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"We felt that fans were getting a bit desensitised to the violence" Gears of War: E-Day devs made a "big investment" in gore, and weirdly, it works
Developers at The Coalition discuss the significant investment in gore and realistic violence for Gears of War: E-Day, aiming to make combat more impactful and less desensitizing for players. They explain how detailed effects, dismemberment, and blood pooling contribute to the game's cathartic combat system, balancing grimdark storytelling with moments of levity.
"This is your Dreamcast moment": Former PlayStation boss thinks Xbox needs to "pick a lane" with exclusive games to fix itself
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox needs to commit to a clear strategy regarding exclusive games to improve its standing. He argues that a platform without exclusives lacks meaning, and that trying to be both a platform and a major third-party publisher is unsustainable. Layden compares Xbox's current situation to Sega's Dreamcast era, suggesting a pivot to publishing is possible.
In 5 Years, Will Netflix Still Be In Gaming? Here’s What The CEO Said
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos expressed optimism about the company's future in gaming, particularly in cloud gaming, which he sees as a gateway from their current mobile offerings. He believes cloud gaming will become more prevalent in a post-console world and offers opportunities for IP extension and brand value. While Netflix has scaled back ambitions for AAA game development, Sarandos indicated the company is open to acquiring studios if they align with business goals, though organic growth is preferred.
PS6 cost will be worse than you think as memory shortage set to increase prices
The upcoming PlayStation 6 and other next-generation consoles are predicted to be significantly more expensive due to an ongoing memory shortage expected to worsen through 2027 and 2028. Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra stated that demand will exceed supply, leading to much higher prices. This situation, exacerbated by demand from AI data centers, suggests console prices could exceed £1,000, potentially impacting mass-market appeal.
Xbox is "in a pickle" because "Microsoft never really picked a lane" says ex-PlayStation boss
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox is in a difficult position due to Microsoft's inconsistent strategy regarding game exclusivity and its subscription service model. Layden suggests that Microsoft's inability to commit to a clear lane, whether as an exclusive platform or a multi-platform publisher, has hindered its progress against PlayStation.
Halo's new steward Activision reportedly considering rebooting the series, with a team in Sledgehammer Games leading the charge
Activision is reportedly considering a reboot for the Halo series, with a new team at Sledgehammer Games leading the charge. This potential reboot would explore Master Chief's origins and may combine both campaign and multiplayer elements, possibly moving away from Halo Studios' Slipstream engine to the Infinity Ward Engine. The news comes amid major reorganisation and layoffs within Microsoft's Xbox division.
Activision Could Be Giving Halo Something It Hasn’t Had In Years: A Clean Slate
Activision is reportedly considering a complete reboot for the Halo series, potentially led by Sledgehammer Games. This move aims to move away from the complex lore accumulated over 25 years, offering a fresh start that doesn't directly follow Halo Infinite's narrative but may still incorporate established canon. The franchise has faced criticism for its increasingly convoluted lore and reliance on supplementary media.
I played an evening of Big Walk on Steam Frame, and it felt like wearing a Steam Deck on my face
The Steam Frame, Valve's new VR headset, offers a portable PC gaming experience akin to a Steam Deck for your face. It successfully ran demanding games like Big Walk flawlessly, though battery life required plugging in after an hour. While not as powerful as high-end VR headsets or new handheld PCs, its native Steam game support and portability make it a compelling option for on-the-go gaming.
Gears of War: E-Day is missing iconic features like chainsaw duels and meat shields, but The Coalition says we shouldn't worry - they're "not gone from the franchise"
Gears of War: E-Day has launched without iconic features like chainsaw duels and meat shields, with The Coalition stating they may be added post-launch or in a future title. The studio cited the need to rebuild the gameplay sandbox from scratch for a unified experience as the reason for these omissions at launch. This news comes amidst significant layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division, including E-Day's story director.
Games Inbox: What Amiga games deserve a remake?
