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Spyro: A Realm Beyond Studio Says it Would Love to Make a Banjo-Kazooie Game
Toys for Bob, known for the Spyro the Dragon remakes, has expressed a strong desire to develop a new Banjo-Kazooie game, citing the franchise's timeless appeal. Studio heads Lou Studdert and Paul Yan believe their studio's expertise in 3D platformers aligns perfectly with the series. While rumors previously linked Toys for Bob to a Banjo-Kazooie project, the studio is currently developing Spyro: A Realm Beyond for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, set for a Spring 2027 release.
Your Loyalty To Sony Or Xbox Means Nothing, Analyst Says
Analyst Mat Piscatella states that consumer loyalty to platforms like PlayStation or Xbox means nothing to corporations, as profitability is the sole driver. With the projected high cost of future consoles and the significantly higher margins on digital game sales compared to physical discs, companies like Sony are prioritizing digital distribution. This shift is seen as irreversible due to the lucrative nature of digital sales, despite concerns about game preservation.
The upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops PlayStation re-releases seemingly drop a few fondly-remembered features
Upcoming re-releases of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops II for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 appear to be missing several features found in the original games, based on leaked Trophy lists. Notably, Wager Matches and Theater Mode are absent from Black Ops 1, while Black Ops II seems to lack League Play. These omissions suggest the games will be ports rather than remasters, potentially lacking native PS5 support.
Blaze announces the Super Pocket Activision, and there are some great retro classics on board
Blaze has announced the Super Pocket Activision Edition, a new handheld device featuring 34 classic Activision titles including Pitfall! and River Raid. The device, costing $69.99, also supports Evercade cartridges. Pre-orders are open for a September 28th, 2026 release.
The next Super Pocket is hoarding classic capers that are missing from the Atari version
Blaze announced the Super Pocket Activision Edition handheld, featuring 34 licensed '80s classics from Activision and rival Imagic, including Pitfall!, River Raid, Demon Attack, and Moonsweeper. This edition, priced at $69.99, sports a Pitfall!-inspired design and is compatible with Blaze's Evercade collection. The handheld is set to release on September 28.
Blaze Entertainment Announces Super Pocket Activision Edition
Blaze Entertainment has announced the Super Pocket Activision Edition, a new handheld console featuring 34 classic Activision titles. This marks the eighth Super Pocket release and will be available for £59.99, $69.99, and €69.99, with pre-orders open for a September 28th, 2026 release. The device also includes an Evercade cartridge slot for expanded gameplay options.
Spyro: Reignited Trilogy devs used an open-source emulator to look at the original platformer and measure "all the metrics" of gem placements, enemy paths, and more for their remake
Toys for Bob developers used a modified open-source emulator to meticulously recreate Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, measuring exact gem placements and enemy paths. This approach ensured the remake's faithfulness to the original games while incorporating quality-of-life improvements like updated controls.
Xbox Moves On From 4 Studios and Layoffs Off Thousands of Others
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, impacting over 1600 employees and planning for another 1600 over the next two fiscal years. Four studios—Double Fine Productions, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs—will become independent or be acquired by new entities, retaining their intellectual property. Numerous other studios, including Zenimax Online, Id Software, Obsidian, and Bethesda Game Studios, are also undergoing substantial layoffs as Xbox refocuses on its major franchises like Call of Duty, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Halo, and Minecraft.
River Raid+ An upcoming, sped up remake of the classic retro shooter for the ZX Spectrum by thealfest
An unofficial remake of the classic 1980s shooter River Raid, titled River Raid+, has been teased for the ZX Spectrum. This enhanced version offers a significant performance boost and cleaned-up sprites, though its engine sound is noted as poor. The original game was designed by Carol Shaw, one of the first female video game developers.
Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax hit hard by Xbox layoffs, says union
Microsoft's recent Xbox layoffs have significantly impacted Bethesda Game Studios and its parent company ZeniMax Media, with the Bethesda Game Workers Union reporting that many employees have been let go. Reports indicate that studios like id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios are also cutting a substantial number of staff. These reductions are part of a broader reorganization across various Microsoft gaming divisions to focus on higher priority projects.
