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Treyarch studio head steps down after 22 years
Mark Gordon, studio head at Treyarch, has retired after 22 years with the Call of Duty maker. During his tenure, Gordon contributed to titles like Call of Duty 3 and the entire Black Ops series. Kevin Hendrickson and Yale Miller will take over as co-studio heads. The article also touches on past studio issues, significant investment in the Call of Duty franchise, and recent performance concerns.
In a week of Xbox leadership changes, longtime Treyarch boss Mark Gordon is retiring from the Call of Duty studio to "focus on his next chapter"
Mark Gordon, studio head at Treyarch for 22 years, is retiring from the Call of Duty developer. Gordon was instrumental in the development of titles like Call of Duty: World at War and the Black Ops series. Treyarch veterans Kevin Hendrickson and Yale Miller will take over as co-studio heads following his departure.
Ulysses Graphics appoints Chief Business Officer, Claas Grimm, to strengthen its position as a leading AAA art partner
Ulysses Graphics has appointed Claas Grimm as its new Chief Business Officer to bolster its position as a AAA art partner. Grimm brings over 20 years of experience in business development and operations within the games industry, having previously worked with major companies like Activision and Tencent. The company, which has studios in Ukraine and Poland, aims to leverage Grimm's expertise to enhance its client experience and solidify its reputation for high-quality art production.
Three New Games Hit Game Pass This Week – Including Two Huge Names
Xbox Game Pass is adding three new games this week: Junkster on June 16th, Call of Duty: Vanguard on June 17th, and EA Sports FC 26 on June 18th. Junkster is a Day One indie title, while Vanguard expands the Call of Duty presence on the service, and EA Sports FC 26 brings the latest EA football simulation. Additional titles like Abyssus, RV There Yet?, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, and Winds of Arcana: Ruination are also slated for release on Game Pass in the coming weeks.
Xbox to shut down at least three game developers and no one is safe
Xbox is reportedly planning to shut down at least three game development studios, including Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine, as part of a broader 'reset' and layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division. Ninja Theory is reportedly seeking a new buyer, while Compulsion Games and Double Fine are in negotiations to become independent. This follows previous studio closures and layoffs at Xbox, such as Tango Gameworks and The Initiative.
Several studios at risk of closure amid Xbox restructuring
Several internal Xbox studios, including Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Ninja Theory, are reportedly at risk of closure or being shut down as part of a global restructuring. These studios are in discussions with Xbox to potentially go independent or secure their future. This move follows previous closures of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin and comes as Xbox shifts focus to major IPs like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, amidst broader industry challenges including layoffs at Ubisoft.
Treyarch’s Mark Gordon Steps Down as Studio Head After 22 Years
Treyarch studio head Mark Gordon is retiring after 22 years, with Kevin Hendrickson and Yale Miller stepping up as new co-studio heads. The studio, known for its work on the Call of Duty franchise, is not developing this year's entry, which is Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. This new title will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on October 23rd, and will feature a new story, updated multiplayer movement, and the return of the DMZ mode.
Toys for Bob says Spyro: Reignited's 11m sales proved "there's an audience that woke up to show up for that series"
Toys for Bob stated that the 11 million sales of Spyro Reignited Trilogy proved there is a significant audience for the series. Studio head Paul Yan mentioned that the 'loud and consistent' fanbase helped convince Microsoft of the franchise's viability. The studio sees the new Spyro game as a template for future colorful titles.
After three years, Call of Duty is bringing back campaign early access with Modern Warfare 4
Activision announced that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will offer campaign early access up to one week before its official October 23rd release date for players who digitally pre-order the game. This feature, previously seen in the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot and its sequels, aims to give the campaign more attention and increase completion rates. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and a Nintendo Switch 2 version is planned for later this year.
Games Inbox: Are the original Halo games still worth playing?
Readers discuss the enduring appeal of older Halo titles, with one praising Halo 3's timeless design and soundtrack. Another reader reflects on the evolution of gaming technology and online infrastructure since the original Xbox era. Concerns are also raised about the current state of game pricing and the potential impact of consumer reluctance to buy games at full price.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Will Have Campaign Advanced Access, Starts on October 16th
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will offer campaign early access starting October 16th for players who pre-order the Standard or Vault Editions. This feature, previously seen in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, applies to all platforms including Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The full game launches on October 23rd.
Weekend Discussion - June 13, 2026
This weekend discussion covers various topics including Super Mario World and Super Mario Bros. 2 hacks, a critique of a sports apparel company, and a "Pitch Meeting" segment on a Star Wars property. The article also features a musical recommendation from The Linda Lindas and mentions Shacknews' policy against using generative AI in its content. Staff writer Ozzie Mejia shares his background in gaming and his preferred genres.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond exists only because of its "loud and consistent" community of fans
Toys for Bob studio head Paul Yan and associate creative director Lou Studdert stated that Spyro: A Realm Beyond exists due to the consistent support from its fanbase. The team has always wanted to return to the Spyro franchise, and the community's vocal demand made the project a clear decision. The game is set for a spring 2027 release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, with Tom Kenny reprising his role as Spyro's voice actor.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 will let you in a week early, but only for the campaign
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will offer campaign early access starting October 16, a week before the full game's October 23 launch. This feature, previously seen in Modern Warfare entries but absent in Black Ops 7 and BO6, allows players to experience the single-player story before multiplayer. The game is set on the Korean Peninsula and features returning characters like Price and Ghost.
Evening Reading - June 12, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news and features, including discussions on Destiny 2 raids, roguelike autoshooters like Blood Dungeon, and the Virtua Fighter series. It also highlights deals for PlayStation and PC, updates on Sea of Thieves and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and mentions of Pokémon UNITE and Super Mario RPG. The article also touches on unrelated news like SpaceX's IPO and AI model suspensions.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Brings Back Campaign Early Access, Here’s How To Get It
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will offer campaign early access for players who preorder or pre-purchase the standard digital or Vault editions. This early access begins on October 16, a week before the official October 23 release date, and will only include the campaign. The game features actor Young Mazino as Private Park.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Campaign Early Access Confirmed — Here's How It Works
Activision has confirmed that the campaign for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will be available for early access starting October 16. This early access period begins a full week before the game's official release date.
God Of War is most popular 2026 game reveal but the biggest trailer is a surprise
An analytics firm has ranked the most popular game reveals from recent showcases, with God of War Laufey topping the list due to extensive footage and early presentation. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and Resident Evil Veronica followed closely, with Spyro: A Realm Beyond's trailer achieving the most YouTube views.
Destiny 2 and Bungie as a whole were "very close" to closing before Sony buyout, according to ex-community lead: "It was an emergency acquisition"
Former Bungie community lead Liana Ruppert stated that the company was on the verge of shutting down before Sony's $3.6 billion acquisition in 2022. Ruppert described the buyout as an 'emergency acquisition' that saved both Destiny 2 and Bungie itself. Despite initial independence, Sony recently reported a $765 million impairment loss on the studio.
In 007 First Light, The Best Part Of Being Bond Is The Boring Stuff
007 First Light excels by embracing the mundane aspects of being James Bond, moving beyond typical shooter mechanics to create a true "character simulator." Unlike older licensed games that merely retold movie plots, this title allows players to engage with Bond's world through dialogue, gadget interaction, and environmental exploration. The article suggests a sequel should focus on a more experienced Bond, building on the foundation of stealth and gunplay.