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Is yet another Microsoft studio, Obsidian, negotiating with Xbox to avoid closure? Conflicting reports emerge
Conflicting reports suggest that Obsidian Entertainment is negotiating with Microsoft to avoid closure, amidst a wave of layoffs affecting other Xbox studios like Arkane, Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. While one report indicates internal sentiment blames poor Call of Duty performance for these decisions, another source denies Obsidian is in negotiations to shut down, stating the studio will be kept by Xbox.
Obsidian reportedly safe from Xbox studio closures despite fears the RPG powerhouse was in negotiations to avoid…
Despite earlier reports suggesting Obsidian Entertainment was negotiating to avoid closure, Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier has confirmed the RPG developer is safe. The news comes amid widespread fears of mass layoffs and studio shutdowns within Xbox's gaming division.
Nintendo Could Inherit The Physical Gaming Crown By Default
Sony and Microsoft are rumored to be moving towards digital-only consoles for their next generations, potentially leaving Nintendo as the sole major manufacturer still supporting physical game releases. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella believes Nintendo will continue its own strategy, unaffected by competitors' shifts. While Nintendo Switch has a strong physical market share, a significant portion of its sales are digital, and some physical releases utilize Game-Key Cards, raising concerns about long-term game preservation.
Xbox Game Pass Is Removing A Lot Of Games Very Soon
Microsoft is removing 11 titles from Xbox Game Pass on July 15, including EA Sports FC 24, Stellaris, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Subscribers can purchase these games at a 20% discount before they are removed. This is expected to be the first of two sets of removals for July, with Halo: Campaign Evolved being a notable addition later in the month.
Millie Bobby Brown is hyped for GTA 6 even though she never does crimes
Actress Millie Bobby Brown expressed her excitement for Grand Theft Auto 6, calling the series a 'passion' despite her tendency to play games by strictly following rules, such as stopping at red lights. She admitted to playing Grand Theft Auto 5 in a manner akin to The Sims, a habit her husband has teased her about. The article also touches on the potential for celebrity cameos in future Rockstar Games titles.
Private Minecraft servers are "Illegal," according to an ESA official
An official from the Entertainment Software Association stated that private Minecraft servers are illegal and considered piracy, despite Microsoft's encouragement of community servers. Minecraft's creator, Markus Persson, criticized the ESA's stance, while Microsoft and Mojang Studios have not officially commented.
'A wild testament to the obscene bloat and waste of GenAI': Google's electricity consumption is…
Data analyst Kentan Joshi's analysis of Google's environmental report reveals a significant surge in the company's electricity consumption, jumping from 31 TWh in 2024 to 43 TWh in 2025. This exponential growth is attributed to the increasing demands of Generative AI infrastructure, leading to a nearly 50% increase in greenhouse gas emissions over the last five years, despite renewable energy procurement efforts. Joshi criticizes Google's AI buildout strategy, suggesting it may be accelerating faster than the grid can decarbonize and questioning the overall worth of such expansion given planetary limits.
Data centers reportedly targeted by cargo thieves, with over $1 million worth of copper and equipment found in two…
Investigators discovered over $1.3 million worth of stolen data center supplies, including copper wire and equipment, in two trailers at a truck yard in Illinois. The theft is linked to the increased demand for infrastructure driven by the AI boom, with copper being a particularly valuable target due to its high cost and lack of tracking.
Analysts say Sony's digital-only plan 'almost certainly guarantees that the PS6 won’t arrive until 2028…
Analysts predict that Sony's plan to halt physical game production by January 2028 indicates the PlayStation 6 will launch in 2028, likely without a disc drive to reduce costs. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino's comments suggest the next-generation console might also incorporate handheld capabilities for a seamless, multi-location experience.
Sony kills game ownership and says it's all your fault
Sony is phasing out physical game discs for new PlayStation titles by 2028, effectively ending the concept of game ownership as players will no longer be able to buy, sell, or preserve physical copies. This move, driven by business decisions and a lack of competition, raises concerns about game preservation, consumer rights, and the loss of tangible connection to games and their creators.
