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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Microsoft.
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Newzoo: Most established live-service and evergreen titles were flat or down year over year in H1 2026
Newzoo reports that most live-service and evergreen games saw flat or declining year-over-year performance in the first half of 2026, with growth limited to a few titles. Digital revenues declined in Western markets, attributed to free-to-play and annualised premium weakness. Console player growth is projected to increase to 3% in 2026, largely driven by the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Blizzard must now 'discuss, evaluate, and bargain' its AI usage with its developers
Blizzard Entertainment's union, in partnership with the Communications Workers of America, has secured a new contract that requires the company to discuss and bargain over the implementation of generative AI in the workplace. This landmark agreement, impacting around 1900 workers, also includes wage increases, job protections, and enhanced severance for layoffs, offering a significant victory for labor rights in the gaming industry.
Why Real-Money Casino Games Rarely Come to Xbox Consoles
Real-money casino games are rarely released on Xbox consoles not due to hardware limitations, but due to the complex regulatory and distribution challenges. Satisfying both gambling regulators and Microsoft's store policies, alongside managing location-specific licensing and payment processing, makes native Xbox apps impractical for operators compared to mobile or browser-based distribution. The inherent differences in console commerce and user verification further complicate the integration.
Hideo Kojima spy action game Physint switches publishing allegiance from PlayStation to Xbox, probably increasing the chances it'll hit PC
Hideo Kojima's upcoming action espionage game, Physint, has switched publishers from PlayStation to Xbox. PlayStation initially informed Kojima Productions they planned to cancel the project, leading to a three-month search for a new partner. Xbox will now publish Physint, increasing the likelihood of a PC release, though the move also brings awareness to ongoing boycotts against Microsoft.
Physint goes from PlayStation to Xbox as Sony "unexpectedly" drops Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid…
Xbox has announced it will publish Hideo Kojima's upcoming action-espionage game, Physint, after PlayStation unexpectedly canceled the project. Kojima stated that PlayStation Studios informed him of the cancellation in mid-June, prompting a three-month search for a new partner, which led to the collaboration with Xbox. The article also touches on Sony's recent strategic decisions and Xbox's own challenges.
PlayStation tried to cancel Hideo Kojima's Physint, now Xbox is publishing it
Hideo Kojima's upcoming game, Physint, will now be published by Xbox after PlayStation Studios attempted to cancel the project. Kojima Productions is moving forward with the 'tactical espionage action' title, which Kojima described as "both a game and a movie at the same time."
Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid Spiritual Successor Physint Will Now Be Published by Xbox Instead of Sony
Hideo Kojima's upcoming game Physint, considered a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid, will now be published by Xbox instead of Sony. This partnership also includes the horror game OD and expands to film and television projects.
The Rare SNES game that became Banjo-Kazooie has been preserved thanks to a leaker who wants you to "delete…
A leaker has released the ROM files for Project Dream, a canceled Super Nintendo pirate RPG prototype that served as the basis for Rare's Banjo-Kazooie. The leaker cited concerns about the current state of the game industry, including layoffs, anti-preservation tactics, and Microsoft's management of Rare, as reasons for the release. The leaker also expressed strong negative sentiments towards Microsoft and Sony, urging boycotts.
Almost 1,900 Blizzard workers ratify first union contract with Microsoft
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by newly formed unions, have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with parent company Microsoft. The contract, lasting four to five years, includes protections for generative AI use, crediting, remote work, and layoffs, establishing a 60-day notice period for job cuts and 14 months of recall rights. Meanwhile, Activision's subsidiary King has rejected a collective bargaining agreement with Swedish trade unions.
Gears Of War: E-Day Has A Smash Mouth-Inspired Achievement, And That’s Fantastic
Gears of War: E-Day will feature a "HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL STAR…" achievement inspired by Smash Mouth's "All Star," famously used in Shrek. The game is set to release on October 6 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. The article also touches on Microsoft's recent studio closures and game cancellations, and mentions a rumored but denied PlayStation 5 version.
Call of Duty introduces a gun skin that you can only see on an Xbox console
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is introducing a gun skin, the 'Inner Circuit' blueprint, that appears differently on Xbox consoles compared to PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. While the weapon performs identically across platforms, the Xbox version features exclusive visual elements tied to the original Xbox's design and branding, a move the article criticizes as confusing platform-specific marketing.
We’ve Never Seen Anything Like This In Call Of Duty Before
Activision has detailed a preorder bonus for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, offering an Inner Circuit M4 weapon blueprint. Xbox preorders will receive a unique translucent green version of the blueprint to celebrate Xbox's 25th anniversary, though all versions are functionally identical. Microsoft, which owns Activision, is also offering a $5 credit to Xbox players purchasing the game on the platform.
Blizzard Workers Win Historic Union Contract That Could Set A New Standard For Game Developers
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have secured a historic union contract with Microsoft. The agreement includes workplace flexibility, guaranteed wage increases, AI job automation guardrails, and job-recall rights for laid-off employees. This contract is seen as a potential blueprint for other video game industry unions.
Epic Games Store to introduce age checks for R18+ games in Australia
Epic Games will implement age verification for R18+ titles on the Epic Games Store in Australia starting September 9, aligning with the country's online safety code. Players will have multiple verification options, including selfie, credit card, or government ID checks. This follows similar age verification rollouts by Xbox and Valve in Australia and the UK.
Almost 1,900 Blizzard workers vote through a "historic" union contract securing protections against layoffs and gen-AI
Approximately 1,900 unionized workers at Blizzard Entertainment have ratified their first contract, securing protections against layoffs and mandating bargaining over the use of generative AI. This historic agreement provides enhanced severance and recall rights for employees across multiple game teams, including World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo.
Microsoft's AI vulnerability detection results in record-breaking Patch Tuesday, addressing 974 security flaws
Microsoft's September Patch Tuesday addresses a record-breaking 974 security flaws in Windows 10 and Windows 11, significantly boosted by AI vulnerability detection tools. The update includes fixes for two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities. This follows Microsoft's increased use of AI in security, which also led to a large number of fixes in July.
Available for XBOX Insiders: More Ways to Customize, Play, and Connect
Xbox Insiders can now test new console features including customizable startup animations, profile badge showcases, and a local search function for games and achievements. Updates also improve Xbox Remote Play streaming quality up to 1440p and allow downloads to continue in the background while streaming cloud games. Voice Clarity for party chat is also being tested on Xbox Series X|S.
Unionised Blizzard workers vote through contract giving them a say on genAI adoption and protection against layoffs
Unionized Blizzard Entertainment workers have ratified a new contract that requires the company to negotiate with them over the use of generative AI tools and provides protections against layoffs. The contract covers approximately 1900 staff and includes provisions for recall rights for laid-off employees and additional severance pay. This development occurs amidst ongoing workforce reductions at Microsoft's gaming division.
Now You Can Play Star Fox Adventures On Switch 2 And Decide If It’s Terrible Or Great Yourself
Star Fox Adventures, originally a GameCube title developed by Rare, has been added to the Nintendo Switch Online service for subscribers of the Expansion Pack. The game, which marked a departure from the series' traditional dog-fighting gameplay with its Zelda-like action-adventure style, is now available for players to experience and form their own opinions on its divisive legacy.
"It's a new day at Blizzard": Union wins historic contract protecting 1,900 World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and more workers as Microsoft plans another 1,600 layoffs
Blizzard Entertainment union members, represented by the CWA, have secured a new contract covering 1,900 workers across titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch. The agreement includes strong protections against layoffs and mandates negotiation over the use of AI in game development. This comes as parent company Microsoft plans further layoffs across Xbox.
