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Hundreds of union workers rally across North America to protest Xbox layoffs
Hundreds of unionized video game workers rallied across North America to protest recent layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division. Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and allies gathered to call out corporate greed and demand fair contracts, citing multiple rounds of job cuts impacting studios like Obsidian, id Software, and ZeniMax Online Studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed 3,200 job eliminations, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, leading to legal action from the CWA against Microsoft for alleged mishandling of the cuts.
The Quake shareware CD-ROM contained encrypted copies of every id Software game—and yes, it was cracked 39 days…
The shareware CD-ROM for id Software's Quake included encrypted copies of the company's entire game catalog, intended to be unlocked via phone purchase. However, just 39 days after its release, a tool called Quakecrk.zip emerged, allowing users to generate unlock codes for all included games, effectively enabling widespread piracy of id Software's back catalog.
Mortal Shell 2 review: A monumental heavy metal sequel with the spirit of a '90s PC game
Mortal Shell 2 is a monumental sequel that blends modern Soulslike elements with the spirit of '90s PC games, offering a unique and humorous take on the genre. It significantly improves upon its predecessor with diverse playable 'Shells,' a more straightforward narrative, and innovative combat mechanics that forgo a stamina bar, making it highly accessible and flexible.
The Quake community simply cannot stop delivering, having just released a 22-map 'Deathmatch Jam' to celebrate…
The Quake community is celebrating the game's 30th anniversary with a new 22-map 'Deathmatch Jam' called Q30 Deathmatch Jam, featuring diverse arenas from gothic castles to industrial sewers. This release follows other community map jams and official content like id Software and Machine Games' 'Dawn of the Machine' episode.
I got so freaked out by the fact that Gordon Freeman is canonically 27 that I decided to find out how old all the other classic FPS protagonists are, and it didn't make me feel better
This article explores the canonical ages of various classic first-person shooter protagonists from the 1990s, starting with the surprising revelation that Gordon Freeman is only 27. It delves into the lore of characters like B.J. Blazkowicz, Kyle Katarn, and Duke Nukem, discussing how their ages were determined or left ambiguous by developers.
The bigwigs who want AI-generated NPCs and writing think you're too dumb to appreciate a good…
This article argues that the push for AI-generated NPCs and dialogue in video games misunderstands the value of handcrafted details in creating immersive worlds and compelling narratives. The author contends that while AI might offer efficiency, it cannot replicate the creativity and nuance that human writers bring to background chatter, environmental storytelling, and characterization, ultimately leading to shallower game experiences. The piece criticizes industry figures who believe players won't notice or care about the difference, asserting that true game design relies on thoughtful, human-driven content.
Wolf64 - Wolfenstein 3D comes over to the C64 via Kweepa
An unofficial fan port named Wolf64 has brought id Software's 1992 first-person shooter Wolfenstein 3D to the Commodore 64. Developed by Kweepa using pure 6502 assembly language, the port features a raycasting engine, full-color texture mapping, and responsive combat. This non-commercial project is available for stock Commodore 64 systems with a disk drive and includes a full shareware episode.
Bethsoft devs roast Microsoft with a giant inflatable rat as unions plan huge rallies next week
Developers at Bethesda Game Studios have protested Microsoft's recent mass layoffs by erecting a giant inflatable rat and flags representing laid-off workers outside their Rockville HQ. This action precedes planned rallies by Microsoft game developers across the US and Canada on August 18th to protest layoffs and corporate greed.
Xbox leadership's words are drowned out by their actions
Despite assurances from Xbox leadership, the company's actions, including mass layoffs and studio closures, paint a grim picture for its talent and future projects. While executives like Asha Sharma mention upcoming games like The Elder Scrolls 6, these words are seen as empty promises contrasting with the reality of job cuts at studios like id Software and Bethesda.
'One flag for each laid off dev:' Union workers stage unmissable protest for Xbox boss Asha Sharma
Union workers from the Communications Workers of America protested outside Bethesda's office during Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's visit, deploying an inflatable rat and red flags to represent each employee laid off under her leadership. The protest aimed to highlight the human cost of recent mass layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division, which have affected studios like Obsidian, id Software, and ZeniMax Online Studios.