Fantasy meets reality: Why turmoil at Xbox is impacting IO Interactive and Project Fantasy
IO Interactive's online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, is in turmoil after Xbox Game Studios Publishing reportedly pulled its funding. Despite this setback, IO Interactive remains committed to the project and is restructuring to continue development. This situation highlights the shifting priorities within Xbox under new CEO Asha Sharma, impacting independent studios reliant on external partnerships.
"RIP PLAYSTATION 1994-2026" - Players are flocking to Sony's old PS4 anti-DRM video in the wake of its shock decision to scrap physical games
Sony announced it will cease production of physical discs for PlayStation games starting January 2028, shifting to an all-digital future. This decision has sparked significant backlash from players concerned about anti-consumer practices and the loss of permanent ownership. In response, gamers have revisited a 2013 anti-DRM video featuring Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes, highlighting the perceived shift in Sony's player-centric stance.
Xbox Reportedly Testing Feature Allowing You To Digitize Physical Discs
Xbox is reportedly testing a new feature called 'Disc2Digital' that would allow users to digitize their physical game discs and add them to their Xbox account. This feature would only apply to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games, with older Xbox 360 discs not supported. The move comes amid industry trends towards digital-only releases and potential future console designs without disc drives.
Xbox might be following PlayStation's lead, as new reports claim Microsoft is testing a new disc-to-digital game feature called 'Positron', and the next-gen Project Helix console won't have a disc drive
New reports suggest Microsoft is testing a 'Positron' feature allowing Xbox users to convert physical game discs to digital formats for Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Concurrently, a next-generation console codenamed 'Project Helix' is rumored to launch without a disc drive, mirroring Sony's move away from physical media.
As PlayStation kills discs, former Blizzard boss says "we can't live in a world of fear if our games will work…
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has expressed concerns regarding Sony Interactive Entertainment's move towards an all-digital, disc-less future for PlayStation consoles, starting in January 2028. He urges platform holders to establish clear digital promises for consumers, ensure game accessibility in the long term, and innovate game sharing features to match the ease of physical disc lending.
Hideo Kojima's experimental Xbox exclusive, OD, is reportedly safe from Microsoft cuts
Hideo Kojima's upcoming experimental Xbox exclusive, OD, is reportedly safe from recent cancellations and funding cuts within the Xbox division. Despite Microsoft reevaluating its gaming priorities, sources indicate that OD will continue to be published by Xbox. The game, described as a new form of media blending film and gaming, is being developed by Kojima Productions and features involvement from director Jordan Peele.
Xbox reportedly to follow PlayStation's example and ditch discs for next-gen console Project Helix
Microsoft's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, is reportedly set to omit a disc drive, following Sony's rumored decision for the PlayStation 6. The company is also developing a feature to convert owned physical game discs into digital licenses, allowing players to play without inserting the disc, though this will not apply to older Xbox 360 or original Xbox titles.
Xbox sägs testa funktion för att digitalisera spelskivor
Xbox is reportedly testing a new feature that allows players to digitize their physical game discs, creating a digital license tied to the disc. This functionality is said to be limited to Xbox One and Xbox Series X games. The move comes as Sony plans to discontinue physical game releases on PlayStation consoles by 2028, raising questions about the future of physical media in gaming.
Evening Consolidation
Microsoft is reportedly testing a new Xbox feature aimed at preserving digital game collections as physical media declines. Meanwhile, PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for July have been announced, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, For the King II, and CrossCode.
A $1,000 PS6 or Xbox Would Repeat Gaming’s Biggest Pricing Mistake
The high price of the Steam Machine, exceeding even the PS5 Pro, raises concerns about the pricing of future consoles like the PlayStation 6 and upcoming Xbox hardware. The article discusses how traditional console manufacturers subsidize hardware costs through game sales and services, a model that may be unsustainable with rising component prices. It suggests that Sony and Microsoft should consider delaying their next-gen consoles to ensure a justifiable value proposition for consumers, otherwise, they risk alienating a significant portion of their market.
