Xbox Game Studios
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Halo’s Next Game Is Coming From An Unexpected Developer: Activision
Microsoft has announced that Activision will develop the next Halo game, establishing a new team for the franchise while a smaller team at Halo Studios continues to support existing titles. This change coincides with significant layoffs impacting Halo Studios and other Xbox developers, as part of a broader reorganization under Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
CONFIRMED: Microsoft Hands Halo to Call of Duty Developer Activision as Part of Huge Xbox Studios Shakeup
Microsoft has confirmed that Activision will develop the next mainline Halo game, following significant layoffs and a major restructure of its Xbox Studios. This decision shifts the development of the iconic franchise away from its original studio.
Xbox’s next wave of layoffs and game studio consolidation is reportedly happening this week
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly preparing for another wave of layoffs and studio consolidation this week, affecting hundreds of game developers. This follows previous cuts that impacted ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online. The potential consolidation also includes Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard.
Xbox reportedly set to lay off hundreds more staff and "consolidate" several game studios in second round of major cuts this year
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly preparing for a second wave of significant layoffs, with hundreds of employees expected to be affected. The company is also rumored to be consolidating several of its game studios, including those under Bethesda, Activision, and Blizzard. This follows earlier cuts in July and a shift in focus towards established franchises.
The Witcher 3 will be free on PC for Xbox players next week, CD Projekt Red confirms, all thanks to the RPG's new…
CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher 3 Remastered will be available via Xbox Play Anywhere on September 29, allowing Xbox players to receive the PC version for free. This remaster is also a free upgrade for existing owners of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The article also briefly mentions upcoming titles like The Witcher 4 and a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel.
Hideo Kojima doesn't know if Physint will release on PlayStation after Xbox picked up publishing duties, and hasn't "decided" if he'll use the Sony-owned Decima engine, either
Hideo Kojima has stated that the upcoming game Physint, now being published by Xbox Game Studios, has not yet decided on its game engine. He also expressed uncertainty about whether the game will still release on PlayStation platforms following the shift in publishing.
After Forza Horizon, Fable devs wanted to prove "we could cut it in a different genre," lead says: "There…
Playground Games, known for the Forza Horizon series, is developing the upcoming Fable title, aiming to prove their capability in a different genre. Studio co-founder Ralph Fulton highlighted that the open-world nature of Fable allows them to leverage transferable skills from their racing game experience. The team's passion for the Fable franchise was a significant factor in their decision to take on the project.
Gears of War: E-Day system requirements require ray tracing-capable graphics card to play, alongside 115 GB of free…
The Coalition has revealed the system requirements for Gears of War: E-Day, mandating a ray tracing-capable graphics card for all players and 115 GB of SSD storage. High-end configurations targeting 4K resolution at 60 FPS with Ultra settings require hardware like an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT, while minimum requirements include an RTX 2060 or RX 6600. The game will support DLSS, FSR, and XeSS upscaling technologies at launch.
Fable lead says "every single member of the team is first and foremost" a fan of the original RPG trilogy
Fable game director Ralph Fulton stated that every member of the development team at Playground Games is a fan of the original Fable RPG trilogy. He emphasized that many joined the studio specifically to revive the beloved franchise, indicating a deep reverence for the series' legacy. Fulton also mentioned that the game is considered vital to the Xbox platform, which has helped protect it during its long development cycle.
Bill Skarsgård Goes From Pennywise to Leading Hideo Kojima’s Physint Spy Game
Hideo Kojima has announced Bill Skarsgård as the lead actor for his upcoming action-espionage game, Physint. The game, developed by Kojima Productions in collaboration with Xbox Game Studios, marks Kojima's return to the genre and is described as a spiritual successor to the Metal Gear series. The project was initially planned with Sony but Xbox has now stepped in as the publishing partner.
Gears Of War: E-Day On PC Won’t Let You Play Without A Ray Tracing-Capable GPU
The PC version of Gears of War: E-Day will require a ray tracing-capable GPU, effectively locking out older hardware like the GTX 1060. Minimum requirements include an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 for 1080p 60fps, with higher-end GPUs needed for 1440p and 4K. The game also mandates an SSD and 115GB of storage.