As Xbox head Asha Sharma reportedly visits Bethesda HQ, workers put up red flags representing laid off staff and a giant inflatable rat outside
Communications Workers of America union members protested outside Bethesda's headquarters with red flags representing laid-off workers and a giant inflatable rat. The protest coincided with a reported visit from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and highlights ongoing concerns about Microsoft's significant layoffs within its gaming divisions, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Id Software lead says devs "don't have the incentive to care anymore" with Microsoft threatening another 1,600 Xbox layoffs after latest bloodbath
Id Software lead services programmer Chris Hayes criticizes Microsoft's repeated layoffs, stating that they weaken studios and remove developers' incentive to care about their work. Hayes argues that companies like Microsoft fail to understand the long-term value of experienced teams and the importance of learning from failures, leading to a decline in game quality. This sentiment is echoed by other industry figures concerned about the current climate of studio reductions.
Boomer shooters tar oss tillbaka till spelglädjen
The "boomer shooter" subgenre, inspired by 90s FPS classics like Doom and Quake, is gaining popularity by prioritizing gameplay mechanics over complex narratives and graphics. This retro approach emphasizes player freedom, interactivity, and straightforward action, offering a refreshing alternative to modern, cinematic-style shooters.
Games Inbox: Is No Man’s Sky worth playing 10 years on?
This article discusses the 10th anniversary of No Man's Sky, praising Hello Games for its redemption and the new Cosmos update. It also touches on speculation about Grand Theft Auto 6's online mode, recommendations for indie games like Big Walk, and theories surrounding Silent Hill 2. Additionally, it includes commentary on industry practices, developer criticism of publishers, and anticipation for upcoming titles like A Plague Tale and The Legend of Zelda.
id Software dev says mass layoffs like Microsoft's are weakening the games industry, because developers 'don't have the incentive to care anymore'
id Software lead services programmer Chris Hayes argues that mass layoffs, like those seen at Microsoft's Xbox division, are detrimental to the games industry. He believes these actions weaken the industry by removing developers' incentive to care about their craft and the long-term quality of games, ultimately leading to mediocre products and a less healthy creative environment.
'Thank you so much for the best weekend ever': The id Software gang got together at QuakeCon, and it sure looks like everyone had a great time
The id Software co-founders Adrian Carmack, John Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero reunited at QuakeCon for the game's 30th anniversary, marking their first gathering since 1994. Despite past internal conflicts and recent industry layoffs, the reunion was described as a highly positive and emotional experience by attendees, including former employees like American McGee and Donna Jackson.
"They don't understand art" - id Software lead slams Xbox, says it's "impossible" to make games like 2016's Doom now
id Software lead developer Chris Hayes stated that it is impossible to create triple-A games like 2016's Doom with half the staff, criticizing Microsoft's recent layoffs. Hayes believes the company's leadership does not understand game development or the business, especially regarding the impact of services like Game Pass on sales metrics. He also refuted claims that id Software's developer count remains similar to when Doom (2016) was released.
20% rabatt på ISK-tshirt #5 - den med SULFUR
SULFUR, an indie action game, has received a review highlighting its unique premise of a cheese protagonist. The article also touches upon other game releases and industry topics, including Peak's final update, Serious Sam: Shatterverse, and the implications of not owning digital games.
Dev at id Software says Microsoft 'burned a lot of bridges' in the industry: 'They fundamentally don't understand art, they don't understand games'
Chris Hays, lead services programmer at id Software, criticized Microsoft's handling of recent layoffs, stating the company "fundamentally don't understand art, they don't understand games." He described the process as "inhumane" and "demoralizing," leading to a significant loss of talent and expertise within the studio. Hays believes Microsoft has "burned a lot of bridges" and damaged its reputation, making future recruitment and trust difficult.
Doom dev criticises Xbox after studio layoffs: 'Morale has never been lower'
A lead programmer from id Software, Chris Hays, has heavily criticized Microsoft and Xbox following recent layoffs that significantly impacted the studio. Hays described the process as 'inhumane' and stated that morale is at an all-time low, making it impossible to develop AAA games with half the staff. He also criticized Xbox's understanding of the Game Pass business model and its impact on game development.
