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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Microsoft.
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Id Software lead says devs "don't have the incentive to care anymore" with Microsoft threatening another 1,600 Xbox layoffs after latest bloodbath
Id Software lead services programmer Chris Hayes criticizes Microsoft's repeated layoffs, stating that they weaken studios and remove developers' incentive to care about their work. Hayes argues that companies like Microsoft fail to understand the long-term value of experienced teams and the importance of learning from failures, leading to a decline in game quality. This sentiment is echoed by other industry figures concerned about the current climate of studio reductions.
Blizzard’s Record Revenue Year Makes Diablo 5 a Matter of When, Not If
Blizzard Entertainment has achieved its third-best fiscal year for revenue, largely driven by Diablo 4 and Overwatch. The company, now part of Microsoft's Xbox division, is reportedly the top-performing studio. This financial success, coupled with continued support for Diablo 4 through expansions, suggests that a Diablo 5 is highly probable in the future, though an announcement is not expected for several years.
Supermassive Games are the latest studio to announce layoff plans, with 75 jobs at risk just three months after Directive 8020 launch
Supermassive Games has announced that it is beginning redundancy consultations for up to 75 employees, marking the studio's third round of layoffs in two years. This decision comes just three months after the launch of their latest horror game, Directive 8020. The studio cited the need for sustainability as the reason for the difficult decision, a move that mirrors broader trends of job cuts within the gaming industry.
GTA 6 Owner Take-Two Is Not Interested In Selling To Netflix Or Anyone Right Now
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated the company has no interest in being acquired by Netflix or any other entity, emphasizing its strong independent position in the market. He confirmed ongoing partnerships with Netflix for game distribution, including for Grand Theft Auto VI, but dismissed speculation that these collaborations signal a potential buyout. Zelnick highlighted Take-Two's significant revenue and consistent profitability as reasons for remaining independent, especially in a market seeing major consolidations like Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and Saudi Arabia's PIF deal for Electronic Arts.
Thief designer says that the immersive sim audience is too small for AAA games: 'There's quite a few of us who…
Designer Randy Smith Evergreen, known for his work on Thief and System Shock 2, argues that the immersive sim genre is too small for AAA development. He believes that the increasing budgets and scope required for AAA games are misaligned with the niche audience for immersive sims, leading to commercial disappointments like Arkane's Dishonored 2 and Prey. Evergreen suggests that a more viable path for immersive sims is through smaller, AA or indie budgets, citing the original Thief's modest budget as a successful model.
Microsoft apparently just upped its Windows licence fee for OEM handheld and PC makers, and I'm taking it as an…
Microsoft has reportedly increased Windows OEM license fees by 7% to 10% for handheld and PC makers, a move criticized as bold given the rise of Linux. This increase could lead to higher prices for gaming handhelds and PCs, particularly for smaller manufacturers like Ayaneo, while larger companies and partnership devices like the ROG Ally X may be less affected. The author suggests this could further incentivize a shift towards Linux-based operating systems like SteamOS for gaming devices.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Legitimized RPGs on the Xbox
This article discusses how Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic helped legitimize role-playing games on the original Xbox console. As the Xbox approaches its 25th anniversary, the game is highlighted as a significant title for Microsoft's platform.
UK software sales chart for the week ending August 8, 2026 – Resident Evil Requiem on top, Pokemon Pokopia leads for Nintendo Switch 2
Resident Evil Requiem has reclaimed the top spot in the UK software sales chart for the week ending August 8, 2026. Pokemon Pokopia leads for Nintendo Switch 2, rising to third place, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream remains at fourth.
As if PCs weren't expensive enough already, Microsoft is reportedly now charging OEMs more for Windows licenses
Microsoft is reportedly increasing Windows licensing fees for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) by 7% to 10%, a significant jump from previous single-digit annual increases. This rise in costs for PC makers could eventually lead to higher prices for consumers, despite Microsoft's overall revenue growth.
Firefox stunts on Edge as Microsoft gears up to neuter adblockers: 'uBlock Origin isn't going anywhere'
Microsoft Edge is following Google Chrome's lead by phasing out support for Manifest V2 extensions, which impacts adblockers like uBlock Origin. Mozilla Firefox has publicly stated its continued support for uBlock Origin, positioning itself as a haven for users seeking robust ad-blocking capabilities. While other browsers also support adblockers, Firefox is highlighted as a major player in this space, and efforts are underway to bring similar adblock support to its iOS version.
