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MMO Business Roundup: Game devs on Marathon concurrency discourse, Matt Booty says no new layoffs
Microsoft's CCO Matt Booty stated there will be no immediate layoffs at Xbox studios. Game developers are defending Marathon's concurrency numbers, while NCsoft is investing in third-party studios JustPlay and emptyvessel. Roblox has launched new development programs, Incubator and Jumpstart, to support creators on its platform.
Xbox lead says the "return to fun" we've seen from games like Peak makes him "hopeful" for the industry, and he "loves seeing the success" of them
Xbox's general manager of portfolio and programs, Chris Charla, expressed optimism about a "return to fun" in the gaming industry, citing the success of games like Peak. He highlighted the importance of diverse player motivations and the joy found in silly, collaborative gameplay experiences.
Microsoft's CEO to Xbox: We will "always" invest in gaming
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella participated in an internal Q&A session hosted by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, where he affirmed Microsoft's ongoing commitment and investment in the future of Xbox gaming. The discussion focused on the long-term vision for the Xbox brand.
Rumor Mill
A rumored Fallout game being developed by an Xbox-owned studio may have been canceled. Reports suggest Bethesda prefers to expand its own studios rather than outsource development of Fallout or The Elder Scrolls titles.
Former Xbox Front Man Major Nelson Just Joined the Company Behind the Commodore 64 Retro Revival - IGN
Former Xbox community chief Larry Hryb, also known as Major Nelson, has joined Commodore as a Community Development Advisor. Hryb was previously laid off from Unity, where he worked as Director of Community and Advocacy. He will focus on strengthening relationships with the existing Commodore fan base and introducing the brand to a new generation.
GDC confirms return to San Francisco in 2027
Microsoft CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that the next-generation Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, will support both Xbox and PC games. Vice President of Next-Gen Jason Ronald will present on 'Building for the Future with Xbox' at GDC 2026, offering insights into the future of the platform.
Larry 'Major Nelson' Hryb joins Commodore to help build its community
Former Xbox executive Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb has joined the revived Commodore brand as a Community Development Advisor. In his new role, Hryb will focus on expanding Commodore's global community and connecting with new generations of creators and enthusiasts. This move follows his recent departure from Unity.
"I think people undervalue their own work" – ID@Xbox head Chris Charla on the tricky problem of indie game pricing
ID@Xbox head Chris Charla discussed the challenges of indie game pricing, encouraging developers to value their work and avoid imposter syndrome. He also touched on discoverability issues on the Xbox store and the success of Game Pass for developers.
Xbox Mode, Formerly Xbox Full Screen Experience, Finally Launches On Windows 11 In April
Microsoft is launching Xbox Mode, formerly known as Xbox Full Screen Experience, on Windows 11 in April. This gaming-optimized mode improves controller navigation, enhances performance by reducing background tasks, and unifies game libraries from various PC storefronts. The interface is also seen as a precursor to Microsoft's upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix, expected to ship developer kits in 2027.
Brazil-based dev Gameplan joins Remote Control Productions
Brazilian developer Gameplan has joined the independent games production house Remote Control Productions (RCP). Gameplan, founded in 2014, specializes in co-development, engineering, and outstaffing, and has worked with clients like Xbox and Bandai Namco. This partnership aims to expand Gameplan's services to full SKU development and porting, while also providing technical support to other studios within the RCP network.
PS5 Players Could Get Compensation as Sony Slammed for Monopolistic Practices in UK Court
Sony is facing a £2 billion class-action lawsuit in the UK accusing the company of monopolistic practices related to digital game sales on the PlayStation 5. The lawsuit argues that Sony's closed ecosystem unfairly limits consumer choice and could result in compensation for up to 12.2 million UK players if Sony loses. The company defends its model by citing security risks of open storefronts and its low hardware profit margins.
Jobs Roundup: March 2026 | ProbablyMonsters expands its leadership team
Several gaming companies have announced new executive appointments. ProbablyMonsters added Jonathan Lander, David Reid, and Mark Subotnick to its leadership team. Kasedo Games appointed Timea Edvi as publishing director, Sixteen Tons named Sebastian Nußuam as CCO, and Microsoft Gaming welcomed Alison Zeng as strategic partner manager. Additionally, Adam Orth has become COO at Midwest Games, and Arah Collins joins Escape Velocity Entertainment as senior narrative designer.
£2 billion PlayStation lawsuit over unfair store pricing goes to trial
A £2 billion lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment over alleged unfair pricing on the PlayStation Store has gone to trial in the UK. Consumer champion Alex Neill is spearheading the case, accusing Sony of breaching competition law and abusing a monopoly on digital game sales since 2016. If successful, Sony could be ordered to pay £2 billion in damages to affected customers.
Microsoft boss Nadella vows to "always" invest in video games following Xbox leadership change
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has reaffirmed the company's commitment to investing in its video games division, calling it a "main identity" for the company. Following recent leadership changes where Asha Sharma took over as Microsoft Gaming CEO, Nadella emphasized the importance of excellence and creativity in the gaming sector. Sharma addressed concerns about her AI background, stating there is "no pressure" for Xbox to use the technology, and revealed the next-generation Xbox hardware is codenamed Project Helix.
Console Wars Help Fans Feel Like "Soldiers In Battle," Former Xbox Exec Says
Former Xbox executive Peter Moore believes he may have contributed to the intensity of console wars, drawing parallels to his experience in the competitive shoe industry. He argues that this intense competition, exemplified by the rivalry between Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo, drives innovation and leads to better gaming experiences for consumers.
Satya Nadella claims Xbox 'lifts the entire company' despite layoffs crossing 9,000 in 2025
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the Xbox division's performance could serve as a model for other departments within the company, despite significant layoffs. He acknowledged that some difficult decisions, referred to as 'cracked eggs,' were necessary.
Don Daglow and Rebecca Ann Heineman to be honored at 2026 GDCAs
Don Daglow and Rebecca Ann Heineman will be honored at the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards. The article also discusses Sony's shift towards live service games, leading to the cancellation of multiple projects, and speculates on the timeline for the PlayStation 6 and upcoming Xbox console.
GDC Indie Games Deep Dive w/Devs & ID@Xbox | Official Xbox Podcast
This episode of the Official Xbox Podcast features a deep dive into indie games from the Game Developers Conference (GDC). The discussion includes insights from developers and the ID@Xbox program, focusing on the landscape of independent game development.
Microsoft boss Satya Nadella says it will "always" invest in gaming after Xbox shakeup sparks concern
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the company will continue to invest in gaming following recent changes within Xbox. Nadella's comments were made during a town hall meeting with new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, indicating a long-term commitment to the gaming sector.
Analys: Playstation-spel på pc går sämre och skälet är (mild chock) senkomna releaser
An analysis suggests Sony's PlayStation games are underperforming on PC due to delayed releases, with PC players representing only 13% of the total player base within three months of a port, compared to 44% for titles launching simultaneously on PC and console. This strategy, unlike earlier successes with Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War, may lead Sony to reduce future PC releases for major single-player titles.