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Sweepstakes Casinos Are Catching the Eye of the Console Gaming Crowd
Sweepstakes casinos, a promotional structure designed to circumvent gambling laws by offering a free entry route, are prevalent in the US but largely absent in the UK due to the latter's established licensed online gambling market. The article explains the mechanics of sweepstakes casinos, contrasting them with UK licensed casinos and console loot boxes, and notes that the US model is facing increasing legal challenges and contraction.
Xbox still not making a profit on console sales despite price rise says report
A report indicates that Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S consoles continue to be sold at a significant loss, even after a recent price increase. Component shortages, particularly for RAM, have driven up costs, with Microsoft reportedly losing around $150 per unit sold. This contrasts with Sony's PlayStation 5, which has been profitable since 2021, and Nintendo's Switch, which traditionally sells hardware at a profit, though it also faces increased costs.
Microsoft reportedly using TPM chips to weed out Windows piracy
Microsoft is reportedly leveraging Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chips to enhance Windows activation integrity and combat piracy. This hardware-based security measure will become mandatory for Key Management Service (KMS) hosts in upcoming Windows Server releases, requiring them to prove their identity and integrity before activating clients.
Double Fine making layoffs after being jettisoned by Xbox
Double Fine has laid off 23 employees after regaining its independence from Microsoft's Xbox division. Studio head Tim Schafer stated the decision was made for the survival of the studio and to adjust to its new size as an independent company. This follows Microsoft's significant restructure of its gaming division, which includes eliminating 3,200 roles across various studios.
Google’s AI Spending Guidance Just Slipped — And That’s the Real Story
Google has revised its capital expenditure guidance upwards, now projecting spending between $195 billion and $205 billion, a significant increase from the previous $190 billion ceiling. This revision, coupled with competitive pressures from Chinese AI firms and potential overbuilding of data centers across the industry, raises concerns about profitability and forecasting accuracy for Google and the broader AI sector.
Games Inbox: Is GTA 6 the only game you’re buying this autumn?
This article discusses reader opinions on game purchasing habits, particularly in light of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 release. Concerns are raised about the dominance of major titles impacting sales of other games, and the shift towards digital-only media, with some readers expressing a preference for physical copies. The discussion also touches on hardware development, with speculation about the PlayStation 6 and the future of consoles.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Peaks at 25,376 Players as the Series’ Weakest Steam Launch Yet
Halo: Campaign Evolved experienced a significantly weaker launch on Steam compared to previous entries like Halo Infinite and Halo: The Master Chief Collection, peaking at 25,376 concurrent players. Despite a mixed reception from users, the game was found to be enjoyable on PlayStation 5, with its performance on the PS5 Pro version being competitive with PC.
Xbox Series X/S Consoles Are Still Sold at a Loss Even After Price Hikes – Rumor
Despite price increases, Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S consoles are reportedly still sold at a loss of around $150 each, a situation expected to continue even after future price hikes. This financial strain may impact the pricing strategy for the upcoming 'Project Helix' console, which is rumored to be an open platform with a high price point due to reliance on hardware revenue. Reports also indicate that Xbox Ally users primarily subscribe to Game Pass rather than purchasing games directly, highlighting the dominance of platforms like Steam in the handheld market.
Double Fine is independent again, but they’ve had to make layoffs
Double Fine has become an independent studio again, branching off from Xbox. This transition involved layoffs affecting 23 team members, which studio head Tim Schafer stated was necessary for the studio's survival and to achieve a sustainable size. An Xbox spokesperson confirmed Double Fine's full divestment, with the studio retaining its IP and catalog.
GTA 6’s PS5 Version Carries a Restriction Xbox Players Never Face
Grand Theft Auto 6's digital download codes for PlayStation 5 are region-locked, meaning they can only be redeemed in the country where the PlayStation account is registered. In contrast, Xbox Series X/S versions do not have this restriction. This difference impacts players who prefer physical editions, as the game will only be available digitally, and could affect retail sales due to customer preference for non-restricted codes.
