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United Videogame Workers union announces fund for laid-off employees
The United Videogame Workers union has launched the Game Worker Hardship Fund to assist video game industry employees in the US and Canada impacted by layoffs since 2024. The fund offers financial aid up to $5,000 USD and is supported by union fees. This initiative comes amid recent job cuts at companies like Xbox, Electronic Arts, Bungie, and Behaviour Interactive, highlighting a precarious period for the industry.
The games industry reacts to Xbox layoffs: 'We are clearly at a turning point'
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 employees and leading to the closure or restructuring of four game studios. This move has drawn widespread reactions from industry figures, expressing shock, sorrow, and anger, with many calling it a turning point for the game industry. The layoffs occur amidst Microsoft's continued investment in artificial intelligence, a decision that has drawn criticism for its perceived prioritization over game development talent.
Get Games For Less Than $10 During Green Man Gaming’s Summer Sale
Green Man Gaming is currently hosting its Summer Sale, offering significant discounts on thousands of PC games, with many titles available for under $10. The sale features a wide range of games, from indie hits like Balatro to major releases such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and includes deals on games like Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition, Batman: Arkham Collection, and Destiny 2: The Collection. The sale is set to end on July 13.
Destiny 2 Glitch That Farms T5 Meta Armor Discovered
A glitch in Destiny 2 allows players to farm T5 meta armor sets by exploiting the postmaster system when running Lost Sectors with a full engram inventory. This method bypasses the usual slow grind for specific armor pieces. Bungie has acknowledged the glitch and stated it will not be immediately fixed, though a fix for the underlying system is in development.
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest rising
This week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls on PC Blocked in 132 Countries Due to PlayStation Account Requirement
The PC version of Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls will not be available in 132 countries due to a mandatory PlayStation Network account requirement for multiplayer features. This situation mirrors the controversy faced by Helldivers 2, which was later reversed by Sony. Arc System Works is developing the fighting game, featuring Marvel characters with a 3D anime aesthetic.
Shack Chat: What's your Game of the Mid-Year?
Shacknews staff members share their personal favorite games released in the first half of 2026. Titles like Pragmata, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Star Fox, and Marathon are highlighted for their engaging gameplay, compelling stories, and unique experiences.
Rare added to the list of Xbox studios under threat
Rumors suggest that Microsoft is planning significant layoffs across several Xbox studios, including Rare, Bethesda, and Arkane, with some studios potentially facing closure or sale. This follows recent layoffs at Bungie and Microsoft pulling out of a partnership with IO Interactive. The reported motivation behind these potential cuts is a focus on profitability by new Microsoft management.
Xbox is closing down studios to help fund more Halo claim insiders
Xbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs and studio closures as part of a strategy to reallocate resources towards key franchises like Halo, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. Insiders suggest this move aims to revitalize struggling IPs and address issues with post-launch support, particularly for Halo Infinite. Several studios, including Ninja Theory and Double Fine, are rumored to be at risk.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Marathon director Joe Ziegler leaves Bungie
This article rounds up recent hires and departures within the games industry for July 2026. Notable moves include Joe Ziegler leaving Bungie's Marathon team, Chris Chung joining Neowiz, and Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games. Several other companies announced new appointments across marketing, production, and business development roles.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggests AI could've saved Destiny 2 and will "enable games like Destiny to thrive!"
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that a lack of generative AI adoption may have contributed to Destiny 2's struggles, stating that the technology could enable games like it to thrive. He also criticized Valve's policies regarding AI disclosures in games, arguing they hinder developers. The article explores the potential role of AI in accelerating game development and content creation.
Destiny 2 community manager calls out "leaders who made multiple years of poor decisions" as former Bungie VP shares post blaming industry implosion on the market
Destiny 2 community manager Dylan Gafner responded to a discussion about the games industry's current state, suggesting that leadership's poor decisions over multiple years are a significant factor, not just market conditions. This comes after former Bungie VP Mark Noseworthy shared a post that placed blame primarily on the market. Gafner clarified his comments were not a personal attack but stemmed from conversations with former colleagues affected by recent Bungie layoffs.
Destiny 2’s next patch is delayed into next week thanks to Bungie’s mass layoffs
Bungie has delayed the next patch for Destiny 2 into next week due to recent mass layoffs impacting the development team. The patch, which focuses on bug fixes, was originally scheduled for Tuesday. Some of the fixes included in the delayed patch were being worked on by employees who were let go.
Even Hideo Kojima is afraid that 'digital data will no longer be owned by individuals' and that access to art…
Hideo Kojima has expressed concerns about the future of digital ownership, fearing that players will eventually lose control over their digital data and access to art. This sentiment is amplified by Sony's reported move towards a fully digital PlayStation ecosystem by 2028, raising anxieties about game preservation and the potential loss of access to purchased content due to external factors like server shutdowns or company closures.
After layoffs and Destiny 2's abrupt end, Bungie "can't promise a fix" to reported issues: "We will get this out when possible"
Bungie has announced a delay for a Destiny 2 patch due to recent mass layoffs impacting the development team. The studio stated that while the patch is not indefinitely postponed, some fixes were being worked on by affected employees. Bungie is also addressing player-reported issues with Destiny 2's performance, acknowledging that while they "can't promise a fix," they will investigate.
This Week In Games Was Bad, But Next Week May Be Worse
The gaming industry experienced a particularly bleak week with multiple significant layoffs, studio closures, and price increases. Microsoft's Xbox division saw widespread job cuts, while Sony announced plans to end physical disc production for PlayStation games by 2028. These events, coupled with delays and the ongoing impact of AI discussions, paint a grim picture for the industry's immediate future.
Destiny 2 almost got an honest-to-goodness dating sim, but leadership gave it a ‘hard no’
Former Bungie developers revealed that a dating simulator concept based on Destiny 2 was developed internally but ultimately rejected by leadership. Former community manager Liana Ruppert confirmed the existence of the 'Dream Daddy inspired' concept and expressed agreement with criticism that leadership was out of touch. Separately, Bungie's Dylan Gafner offered words of encouragement to fans concerned about the game's current state, while the studio continues development on its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
PlayStation CEO promises to "revitalise the market" with more live service games
PlayStation CEO Hideaki Nishino stated in an interview that the company intends to invest more in live service games to "revitalize the market." This comes despite recent underperformances and layoffs in the live service genre, including at Bungie. PlayStation has had mixed success with live service titles, with hits like Helldivers 2 and notable failures like Concord.
Opinion: Everything hurts and no one knows when the pain will end
The article discusses the ongoing financial struggles and mass layoffs within the game industry, attributing them to a combination of economic factors, executive mismanagement, and alleged abuses of power. The author, Bryant Francis, shares personal coping mechanisms for dealing with the constant stream of bad news and emphasizes the need for the industry to learn from past mistakes.
