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Sony Returns to PlayStation Exclusivity and Stops Single Player PC Ports, New Report Says
A new report indicates Sony will cease porting its first-party single-player games to PC, keeping them exclusive to PlayStation consoles like the PlayStation 5. Live service titles will still be released on other platforms. This shift is attributed to concerns about brand damage and potential impact on console sales, though plans are subject to change.
'Thank you for bringing back Blackout' — Call of Duty fans react to the new Black Ops Royale mode
Call of Duty: Warzone is introducing a new battle royale mode called Black Ops Royale, inspired by Black Ops 4's Blackout mode. This new mode will be free for all players and focuses on scavenging for gear without loadout drops or the gulag. Players can upgrade weapons with attachment kits and find unique perks, with redeploy tokens available for respawning.
Call of Duty is sick of leaks that "mess with player expectations," allegedly shuts down well-known insider
Prominent leaker TheGhostOfHope claims Activision has issued a legal demand to cease sharing future Call of Duty plans. This action suggests Activision is actively trying to prevent leaks that may negatively impact player expectations for upcoming titles.
CoD: Black Ops 7 And Warzone Season 2 Reloaded Release Date And Details
Activision has detailed the upcoming Season 2 Reloaded update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Warzone, launching March 11. The update includes new weapons, multiplayer maps, a new Zombies map called Paradox Junction, and the Black Ops Royale battle royale mode. Warzone's Black Ops Royale mode will launch separately on March 12.
Highguard's failure is emblematic of something that has tormented videogame investors for years now: past live service hits do not equal future live service hits
The failure of live service games like Highguard highlights a persistent problem for investors: past success does not guarantee future hits. Even experienced developers like those from Apex Legends and major companies like Riot Games and Valve have struggled to replicate live service success, leading to cancellations and layoffs across the industry.
Dollar Shave Club Reveals Limited Edition Call Of Duty: Warzone Razer Handle
Starting with the 2026 season, Activision is removing guaranteed revenue streams for Call of Duty League teams, which were previously set at $500,000 annually. This decision, driven by high operating costs and player salaries, has led to concerns among teams about their financial viability and future ambitions in the league.
In yet another twist in the US-China chip export fiasco, it seems like America may limit the number of H200 AI chips…
The US government is reportedly considering new restrictions on AI chip exports to China, potentially limiting Nvidia's H200 and AMD's MI325 chips. These proposed limits would cap exports at 75,000 units per Chinese firm, significantly reducing previous purchase requests. This development occurs amidst ongoing trade tensions and evolving export policies between the US and China.
To Keep Xbox Alive, Does its New CEO Need to Revert to Exclusives?
Following Phil Spencer's retirement, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma faces the challenge of revitalizing the brand, with a key focus on the console's lack of exclusive titles. The article discusses whether reverting to a strategy of console exclusives, rather than multi-platform releases and the Game Pass subscription model, is necessary for Xbox to compete effectively in the console market, particularly against PlayStation.
Call of Duty’s new ‘Black Ops Royale’ mode brings back classic battle royale
Activision has launched Black Ops Royale, a new free-to-play battle royale mode for Call of Duty Warzone, designed to emulate the original Blackout experience from Call of Duty Black Ops 4. The mode features a new map called Avalon, removes familiar mechanics like loadouts and buy stations, and focuses on scavenging and squad tactics for survival. It also includes special events and ties into Black Ops 7 progression.
A Year-By-Year Breakdown Of Phil Spencer's Mixed Legacy As Xbox Boss
This analysis breaks down Phil Spencer's tenure as Xbox boss from 2014 to 2026, highlighting both successes like backward compatibility and the launch of Xbox Game Pass, and failures such as studio closures, game cancellations, and price hikes. The article details major events year-by-year, concluding with Spencer's retirement and the challenges facing Xbox under new leadership.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Campaign) Review
The campaign for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, developed by Raven Software and Treyarch, is a significant return to form for the series, offering engaging level design, mission variety, and a compelling narrative. It successfully blends traditional Call of Duty set pieces with more open exploration and introduces new mechanics like omni-movement without feeling gimmicky. Despite some issues with the Call of Duty HQ launcher, the overall experience is a strong, enjoyable single-player adventure.
