Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
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How To Unlock The Doom Slayer In Call Of Duty And All Other Doom Rewards
Call of Duty's The Haunting event features a limited-time Doom crossover, allowing players to unlock themed operator skins, decals, and a special weapon. The event runs until October 14 and includes both free and paid reward tracks, with the iconic "Doom Guy" operator skin available via the premium pass for 1,100 CoD Points. Players can earn rewards by grinding XP across various game modes.
State of Decay 3 Studio Was Going to Be Acquired by Splash Damage Before Deal Fell Through – Rumor
Xbox is reportedly divesting four studios, including Undead Labs, developer of State of Decay 3. A rumored acquisition of Undead Labs by Splash Damage fell through, as did potential deals for Ninja Theory. These moves are part of a larger business "reset" by Xbox, which has also involved significant layoffs and studio reorganizations.
Call Of Duty’s Carry Forward Will Continue In Warzone For MW4, But There’s A Catch
Activision is changing how legacy weapons and operator skins will function in Call of Duty: Warzone with the integration of Modern Warfare 4. While older weapons will remain usable, their Gunsmith customization options will be limited, with only pre-set five-attachment versions or owned blueprints available. This change aims to focus the weapon meta on Modern Warfare 4 but may alienate players who prefer customizing their favorite legacy guns.
DC's upcoming Dynamic Duo movie has been pushed back, but has reportedly cast its Robin and Red Hood
DC's animated film 'Dynamic Duo' has reportedly cast Mason Thames as Dick Grayson and Logan Kim as Jason Todd, with Lee Pace and Steve Buscemi as Red Hoods One and Two. The movie's release date has been moved from June 30, 2028, to September 22, 2028, due to a Warner Bros. release schedule shake-up amid its potential sale to Paramount. The film is produced by Matt Reeves' company and written by Matthew Aldrich.
$14,000 for a PC with titanium-alloy flowers that unfurl as your system temps get toasty? Well, okay then...
Australian PC maker Aftershock PC has released the 'Cherry Bloom,' a custom PC featuring handcrafted titanium-alloy cherry blossoms that unfurl as system temperatures rise. The high-end build includes an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU and Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics, with a price tag of approximately $14,000 USD.
Halo needed to change, but Activision faces a huge challenge to fix it
Microsoft has transferred control of the Halo franchise from 343 Industries to Activision, a move met with skepticism due to Activision's track record with Call of Duty. While 343 Industries had successes like Halo Infinite's multiplayer and art direction, they struggled with campaign storytelling and consistent releases. The author questions Activision's ability to preserve Halo's unique identity while attempting to revitalize its relevance in the current shooter landscape.
Activision’s Halo Game: Everything We Know So Far
Microsoft is assigning Activision to develop the next mainline Halo game, a move that has resulted in significant layoffs at 343 Industries, now renamed Halo Studios. While the future of the Halo franchise is uncertain, Microsoft aims to revive its popularity, though some industry figures express skepticism about the cost and efficiency of such an endeavor.
Halo Co-Creator Reacts To Franchise Moving To Activision: “Shocked But Not Entirely Surprised”
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto expressed shock but not surprise regarding the franchise's move to Activision following Microsoft's restructuring of its Xbox studios. Lehto, who was affected by layoffs at Halo Studios, wished well to the developers impacted by the decision. Activision will form a new team for Halo, while Halo Studios will focus on supporting existing titles and the community.
What the Hell is Going on With Halo and Xbox?
Xbox Game Studios has announced significant layoffs at Halo Studios, formerly 343 Industries, with 268 roles eliminated. A smaller team will continue to support existing Halo titles, while a new, separate team under Activision will develop the next mainline Halo installment. This move is part of a broader strategy to accelerate franchise output and streamline development, though it has led to widespread criticism regarding job security and studio management.
Does Microsoft really want to save Xbox or have they already given up?
Microsoft's recent wave of job cuts within Xbox, affecting hundreds of developers, raises serious questions about the company's commitment to its gaming division. The article suggests these layoffs, coupled with studio restructuring and a lack of clear hardware strategy, indicate a potential winding down of Xbox's ambitions, possibly leading to its eventual sale as a third-party publisher.
