Activision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
The 5 top games you need to play in October 2026
This article highlights the top 5 games releasing in October 2026, chosen from a large selection of new AAA and indie titles. Featured games include Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, Gears of War: E-Day, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Phantom Blade Zero, with brief overviews of their gameplay and appeal.
The 12 most exciting video game releases of October 2026
October 2026 is set to feature a diverse lineup of video game releases, including Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and Gears Of War: E-Day. Other notable titles include Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, and Final Fantasy Resonance, which marks a return to turn-based combat. Microsoft is also releasing an Xbox and PC exclusive, while Nintendo is launching Nintendo Switch Sports Resort.
UK government wants people to be rude to AI: 'You don't need to say thank you'
The UK government has issued draft guidelines for its employees on the ethical and sustainable use of AI, advising them not to thank AI systems for outputs. The guidance emphasizes efficiency, suggesting shorter prompts and using AI only when necessary to reduce costs and environmental impact. It also reminds users that they are responsible for AI-generated content and should verify its accuracy.
Xbox’s New Mythic Achievements Will Show Exactly How Close You Are To 100%
Microsoft is rolling out Mythic Achievements for Xbox Insiders, a new system that awards players for unlocking all original achievements in a game, similar to PlayStation's Platinum Trophies. This feature will be retroactive and will include a new Gaming tab on player profiles to track progress. The rollout occurs amidst significant layoffs and restructuring within Microsoft's gaming division, impacting studios like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs.
Majority Of Gears Of War: E-Day Revenue On Xbox Will Be Cannibalized By Game Pass, Analyst Says
An analyst report suggests that Gears of War: E-Day's inclusion on Xbox Game Pass will significantly cannibalize its revenue potential, despite strong initial sales on Steam. Microsoft's strategy with Game Pass is questioned, with past admissions that it can hurt full-game sales, though some executives maintain it can also boost them. The report also touches on the potential for a PlayStation 5 port and the broader implications of Microsoft's exclusivity and Game Pass strategies.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox is simply 'streamlining' after cutting over 5,750 jobs in three years
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described the company's extensive layoffs, which have affected over 5,750 employees since October 2023, as 'streamlining' under new Xbox boss Asha Sharma. Despite significant studio closures and job cuts, Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games and achieve growth.
Xbox is in the midst of a "reverse acquisition," analyst says, with Activision "best equipped to run the…
An industry analyst describes Microsoft's recent restructuring of Xbox Game Studios as a 'reverse acquisition,' suggesting that Activision Blizzard, acquired for $69 billion, is now better equipped to manage Microsoft's own studios. This shift involves significant layoffs and the merging of several studios, including placing the Halo franchise under Activision Blizzard's purview.
Games Inbox: Is the next Super Mario game open world?
Readers discuss the potential for the next 3D Super Mario game to be open world, drawing parallels to Zelda and Bowser's Fury. Other topics include the 30th anniversary of Super Mario 64, the gameplay of Marvel's Wolverine, criticism of Xbox executives, the viability of a Ganondorf game, Sony's potential U-turn on game discs, the decline of Rare, the unchanging nature of EA Sports FC, and performance issues in Star Wars Zero Company.
MMO Week in Review: Destiny 2’s revival, Aion 2’s stress test
This week's MMO news covers Destiny 2's revival with unvaulted content, Aion 2's stress test, and Ultima Online's 29th anniversary. Dune Awakening launched on consoles, Elder Scrolls Online discussed experimental features, and Microsoft continued layoffs. World of Warcraft Forever is impressing players, while other news includes The Division 2, Marathon, Warframe, and various other MMO updates and discussions.
