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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's open beta is set for next month, and will offer a chance to take on the fearsome new slaying slab mode
Activision has announced the beta testing schedule for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. A pre-order exclusive beta will run from August 21st to August 25th, followed by an open beta available to all players from August 28th to September 1st. The beta will feature multiple multiplayer maps and modes, including a new dynamic map called Kill Block.
What sense can we make of the madness at id Software?
id Software, known for Doom and Quake, has laid off 136 employees, over half its workforce, amidst broader industry cuts at Microsoft. Conflicting reports suggest the studio is starting a new Doom game and its id-tech engine remains active, despite fears of it becoming a support studio. The article analyzes the potential reasons behind these drastic layoffs, including project phasing and cost-cutting, while also questioning Microsoft's strategy and the impact on team morale and institutional experience.
Xbox says its return to console exclusives is permanent
Xbox leadership, including Matt Booty and Matthew Ball, has stated that the company's return to console exclusives is permanent. While games like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be permanent exclusives to Xbox and PC, the definition of exclusivity is being clarified, especially concerning day-one PC releases. This strategy aims to provide a compelling reason for consumers to purchase Xbox hardware.
Evening Reading - July 20, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including reviews for EA Sports College Football 27 and Backyard Baseball, and updates on Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves and Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. It also touches on rumors about the Nintendo Switch 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a discussion about favorite Grand Theft Auto games, and Microsoft's agreement to use AMD AI infrastructure.
Is Game Pass Still the Right Strategy for Xbox?
This article analyzes the current state and future strategy of Xbox Game Pass, questioning its sustainability and impact on game value. Despite initial excitement and acquisitions to bolster its library, internal sentiment appears negative, with reports of studios detesting the service and subscriber growth falling short of projections. While Game Pass remains a key, albeit paradoxical, component of Xbox's offerings, its future is uncertain amidst internal challenges and a need for renewed growth.
Sci-fi multiplayer sim Starship Simulator says it’s using AI dev tools to increase productivity
Fleetyard Studios, the developer of Starship Simulator, has confirmed its use of AI development tools to enhance productivity and bridge the gap with larger studios. Lead developer Dan Govier stated that AI is primarily used as a productivity tool, with plans for placeholder AI-generated assets and potential in-game LLM for NPC interactions. The studio is exclusively using Anthropic's models due to their reported lower environmental impact.
Game Pass Was A Good Idea But It Didn’t Work, Forza Horizon 5 Creative Director Says
Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown stated that Xbox Game Pass, while a good idea, failed to attract enough subscribers to be a viable business model, contributing to current struggles at Xbox. He expressed sadness over potential studio closures and job losses resulting from the service not meeting expectations, despite significant investment from Microsoft. Brown believes changes are coming to Game Pass, such as delaying the inclusion of new major titles to maximize initial sales.
Rising Costs Have Forced These Gamers To Make Tough Decisions
Rising costs for consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, alongside the shift to digital-only games and increased development expenses, are making video games a luxury item. Gamers are facing tough decisions about upgrading hardware or even affording new releases, with some professionals finding it harder to justify the costs for their work.
Modern Warfare 4 beta dates set for August, and this year Game Pass subscribers get no special treatment
The multiplayer beta for Modern Warfare 4 will take place in August, with the first weekend (August 21-25) exclusively for pre-order customers on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. A second, public beta weekend (August 28 to September 1) will be available on all platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2. Notably, Game Pass subscribers will not receive early access to the beta this year.
In the age of AI and layoffs, playing old games in 2026 is about more than nostalgia
In 2026, the author finds solace in playing older video games as a coping mechanism against the backdrop of AI advancements and widespread layoffs in the industry. This retreat into retro titles like Pokemon Leaf Green and Diablo 2 offers a sense of comfort and nostalgia, providing a temporary escape from the anxieties surrounding the current state of game development and corporate practices. Despite the industry's challenges, the author finds a glimmer of optimism in the progress made regarding representation, workplace conditions, and unionization.
