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Former id Software producer says the team faced the 'worst crunch' in the series' history on Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations: 'There were days where I didn't see my son'
Former id Software producer Andrew Willis revealed that the team experienced severe crunch conditions while developing Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations, describing it as the worst in the series' history. This intense period of overwork, which included days of 12-17 hour shifts, occurred shortly before many developers on the expansion team were laid off by Xbox. The article also touches on the game's sales performance relative to Doom Eternal and the studio's overall health post-layoffs.
Bethesda Employees Thought They Were Safe From Layoffs Thanks to Skyrim, Fallout
Former Bethesda Game Studios Austin developer Anne Barrett shared that employees felt secure from layoffs due to the success of games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and Fallout, making Xbox's subsequent announcements even more shocking and devastating. The layoffs resulted in a significant drop in morale and a loss of institutional knowledge crucial for the company's proprietary game engine.
That Grand Theft Auto 6 exclusive reveal worked out pretty well for Netflix: It was the platform's biggest show…
Netflix's exclusive deal for the Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal generated 31.1 million views within four days, making it the platform's most-watched title of the week. This success suggests a potential future trend of major gaming companies utilizing streaming service exclusivity for major announcements.
Skyrim and Fallout made Bethesda devs feel "safe" from mass layoffs before Xbox ended decades-long careers in…
Bethesda Game Studios developers, known for franchises like Skyrim and Fallout, felt secure from mass layoffs at Xbox, but were instead blindsided by job cuts affecting long-term employees. An employee described the experience as devastating, with meetings lasting only two minutes to end decades-long careers. The loss of institutional knowledge is a significant concern for future game quality.
Xbox Game Pass September 2026 Wave 1 Lineup Announced
Microsoft has announced the first wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in September 2027. The lineup includes a major Call of Duty title.
Double Fine are all in on making Brutal Legend 2, if you're willing to give them $100 million in their game jam Kickstarter, anyway
Double Fine has launched a Kickstarter campaign for their Amnesia Fortnight game jam, with a stretch goal to fund Brutal Legend 2 if $100 million is raised. While the funding goal is highly ambitious, the campaign allows backers to vote on prototypes developed during the jam, with winners potentially becoming full games. This initiative marks Double Fine's return to independence after being acquired by Microsoft.
Windows keeps telling people it has turned off anti-virus even though it hasn't
A known issue in Windows 11 and Windows 10 causes Microsoft Defender Antivirus to incorrectly report that it has been turned off, even when it is functioning correctly. This notification bug can persist across various Windows versions and updates, and Microsoft is reportedly working on a fix.
Xbox Game Pass In September Expands With 7 New Games
Microsoft has announced the first wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in September, including seven new titles. The additions feature a day-one release, Speedrunners 2, and the notable inclusion of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Some titles will also be leaving the service.
GTA 6 Removes The Series’ Worst Feature
Grand Theft Auto 6 will remove the series' traditional mash-or-hold face button sprinting mechanic in favor of clicking the analog stick, a change that Rockstar Games apparently agrees is overdue. This update, along with other features like a larger map and new systems, aims to make the game a massive entertainment launch.
Microsoft is bribing people to pre-order Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox instead of PS5
Microsoft is offering a £4 Xbox gift card for pre-ordering Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox or PC, a move seen as an attempt to discourage PlayStation 5 pre-orders. This incentive comes after a disappointing reception to the game's beta and a public apology for the previous title, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The article also touches on recent layoffs at Microsoft-owned studios like id Software.
Grant Kirkhope knows of three studios that were possibly turned down for new Banjo-Kazooie
Composer Grant Kirkhope revealed that multiple studios have pitched new Banjo-Kazooie games to Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios, but none of the pitches were successful. He did not disclose the names of the studios involved.
The Xbox X25 console might be gone for good, but I'm holding out hope for more controller stock
Despite the limited Xbox Series X25 console selling out quickly, the author expresses hope for more stock of its special edition controller. The article draws parallels to past limited PlayStation releases and suggests Microsoft may restock the controller later in the year, particularly around the holiday season, to capitalize on demand.
Ninja Gaiden Legitimized the American Xbox Console for Japanese Developers
Ninja Gaiden is lauded as one of the greatest pure action games ever made, with its combat, controls, and replayability still holding up today. The game's inclusion of native widescreen support in 2004, before it was common, is highlighted as a forward-thinking feature that legitimized the American Xbox console for Japanese developers.
I Am Begging One Cool Billionaire To Take Up Double Fine’s Offer To Fund Brutal Legend 2
Double Fine is seeking $100 million in pledges to fund Brutal Legend 2 through a Kickstarter campaign, following its split from Microsoft. The studio is also running a two-week game jam called Amnesia Fortnight to prototype other game ideas, with some chosen by supporters for further development. The article notes that Double Fine recently underwent layoffs affecting 23 employees.
Laid off id Software developer says crunch on Doom: The Dark Ages' Revelations DLC was "brutal" with up to 17-hour days
A former id Software developer described the crunch for Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations DLC as "brutal," with days reaching up to 17 hours. This developer, Andrew Willis, was subsequently laid off by Microsoft along with many other id Software employees shortly after the DLC's release. The article highlights the intense working conditions and the subsequent job losses impacting the studio.
Linux manages to avoid the age verification apocalypse, but SteamOS isn't in the clear yet
California's Digital Age Assurance Act, set to take effect in 2027, will exempt open-source operating systems like Linux from mandatory age verification checks due to an amendment. However, Valve's SteamOS, which has proprietary elements, may still be subject to compliance, and users will likely still need to verify their age on Steam for certain games.
The Witcher 4 Probably Won’t Be On A Disc, But Dev Teases Physical “Feelies” Of Some Type
CD Projekt Red has indicated that The Witcher 4, slated for a 2028 release, will likely not be available on physical discs due to industry trends. However, the studio's joint CEO Michał Nowakowski teased that a physical "box" with "feelies" will still be offered to fans.
Fans are using Xbox's disc-to-digital feature to save long-delisted titles like the Deadpool game, Rock Band 4, and…
Xbox users are leveraging the new disc-to-digital feature to reclaim delisted digital licenses for physical games, including titles like Deadpool and Rock Band 4. While not all games are supported, the initiative is seen as a positive step for game preservation, contrasting with the perceived abandonment of physical media by PlayStation 5.
Microsoft will give you $5 to buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox (or Xbox on PC)
Microsoft is offering a $5 store credit for pre-ordering Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox Series X/S or PC through the Microsoft Store. This promotion, valid until September 1st, aims to incentivize purchases on Microsoft's platforms over competitors. The credit can be used on future purchases and is available in numerous regions.
Sony CEO says selling more PS5s isn't as important as monetizing the 125 million monthly PS Plus users now the…
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki stated that aggressively selling PlayStation 5 consoles is no longer the priority, shifting focus to monetizing the existing user base of over 95 million consoles sold and 125 million monthly PlayStation Plus users. This strategic pivot aims to increase recurring revenue, a move the article contrasts with past Sony decisions and notes Microsoft is not currently positioned to capitalize on.