Xbox Game Pass in 2026: every tier, price, and change explained
Microsoft significantly restructured Xbox Game Pass on October 1, 2025, introducing new tiers, bundling additional services, and increasing prices, with Ultimate jumping 50% to $29.99 per month. The service now offers Essential ($9.99), Premium ($14.99), PC Game Pass ($16.49), and Ultimate ($29.99), with day-one access to first-party titles like Call of Duty restricted to Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The changes reposition Game Pass as a premium entertainment bundle, omitting a family plan and annual subscription options.
Steam Vs Epic Game Store
This analysis compares Steam and the Epic Games Store, highlighting Steam's dominance in PC gaming with its vast user base and extensive features. Epic Games is challenging Steam through exclusivity deals and offering weekly free games, aiming to capture a significant share of the market despite Steam's established ecosystem and customer loyalty.
RedOctane's 'next evolution in rhythm gaming' sure looks a lot like 2007's Rock Band
RedOctane Games has announced Stage Tour, a new rhythm-action game that heavily resembles Harmonix's Rock Band. The game aims to revive the plastic-instrument rhythm genre with new features and a focus on long-term content and live events, rather than sequels. Sign-ups for a closed alpha test are expected soon, with a holiday season release planned for PC.
Call Of Duty players are 66 times more likely to cheat than Battlefield 6 fans
A study by Surfshark reveals that Call Of Duty players are 66 times more likely to search for cheats than Battlefield players. The analysis, based on global search volume, also highlights Rocket League and Rainbow Six Siege as games with high interest in cheating. The study suggests that robust anti-cheat software may deter players from searching for hacks, and warns that high search volumes for cheats can pose cybersecurity risks.
Scientists Make Breakthrough That Allows Lab-Grown Brain Cells To Play A Sort Of Video Game
Researchers have successfully trained lab-grown human brain cells to play a simplified video game, demonstrating a significant advancement in bioelectrical interfaces. The brain organoids learned to solve a 'cart-pole' problem by receiving electronic signals as rewards or punishments, improving their success rate dramatically. This breakthrough could pave the way for future applications combining AI with biological brain cells, while AI itself continues to integrate into the gaming industry, with companies like Activision Blizzard using generative content.
Call of Duty Abandons “World Series of Warzone” After MLB Legal Challenge
Activision has dropped the 'World Series of Warzone' branding for its Call of Duty: Warzone esports events following a legal challenge from Major League Baseball. MLB argued that the 'World Series' name belongs exclusively to their sport and also took issue with the 'zone' part of 'Warzone.' The tournament is expected to continue under a new name.
CoD: Warzone's New Black Ops Royale Mode: Start Times And How It Works
Call of Duty: Warzone's Season 2 Reloaded update introduces Black Ops Royale, a new mode inspired by Black Ops 4's Blackout. This mode removes custom loadouts, the Gulag, and Buy Stations, focusing on scavenging for weapons and survival on the Avalon map with 100 players. It features unique mechanics like red fear gas, redeployment tokens, and temporary consumable perks.
Xbox isn’t dying (at least not yet): Microsoft Gaming has a plan for the struggling console
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma is implementing a new strategy to revitalize the struggling Xbox brand, shifting focus back to console exclusives and PC-inspired features. This includes a commitment to first-party development from studios like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, and potentially integrating PC storefronts like Steam onto the console.
Is the Xbox ending? Don’t count on it yet
Despite predictions of its demise, the Xbox brand is undergoing a strategic course correction rather than a shutdown. New leadership, including CEO Asha Sharma, emphasizes a renewed commitment to core players and console hardware, moving away from a solely services-focused approach. While recent revenue drops and executive changes have fueled speculation, Microsoft's significant investments in studios and Game Pass suggest a continued focus on hardware and its dedicated player base.
