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Multiplayer survivalbox State of Decay 3 forges ahead with beta plans after July layoffs
Undead Labs announced that State of Decay 3 will undergo beta playtests before the end of the year, following earlier alpha tests. This indicates the game is progressing despite recent layoffs at the studio in July. The multiplayer survival game is slated for a 2027 release.
GTA 6 leak spree may be over as culprit runs off with almost £200,000
The perpetrator behind the Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks, known as Cyberleek, has seemingly cashed out approximately $270,000 from their cryptocurrency token, potentially ending the leak spree. Rockstar Games has been attempting to track down the individuals responsible, even filing subpoena requests against Discord and Microsoft. The leaks, which began on August 18, included gameplay videos and links to invest in Cyberleek's crypto token.
Xbox Gamescom 2026 Day Two: 19 Games and Announcements You Need to Know About | Invision Game Community
Xbox's second Gamescom 2026 showcase highlighted a diverse range of upcoming games, emphasizing discovery over blockbuster reveals. The presentation featured new titles like Rogue Fortune, PUBG: DED.NET, Cassette Beasts 2002, and Militsioner, alongside updates for established franchises such as Dune: Awakening, Planet Zoo 2, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Many of these titles will be available on Xbox Game Pass, showcasing the breadth of experiences coming to the Xbox ecosystem.
Xbox Gamescom 2026 Day One: The Biggest Reveals, Trailers and Games You Need to Know About | Invision Game
Xbox's Gamescom 2026 Day One showcase featured numerous reveals, including the Xbox Series X25 25th Anniversary Collection, new gameplay for Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, Persona 4 Revival, and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. Microsoft also announced its 'Disc to Digital' initiative, allowing physical game owners to claim digital entitlements. Several new titles like Dumpster Gang, Chosen by Odin, Exterminauts, and Gravhounds were also highlighted, alongside updates for Forza Horizon 6.
"Somebody will make the Half-Life 2 of AI" - after the Rideshare controversy, Saber CCO says something will come along and "change people's minds" about gen-AI
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes a groundbreaking game akin to "Half-Life 2 of AI" will emerge, changing public perception of generative AI in gaming. Despite recent controversy surrounding its use in "Rideshare Stimulator," Saber is experimenting with AI, with Willits emphasizing the need for innovation and the potential for AI to create new experiences, drawing parallels to the initial skepticism surrounding Steam.
Xbox is reportedly pitching movie and TV adaptations for "more than a dozen games" – including Elder…
Xbox is reportedly pitching movie and TV adaptation rights for over a dozen of its games, including Halo, The Elder Scrolls, World of Warcraft, and Diablo, to major streamers like Netflix, Paramount, and Universal. Microsoft is seeking around $300 million for potential deals, aiming to capitalize on the current trend of successful video game adaptations in Hollywood.
Sensor Tower: Netflix US mobile viewership increased 35% during GTA 6 extended preview
Netflix's mobile viewership in the US increased by 35% during the Grand Theft Auto 6 extended preview, with web traffic surging 125% and causing the streaming platform to crash. Sensor Tower data also indicated a 50% rise in mobile app users and reported 4.6 million pre-orders for GTA 6, predominantly for PlayStation 5. The article also touches on recent gameplay leaks and Rockstar Games' response.
Evening Reading - August 27, 2026
This article is a collection of news and internet happenings from August 27, 2026. It highlights new details about Grand Theft Auto 6, including a return to a 6-star wanted level system and various activities. Other topics include potential tariffs on gaming hardware, a review of Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, and a humorous KFC x Oreo collaboration in China.
Games Inbox: Was the GTA 6 Netflix show a disappointment?
Readers express mixed feelings about the Grand Theft Auto 6 extended preview, with some finding it dull and others impressed by the graphics. Discussions also touch upon the decline of physical media, digital refund policies, and the overall direction of the games industry.
