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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Microsoft.
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Gears of War: E-Day-Themed Xbox Controller Is Up for Preorder
Microsoft is releasing a limited-edition Xbox controller featuring Gears of War: E-Day imagery. The controller is available for preorder and will launch alongside the game.
One Man, Zero Reporters: The AI Newsroom That Beat Journalists to a Black Hat Scoop
An AI-powered newsroom called RuntimeWire, run by Ryan Merket without human reporters, reportedly beat professional journalists to a story from the Black Hat security conference by over three hours. Merket's AI agents handle story sourcing, drafting, editing, and even legal risk assessment, with the entire operation costing around $100 per day. The article questions the journalistic integrity of such AI-driven newsrooms, highlighting concerns about prose quality and ethical considerations despite the speed and cost-effectiveness.
Microsoft drops new Gears of War E-Day Xbox controller, and I'm just hoping these press shots aren't lying to…
Microsoft has released a new limited edition Xbox controller for the upcoming game Gears of War E-Day, featuring a detailed Emergence Hole design. The controller is available for pre-order for $89.99 and is expected to launch on October 9, with a UK listing suggesting a September 30 release. The design includes 3D molded textures and other thematic elements, though it remains a standard Xbox gamepad without pro features.
It looks like Windows updates might actually be speeding up the OS now
Recent Windows 11 updates are introducing performance enhancements, including a 'low latency profile' feature that allows apps to launch quicker by optimizing CPU boosting. This focus on performance and quality-of-life improvements comes as Microsoft reportedly increases licensing costs for OEMs, aiming to provide a snappier user experience.
Bethsoft devs roast Microsoft with a giant inflatable rat as unions plan huge rallies next week
Developers at Bethesda Game Studios have protested Microsoft's recent mass layoffs by erecting a giant inflatable rat and flags representing laid-off workers outside their Rockville HQ. This action precedes planned rallies by Microsoft game developers across the US and Canada on August 18th to protest layoffs and corporate greed.
Xbox leadership's words are drowned out by their actions
Despite assurances from Xbox leadership, the company's actions, including mass layoffs and studio closures, paint a grim picture for its talent and future projects. While executives like Asha Sharma mention upcoming games like The Elder Scrolls 6, these words are seen as empty promises contrasting with the reality of job cuts at studios like id Software and Bethesda.
Gears Of War: E-Day’s New Xbox Controllers Are Metal As Hell
Microsoft has announced limited-edition Xbox wireless controllers for the upcoming game Gears of War: E-Day, featuring designs inspired by the game's Emergence Day theme and artwork by heavy metal illustrator Luke Preece. These controllers, priced at $90, will be available for preorder and can also be customized through the Xbox Design Lab. An official charging dock from 8BitDo is also being released.
Nvidia reckons new $500 billion investment should allay fears AI companies are just funded by the same pot of cash moving around in one big circle. Reassured yet?
Nvidia announced a significant influx of over $500 billion in third-party capital for AI infrastructure, aiming to counter concerns about circular financing within the industry. The company asserts that this initiative will establish an open capital market for AI, with independent investors underwriting projects. However, the article questions the true independence of these investments, given the interconnectedness of major players like BlackRock and Microsoft in the AI market, and suggests this could be a temporary measure before a potential market correction.
When the Reward Becomes Part of the Game
Modern games increasingly integrate rewards systems, such as Battle Passes and subscription perks, that can become as engaging as the core gameplay. These systems, exemplified by Fortnite and Battlefield 6, offer layered progression and visible unlocks, turning the pursuit of prizes into a significant part of the player experience. Even store credit and betting promotions come with complex conditions that players must understand to gauge their true value.
The Xbox Elite Series 3 seems to have leaked — and, in a twist no one expected, might have a built-in screen
A prototype for the unannounced Xbox Elite Series 3 controller has reportedly leaked, featuring a built-in screen and other design changes compared to the Elite Series 2. The controller was allegedly purchased on OfferUp, and while it appears genuine, it may be a developer unit as the poster could not pair it with a console. The inclusion of a screen suggests potential new functionalities for controller settings and status indication.
