Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
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PlayStation Plus Essential Price Increase Starts on May 20th for New Subscribers
Sony is increasing the price of PlayStation Plus Essential for new subscribers starting May 20th. Monthly subscriptions will rise to $10.99 USD and three-month subscriptions to $27.99 USD, with existing subscribers unaffected unless their subscription lapses or changes. PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers remain unchanged.
Xbox Has Seemingly Rebranded to XBOX (Seriously)
Microsoft Gaming has seemingly rebranded to XBOX, adopting an all-caps version of its name following a Twitter poll. This change, spearheaded by CEO Asha Sharma, follows other recent updates including a new logo, console start-up animation, and adjustments to Game Pass pricing. The article notes that time will tell if this rebranding will be a lasting change.
PS5's New Weekly Player Tracker Has Revealed Some Brutal Truths for Fans
Sony's new PlayStation 5 weekly player tracker reveals that live service games dominate player engagement, with titles like Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto 5 showing significantly higher player numbers than other games. This data highlights the importance of ongoing content updates and microtransactions for sustained player interest and profitability on the platform.
Xbox Is Rebranding Itself, Sort Of
Xbox, under CEO Asha Sharma, has seemingly rebranded its social media accounts to all caps "XBOX," mirroring the original console's naming convention. This change follows a fan poll and may be an effort to evoke nostalgia amidst recent hardware and game sales declines. The company is also adjusting its Game Pass strategy, with Call of Duty titles no longer receiving day-one access.
PS5 Will Reveal the Most Played Games with Steam-Like Player Numbers
Sony is beta testing a new PlayStation 5 widget that will display weekly player numbers for the top ten games in a user's region, similar to Steam's concurrent player data. While not identical to concurrent player counts, this feature aims to provide more insight into the PS5 ecosystem. The widget also includes a toggle for tracking sudden surges in game activity.
Sony Surprise Drops New Feature via May 2026 Beta Update
Sony has introduced a new 'Community Activity' widget to the PlayStation 5 via a beta update, which displays the most popular games and modes in a user's region. While the feature is currently in beta and its usefulness is questioned compared to PlayStation 4's social offerings, it may see a full rollout in the coming months.
How to make Titanium Ingots in Subnautica 2
This guide explains how to craft Titanium Ingots in Subnautica 2, a necessary step for creating items like the Sonic Resonator and Repair Tool. Players must first build a Processor using a Habitat Builder, which requires scanning for the blueprint. The Processor then uses three titanium pieces to create one Titanium Ingot.
How to get Acidic Raion Pouch in Subnautica 2
This guide explains how to find Acidic Raion Pouches in Subnautica 2, a crucial component for crafting the scanner's basic battery. The pouches are harvested from purple, brain-shaped plants called Acid Raions, which can be found in caves near the starting Lifepod. Players will need a Survival Multitool to harvest them and should collect the pouches before the Medical Gel Sack to avoid acid damage.
Game Consoles Are Pricing Themselves Out of Relevance
The increasing price of game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X is making them less relevant to a growing audience, especially younger gamers who are accustomed to more affordable or free-to-play experiences on PC and mobile. Analysts predict future consoles could cost as much as $900, a price point that, combined with stagnating graphical advancements and the increasing availability of games on PC, may alienate consumers. This trend is further exacerbated by declining hardware sales and rising component costs due to factors like inflation and supply chain issues.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Won’t be 200 Hours Long or Use Generative AI
Casey Hudson, director of Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, stated the upcoming RPG will not be excessively long, aiming for completion rather than hundreds of hours of gameplay. He also confirmed the game will not utilize generative AI, which he described as "creatively soulless." The project is being funded by Simon Zhu's GreaterThan Group, which has raised $40 million and secured commitments for nearly $60 million more, with a goal of publishing innovative projects.
Xbox CEO Wants To Know If You Spell It "Xbox" Or "XBOX"
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is polling players on whether the brand name should be spelled "Xbox" or "XBOX," with "XBOX" currently leading. The discussion comes as Xbox faces challenges, including declining hardware and services revenue and a shift towards multiplatform releases, with games like Call of Duty no longer being day-one additions to Game Pass.
