Xbox
Xbox business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
"The smallest severance pay possible" - Bethesda union vows to fight as studio employees reel from "bare minimum" payout following mass Xbox layoffs
Employees at Bethesda's Montréal studio, represented by the OneBGS union, are reportedly receiving the minimum legally permissible severance pay following mass layoffs by Xbox. The union claims this contradicts earlier assurances and has filed a complaint against Bethesda and Microsoft for violating Canadian labor laws. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between management and workers in the gaming industry following significant job cuts.
Bethesda union slams Xbox for offering the 'bare legal minimum in terms of severance'
Unionized employees at Bethesda Montreal, represented by OneBGS, have criticized Microsoft and Xbox for offering the minimum legal severance to laid-off workers. Despite initial assurances of employment until September 2026, affected Canadian employees received termination letters stating they would receive only eight weeks' pay in lieu of notice and immediate loss of benefits. The union vows to fight for better terms for its members.
Stalker 2 studio founder's claims that Xbox paid more for exclusivity than the game cost to make "do not reflect the actual facts", according to GSC Game World
GSC Game World has refuted claims made by its former founder, Sergiy Grygorovych, that Xbox paid more than the development cost for Stalker 2's exclusivity. The studio stated that Grygorovych was not involved in the negotiations and his comments do not reflect the actual facts, with the majority of the budget funded by current owner Max Krippa.
Original Xbox games on PC means one less reason to buy the next console
Xbox is making original Xbox console games playable on PC, starting with Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live And Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road To Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. This initiative, which includes achievements and customizable graphics, aims to enhance backwards compatibility and game preservation. The move raises questions about the necessity of purchasing future Xbox consoles if games are readily accessible on PC.
Xbox announces backwards compatibility for PC and handheld devices
Xbox is expanding its backwards compatibility initiative to PC and handheld devices, starting with four classic titles: BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. These games will be available for purchase and via Game Pass, with existing digital licenses transferring to PC. This move is part of a broader effort to preserve Xbox games and bring them to PC, alongside enhancements for graphics and future Achievement support.
Xbox släpper "bakåtkompatibilitet" på pc – 4 spel är först ut
Xbox has launched a new program called "Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC" to make previously Xbox-exclusive titles playable on PC and handheld devices like the ASUS ROG Ally. Initially, four games are available: BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. These games will support enhancements such as upscaling and Vsync, and can be accessed via Game Pass or separate purchase.
Bethesda Canceled an Unannounced PvP Shooter Amidst Layoffs – Rumor
Bethesda has reportedly canceled an unannounced PvP shooter, with details emerging from a laid-off employee's LinkedIn profile. This cancellation comes amidst significant layoffs at the company, which also impacted other studios under ZeniMax Media. While the specifics of the canceled project are unknown, it is speculated to be the Rainbow Six Siege-like title previously rumored to be in development at MachineGames.
Bethesda Montreal’s Laid Off Employees Told They Will Get Bare Minimum Severance, No Healthcare
Employees laid off from Bethesda's Montreal studio have reportedly been offered the minimum legal severance and lost healthcare benefits, according to the union OneBGS. This contradicts earlier statements about negotiating with the union. Bethesda and Xbox leadership are facing legal complaints for alleged labor law violations in Canada. Despite these issues, the company reaffirmed its focus on The Elder Scrolls 6 and upcoming Fallout projects.
Comings and Goings
Bethesda Montreal developers reportedly received termination letters the same day Xbox announced new Fallout titles, despite assurances of continued employment until September. This news follows recent layoffs within the company.
Union claims Bethesda developers were laid off the day Xbox announced new Fallouts—after being told they would…
The Bethesda Game Studios Union has filed a legal complaint against Bethesda, alleging violations of Canadian labor laws. The union claims that Bethesda prematurely terminated Canadian employees on July 17, the same day Xbox announced remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, and confirmed Fallout 5 is in early development. Union representatives stated that affected employees were initially told they would remain employed until September while severance was negotiated, but instead received termination letters with the bare legal minimum severance and immediate loss of benefits.
Laid off Bethesda Montreal staff allegedly told they'd get "smallest severance legally possible" the same day as those Fallout announcements
Laid-off employees at Bethesda Montreal have claimed they were informed of receiving the minimum legal severance on the same day Xbox announced new Fallout projects. The union representing Bethesda Game Studios staff alleges that Canadian employees received termination letters stating they would get eight weeks of pay in lieu of notice and lose health insurance immediately. The union has filed a legal complaint against Bethesda for violating labor laws.
"Unconscionable": The day of Bethesda's Fallout reveal explosion, its laid-off Montreal devs were told they "would receive the smallest severance legally possible" and "immediately" lose health insurance benefits, union says
Bethesda's Montreal union, OneBGS, claims that laid-off developers are being offered the minimum legally required severance pay and are losing health insurance immediately. This is occurring despite parent company Microsoft's significant profits and investments in the intellectual property the developers helped create. The union has filed a legal complaint against Bethesda for alleged labor law violations.
The Elder Scrolls Online is struggling with "team bandwidth" after Xbox layoffs hit Bethesda and ZeniMax, leading devs to limit a store for in-game items
The Elder Scrolls Online developers are facing "team bandwidth" issues following layoffs at Bethesda and ZeniMax, impacting the game's features. To manage the workload, the Web Crown Store has been removed from the official website, though in-game purchases remain available. Changes are also being made to the Crown Store blog due to capacity limitations.
Xbox is bringing games from its original console to PC
Xbox is bringing select games from its original console to PC, featuring the addition of achievement support. This move expands the availability of classic titles to a new platform.
Xbox brings backwards compatibility to PC
Xbox is expanding its backwards compatibility program to PC and handheld devices, making titles like Fuzion Frenzy and BLiNX: The Time Sweeper available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers. New graphical settings, including resolution upscaling, have also been added for PC players. Players who own digital licenses for these games can access them in their PC library.
Xbox brings backwards compatibility to PC
Xbox is expanding its backwards compatibility program to PC and handheld devices, making titles like Fuzion Frenzy and BLiNX: The Time Sweeper available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers. The update also includes new graphical settings for PC players, such as resolution upscaling and Vsync.
You Can Now Play Some Original Xbox Games On PC Via Backwards Compatibility
Xbox has announced that backwards compatibility is now available on PC, allowing players to access select original Xbox games. Jason Ronald, VP of Next Generation at Xbox, shared the news, confirming that four classic titles are now playable on the platform.
Xbox Brings Backwards Compatibility To PC, Starting With Four Classics
Xbox is expanding its backwards compatibility initiative to PC, starting with four original Xbox classics: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, Conker: Live and Reloaded, and Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge. These titles will be available for download via the Xbox app on PC and include enhancements like 4x resolution scaling and customizable graphics modes. Xbox plans to add Achievements and further expand this program in the future.
XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC
Xbox Wire announced that four classic Xbox titles are now playable on Windows PC and handhelds through backward compatibility. This initiative allows players to access older games on modern platforms.
Business and Finance
Sony's decision regarding PlayStation discs could impact a $7 billion resale market, while Xbox reportedly paid more than Stalker 2's development cost for exclusivity. An Xbox VP also departed after only three months.