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The Elder Scrolls Online's developer deserved better than to get sucker-punched by Microsoft twice in two years
Microsoft's recent layoffs at ZeniMax Online Studios, impacting an estimated 60% of the workforce, are criticized as cruel and short-sighted. Despite The Elder Scrolls Online's profitability and a recent positive shift in player sentiment and development strategy, the studio has faced significant workforce reductions, including the cancellation of the long-in-development Project Blackbird. This analysis argues that these cuts jeopardize the future of the MMO and the Elder Scrolls franchise's presence in the gaming landscape.
New Diablo 4 patch notes make Mythics easier to get, so hold your turn-ins for now
Blizzard Entertainment has released new patch notes for Diablo 4 Season 14, focusing on increasing the drop rate of elusive Mythic Uniques. The update, arriving Tuesday, July 14, 2026, will make Pandemonium Fragments easier to obtain through seasonal activities and reduce the crafting cost for Mythics. While class balance changes are absent, improvements to loot acquisition are expected to enhance the endgame experience.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 10: Palworld exits Steam Early Access
Palworld has officially launched version 1.0 out of Early Access on Steam, accompanied by a launch discount. This article highlights various PC game deals available this weekend across multiple digital storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store, Amazon Luna, Fanatical, Gamebillet, GamesPlanet, GOG.com, Green Man Gaming, Humble Bundle, and 2K Publisher Sale.
Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re Making
Xbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
World of Warcraft’s Ion Hazzkostas suggests Midnight’s UI and addon overhaul makes the MMO more ‘approachable’
Blizzard's Ion Hazzikostas stated that the recent UI and addon overhaul in World of Warcraft has made the game more approachable. He believes that while the changes were controversial and led to some addons becoming defunct, the majority of players can now complete content without feeling reliant on external tools, allowing for shorter play sessions.
"We mean business" - Bethesda union members to march in protest of sweeping Xbox job cuts
Bethesda Game Studios union members are planning protests against recent layoffs impacting Microsoft's Xbox division. The union criticizes Microsoft's framing of the cuts and asserts their legal right to bargain over the impact of these layoffs, demanding preferential transfers, stronger severance, and recall rights for affected workers. The layoffs have reportedly caused plummeting morale and may significantly affect the development of The Elder Scrolls 6.
Choirs in Hell: The making of Diablo 4's iconic soundtrack
Blizzard composers Ted Reedy and Leo Kaliski discuss the evolution of Diablo 4's soundtrack, from its ambient origins to the more defined scores for expansions like Lord of Hatred. They detail how musical motifs from the original Diablo are woven into the new score and how technology is used to create dynamic, ever-changing soundscapes for players during long gameplay sessions.
Own goal specialist Xbox rifles another into the roof of the net - Patch Notes #60
Xbox announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 employees across various studios including id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. Xbox boss Asha Sharma cited a need to eliminate management layers and create a flatter organization, though many of the affected employees are senior staff integral to game production. This marks the fifth major round of layoffs at Xbox in three years, with unions like CWA Canada criticizing Microsoft's handling of the situation.
Blizzard is already patching Diablo 4 Season 14 after players proved Mythics got screwed up, update coming next week…
Blizzard Entertainment is preparing a patch for Diablo 4's Season 14, 'Death Awakening,' to address player concerns about extremely low drop rates for Iconic Mythic items. The update, expected within the next week, will also fix issues with Mythic Uniques tagged as 'Crafted' when obtained through the Horadric Cube. This adjustment aims to improve the game's long-term health while addressing immediate player feedback on item acquisition.
5 Live Service Games to Quit in 2026 | TAG
This article provides a framework for players to quit live service games they no longer enjoy, arguing that obligation and FOMO should not dictate continued play. It identifies five specific games—Destiny 2, Diablo 4 seasonal, Warframe, Lost Ark, and older MMOs—as candidates for quitting in 2026, and offers a step-by-step guide to breaking free from the cycle of retention-engineered gameplay.
