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As devastating Xbox "reset" continues, Dishonored studio Arkane Lyon reportedly only has until November to find a new buyer before it's closed
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, is reportedly facing closure by November if a buyer is not found, following significant layoffs at Xbox. Microsoft acquired ZeniMax, which owned Arkane, in 2021. The studio's current project, Marvel's Blade, is reportedly still in development but its future is uncertain amidst these potential closures.
Marvel's Blade 'nearing the end' of production as Arkane faces closure
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, faces potential closure by November 13, 2026, if a buyer is not found, as part of Microsoft's broader Xbox layoffs. The studio's upcoming game, Marvel's Blade, is reportedly nearing the end of its production phase, leading to concerns about the financial and artistic waste if the studio is shut down.
Arkane Lyon Could Be Shut Down Within Weeks As Deadline To Find A Buyer Looms
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Marvel's Blade, is reportedly facing closure if a buyer is not found by November 13. Microsoft is obligated to search for a buyer under French law, but negotiations are reportedly not going well. The studio has a 27-year history, having developed titles like Dishonored and Deathloop.
Arkane survival negotiations reportedly seeing "several forms of takeover" considered ahead of November deadline, as Marvel's Blade production nears end
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, is reportedly considering several takeover options as Microsoft's divorce from the studio approaches a November deadline. With 217 jobs at risk, unions are expressing dissatisfaction with Microsoft's handling of the negotiations, though production on Marvel's Blade is nearing completion.
Xbox Wanted A Gargantuan Paycheck To Partner With Netflix On TV And Movies
Netflix reportedly offered Microsoft $500 million over seven years for exclusive film and TV rights to Xbox intellectual property, but Microsoft countered with a demand for $800 million. This led Netflix to withdraw its offer, though both companies state they value their partnership. Xbox is now pursuing smaller deals with multiple partners for its various game franchises.
Call Of Duty Ads On Xbox Are Even More Annoying This Year With Modern Warfare 4
Microsoft is implementing intrusive, takeover-style advertisements for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox, even hijacking custom backgrounds. While these ads can be disabled, the practice is part of a broader trend towards increased advertising in gaming, with Xbox's chief strategy officer Matthew Ball advocating for it to offset rising development costs. Electronic Arts is also introducing its own in-game advertising platform.
"What if Larian had shut down after Divine Divinity?": Star Trek Online exec scorns publishers who close teams like BioWare in favour of "AAA veteran" start-ups and AI "magic beans"
Star Trek Online executive producer Thomas Marrone criticizes the industry practice of shutting down established development teams in favor of new studios led by "AAA veterans" or relying on emerging technologies like AI. He argues this approach is irresponsible and self-sabotaging, highlighting that successful studios like Larian and Blizzard often achieve breakthroughs after multiple titles and years of team collaboration. Marrone suggests that publishers prioritizing short-term financial gains should exit game development entirely.
Despite Switch 2 price hikes, US consumers actually aren't spending any more on the console now, analyst says: "Pretty smart cookies over there at Nintendo"
Despite a $50 price increase, consumer spending on the Nintendo Switch 2 has only risen by 2% year-over-year, according to analyst Mat Piscatella. This is significantly lower than the spending increases seen for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which experienced 17% and 33% hikes respectively. Piscatella attributes the Switch 2's stable spending to Nintendo's strategic shift away from bundled content, noting the company's clever approach to pricing.
Gears Of War: E-Day cost more to make than any PS5 exclusive claims rumour
A rumor suggests that Gears of War: E-Day has a development budget exceeding $500 million, making it potentially more expensive than any PlayStation exclusive, including Marvel's Spider-Man 2. This high cost is questioned given the franchise's recent popularity and Microsoft's decision to keep the game exclusive to Xbox and PC.
Xbox reportedly mandate four days a week in office for staff close to Microsoft's Washington HQ, up from three day requirement brought in last year
Xbox is reportedly mandating that employees within commuting distance of its Washington headquarters must work in the office four days a week starting February 1, 2027. This policy change, up from the previous three-day requirement, is framed by Xbox's chief people officer as a way to improve collaboration and decision-making. The move comes amidst ongoing company-wide layoffs and a boycott against Microsoft.