Driving Business Expansion Through Strategic IT Solutions | Invision Game Community
This article discusses how proactive IT solutions, particularly managed IT services and cloud computing, are crucial for modern business expansion and reducing technical risk. It highlights the benefits of a proactive approach over the 'break fix' model, emphasizing improved efficiency, data security, and scalability. The piece also touches on the importance of cybersecurity as a commercial asset and the advantages of local IT support for rapid response and regional understanding.
Games Inbox: Is No Man’s Sky worth playing 10 years on?
This article discusses the 10th anniversary of No Man's Sky, praising Hello Games for its redemption and the new Cosmos update. It also touches on speculation about Grand Theft Auto 6's online mode, recommendations for indie games like Big Walk, and theories surrounding Silent Hill 2. Additionally, it includes commentary on industry practices, developer criticism of publishers, and anticipation for upcoming titles like A Plague Tale and The Legend of Zelda.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Won’t See Discounts or Price Cuts For a While After Release, Says Take-Two CEO
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not receive price cuts or discounts shortly after its release, citing the game's deliberate pricing strategy and historical precedent. While the company sets the price, Zelnick noted that retailers have the freedom to offer discounts on their own terms, potentially through bundles. He also discussed the marketing plans, including an extended look on Netflix and the unprecedented pre-order numbers.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite Cloud Version on Nintendo Switch Has Been Shut Down
The cloud version of Aliens: Fireteam Elite has been shut down on Nintendo Switch, preventing players who purchased it from accessing the game. This shutdown follows the game's delisting from the eShop and raises concerns about game preservation in the era of cloud streaming. While services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus continue to offer cloud gaming, the closure of Google Stadia serves as a cautionary tale about the format's long-term viability.
id Software dev says mass layoffs like Microsoft's are weakening the games industry, because developers 'don't have the incentive to care anymore'
id Software lead services programmer Chris Hayes argues that mass layoffs, like those seen at Microsoft's Xbox division, are detrimental to the games industry. He believes these actions weaken the industry by removing developers' incentive to care about their craft and the long-term quality of games, ultimately leading to mediocre products and a less healthy creative environment.
As GTA 6 anticipation builds and the games industry buckles, Take-Two boss says "I don't love winning by…
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick discusses the current state of the video game industry, marked by layoffs, acquisitions, and cancellations, while anticipating the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Zelnick expresses a preference for growth through innovation rather than attrition and highlights the benefits of being a transparent public company. He also touches on the increasing audience size and monetization potential within the gaming market.
Xbox finally fixes bug that made it impossible to play physical games while exec promises "to improve reliability…
Xbox has released an update to fix a critical bug that prevented players from launching games, including physical disc titles. The issue stemmed from an underlying service failure impacting home console sharing and Game Pass content, exacerbated by a bug in the Xbox client software. Xbox CTO Scott Van Vliet has apologized for the situation and promised broader improvements to product and service reliability.
Blizzard Is Reportedly Xbox’s New Top Studio
Blizzard Entertainment has reportedly been named Xbox's top-performing studio for the past fiscal year, according to internal emails from Blizzard president Johanna Faries. The studio achieved its third-highest revenue in history, driven by strong performance from Diablo 4 and Overwatch, and has seen consecutive years of growth since 2017. This news comes ahead of BlizzCon in September, where further announcements about Blizzard's future are expected.
HandyGames rebrands as THQ Nordic Mobile
HandyGames has rebranded as THQ Nordic Mobile, shifting its focus to bringing premium PC and console titles to mobile platforms, while its development studio continues as HandyGames. Separately, leaked emails reveal Blizzard Entertainment was Xbox's top-performing studio for FY26, driven by Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch, marking its third highest fiscal year for revenue.
Leaked emails reveal Blizzard is Xbox's top-performing studio for FY26
Leaked internal emails reveal that Blizzard Entertainment was the top-performing studio within Xbox Game Studios for Microsoft's fiscal year 2026. This marks Blizzard's second consecutive year of growth, driven by Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch, with FY26 being the studio's third highest fiscal for top-line revenue in its history.
