Arkane Studios
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"Every piece is unified": Dark Messiah of Might and Magic returns with co-op, an Adventure mode, a level generator and New Game+ in the 64-bit Community Edition
The fan-made Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Community Edition mod is set to release in 2026 with significant upgrades, including a transition to a 64-bit Source engine for native Linux and Windows support. The mod, developed by wiltOS Technologies with blessings from Ubisoft and Valve, will feature co-op multiplayer via Steamworks, a renewed PvP component, and integrate popular mods like New Game+ and an Adventure Mode.
Microsoft extends deadline to "explore options" for Dishonored studio Arkane's future as the team…
Microsoft has extended the deadline for discussions regarding the future of Arkane Studios, the developer behind Dishonored and Marvel's Blade. French labor laws require Microsoft to explore alternatives to layoffs for studios with over 1,000 employees, leading to negotiations about potential partnerships or sales.
Microsoft extends consultation period for Arkane Lyon as it continues development on Marvel's Blade
Microsoft has extended the consultation period for Arkane Lyon by one month as it seeks a new buyer for the studio, while development on Marvel's Blade continues. Trade unions report that negotiations on the redundancy plan are not going well, with concerns raised about the contradiction between the company's financial situation and the divestiture. Microsoft is exploring options and seeking a partner for Arkane Lyon's next phase.
Rapport: Arkane ligger pyrt till, men hoppet är inte ute
A report indicates that Xbox is actively seeking a buyer for Arkane Studios before a November 13 deadline, as French law requires a three-month period to find a new owner before potential closure. While the Blade game Arkane is developing is reportedly nearing completion, the future of the studio remains uncertain, though journalist Jason Schreier suggests the situation may not be as dire as it appears, citing legal and financial deterrents for Xbox to close the studio.
Games Inbox: What is the point of next gen consoles?
Readers debate the necessity and value of next-generation consoles, questioning their technological advancements and market impact. Other topics include the enjoyment and flaws of Onimusha: Warlords, the potential of Yoshi And The Mysterious Book, and the unsustainable business models of North American game development.
New Blood CEO confirms it: the worst way to sell immersive sims like Gloomwood and Fallen Aces is to call them immersive…
New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry believes that marketing games as 'immersive sims' is detrimental to sales, stating the term is niche and off-putting to mainstream audiences. He argues that categorizing these games as RPGs, like Baldur's Gate 3, would be more commercially viable, citing the struggles of titles like Prey and the success of the 'boomer shooter' label.
Evening Reading - October 23, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Tape To Tape and Village in the Shade, and mentions of upcoming titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Palworld. Shigeru Miyamoto received Japan's Order of Culture and commented on AI's role in game design. There are also reports of Arkane Studios potentially facing closure and Helen Chiang's departure from Xbox.
Dishonored and Deathloop studio has 22 days to save itself from corporate extinction
Arkane Studios, the developer behind Dishonored and Deathloop, is facing a critical 22-day period that could determine its survival amidst corporate restructuring. The article questions whether the studio can be saved from potential closure.
Xbox negotiations with Marvel's Blade developer Arkane reportedly aren't going well, and that could mean the Dishonored studio shutting down next month
Negotiations between Arkane Studios and Xbox regarding the future of the Dishonored developer are reportedly not progressing well, with a November 13 deadline looming for a decision. Reports suggest Microsoft is looking to sell the studio, and while buyers are being sought, a shutdown is also a possibility, impacting 217 jobs and the near-completion of Marvel's Blade.
Big Walk devs House House announce support for BDS Microsoft boycott, say the co-op puzzler isn't coming to Xbox
Big Walk developers House House have announced their support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement's boycott of Microsoft and Xbox. Citing business ties with the Israeli military, the studio confirmed their co-op puzzler Big Walk will not be released on Xbox platforms, despite the intention for it to be a multiplayer experience. This decision aligns with other developers protesting Microsoft's business practices.
Asha Sharma reportedly tells rattled Xbox employees: "We have to find new ways, and courage, to have invention on new IP"
Xbox leader Asha Sharma reportedly stated that the company must innovate and create new intellectual property to survive, rather than solely relying on existing franchises. This comes despite recent studio closures and consolidations that have impacted developers known for creating new game ideas.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma says "we will not survive" without "enduring new IP," despite being in the middle of laying off 3,200 employees and parting ways with numerous studios
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company "will not survive" without creating new, enduring intellectual property, despite ongoing restructuring that includes 3,200 layoffs and several studios becoming independent or having projects canceled. Sharma emphasized the need for invention and reaching new audiences, while also acknowledging the importance of backing strong franchises. The company is set to publish Hideo Kojima's upcoming games OD and Physint.
Vampire games on Steam are a recession indicator and I have the charts to prove it
This article posits that the increasing number of vampire games released on Steam serves as an indicator of economic downturns. Analyzing SteamDB data, the author notes a significant rise in vampire game releases and listings over the past six years, correlating this trend with rising costs of living, increased debt delinquency, and decreased savings rates in the US.
Alleged footage of Xbox's cancelled Perfect Dark reboot shows a parkour-heavy chase scene and the summary execution of fruit
Alleged footage of Microsoft's cancelled Perfect Dark reboot has surfaced, showcasing chase sequences and shooting mechanics. The game, developed by The Initiative, was cancelled as part of mass layoffs at Microsoft, with attempts to revive it by Take-Two Interactive reportedly falling through. Several other studios, including Crystal Dynamics, Double Fine, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Arkane Studios, were also affected by these layoffs.
Why it's still worth making immersive sims
Former Arkane Studios collaborators Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, now co-founders of Black Pony Immersive, are committed to developing ambitious 'immersive sim' games. They discuss the challenges of creating these genre-defining titles without the backing of major publishers like Zenimax or Microsoft, emphasizing creativity and passion.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox is simply 'streamlining' after cutting over 5,750 jobs in three years
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described the company's extensive layoffs, which have affected over 5,750 employees since October 2023, as 'streamlining' under new Xbox boss Asha Sharma. Despite significant studio closures and job cuts, Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games and achieve growth.
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.
Xbox Cuts Several Studios & Staff in Restructuring
Xbox is undergoing a significant restructuring, involving the elimination of 268 roles and the reorganization of several first-party studios. Activision will now oversee the next Halo game, while Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios will merge. Bethesda is absorbing Obsidian Entertainment, and Ninja Theory faces a proposed closure. These changes aim to reduce organizational complexity and concentrate resources on key franchises.
Gears of War: E-Day director laid off days after completing development as Xbox cuts reach The Coalition
Juan Vaca, the story director for the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day, has been laid off by Microsoft as part of its ongoing job cuts. This news comes just days after Vaca celebrated the game going gold, and it follows a larger wave of redundancies across Xbox studios, including Halo Studios. The reasons for Vaca's dismissal, particularly so close to the game's October 2026 release, remain unclear.
State of Decay 3 studio Undead Labs lay off "a significant number" of "exceptionally talented developers" after gaining independence from Xbox
Undead Labs, the studio behind State of Decay 3, has laid off a significant number of employees shortly after becoming independent from Xbox. This move follows a trend of layoffs across the industry and within Microsoft-owned studios, impacting other developers like Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Arkane Studios.
