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Gears of War: E-Day studio finds a way to get more performance from Xbox Series S - one that other Xbox games could probably use
The Coalition has developed a novel technique for Gears of War: E-Day to offload data to the Xbox Series S' NVMe SSD, effectively increasing usable system memory and improving performance. This method could potentially be adopted by other Xbox games, though it comes at a time of significant restructuring within Microsoft's gaming division, causing concern among staff.
Now that Halo 7 is over at Activision, Halo Studios releases concept art for their version of the FPS, teasing an "ancient, terrible creature" guarded by a timelock
Halo Studios, now a support studio for Activision's Halo development, has released concept art for their envisioned Halo 7. The art teases an "ancient, terrible creature" guarded by timelock technology on Zeta Halo, showcasing a potential direction for the franchise that will not be realized.
Games Inbox: Could GTA 6 be banned because of its sex scenes?
Readers discuss potential controversies surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6's adult content and the possibility of bans in the US. Other topics include the merits of remakes versus new IPs in series like Resident Evil and Metroid, and concerns about Microsoft's handling of studios like the one developing Gears of War: E-Day.
Gears of War: E-Day Studio Used The SSD as Extra Memory For Xbox Series S Version
The Coalition, developer of Gears of War: E-Day, utilized the Xbox Series S's SSD as supplementary RAM to overcome its 10 GB memory limitation compared to the Xbox Series X. This technique, while consuming storage, allowed for the dense environments in the game to be rendered on the less powerful console. Technical director Kate Rayner noted a performance penalty when overusing the method, but the team successfully achieved high-end visual fidelity.
Halo Studios’ Next Game May Have Featured The Mysterious Xalanyn Before Cancelation
Halo franchise writer Alex Wakeford discussed potential future projects, including the introduction of the mysterious Xalanyn entities, before a major reshuffling at Xbox. While Halo Studios is now tasked with supporting existing games, Activision is working on a new Halo title, aiming to create "the greatest Halo game ever." This comes amidst significant layoffs across Xbox studios, and reports indicate Halo Studios' next project was canceled.
Industry layoff watch: Supermassive, Ninja Theory, The Coalition, and a warning from Warhorse
Multiple game studios, including Supermassive Games, Ninja Theory, and The Coalition, have experienced significant layoffs and restructuring. Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is also mentioned in the context of industry consolidation. Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima warns that rising development costs may push studios to relocate to cheaper regions.
Halo Studios says "it is absolutely our intent" to release new Halo book, despite layoffs and a rumored lore reboot from Activision
Halo Studios is determined to release the upcoming Halo novel "Fireteam Noble" despite recent layoffs and a rumored lore reboot affecting the franchise. Franchise writer Alex Wakeford confirmed that significant editorial work has been completed and efforts are underway to ensure the book's completion, while also stating intent to finish the "Burn the Road Home" novella. The future of other Halo projects remains uncertain amidst these behind-the-scenes shakeups.
Hideo Kojima says Physint is "quite different" from Metal Gear: "I want plenty of new ideas and a…
Hideo Kojima has stated that his upcoming game, Physint, will be a different kind of spy action game, distinct from the Metal Gear series. While Sony has dropped out as publisher, Microsoft has stepped in. The game features Bill Skarsgård in the cast, with Kojima detailing how the collaboration came about.
Hideo Kojima Is Keeping OD A Mystery To Make Its Horror Hit Harder
Hideo Kojima is intentionally keeping his upcoming horror game OD shrouded in mystery to enhance the player's experience with fear. He stated on his radio show that unlike his usual marketing approach, he wants to reveal very little about OD to maximize the shock value. The game, which explores the concept of 'overdosing on fear,' is supported by Xbox and features actors Hunter Schafer and Sophia Lillis, with the late Udo Kier also appearing.
Report: Ninja Theory lays off workers after failing to spin off from Xbox
Ninja Theory is reportedly undergoing layoffs after Microsoft failed to find a buyer or a way to keep the studio operational under Xbox. The developer, acquired by Microsoft in 2018, has seen several employees post about their roles being at risk. This follows a broader "reset" within Xbox that led to 3200 job cuts and the successful divestiture of Undead Labs.
