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World of Warcraft 'Classic Plus', a version of the old MMO with modern updates, might actually be real as Blizzard hosts secret event with popular streamers
Blizzard Entertainment may be developing a "World of Warcraft Classic Plus" based on recent secretive events with popular streamers. While not officially confirmed, hints include a special event for content creators, a "long-term future" tease for WoW Classic, and a remixed version available in China. This potential new version would diverge from the original timeline, offering modern updates to the classic MMO experience.
Microsoft fires head of Israeli subsidiary and other managers over surveillance of Palestinians
Microsoft has dismissed the general manager of its Israeli subsidiary, Alon Haimovich, and other managers following an internal investigation. This action is a consequence of a report detailing Israel's use of Microsoft Azure cloud services for surveillance in the occupied West Bank, raising concerns about legal liability in Europe and human rights issues.
Double Fine petitions to unionize
Double Fine Productions, a Microsoft-owned studio, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the Communication Workers of America. Approximately 42 employees are included in the union effort, which aims to preserve the studio's commitments to creative excellence and worker quality of life. Microsoft has stated a neutral approach to the organizing efforts.
Double Fine Productions is the latest Microsoft subsidiary to unionise
Double Fine Productions, the developer of Psychonauts, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the support of the Communications Workers of America. This move follows a trend of unionization among Microsoft subsidiaries, with the company agreeing to a neutral approach. The proposed union includes 42 employees who aim to preserve the studio's commitments to creative excellence and worker quality of life.
Double Fine is the latest team at Microsoft to unionize
Double Fine, the studio behind Psychonauts, has filed a petition to unionize with the National Labor Relations Board, with all 42 employees participating. The studio is organizing with the Communications Workers of America, a union that has previously supported labor efforts at other Microsoft-owned studios like Activision and ZeniMax.
Double Fine is unionising at Xbox Game Studios
Double Fine, the developer of Psychonauts, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. This move involves 42 employees and follows similar unionization efforts within Microsoft's gaming divisions, including Activision Blizzard and Zenimax. While Microsoft has historically taken a neutral stance on unionization, the company has faced delays in collective bargaining with previously formed unions.
Is Bungie Sony's Worst Ever Acquisition After $765 Million Write-Down?
Sony has reported a $765 million impairment loss on its acquisition of Bungie, significantly devaluing the developer since its $3.6 billion purchase in 2022. This write-down, partly due to the underperformance of games like Marathon and Destiny 2's declining player base, raises questions about whether Bungie is Sony's worst acquisition. The article also touches on Sony's broader struggles with live service games and other studio acquisitions.
Bungie’s value keeps on dropping in latest Sony financials
Sony reported significant impairment losses of approximately $565 million USD in the last quarter related to its acquisition of Bungie, bringing the total annual loss to around $765 million USD. This financial downturn coincides with declining player counts for Destiny 2 and underperformance of the newly released Marathon, as well as substantial layoffs at Bungie since its acquisition.
ESA Says Bill Pushing For Offline Versions Of Live-Service Games Would Hurt Developers
The Entertainment Software Association is opposing California Assembly Bill 1921, which would require developers of live-service games to provide advance notice of server shutdowns, offer refunds, and potentially make games playable offline. The ESA argues this legislation would divert resources from creating new content and doesn't reflect the realities of modern game development.
Xbox scraps Microsoft Copilot in yet another win for new CEO Asha Sharma
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has announced the discontinuation of Microsoft Copilot development for consoles and mobile, prioritizing community connection and addressing player and developer friction. This decision marks a significant shift away from AI integration for Xbox, contrasting with Microsoft's broader AI initiatives and the continued embrace of the technology by other industry figures and companies.
Microsoft ends Copilot AI on Xbox to help 'get the business back on track,' as new CEO simultaneously welcomes…
Microsoft's Xbox division is shifting its strategy away from AI features, with CEO Asha Sharma announcing the discontinuation of Copilot on mobile and console. This move coincides with Sharma bringing in several former colleagues from Microsoft's CoreAI division to leadership roles within Xbox. The company aims to focus on deepening community connections and addressing player and developer friction to improve business performance.
The next Call of Duty is not coming to PS4 (or presumably Xbox One)
Activision Blizzard is focusing on next-generation platforms for the upcoming Call of Duty title, indicating it will not be released on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. This suggests a move towards prioritizing current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
2026’s Call of Duty is not coming to PS4
Activision has confirmed that the next Call of Duty title, and subsequent releases, will not be available on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. This marks the end of last-generation support for the franchise, which has spanned multiple console generations since Call of Duty: Ghosts in 2013. The decision is expected to allow developers to focus resources on current-generation platforms like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Bungie Under Fire: Are Marathon Player Numbers Being Hidden After Launch? | Invision Game Community
Bungie is facing community backlash regarding the launch of its multiplayer extraction shooter, Marathon, with accusations of hiding player numbers. The article clarifies that discussions about player counts are being moderated on Reddit and that player data remains publicly accessible via platforms like SteamDB. A separate incident involving a chat filter censoring a competing game's name was also addressed.
Call of Duty 2026 is Not Coming to Previous-Gen Consoles, Ending 12-Year Streak
The next Call of Duty title, rumored to be Modern Warfare 4, will not be developed for the PlayStation 4, ending a 12-year streak of cross-generational releases. This marks the first time since Call of Duty: Ghosts in 2013 that a new entry will be exclusive to current-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Microsoft Gaming Branding Was “A Temporary Legal Thing” for Activision Blizzard Acquisition – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Microsoft's rebranding of its gaming division to Microsoft Gaming was a temporary legal measure to facilitate the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The company has since reverted to the Xbox branding, with executives Asha Sharma and Matt Booty discussing future plans and a new logo. The initiative aims to refocus on console experiences and deliver great games.
Xbox has only two options for the future and Microsoft won’t like either of them - Reader’s Feature
A reader suggests Microsoft has only two viable options for the future of Xbox: either transition to a third-party developer model releasing games on all platforms, or sell off its gaming division entirely. The author argues that the Xbox hardware experiment has failed due to declining console sales and the inability of recent acquisitions to significantly boost market share.
Loving MMOs in 2026 is an exercise in frustration, grief, and moving on
The current state of MMORPGs in 2026 is frustrating due to a lack of new titles and constant changes to existing ones, leaving players reliant on older games. This situation is attributed to the conflict between the long development cycles of MMOs and the short-term profit demands of shareholders, leading to cancellations and instability within the genre.
Betawatch: Neverness to Everness and Heroes of Might & Magic Olden Era open their gates
Several MMORPGs have launched or entered testing phases, including the full release of Neverness to Everness and early access for Heroes of Might & Magic Olden Era. TERA 2 is confirmed to be in development with Unreal Engine 5, while Scars of Honor and Gods, Death & Reapers are undergoing playtests and alpha phases respectively. Reaper Actual has secured further venture capital funding.
WoW Factor: Mike Ybarra is blaming Ion Hazzikostas for actually getting better at his job
Former Blizzard executive Mike Ybarra has criticized current World of Warcraft Game Director Ion Hazzikostas's leadership, suggesting the game has declined under his direction. The author argues that Hazzikostas has actually shown growth and made positive design changes, shifting focus beyond just raiding to include more player-friendly content like housing. The article contends that Ybarra's criticisms are misplaced and reflect a personal preference for past game states rather than the actual health of World of Warcraft.