Xbox Game Studios
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Game of the Week – Halo: Campaign Evolved is a legendary FPS reborn for a new generation of players
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, offering a well-paced FPS experience with memorable levels suitable for solo or co-op play. The game features updated visuals using Unreal Engine 5 and introduces new prologue missions, while retaining the spirit of the 2001 classic. It is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, with the main campaign taking approximately 10-14 hours to complete.
How to complete the Forza Horizon 6 Hirosaki Castle photo challenge
This guide explains how to complete the Hirosaki Castle photo challenge in Forza Horizon 6 for the Italian Exotics Festival Playlist Series. Players need to drive a Classic Sports Car and take a photo with the castle, located in the eastern Takshiro Region, north of Soni Circuit. Completing the challenge rewards players with two Festival Playlist points and a White Suit for their Drivatar.
How to find the Forza Horizon 6 winter Treasure Hunt in Hokubu
This guide details the location of the Forza Horizon 6 winter Treasure Hunt in the Hokubu region, specifically within the Shikisai-No-Aka flower fields. Players can find the treasure chest in a car park near a small garage building, offering 100,000 Credits upon destruction. The challenge is part of the limited-time winter Festival Playlist and must be completed before August 6.
Is Gears of War E-Day on PS5?
Gears of War E-Day will not be released on PlayStation 5 at launch, with Microsoft confirming it as an Xbox and PC exclusive. While recent Xbox titles have seen PlayStation ports, E-Day's availability on PS5 in the future is uncertain and not guaranteed.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 3 Winter
This guide details the Festival Playlist Challenges for Series 3 Winter in Forza Horizon 6, which runs from July 30th to August 6th, 2026. It outlines the various events, point rewards, and specific cars needed to unlock seasonal rewards like the 1982 Lancia 037 Stradale and 2020 Ferrari Roma. The guide also offers tips for quickly earning Playlist Points by prioritizing challenges like the Photo Challenge and Treasure Hunt.
Gears of War: E-Day Multiplayer Details
Xbox Wire has released a new Official Multiplayer Reveal Trailer for the upcoming prequel Gears of War: E-Day. The trailer offers an in-depth look at the multiplayer component of the third-person shooter.
Gears of War: E-Day's new Horde may be the game's most interesting mode, but it left me with more questions than answers
Gears of War: E-Day's new Horde Siege mode offers a more engaging and revolutionary take on the classic survival mode, featuring open-world maps, multiple objectives, and an extraction mechanic for weapon upgrades. While preview event technical issues limited playtime, the mode's evolution from asset reuse to a standalone experience with elements of extraction shooters and MOBA-like progression was evident, with Boss Invasions and a faster Blitz variant also highlighted.
Gears of War: E-Day expands Horde Mode for more PvE action
Gears of War: E-Day will feature significant updates to its classic Horde Mode, including a new 12-player 'Horde Siege' variant and customizable loadouts. The game also retains its traditional Versus Mode with familiar gameplay mechanics. Gears of War: E-Day is set to launch on October 6, 2026.
Gears Of War: E-Day multiplayer preview – the once and future Xbox exclusive
Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel set 14 years before the original game, focuses on its competitive multiplayer modes for longevity. The game introduces enhanced parkour abilities and a refined active reload mechanic, set in the war-torn city of Kalona. While the multiplayer offers an entertaining experience with solid movement and impactful weaponry, the game's core cover-based shooter mechanics, while refined, add little new to the established genre.
Gears of War E-Day's Horde Siege shines when squads collide in its dense city, but sags when they're apart
Gears of War: E-Day's new Horde Siege mode offers an ambitious co-operative experience where three squads of four players battle Locusts across large city districts. While the mode shines when squads converge and objectives intersect, it can feel less engaging when players are isolated. The game is set to release on October 6, 2026, for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox has "the best IP" and "talented studios around the world," is confident it'll "return" to growth after its worst quarter in years amid mass layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's future growth despite a recent poor financial quarter and mass layoffs, stating the company possesses "the best IP" and "talented studios." He anticipates a return to growth by fiscal year 2027, emphasizing necessary decisions to reset the business. This comes after Xbox head Asha Sharma admitted the division is currently "unhealthy."
Halo: Campaign Evolved Peaks at 25,376 Players as the Series’ Weakest Steam Launch Yet
Halo: Campaign Evolved experienced a significantly weaker launch on Steam compared to previous entries like Halo Infinite and Halo: The Master Chief Collection, peaking at 25,376 concurrent players. Despite a mixed reception from users, the game was found to be enjoyable on PlayStation 5, with its performance on the PS5 Pro version being competitive with PC.
After gaining independence from Xbox, Double Fine are laying off a quarter of their staff
Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees, approximately 25% of its staff, following its recent split from Xbox and return to independent operations. Studio head Tim Schafer stated the decision was made for the survival of the studio as it transitions to a sustainable size. Xbox confirmed Double Fine is now fully independent and manages its own operations.
After escaping Xbox, Double Fine lays off 23 people as Tim Schafer says "only the survival of our studio would ever make us consider such a painful action"
Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees as it transitions back to an independent studio after years under Xbox ownership. Founder Tim Schafer stated the decision was made for the studio's survival and that they are committed to supporting the affected staff. The layoffs represent roughly a quarter of the studio's workforce.
After playing Halo: Campaign Evolved's prologue, I don't want another Halo remake – it's time for a…
The review of Halo: Campaign Evolved criticizes the game for being a "wasted opportunity" despite its strengths as a pure first-person shooter. While the new prologue from Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) effectively captures the essence of the original Halo's gameplay and introduces Master Chief well, the article suggests the focus should be on original content rather than remakes.
How to play the Halo games in order: chronologically and by release date
This guide details how to play the Halo games in both chronological and release date order. It lists all major titles and spin-offs, providing their original release years and their place within the Halo timeline, including platforms where they are currently playable.
All Halo Campaign Evolved Terminal locations
This guide details the locations of all 13 Terminals within Halo Campaign Evolved, noting that their positions differ from Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary. Activating these Terminals unlocks lore entries and is presented as a manageable task for players.
'I have been hunted down by HR reps, lawyers, and comms people:' Developers discuss the pain and prevalence of side work clauses
Developers discuss the prevalence and impact of restrictive side work clauses in the video game industry, where companies often claim ownership of personal projects. While some employees have successfully negotiated these terms, many face broad restrictions that hinder personal and professional growth. Legal experts note that clauses are generally enforceable if the side work falls within the scope of employment, emphasizing the importance of transparency and written agreements.
Gears of War: E-Day Gameplay Reveal Deep Dive | Official XBOX Podcast
Developers from The Coalition discuss the gameplay reveal for Gears of War: E-Day, detailing new mechanics like sliding and an expanded cover system built from scratch in Unreal Engine 5. The interview highlights the game's focus on the early days of the Locust invasion, character details for Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago, and the return of iconic elements like the chainsaw Lancer, all while celebrating the franchise's 20th anniversary.
Xbox releases four original console games on PC thanks to Backwards Compatibility, but they chose the wrong ones
Microsoft has released four original Xbox console games on PC via backwards compatibility, including Fuzion Frenzy, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Conker: Live & Reloaded. The article criticizes the selection of games and the lack of achievements at launch, suggesting more popular titles like Halo: Combat Evolved or Jade Empire would have been better choices.