Why it's still worth making immersive sims
Former Arkane Studios collaborators Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, now co-founders of Black Pony Immersive, are committed to developing ambitious 'immersive sim' games. They discuss the challenges of creating these genre-defining titles without the backing of major publishers like Zenimax or Microsoft, emphasizing creativity and passion.
Ninja Theory developers announce they are facing redundancy, as the studio starts laying off staff following widespread Xbox cuts
Ninja Theory developers are facing redundancy as the studio begins layoffs following widespread cuts at Xbox. Despite attempts to sell the studio, proposed sale agreements fell through, leading to a consultation process and eventual job losses. This news comes after Xbox announced a major restructuring and 3,200 planned job cuts.
"Even if I knew how it would end, I would do it again": Hellblade developers Ninja Theory appear to have kicked off the redundancy process
Ninja Theory, the studio behind Hellblade, appears to have initiated a redundancy process following Microsoft's confirmation of its closure. Several developers have posted on LinkedIn about their roles being at risk, expressing sadness over unfinished projects and seeking new opportunities. The situation highlights the difficult realities of game development and studio closures.
Games Inbox: Is 2026 really the best year ever for video games?
Readers discuss whether 2026 could be the best year for video games, citing potential releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Ace Combat 8. Concerns are raised about the future cost of consoles from Sony and Microsoft, while PC gamers seek exclusive indie recommendations. The discussion also touches on potential DLC characters for Street Fighter 6 and the desire for remakes of classic titles like Final Fight and Cannon Fodder.
MMO Week in Review: Welcome back to Atreia
This week's MMO news roundup covers the official launch of Aion 2 in the West, the early access release of Monsters & Memories, and upcoming expansions for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Lord of the Rings Online's Wolves of Mordor expansion is set for an October 21st release, while World of Warcraft Forever teases new classes. The article also touches on layoffs at Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax and discusses the current state of the MMORPG genre.
Fans might not "pull out $1,000" for PS6 and Project Helix if all they can offer is marginal improvements,…
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden expressed skepticism that consumers will pay $1,000 for the PlayStation 6 or Project Helix if the technological improvements are only marginal. He believes that current-generation consoles are hitting a plateau where incremental upgrades like better ray tracing or more teraflops may not justify a significant price increase. Layden also commented on the challenges developers face with day-one releases on subscription services.
Gears of War E-Day wants you to enjoy the "terror in your face," no matter how you choose to play
The Coalition's Creative Director Matt Searcy and Sandbox Designer Pax Lyle discuss the development of Gears of War E-Day, emphasizing its return to the series' roots and the focus on "terror in your face." They detail the transition to Unreal Engine 5 and the efforts to ensure a consistent experience across PC and Xbox, while acknowledging the impact of recent layoffs on potential future stories.
Sea of Thieves shares work on Last Ship Standing, server tech, and file size ensmallening
Sea of Thieves developers shared updates on server technology experiments, including a 'Last Ship Standing' mode that faced performance issues with multiple galleons. Efforts to significantly reduce the game's file size for PC and Xbox users are showing positive results, with goals to halve installs for 4K users. The studio also briefly acknowledged recent changes at Rare Ltd. with Microsoft placing the studio under Activision's control.
Ex-PlayStation lead says it's "impossible" for devs to make a profit on Game Pass, even if Microsoft is:…
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden believes it's impossible for individual developers to turn a profit on subscription services like Xbox Game Pass, especially when games launch day-and-date. While Microsoft can profit from the service as a whole, Layden argues that developers aiming for profit sharing will struggle to break even. He contrasts this with PlayStation's approach and notes the economic challenges for AAA titles within such models.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Tipped to Set Bad Gaming Precedent
The $80 price point for Grand Theft Auto 6's standard edition is predicted by Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima to set a new, higher pricing precedent for games. Klima believes this increase is necessary for the industry's survival, despite the author's concerns that it could price out players and ignore the success of games with lower price points or different models.