Readers discuss which classic Amiga games deserve modern remakes, with titles like Starglider 2, Midwinter, and Cybercon 3 being popular choices. The discussion also touches on the viability of remaking older titles, the current state of the Xbox console, and potential reimagining of Resident Evil games.
At last: I can build a home out of raw Windows Vista-era nostalgia
Frutiger Home, a new house-decorating simulator inspired by the Frutiger Aero aesthetic, has launched on Steam. The game allows players to build homes using design elements from the mid-2000s to early 2010s, evoking a sense of nostalgia for an era of optimistic technology. The game is available on Steam and is priced at $5.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 5 Spring
This guide provides details on the Forza Horizon 6 Series 5 Spring Festival Playlist challenges, including recommended cars, tune setups, and tips for earning Playlist Points. The Spring season runs from October 1st to October 8th, 2026, offering rewards like the 2002 Lotus Esprit V8 and 2023 Lotus Emira.
'Xbox is not for sale,' CEO Asha Sharma says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the division is not for sale, despite ongoing struggles and rumors of restructuring or spin-offs. Sharma emphasized a commitment to finding the right partnerships and operating model for success, while acknowledging the need for industry disruption. The comments come after significant layoffs and studio closures within Xbox.
The Elder Scrolls Online is undergoing a "renaissance," as the MMO's devs say they saw what's "been going for 12 years and decided to make some changes"
ZeniMax Online Studios is shifting The Elder Scrolls Online's content strategy away from its annual DLC model towards a new season system with varied playstyles. This 'renaissance' aims to re-engage players with less combat-focused content and new experiences like the Nowhere Vault and High Seas of Tamriel, while still planning for larger, traditional zone releases.
The Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller Is Dead, Apparently
Microsoft has reportedly canceled plans for a dedicated Xbox cloud gaming controller, with a spokesperson denying regulatory influence as the reason. This news follows recent changes to the Xbox cloud gaming service, including usage limits and price increases, and the removal of its app from older Samsung TVs. The company also addressed rumors about selling the Xbox division.
You can now play Halo: Combat Evolved in a web browser, and it even has multiplayer
A developer has successfully implemented the original Halo: Combat Evolved to run in a web browser, complete with mouse and keyboard support and up to 128-player multiplayer. This technical feat is built upon a decompilation project and has seen significant traffic, even briefly causing the site to go down.
Gears of War: E-Day Metacritic score places it as The Coalition's best take on the series amid layoffs and reported…
Gears of War: E-Day has achieved a Metacritic score of 88, making it the best-reviewed game in the series since Epic Games' involvement and The Coalition's highest-rated title. Despite critical acclaim for its gameplay, the studio faces internal turmoil with reports of layoffs and withheld bonuses, including the game's story director.
MMO Business Roundup: Discord’s ad sales, GTA Online hacker’s arrest, and Xbox sale rumors
This MMO business roundup covers Discord's new advertising products, the arrest of a hacker allegedly involved in breaches of Grand Theft Auto Online and Red Dead Online, Ubisoft Massive Entertainment taking over more IPs, and rumors of Xbox being up for sale, which CEO Asha Sharma denies.
Gears of War: E-Day studio reportedly fears post-launch layoffs, "wouldn't put it past" Microsoft to…
Staff at The Coalition, the developer of Gears of War: E-Day, are reportedly fearing post-launch layoffs amid ongoing restructuring and job cuts across Microsoft's gaming division. Employees are concerned about missing out on potential bonuses tied to the game's performance and express a lack of trust in Microsoft leadership.
Hands on: Gears of War: E-Day review-in-progress: "Gears is finally back firing on cylinders – this is the series' Halo 3 ODST moment"
Gears of War: E-Day offers a compelling setting and excellent third-person gunfights, with an adaptive cover system that makes combat dynamically chaotic. The devastated city of Kalona serves as a standout feat of level design, though melee combat and some weapon balance issues are noted drawbacks. The campaign is a triumph, restoring the series to the cutting edge of shooters.
