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Xbox Game Pass isn’t "viable" with so few subscribers, says former Forza lead bracing for more…
Former Forza Horizon 5 director Mike Brown stated that Xbox Game Pass is not viable due to insufficient subscriber numbers, leading to recent studio layoffs. He believes the service's player-focused concept, while well-intentioned, has not met the necessary financial targets. Journalist Jason Schreier also noted that some Xbox studio leadership detest Game Pass, viewing it as detrimental to game value and the industry.
The FBI has arrested a 21-year-old alleged to have stolen $220,000 through Steam using malware-ridden games
The FBI has arrested a 21-year-old Florida man accused of stealing approximately $220,000 in cryptocurrency using malware embedded in eight games distributed on Steam. The malware was designed to steal passwords and access cryptocurrency wallets. The games have since been removed from the platform.
Another former Xbox studio is "independently owned, again" after Microsoft shut it down in 2024
Alpha Dog Games, a studio previously shut down by Microsoft in 2024, has reemerged as an independently owned entity. Studio founder Shawn Woods updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect the change, indicating the studio regained independence in May 2025. This follows a trend of studios becoming independent after Microsoft's recent closures and layoffs.
Rising Costs Have Forced These Gamers To Make Tough Decisions
Rising costs for consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, alongside the shift to digital-only games and increased development expenses, are making video games a luxury item. Gamers are facing tough decisions about upgrading hardware or even affording new releases, with some professionals finding it harder to justify the costs for their work.
Modern Warfare 4 beta dates set for August, and this year Game Pass subscribers get no special treatment
The multiplayer beta for Modern Warfare 4 will take place in August, with the first weekend (August 21-25) exclusively for pre-order customers on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. A second, public beta weekend (August 28 to September 1) will be available on all platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2. Notably, Game Pass subscribers will not receive early access to the beta this year.
Bethesda's Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters won't stop the modders who've already spent years recreating the RPGs in Fallout 4
Despite Bethesda's upcoming official remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, modding teams behind Fallout 4 projects like The Capital Wasteland and Fallout 4: New Vegas have confirmed they will continue their development. These community-driven efforts, some of which have been in progress for nearly a decade, aim to recreate the classic RPGs within the Fallout 4 engine.
Xbox exec tells fans not to "overly fixate on single-player" games becoming console exclusives because…
Xbox's CCO Matt Booty stated that fans should not "overly fixate on single-player" games becoming console exclusives, as the strategy is not set in stone. While titles like Gears of War: E-Day will remain exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and PC, other games, including live-service titles and potentially some single-player games like The Elder Scrolls 6, may launch on multiple platforms.
Saudi Arabia’s EA Takeover Reportedly Set To Clear EU Hurdle
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly set to receive approval from the European Union for its $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts by the end of July. Despite initial concerns and gamer protests, the deal is expected to pass EU regulatory review under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. This acquisition would be the second-largest in gaming history, following Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard.
Overwatch stopping work on Stadium may be an even bigger fumble than PvE
Blizzard Entertainment has ceased development on Overwatch's Stadium game mode, with only 6% of the player base engaging with it. The author expresses sadness over the decision, highlighting Stadium's potential as an experimental space for creative ideas, some of which were originally intended for the canceled PvE mode. The article argues that canceling Stadium is a greater fumble than the PvE mode's cancellation due to its proven traction and popularity during its launch week.
Overwatch's attempt at bringing back 6v6 feels like a bad compromise—it just doesn't work
This article analyzes Overwatch's recent attempt to bridge the gap between its 5v5 and 6v6 formats through a new 1-3-2 flex mode in the Quickplay Hacked Event. The author argues that this compromise fails, as teams with two tanks consistently outperform those with one, making the mode redundant and suggesting that a true compromise between the two distinct formats is not feasible.
Develop:Brighton showed the UK games industry is done with hand-wringing and is determined to save itself | Opinion
The UK games industry, facing significant layoffs and funding challenges, is shifting from hand-wringing to proactive self-preservation through increased collaboration. Developers are exploring regional hubs, studio collectives, and cross-industry opportunities to ensure resilience and sustainability in a difficult economic climate. While government and private funding initiatives show some promise, securing early-stage prototype funding remains a critical hurdle.
Games Inbox: Are you playing EA Sports FC more because of the World Cup?
Readers discuss their current engagement with EA Sports FC, with some playing less due to the lack of an official World Cup license and the team's performance. Other topics include potential Grand Theft Auto 6 boycotts, Xbox's mobile gaming strategy, the future of console design, and the impact of industry layoffs on studios like id Software.
It'd be an exhausting lie to pretend I don't like SNK, so I won't
The author expresses concern over Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's acquisition of SNK and its influence on games like Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, citing the controversial inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo. While acknowledging the necessity of funding in game development and the broad reach of Saudi investments across the industry, the author advocates for holding companies accountable for problematic decisions rather than boycotting entire entities.
Elder Scrolls Online is "not going to be able to put out the amount of content at the speed" it was, former…
Former Zenimax Online Studios employees report that recent layoffs have significantly reduced the studio's capacity to produce content for The Elder Scrolls Online at its previous pace. Devs estimate some departments are now at a quarter of their former size, impacting the ability to maintain content cadence. The studio's executive producer, studio game director, and production director are among those reportedly let go.
Report paints a picture of brutal cord-cutting inside Xbox layoffs: 'Many of us did not know what was happening for…
A report details the chaotic and reportedly "brutal" implementation of recent layoffs at Xbox, with employees being informed via brief, impersonal video calls and having their access revoked swiftly. This has led to significant distress and speculation among remaining staff, exacerbated by a stated intention for further layoffs by 2027.
Indie Studio 'Leyline' Announces New Strategy Game ‘Guildrun’
Indie studio Leyline has announced Guildrun, a new roguelike autobattler strategy game featuring former lead designers from Hearthstone and The Bazaar. The game is set to release on PC via Steam in late 2026, with a playable demo available now. Guildrun blends roguelike replayability with autobattler mechanics, allowing players to build and evolve unique hero teams through deadly rifts.
Making Fallout and Elder Scrolls games will "be harder than ever now" following Xbox cuts, say laid-off Bethesda devs calling loss of institutional knowledge "staggering"
Former Bethesda Game Studios developers report that recent layoffs at Xbox, impacting dozens of staff, will make developing core franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls significantly harder. They expressed concern over the staggering loss of institutional knowledge and its potential impact on future projects, including The Elder Scrolls 6.
"There are no benefits to being owned by Microsoft," says Doom dev: "They have destroyed immense amounts of value that I don't even think that they're aware of"
A developer at id Software claims there are no benefits to being owned by Microsoft, citing mass layoffs that occurred just before the launch of a new Doom DLC. The developer stated that Microsoft has destroyed significant value and that even successful game launches do not guarantee job security. This comes after reports of 136 out of 185 developers being laid off from the studio.
Evening Reading - July 14, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading from Shacknews covers various gaming industry updates, including pre-order guides for Halo: Campaign Evolved and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves DLC. It also reports on Ubisoft Barcelona developer strikes over layoffs, a delay for the PlayStation FlexStrike Fight Stick, and the retirement of Dead Space creator Glen Schofield. Additionally, the article touches on non-gaming news regarding data centers and healthcare.
Hollywood still has time to avoid the gaming industry's disastrous consolidation endgame
The article draws parallels between Hollywood's historical consolidation and the current state of the gaming industry, highlighting the risks of fewer companies controlling more assets. It discusses the potential negative impacts of mergers, such as layoffs and reduced creative diversity, using examples like Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal. California's lawsuit to block the latter merger is presented as a potential regulatory intervention.
