On June 4, EA Sports released the '2026 Season Pack,' a major DLC for the racing game F1 25 that fully integrates the 2026 season's regulations, cars, teams, and driver lineups. This pack was released in lieu of a standalone new title, following EA's announcement in November that it would skip a 2026 release to focus on a complete new game in 2027. While it serves as a bridge to fill the gap, it is considered highly accessible, as existing F1 25 owners can expand their game immediately for ₩28k.

The ability to enjoy a new season at half the price, along with gameplay faithful to the new regulations and updated lineups, has been well-received. However, there has been mixed feedback regarding the transfer of custom teams and save files, as well as the new regulations themselves. Consequently, the game currently holds a 'Mixed' rating on Steam.

Despite this, the game's popularity remains at the top level. In terms of sales-based rankings, the edition bundled with F1 25 is currently 3rd globally, while the season pack sits at 5th. This popularity isn't limited to overseas markets. While many recent major games have seen sales rankings align between Korea and the global market, F1 25 is enjoying the same level of success in Korea, ranking 2nd in popularity and 5th for the season pack. While this is partly due to a surge in sales on launch day, it is a ranking that even surpasses the popular title Forza Horizon 6 in the domestic market.

Although F1 was once considered a niche sport in Korea, it has gained significant traction through Coupang Play's broadcasts, the Netflix documentary, and the success of the Apple film 'F1.' Furthermore, with the official F1 TV streaming service launching in Korea this year, Formula 1 is clearly recognizing the potential for growth in the domestic market. This interest appears to have translated directly into game sales.

ISSUE | Today's News

■ Sales Rankings | F1 25 sales surge following 2026 Season Pack release

F1 25, which released its 2026 version as a season pack to allow for a focus on 2027, is recording high popularity rankings. Its accessibility—allowing players to enjoy a new season for ₩28k—is cited as a key reason for its strong sales. Notably, this popularity is confirmed in the Korean market, where interest in F1 has grown significantly. On its launch day, F1 25 surpassed Forza Horizon 6 to reach No. 2 in sales. The success of domestic live broadcasts, documentaries, and F1-related films has clearly fueled interest in the game itself.

■ Demo | Onimusha demo draws mixed reactions; will the full version improve?

Onimusha: Path of the Sword released a demo alongside its September 25 release date announcement. Initial reactions, however, are divided. The game has been praised for its excellent animation, which captures the protagonist Musashi's expressions and subtle actions, and for its precise timing-based combat that delivers a true 'Onimusha' feel. Conversely, some critics find the impact and sense of speed somewhat lackluster compared to modern action games.

As this demo focuses on introducing the game's core mechanics while building anticipation for the main game's boss battles, it is expected that the full release will offer a more refined gameplay experience.

NEW | Upcoming Releases & Updates

■ Upcoming Releases | No Rest for the Wicked

About two years after its initial Steam Early Access launch in April 2024, Moon Studios' dark fantasy action RPG 'No Rest for the Wicked' has confirmed its full release. Launching first on PC and PS5 this October, the release is more than just a label change; it includes a massive content expansion providing 60 hours of gameplay. It will also feature new modes, additional weapons, new regions, redesigned classes and progression systems, and the final chapter of the story.

■ Updates | Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

The 'Operation System Override' update for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, released on the 3rd as part of Year 11 Season 2, is performing well. This season is classified as more than just a content update, as it includes not only new maps and operator reworks but also adjustments to matchmaking rules and reward acquisition methods. Notably, the game has maintained around 110k concurrent players on Steam since the update, building on the 70k to 80k players it saw even before the season began, proving its status as a long-running, popular title.