How Gaming Became Much More Mobile Focused - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
The gaming industry has shifted significantly towards mobile platforms, with mobile devices becoming the primary gaming screen for many. This trend is driven by convenience and the increasing revenue generated by mobile games, which are projected to account for over half of the global games market by 2025. Even traditional genres like puzzle and adventure games are adapting to mobile-first design principles, while titles like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile highlight the challenges of porting console experiences without proper mobile optimization.
Xbox is laying off 3,200 people and dumping 4 studios
Xbox announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees and the restructuring of four studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. While Compulsion and Double Fine will become independent, Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are being sold to new management. The company also confirmed reductions across Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, King, Mojang, and Xbox Game Studios, with CEO Asha Sharma citing the business's unhealthy state and slower-than-expected growth from Game Pass and multi-platform releases.
Xbox to reduce workforce by 3,200, five studios to be divested
Xbox announced significant workforce reductions affecting 3,200 employees and the divestment of five studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Arkane. Compulsion Games and Double Fine will become independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are set for new ownership to continue development on their respective projects. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the company is refocusing its strategy, acknowledging that it cannot be the best home for every studio.
Resetting XBOX
Xbox is undergoing its most significant restructure in history, involving approximately 3,200 job reductions throughout fiscal year 2027, with 1,600 roles eliminated immediately. Four studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions, will transition to independent management, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are in terms to join new ownership. This strategic reset aims to improve profitability and focus on core businesses, with a simplified organizational structure and a new Chief Operating Officer, Helen Chiang, overseeing operations.
Xbox Announces 3,200 Layoffs for Fiscal Year 2027, Four Studios to be Released
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees, with 1,600 layoffs occurring immediately. Four studios—Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, and Undead Labs—are being released. Sharma cited lower-than-comparable margins and industry hardware challenges as reasons for the restructuring, aiming to reset Xbox's business focus.
Weekend Discussion - July 4, 2026
This weekend discussion covers various topics including a mention of Dunkmeleon playing an unknown game, Eric Andre's movie filming issues, Elyse Willems and Nikole Zivalich playing Tomodachi Life, and a patriotic segment with Sam Eagle. The article also includes musical recommendations from Mumford & Sons and encourages reader engagement via Shacknews Chatty and Discord.
Crossfire is actually the second singleplayer shooter named after Korea’s Counter-Strike—and the last one…
This article discusses CrossfireX, a singleplayer shooter campaign developed by Remedy Entertainment, and its unfortunate shutdown. It highlights the unique narrative elements Remedy brought to the Call of Duty-style shooter, contrasting them with the more generic military action. The piece also touches on the broader issue of live-service game shutdowns and the potential loss of singleplayer content.
Evening Reading - July 3, 2026
This edition of Shacknews' Evening Reading covers various gaming news and features, including updates on LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Dead Space, and upcoming download deals for PC and Nintendo platforms. The article also highlights Shackmaps, a collection of interactive video game maps, and features a segment on video game music with a focus on Bloodborne.
Industry veteran Robert Bowling launches new developer //18.bravo
Industry veteran Robert Bowling, formerly of Infinity Ward, has launched a new Los Angeles-based studio called //18.bravo. The studio aims for a radically different approach to game development, focusing on employee success through royalty plans and profit sharing, and plans to release its assets as open source if the company closes. Bowling criticized the current industry for being over-commercialized and detrimental to both players and staff.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Just Showed Up In A Very Unexpected Place
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has been unexpectedly featured on the French men's national football team bus, sparking discussion about Activision's marketing efforts. The game is slated for release in October, with a multiplayer beta planned before launch. Notably, Modern Warfare 4 will be available on the Nintendo Switch, marking the first Call of Duty title on a Nintendo platform since 2013.