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Now that Halo 7 is over at Activision, Halo Studios releases concept art for their version of the FPS, teasing an "ancient, terrible creature" guarded by a timelock
Halo Studios, now a support studio for Activision's Halo development, has released concept art for their envisioned Halo 7. The art teases an "ancient, terrible creature" guarded by timelock technology on Zeta Halo, showcasing a potential direction for the franchise that will not be realized.
As Halo Moves to Activision, Halo Studios Writers Tease What Might Have Been
Halo Studios writers have teased potential future directions for the Master Chief's story following the launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved. This comes amid the recent announcement that Activision will now be overseeing the Halo series, a move that seems to have caused internal reflection at Halo Studios.
"This is Call of Duty's definitive extraction shooter experience" - Infinity Ward details the new DMZ mode in Modern Warfare 4
Infinity Ward is heavily investing in the DMZ mode for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, aiming for it to be a major pillar of the series. The new DMZ mode builds upon the 2022 beta with separate progression, a persistent economy, and enhanced AI enemies across the Haijin map. It will launch on October 23rd for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Games Inbox: Could GTA 6 be banned because of its sex scenes?
Readers discuss potential controversies surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6's adult content and the possibility of bans in the US. Other topics include the merits of remakes versus new IPs in series like Resident Evil and Metroid, and concerns about Microsoft's handling of studios like the one developing Gears of War: E-Day.
Halo Studios’ Next Game May Have Featured The Mysterious Xalanyn Before Cancelation
Halo franchise writer Alex Wakeford discussed potential future projects, including the introduction of the mysterious Xalanyn entities, before a major reshuffling at Xbox. While Halo Studios is now tasked with supporting existing games, Activision is working on a new Halo title, aiming to create "the greatest Halo game ever." This comes amidst significant layoffs across Xbox studios, and reports indicate Halo Studios' next project was canceled.
Halo Studios says "it is absolutely our intent" to release new Halo book, despite layoffs and a rumored lore reboot from Activision
Halo Studios is determined to release the upcoming Halo novel "Fireteam Noble" despite recent layoffs and a rumored lore reboot affecting the franchise. Franchise writer Alex Wakeford confirmed that significant editorial work has been completed and efforts are underway to ensure the book's completion, while also stating intent to finish the "Burn the Road Home" novella. The future of other Halo projects remains uncertain amidst these behind-the-scenes shakeups.
DMZ Returns In Modern Warfare 4 With Deeper Progression And More Ways To Play
Infinity Ward and Activision have detailed the return of DMZ in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, featuring a new map called Hajin and deeper player progression. The extraction mode will include various mission types with different risk levels, dynamic and side operations, and Lieutenant Hunts for valuable loot. Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Ninja Theory begins laying off staff, according to employee posts
Ninja Theory, the developer behind the Hellblade series, has begun laying off staff. Xbox had proposed closing the studio in September after two separate sale agreements fell through. Employees have expressed sadness on social media about not being able to finish their current projects.
Most Common Mistakes New Players Make in One Block Minecraft Bedrock
This article analyzes the effectiveness and detection methods of anti-cheat software used in popular online games like Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Call of Duty, and Fortnite. It details how systems like VAC, Vanguard, Ricochet, and BattlEye utilize machine learning and kernel-level monitoring to identify cheaters, emphasizing that 'undetectable' software only reduces risk, not eliminate it. The piece also covers the consequences of bans, including account wipes, potential IP bans, and damage to streaming or esports careers, while noting that false positives can occur.
Resident Evil Studio That’s Making Nintendo’s Zelda Movie Now Gunning For Battlefield As Well
Sony Pictures is reportedly the frontrunner in a major bidding war to secure the film rights for the Battlefield video game franchise. The package includes director Christopher McQuarrie and potential star Michael B. Jordan. This move follows Sony's success with other video game adaptations like Resident Evil and its upcoming The Legend of Zelda movie.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Trailer Details the New DMZ’s Setting and Stakes
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will feature a returning DMZ mode, with its setting tied to the campaign's aftermath in Hajin City following a nuclear meltdown. Players will face off against rogue operators and hostile NPCs while trying to secure biological, nuclear, and chemical weaponry. Infinity Ward promises more details on the mode's mechanics soon.
Hellblade Developer Ninja Theory Has Begun Layoffs
Ninja Theory, the developer behind Hellblade, has begun layoffs following the failure of two agreements with Xbox. Several developers have announced their departures on LinkedIn, with some expressing sadness over unfinished projects. This follows a pattern of recent layoffs within Xbox, impacting studios like Halo and Turn 10.
Weekend Discussion - October 3, 2026
This Weekend Discussion post from Shacknews covers various topics including a Raul Julia documentary, a conversation with Nick Offerman about tech, a discussion on piracy with Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, and a segment on Conan O'Brien. It also features music from Bruno Mars and encourages reader engagement via comments and Discord.
Sea of Thieves shares work on Last Ship Standing, server tech, and file size ensmallening
Sea of Thieves developers shared updates on server technology experiments, including a 'Last Ship Standing' mode that faced performance issues with multiple galleons. Efforts to significantly reduce the game's file size for PC and Xbox users are showing positive results, with goals to halve installs for 4K users. The studio also briefly acknowledged recent changes at Rare Ltd. with Microsoft placing the studio under Activision's control.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Video Reveals Major Change That Could End Wallhacks for Good
Activision plans to address long-standing wallhack issues in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 with new anti-cheat measures. This update aims to significantly reduce or eliminate the prevalence of cheating in the game.
Call of Duty's new anti-wallhack tech is so smart I can't believe it took until Modern Warfare 4
Infinity Ward and Activision are introducing a new anti-cheat technology called 'Server Culling' for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. This system aims to combat wallhacks by withholding player location data from clients when opponents are not in direct line of sight, a move praised for its ingenuity and potential effectiveness.
Evening Reading - October 2, 2026
This Friday reading covers a variety of gaming news including updates on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Fortnite, Minecraft, and Monster Hunter Wilds. It also touches on the cancellation of PUBG's Black Budget, Deadlock's Rat King, and Team Fortress 2's Scream Fortress event. Additionally, there are mentions of game deals, a review of Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and updates for World of Warcraft and Marvel Snap.
Activision’s Halo Could Be A Full Reboot, Prototypes Developed Before Announcement – Rumor
A rumor suggests Activision is considering a full reboot of the Halo franchise, potentially focusing on Master Chief's origin story. Sledgehammer Games reportedly prototyped both a free-to-play multiplayer and a campaign experience before Activision decided on a single, full-package game. The project is in early development, and details may change.
Bungie co-founder and Destiny 2 narrative director launch transmedia studio Stone Kite
Bungie co-founder Jason Jones and Destiny 2 narrative director Margaret Stohl have launched a new transmedia studio called Stone Kite. The Los Angeles-based company aims to build worlds collaboratively across various media from inception, debuting with its first IP, One Zero One, a comic book series adapted from an original manuscript by Jones.
Halo's new steward Activision reportedly considering rebooting the series, with a team in Sledgehammer Games leading the charge
Activision is reportedly considering a reboot for the Halo series, with a new team at Sledgehammer Games leading the charge. This potential reboot would explore Master Chief's origins and may combine both campaign and multiplayer elements, possibly moving away from Halo Studios' Slipstream engine to the Infinity Ward Engine. The news comes amid major reorganisation and layoffs within Microsoft's Xbox division.