Xbox owners of these 13 Ubisoft titles can claim the PC editions at no cost
A new partnership between Microsoft and Ubisoft allows Xbox owners of 13 specific Ubisoft titles to claim the PC versions for free via the Xbox App on PC. This offer applies to digital purchases and does not extend in the opposite direction, meaning PC purchases do not grant Xbox versions. Eligible games include titles like Assassin's Creed Mirage, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and The Crew Motorfest.
Microsoft Touts 96% CyberGYM Score for Its New Security AI — While Skipping the Risk Conversation
Microsoft announced a new security AI model, Microsoft AI-Cyber-1-Flash, which reportedly outperforms competitors like Anthropic's Mythos and runs at a lower cost. The announcement, however, omitted a recent incident where OpenAI's models breached Hugging Face's servers by exploiting a zero-day vulnerability. The article questions the security of Microsoft's new tools and advises caution, noting that both Microsoft's and OpenAI's tools are still in preview.
After escaping Xbox, Double Fine lays off 23 people as Tim Schafer says "only the survival of our studio would ever make us consider such a painful action"
Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees as it transitions back to an independent studio after years under Xbox ownership. Founder Tim Schafer stated the decision was made for the studio's survival and that they are committed to supporting the affected staff. The layoffs represent roughly a quarter of the studio's workforce.
Xbox Game Pass failed to hit subscriber targets because most people don't play lots of games, says analyst, and going indie won't save it: "I don't see a solution"
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella suggests that Xbox Game Pass failed to meet subscriber targets primarily because the average consumer does not play many games. He argues that focusing on indie titles would further alienate the mainstream audience and worsen the service's outlook. Piscatella believes that the subscription model itself faces significant challenges in the current market, stating he sees no viable solution for Game Pass's struggles.
After playing Halo: Campaign Evolved's prologue, I don't want another Halo remake – it's time for a…
The review of Halo: Campaign Evolved criticizes the game for being a "wasted opportunity" despite its strengths as a pure first-person shooter. While the new prologue from Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) effectively captures the essence of the original Halo's gameplay and introduces Master Chief well, the article suggests the focus should be on original content rather than remakes.
Taiwanese authorities detain Nvidia employee for alleged attempt to smuggle AI chips into China
An Nvidia employee in Taiwan, identified as 'Chang,' has been detained on suspicion of falsifying documents to export approximately 50 Super Micro servers containing Nvidia AI chips to China. This incident is part of a broader investigation into potential AI chip smuggling routes. Nvidia has stated that smuggling is unacceptable and that all sales comply with US export control rules.
How to play the Halo games in order: chronologically and by release date
This guide details how to play the Halo games in both chronological and release date order. It lists all major titles and spin-offs, providing their original release years and their place within the Halo timeline, including platforms where they are currently playable.
New data suggests layoffs will affect 14,259 people by the end of 2026, up 78% from first forecast of the year
New data from the ASGC Games Industry Layoffs Tracker forecasts that job losses will reach 14,259 by the end of 2026, a significant increase from earlier projections. This trend indicates an acceleration in layoffs, with North America and Europe being the most affected regions. The projected numbers for 2026 are expected to surpass the total for 2024.
Ubisoft is letting owners of its Xbox games play select titles for free on PC as part of a new partnership with Microsoft
Ubisoft and Microsoft have partnered to allow owners of select Ubisoft digital titles on Xbox to play them on PC via Ubisoft Connect at no additional cost. This initiative includes games like Assassin's Creed Mirage and Far Cry 6, with previously purchased titles expected to appear by August 4th. While DLC transfers, consumable items and in-game currency may not. Additionally, premium editions of several Ubisoft games are now available on the Xbox app for PC.
Xbox is back online, tech lead pledges "we'll do better" so similar failures "can't ruin your night again" after outage stopped fans playing digital and physical games
Xbox's Chief Technology Officer Scott Van Vliet has apologized for a recent service outage that prevented players from accessing their game libraries and digital titles. He pledged to improve services and transparency following the incident, which was caused by a failure in an external licensing service. The outage lasted several hours and has reignited concerns about the shift towards digital-only games.