Union slams Microsoft for "unfair labor practice", alleging Xbox "unlawfully" laid off staff
Microsoft's Xbox division is facing accusations of unfair labor practices, including unlawfully laying off staff without proper union notification or discussion. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has filed complaints alleging refusal to bargain and coercive actions. Meanwhile, Netflix reported a 600% surge in kids' game engagement, driven by its dedicated mobile app, and expressed confidence in scaling its cloud gaming offerings.
After Doom director Hugo Martin denied reports that id Software had been gutted, "current and former employees" are disagreeing with his optimism
Current and former employees of id Software are disputing director Hugo Martin's optimistic statements following recent layoffs at the studio. Sources claim that a significant portion of the Doom (2016) development team was let go, contradicting Martin's assertion that the studio was not "gutted." These employees expressed disappointment, feeling their contributions were undervalued, and highlighted past struggles like the development of Doom 4 as evidence of the studio's fragility.
Microsoft (MSFT) agrees to utilize AMD Helios AI infrastructure in its data centers
Microsoft has agreed to utilize AMD's new Helios AI infrastructure platform in its upcoming data center expansions. This deal positions AMD's Helios system as a competitor to NVIDIA's platforms and brings Microsoft in line with other major clients like Meta, OpenAI, and Oracle. AMD's stock saw a jump following the announcement of this agreement.
Xbox Game Pass Is Removing A Lot More Games Very Soon
Microsoft is removing eight more games from Xbox Game Pass on July 31, including titles like Celeste, Crusader Kings 3, and Sniper Elite: Resistance. This follows the removal of 11 games on July 15, making it a significant month for content departures from the subscription service. Subscribers can purchase these games at a 20% discount before they are delisted.
Xbox pledges to help anyone who's lost their account to hackers "as quickly as possible" after one fan went viral for almost losing thousands of euros' worth of games
Following a viral incident where a user nearly lost thousands of euros worth of games and OneDrive data, Xbox has pledged to assist users who have lost access to their accounts due to hacking. The company is actively reaching out to affected individuals, encouraging them to contact support via direct message for a swift resolution.
The Xbox Characters That Defined 25 Years of Gaming
This article examines the iconic characters that have defined Xbox's 25-year history, from Master Chief and Marcus Fenix to Minecraft Steve and Ori. These characters represent the evolution of Xbox from a console newcomer to a multi-platform gaming brand, highlighting shifts in game design, company acquisitions, and the importance of personality in brand identity.
Xbox Explains What Makes A Game An Xbox Exclusive
Xbox's chief strategy officer Matthew Ball explained the company's framework for determining which games will be exclusive to Xbox Series X and PC, emphasizing that titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are just the first of many planned exclusives. While some single-player games and large live-service titles may still appear on platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox aims to grow its user base through a consistent pipeline of exclusive content. This strategy comes amidst recent layoffs and hardware price increases within Microsoft's gaming division.
"Honestly, it's still getting worse" - Valve Steam Machine engineer says component prices are still rising, potentially paving the way for a price increase
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that consumer electronics component prices are still rising, potentially leading to price increases for products like the Steam Machine and Steam Deck. This trend is also impacting consoles, with Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo having already raised prices or planning to do so. Separately, Bethesda Game Studios leader Todd Howard thanked fans for their support following recent announcements about Fallout and The Elder Scrolls projects, emphasizing that the company listens to community feedback.
Valve see the great RAM shortage "getting worse," just in case you were clinging to hopes of a cheaper Steam Machine
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais state that the global RAM shortage is worsening, with retail supply lagging behind bulk supply by three to six months. This ongoing shortage, exacerbated by demand from AI data centers, is contributing to increased hardware prices and is expected to persist for the foreseeable future.
Bethesda's Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters won't stop the modders who've already spent years recreating the RPGs in Fallout 4
Despite Bethesda's upcoming official remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, modding teams behind Fallout 4 projects like The Capital Wasteland and Fallout 4: New Vegas have confirmed they will continue their development. These community-driven efforts, some of which have been in progress for nearly a decade, aim to recreate the classic RPGs within the Fallout 4 engine.
