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Activision Could Be Giving Halo Something It Hasn’t Had In Years: A Clean Slate
Activision is reportedly considering a complete reboot for the Halo series, potentially led by Sledgehammer Games. This move aims to move away from the complex lore accumulated over 25 years, offering a fresh start that doesn't directly follow Halo Infinite's narrative but may still incorporate established canon. The franchise has faced criticism for its increasingly convoluted lore and reliance on supplementary media.
Gears of War: E-Day studio reportedly fears post-launch layoffs, "wouldn't put it past" Microsoft to…
Staff at The Coalition, the developer of Gears of War: E-Day, are reportedly fearing post-launch layoffs amid ongoing restructuring and job cuts across Microsoft's gaming division. Employees are concerned about missing out on potential bonuses tied to the game's performance and express a lack of trust in Microsoft leadership.
modern warfare 4 mastery camos
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will feature nine mastery camos for multiplayer, Warzone, and DMZ, alongside new prestige mastery camos. These include updated versions of classic camos like Polyatomic Reforged and Orion Reforged, as well as new ones such as Mercurial Drift, Parallax, Damascus Reforged, Empyros, Chiral, Ripple Tide, and Helio. The game also introduces a new prestige system with unique rewards.
"Xbox is not for sale" despite all of the layoffs and neat repackaging of studios within Microsoft's corporate structure, CEO Asha Sharma says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has denied any plans to sell the gaming division, despite recent layoffs and studio restructuring. While reports suggested Microsoft executives considered spinning out Xbox, Sharma stated the company is committed to its success and will pursue necessary partnerships and operating models. The article notes the human cost of the layoffs and mentions ongoing boycotts against Microsoft.
As Xbox swings the axe, Gears of War: E-Day developers fear they'll be laid off straight after launch - and right before they'd be due their bonuses
Developers at The Coalition, the studio behind Gears of War: E-Day, are increasingly fearful of imminent layoffs following recent waves of job cuts at Microsoft and Xbox. The departure of the game's story director has heightened anxiety, particularly concerning potential loss of Metacritic bonuses tied to the game's launch.
Jobs roundup: October | Code Wizards Group appoints Catherine Bygrave as head of commercial
Several key figures have moved into new roles within the games industry. Michał Platkow-Gilewski was promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red, while Catherine Bygrave was appointed head of commercial at Code Wizards Group. Other notable appointments include Daniel Smith as executive producer at Playground Games, Gero Micciché as lead producer at 2K and Hangar 13 Games, and Tymon Smektala as executive producer at Bloober Team's Broken Mirror Games.
Jobs roundup: October | Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott voted chair of UKIE
Several key appointments have been made across the UK games industry. Harvey Elliott, CEO of Playstack, has been voted chair of UKIE, succeeding Maria Sayans. Murray Pannell joins Steel City Interactive as head of publishing, while Dean Anderson leads MV&P's APAC partnerships. Catherine Bygrave is the new head of commercial at Code Wizards Group, and Michał Platkow-Gilewski has been promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red.
Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox: A Launch-Week Checklist
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches October 23, 2026, on current-gen platforms, excluding Xbox One. Players should budget for the purchase as it won't be on Game Pass at launch, though a discount may be available. Digital purchases grant early campaign access starting October 16, while multiplayer and Warzone launch on the 23rd. Players are advised to check hardware compatibility, especially for Xbox One owners whose Warzone access will cease with Season 1.
Games Inbox: Will Naughty Dog make a new Uncharted game?
Readers discuss Naughty Dog's potential future projects, including a new Uncharted game or The Last of Us Part III, alongside speculation about upcoming console generations. Other topics include criticisms of Football Manager's engine change, Grand Theft Auto VI's lack of theme park parody, and the state of the video game industry.