"If David Lynch made shooters" is Black Ops veteran David Vondehaar's catchphrase for his new game that isn't a "Call of Duty killer"
Former Call of Duty: Black Ops designer David Vondehaar is developing a new shooter with his studio BulletFarm, funded by GreaterThan Group. Vondehaar described the game as being in the vein of "if David Lynch made shooters," emphasizing it will not be a military simulation or a "Call of Duty killer." The project aims for a three-year development cycle with a team of around 50 people.
New Steam Controller does a Wilhelm scream if you drop it
Valve's new Steam Controller features an unexpected Easter egg: it emits the Wilhelm scream sound effect when dropped. This is achieved through the controller's haptic motors, as it lacks a built-in speaker. The article also touches on delays for the Steam Machine and VR headset due to a memory crisis.
Call of Duty legend returns after losing NetEase funding with plans for a new FPS game that isn't a CoD "killer," but more like "if David Lynch made shooters"
David Vonderhaar, a veteran developer known for the Call of Duty: Black Ops series, has confirmed his studio BulletFarm is developing a new first-person multiplayer/co-operative shooter. Despite previously losing funding from NetEase, the studio has secured new backing from GreaterThan Group. Vonderhaar described the project as a creative experience, likening it to 'if David Lynch made shooters,' and aims for a three-year development cycle.
Why Streamers Care So Much About Custom Skins
Custom skins have become a crucial element of streamer identity, helping creators stand out in a crowded market and build recognizable brands. Games like Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Free Fire feature extensive cosmetic systems that streamers leverage for content, viewer engagement, and online branding. Digital marketplaces have made acquiring these cosmetics easier, further solidifying their role in modern gaming culture and streamer success.
Sony: PS Plus Gets 'Four to Six' Day One Games Per Year - And the Focus Is on Indies
Sony's Chris Svensson stated that PlayStation Plus will feature between four to six day-one game releases annually, primarily focusing on indie titles. This strategy differs from competitors like Xbox Game Pass, which offers more day-one releases. Sony curates its PS Plus offerings, emphasizing exposure for developers.
'PS5 Is Just a Plastic Box if It Doesn't Have Content': Sony Explains Its 'Third-Party Focused' Ecosystem
Sony executive Christian Svensson emphasizes that the PlayStation 5 is primarily a "third-party focused" platform, stating that content is king and third-party games are the lion's share. He explains that while first-party titles set the bar, Sony has a responsibility to foster growth across the entire industry by supporting new voices and ambitious projects. Svensson also teased upcoming programs designed to benefit third-party developers.
CoD Veteran's New Shooter Is "Not A Call Of Duty Killer," Inspired By David Lynch
David Vonderhaar, a veteran Call of Duty developer, is creating a new shooter at his studio BulletFarm, funded by GreaterThan Group. He stated the game is not intended to compete with Call of Duty but is inspired by David Lynch's surreal style, featuring cooperative and player-vs-player elements. Vonderhaar aims for a three-year development cycle with a small team.
Xbox Game Pass Price, Day-One Games, And Tiers In 2026 Explained
Microsoft is implementing significant changes to its Xbox Game Pass service in 2026, including a price decrease for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $23 per month and the removal of day-one Call of Duty releases. New tiers like the Starter Edition, available through Discord Nitro and Meta Horizon+, offer access to a curated library of games and limited cloud streaming. While Essential and Premium tiers offer different levels of access to game libraries and online multiplayer, Ultimate remains the most comprehensive option, including cloud streaming and access to EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics.
Solo-Only Players: Skip Every Battle Pass in 2026 | TAG
This article argues that solo players should skip all battle passes starting in 2026, as the monetization system relies on social validation and FOMO, which are largely irrelevant to solo experiences. The author contends that the time investment required for battle passes is not worth the temporary cosmetics, suggesting that the saved money and time could be better spent on full single-player game purchases.