The Daily Grind: Have you ever tried to explain MMORPGs to people who don’t play them?
This article discusses the difficulty of explaining the appeal and intricacies of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) to individuals who do not play them. It uses a personal anecdote about explaining guild drama in World of Warcraft to highlight the challenges of conveying the genre's complexities.
WoW's game director thinks its UI overhaul has been 'successful so far,' even if it's 'not…
World of Warcraft Game Director Ion Hazzikostas stated that the game's UI overhaul has been largely successful, despite initial community controversy regarding addon restrictions. While acknowledging ongoing work and some exceptions, he believes the changes allow more players to engage with content without relying on external tools. Blizzard plans further improvements to the base UI and addon interface in upcoming patches.
Report: Obsidian to work on Fallout title as unannounced projects cancelled
Obsidian Entertainment is reportedly developing a new Fallout game, led by Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer, as part of a wider Xbox restructuring that has led to the cancellation of several unannounced projects and layoffs. A small team will continue work on an Avowed sequel, while others focus on DLC for The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2. This news follows a significant increase in Fallout game sales after the premiere of the Prime Video adaptation.
Diablo 4 streamer spends "20 hours non-stop" farming bosses for the ARPG's rarest items, doesn't get…
A Diablo 4 content creator named wudijo spent 20 hours farming bosses in the new 'Death Awakening' season without obtaining any 'Iconic' Mythic items, highlighting community concerns about the rarity and drop rates of the game's rarest loot. Despite Blizzard's rework of Mythic Uniques to include guaranteed synergistic powers, the difficulty in acquiring specific Iconic Mythics has become a new point of frustration for players.
Hearthstone adds rule-breaking cards and sneaky mechanics with Escape from Violet Hold expansion
Hearthstone has released its new expansion, Escape from Violet Hold, introducing rule-breaking minion cards, the Prepare keyword, disguised minions, and bribe cards. The update also includes new arena mode rewards, events, and the return of the Darkmoon Faire.
Blizzard knows World of Warcraft's removal of raid add-ons is "controversial," but the MMO's lead says its new UI "has been successful so far"
Blizzard Entertainment director Ion Hazzikostas acknowledges the controversy surrounding the removal of combat add-ons in World of Warcraft with the Midnight expansion, but states the new UI has been successful. He believes the changes promote a more approachable experience and a level playing field, with most players still completing content without external tools.
Blizzard eliminates 'small number' of roles in China
Blizzard Entertainment has eliminated a small number of roles in China as part of an operational model evolution in the region. Studio president Johanna Faries stated these changes are intended to strengthen regional publishing and product management capabilities. This news follows broader layoffs announced by Xbox, impacting thousands of employees across Microsoft's gaming division.
17 years later, Minecraft is finally adding somewhere to sit
Minecraft is introducing craftable cushions and new straw beds in its latest preview build, allowing players new ways to rest. These additions come as Mojang, an Xbox-owned studio, is impacted by significant layoffs affecting numerous gaming companies.
Casually Classic: Four goals that WoW Classic Plus must pursue to succeed
This analysis outlines four key goals for the success of World of Warcraft Classic Plus: retaining its core 'Classic' feel, appealing to a diverse player base beyond just endgame raiders, safeguarding its economy from exploitative practices, and offering more horizontal progression and achievements. The author emphasizes that Classic Plus must evolve while staying true to its roots to ensure long-term viability and player satisfaction.
Past Midnight: building the next era of World of Warcraft
Blizzard Entertainment's Game Director Ion Hazzikostas discusses the current state and future of World of Warcraft, particularly focusing on the latest expansion, Midnight. He highlights the game's transition towards blending classic elements with modern features, addressing player housing, the solo experience, and the controversial changes to the game's addon policy. Hazzikostas emphasizes that World of Warcraft in 2026 offers flexibility for players of all time commitments and playstyles.
