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Microsoft Loses Corporate VP and Xbox General Manager of Gaming AI
Microsoft has seen several senior departures from its Xbox division, including corporate VP Lori Wright and general manager of gaming AI Haiyan Zhang. Zhang is joining Netflix to focus on its gaming initiatives, while Wright's future plans are unannounced. These exits follow recent changes in Xbox leadership, including the retirement of Phil Spencer and departure of Sarah Bond.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 is coming this year
Mojang announced that Minecraft Dungeons 2 is in development and will be released this year for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with a teaser trailer also revealed. The article also mentions that the original Minecraft Dungeons will receive cloud saves on May 5th and previously gained cross-platform play for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One users.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: a deep dive into PS VR2 mode
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will feature a dedicated mode for PlayStation VR2, as detailed in a developer breakdown. This free update aims to offer players a new way to experience the game's detailed world through virtual reality.
Saturday Tech Bits
Microsoft is addressing user complaints regarding Windows Update with upcoming fixes. The company also announced Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8085 for the Dev Channel, indicating ongoing development and testing for the operating system.
DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, bacteria that eat plastic waste, and more science news
Recent scientific findings include the discovery of DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, suggesting these molecules were widespread in the early solar system and potentially transported to Earth. Additionally, a consortium of bacteria has been identified that can collectively digest plastic additives, offering a potential solution for plastic pollution. The Hubble Space Telescope also captured a rare, early view of a comet breaking apart.
Two more senior Xbox leaders exit Microsoft
Two senior leaders, corporate VP Lori Wright and general manager of gaming AI Haiyan Zhang, have departed Microsoft after over a decade of service. Zhang will be joining Netflix's gaming team, while Wright's next steps are unannounced. These exits follow recent leadership changes at Xbox, including the retirement of Phil Spencer and the departure of Sarah Bond.
Introducing the TAG Community Safety Score: Rating Games on What Actually Matters
The TAG Community Safety Score has been introduced to evaluate multiplayer games based on their community safety infrastructure, including moderation, transparency, and player controls, rather than just traditional game quality metrics. The article details the scoring methodology across eight dimensions and provides initial scores for eight major titles, highlighting strengths and weaknesses in their approaches to online safety and player well-being.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 Revealed, And It's Coming This Year
Mojang Studios announced Minecraft Dungeons II, the sequel to the 2020 dungeon-crawler, is set for release this fall. The game will be available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with wishlisting open now. This announcement follows earlier reports of a sequel being in development for several years.
Saudi-backed Savvy Games acquires mobile developer Moonton for $6 billion
Saudi-backed Savvy Games has acquired Chinese mobile developer Moonton for $6 billion, strengthening its position in the mobile gaming and esports markets. Moonton is known for its popular MOBA game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which boasts over 110 million monthly active players. This acquisition is part of Savvy Games' broader strategy to invest heavily in the gaming industry.
Windows Updates can be scheduled or paused starting in April 2026
Microsoft is introducing new features that will allow users to schedule or pause Windows updates starting in April 2026. Pavan Davuluri, Windows VP, announced that upcoming updates will give PC users more control over when their Windows 11 systems are updated.
Gran Turismo 7 Was an Inspiration for Microsoft Flight Sim 2024's PSVR2 Mode, Coming Soon
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will receive a virtual reality mode for PlayStation VR2 early this year, inspired by Gran Turismo 7's implementation. The developers at Asobo Studio have optimized cockpits and incorporated foveated rendering for improved performance on the PlayStation 5 headset.
Betawatch: Hollowed Oath is happening, The Cube Save Us will not save us
This article provides a weekly update on MMORPGs currently in various stages of testing and early access. It highlights new entries like Hollowed Oath and The Cube, Save Us, while also detailing the status of numerous other titles, including those with blockchain elements and those facing delays or potential abandonment.
Evening Tech Bits
AMD has released FSR 4.1, an update for its RX 9000-series GPUs, which enhances Ray Regeneration, upscaled detail, and frames per second. Microsoft is also mentioned as giving Windows 11 a significant rework.
Microsoft will yank Copilot from some Windows apps and let you move the taskbar again
Microsoft is rolling out changes to Windows 11 based on user feedback, including reducing unnecessary Copilot entry points in apps like Snipping Tool and Photos. Users will also gain more taskbar customization options, less disruptive updates, and improvements to File Explorer performance. These updates come after recent issues with emergency patches and a general decline in the operating system's quality.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: a deep dive into PS VR2 mode
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will feature a free PlayStation VR2 update, requiring significant redesign of cockpit interactions for the PS VR2 Sense controllers. The development team focused on technical challenges like maintaining framerate with foveated rendering and frame duplication, while drawing inspiration from Gran Turismo 7's VR implementation. The game aims to deliver an immersive sense of scale and authenticity, with specific attention paid to the unique experiences offered by various aircraft types in VR.
Microsoft Plans To Make Windows 11 Less Annoying
Microsoft is planning several improvements for Windows 11, with many arriving in March and April. Key changes include the ability to reposition the taskbar, reduced AI integration in unnecessary programs like Notepad and Photos, and more user control over update scheduling. File Explorer performance will also be refined, and widget options will offer more customization.
'Is Marathon a success? Unfortunately, no, not yet' — Former Xbox exec says Bungie's new extraction shooter was built at a scale and cost that the current market 'simply isn't rewarding'
Former Microsoft executive Laura Fryer believes Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon, despite having a dedicated player base, has not yet achieved success due to its high development cost and scale not being rewarded by the current market. She notes that while player numbers are decent for a $40 game in a crowded genre, the studio faces a significant challenge to justify the investment, especially considering Sony's acquisition of Bungie and the underperformance of Destiny 2.
Morning Mobilization
Android Canary is introducing new features for hearing aid users. Separately, a report suggests Amazon is planning to release an Alexa-powered phone, potentially learning from the past failure of the Fire Phone.
Morning Tech Bits
Microsoft has released version 7.6.0 of PowerShell. Additionally, DVDFab has been updated to version 13.0.5.8, and StreamFab is now at version 7.0.1.8.
Xbox says Copilot on consoles provides "coaching," but it actually talks to you like a baby with a controller:…
Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant is coming to Xbox consoles later this year, aiming to provide players with coaching to improve their skills in games like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, and Diablo 4. While intended to help players feel successful, early demonstrations and a related study suggest the AI's approach can be patronizing and overly simplistic, with concerns raised about its reliance on internet-sourced guides and potential negative cognitive effects.
