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Ex-PlayStation Boss Has Some Advice For Xbox: “Pick A Lane”
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden advises Xbox to "pick a lane," suggesting the company either commit to competing with PlayStation on hardware or fully embrace its role as the world's largest game publisher. Layden points to Sega's shift to software after the Dreamcast as a precedent, noting Xbox's declining console sales and potential future as a software-only entity.
All the RPS Supporter rewards for September 2026: Model ships, maze cities, and the tyranny of content
Rock Paper Shotgun details its supporter rewards for September 2026, including exclusive articles and early access to game impressions. Featured games include ShipShapers: Falconeer Chronicles, Sprawl Zero, Automobilista 2, and Rogue Eclipse. The article also touches on broader industry topics like Microsoft/Xbox layoffs and the use of the word 'content'.
Housemarque and Bithell Games join Game Republic New Horizons speaker lineup, Nintendo to host open session for developers and publishers
Game Republic New Horizons has announced additional speakers for its upcoming event, including Housemarque VFX lead Robbert Groenendijk and Bithell Games director Mike Bithell. Nintendo will also host an open session for developers and publishers to discuss working with the company. The event will feature keynotes and panels on various aspects of game development, investment, and industry trends.
Xbox’s New Mythic Achievements Available Now To Xbox Insiders
Xbox is rolling out a new feature called Mythic Achievements, which are awarded to players who complete all core achievements in a game. This system is similar to PlayStation's Platinum Trophy.
Xbox’s Disc-to-Digital Program is Now Rolling Out to All Users
Xbox has officially rolled out its Disc-to-Digital program to all users, allowing them to convert eligible physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X games into digital licenses. However, not all games are eligible, with participation depending on publishers like Ubisoft and Square Enix, who have opted out of some titles. The program associates the digital license with the original disc, meaning users could lose access if they no longer possess it.
Xbox Debuts New Mythic Achievements, Available Now for Insiders
Xbox has launched a new 'Mythic Achievements' feature for Insiders, rewarding players who have completed all original achievements in any game, including older Xbox 360 titles. While primarily offering bragging rights, the feature is seen as a positive way to celebrate gaming history.
Halo's Former Franchise Creative Director Sees 3 Possible Paths for Activision's Halo
Former Halo Franchise Creative Director Frank O'Connor has outlined three potential future directions for the Halo franchise under Activision's ownership. O'Connor, who spent nearly 20 years at 343 Industries, shared his thoughts on how Xbox's once flagship series could move forward.
"Why should we just give up the entire month of November?" – The indie games going head to head with GTA 6
Several indie games, including Flame, Forest and Flood and Volvy's Adventure: Reslimed, are set to launch on November 19, directly competing with the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6. While analysts caution against this strategy due to GTA 6's massive marketing pull, developers like Fairy Mount Games and Devolver Digital see it as an opportunity to stand out by offering distinct experiences, particularly on PC where GTA 6 will not initially release.
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida's highlights of Tokyo Game Show include Sonic's new indie spinoff and a…
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida shared his favorite titles from the Tokyo Game Show, highlighting the indie game Hair Removal Salon Simulator. He praised the game's satisfying core loop and unique premise, comparing it to Power Wash Simulator. Yoshida also mentioned Sonic Pico Park and other indie titles, continuing his role as a champion for independent developers.
Sony to skip CES 2027 for first time since expo's inaugural event in 1967
Sony will not attend the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2027, marking its first absence since the event's inception in 1967. The company stated this decision reflects a shift in focus towards "entertainment, intellectual property, and technology geared to support creators." This marks a departure from its traditional presence, which often included PlayStation hardware announcements.
Thank You Bus Driver Brings Double Fine Chaos on October 14
Double Fine's chaotic black-and-white bus driving game, Thank You Bus Driver, is set to launch on October 14 for PC platforms including Steam, GOG, and itch.io. This marks Double Fine's first release since its split from Xbox, and it will be published under their new Double Fine Action Labs label for "weird, little games."
PHYSINT Reportedly Alters Budgets Following Xbox Switch
Reports suggest that Hideo Kojima's new Xbox game, Physint, has a significantly smaller budget than initially rumored, potentially around $150 million, compared to the $400 million figure speculated for Sony's involvement. This comes amid Xbox's efforts to improve its image and Sony's struggles with live-service titles, with sources indicating Physint is behind schedule.
Double Fine's first game since being dumped by Xbox will be out in just 2 weeks
Double Fine Productions is releasing its new game, Thank You Bus Driver, in two weeks, marking its first title since being dropped by Xbox. This experimental driving simulator, described as 'Crazy Taxi meets Papers, Please!', will be available on PC via Steam, GOG, and Itch.io on October 14.
Double Fine's releasing its next game, Thank You Bus Driver, just months after splitting from Xbox
Double Fine Productions is releasing its new game, Thank You Bus Driver, on October 14 for PC storefronts like Steam, GOG, and Itch.io. This marks the studio's first release since regaining independence from Xbox earlier this summer, following Xbox's corporate restructuring and Double Fine's own workforce reduction.
Behold, The $60 Gears Of War Pizza Cutter That Looks Like A Real Pain In The Butt To Clean
Xbox and Prince St. Pizza have collaborated on a Gears of War-themed pizza and a $60 Prototype Lancer pizza cutter to promote the upcoming game, Gears of War: E-Day. The pizza cutter features a stainless steel blade and a handle designed to resemble the iconic in-game weapon, and comes with an in-game pizza emblem. The article notes the high price and potential cleaning difficulty of the cutter, while also discussing the lore explanation for the 'Prototype Lancer' in the prequel.
Why Game Pass Is Stalling and What a Circana Analyst Thinks About It | Invision Game Community
Circana analyst Mat Piscatella believes Xbox Game Pass is facing stalled subscriber growth due to the inherent limitations of the subscription model for games, arguing that most players only engage with one or two titles annually. Xbox executive Asha Sharma is exploring strategies like price reductions and ad-supported cloud gaming to improve profitability, though the effectiveness of these measures will not be clear for at least a year.
Minecraft has sold almost twice as much as GTA 5 but can it keep ahead of GTA 6?
Minecraft has surpassed 425 million copies sold, significantly extending its lead as the best-selling game of all time over Grand Theft Auto 5's 230 million. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma believes no game will catch Minecraft, though Grand Theft Auto 6 is anticipated to be a massive launch. The article also mentions other top-selling games and upcoming releases.
Hideo Kojima's Physint isn't costing Xbox $400 million after all, with new reports suggesting the Metal Gear successor's actual budget is "significantly less"
New reports suggest that Xbox's deal for Hideo Kojima's upcoming game Physint is significantly less than the rumored $400 million. While Sony reportedly canceled the game, Xbox has picked it up for publishing. Despite ongoing rumors about budget concerns, sources indicate the actual cost is much lower, though still substantial for a AAA title.
Microsoft boss Nadella says Xbox has to invent "sustainable business model"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that Xbox must invent a sustainable business model to reach more players, viewing recent layoffs and studio closures under Asha Sharma as positive "streamlining." Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox returning to growth in the next fiscal year, emphasizing the goal of being a leading publisher and platform provider across PC and Xbox.
Industry insiders and Tokyo gossip suggest Kojima is getting less money from Xbox than original PlayStation budget for…
Industry insiders suggest Hideo Kojima's new game, Physint, is being developed with Microsoft for a significantly lower budget than originally planned with Sony. While initial reports suggested figures up to $400 million, sources indicate Xbox's deal is for a 'fraction' of that amount, potentially impacting development conditions. The article also touches on rumors of a third Kojima project and the potential involvement of actors like Robert Pattinson.
