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In another unprecedented move, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is changing double XP tokens so they count down in match and not real-time
Activision has announced that double XP tokens in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will now only count down while actively in a match, a change long requested by the community. This move, along with other recent adjustments like a skin toggle in Warzone and matchmaking updates, aims to re-engage lapsed players. The new system will also apply to existing tokens from previous Call of Duty titles.
Evening Reading - September 28, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various game reviews and previews, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. The article also touches on the state of retro gaming, the increasing involvement of AI in various fields, and the importance of art style in Halo.
Activision Keeps Saying All The Right Things About Modern Warfare 4
Activision announced that Double XP tokens in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will now only count down during active gameplay, not in menus or while searching for matches. Developers at Infinity Ward also discussed topics like time-to-kill and spawning in a recent video. The game is set to launch on October 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Warzone isn't getting legacy camos as Activision backpedals on MW4 changes
Activision has backtracked on its decision to allow legacy weapon camos to carry forward into Call of Duty: Warzone with the upcoming Modern Warfare 4 Season 1. While Operator skins and Weapon Blueprints from previous titles will remain, weapon camos will not transfer, aiming to focus the weapon meta on Modern Warfare 4. A new Operator Skin toggle will also be introduced.
Call of Duty: Warzone will soon make it possible to toggle all those silly skins off, something no one thought could ever happen
Call of Duty: Warzone will introduce a new feature allowing players to toggle off character skins from other Call of Duty titles, starting with the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's first season. This highly requested feature aims to provide players with more control over the visual aesthetic of their gameplay, addressing concerns about mismatched or out-of-place cosmetics from various franchises.
Microsoft boss Nadella says Xbox has to invent "sustainable business model"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that Xbox must invent a sustainable business model to reach more players, viewing recent layoffs and studio closures under Asha Sharma as positive "streamlining." Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox returning to growth in the next fiscal year, emphasizing the goal of being a leading publisher and platform provider across PC and Xbox.
Latest Xbox layoffs reportedly devastated Age of Empires developer and canceled its next game
Xbox's recent "reset" significantly impacted World's Edge Studio, the developer of the Age of Empires series, with nearly half the studio laid off, including former creative director Adam Isgreen. A new project was canceled, and a large portion of the studio was let go, according to former employees. This news comes as the studio now answers to Activision, alongside Sea of Thieves developer Rare.
Microsoft CEO Says “Streamlining” by Xbox Team is “Great to See” in the Wake of Layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and future game development despite recent restructuring and significant layoffs. He praised Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's streamlining efforts and reiterated the goal of sustainable business models for broader game accessibility. However, the division faces challenges including declining hardware revenue and pressure to deliver successful exclusives.
Activision’s Halo Could Reboot the Franchise – Rumor
Rumors suggest Activision may be rebooting the Halo franchise, with Xbox reportedly shifting Halo Studios to a support role. While a remake is unlikely, the next installment is expected to be a mainline entry, though details remain scarce. Some fans are skeptical due to the extensive lore, especially after disappointing turns since Halo 5: Guardians.
Weekend Discussion - September 26, 2026
This Weekend Discussion article from Shacknews features staff writer Ozzie sharing his personal gaming experiences and preferences. He discusses his history with games, his work in QA for THQ and Activision on the Guitar Hero series, and his enjoyment of platformers, puzzle games, shooters, RPGs, and games with strong narratives. The article also includes a brief mention of a documentary about cruise ships and a look back at Puzzle Kombat.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox's 'streamlining' process is 'great to see' following its most recent…
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella commented on the recent Xbox layoffs and studio restructuring, describing the process as "great to see" and comparing it to streamlining a Formula 1 car. Despite significant job cuts and studio closures, Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to grow as a publisher and platform provider across PC and Xbox consoles.
Rare being controlled by Activision could actually be a good thing - Reader's Feature
A reader suggests that Activision's supervision of Rare, following Microsoft's struggles in managing the studio, could be a positive development. Despite concerns about Activision's business practices and potential for Rare to become a support studio, the author believes Activision's experience in managing developers might lead to more finished games than Microsoft's tenure.
What insiders say Halo Studios was up to before losing Halo: 'The next Halo game was years away'
Following significant layoffs at 343 Industries, insiders report that the next mainline Halo game was years away and no titles were in full production. While work was underway on remakes and potential spinoffs, Microsoft has passed the series' future development to Activision, which is building a new studio dedicated to Halo.
PS5 Remaster of Classic Shooter Earns Solid Reviews, Out Now on PlayStation Store
The PlayStation 5 remaster of the classic first-person shooter SiN, titled SiN: Reloaded, is now available on the PlayStation Store for $29.99. Developed by Nightdive Studios, the enhanced version of the 1998 game features updated visuals, modernized controls, and an additional mission pack, receiving positive reviews from critics and players.
Xbox is in freefall but all one exec can talk about is GTA 6 pre-orders
Xbox is facing significant challenges, including thousands of layoffs, poor Xbox Series X/S sales, and a failed pivot to Game Pass. Amidst this turmoil, an Xbox executive's focus on Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders on the platform has drawn criticism, especially as pre-orders are reportedly skewed towards PlayStation 5. The company is undergoing a major 'reset' which includes studio mergers and a shift for the Halo IP.
Rare under Activision has seen job cuts but they are working on new projects
Xbox has announced a studio reshuffle, placing the acclaimed developer Rare under Activision. This move has reportedly led to job cuts within Rare's central operations team. Despite these changes, Rare is confirmed to be working on new projects.
Xbox’s “Aggressive” Revenue Goals Were “Unrealistic” Even Before Layoffs, Says id Software Dev
An id Software developer revealed that Xbox's aggressive revenue goals are considered unrealistic and contributing to ongoing chaos and layoffs within the company. Despite attempts at communication, management's vision is perceived as lacking, with a strong focus on immediate profit increases. This sentiment is shared across studios, with morale sinking due to perceived incompetence.
State of Decay 3 Studio Was Going to Be Acquired by Splash Damage Before Deal Fell Through – Rumor
Xbox is reportedly divesting four studios, including Undead Labs, developer of State of Decay 3. A rumored acquisition of Undead Labs by Splash Damage fell through, as did potential deals for Ninja Theory. These moves are part of a larger business "reset" by Xbox, which has also involved significant layoffs and studio reorganizations.
Call of Duty 'cosmetic toggle' will cleanse Warzone of its Party City aesthetic
Call of Duty: Warzone is introducing a "cosmetic toggle" that will disable legacy character skins in-game, replacing them with operators from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 to create a more stylistically cohesive experience. While this is seen as a positive change by the author, it's noted that the toggle's effectiveness may be limited by future cosmetics introduced in Modern Warfare 4.
Halo Studios Was “Years Away” From Shipping A New Halo Game
343 Industries has been demoted to supporting existing Halo titles, with Activision now reportedly preparing a new installment in the franchise. This shift raises concerns about the future direction and development of new Halo games, as the studio was reportedly years away from shipping a new title.