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Bethesda Layoffs Were Rare Before Acquisition by Microsoft, Says Developer
A lead character artist at Bethesda, Alex Nguyen, stated that layoffs were rare at the studio before its acquisition by Microsoft. Since the acquisition, however, the studio has experienced yearly layoffs, impacting employees on the ground rather than just management. This shift has led to protests and concerns about employee morale and the impact on game development.
New Killer Instinct Game Is Cancelled, It’s Alleged
Insider Shpeshal Nick has reportedly stated that a new Killer Instinct game has been canceled after years of speculation. This news comes amidst rumors of a potential surprise sequel announcement from Xbox at GamesCom.
Rykte: Xbox överväger att låta Sledgehammer utveckla ett Halo
Rumors suggest that Xbox is considering allowing Activision's Sledgehammer Games, known for the Call of Duty series, to develop a new Halo game focused on multiplayer. This comes after a prototype developed by Activision was reportedly scrapped.
Gamers in Ireland and the UK can get their hands on free items in World of Warcraft from McDonald’s
McDonald's and Xbox are running a promotion in the UK and Ireland offering in-game items for titles like World of Warcraft, Fallout 76, and Forza Horizon 6. This follows a similar promotion last year that focused on meal discounts and prizes.
Xbox Will Apparently Announce A New Game At GamesCom
Insider NateTheHate suggests that Xbox is planning to announce a new game during GamesCom, which takes place from August 26-30. The nature of this potential announcement has sparked considerable fan speculation.
The Hollywood disruptors making a large-scale game with a 12-person team – and no generative AI
Wolf Haus Games is developing a co-op cult simulator called Join Us with a small team of 12-13 developers, utilizing custom tools built in Unreal Engine. The studio, which has roots in the film industry, secured funding from Krafton and Lifelike Capital and is intentionally avoiding generative AI in its creative process, focusing on a human touch for game development.
Fable deserves a "chance to shine" – which is why Xbox should delay it one final time
This opinion piece argues that Xbox should delay the upcoming RPG Fable one final time to ensure it has a clear runway for success. Despite its February 23, 2027 release date, the game faces significant competition from other major titles, including God of War Laufey, which could overshadow Fable's launch and impact its potential to drive growth for the Xbox platform.
Why Are Video Game Consoles So Expensive These Days (And Games Historically Cheap)?
Video game consoles and games are becoming increasingly expensive due to a confluence of factors including tariffs, AI-driven demand for components, and a structural shift in the console business model. Experts predict hardware costs will remain high for several more years, potentially impacting future console generations like the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix.
IRL Homescreen for Wii physical discs now includes a secret bookshelf mechanism that will save you from the horrors of…
A DIY project called the 'IRL homescreen' has been updated with a secret bookshelf mechanism that randomly selects a physical game to play. This invention, created by AlmostInventor, uses motors to present the chosen disc and projects game art, offering a novel way to combat indecisiveness. The project highlights a continued desire for physical media integration with digital features, even as companies like Sony move towards digital-only releases.
Halo, Forza and World of Warcraft In-Game Rewards Coming to McDonald's, Celebrating Xbox 25th Anniversary
McDonald's is collaborating with Xbox to offer in-game rewards for several of its popular franchises, including Halo, Fallout, Forza, and World of Warcraft. This promotion celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Xbox brand.
Call of Duty studio Sledgehammer reportedly worked on a Halo multiplayer prototype before it got canned
Sledgehammer Games, a studio known for its work on Call of Duty, reportedly developed a prototype for a Halo multiplayer game at the request of Xbox. The project was ultimately canceled by Xbox after a testing period in June, though discussions about Activision potentially developing future Halo titles are ongoing. This collaboration was explored following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Recension – Console Wars: The Card Game
Console Wars: The Card Game is a satirical card game that parodies the ongoing console wars, drawing inspiration from Monopoly Deal. The game involves collecting complete genres by gathering game cards, using fanbase and action cards to influence the game. Despite minor rule interpretation issues, it offers high replayability and entertainment for families and gaming enthusiasts, with an expansion available.
The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel has been revealed and I’m already disappointed - Reader’s Feature
A reader expresses disappointment with the haphazard reveal of The Elder Scrolls 6's name, Sentinel, through tweets and rumors rather than a formal announcement. The author criticizes Xbox boss Asha Sharma's brief interaction with the game and the lack of a proper trailer or developer involvement, suggesting it diminishes hype for the long-awaited title.
Compulsion Games removes Xbox as publisher of South of Midnight on Steam
Compulsion Games has removed Xbox as the publisher of its upcoming game South of Midnight on Steam, listing itself as the publisher as of August 11, 2026. This change follows Xbox's recent mass layoffs, which had previously put Compulsion Games' future in question. The studio is now independent and retains control of its intellectual property.
Xbox Confirms Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta Will Feature Single-Player Campaign Mission for the First Time
Xbox has announced that the upcoming beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will feature a single-player campaign mission for the first time. This marks a new approach to pre-release testing for the franchise.
UK video game industry charity football match raises over £63,000 for physically disabled gamers
The video game charity SpecialEffect's One Big Game football event successfully raised over £63,000 to support physically disabled gamers. The 24-hour event featured teams from various UK game development studios, including Activision, Electronic Arts, and Xbox, competing to raise funds for adaptive gaming hardware and tools.
Compulsion Games becomes publisher of South of Midnight on Steam, suggesting departure from Xbox amid major restructuring is now complete
Compulsion Games is now listed as the publisher of South of Midnight on Steam, indicating its complete separation from Xbox following recent restructuring. The studio, which also regained rights to its previous titles Contrast and We Happy Few, is now operating as an independent entity. South of Midnight, released in spring 2025, received praise for its visuals and music integration but was criticized for shallow gameplay.
Marvel Rivals hasn't managed to beat Overwatch's stats yet, but Disney boasts it's still "attracted…
Disney announced that Marvel Rivals has attracted 40 million players worldwide since its launch, with 60% of those players being under the age of 24. While this number is impressive, it has not yet surpassed Overwatch 2's pre-relaunch player statistics. The article also touches on Overwatch 2's recent comeback and the ongoing comparison between the two hero shooters.
Scabby versus Sharma, Twitch's GenAI admission, and Netflix shutters more studios - Patch Notes #65
Netflix has closed two more internal game studios, Night School Studio and Moonloot Games, despite recent success with its cloud gaming launches. Meanwhile, Twitch confirmed it will use user data to train Amazon's generative AI models by default. In other news, union workers protested Xbox's layoffs with a large inflatable rat and red flags, while the game 'Big Walk' surpassed one million sales and a game preservation project regained funding after previous cuts.
Halo: Campaign Evolved studio outlines five key updates that'll drop with next week's big patch
Halo: Campaign Evolved is set to receive a significant patch next week, addressing issues with chromatic aberration, the magnified skull, and Sgt. Johnson's AI, alongside general stability improvements. Despite positive reviews, the game has underperformed in sales on PlayStation 5, with its predecessor's ports outselling it significantly. The article also touches on recent layoffs within the Xbox division and hints at a potential Halo 2 remake.
