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PlayStation Has “Exclusive of Sorts” Deal With AMD for RDNA5 Handheld Chips – Rumor
A rumor suggests Sony has an exclusive deal with AMD for RDNA5 GPU architecture in its upcoming handheld device, potentially leaving competitors like Xbox and Valve with older technology. This exclusivity is reportedly due to Sony being the only customer willing to fund the necessary chip fabrication. The RDNA5 architecture is expected to offer significant performance improvements with new features like Universal Compression and Neural Arrays, which AMD executives and PlayStation's lead architect have discussed.
Arkane Lyon’s Deadline to Find a New Buyer Has Been Pushed Back to December 13th
Microsoft has extended the deadline for Arkane Lyon to find a new buyer to December 13th, allowing the studio to continue development on Marvel's Blade. This decision comes amidst wider Xbox cost-cutting measures, including significant job cuts and the divestiture of other studios, which have led to anger and concern among employees and union representatives.
Arkane Lyon Has “Multiple Paths Actively Being Explored” to Stay Afloat – Rumor
A report suggests Arkane Lyon is exploring multiple options to avoid closure, with "positive news" indicating a low likelihood of the studio being shut down by Xbox. This comes amid industry-wide layoffs and high costs associated with closing studios in France, particularly concerning the development of Marvel's Blade.
Xbox Chief Operating Officer Departs After 3 Months
Helen Chiang has departed from her role as Xbox chief operating officer after only three months. Her departure follows a 21-year tenure at Microsoft, during which she was involved with titles like Minecraft and led Mojang. This exit is part of a broader trend of leadership changes and layoffs within Xbox.
Xbox COO May Have Been Terminated After 3 Months On The Job, Potentially Due To Policy Violations
Xbox's Chief Operating Officer, Helen Chiang, has reportedly been terminated after only three months in the role. Unconfirmed rumors suggest the departure is due to alleged policy violations.
Top Xbox exec promoted in brand 'reset' leaves after 3 months in role
Xbox Chief Operating Officer Helen Chiang has departed the company after only three months in the role, a position created as part of a controversial brand "reset" by CEO Asha Sharma. Sharma announced the departure in an internal memo without explanation, while Microsoft offered a boilerplate statement. An anonymous source suggested Chiang was terminated for policy violations, adding to the instability and uncertainty surrounding Xbox's leadership.
New Blood CEO confirms it: the worst way to sell immersive sims like Gloomwood and Fallen Aces is to call them immersive…
New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry believes that marketing games as 'immersive sims' is detrimental to sales, stating the term is niche and off-putting to mainstream audiences. He argues that categorizing these games as RPGs, like Baldur's Gate 3, would be more commercially viable, citing the struggles of titles like Prey and the success of the 'boomer shooter' label.
Xbox's first chief operating officer Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft just three months into the job
Helen Chiang, Xbox's first chief operating officer, has departed Microsoft just three months after assuming the role. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed the news in an internal memo, citing Chiang's 21 years of service but offering no specific reason for her departure. This move comes amidst a significant restructuring within Xbox that included layoffs and studios becoming independent.
Evening Reading - October 23, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Tape To Tape and Village in the Shade, and mentions of upcoming titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Palworld. Shigeru Miyamoto received Japan's Order of Culture and commented on AI's role in game design. There are also reports of Arkane Studios potentially facing closure and Helen Chiang's departure from Xbox.
Xbox COO and ex-Minecraft boss leaves Microsoft after just 3 months in the role
Helen Chiang, former head of Minecraft and the first COO of Xbox, has departed Microsoft after 21 years. Her exit follows significant layoffs within the Xbox division as part of a broader restructuring plan. Responsibilities for her role will be distributed among other Xbox leaders.
Xbox's Helen Chiang exits after 21 years, but only 3 months as COO
Helen Chiang has departed Xbox after over 21 years with Microsoft, having recently been appointed as Xbox's first Chief Operating Officer just three months prior. Chiang previously led the Minecraft division for over a decade. No specific reason was given for her departure, and Xbox CEO Asha Sharma indicated that the future of the COO position would be announced later.
Xbox Loses Its First Chief Operating Officer After Several Months
Helen Chiang, the first Chief Operating Officer of Xbox, is departing Microsoft after 21 years with the company. The position of COO was created in July, and Chiang was the first to hold the role.
Time could be running out for Arkane
Arkane Lyon is reportedly facing potential closure by Microsoft by November 13, following a month-long extension to find a buyer. This comes after Xbox laid off thousands of employees and shut down Ninja Theory. While Microsoft states the closure documents are part of a required consultation process, the studio's future remains uncertain as it continues development on Marvel's Blade.
With Minecraft and Diablo shows already on the way, Netflix reportedly offered Xbox $500m for a bigger film and TV deal
Netflix and Xbox reportedly failed to reach an agreement for a major film and TV adaptation deal, with Netflix offering $500 million and Xbox countering with $800 million. While this specific large-scale deal fell apart due to the price difference, both companies are still collaborating on other projects like animated series for Minecraft and Diablo, and a Gears of War film.
Arkane Lyon Unions Seek More Time to Find Buyer and Save 217 Jobs
Arkane Lyon is seeking a buyer within a three-month window to prevent closure following Xbox's announcement. Despite claims of financial issues, the studio is still developing Marvel's Blade, and employees are actively looking for potential paths to save the studio and its 217 jobs.
Marvel's Blade 'nearing the end' of production as Arkane faces closure
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, faces potential closure by November 13, 2026, if a buyer is not found, as part of Microsoft's broader Xbox layoffs. The studio's upcoming game, Marvel's Blade, is reportedly nearing the end of its production phase, leading to concerns about the financial and artistic waste if the studio is shut down.
Xbox negotiations with Marvel's Blade developer Arkane reportedly aren't going well, and that could mean the Dishonored studio shutting down next month
Negotiations between Arkane Studios and Xbox regarding the future of the Dishonored developer are reportedly not progressing well, with a November 13 deadline looming for a decision. Reports suggest Microsoft is looking to sell the studio, and while buyers are being sought, a shutdown is also a possibility, impacting 217 jobs and the near-completion of Marvel's Blade.
Arkane survival negotiations reportedly seeing "several forms of takeover" considered ahead of November deadline, as Marvel's Blade production nears end
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, is reportedly considering several takeover options as Microsoft's divorce from the studio approaches a November deadline. With 217 jobs at risk, unions are expressing dissatisfaction with Microsoft's handling of the negotiations, though production on Marvel's Blade is nearing completion.
Vote now: The Mammoth Tank and Priest go head-to-head to determine the best RTS unit of all time
A month-long Real-Time Strategy (RTS) tournament has narrowed down its contenders to the Mammoth Tank from Command & Conquer: Red Alert and the Priest from Age of Empires. The article details the final matchup and encourages readers to vote for the best RTS unit of all time.
Xbox reportedly mandate four days a week in office for staff close to Microsoft's Washington HQ, up from three day requirement brought in last year
Xbox is reportedly mandating that employees within commuting distance of its Washington headquarters must work in the office four days a week starting February 1, 2027. This policy change, up from the previous three-day requirement, is framed by Xbox's chief people officer as a way to improve collaboration and decision-making. The move comes amidst ongoing company-wide layoffs and a boycott against Microsoft.
