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Microsoft boss Nadella says Xbox has to invent "sustainable business model"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that Xbox must invent a sustainable business model to reach more players, viewing recent layoffs and studio closures under Asha Sharma as positive "streamlining." Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox returning to growth in the next fiscal year, emphasizing the goal of being a leading publisher and platform provider across PC and Xbox.
Industry insiders and Tokyo gossip suggest Kojima is getting less money from Xbox than original PlayStation budget for…
Industry insiders suggest Hideo Kojima's new game, Physint, is being developed with Microsoft for a significantly lower budget than originally planned with Sony. While initial reports suggested figures up to $400 million, sources indicate Xbox's deal is for a 'fraction' of that amount, potentially impacting development conditions. The article also touches on rumors of a third Kojima project and the potential involvement of actors like Robert Pattinson.
'We've steered away from anything that's too crude' — Fable associate game director says the series' staple British humour was 'crucial' and 'the real test for Fable when it comes to the tone is that it does just have to be funny'
Associate game directors for the upcoming Fable reboot, Craig Littler and Will Kennedy, emphasized that the series' signature British humour is a crucial element that will be integrated across all game systems. They stated that while the humour is present in dialogue, story, and even combat, the team has deliberately steered away from anything too crude to ensure it lands well with a modern audience. The developers highlighted the importance of great writing and talented actors, including British comedians, to achieve the desired tone.
Games Inbox: Is the next Super Mario game open world?
Readers discuss the potential for the next 3D Super Mario game to be open world, drawing parallels to Zelda and Bowser's Fury. Other topics include the 30th anniversary of Super Mario 64, the gameplay of Marvel's Wolverine, criticism of Xbox executives, the viability of a Ganondorf game, Sony's potential U-turn on game discs, the decline of Rare, the unchanging nature of EA Sports FC, and performance issues in Star Wars Zero Company.
MMO Week in Review: Destiny 2’s revival, Aion 2’s stress test
This week's MMO news covers Destiny 2's revival with unvaulted content, Aion 2's stress test, and Ultima Online's 29th anniversary. Dune Awakening launched on consoles, Elder Scrolls Online discussed experimental features, and Microsoft continued layoffs. World of Warcraft Forever is impressing players, while other news includes The Division 2, Marathon, Warframe, and various other MMO updates and discussions.
Gears of War story director laid off mere days after E-Day went gold
Gears of War story director Juan Vaca was laid off by Microsoft as part of a wider Xbox reset, just days after Gears of War: E-Day went gold. The Coalition studio was not explicitly mentioned in the announcement, but Vaca confirmed his layoff on LinkedIn. This incident highlights the precarious nature of employment in the games industry, even after significant contributions.
Latest Xbox layoffs reportedly devastated Age of Empires developer and canceled its next game
Xbox's recent "reset" significantly impacted World's Edge Studio, the developer of the Age of Empires series, with nearly half the studio laid off, including former creative director Adam Isgreen. A new project was canceled, and a large portion of the studio was let go, according to former employees. This news comes as the studio now answers to Activision, alongside Sea of Thieves developer Rare.
The Sunday Papers
This week's gaming writing highlights include critiques of Final Fantasy XVI's handling of Middle Eastern influences and a discussion on the catharsis of violence in Armored Core VI. Concerns are raised about the current state of AI research, with a researcher lamenting its shift towards corporate product application rather than fundamental understanding. The article also touches on Microsoft's recent layoffs and Bobby Kotick's legal strategies.
Minecraft still gains around 300,000 new players a day, Xbox boss reveals
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that Minecraft continues to attract approximately 300,000 new players daily, despite selling over 425 million copies in 17 years. The article also touches on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game and the upgrade path for existing owners.
Games companies should try to appeal more to older people - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that game publishers should focus more on appealing to older adults, given the rising average age of gamers, rather than solely targeting younger demographics. The author suggests that current industry trends, particularly the focus on live service games and microtransactions, alienate this larger, older audience who may not be as interested in these models.
