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9-year-old kid spends $118,000 on YouTube ads for Minecraft and Roblox videos using his dad's company credit card:…
A 9-year-old boy allegedly used his father's company credit card without permission to spend $118,000 on YouTube ads for his Minecraft and Roblox videos. The father discovered the charges after being called into his office and is now facing potential personal liability for the expenses. The child's YouTube channel has been shut down, and the family plans to implement stricter parental controls.
Sea of Thieves: Season 21, Talk Like a Pirate Day, New Rewards, Amazing Prizes and More!
Sea of Thieves is launching Season 21 and celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day with new rewards, a free play weekend from September 17-21, and sweepstakes for prizes like an Xbox Series X. The update introduces the Parley Pennant for diplomatic interactions and offers various in-game items and bonuses for Xbox Game Pass subscribers and Microsoft Rewards users.
Xbox's Fable reboot was allowed a 10-year development because the RPG series is "vital to the DNA of the platform", developer Playground Games says
Playground Games director Ralph Fulton stated that Xbox views the Fable reboot as vital to the platform's identity, contributing to its long and protected development cycle. He believes the RPG offers a unique combination of elements not found elsewhere and is important to gaming as a whole. The game, set for a 2027 release, will feature comedic British talent and a choice-driven finale.
"A dried husk of a product": former Doom producer berates Microsoft for making Halo a "mid-tier" game and mourns the "financialisation" of AAA
Former Doom producer Andrew Willis criticizes Microsoft's management of franchises like Halo, arguing that the "financialisation" of AAA game development leads to a "dried husk of a product" and brand exhaustion. He contrasts this with Nintendo's perceived brand protection strategy and laments the displacement of creatives by executives focused on short-term gains.
Activision Blizzard sued by former employee over sexual harassment
Activision Blizzard is facing a lawsuit from a former employee alleging a pervasive 'frat boy' workplace culture that fostered sexual harassment and assault. The lawsuit details accusations of objectification, workplace pornography, and physical assault by male employees and supervisors. The company states it is taking the allegations seriously and strives for a respectful workplace.
Is the Xbox Game Pass Discount an Indication of Personalised Offers Becoming More Prominent in Entertainment?
Reports indicate that Microsoft is offering discounted Xbox Game Pass subscriptions to select users, suggesting a potential shift towards dynamic and personalized pricing in digital entertainment. This strategy, while potentially effective for subscriber acquisition, has led to some user dissatisfaction due to perceived unfairness.
Here's the second wave of Xbox Game Pass games coming in September
The second wave of games for Xbox Game Pass in September includes major additions like Gears of War: E-Day, Dune: Awakening, and Minecraft Dungeons 2. Dune: Awakening will also be available on PlayStation 5. Several other titles are being added to Game Pass Premium and Ultimate, while some games will be leaving the service on September 30th.
Microsoft doesn't dismiss rumours a major Xbox Game Pass shake-up is on the way, which reportedly removes day-one game offerings entirely
Rumors suggest Microsoft is planning a significant overhaul of Xbox Game Pass, potentially removing day-one game offerings and cloud streaming from all tiers. A new ad-supported tier and a family plan are also reportedly in development, with changes possibly occurring between February and April 2027. Microsoft has stated no changes are finalized but regularly tests new offerings.
Game Pass to end day one launch games say rumours and Xbox isn't denying it
Rumors suggest that Xbox Game Pass will introduce an ad-supported tier and remove day-one game releases starting in spring next year, with cloud streaming becoming a separate add-on. Microsoft has not denied these potential changes, stating they regularly test different offerings, but have not finalized any plans.
'We can't stuff AI back in a box' says former US president Barack Obama, confirming he's 'not a doomer' while still calling for more government AI regulation
Former US President Barack Obama shared his views on Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing the need for public debate and government regulation rather than relying solely on industry self-regulation. While acknowledging AI's potential for breakthroughs, he also warned of disruptions and inequality, stating that humanity cannot 'stuff AI back in a box' but can collectively determine its development and use.
