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Double Fine are all in on making Brutal Legend 2, if you're willing to give them $100 million in their game jam Kickstarter, anyway
Double Fine has launched a Kickstarter campaign for their Amnesia Fortnight game jam, with a stretch goal to fund Brutal Legend 2 if $100 million is raised. While the funding goal is highly ambitious, the campaign allows backers to vote on prototypes developed during the jam, with winners potentially becoming full games. This initiative marks Double Fine's return to independence after being acquired by Microsoft.
Windows keeps telling people it has turned off anti-virus even though it hasn't
A known issue in Windows 11 and Windows 10 causes Microsoft Defender Antivirus to incorrectly report that it has been turned off, even when it is functioning correctly. This notification bug can persist across various Windows versions and updates, and Microsoft is reportedly working on a fix.
Xbox Game Pass In September Expands With 7 New Games
Microsoft has announced the first wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in September, including seven new titles. The additions feature a day-one release, Speedrunners 2, and the notable inclusion of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Some titles will also be leaving the service.
GTA 6 Removes The Series’ Worst Feature
Grand Theft Auto 6 will remove the series' traditional mash-or-hold face button sprinting mechanic in favor of clicking the analog stick, a change that Rockstar Games apparently agrees is overdue. This update, along with other features like a larger map and new systems, aims to make the game a massive entertainment launch.
Microsoft is bribing people to pre-order Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox instead of PS5
Microsoft is offering a £4 Xbox gift card for pre-ordering Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox or PC, a move seen as an attempt to discourage PlayStation 5 pre-orders. This incentive comes after a disappointing reception to the game's beta and a public apology for the previous title, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The article also touches on recent layoffs at Microsoft-owned studios like id Software.
Grant Kirkhope knows of three studios that were possibly turned down for new Banjo-Kazooie
Composer Grant Kirkhope revealed that multiple studios have pitched new Banjo-Kazooie games to Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios, but none of the pitches were successful. He did not disclose the names of the studios involved.
The Xbox X25 console might be gone for good, but I'm holding out hope for more controller stock
Despite the limited Xbox Series X25 console selling out quickly, the author expresses hope for more stock of its special edition controller. The article draws parallels to past limited PlayStation releases and suggests Microsoft may restock the controller later in the year, particularly around the holiday season, to capitalize on demand.
Ninja Gaiden Legitimized the American Xbox Console for Japanese Developers
Ninja Gaiden is lauded as one of the greatest pure action games ever made, with its combat, controls, and replayability still holding up today. The game's inclusion of native widescreen support in 2004, before it was common, is highlighted as a forward-thinking feature that legitimized the American Xbox console for Japanese developers.
I Am Begging One Cool Billionaire To Take Up Double Fine’s Offer To Fund Brutal Legend 2
Double Fine is seeking $100 million in pledges to fund Brutal Legend 2 through a Kickstarter campaign, following its split from Microsoft. The studio is also running a two-week game jam called Amnesia Fortnight to prototype other game ideas, with some chosen by supporters for further development. The article notes that Double Fine recently underwent layoffs affecting 23 employees.
Laid off id Software developer says crunch on Doom: The Dark Ages' Revelations DLC was "brutal" with up to 17-hour days
A former id Software developer described the crunch for Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations DLC as "brutal," with days reaching up to 17 hours. This developer, Andrew Willis, was subsequently laid off by Microsoft along with many other id Software employees shortly after the DLC's release. The article highlights the intense working conditions and the subsequent job losses impacting the studio.
Linux manages to avoid the age verification apocalypse, but SteamOS isn't in the clear yet
California's Digital Age Assurance Act, set to take effect in 2027, will exempt open-source operating systems like Linux from mandatory age verification checks due to an amendment. However, Valve's SteamOS, which has proprietary elements, may still be subject to compliance, and users will likely still need to verify their age on Steam for certain games.
The Witcher 4 Probably Won’t Be On A Disc, But Dev Teases Physical “Feelies” Of Some Type
CD Projekt Red has indicated that The Witcher 4, slated for a 2028 release, will likely not be available on physical discs due to industry trends. However, the studio's joint CEO Michał Nowakowski teased that a physical "box" with "feelies" will still be offered to fans.
Fans are using Xbox's disc-to-digital feature to save long-delisted titles like the Deadpool game, Rock Band 4, and…
Xbox users are leveraging the new disc-to-digital feature to reclaim delisted digital licenses for physical games, including titles like Deadpool and Rock Band 4. While not all games are supported, the initiative is seen as a positive step for game preservation, contrasting with the perceived abandonment of physical media by PlayStation 5.
Microsoft will give you $5 to buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox (or Xbox on PC)
Microsoft is offering a $5 store credit for pre-ordering Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox Series X/S or PC through the Microsoft Store. This promotion, valid until September 1st, aims to incentivize purchases on Microsoft's platforms over competitors. The credit can be used on future purchases and is available in numerous regions.
Sony CEO says selling more PS5s isn't as important as monetizing the 125 million monthly PS Plus users now the…
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki stated that aggressively selling PlayStation 5 consoles is no longer the priority, shifting focus to monetizing the existing user base of over 95 million consoles sold and 125 million monthly PlayStation Plus users. This strategic pivot aims to increase recurring revenue, a move the article contrasts with past Sony decisions and notes Microsoft is not currently positioned to capitalize on.
Asha Sharma gives a positive response about the rising cost of tech
Xbox Executive Vice President and CEO Asha Sharma discussed the rising cost of gaming hardware and the impact of Artificial Intelligence during an interview at Gamescom. Sharma acknowledged challenges like component shortages and the need for innovation in affordability, while the article criticizes the perceived dismissal of concerns over GPU and CPU price hikes driven by AI demand.
As the legal hunt for the GTA 6 leaker continues, Take-Two reportedly tries another more secretive Discord subpoena, this time specifying individuals
Take-Two Interactive is intensifying its search for the Grand Theft Auto 6 leakers by filing a new, sealed subpoena request with Discord. This move follows criticism of their previous broad requests and aims for more targeted information, potentially to prevent leakers from being alerted. The leaks ceased before Netflix's gameplay showcase, with speculation that the leakers profited around $270,000 from cryptocurrency.
Take-Two Says Its GTA 6 Leaker Investigation Is “Rapidly Evolving” as It Seeks a Second, Sealed Discord Subpoena
Take-Two Interactive is intensifying its investigation into the Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker, "CyberLeek," by seeking a second, sealed subpoena for Discord. The company has also dropped its subpoena for YouTube, indicating a narrowing focus as new information emerges. This legal pursuit continues despite the game's pre-order numbers reportedly soaring after its extended trailer release.
Take-Two's GTA 6 leak investigation is heating up as the publisher requests sealed subpoena to avoid tipping off…
Take-Two Interactive is intensifying its investigation into the Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks, seeking a sealed subpoena for Discord to obtain user information without alerting potential infringers. The publisher claims that public disclosure of the ongoing investigation could compromise its progress and reveal gathered evidence.
Xbox’s Disc-to-Digital Program is Now Live for Alpha Skip, Alpha, and Beta Insiders
Microsoft's Disc-to-Digital program is now available for Xbox Insiders, allowing users to convert physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X games into digital licenses. While not all titles are supported due to various reasons, a community-driven website is tracking eligible games. Microsoft may require proof of disc ownership in the future to maintain digital license benefits.