Xbox promises that the causes of the recent outage, which rendered even game discs unplayable, have been fixed
Microsoft has announced that the causes of a major Xbox service outage in July have been fixed. The outage, which affected Game Pass, home console sharing, and even made game discs unplayable, was due to an external service failure compounded by a separate Xbox bug. A client update has rolled out, and the Xbox team is working on hardening its services for improved reliability.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Demo to Xbox Leadership Included a Giant Inflatable Rat, Placed Outside Bethesda Offices in Protest at Microsoft's Mass Layoffs
Bethesda employees inflated a giant rat outside the company's offices during a visit from Xbox leadership to play The Elder Scrolls 6. This protest occurred in response to Microsoft's recent mass layoffs.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's internal playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6 disrupted by a giant inflatable rat, as Bethesda union protests cuts
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's internal playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6 was disrupted by a protest organized by the CWA video game union outside Bethesda's offices. The protest, featuring a giant inflatable rat and red flags representing laid-off employees, aimed to highlight the substantial job cuts made by Microsoft. Sharma briefly commented on the game's scale and story on X, while the union vowed to continue fighting against the layoffs.
Halo: Campaign Evolved struggles to sell in anywhere near the quantities the recent Black Ops revivals did, and the probable reason? Lack of multiplayer
Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the original Halo campaign, has struggled to sell, with only 1.2 million copies sold across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox in two weeks. Analysts suggest the high price point and lack of multiplayer, a feature present in the cheaper Master Chief Collection and the successful Call of Duty: Black Ops ports, are the primary reasons for its poor performance. Despite being the first Halo title released on PlayStation, the campaign-only remake generated significantly less revenue than recent Call of Duty ports.
'One flag for each laid off dev:' Union workers stage unmissable protest for Xbox boss Asha Sharma
Union workers from the Communications Workers of America protested outside Bethesda's office during Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's visit, deploying an inflatable rat and red flags to represent each employee laid off under her leadership. The protest aimed to highlight the human cost of recent mass layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division, which have affected studios like Obsidian, id Software, and ZeniMax Online Studios.
The Future of Virtual Competition: Is Xbox Game Pass Primed to Launch the Next Big Esport?
This article analyzes the potential for Xbox Game Pass to foster the next major esport, highlighting how its subscription model lowers the barrier to entry for new multiplayer games. While services like Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant, and Call of Duty already benefit from Game Pass integrations, the platform's true strength lies in providing a large player base for unproven titles. However, the article emphasizes that core game design, depth, and community building are still crucial for a game to achieve esport status, with Game Pass acting as a facilitator rather than a guarantee.
The Elder Scrolls 6 demo had a surprise guest at Bethesda HQ: a giant inflatable rat set up by protesting employees to watch Xbox execs who oversaw "devastating layoffs"
During a visit from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to Bethesda, protesting employees displayed a giant inflatable rat and hundreds of flags to highlight the significant layoffs that have occurred under Microsoft's leadership. The demonstration aimed to remind executives of the workers impacted by these cuts and advocate for fair treatment and the future of the game industry.
As Xbox head Asha Sharma reportedly visits Bethesda HQ, workers put up red flags representing laid off staff and a giant inflatable rat outside
Communications Workers of America union members protested outside Bethesda's headquarters with red flags representing laid-off workers and a giant inflatable rat. The protest coincided with a reported visit from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and highlights ongoing concerns about Microsoft's significant layoffs within its gaming divisions, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Might Have An 8-Letter Subtitle
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has teased a potential 8-letter subtitle for the upcoming game The Elder Scrolls 6 after witnessing a live playthrough. Bethesda previously stated that development is proceeding as planned, despite recent layoffs impacting morale and raising concerns about potential delays. The Elder Scrolls 6 is one of Microsoft's most anticipated upcoming titles.
Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Biggest Competition Might Be Halo
Halo: Campaign Evolved has sold an estimated 1.2 million copies across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, generating around $67 million. Analysts suggest that Halo: The Master Chief Collection offers better value and is the primary competition, especially on PC where it has sold 8.5 million copies on Steam. Sales on PlayStation 5 are neck and neck with Xbox Series X|S, driven by a nostalgia-seeking older demographic.