Gears of War: E-Day Has Gone Gold, Pre-Install Begins September 29, Full PC Specifications Revealed
The Coalition announced that Gears of War: E-Day has gone gold, with pre-installs beginning September 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Steam. The game will launch on October 6, with early access starting October 1 for Premium Edition players and Game Pass Ultimate/PC Game Pass members. Full PC specifications and features have also been revealed.
Hideo Kojima taps John Wick 4 star Bill Skarsgard to play Physint's lead role, calls the Metal Gear succesor "the culmination of more than 40 years of my career"
Hideo Kojima announced that Bill Skarsgård will star as the lead in his upcoming game, Physint, a spiritual successor to Metal Gear. Kojima described Physint as the culmination of his 40-year career and a new take on 'action espionage,' now being developed under Xbox Game Studios after Sony reportedly cancelled the project. Development is progressing steadily, with Kojima expressing excitement about the partnership with Xbox.
OD is "progressing smoothly," Hideo Kojima says, teasing it as a "completely new kind of game that tests…
Hideo Kojima has provided an update on his new horror game, OD, stating that development is progressing smoothly and on schedule. Performance capture and ADR recording have resumed, with actors Sophia Lillis and Hunter Schafer delivering intense performances. Kojima described OD as a new kind of game that tests the thresholds of fear.
Here's the second wave of Xbox Game Pass games coming in September
The second wave of games for Xbox Game Pass in September includes major additions like Gears of War: E-Day, Dune: Awakening, and Minecraft Dungeons 2. Dune: Awakening will also be available on PlayStation 5. Several other titles are being added to Game Pass Premium and Ultimate, while some games will be leaving the service on September 30th.
Fable lead promises "we stick the landing" with the RPG's ending, which hopefully means we won't…
Playground Games' co-founder and Fable director Ralph Fulton has assured that the upcoming RPG will feature a satisfying ending, contrasting with the widely criticized conclusion of Fable 2. Fulton emphasized the importance of the finale, stating that the team relentlessly pursued quality to ensure it resonates with players and aligns with the Fable series' core identity.
Hit PS5 Adventure Game by Xbox Half Price on PS Store With DLC
The PlayStation Store is offering a half-price deal on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Premium Edition for PlayStation 5, including its DLC, as part of a Tokyo Game Show promotion. Developed by MachineGames and published by Xbox Game Studios, the action-adventure game is available for $49.99 until September 24, 2026. The Premium Edition includes the base game, The Order of the Giants story DLC, a digital artbook, and a Temple of Doom outfit.
Goodwill Hunting: Consoles’ brand value and loyalty is being tested | Opinion
The article argues that Sony and Microsoft will need significant customer goodwill to justify the high prices of their upcoming next-generation consoles. Sony's decision to drop Hideo Kojima's game Physint, which was then picked up by Xbox, is presented as a damaging blow to their goodwill reserves, especially in light of past missteps like the pivot to live service games and the cancellation of Concord.
After Death Stranding missed expectations, Sony reportedly axed Physint because Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear successor is over budget, years away, missing deadlines, and not a true exclusive
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reportedly canceled Hideo Kojima's action-espionage game, Physint, due to budget overruns, missed deadlines, and its perceived lack of true exclusivity. The project has since been picked up by Microsoft and Xbox. This decision follows disappointing sales for Kojima's previous titles, Death Stranding, and a shift in Sony's strategy away from PC releases and towards console exclusivity.
Xbox to publish Kojima Productions' Physint after PlayStation ditches project
PlayStation Studios has ended its publishing partnership with Kojima Productions for the espionage game Physint, citing a "difficult decision." Shortly after, Xbox announced it would pick up publishing duties for Physint, expanding its existing relationship with Kojima Productions which also includes the game OD - Knock. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma expressed honor in supporting Hideo Kojima's vision, while Kojima stated he sought a new partner after PlayStation's unexpected notice.
