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The grim industry summer continues as EA lays off staff ahead of $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia, likely to soothe the…
Electronic Arts is reportedly laying off an unknown number of staff ahead of its $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which will hold a 93.4% stake. These layoffs, affecting teams like recruitment and customer support, are occurring before the acquisition closes, likely due to EA's significant loan debt. This follows a trend of industry layoffs, including Microsoft's recent actions after acquiring Activision Blizzard, and raises concerns about sportswashing.
Fable Veterans’ life sim sandbox RPG Kynseed launches for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch on 4 August
PixelCount Studios announced that its life simulation sandbox RPG, Kynseed, will launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on August 4. The game's free 'Tavern Update' is also available today for PC players, allowing them to run their own taverns. Developed by veterans of the Fable series, Kynseed allows players to live through multiple generations, farm land, run businesses, and explore a hand-crafted world.
'Going to make myself stick with SteamOS instead of slithering back to Windows': gamers get ready to abandon Windows 11, as Valve focuses on boosting SteamOS on the desktop
Valve is actively improving SteamOS to enhance compatibility with desktop hardware and Nvidia GPUs, aiming to make it a viable alternative to Windows 11 for PC gamers. These efforts are prompting some users to consider switching from Windows 11, despite Nvidia support not being available this year. While SteamOS adoption is still niche, Valve's progress could eventually challenge Windows' dominance in PC gaming.
Netflix's Gears of War movie sounds like it will be set just before the events of the first game
Netflix's upcoming Gears of War movie will serve as a prequel, focusing on the origin story of Delta Squad and their fight against the Locust creatures. Xbox executive Matt Booty highlighted the 'Never Fight Alone' theme as a strong narrative starting point. The film's setting appears to precede the events of the original Gears of War game, potentially aligning with the timeline of the recently announced Gears of War: E-Day.
"This is going to be a niche device" – Analysts react to the $1,000+ Steam Machine price reveal
Industry analysts are reacting to Valve's Steam Machine pricing, which starts at $1,049, significantly higher than initially anticipated. This increase is attributed to global component shortages, particularly memory and storage, exacerbated by the generative AI boom. Experts believe this high price point positions the Steam Machine as a niche product and raises questions about the future pricing of upcoming consoles from Sony and Microsoft, with some predicting they will also exceed $1,000.
The Future of Consoles: What to Expect from the Next Generation of Xbox
Microsoft is developing a next-generation Xbox platform, codenamed Project Helix, which aims to unify the Xbox and PC gaming ecosystems. This future console will emphasize cloud gaming, artificial intelligence for enhanced experiences and performance, and maintain backward compatibility. The strategy suggests a shift towards a flexible, multi-device gaming environment rather than a traditional, single-purpose console.
Evening Reading - June 22, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and features. It includes reviews for The Adventures of Elliot and UFC 6, a preview of Rhythm Heaven Groove, and updates on Sega's new titles, Steam Machine components, and a potential Sea of Thieves live-action movie. The article also touches on Final Fantasy 7 Remake director's desire for original projects and the possibility of custom Steam Machines with an updated SteamOS.
OD Will Have a System For Players That Are Too Scared to Continue, Says Hideo Kojima
Hideo Kojima discussed his upcoming Xbox-exclusive horror game OD, revealing a system designed for players who might find the game too scary. He also shared that the concept for OD originated during the development of Death Stranding, and many companies rejected the idea as too unconventional. The game is being developed with Unreal Engine and MetaHuman, and is expected to utilize Microsoft's cloud technology.
Call of Duty is “Bigger Than The Marvel Cinematic Universe”, Claims Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty discussed the immense success and cultural impact of Xbox's franchises in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Sharma claimed Call of Duty is larger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while Booty detailed upcoming adaptations for Gears of War and the continued investment in Halo.
