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Xbox business and news from across the web.
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Xbox biz guy deletes his X account less than 24 hours after saying game devs who don't embrace AI 'should not be in the business of being a business'
Xbox senior business strategy manager Brandon Stirrup deleted his X account after a controversial thread advocating for AI adoption in game development. Stirrup stated that developers not embracing AI are 'planning for a fake future' and that Xbox is actively using AI. His comments sparked significant backlash, leading to the deactivation of his account.
Moonlighter dev delays Steam playtest for its "Tower Defensevania" ReVamp over concerns that AI copycats might clone it before launch
Indie studio Digital Sun has delayed the Steam playtest for its upcoming game ReVamp due to concerns about AI copycats cloning unreleased titles. The developer, also known for Moonlighter, will instead conduct a more contained playtest via Discord before a wider public release planned for January 2027. This decision reflects a growing trend of developers taking precautions against AI-driven game cloning, with Alliance Arts also cancelling a demo for Drunken Goddess Reflux for similar reasons.
Hideo Kojima Returns To Night City For Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2
Hideo Kojima will make a cameo appearance as Hideyoshi Oshima in the upcoming second season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, premiering on Netflix on October 20. The article also mentions Kojima's involvement in Cyberpunk 2077, his game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and upcoming Xbox projects OD and Physint.
Xbox business manager says devs not using AI shouldn't "be in the business of being a business" – because he "vibe coded a bad but improvable game in 2 days"
Xbox business manager Brandon Stirrup stated that game developers not using generative AI should reconsider their business. Stirrup claims he created an improvable game in two days using 'vibe coding' and believes AI is essential for future development, asserting that studios refusing AI are not truly in the business of being a business. The article counters this by highlighting successful games like Palworld that did not heavily rely on AI.
Hideo Kojima returns to Night City for a Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 cameo
Hideo Kojima will reprise his role as braindance director Hideyoshi Oshima in the upcoming second season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, streaming on Netflix from October 20. Kojima, who previously made a cameo in Cyberpunk 2077, teased his involvement in multiple projects, including a major anime title.
Xbox Job Listing for Supply Strategist Hint at Continued Plans to Support Physical Games – Rumor
A new Xbox job listing for a Supply Strategist suggests the company plans to continue supporting physical game releases, contrasting with Sony's announced discontinuation of PlayStation disc production. The role involves coordinating physical game launches and managing supply chain strategies throughout the product lifecycle. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has previously stated a desire to offer players choices between physical and digital media.
A Halo extraction shooter and battle royale hybrid game was reportedly scrapped during the development of Campaign…
A planned Halo multiplayer game, described as a hybrid extraction shooter and battle royale, was reportedly scrapped by 343 Industries. The project, codenamed 'Project Ekur' and previously 'Project Tatanka,' would have featured squads of Spartans and Banished Brutes fighting AI-controlled Flood and other players on Zeta Halo. The studio also faced significant layoffs and the cancellation of other projects, including a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved.
I know an obvious way to go for the next mainline Zelda game - Reader’s Feature
A reader suggests that the next mainline The Legend of Zelda game should evolve beyond the Breath of the Wild formula by focusing more on complex storytelling and combat mechanics. While acknowledging the series' strengths, the author proposes incorporating more RPG elements and a deeper narrative, drawing inspiration from titles like The Witcher 3.
Ghostwire: Tokyo joins GOG Preservation Program, which means you don't have to deal with Bethesda.NET anymore
Ghostwire: Tokyo has been added to GOG's Preservation Program, removing its Bethesda.NET integration and ensuring future stability patches. This move is notable given the recent closure and potential acquisition of developer Tango Gameworks. The game has achieved over 6 million players since its release.
Xbox is crazy if it thinks making Fallout and Minecraft exclusive will work - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that Microsoft's consideration of making major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Minecraft exclusive to Xbox consoles is a desperate and flawed strategy. The author criticizes Xbox's inconsistent decision-making and believes such exclusivity would alienate players and fail to revive the brand's former glory.