Xbox is “Not For Sale”, Will Take Long-Term View With Microsoft, Says CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has stated that the division is not for sale, despite recent layoffs and studio divestments. Sharma acknowledged that Xbox has a long way to go with Microsoft and will take a long-term view for growth. The company is restructuring, consolidating studios, and divesting some, while also discussing the future of Arkane Lyon and merging teams like Turn 10 Studios with Playground Games.
Former Halo lead suggests three ways Activision could revive the legendary series, and urges the company to hire laid off Bungie staff
Former Halo franchise director Frank O'Connor has proposed three potential paths for Activision to revive the Halo series, including hiring laid-off developers from Bungie and Halo Studios. His suggestions range from creating a classic-style Halo to a complete reinvention or a Call of Duty-like annual release model.
Ubisoft renames Creative House 2, home of The Division, Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell, as Massive Entertainment
Ubisoft has renamed its Creative House 2 business unit to Massive Entertainment, consolidating development teams in Toronto, Montreal, Paris, and Sweden under the established brand. This unit will oversee franchises like Tom Clancy's The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell, as well as new original intellectual property. Veteran executive Christoph Hartmann will lead the newly unified Massive Entertainment, aiming to leverage combined expertise for future game development.
Xbox CEO Insists It’s Not For Sale Amid Studio Closures, Layoffs
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has stated that the Xbox division is not for sale, despite recent analyst predictions and significant studio closures and layoffs. Sharma emphasized a commitment to finding the right partnerships and operating model for success, even as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella praised the recent 'streamlining' efforts within the division.
Call Of Duty Modders Add Skateboarding And Minecraft To Modern Warfare 2
Modders have introduced skateboarding mechanics from Skate 2 and a Minecraft-themed mode into the 2009 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, with videos of these creations gaining viral attention. While the mods are available on GitHub, it remains uncertain if Activision will take action due to potential copyright issues. The article also briefly mentions the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Veteran Halo lead has suggestions for how Activision could actually make "the greatest Halo game ever," and they include hiring "Bungie, Halo Studios, and other laid-off folks"
Veteran Halo franchise director Frank O'Connor has proposed three distinct paths for Activision to create a successful Halo game, including a return to classic gameplay, a radical reinvention, or adapting the IP to modern business models. He specifically suggests hiring laid-off developers from Bungie and Halo Studios, noting the talent pool available after recent Microsoft layoffs.
Snabbkollen: Remake eller remaster?
This article discusses player preferences regarding remakes versus remasters of older video games. A poll indicates a strong majority favor remakes, where games are rebuilt from the ground up, over remasters, which offer graphical enhancements to existing titles.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is getting a Counter-Strike-inspired game mode that I can't believe it never had before
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will introduce a new game mode called Collateral, which draws heavy inspiration from Counter-Strike and Valorant's Bomb Defusal mode. This mode features an in-game cash economy, disabled loadouts, no automatic health regeneration or respawning, and requires strategic spending on weapons and perks.
Halo's Former Franchise Creative Director Sees 3 Possible Paths for Activision's Halo
Former Halo Franchise Creative Director Frank O'Connor has outlined three potential future directions for the Halo franchise under Activision's ownership. O'Connor, who spent nearly 20 years at 343 Industries, shared his thoughts on how Xbox's once flagship series could move forward.
CoD: Modern Warfare 4 Brings Back The Franchise’s Most Chaotic And Divisive Multiplayer Map
Activision has confirmed that the iconic and divisive multiplayer map 'Shipment' will return in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, launching October 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The game will also feature improvements to double XP tokens, a fix for the 'update requires restart' notice, and a new Counter-Strike style mode.
CoD: Modern Warfare 4 Features A Brand-New MP Mode Similar To Counter-Strike
Activision has revealed a new round-based multiplayer mode for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 called Collateral, which draws inspiration from tactical shooters like Counter-Strike and Valorant. This mode features a cash system for upgrades between rounds, disabling respawns, killstreaks, and automatic health regeneration to emphasize strategic play. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is set to release on October 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
