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Minecraft, Call Of Duty Community Servers Are “Illegal,” Claims ESA Rep
An Entertainment Software Association (ESA) representative claimed that private community servers for Minecraft and Call of Duty are illegal and constitute piracy. Jennifer Gibbons, the ESA's vice president of state government affairs, argued that these servers are not affiliated with Microsoft and do not adhere to the same safety standards as official servers. The 'Stop Killing Games' movement has vowed to continue advocating for game preservation and the legality of community servers in future legislation.
Microsoft reportedly add Arkane and their Blade game to the potential shuttering pile
Microsoft is reportedly considering shutting down Arkane Studios and canceling the Blade game, with potential layoffs affecting up to 1000 employees across Xbox. Other studios like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are also rumored to be on the chopping block. The company is also reportedly divesting its partnership with IO Interactive on Project Fantasy.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
Rumor: Microsoft’s next layoffs are poised to hit Blizzard, Bethsoft, and Undead Labs
Rumors suggest Microsoft is planning significant layoffs across several of its gaming studios, including Undead Labs, Blizzard Entertainment, and Bethesda Softworks. These cuts are reportedly the largest for Xbox and come as the company evaluates its recent Activision Blizzard acquisition. Unionized workers at Xbox are reportedly organizing to negotiate over potential job losses.
PS6 could cost nearly $1,000 USD just to produce
A leaker suggests the PlayStation 6 could cost nearly $1,000 USD to produce due to rising component prices, particularly for RAM and SSDs driven by the AI boom. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino indicated that the company may not absorb all increased costs, implying higher retail prices for future consoles. This trend is also impacting sales of current-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Rykte: State of Decay 3-utvecklaren Undead Labs riskerar också stängning
Recent reports suggest that Microsoft may be considering closing or selling Undead Labs, the developer of the highly anticipated State of Decay 3. This follows unconfirmed information that Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and Compulsion Games are also facing potential closures or sales. Microsoft is reportedly planning to make these decisions in early July.
Hideo Kojima’s OD Is Reportedly Safe From Upcoming Xbox Cuts
Hideo Kojima's upcoming Xbox console-exclusive horror game, OD, is reportedly safe from potential studio closures and game cancellations at Xbox. Despite widespread rumors of layoffs and restructuring within Xbox, a source indicates OD remains in development at Kojima Productions and will still be published by Xbox. This news comes as Xbox undergoes changes under new CEO Asha Sharma, with several other studios and games reportedly facing uncertainty.
Microsoft pulls out of IO Interactive’s Project Fantasy
Microsoft has ended its partnership with IO Interactive on the upcoming fantasy RPG Project Fantasy, which was intended to be an Xbox exclusive. IO Interactive is committed to continuing the project despite the setback and is implementing staffing changes. Microsoft stated this decision reflects a shift in investment focus rather than a reduction in overall gaming investment.
Xbox Focusing On “Highest Priorities,” Claims It’s Not Cutting Back Overall Spending On Games
Microsoft's Xbox division is re-focusing its spending on 'highest priorities,' leading to the cancellation of funding for IO Interactive's Project Fantasy. A spokesperson stated that overall investment in games remains the same as last year, but the types of projects being backed are changing. This shift is part of a broader business 'reset' at Xbox, which may include layoffs and studio changes.
Hideo Kojima's Xbox Horror Game, OD, Is Safe From Microsoft's 'Reset' Plan, but Other Games Are on the Chopping Block
Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror game OD, developed in partnership with Xbox, is reportedly safe from Microsoft's recent business 'reset' plans. While OD is secure, other games within the Xbox ecosystem may be affected by these strategic changes.
IO Interactive to lay off employees after Xbox pulls support for untitled fantasy game
IO Interactive is laying off employees after Microsoft-owned Xbox withdrew funding and publishing support for its in-development fantasy game, codenamed 'Project Fantasy.' The studio confirmed the news on X, stating they must adapt to the consequences, including staffing decisions, and are committed to supporting those affected. Xbox stated they are re-evaluating investments to focus on their highest priorities, though overall investment in games remains the same.
Memory manufacturers sued in class action suit alleging price and supply fixing
Memory manufacturers Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are facing a class-action lawsuit alleging they fixed component prices and reduced supply. The suit claims the companies coordinated their exit from DDR3 and DDR4 RAM production to focus on high-bandwidth memory for AI data centers, leading to significant price increases. This alleged manipulation has impacted console manufacturers like Sony and Nintendo, who have cited memory shortages as a factor in recent hardware price hikes.
Ahead of next week's expected Xbox bloodbath, IO Interactive loses funding for its online fantasy RPG
IO Interactive has lost external funding for its online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, leading to anticipated layoffs. Microsoft confirmed it was the partner that pulled funding as it re-evaluates its investments. This news comes shortly after the successful launch of 007 First Light, but casts a shadow over the future of Project Fantasy and potentially other studios working with Microsoft.
Microsoft Considering Cancelling Blade And Selling Arkane
Microsoft is reportedly considering cancelling the game Marvel's Blade and potentially selling Arkane Studios amidst widespread layoffs. The future of Arkane's Blade project, announced in 2023, is uncertain as the company undergoes significant restructuring.
Io Interactive Laying Off Staff After Partner Withdraws from Project Fantasy
IO Interactive has announced layoffs following the withdrawal of funding for their new intellectual property, Project Fantasy, by an external partner, rumored to be Microsoft. Despite the setback, the company remains committed to the project's completion. This decision comes amid broader shifts within Xbox's business strategy under new leadership.
Xbox could cancel Marvel's Blade and close Arkane in July bloodbath, report says, or the studio may be sold off
Xbox is reportedly considering closing or selling Arkane Studios and canceling its game Marvel's Blade due to budget and release date issues. This is part of a larger wave of layoffs expected in July as Microsoft aims to cut costs. Other studios like Arkane Austin and Compulsion Games have also faced closures or struggles.
Report: Xbox considering sale or closure of Arkane, other studios, as layoffs loom
A report suggests Xbox is considering selling or closing several studios, including Arkane Studios, Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, as part of a major 'reset' under new CEO Asha Sharma. The upcoming game 'Blade' is reportedly over budget and may be canceled. Mass layoffs affecting over a thousand roles are also anticipated across Xbox in early July, following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Microsoft Could Cancel Marvel’s Blade And Close Its Developer
Microsoft is reportedly considering cancelling the upcoming Marvel's Blade game and potentially closing its developer, Arkane Studios. The game, originally slated for 2026 but delayed to late 2027 and over budget, has not had gameplay footage released since its 2023 announcement. This potential closure is part of broader plans for studio restructuring and layoffs within Xbox, which are expected to begin in July.
Opinion: Everything hurts and no one knows when the pain will end
The article discusses the ongoing financial struggles and mass layoffs within the game industry, attributing them to a combination of economic factors, executive mismanagement, and alleged abuses of power. The author, Bryant Francis, shares personal coping mechanisms for dealing with the constant stream of bad news and emphasizes the need for the industry to learn from past mistakes.
Microsoft Reportedly Considering Canceling Marvel's Blade and Shutting Arkane Down
Microsoft is reportedly considering canceling the development of Marvel's Blade and potentially shutting down its developer, Arkane Studios. This news comes amid broader industry trends of project cancellations and studio closures.