PS6 is Unlikely to Face Delays Since R&D, Manufacturing Deals Are “Basically Done” – Rumor
Industry insider KeplerL2 suggests that Sony's PlayStation 6 is unlikely to face delays beyond its rumored 2027 launch, despite ongoing memory shortages. Deals with TSMC for APU fabrication and potential GDDR7 contracts are reportedly in place, making a delay financially disadvantageous for Sony. Discussions also touched upon next-generation console performance, with analysis suggesting a focus on frame rates rather than just image quality.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Cross-Play and Cross-Saves Explained
Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the classic FPS powered by Unreal Engine 5, will feature cross-play and cross-progression across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Players will need an Xbox gamertag to utilize these features, regardless of their chosen platform. The game is set to launch on July 28, with early access available on July 23 for specific editions.
I don't care if MSI's latest handheld costs $1,800, don't pay over a grand for any handheld this Prime…
The author advises consumers against overspending on expensive handheld PCs, particularly during Prime Day sales, citing the high price of the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ at $1,800. While acknowledging the cost of devices like the Steam Deck OLED, the article suggests looking for more affordable alternatives and considering refurbished or older models to avoid price inflation in the gaming handheld market.
The Internet Has Some Thoughts On The Steam Machine’s $1,000+ Price
Valve announced the Steam Machine will launch on June 30 with a minimum price of over $1,000, drawing significant negative reactions online. Many questioned the high cost, especially compared to building a custom PC, and speculated about future console pricing trends.
Steam Machine Is Expensive Because Valve Refuses to Be a Console Company
Valve's Steam Machine is priced at $1,049 for 512GB and $1,349 for 2TB, significantly higher than consoles like the PlayStation 5. This pricing reflects Valve's decision to treat it as a full PC rather than a subsidized console, allowing users full hardware ownership and software freedom, unlike the closed ecosystems of Sony and Microsoft.
Steam Machine Is NOT A Console, Valve Says
Valve has clarified that the Steam Machine is an extension of PC gaming, not a console, emphasizing its open ecosystem. The device will launch on June 30 with a starting price of over $1,000 due to component costs, with higher-end models reaching up to $1,428.
Todd Howard On The Elder Scrolls 6: “We Need To Get It Right”
Todd Howard, director at Bethesda Game Studios, stated that the majority of the studio is focused on The Elder Scrolls 6, acknowledging the long development time and the need to "get it right." The game was previously announced over eight years ago and has only shown a title reveal. Microsoft's Matt Booty indicated that the game was not shown at a recent showcase to ensure it is presented at its best when it is ready to be revealed.
Sony's PS6 is still coming out in 2027 suggests hardware insider
Despite ongoing memory shortages, insider KeplerL2 suggests Sony's PlayStation 6 will still launch in 2027 as planned, refuting reports of a potential delay to 2028 or 2029. This aligns with previous insights from Moore's Law Is Dead, indicating that manufacturing contracts are in place and would be costly to terminate. The article also notes the recent price increase of the PlayStation 5 and speculates on the higher cost of its successor.
Valve's Steam Machine price starts at $1049 / £879; original pricing "no longer viable" due to hardware supply issues
Valve has announced that the Steam Machine will start at $1,049 USD / £879 GBP for the 512GB model and $1,349 USD / £1,149 GBP for the 2TB model, significantly higher than originally planned due to hardware supply issues. Availability will be limited and determined by a lottery system. Early reviews suggest it's a compelling entry-level gaming PC but too expensive to directly compete with consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
"We don't lock our hardware down" - Valve takes a swing at consoles while explaining why it doesn't subsidise the price of Steam Machine
Valve has announced pricing for its Steam Machine, opting against hardware subsidization to maintain an open ecosystem, unlike console manufacturers such as Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Valve believes customers should be able to play any game on any PC and install alternative software on their hardware. Despite high price points, Valve views competing hardware like Microsoft's Project Helix as beneficial for gamers by offering more choices.
Sea of Thieves Live-Action Movie in Development, Microsoft Confirms
Microsoft has confirmed that a live-action movie based on the pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves is in development. The adaptation is being handled by Microsoft, with Rare's popular title serving as the source material.