No more waiting on shaders to compile as Nvidia's latest driver adds advanced shader delivery: users report lower RAM usage in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Gears of War: E-Day
Nvidia's latest GeForce Game Ready Driver, version 621.01 WHQL, introduces Advanced Shader Delivery support for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Gears of War: E-Day. This Microsoft technology compiles shaders during the game download process via the Xbox PC app, aiming to reduce system RAM usage and eliminate in-game shader compilation times. Early reports suggest considerably lower RAM usage, particularly in Gears of War: E-Day.
SweClockers testar ny generation handhållen gaming
SweClockers tests the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and Acer Predator Atlas 8, two new handheld gaming PCs featuring Intel processors, comparing them against the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally X. The article evaluates their performance in running demanding games and how well Windows functions on these portable devices.
Xbox’s Hardware Problem: September Sales Drop To New Low Amid Sony’s Market Dominance
Xbox Series hardware sales hit an all-time September low, falling 27% year-over-year, while PlayStation 5 sales grew 22% and Nintendo Switch sales declined 12%. This analysis attributes Xbox's struggles to its multiplatform strategy and cloud gaming focus, contrasting it with Sony's console-centric approach and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 launch. Microsoft is attempting to reverse course under new CEO Asha Sharma by re-emphasizing console exclusives and hardware upgrades.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for September 2026 – Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Wave makes the top 5
Circana has released the top-selling video games in the U.S. for September 2026, with Marvel's Wolverine taking the top spot. New releases like Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and Onimusha: Way of the Sword debuted at #4 and #7 respectively. The report also details the overall best-selling games of 2026 so far, led by NBA 2K27.
How Pantaloon is curating an "evolving library of bold and bizarre games" with its new subscription service
Pantaloon has launched the Playbill, a new subscription service offering an evolving library of bold and bizarre indie games, inspired by the Criterion Collection. Co-founder Jamin Smith aims to foster a curated community, differentiating it from larger services like Xbox Game Pass and Apple Arcade by maintaining a leaner selection. The service includes 14 launch titles, exclusive demos, and prototypes, with partner games rotating based on subscriber numbers.
The iconic Windows fish screensaver was inspired by a dentist's office, which makes a lot of sense when you think…
The classic After Dark Fish screensaver, popular in the early '90s on PC, was inspired by aquariums commonly found in dentist's offices. Ed Fries, a co-founder of After Dark and former Microsoft executive, recounts how an artist's request for an aquarium in a dentist's office scene led him to program moving fish, eventually evolving into the iconic screensaver.
Former Mass Effect and Star Wars: KOTOR boss calls BioWare closure "sad," says the studio's "legacy will live on through those who were part of it"
Mass Effect creator Casey Hudson expressed sadness over the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game. He reflected on his time at the studio, emphasizing that its legacy will continue through its former employees and their passion for storytelling. The closure is part of broader industry layoffs, with BioWare being one of several studios impacted by recent acquisitions and financial restructuring.
New Xbox streaming prices mean you don't need to subscribe to Game Pass
Microsoft is experimenting with making its cloud gaming service available outside of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, offering hourly bundles at introductory prices. This move aims to attract new customers who may not want a full Game Pass subscription, though the service still faces challenges with internet dependency and a small user base.
Xbox cloud gaming prices revealed, with 50 hours of ad-free game-time priced $11.99
Microsoft has announced pricing for its Xbox cloud gaming service, offering 50 hours of ad-free playtime for an introductory price of $11.99. The service will be available to all Xbox players in November, with tiered pricing options starting at $3.99 for 10 hours. Despite the paid service, users may still experience wait times during peak hours.
Games Inbox: What is BioWare’s best game?
Readers express concern over the future of BioWare, with many citing EA's management as a detrimental factor. Mass Effect 2 is highlighted as a past peak for the studio, while other readers discuss the aging mechanics of The Witcher 3 Remastered and the uncertain future of console gaming.
