, “These are living animals, not robots,” highlighting the seals’ impressive learning skills.

Did you know Scarlett Johansson’s favorite video game is Mario Kart?

She loves playing as Toad because he’s “cute,” though some fans argue Yoshi is even cuter!

It’s a fun reminder that even Hollywood stars can’t resist a good Mario Kart race.

Elden Ring: Nightreign sold 2 million copies on day one, with a patch coming to make solo play

easier.

Street Fighter 2 composer Yoko Shimomura returns for a new Street Fighter 6 track, and Sega launches a

new free-to-play football game powered by Football Manager.

Plus, The Division 2’s new DLC, ‘Battle for Brooklyn,’ is out now!