The social interactions in Wardogs are truly something special
Wardogs stands out among shooters for fostering positive social interactions through its emphasis on proximity chat and long, engaging rounds. The game's design encourages teamwork and allows players to fulfill various niche roles, leading to more meaningful connections and friendships than typically found in the genre.
Blizzard confirms StarCraft "won't be exclusive" to Xbox and refuses to elaborate
Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed that the upcoming StarCraft game will not be exclusive to Xbox platforms. While the exact platforms remain undisclosed, a spokesperson stated that referring to it as an "Xbox-exclusive" would be incorrect. This decision comes after Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and despite Xbox's stated strategy of prioritizing exclusive titles for platform growth.
What Is Xbox Game Studios At This Point?
Recent changes and layoffs within Xbox have led to a significant restructuring of its studios, questioning the identity and purpose of the 'Xbox Game Studios' brand. With only four studios remaining under its direct banner and others absorbed into Bethesda or Activision Blizzard, the publisher's internal structure has become complex and its future branding uncertain.
Halo Studios didn't have the chance to launch even one original title before Xbox decided to let Call of Duty…
Microsoft has shut down Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) after 268 layoffs, with the Halo franchise now being transferred to Activision. The studio never launched an original title, only a remake of Halo: Campaign Evolved, before its closure. This move is part of broader restructuring within Xbox Game Studios, which has seen significant cuts across multiple developers.
Call Of Duty creators Activision to make next Halo game as Xbox confirm layoffs
Microsoft has confirmed significant layoffs and studio restructuring within its Xbox division, including the closure of Ninja Theory. Activision will now develop the next Halo game, while 343 Industries will focus on supporting existing titles. This move comes amidst broader industry trends of layoffs and consolidation, with other studios like Rare and Bethesda also undergoing shifts in oversight.
"Good luck today, Halo friends": After years of rivalry, Call of Duty's creators have taken charge of Xbox's defining FPS series amid yet more layoffs
Microsoft has significantly restructured its Xbox gaming division, placing the Halo franchise under Activision's development leadership while demoting Halo Studios to a support role. This move is accompanied by substantial layoffs affecting 268 employees across various first-party studios, including Halo Studios. The article highlights the historical rivalry between Halo and Call of Duty and expresses concern for the affected employees.
Xbox's consolidation plans might mean you get a new Halo sooner, but history shows production line development makes for boring games
Xbox's strategy of consolidating studios and pushing for more frequent releases, exemplified by the Activision Blizzard acquisition and changes to the Halo team, risks creating a future of formulaic and uninspired games. The author argues that while such consolidation might seem efficient, history shows that annual releases and a focus on existing franchises often stifle creativity and lead to a homogenization of game design, potentially resulting in a less exciting gaming landscape.
Xbox confirms layoffs of 268 across Halo Studios, Xbox Game Studios & more
Xbox has announced significant layoffs, impacting 268 positions across various first-party studios including Halo Studios and Xbox Game Studios. The company is also beginning consultations for the potential closure of Ninja Theory, developer of the Hellblade series. These changes are part of broader organizational restructuring that will see studios like Turn 10 and Playground Games merged.
Xbox continues 'reset' with Halo Studios layoffs and Undead Labs divestment
Xbox has announced further layoffs, cutting 268 employees from various first-party studios including Halo Studios. This is part of a larger restructuring plan that has already seen divestments of studios like Undead Labs and Compulsion Games, and the proposed closure of Ninja Theory. Xbox is also consolidating internal studios and shifting development responsibilities, with Activision now set to develop the next Halo title.
Next major Halo game being developed by Activision, as Halo Studios all but closes as part of Microsoft's Xbox restructuring
Microsoft has significantly restructured its Xbox division, leading to the closure of Halo Studios and the reduction of its staff. Development of the next mainline Halo game has been handed over to Activision, which will create a new team separate from Call of Duty for the project. This move is part of broader layoffs and studio consolidations within Microsoft.