Where have all the RTX 5090s gone? Stock of the high-end GPU is disappearing from US online retailers
The high-end Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics card is largely unavailable at its manufacturer's suggested retail price from major US online retailers, with third-party sellers listing it at significantly inflated prices. This scarcity is attributed to a combination of strong consumer demand for high-end hardware and potential redirection of chips towards AI development and professional products, impacting availability for gamers.
Why the publisher of Nintendo Life is launching a new PC gaming site
Hookshot Media, the publisher behind Nintendo Life and Push Square, has launched Steam Hype, a new website dedicated to PC gaming on Valve's platform. The site aims to provide human-led curation and recommendations for both AAA and indie titles, differentiating itself from established PC gaming outlets. Despite a downturn in the games media industry, Hookshot CEO Anthony Dickens expressed confidence in the company's independent ownership model to adapt and succeed.
Experiencing BlizzCon 2026 and the returns of Starcraft, Diablo, and Warcraft
Blizzard Entertainment celebrated the return of BlizzCon with numerous announcements, including World of Warcraft: Forever, a new Starcraft open-world shooter, Diablo 5, and updates for Warcraft 3 and Overwatch. The event also highlighted the company's integration as a Microsoft subsidiary and celebrated anniversaries for Overwatch and Diablo.
Xbox Doesn’t “Have Any Changes to Announce” For Game Pass Following Leak About Losing Day-One Games
Xbox has stated that there are no immediate changes planned for its Game Pass subscription service, despite rumors of significant alterations. These rumors suggested a consolidation into two tiers, removal of day-one game releases, and separate charges for cloud gaming and multiplayer access. Xbox confirmed it regularly tests offerings to maintain value for subscribers.
Xbox Game Pass is "extremely poorly managed" and Doom should never have been part of it, says former producer
Former id Software producer Andrew Willis describes Xbox Game Pass as "extremely poorly managed" with a lack of foresight and understanding of the consumer market. He argues that Doom should not have been included on the service, suggesting its inclusion negatively impacted sales and contributed to id Software's layoffs. Willis believes Microsoft struggles to define and measure the success of Game Pass, leading to flawed business decisions.
Microsoft Reacts To Xbox Game Pass Rumor That Could Change The Service In A Big Way
A recent rumor suggests Microsoft is planning a significant overhaul of Xbox Game Pass in 2027, potentially introducing tiered pricing with ads and removing day-one releases for some titles. Microsoft has responded by stating they regularly test offerings but have no finalized plans to announce. The article also touches on recent changes made by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, including price adjustments and the removal of new Call of Duty games from day-one access.
Laying off the people making The Elder Scrolls 6 while desperately trying to get The Elder Scrolls 6 finished "doesn't make any sense," says former Bethesda dev
Former Bethesda lore expert Kurt Kuhlmann criticizes Xbox owner Microsoft's decision to lay off veteran developers working on The Elder Scrolls 6, stating it makes no business sense. The layoffs, which impacted experienced creators rather than management, follow reports of pressure to speed up production for The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout.
Microsoft Flight Simulator Announces a Marketplace Exclusive: The Airbus A380
Microsoft Flight Simulator has announced a new marketplace exclusive: the Airbus A380. This addition will be available through the in-game marketplace, offering players a new aircraft to experience.
Blizzard says it announced some major games early in order to ‘convey confidence’ in its releases
Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries explained that the company announced major upcoming games like StarCraft and Diablo V early to convey confidence in their releases and commitment to shipping on time. This strategy aims to reassure fans and employees amidst recent layoffs and create a healthier company environment.
Xbox Game Pass September 2026 Wave 2 Lineup Announced
Microsoft has revealed the second wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in September 2027. The lineup includes Dune Awakening, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and Gears of War: E-Day for Ultimate and PC subscribers.