Strategy
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Xbox Adds Two New Heavy Hitters to Its Leadership Team
Xbox has appointed Matthew Ball as Chief Strategy Officer and Scott Van Vliet as Chief Technology Officer to bolster its leadership team. Ball, formerly of Amazon Studios and CEO of Epyllion, brings extensive strategy and investment experience, while Van Vliet has a background with Microsoft products and gaming development. These appointments are part of ongoing leadership changes under CEO Asha Sharma.
Microsoft hired an analyst with an influential video game blog to fix Xbox
Microsoft has hired Matthew Ball, an analyst known for his influential video game blog, as the new chief strategy officer for Xbox. This move comes ahead of the initiative known as Project Helix, indicating a significant strategic shift for the gaming division.
Xbox announces hire of veteran analyst Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer, and AI and Amazon veteran as CTO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has appointed industry analyst Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer and Amazon veteran Scott Van Vliet as chief technology officer as part of an ongoing management restructure. Ball, a recognized metaverse expert and longtime gamer, will report directly to Sharma, while Van Vliet will focus on improving the product development pipeline. Chris Schnakenberg was also promoted to corporate vice president of partnerships and business development.
Report: Xbox adds Matthew Ball and Scott Van Vliet to leadership team
Xbox has appointed game industry analyst Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer and Scott Van Vliet, formerly of Microsoft's Azure OpenAI, as chief technology officer to bolster its leadership team. These changes follow Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's recent appointments and directives to accelerate operations.
Frank Beddor’s Best-Selling Universe Returns with Strategic New Video Game Looking Glass Wars: House of Cards
Author Frank Beddor announced a new video game, The Looking Glass Wars: House of Cards, set to release on PC via Steam in summer 2026. This single-player strategic deck builder, inspired by tabletop games, features a quest-based progression system and a persistent campaign. The announcement coincides with the 20th anniversary of Beddor's best-selling trilogy and will be accompanied by a Kickstarter for an artbook.
The huge Test of Time update for Civilization VII is out now
The 'Test of Time' update for Civilization VII is now available, introducing significant new features such as continuous civilization play, a reworked Victories system, and the Triumphs system. This update also adds a new continent map, commerce screen, advisor council, and includes numerous balance changes, new audio, and a free leader, Alexander the Great. The update aims to improve the player experience and potentially address the game's current 'Mixed' rating on Steam.
Roguelite strategy deckbuilder auto-battler Sangokushi BOND launches this summer
The roguelite strategy deckbuilder auto-battler Sangokushi BOND, produced by former SEGA producer Yasuhiro Nishiyama, is set to launch this summer. Further details regarding its release are expected soon.
Rune Dice Is All About Chain Reactions And Smart Planning
Rune Dice, a fantasy roguelike strategy game developed by Smart Raven Studio and published by Kwalee Ltd, is now available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game features a unique mechanic where players launch magical dice, fuse matching rolls, and create chain reactions to defeat enemy waves. It offers eight different classes, tactical combat, and challenging boss battles, aiming for high replayability.
Coming Out in gaming this week — May 18, 2026
This week's gaming releases include a variety of genres across multiple platforms. New titles launching on May 18, 2026, include the casual simulation Thrifty Business and the strategy game Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean. Other notable releases include Forza Horizon 6, Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core (Early Access), and Thick as Thieves, with many more games launching throughout the week.
Sea Walker Saga Early Access
Sea Walker Saga has launched into Early Access for Windows PC, developed by Antelus Games. The game features a steampunk setting in a flooded world and includes elements of strategy, RTS, RPG, simulation, and base-building.
Pharaoh's Legacy - Another fantastic C64 strategy game by WindigoProductions
WindigoProductions has released Pharaoh's Legacy, a new historical strategy game for the Commodore 64. Players assume the role of the Pharaoh, tasked with managing resources, building a pyramid, and leaving their mark on ancient relics to achieve immortality. The game follows up on the developer's previous title, Rise of Babylon.
STEEL ARTERY: TRAIN CITY BUILDER LAUNCHES ON STEAM
Steel Artery: Train City Builder, developed by SoulAge23 and published by Crytivo, has launched on Steam for PC. This city-building and management simulation places players in a steampunk fantasy world where they construct and manage an entire civilization built on a train, balancing the needs of various races and a dynamic economy.
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 18 to 22
Xbox has announced a slate of new games arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between May 18 and May 22. Titles include Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Riven, and many more across various genres.
Dare to Open the Box? Pixel God-Sim Roguelite Pandora’s Toybox Out Now on Steam!
Indie developer BetaLab, in partnership with publisher 2P Games, has released the pixel god-simulator roguelite Pandora's Toybox on Steam for PC. The game blends god-simulator mechanics with roguelike strategy, allowing players to influence a living world by assembling a Divine Council of gods and fostering faith to unlock new powers.
Build Your Virtual Criminal Fortune With Drug Dealer Empire On Xbox And PlayStation
Drug Dealer Empire, a simulation and strategy game developed by Ozolnieki and published by Upscale Studio, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. The game challenges players to build and manage an illegal drug operation, focusing on growing products, expanding territory, and avoiding law enforcement.
Company of Heroes 3: Dare & Destroy Released
The Battlegroup DLC 'Dare & Destroy' for Relic Entertainment's World War II strategy game Company of Heroes 3 is now available on PC via Steam. This release introduces new content to the action/strategy sequel.
Midgardr – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
Midgardr is a solo, turn-based city-builder that blends card game mechanics with medieval village management. Players will make decisions regarding resources, political factions, and unpredictable events that impact their settlement's prosperity or ruin. Beta sign-ups are currently open for the game.
The Red Cathedral: Digital Mobile Edition of Hit Board Game Is Coming to Android
Devir is bringing the popular board game The Red Cathedral: Digital Edition to Android, iOS, PC, and Steam Deck. This digital adaptation faithfully recreates the original's resource management and rondel mechanics, allowing for cross-play across all platforms. The game challenges players to construct a cathedral for Tsar Ivan the Terrible, competing for prestige and the Tsar's favor.
Total War: Warhammer 3 pushes the giant tiger people button next week
Creative Assembly is releasing the Bhashiva and the Tiger Warriors character pack for Total War: Warhammer 3 on May 21. This DLC introduces playable giant tiger people, including the legendary lord Bhashiva, and new Tiger Warrior infantry units. The pack will be available for $5 on Steam.
Lead the Allied invasion of Sicily in the new DLC for acclaimed World War II strategy game Panzer Corps 2
Slitherine has released the new DLC Panzer Corps 2: Allied Operations - Italy: Vol.1, developed by the Italian Team Volcanite. This DLC focuses on the Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II, featuring parallel British and American campaigns that merge into a unified offensive. The game is available on PC via Steam, with discounts on the base game and DLC.