Bethesda
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PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: World of Warcraft: Forever
The latest issue of PC Gamer magazine features exclusive hands-on access to World of Warcraft: Forever, Blizzard's new evolution of classic WoW, and interviews with its developers, suggesting a new golden age for MMOs. The issue also includes previews of Total War: Warhammer 40,000 and other upcoming games, reviews of titles like The Blood of Dawnwalker, and features on PC hardware, game diaries, and industry discussions.
The Next Gears Of War Game Probably Won’t Need 7 Years To Cook
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump stated that the development of the next Gears of War game, following Gears of War: E-Day, will not take as long as the seven-year gap after Gears 5. He emphasized focusing on shipping a great game and showcasing Xbox hardware capabilities, while acknowledging concerns about recent Xbox layoffs.
State Of Decay 3 Was Announced Early To Keep Undead Labs On Microsoft’s Radar
State of Decay 3 developer Undead Labs announced the game early in 2020 to keep the project on Microsoft's radar during an acquisition spree, according to studio boss Philip Holt. The studio has since become independent and employee-owned. Holt explained that the early announcement was a strategic move to prevent the studio from being overlooked amidst Microsoft's acquisitions of companies like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Asha Sharma reportedly informs staff that Xbox has "started to return to growth" during internal town hall
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced during an internal town hall that the company has begun to return to growth after reaching an all-time low, with significant improvements in its first-party segment and user engagement. Sharma also discussed plans to evolve Game Pass, introduce a family of next-gen hardware devices under Project Helix, and continue investing in console features despite current market stagnation.
Xbox Was At An “All Time Low,” But Is Now Growing Again After Huge Cuts, CEO Says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company is experiencing renewed growth after significant layoffs and studio closures, calling it a "return to growth" after an "all time low." She also discussed future hardware plans, including a "family of devices" for the next generation, and confirmed that Xbox is not for sale despite recent restructuring efforts.
The Elder Scrolls Online is prioritizing combat less and content that has you "looking in every nook and cranny" Morrowind-style more, say the MMO's leads
The Elder Scrolls Online is shifting its focus from combat-heavy content to exploration-driven experiences, reminiscent of Morrowind. Developers are introducing new systems like seasons and the Nowhere Vault to encourage players to "look in every nook and cranny" and uncover secrets, aiming to engage a broader player base.
Warhammer Survivors Is Launching Mere Days Before GTA 6, And I Respect The Audacity
Warhammer Survivors is set to launch on November 10 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, with a demo available now on Steam. The game adopts the 'Survivors-like' formula, featuring intense combat against Tyranid enemies, weapon evolution, and a large roster of characters and weapons. Its release date is notably close to Grand Theft Auto 6, a bold move that the article respects.
Skyrim modder forgoes trend of AI-powered crossovers, brings Elden Ring's combat to the RPG himself and earns rave…
A modder has successfully integrated Elden Ring's combat mechanics into The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, allowing players to experience FromSoftware's challenging combat style within Bethesda's RPG. This mod, created using the Rust programming language, is distinct from AI-generated crossovers and has been met with enthusiastic reception from fans.
Marvel Rivals lookalike Project Comet is another free-to-play game coming soon
A leaked trailer for Project Comet, a new free-to-play action RPG from Scopely, has surfaced, suggesting a game similar in style to Marvel Rivals. The mobile title, which may also come to PC with crossplay, features characters like Spider-Man and Doctor Strange teaming up. This follows NetEase's earlier mobile title Marvel Mystic Mayhem, which was shut down.
Fallout New York AI Game Taken Down
An AI-generated Fallout fan game set in New York was taken offline after ZeniMax Media, parent company of Bethesda, issued a cease-and-desist notice. The project, built entirely with AI and playable in a web browser, utilized Fallout's intellectual property, including its name, branding, and game mechanics. This incident highlights the growing tension between AI-assisted game creation and existing intellectual property rights, occurring amidst a broader trend of AI-driven game mash-ups and recreations that are dividing modding communities.
It's easy to forget now, but the first Elder Scrolls game had a rough launch back in the day: 'It was a disaster in a lot of ways and somehow built a billion-dollar franchise'
The first Elder Scrolls game, Arena, had a difficult launch in 1994, with low initial sales and store cancellations. Despite these challenges and Bethesda's prior reputation for sports titles, word-of-mouth and player enjoyment helped it eventually build into a billion-dollar franchise.
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.
The MOP Up: Dune Awakening nets one million new players from its console launch
Funcom reported that Dune Awakening has attracted over one million new players following its console launch, with the game currently on sale on Steam. The article also rounds up other smaller MMO news, including updates for Valheim, Lord of the Rings Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Warhammer 40K: Darktide, and Satisfactory, alongside a cease-and-desist for a Tera Classic rogue server and new Warcraft action figures.
Modders are furious as Claude-powered mashup mods flood social media
Long-time modders are expressing significant frustration with the rise of AI-generated "mashup" mods that combine unrelated games, citing a lack of creativity and potential copyright issues. This trend, fueled by advancements in AI models like Claude Opus 5.5, is currently circulating on social media platforms like Twitter/X, with platforms like Nexus Mods having policies against AI-generated content without explicit permission.
Paradox's Afterworld ditches history for Fallout-style fantasy, and that's its biggest strength
Paradox's new grand strategy game, Afterworld, moves away from historical settings to embrace a Fallout-inspired fantasy post-apocalyptic world. The game aims for a more approachable and narrative-driven experience compared to Paradox's previous titles, with Game Director Dan Lind highlighting a faster pace and user-friendly interface.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Adding Boats and Naval Combat Would be “Natural,” Says Former Skyrim Lead
Former Skyrim lead designer Bruce Nesmith believes boats and naval combat would be a natural addition to The Elder Scrolls 6, offering significant gameplay opportunities. He suggests potential features like skill trees for seafaring and new enemy types, while ruling out underwater exploration due to complexity.
For once, I'm happy to see expensive corporate lawyers forcing a fan project offline
Bethesda issued a cease-and-desist order to a creator who developed an AI-generated Fallout game set in New York City. The author expresses satisfaction with this action, contrasting the project with genuine fan mods like Fallout: London and Skyblivion, and criticizes the use of AI and the project's name.
Xbox is "in a pickle" because "Microsoft never really picked a lane" says ex-PlayStation boss
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox is in a difficult position due to Microsoft's inconsistent strategy regarding game exclusivity and its subscription service model. Layden suggests that Microsoft's inability to commit to a clear lane, whether as an exclusive platform or a multi-platform publisher, has hindered its progress against PlayStation.
Bethesda kills AI fan's viral Fallout game, much to their chagrin: "How about you make a Fallout game instead…
Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media, has issued a cease-and-desist notice to a fan who created a viral browser game called Fallout: New York using AI. The fan expressed disappointment, stating that the project was a free tech demo and wished Bethesda would focus on making their own Fallout games. The AI-generated game featured numerous locations, characters, and weapons.
AI-generated Fallout: New York browser game full of utterly cursed faces slapped with Bethesda cease and desist, its slop prompter claims
An AI-generated browser game called Fallout: New York, created by CHRIS FIRST using Anthropic's Claude Opus 5.5, has reportedly received a cease and desist notice from ZeniMax Media, Bethesda's parent company. The creator expressed disappointment but also acknowledged the legal issues, while recommending the human-made mod Fallout: London as an alternative.