Cyberattack Sparks ‘Global Disruption’ at Pacemaker Maker Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific confirmed a cyberattack is causing a global disruption to its operations, leading to thousands of staff being sent home and impacting shipping and order processing. The company has not provided a timeline for system restoration or commented on whether patients using its medical devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, are affected. This incident follows similar breaches at other health technology firms like Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, and Stryker.
Xbox CEO Plays Coy About Whether Elder Scrolls 6 Will Skip PlayStation
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma discussed the company's strategy regarding exclusive games, suggesting that Microsoft will continue to prioritize them. While she remained coy about The Elder Scrolls 6's platform status, documents from the Microsoft vs. FTC case indicated it was not planned for PlayStation 5. Sharma also addressed recent layoffs at Bethesda, acknowledging the impact on employee morale.
The Most Expensive Xbox Ever Sold Out, And People Are Already Flipping It For Thousands
Microsoft's limited-edition 25th-Anniversary Xbox Series X sold out immediately upon preorder, with many units being resold by scalpers for thousands of dollars. This situation echoes the console shortages experienced at the beginning of the current generation and highlights the ongoing issue of scalping impacting collectible markets.
Halo co-creator praises Witcher 3 Songs of the Past, wonders "what it would have been like if we’d kept…
Former Halo co-creator Joseph Staten expressed admiration for The Witcher 3's new expansion, Songs of the Past, and reflected on the potential for similar expansions for Halo games. He mused about how Halo 3 ODST-like expansions could have offered new stories and mechanics, though acknowledged this likely wouldn't have happened if Bungie had remained with Microsoft, thus preventing the creation of Destiny.
Xbox discs will now grant digital access to games as part of Microsoft's self-proclaimed 'broader commitment…
Microsoft is launching a new program for Xbox Insiders that allows physical game discs to grant digital access to titles, enabling play without the disc in the tray. This initiative is framed as a commitment to game preservation and aims to help players transition their libraries. The feature will initially support thousands of titles and offers access via Xbox Play Anywhere and Cloud Gaming.
Saber exec: The game industry must look beyond North America and dilute risk
Saber Interactive's Tim Willits argues the game industry needs to look beyond North America to mitigate rising development costs and financial risks. He highlights Saber's success with titles like SnowRunner and World War Z, which were developed economically with smaller teams, contrasting this with the expensive, overscoped projects often seen from North American publishers. Willits also advocates for slate funding and co-development to dilute risk and ensure profitability.
Xbox Series X X25 Special Edition pre-orders go live today, here's where to grab the console and controller
Pre-orders for the special edition Xbox Series X 25th Anniversary console and controller are now live at select retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy. The console, priced at $899.99 and bundled with Halo: Campaign Evolved, features a translucent green design. The accompanying controller is available for $79.99.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma once again stresses Xbox's need for affordability
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reiterated the company's need for affordability and efficiency, particularly in light of rising component costs and recent layoffs. She emphasized that the entire industry must innovate to offer players more choices in how they purchase and play consoles. Sharma also touched upon the company's disc-to-digital program.
If You Thought Console Prices Were Too High, Things Could Get Even Worse
The US administration is reportedly considering new tariffs on imported computer chips, which could lead to increased prices for gaming consoles, laptops, and servers. This potential move aims to encourage foreign tech companies to build manufacturing plants within the US. Previous tariffs have impacted console prices, with companies like Sony and Nintendo benefiting from tariff refunds, though these were not passed on to consumers.
Former PlayStation Studios President Praises Xbox’s Solution To A Digital-Only Future
Former PlayStation Studios President Shuhei Yoshida praised Microsoft's new disc-to-digital program as a "great move by team Xbox." This initiative allows Xbox users to obtain a digital license for their physical games, ensuring playability in a future potentially without disc drives, a contrast to Sony's current approach for PlayStation.
I barely remember the last time Nvidia mentioned gaming at all in an earnings call
Nvidia's latest earnings call reveals a significant shift in company priorities, with the data center and artificial intelligence segments now dominating revenue and strategic focus. Gaming, once a core business, is no longer reported as a separate segment and has minimal impact on the company's bottom line, despite the continued release of high-end GPUs like the RTX 50-series.
