Microsoft
Microsoft business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
IGN Entertainment and Dentsu Gaming announce Women in Gaming UK event
IGN Entertainment and Dentsu Gaming are hosting a Women in Gaming UK networking event on April 17, featuring panels, a headshot studio, and Meta hardware demos. The article also details the retirement of Brian Raffel, co-founder of Raven Software, after 36 years in the industry, highlighting his contributions to titles like Hexen and the Call of Duty franchise. Additionally, it briefly mentions the union contract ratified by Raven Software workers with Microsoft.
Gamer Loses Entire Library After Microsoft Account Hack Goes Wrong
A PC gamer lost their entire digital game library after their Microsoft account was hacked and subsequently deleted by support. The incident highlights concerns about digital ownership and the vulnerability of game collections stored on corporate servers. This event serves as a cautionary tale for both gamers regarding account security and for companies like Microsoft on how to handle compromised accounts.
Raven Software co-founder Brian Raffel retires
Brian Raffel, co-founder of Call of Duty developer Raven Software, has retired after 36 years in the gaming industry. He co-founded the studio in 1990 and played a key role in its development and eventual acquisition by Activision. Raffel's career spanned numerous titles, and his leadership helped shape Raven Software into a significant contributor to the Call of Duty franchise.
State of Decay 3 reveal trailer wasn't reflective of the actual game, says studio head
Philip Holt, studio head at Undead Labs, confirmed that the 2020 reveal trailer for State of Decay 3 was conceptual and will not feature zombie animals as initially shown. He explained that the trailer was pre-rendered by Blur when the development team was very small, representing early ideas rather than concrete game features. This clarification comes after reports of an alpha playtest and renewed focus on the game after a period of silence.
New Game Pass Games For April 2026: Hades 2, Kiln, And Vampire Crawlers Headline A Busy Month
Microsoft has announced the lineup of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in April 2026, featuring several day-one releases. Highlights include Hades II, Kiln, Replaced, and Vampire Crawlers. The service will also see the addition of titles like Final Fantasy IV, DayZ, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, while some games will depart on April 15.
Former Halo Studios employees accuse studio of harrassment and retaliation
Former Halo Studios employees, including art director Glenn Israel, have accused the studio and Microsoft of covering up harassment, bullying, and retaliation. Israel detailed incidents from January 2025 to August and alleged that Microsoft uses layoffs to mask retaliatory acts. Other former employees have corroborated these claims, while Microsoft stated they take all claims seriously.
PS6 Won’t be Delayed Past 2027 or AMD Wouldn’t Waste Time Validating Chips – Rumor
Rumors suggest Sony and Microsoft are targeting a 2027 launch for their next-generation consoles, with AMD reportedly validating chips for the PlayStation 6. Industry insider KeplerL2 indicated that AMD's investment in validation work points to a commitment to this timeframe, despite potential memory shortages. Updates to the PlayStation 5's SDK also suggest a new console is not far off, with potential for a handheld variant.
DayZ, Kiln, Hades 2, Replaced, and Many More Headline Game Pass in April
Microsoft has announced the first wave of games coming to Game Pass in April, including titles like DayZ, Hades 2, and Replaced. Several games are launching day-and-date on the service, such as Hades 2 on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5. The article also lists games departing the service on April 15th.
Three YouTubers accuse Apple of illegal scraping to train its AI models
Three YouTubers have filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of illegally scraping copyrighted videos from YouTube to train its AI models. The creators allege Apple circumvented platform controls and that its success relies on content like theirs. Similar lawsuits have been filed by these channels against Meta, Nvidia, ByteDance, and Snap, while Apple itself faces other legal challenges regarding AI training data.
Former Halo Studios art director, other employees, accuse studio of harassment and retaliation
Former Halo Infinite art director Glenn Israel has accused Halo Studios and Microsoft of covering up allegations of harassment and retaliation. Israel claims that despite filing formal complaints, the company failed to investigate, leading to his termination. Other former employees have come forward with similar accusations of bullying and mismanagement within the studio.
Starfield DLC Achievements Hint At Upcoming Features Including New City & Outpost Mechanics
Discussions surrounding Starfield's upcoming PlayStation 5 release touch upon its initial reception, with some claiming an 'Xbox tax' influenced negative reviews, while others point to genuine criticisms from Xbox and PC players. Bethesda's Todd Howard has acknowledged issues, and the Free Lanes update aims to improve the game for both existing and new players on all platforms.
Morning Metaverse
Microsoft is changing its OneDrive file deletion policy, requiring users to recover deleted files differently starting next month. This update affects how users manage their cloud storage and access previously removed data.
AI Yi-Yi!
An expert has identified 80 different Microsoft Copilot products, with the potential for over 100 to exist. Separately, AI has demonstrated the ability to identify multiple forms of dementia from a single blood sample, according to Neuroscience News.
Halo Campaign Evolved Is Reportedly Now Fully Playable
Insider reports suggest that Halo Campaign Evolved is now fully playable from start to finish, utilizing Halo Infinite assets with some design changes. The game may feature a customizable armor system for Master Chief, though without microtransactions. This development could indicate an upcoming release or a move into refinement stages.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Has A Skin System And is Allegedly Content Complete
Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, is reportedly content complete and will feature a skin system without an in-game shop. The game is slated for a 2026 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, and will be available on Game Pass. It includes updated visuals, new prequel missions, and expanded weapon and vehicle options.
Game Pass Adds More Final Fantasy And A Surprise Day One Gem This Week
Xbox Game Pass is adding Final Fantasy IV and the day-one launch Tiny Bookshop this week. Final Fantasy IV, a pixel remaster of the classic JRPG, is available on cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Tiny Bookshop, a narrative management game about running a seaside bookshop, also launches on April 10th for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Steven Spielberg Is A Big Fan Of Resident Evil Reboot Director
Legendary director Steven Spielberg has praised Zach Cregger, the director of the upcoming Resident Evil movie adaptation. Spielberg expressed admiration for Cregger's horror film 'Weapons,' stating it satisfied his desire to see great horror. He also revealed past interest in directing a Call of Duty movie and his involvement with the Halo TV series.
Best Controllers for Big Hands in 2026: 7 Comfortable Picks
This guide identifies seven comfortable controller options for gamers with large hands in 2026, addressing issues like handle length, button reach, and overall width. It highlights the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 as the best overall, with the Sony DualSense as a surprising pick, and the GameSir G7 SE as the best budget option. The article emphasizes the importance of controller ergonomics for long gaming sessions and discusses features like Hall Effect sticks and back paddles.
Games Inbox: Has the new Mass Effect been cancelled?
Reader mail discusses the lack of news regarding a new Mass Effect game, with one reader suspecting it may be cancelled despite EA's assurances. Other topics include potential remakes of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the viability of a new Uncharted game, and the pricing of the PlayStation 5 Pro. There's also discussion on the success of Nintendo's Super Mario Galaxy movie and its potential impact on future game and film adaptations.
Halo Studios’ Former Art Director Alleges Harassment Campaigns, Retaliation From Leadership
Former Halo Studios art director Glenn Israel has accused the company's leadership of harassment, favoritism, and retaliation, alleging that complaints were suppressed by Microsoft. Israel claims that leadership engaged in campaigns to force out employees and that his own role was made redundant as a retaliatory act. He warns potential employees against seeking work at the organization due to a lack of respect and fair compensation.