GTA 6 Is Coming to Xbox Too, So Why Are PS5 Pre-Orders Dominating?
Despite Grand Theft Auto 6 being confirmed for Xbox Series X/S, pre-orders are reportedly heavily skewed towards PlayStation 5. This disparity, while potentially in line with market share, highlights ongoing challenges for Xbox regarding third-party support and its overall console footprint compared to PlayStation's dominance.
Microsoft CEO Says “Streamlining” by Xbox Team is “Great to See” in the Wake of Layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and future game development despite recent restructuring and significant layoffs. He praised Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's streamlining efforts and reiterated the goal of sustainable business models for broader game accessibility. However, the division faces challenges including declining hardware revenue and pressure to deliver successful exclusives.
Former Elder Scrolls designer Kurt Kuhlmann on Fallout: New Vegas diehards: 'I don't know that Todd wanted to…
Former Elder Scrolls designer Kurt Kuhlmann discusses the perception that Obsidian Entertainment makes better Fallout games than Bethesda, noting Todd Howard's protectiveness over the series. He suggests The Elder Scrolls Online helped alleviate pressure by providing a current Elder Scrolls experience for fans.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox's "streamlining" is "great to see" despite cuts and layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed optimism about Xbox's future and praised ongoing "streamlining" efforts led by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, despite recent significant layoffs and studio closures. Nadella stated his confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games, while emphasizing the need for sustainable business models to reach more players.
Minecraft Dungeons II’s New Dimension Coming to Minecraft Java & Bedrock Edition
Mojang Studios announced that "The Sift," Minecraft's first new dimension in over 14 years, will be introduced in Minecraft Dungeons II on September 29 and integrated into Minecraft in 2027. The new dimension features unique biomes, mobs, and mechanics, offering players a fresh experience across both titles.
After Warcraft 3's first new campaign in 23 years, let's normalize releasing new DLC for ancient RTS games
The article argues that releasing new DLC for older real-time strategy (RTS) games is a sensible trend, citing examples like Warcraft 3: Reforged's new campaign and Age of Empires updates. This approach capitalizes on the longevity of classic titles and the genre's stagnant state, offering a profitable way to leverage nostalgia and satisfy fans.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox's 'streamlining' process is 'great to see' following its most recent…
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella commented on the recent Xbox layoffs and studio restructuring, describing the process as "great to see" and comparing it to streamlining a Formula 1 car. Despite significant job cuts and studio closures, Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to grow as a publisher and platform provider across PC and Xbox consoles.
Rare being controlled by Activision could actually be a good thing - Reader's Feature
A reader suggests that Activision's supervision of Rare, following Microsoft's struggles in managing the studio, could be a positive development. Despite concerns about Activision's business practices and potential for Rare to become a support studio, the author believes Activision's experience in managing developers might lead to more finished games than Microsoft's tenure.
Bukan Cuma Nonton Film: Cara Menjadikan Perangkat Streaming Pusat Cloud Gaming di Ruang Tamu
Modern streaming devices can be transformed into powerful cloud gaming hubs, eliminating the need for expensive consoles or PCs. By leveraging cloud gaming technology, users can play high-end titles on their TVs using devices like Android TV boxes, Apple TV 4K, or Fire TV Stick 4K. This guide details how to optimize hardware, network connections, and select the right cloud gaming service like NVIDIA GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming for an enhanced living room entertainment experience.
Microsoft CEO Attempts To Kill Remaining Xbox Goodwill
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella commented on recent Xbox layoffs and studio closures, calling them a necessary streamlining effort. Despite widespread criticism and further job cuts, Nadella expressed optimism about Xbox's intellectual property and future game development, while also discussing consumer skepticism towards AI. Prominent critic Ed Zitron attributed Xbox's struggles to mismanagement and failed AI investments.