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Gemini can now generate files, including Microsoft Word and LaTeX documents
Google's Gemini AI can now generate files directly, eliminating the need for manual copy-pasting. This new feature supports various document formats, including Microsoft Word and LaTeX, enhancing user productivity.
Elder Scrolls Online director still secretly plays the MMO, even after he left the studio when Microsoft killed his dream game: "I'm in guilds, and they don't know who I am"
Matt Firor, the former director of The Elder Scrolls Online and founder of Zenimax Online, continues to play the MMO secretly even after leaving the studio due to Microsoft's cancellation of his dream game, Project Blackbird. Firor finds enjoyment in experiencing ESO as a player, occasionally communicating with current developers about bugs and upcoming content he helped plan.
I was today years old when I learned that Clippy has a canonical gender
This article delves into the canonical gender of Microsoft's former digital assistant, Clippy, sparked by a discussion about AI assistants in Google Docs. It explores designer Kevan Atteberry's past comments on Clippy's gender and fan interpretations, noting Clippy's recent reappearance as an Easter egg in Microsoft Copilot.
Vad hände med Starcraft?
The Starcraft series, once a defining title in real-time strategy and esports, has seen a significant decline. Factors contributing to this include controversies surrounding Starcraft II's launch, the rise of MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2, and a shift in Blizzard Entertainment's focus towards other projects and live service models. Despite efforts to revitalize the franchise with expansions and free-to-play models, Blizzard officially ceased content development for Starcraft II in 2020, leaving the series in limbo, though rumors of an FPS spin-off persist.
Sony's "lack of marketing push" on Marathon "speaks to the lack of faith from the platform holder," says former Square Enix exec
A former Square Enix executive believes Sony's limited marketing for Bungie's Marathon indicates a lack of faith in the title. Despite Marathon being the most played game on Xbox last month, its presence on PlayStation dashboards is minimal. This lack of promotion is contrasted with Microsoft's typical support for its first-party titles and the potential for Marathon to be a major success if marketed effectively.
Morning Consolidation
A trailer has been released for Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks, announcing its console release date for May 21st. Separately, Total Chaos is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Microsoft has also responded to issues concerning Xbox backwards compatibility.
“We’re a number on a ledger" - ex-Elder Scrolls Online studio head says Microsoft cancelling Project Blackbird was a "missed opportunity"
Former ZeniMax Online Studios head Matt Firor described Microsoft's cancellation of the unannounced MMO Project Blackbird as a "missed opportunity" for all parties involved. Firor, who resigned after the project's canning, explained that while he understood the business reasoning behind the decision, it was a "devastating blow" to the team who had invested heavily in building a new engine for the game.
Blizzard's former president wanted there to be a WoW 2 rather than 'the same WoW 1 expansions over and over…
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra expressed a desire for a "World of Warcraft 2" instead of continuous expansions for the original game, though he noted that such a decision would have been up to current game director Ion Hazzikostas. Despite recent issues, World of Warcraft remains a profitable MMO for Blizzard and Microsoft.
Gamer Builds One-Handed Controller After Losing Arm - And It Actually Works | HappyGamer
An individual named Joe has designed and built a functional one-handed controller for PC gaming after losing an arm. The custom device integrates a mouse sensor and redesigned button layout for ergonomic use, allowing play of FPS, MMO, and RPG genres. While currently a prototype, the innovation highlights the need for more accessible gaming hardware, with potential for open-source sharing to benefit other disabled gamers.
More retro goodies - Microsoft open sources 86-DOS and PC-DOS
Microsoft has open-sourced the source code for 86-DOS 1.00 and PC-DOS 1.00, including the kernel and utilities like CHKDSK. This release, made available on GitHub, offers a rare glimpse into early operating system development and includes original notes from 86-DOS creator Tim Paterson.
