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Trots hyllningarna – Forza Horizon måste våga mer
Despite critical acclaim and commercial success, Forza Horizon 6 is criticized for relying too heavily on its established formula, drawing parallels to repetitive franchises like Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed. The article urges developer Playground Games to take more risks and innovate to avoid player fatigue, even as the game achieves record-breaking player numbers for Xbox.
Summer Game Fest 2026 date and times - plus State of Play, Nintendo, and more
Summer Game Fest 2026 will kick off with Sony's State of Play on June 2nd, featuring Marvel's Wolverine, followed by the main Summer Game Fest showcase on June 5th. Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase is scheduled for June 7th, with Nintendo's Direct expected mid-June. The event season also includes various other showcases like the Women-Led Games Showcase, Access-Ability Summer Showcase, and the PC Gaming Show.
Yes, Fable is still coming to PS5 despite Xbox's plans to "reevaluate our approach to exclusivity," and Playground Games confirms the RPG isn't getting delayed, either
Playground Games has confirmed that the upcoming RPG Fable will launch on PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC. Despite recent statements from Microsoft about reevaluating exclusivity, Fable remains a multi-platform release. The game is still on track for a late 2026 release.
AI Yi-Yi!
Jeff Bezos has criticized individuals who express skepticism about artificial intelligence, downplaying concerns regarding job displacement for younger workers. He also defended the role of billionaires and Donald Trump, while Microsoft acknowledged certain aspects of AI development.
GTA 6 is changing Xbox’s strategy for 2026
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto VI, slated for November 19, 2026, is significantly impacting release schedules across the industry, forcing publishers to adjust their plans. Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly rescheduling major first-party titles like Fable and Gears of War Emergence Day to avoid direct competition with the highly anticipated release. This strategic shift highlights the immense influence of major game launches on market attention and sales.
Layoffs imminent at Bungie, former BioWare devs launch new studio, and GTA VI still on for November - Patch Notes #53
Bungie is reportedly planning significant layoffs following the end of Destiny 2's active development, shifting focus to Marathon. Meanwhile, former BioWare and Inflexion Games developers have launched a new studio called Studio Reset. Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on track for a November 2026 release, though its price remains unconfirmed. Additionally, Embracer Group plans to spin off major franchises and studios, and Xbox has updated its adaptive thumbstick toppers.
Call of Duty 2026 is reportedly another Modern Warfare game from Infinity Ward
Reports suggest that Infinity Ward is developing the Call of Duty game for 2026, which is expected to continue the rebooted Modern Warfare series. While not officially confirmed by Activision, the game is rumored to be a successor to Modern Warfare 3 and may release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Despite Microsoft's ownership of Activision, the game is not expected to launch day one on Game Pass.
"People want MMOs, and the sales of New World proved it" – Cryptic Studios head Jack Emmert on why MMOs are ripe for reinvention
Cryptic Studios CEO Jack Emmert believes the MMORPG market is still strong, citing the sales of New World as proof, despite recent cancellations. He argues that successful MMOs should focus on a distinct vision and niche audience rather than trying to appeal to everyone, which often leads to diluted experiences. Emmert also emphasizes the importance of rapid prototyping and controlled scope for long-term success in the genre.
ByoWave Proteus Controller Explained: How Modular Accessibility Pads Could Change Xbox Play
The ByoWave Proteus Controller for Xbox offers a modular approach to accessibility, allowing players to customize its shape and button layout to fit their individual needs and comfort levels. This "Designed for Xbox" device aims to address issues like hand strain, limited reach, and one-handed play, differentiating itself from traditional enthusiast controllers by adapting to the player rather than the other way around. While priced at $299 and requiring some experimentation, the Proteus represents a significant step towards a more flexible and inclusive gaming experience on Xbox.
The lost art of video game announcements – or come back E3, all is forgiven
The article discusses the decline in excitement surrounding video game announcements, attributing it to publishers opting for less engaging methods like blog posts and tweets over traditional, drawn-out reveal campaigns. This shift, driven by perceived cost-saving and a desire to avoid player fatigue, has led to a loss of anticipation and an increase in leaks, diminishing the impact of official reveals.
You can now add ChatGPT to PowerPoint
Users can now integrate ChatGPT into Microsoft PowerPoint to generate slides using AI. This feature allows for quicker content creation directly within the presentation software. The integration is available to most users starting today.
Microsoft's Xbox controller refresh kills its underused accessory port
Microsoft has discontinued the use of its accessory port on new Xbox controllers, effectively rendering accessories like Chatpads obsolete. This change impacts the compatibility of older peripherals with the latest controller hardware.
XBOX Celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day with Improved Adaptive Thumbstick Toppers and More
Xbox is celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day with updates to its Adaptive Thumbstick Toppers, including a new Goal Post shape available through Xbox Design Lab. The company also refreshed its Accessible Gaming page on Xbox.com for easier navigation of features and tools. Several games like Forza Horizon 6, Kiln, Sea of Thieves, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 are highlighted for their ongoing commitment to inclusive design and accessibility features.
Destiny 2 is dead, long live Destiny 3? 'Until I see the words Destiny 3 will never happen, I'm going to…
Bungie has announced that its final live service update for Destiny 2 will arrive in June, after which the studio will shift focus to other projects, including the recently launched Marathon. This news has led to speculation among fans and content creators about the potential for a Destiny 3, with some expressing optimism about the series' future despite recent layoffs and a perceived downturn in the studio's fortunes.
Warhammer Skulls 2026 – All The News and Updates for XBOX
The 10th anniversary Warhammer Skulls festival brought numerous game announcements, updates, and discounts for Xbox platforms. Highlights include new trailers and gameplay reveals for Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Deathwatch, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2, and Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Deathmaster. Several titles received free updates or DLC, and many games are available through Xbox Game Pass and Free Play Days.
Logitech and Thrustmaster lead Forza Horizon 6's sim racing compatibility during launch week, with "additional support coming in update" for Nacon, Moza, and Turtle Beach
Logitech and Thrustmaster wheels have full compatibility at launch for Forza Horizon 6, with additional support planned for Nacon, Moza, and Turtle Beach peripherals in future updates. Players are advised to update drivers and firmware for all steering wheel devices to ensure optimal performance, even for those with partial support.
Japanese Charts: Switch 2 Sales Continue To Spike Ahead Of Price Increase
Nintendo Switch hardware sales in Japan have seen a significant spike ahead of an upcoming price increase. The Nintendo Switch 2 model sold 217,922 units in one week, surpassing the previous week's total. The original Nintendo Switch models also continue to perform well, outselling the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles in the region.
PlayStation's dynamic pricing experiment, and Sony's lack of transparency about it, reportedly might violate European law
Sony's recent dynamic pricing experiments on the PlayStation Store may violate European Union consumer law due to a lack of transparency. Experts suggest that failing to clearly communicate personalized pricing to users contravenes EU Directive 2011/83/EU. While Microsoft also uses personalized pricing on Xbox, they disclose it, unlike Sony's undisclosed methods which could lead to fines or competition law issues.
Morning Safety Dance
Microsoft is phasing out SMS-based two-factor authentication for sign-ins, a move that could impact user security. Separately, a hacker group is reportedly poisoning open-source code at an unprecedented scale, posing a significant threat to software supply chains.
Room 8 Group appoints Juanita Draude as Chief Executive Officer
Room 8 Group has appointed Juanita Draude as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a new phase of growth for the external game development partner. Draude brings over 20 years of experience in media, technology, and entertainment to the role. Her appointment signifies Room 8 Group's continued focus on becoming an integrated, technology-driven partner for game developers and publishers.