Weekend Console Download Deals for Oct. 16: PlayStation Player's Choice second chance
This weekend's digital sales include a second chance for the PlayStation Player's Choice sale, featuring discounts on numerous titles for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. PlayStation Plus members can also get select games for free, while Xbox Game Pass subscribers have access to further deals.
Xbox X25 controller pre-orders are back in stock ahead of next week's launch
Pre-orders for the limited edition Xbox X25 controller are back in stock at major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, GameStop, and directly from Xbox, ahead of its October 20 launch. The $79.99 controller features a translucent green design reminiscent of early Xbox hardware.
Celebrating the Next Generation of Latin American Game Creators
Xbox is actively supporting and highlighting the vibrant game development scene across Latin America through initiatives like the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program and Xbox Game Camp. The article showcases six upcoming games from the region, including Mariachi Legends, Colorbound, Sky Dust, Treetopians, GHOSTLESS, and Greak 2: Alliance of the Storms, emphasizing their unique cultural integrations and innovative gameplay.
Big Walk Won’t Come To Xbox Until Microsoft Is No Longer A BDS Boycott Target
Developer House House has decided not to release its game Big Walk on Xbox Series X|S as a show of support for the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which targets Microsoft due to its contracts with the Israeli government. While the developers acknowledge the disappointment this may cause, they state the game will not be available on Xbox until Microsoft is removed as a boycott target. The Palestinian BDS movement supports this decision and encourages further boycotts of Xbox.
Games Inbox: Was the GTA 6 launch trailer the last one?
Readers discuss the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch trailer, with some feeling it revealed little new information and expressing concern over Rockstar's marketing strategy. Other topics include the generic nature of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's advertising, the challenges of adapting video games into movies, and frustration with Sony's refund policy compared to Steam's.
Hideo Kojima’s New Photos Indicate He is Working With Sony on Something – Rumor
Hideo Kojima has posted photos from Sony offices, fueling rumors of a new collaboration despite Sony dropping its publishing deal for his upcoming game Physint. While Physint is now set to be published by Xbox, Kojima has praised Sony's technical expertise and hinted at future work together. Kojima Productions is also working with Xbox on the horror title OD.
Ahead of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's launch next week, unionised Activision testers have voted to authorise a strike
Unionized quality assurance workers at Activision have voted to authorize a strike, citing stalled negotiations over wages, accommodations, and worker protections, including concerns over AI usage. This action comes just a week before the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and follows recent layoffs at Xbox, adding to the pressure on Activision to reach a fair contract.
007 First Light On Switch 2 Includes Something No Other Platform Gets, And It’s Ridiculous
IO Interactive announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of 007 First Light will launch on March 18, 2027, featuring an exclusive, oversized GoldenEye suit preorder bonus. This unique cosmetic references Pierce Brosnan's attire from the 1995 film GoldenEye, which has a historical connection to Nintendo through the N64 game. The Switch 2 version experienced multiple delays, with the company citing various contributing factors.
A New Call Of Duty Sub-Series Is Coming, After Years Of Black Ops and Modern Warfare
Activision confirmed a new sub-series is coming to Call of Duty, moving away from consecutive Black Ops and Modern Warfare entries. This change aims to provide a fresh experience for the community, with Treyarch and potentially Sledgehammer Games involved in future installments. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is set to release on October 23 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Big Walk devs explain why it isn't on Xbox and likely never will be, 'not until Microsoft and/or Xbox have been removed as BDS boycott targets'
Developer House House has confirmed that their co-op game Big Walk will not be released on Xbox due to the Palestinian-led BDS movement's call to boycott Microsoft and Xbox. The studio cited Microsoft's alleged use of Azure for storing intercepted telecommunications data from Gaza and The West Bank as the reason for the boycott target designation. While acknowledging the decision will disappoint some players, House House stated their belief in collective action for meaningful change.
