Xbox Game Studios
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Gears of War: E-Day review
Gears of War: E-Day offers excellent cover-based shooting mechanics and a strong multiplayer experience, but its main campaign is criticized for being an exhausting and overly long firefight. The game introduces some new mechanics and weapon upgrades, but the narrative struggles to justify its existence as a prequel.
Unlead Labs studio head says they were 'irresponsibly transparent' in preparing staff for layoffs
Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt stated that the studio was 'irresponsibly transparent' in preparing staff for layoffs following its divestiture from Xbox Game Studios. While the exact number of job losses was not confirmed, Holt emphasized that employees were informed about the likelihood of job cuts, which he believes was a courtesy despite the painful nature of the event. The studio is still working on State of Decay 3, with a projected 2027 release.
Xbox doesn't need the "console wars" – it has Hideo Kojima
Xbox is strategically leveraging its partnerships with Hideo Kojima for his upcoming games OD and Physint, turning Sony's alleged cancellation of a PlayStation exclusive into a significant gain for Xbox. This move capitalizes on Kojima's star power and fan loyalty, bolstering Xbox's image amidst its own corporate restructuring and Sony's controversial shift away from physical media.
Gears of War: E-Day – Surviving the First Night of Emergence
Gears of War: E-Day has launched worldwide on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Game Pass, and Steam, returning to the series' origins on Emergence Day. The game features Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago fighting the Locust Horde in an action-horror experience emphasizing cover-based combat, strategic weapon use, and survival against terrifying new enemies. It is built in Unreal Engine 5 and offers both campaign and multiplayer modes.
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.
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.
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 is Hideo Kojima so quiet about OD? "This time I don't want to reveal much," says Metal Gear and Death…
Hideo Kojima stated that despite the lack of recent news on his upcoming horror game OD, development is progressing steadily. He explained that the Screen Actors Guild strikes impacted shooting schedules, but work, including dubbing, is ongoing and expected to continue into 2027. Kojima also mentioned that Xbox was the only publisher that didn't find his pitch for OD "crazy."
This Week in Switch 2 - Zelda hype, Fortnitemares, Minecraft Live news, and the Xbox Reset continues
This episode of This Week in Switch 2 discusses the ongoing restructuring of Xbox game studios, with concerns raised about the future of Xbox fans. The hosts also touch upon news related to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Fortnite, Minecraft Live, and mention reviews for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and other games.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for October 5 to 9
This weekly feature highlights new games arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between October 5th and 9th. Titles include Gears of War: E-Day, STAR WARS: Galactic Racer, KINGDOM HEARTS Collection I-III, and many more across various genres.
Gears Of War: E-Day Has A Clever Solution To One Of PC Gaming’s Biggest Annoyances
Gears of War: E-Day introduces Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) on PC, a feature that significantly reduces the traditional shader compilation wait times. This technology pre-translates shader files, allowing players to jump into the game much faster, as demonstrated on the ASUS ROG Ally X. While the campaign is noted as distinctly Gears, with some criticism for its story and open areas, the innovative ASD feature is highlighted as a major improvement for PC players.
Gears Of War: E-Day review - the original third person shooter embraces co-op
Gears Of War: E-Day is a prequel that returns to the story of Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, but offers little new compared to the original game. While the action is solid and co-op gameplay is enjoyable, the game feels old-fashioned and overfamiliar, especially in single-player. The Coalition's lack of vision and ambition is highlighted as a key issue.
Emergence Day Begins – Gears Of War: E-Day Arrives On Xbox And PC
Gears of War: E-Day has launched for Xbox Series X|S and PC, taking players back to the pivotal Emergence Day fourteen years before the original game. Developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios, the third-person shooter features a rebuilt Unreal Engine 5, modernized combat, and enhanced Horde Siege and competitive multiplayer modes. The Premium Edition is available now for £89.99, with the Standard Edition releasing on October 6th for £59.99, and both are available through Game Pass.
Gears of War: E-Day is Available in Early Access Today, Watch the Launch Gameplay Trailer
Gears of War: E-Day has launched its early access for Premium Edition players and Game Pass subscribers today, October 1, with the full worldwide release scheduled for October 6. Developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios, the game is available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Steam, featuring cloud gaming via Game Pass Ultimate and GeForce NOW. The article highlights various tie-in merchandise and media, including apparel, a special pizza, a companion art book, and the official soundtrack.
Recension – Gears of War: E-Day
Gears of War: E-Day marks a return to the series' roots, with The Coalition delivering a prequel that blends survival horror elements with classic third-person shooter action. The game's early hours, focusing on Marcus and Dom's initial encounters with the Locust horde, are particularly strong, creating a fresh yet familiar experience. While the campaign offers some non-linear paths and promises robust multiplayer modes without battle passes, minor issues with sniper accuracy are noted.
Hands on: Gears of War: E-Day review-in-progress: "Gears is finally back firing on cylinders – this is the series' Halo 3 ODST moment"
Gears of War: E-Day offers a compelling setting and excellent third-person gunfights, with an adaptive cover system that makes combat dynamically chaotic. The devastated city of Kalona serves as a standout feat of level design, though melee combat and some weapon balance issues are noted drawbacks. The campaign is a triumph, restoring the series to the cutting edge of shooters.
Gears of War: E-Day review in progress — Good shooting, but the campaign's a slog
Gears of War: E-Day offers significantly improved gunplay and combat mechanics, making the core shooting experience more fluid and enjoyable than previous entries. However, the campaign is criticized for being overly long, repetitive, and lacking narrative justification, despite introducing some new weapons and enemy types. The review is in progress, with the final score pending a multiplayer evaluation.
Jobs roundup: October | Code Wizards Group appoints Catherine Bygrave as head of commercial
Several key figures have moved into new roles within the games industry. Michał Platkow-Gilewski was promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red, while Catherine Bygrave was appointed head of commercial at Code Wizards Group. Other notable appointments include Daniel Smith as executive producer at Playground Games, Gero Micciché as lead producer at 2K and Hangar 13 Games, and Tymon Smektala as executive producer at Bloober Team's Broken Mirror Games.
Jobs roundup: October | Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott voted chair of UKIE
Several key appointments have been made across the UK games industry. Harvey Elliott, CEO of Playstack, has been voted chair of UKIE, succeeding Maria Sayans. Murray Pannell joins Steel City Interactive as head of publishing, while Dean Anderson leads MV&P's APAC partnerships. Catherine Bygrave is the new head of commercial at Code Wizards Group, and Michał Platkow-Gilewski has been promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red.
Former Halo lead suggests three ways Activision could revive the legendary series, and urges the company to hire laid off Bungie staff
Former Halo franchise director Frank O'Connor has proposed three potential paths for Activision to revive the Halo series, including hiring laid-off developers from Bungie and Halo Studios. His suggestions range from creating a classic-style Halo to a complete reinvention or a Call of Duty-like annual release model.
