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Leaks suggest Xbox Cloud Gaming could bring back lost classics
Leaks suggest Microsoft is testing the reintroduction of classic Xbox 360 titles, including Aegis Wing and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, through Xbox Cloud Gaming. This initiative aligns with Microsoft's broader goals for backward compatibility and could potentially be packaged in a new Game Pass tier.
Sunday Legal Briefs
Tech companies are reportedly attempting to weaken Colorado's new right-to-repair law. This legislation aims to give consumers and independent repair shops greater access to parts, tools, and diagnostic information for electronic devices.
Veteran Halo Developer Accuses Studio of "Unethical and Unlawful Acts"
Former Halo Infinite art director Glenn Israel has accused Halo Studios and Microsoft of unethical and unlawful acts, including blacklisting, fraud, and harassment, leading to his termination. Israel alleges that Microsoft's HR department mishandles complaints and uses layoffs to mask retaliation. Other former staff members have corroborated similar experiences.
Former Nintendo sales lead believes Switch 2 price will inevitably go up
A former Nintendo employee believes the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 will inevitably increase due to global economic factors like inflation, tariffs, and rising costs for components such as memory and helium. He suggests that Nintendo might be using software pricing strategies to make a potential hardware price hike more acceptable to consumers.
PlayStation Studios Quietly Removes PC References From Website
PlayStation Studios has removed nearly all references to PC gaming from its official websites, causing concern among PC players about Sony's commitment to the platform. This move follows the release of several PlayStation exclusives on PC, such as God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn, and raises questions about future PC ports and Sony's overall platform strategy.
Sony has not choice but to release the PS6 in 2027 but it’s huge risk - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that Sony has no choice but to release the PlayStation 6 around 2027, despite current market conditions and low perceived demand. The article suggests that due to the long development cycle and significant investment, abandoning the project is not feasible, and Sony must proceed to recoup costs, even amidst global economic uncertainty and potential supply chain issues.
Halo: Campaign Evolved is Content Complete, Features a Skin System – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Halo: Campaign Evolved is content complete and will feature a skin system for armor and weapons, with some designs potentially being modified or cut before release. The game is expected to be revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7th and may launch in July or August for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
'We Were Forced to Change': Sony CEO Outlines Shift to Entertainment, and Says PS5 Must Be the Best Place to Play
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki outlined the company's strategic shift from consumer electronics to entertainment, which now accounts for over 60% of its revenue. He emphasized that PlayStation must remain the premier platform for both players and publishers. Despite this focus, Totoki admitted he is not a big gamer himself but enjoys music and TV dramas.
Halo director alleges he experienced ‘multiple harassment campaigns’ and ‘blacklisting, fraud, rampant favoritism’ at Halo Studios
Former 343 Industries art director Glenn Israel has accused Microsoft and Halo Studios executives of orchestrating "multiple harassment campaigns," blacklisting, fraud, and rampant favoritism. Israel alleges that these actions were designed to create grounds for the termination of employees, and that HR departments failed to act. He also claims Microsoft uses layoffs to remove employees who have filed complaints.
The latest on the Artemis II mission to the moon, and more science stories
The Artemis II mission has passed the halfway point to the moon with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen aboard the Orion spacecraft. Despite minor technical issues with a Surface Pro and a toilet, the mission is proceeding well, with the spacecraft completing its translunar injection burn. Separately, undergraduate students from the University of Chicago discovered a potentially ancient star, SDSSJ0715-7334, using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.
Ex-Bethesda Dev Says Todd Howard’s ‘Yes Men’ Culture Hurt Fallout, Skyrim
A former Bethesda developer has criticized Todd Howard's leadership, alleging a 'yes men' culture that negatively impacted the development of Fallout and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The developer claims fear of disagreeing with Howard stifled productive feedback, a concern that resurfaces amid mixed reception for Starfield and anticipation for The Elder Scrolls VI.
Gamers Are Just Realising This Massive Change to Xbox Game Pass – And It’s a Big Deal | Invision Game
Players are noticing subtle but significant changes in how Xbox Game Pass is being marketed and how long games remain available on the service. While still considered a strong value, these shifts are sparking community discussion about Microsoft's evolving strategy for its subscription offering.
Subscription service for indie games gets a rough reception
A new subscription service called Indie Pass has launched, offering a curated catalog of indie games for $6.99 per month. The service has faced criticism regarding its revenue model, which compensates developers based on playtime, and concerns about not owning the games. While some see potential for discoverability, many express skepticism about adding another recurring charge and launcher.
PS6 might be closer than you think, and it’s not coming alone
Recent leaks suggest Sony is developing the PlayStation 6 and a new standalone handheld console, potentially launching sooner than expected. Details also emerged about a new 'PlayGo' feature for efficient game downloads and rumors of a more cost-efficient PS6 design that could be priced under $1,000.
It seems PlayStation is scrubbing any mention of ‘PC’ from its websites—gee I wonder why
Sony appears to be removing mentions of PC from its PlayStation Studios website descriptions, shifting focus back to console exclusivity. This move follows rumors that the company is distancing itself from the PC market, contrasting with Xbox's strategy and Steam's expansion.
The Artemis II crew snapped some mesmerizing photos of Earth
The Artemis II crew captured stunning photographs of Earth during their journey around the Moon, with Commander Reid Wiseman sharing images taken from the Orion capsule. These photos showcase detailed views of our planet, including auroras and zodiacal light. The mission serves as a crucial test for future deep space travel, with a planned return to the Moon for Artemis IV in 2028.
Much like the game’s zombies, State of Decay 3 is somehow still alive
State of Decay 3 is still in development at Undead Labs, with alpha playtests scheduled to begin in May. Franchise co-creator Brant Fitzgerald highlighted the importance of community feedback, with playtests featuring four-player co-op, base building, and combat. The game will be available for Xbox and PC upon its eventual release.
State of Decay 3 springs back to life to announce alpha tests in May
Undead Labs has announced that alpha playtests for the zombie survival game State of Decay 3 will begin in May. This marks the first significant update on the title since its 2020 announcement, with co-creator Brant Fitzgerald hinting at four-player co-op, new base-building mechanics, and extensive combat. Players can register for a chance to participate in the alpha tests on the official State of Decay website.
World of Warcraft players debate a possible dedicated controller-based interface floated by Blizzard
Blizzard Entertainment's Holly Longdale asked World of Warcraft players about their interest in a dedicated controller-based UI. While the question was solely about interface options, discussions on Reddit touched upon potential console ports and ability rebalancing, with many expressing negative sentiment towards such changes.
PS5 Power Saver Yet Again Tipped as PS6 Handheld 'Trojan Horse'
A persistent rumor suggests Sony's PlayStation 5 Power Saver mode is a 'Trojan horse' for an upcoming PlayStation 6 handheld device. Hardware analyst Moore's Law Is Dead claims new developer documentation supports this hypothesis, indicating the mode's scaling matches leaked specs for a purported portable platform. The article also mentions a new initiative called PlayGo, which allows developers to scale assets based on the console being used, further fueling speculation about Sony's handheld ambitions.
