Recent system software updates from Sony for the PS5 include numerous enhancements, including support for audio calls using Discord. Since then, a smaller update has been made available (complete with everyone’s favorite patch notice), and the platform owner has recently released a new upgrade. What’s the deal with this one, then? The 834MB patch (number 23.01-07.01.01, if you’re interested) lacks patch notes on the system; however, we have learned what this update addresses via the PlayStation website. It turns out that the issue affecting the game library is a small bug fix: “In the game library, a problem was fixed where certain circumstances caused items to appear erroneously.” That’s all, then! anything but the typical “improves system software performance.” So, it’s a very minor update, but it’s still important to download and install to be secure. It is currently accessible. Have you had any issues with the PS5’s game library?

It’s unclear what’s happening with Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the series’ much-anticipated return to a more “traditional” style of gameplay, which has been either delayed to 2024 or could be released as soon as August.

Insider Gaming reported that dataminer ScriptLeaksR6 predicted that Ubisoft would postpone Mirage and The Crew: Project Orlando until 2024, with further details to be revealed at Ubisoft’s next Forward event in place of E3 this year.

Mirage + Orlando -> Likely Delayed

Mirage still runs on "old" Assassin’s Creed engine.

— Script (@ScriptLeaksR6) March 27, 2023

An update to the article was published by Insider Gaming hours later, and it reads in part: “Insider Gaming sources have suggested that Assassin’s Creed Mirage is still scheduled for August 2023.”

Now that we’ve circled the wagons and started over, when do you anticipate this fresh take on the Assassin’s Creed formula being released? Your guess is as good as ours as to when we finally get our hands on this one, but a big blowout showing at Ubisoft Forward seems like a likely next step.

The bizarre plot twist continues as members of Congress from both parties are pressuring the Biden administration to act on a purported PlayStation monopoly in the Japanese video game market.

This is something you should read up on because it all stems from a conversation between Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Friday. Cantwell alleged that American companies are being hurt by an imbalance in the Japanese market for high-end video games.

Axios reports that 10 more lawmakers have added their voices to the debate by penning letters voicing their concerns.

Seven of the ten lawmakers hail from Microsoft’s home state of Washington. More than $500,000 has been donated by the company over the past few decades, making it Cantwell’s single largest political donor.

The Senator who raised this and 6 of the 10 Reps are from Microsoft's home state

And MS' government affairs people have discussed this issue with members of Congress

Not hard to guess why this is coming up

More in the story, including the full letters https://t.co/spi4Sqq58Y

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) March 27, 2023

While the two letters’ political perspectives couldn’t be more different, they both make use of the same misleading “98% of the high-end video game market” statistic, which glosses over the enormous influence of PC, mobile, and, you know, Nintendo. This final point is also significant because Switch is the dominant console in the region.

Microsoft’s proposed buyout of Activision Blizzard has been given a significant boost now that the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has dropped its objections to the deal.

We doubt this is the last we’ll hear of this issue, with Democrats and Republicans alike calling for an investigation into Sony’s allegedly unfair business practices. Let me know what you think about this situation.