Xbox Games On PlayStation Have Made A Staggering Amount Of Money, Report Says
A report from Alinea Analytics indicates that Xbox games released on PlayStation 5 have generated over $650 million in gross revenue. Forza Horizon 5 led sales with over 5.8 million copies, followed by Sea of Thieves and Oblivion Remastered. This data suggests a significant market for Xbox titles on Sony's platform, despite ongoing discussions about the company's multiplatform strategy.
Valve Is Forcing Microsoft To Make Significant Improvements To Windows Gaming Performance - Report
A report indicates that Microsoft is initiating a project called 'Windows K2' to significantly improve Windows gaming performance and reclaim user trust. This initiative aims to bridge the performance gap with SteamOS within two years, addressing issues like update frequency and system stability. These improvements are expected to roll out gradually over the coming months.
Microsoft Responds To Xbox Backwards Compatibility Issues After Fans Complain For Weeks
Microsoft is investigating reports of issues with backwards-compatible Xbox 360 games on Xbox Series X|S, where players are encountering 'Can't Connect to Xbox Live' errors. Xbox executive Jason Ronald has asked affected users to contact him directly to help resolve this rare problem. Some players have threatened to report the issue as a breach of consumer rights if not addressed.
Steam Controller Won’t Support Xbox Game Pass at Launch, Frustrating PC Gamers
Valve's new Steam Controller faces criticism for lacking native support for Xbox Game Pass at launch, primarily due to its reliance on Steam Input. This limitation prevents its advanced features from working seamlessly with games outside the Steam ecosystem, frustrating PC gamers who use Game Pass. While workarounds may exist, the controller's $99 price point and competition from the more universally compatible Xbox Wireless Controller raise questions about its market appeal.
Best PC Game Pass Games in the Philippines (Updated April 2026) — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
This guide highlights notable games available on PC Game Pass in the Philippines as of April 2026, including titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, The Alters, and Wasteland 3. It also lists games departing the service on April 30, 2026, and discusses the value proposition of the subscription service for Filipino gamers.
Spiders Studio Closes After Nacon Fails to Find Buyer | HappyGamer
Spiders Studio, the developer behind GreedFall and Steelrising, is reportedly closing down after publisher Nacon failed to find a buyer. The closure highlights the struggles of mid-budget AA game development in the current industry landscape, where studios like Spiders are often squeezed out by massive AAA blockbusters and smaller indie projects. This marks a significant loss for the French gaming scene and the genre of unique, personality-driven action-RPGs.
How to Sign Up for PC Game Pass in the Philippines (2026) — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
This guide explains how to sign up for PC Game Pass in the Philippines, detailing the process of creating a Microsoft account, setting your region to the Philippines, and subscribing through the Xbox app. New users can get a 14-day trial for PHP 59, with the monthly price reduced to PHP 225 in April 2026. The service offers access to a vast library of games, including titles from Bethesda and EA.
Xbox Cutting Game Pass and Pulling Call of Duty Is Finally Honest
Xbox has reduced the price of Game Pass Ultimate and will no longer offer day-one access to future Call of Duty titles, a move described as the most honest statement from the company in years. This shift acknowledges that the previous pricing and strategy were unsustainable, particularly after the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The company is also scaling back its hardware ambitions and focusing on becoming a multi-platform publisher.
Games Inbox: Is buying a video game day one a good idea?
Readers discuss the merits of buying games on day one, weighing instant access and being part of the conversation against the potential for lower prices and sales later. The article also touches on Sony's controversial PS5 DRM policy, the impact of studio closures on franchises like XCOM, and speculation about future game releases and company strategies.
New Zealand Gamers Pay Double for Steam Deck Through Importers | HappyGamer
New Zealand gamers are facing significantly inflated prices for the Steam Deck, with importers charging up to $2000 NZD compared to Valve's direct price of $400-650 USD. This issue highlights Valve's limited regional availability for its hardware, contrasting with the day-one console releases from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo in New Zealand.
