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Compulsion Games officially separates from Xbox – "The team told me we would rather eat rocks and drink gasoline than be split up"
Compulsion Games has officially become independent from Xbox, with CEO Guillaume Provost leading a management buyout that returns ownership of the studio and its intellectual properties to the team. Provost emphasized the decision was made to keep the team together, especially after recent layoffs at Xbox. The studio, known for games like We Happy Few, is now focused on securing stable funding and self-sustainability while exploring new partnerships.
That limited edition green see-through Xbox Series X reportedly costs as much as a PS5 Pro, and releases on Black Friday
A limited edition green translucent Xbox Series X, celebrating Xbox's 25th anniversary, is reportedly set to release on Black Friday for an estimated $899.99, matching the rumored price of the PlayStation 5 Pro. This special edition console features a see-through case and a matching controller. The article also touches upon recent widespread restructuring within the Xbox division, impacting 1600 employees, and ongoing component shortages affecting hardware pricing.
Why Xbox's console ads could be a good thing for gaming | Opinion
This opinion piece argues that Xbox's exploration of ad-supported game streaming could be beneficial for the gaming industry by lowering access costs for players. While in-game advertising has a poor reputation, high-quality, non-intrusive ads, particularly those outside the game environment, can outperform traditional advertising and potentially create new revenue streams for companies like Xbox.
“We’re going to take things slow": South of Midnight devs now own the rights to all their games again, after quitting Xbox, and are working on a new game
Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight, has completed a management buyout and regained the publishing rights to all its original intellectual properties after parting ways with Microsoft and Xbox. CEO Guillaume Provost stated the team prioritized staying together, and while the transition will take time for platforms beyond Steam, Microsoft provided financial assistance for their independent careers. The studio is now working on an unannounced project and plans to proceed cautiously.
Evening Reading - August 20, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading for August 20, 2026, highlights various gaming news including The Duskbloods' FromSoftware-inspired experience, NBA 2K27 upgrades, Borderlands 4 lore, and Dota 2's The International 2026 details. It also features an Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC review, a unique GTA 6 promotion by the U.S. Army, and mentions of id Software's commitment to id Tech following Xbox layoffs.
id Software is “All In on id Tech”, Says Executive Producer
Executive producer Marty Stratton confirmed that id Software is fully committed to its in-house id Tech engine and will not be switching to Unreal Engine 5. Despite recent layoffs at Xbox, Stratton expressed confidence in the studio's ability to remain a technological powerhouse and continue developing great games with its proprietary technology.
15 Massive Gamescom 2026 Announcements That Could Steal the Show
Gamescom 2026 is set to feature major announcements from various publishers and developers, including Xbox, Nintendo, and Bandai Namco. Anticipated reveals include potential updates for Final Fantasy 7 Remake, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Cyberpunk 2077, Metro 2039, and a rumored Xbox sequel.
Xbox Won’t Share Digital Game Sales Data With Circana Anymore
Xbox has decided to stop sharing its digital game sales data with Circana. This move will impact gamers who closely follow sales figures and industry trends.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 4 Autumn
This guide details the challenges and rewards for Series 4 Autumn in Forza Horizon 6's Festival Playlist, running from August 20th to August 27th, 2026. It provides tips and recommended cars for completing seasonal events, including Photo Challenges, Collectables, and various championships, to earn points and unlock exclusive rewards like the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 2010 Abarth 695 Biposto.
Halo co-creator thinks "many of you would not like" his ideas for a "darker" PvPvE sequel, including…
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto shared his ideas for a darker, more grounded Halo sequel that would feature a PvPvE structure and potentially alter existing lore. He acknowledged that these concepts might not appeal to the current fanbase and that Xbox owner Microsoft may not be interested in pursuing them.
Marty Stratton says id Software is 'all in on id Tech' following Xbox layoffs
Despite recent layoffs at Xbox, id Software producer Marty Stratton confirmed the studio is "all in on id Tech" and has no plans to switch to Unreal Engine. This statement comes after speculation about the studio's future following significant staff reductions.
FZ Play dör, dör och dör igen i Mortal Shell 2 ikväll
The article highlights the release of Mortal Shell 2, a game described as a 'metal-Dark Souls,' where streamer Wakkaah will be playing and likely dying repeatedly. It also briefly mentions other gaming news, including alleged Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay leaks and sales figures for Alan Wake 2.
Halo Co-Creator Has An Idea To Revive The Franchise, But Doubts Xbox CEO “Gives A Sh**”
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto has proposed ideas for a darker, more grounded Halo game with a focus on both PvP and PvE elements, suggesting a need to streamline the lore. He expressed doubt about Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's interest in reviving the franchise and criticized outsourcing development, believing it harmed the series. Lehto also mentioned a recent report about Microsoft potentially enlisting Sledgehammer Games for a new Halo title.
Hundreds of union workers rally across North America to protest Xbox layoffs
Hundreds of unionized video game workers rallied across North America to protest recent layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division. Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and allies gathered to call out corporate greed and demand fair contracts, citing multiple rounds of job cuts impacting studios like Obsidian, id Software, and ZeniMax Online Studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed 3,200 job eliminations, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, leading to legal action from the CWA against Microsoft for alleged mishandling of the cuts.
IKEA announces Xbox collaboration
IKEA has announced a new collaboration with Xbox, following a previous partnership with ASUS ROG. The company teased controller-themed products on Instagram, with a full reveal planned for August 26, 2026, at Gamescom. This marks IKEA's second major gaming brand collaboration, after releasing gaming furniture with ASUS ROG in 2021.
Xbox’s Latest Console Update Will Finally Let You Choose Old Saves To Delete
Xbox is rolling out a new console update to Insiders that provides more control over local save data, allowing players to manually choose and delete specific old saves. The update also enhances profile customization and offers an immersive background mode to hide the UI. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been focusing on console improvements since taking over earlier this year.
Available for XBOX Insiders: Home Improvements, Local Save Game Management, and Profile Badges
Xbox Insiders can now test new console updates that enhance the Home experience, manage local game saves, and introduce profile badges. Features include more control over the Recent Games list, an immersive background mode, and the ability to view and delete unused local game saves. A new commemorative badge celebrates the 25th anniversary of Xbox and the release of the Xbox One.
Dishonored, Deus Ex Designer Stars New Studio to Continue Focusing on Immersive Sims
Veteran game developer Harvey Smith, formerly of Arkane Austin, has founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive. The studio will focus on the immersive sim genre, continuing Smith's work on titles like Dishonored and Deus Ex. The team includes several former Arkane Austin developers.
"Through the looking glass": as Arkane fight for their future, Dishonored veteran Harvey Smith reveals new studio dedicated to immersive sims
Harvey Smith, a veteran developer from Arkane Studios, has announced the formation of Black Pony Immersive, a new studio focused on creating imaginative first-person action RPGs and immersive sims. The studio, which includes other former Arkane developers, aims to build single-player games that reward player creativity and exploration. This announcement comes during a period of industry volatility, with Microsoft having recently closed Arkane Austin and currently negotiating the future of Arkane Lyon.
Xbox and IKEA are teasing gaming furniture together – please let it be called the ÄKSBOXX
Xbox and IKEA are teasing a new furniture collaboration, with a video showcasing items inspired by Xbox controllers and analog sticks. While details are scarce, the reveal suggests more information may be shared around gamescom. IKEA's existing gaming range focuses on more restrained designs, but this new collection appears to embrace a bolder aesthetic.