The Sunday Papers
This week's gaming writing highlights include critiques of Final Fantasy XVI's handling of Middle Eastern influences and a discussion on the catharsis of violence in Armored Core VI. Concerns are raised about the current state of AI research, with a researcher lamenting its shift towards corporate product application rather than fundamental understanding. The article also touches on Microsoft's recent layoffs and Bobby Kotick's legal strategies.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox's "streamlining" is "great to see" despite cuts and layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed optimism about Xbox's future and praised ongoing "streamlining" efforts led by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, despite recent significant layoffs and studio closures. Nadella stated his confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games, while emphasizing the need for sustainable business models to reach more players.
Amid mass Xbox layoffs, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the "streamlining" is "great to see"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described the ongoing "streamlining" at Xbox, which involves mass layoffs and studio closures, as "great to see." Despite the significant restructuring and criticism, Nadella expressed optimism about Xbox's intellectual property and future growth, aiming for higher profits and a sustainable business model.
"An Xbox that's only good for launching Steam is like subsidizing Valve's cash register": Ground-zero Xbox veteran says Microsoft needs to pick a lane before Project Helix hits a wall
Former Xbox veteran Jon Kimmich argues that Microsoft must choose between investing in the Xbox platform as a console-centric ecosystem or focusing solely on publishing games across multiple platforms. He criticizes the current 'play anywhere' strategy for diluting the Xbox brand and suggests that the upcoming Project Helix console needs a clear identity beyond simply launching PC games like Steam.
The Xbox reset doesn't have an end date | Opinion
The ongoing Xbox business reset, initiated by CEO Asha Sharma, has extended far beyond its initial 100-day target with no clear end date or vision. The extensive layoffs and studio closures, including the likely shuttering of Ninja Theory, have created an atmosphere of instability and uncertainty, raising questions about Microsoft's long-term strategy for the Xbox brand.
How To Unlock The Doom Slayer In Call Of Duty And All Other Doom Rewards
Call of Duty's The Haunting event features a limited-time Doom crossover, allowing players to unlock themed operator skins, decals, and a special weapon. The event runs until October 14 and includes both free and paid reward tracks, with the iconic "Doom Guy" operator skin available via the premium pass for 1,100 CoD Points. Players can earn rewards by grinding XP across various game modes.
The Next Halo Game From Halo Studios Was Reportedly Still Years Away, Before Microsoft Handed the Franchise to Activision
The next installment in the Halo franchise, developed by Halo Studios, was reportedly years away from release before Microsoft canceled the project. Microsoft subsequently handed the franchise over to Activision Blizzard.
Xbox Exec Isn’t Freaking Out Over GTA 6 Presales
Xbox's Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball addressed reports about Grand Theft Auto 6 presales, stating that Xbox is pleased with the numbers and that the title is breaking records for the platform. While PlayStation 5 presales significantly outnumber Xbox Series X|S, Ball indicated that Xbox's share of pre-orders aligns with its console market share. The article also briefly mentions recent Xbox layoffs and the transfer of Halo franchise control.
Post-Xbox, Double Fine boss Tim Schafer is baffled by the terrible state of the game industry: "People are making money, so I don't know why there's a big loss of jobs"
Double Fine founder Tim Schafer expressed confusion regarding the current state of the game industry, particularly the widespread layoffs despite reported profitability. He questions the economics driving these job losses and hopes for a cyclical recovery, while acknowledging the creativity in the indie space.
Microsoft Culled Age of Empires Studio Before Handing It Over to Activision, With Nearly Half of All Staff Gone
Microsoft's Age of Empires studio, World's Edge, has lost nearly half of its staff due to recent layoffs. This occurred before the studio was reportedly handed over to Activision Blizzard.
Xbox's version of PlayStation's Platinum Trophy achievement seems to leak, and it's got a sound-effect that's 15 seconds long
Microsoft appears to be introducing a "Mythic Achievement" for Xbox, similar to PlayStation's Platinum Trophy, which is reportedly retroactive and worth zero Gamerscore. This comes amidst significant restructuring within Xbox, including the effective closure of Halo Studios and job losses across multiple development teams like Ninja Theory and World's Edge.
