Minecraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking Minecraft across the outlets.
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Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Bethesda has removed Denuvo from Doom: The Dark Ages. Additionally, Subnautica 2 will receive an update allowing players to 'stun' fish instead of killing them. The article also briefly mentions new developments in Minecraft.
New Minecraft Update Finally Allows Players to Sit Down
A new update for Minecraft has introduced the ability for players to sit down, a feature previously only available through mods. This addition is being well-received by the player base for its simplicity and long-awaited implementation.
After nearly 15 years, Minecraft finally lets us camp anywhere in its ever-generating worlds without resetting our spawn
Minecraft's latest update for Bedrock Edition introduces Straw Beds, allowing players to sleep through the night and retain their spawn point without resetting it. These single-use beds can be crafted from Hay Bales or found in new Abandoned Camps, which also feature procedural trees. The update also adds craftable Cushions in 16 colors for decorative purposes.
Xbox’s New Plan After Brutal Cuts: Focus On The Thing Called Xbox
Following significant layoffs, Xbox is refocusing its strategy on its core business, including its flagship console hardware and major IPs like Minecraft. This shift aims to address issues like spreading resources too thin and declining hardware revenue, despite industry-wide cost increases and component shortages. The restructuring also involves making some studios independent or selling them off.
Xbox retreats again – but to where? | Opinion
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees across various studios as part of a company 'reset' to focus on profitable franchises. This move raises questions about the future of Xbox's first-party strategy, its Game Pass subscription service, and the upcoming console generation, particularly given the high cost of components and the blurring lines between PC and console gaming.
Xbox has lost five studios – so who is left to make new video games?
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 staff members and leading to five studios divesting from the company. Xbox leadership aims to refocus on core franchises and expand its daily audience to over a billion people through its services. The article details the remaining studios, their current projects, and their future prospects under this new strategy.
Xbox Wants To Entertain 1 Billion People Every Day. It Can’t Even Explain How
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined a goal for the company to entertain over one billion people daily, a target that seems ambitious given recent layoffs and the current reach of Xbox services. While mobile games like Candy Crush and Minecraft, along with other Microsoft titles, contribute to daily active users, they fall significantly short of the one billion mark. The strategy for achieving this goal, particularly through mobile gaming and potentially third-party titles, remains unclear.
While several Xbox studios regained independence or found new owners yesterday, Arkane's staff must negotiate their own future
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, spinning off five studios and implementing widespread layoffs. While some studios regain independence or find new owners, the fate of Arkane Studios, specifically Arkane Lyon in France, remains undecided as negotiations involving Microsoft, studio management, and employee representatives are ongoing. This situation highlights differing labor law protections between France and the US, with Arkane Lyon's future potentially involving sale, management buyout, or closure.
What Keeps Players Engaged Beyond Their Favorite Games and Why? | Invision Game Community
This article explores the psychological hooks and retention mechanics that keep players engaged with video games beyond their initial enjoyment. It discusses the substitution effect, the importance of social connections and virtual communities, and how dopamine loops and unpredictable rewards contribute to long-term player investment. The analysis also touches on how different genres utilize specific mechanics to maintain player interest and how games can serve as a form of escapism and therapeutic routine.
Xbox Moves On From 4 Studios and Layoffs Off Thousands of Others
Xbox has announced significant restructuring, impacting over 1600 employees and planning for another 1600 over the next two fiscal years. Four studios—Double Fine Productions, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs—will become independent or be acquired by new entities, retaining their intellectual property. Numerous other studios, including Zenimax Online, Id Software, Obsidian, and Bethesda Game Studios, are also undergoing substantial layoffs as Xbox refocuses on its major franchises like Call of Duty, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Halo, and Minecraft.
Top 20 Best Minecraft 1.20.3 Seeds
This guide lists the top 20 best Minecraft 1.20.3 seeds for both Bedrock and Java players, focusing on structures and biomes relevant to the Trails and Tales update, including Warm Ocean Ruins, Trail Ruins, Ancient Cities, and Cherry Groves. The article highlights specific seeds that offer unique starting locations and resource opportunities for players interested in the game's archaeology features and exploration.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself Alive
Xbox is undergoing a massive restructuring, including 3,200 layoffs, impacting numerous studios and divisions like Activision, Bethesda, and Blizzard. While some studios regain independence and first-party projects remain safe for now, the article criticizes Xbox's overall strategy, citing Game Pass's performance and declining hardware revenue. The piece also touches on PlayStation's similar issues with digital ownership and preservation, painting a bleak picture for the future of gaming costs and ownership.
Epic Games settles lawsuit against former contractor accused of leaking unannounced Fortnite collaborations
Epic Games has settled a lawsuit against a former contractor, Hayden Cohen, accused of leaking confidential information about unannounced Fortnite collaborations, including those with Minecraft and Game of Thrones. The settlement prohibits Cohen from possessing, using, or disclosing any of Epic's confidential or trade secret information. This action follows similar legal pursuits by other major game companies against prolific leakers.
Get Discounts On 300+ Items During Minecraft Marketplace’s Summer Sale
The Minecraft Marketplace is holding a Summer Sale offering discounts of up to 33% on over 300 items for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. Additionally, a daily Doorbuster sale features two deals per day at 75% off until July 14. The sale runs until July 28.
3 200 sägs upp och 4 studios lämnar Xbox
Xbox is undergoing significant restructuring, with 3,200 employees being laid off, 1,600 immediately, and four studios leaving the Xbox family. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will become independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are being sold. The company is also streamlining management levels and appointing its first Chief Operating Officer, Helen Chiang. These changes come as Xbox faces lower profit margins and a shrinking player base, despite continued investment in Game Pass.
Xbox Announces Biggest Restructure in Company History as Thousands of Jobs Are Cut | Invision Game Community
Xbox is undergoing its largest restructuring, involving approximately 3,200 job cuts and changes to its studio structure. Xbox President Asha Sharma stated the current business model is unsustainable due to increasing costs and slower-than-expected growth. Several studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will become independent, while others like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are expected to transition to new ownership.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wants the company to "entertain more than a billion people" every day: here's why that's a deeply unrealistic thing to say
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated her ambition for the company to entertain over a billion people daily, a goal that significantly exceeds current industry peaks like Fortnite and Roblox. This statement follows news of Xbox studios splitting off and approximately 3,600 layoffs. While challenging, Sharma believes this can be achieved, potentially leveraging King's mobile success with Candy Crush to reach the ambitious target.
Building Round Shapes in Minecraft: Perfect Circles Guide - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
This guide explains how to build perfect round shapes in Minecraft, transforming builds from functional to architectural. It details the use of a perfect circle generator, which employs the Bresenham algorithm to create the best possible block approximations of circles. The article also covers applying these techniques to various build elements like crop circles, fountains, and window frames, and discusses integrating round shapes with rectangular structures.
Xbox appoints Mojang Head of Studios Helen Chiang as its first COO
Xbox has appointed Helen Chiang, previously the Head of Studios at Mojang, as its first Chief Operating Officer. Chiang will report to CEO Asha Sharma and will be responsible for organizing Xbox's business and investments. This appointment comes as Xbox undergoes significant organizational changes, including studio restructuring and layoffs.
ZeniMax's pivot to big series amid Xbox cuts reportedly isn't a death knell for Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein
Xbox has announced significant layoffs and studio restructuring, affecting studios like Double Fine and Arkane, while shifting focus towards established franchises such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls for ZeniMax Media. Despite these changes, core series like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein will continue development. Mojang Studios will now report directly to CEO Asha Sharma, with increased investment planned for Minecraft.
