Xbox restructuring moves Halo to Activision, as layoffs continue across studios
Microsoft's second round of Xbox cuts this year, including 268 layoffs, moves Halo development to Activision and reshapes several studios under new leadership.
Gamespot · +9 outlets
Undead Labs goes independent and employee-owned, but lays off a significant number of staff
The State of Decay 3 developer secured a future outside Xbox as an employee-owned studio, yet cut a significant portion of its team in the transition.
Eurogamer · +4 outlets
Age of Empires studio World's Edge loses nearly half its staff after move to Activision
The Age of Empires studio was hit by layoffs affecting just under half of its employees following its transfer to Activision.
Eurogamer · +3 outlets
Gears of War: E-Day story director laid off just before October launch
Story director Juan Vaca was caught in the latest Xbox layoffs after the game went gold, roughly two weeks before its release.
Gamespot · +1 outlets
Discord relaunches age verification after privacy backlash, adds FanDuel sponsorship
Discord is rolling out age checks again with methods that avoid video selfies or ID, after delaying the system in February amid user backlash.
Gamespot · +2 outlets
Bethesda says Obsidian will remain a distinct studio with its own leadership
Bethesda president Jill Braff told staff the Fallout: New Vegas developer retains its creative identity and leadership structure after moving under Bethesda.
Gamesindustry · +3 outlets
Microsoft patents ad-credit system to show ads during PC and Xbox gameplay
The patent describes displaying adverts and announcements in game sessions without disrupting gameplay, part of Microsoft's broader ad-tech push.
Gamesindustry · +1 outlets
Halo co-creator and former studio leaders react to franchise move to Activision
Marcus Lehto, Bonnie Ross and Kiki Wolfkill said the effective closure of Halo Studios was brutal but not entirely surprising.
Gamespot · +3 outlets
Blizzard details Diablo 5 level scaling, aiming to echo Diablo 2 over Diablo 4
Blizzard says Diablo 5 will take a different approach to monster level scaling so players feel noticeably stronger as they progress.
Eurogamer · +2 outlets
Arc Raiders Frozen Trail update adds map, gun upgrades, outposts, and a paid battle pass
The 2.0 patch arriving October 8 reworks the skill tree and introduces a battle pass that will no longer be entirely free.
Pcgamer · +1 outlets
Microsoft patents facial-expression capture to feed generative AI game design
A separate Microsoft patent outlines recording players' faces and mutterings to have an AI redesign the game they are playing.
Rockpapershotgun
Blizzard says StarCraft reboot won't be an Xbox exclusive
The newly announced StarCraft shooter, revealed at BlizzCon with a 2030 date, will not be exclusive to Xbox platforms, though Blizzard has not detailed its laun
Gamespot · +1 outlets
Star Wars Zero Company estimated at 1 million sales, with furloughed staff in question
Analyst Alinea Analytics estimates the turn-based tactics game passed 1m units, raising questions about reinstating its furloughed developers.
Eurogamer · +2 outlets
Producer Roy Lee reportedly working on a new Silent Hill film
A Wall Street Journal report says the producer behind Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie has lined up a Silent Hill project.
Ign · +2 outlets
Aspyr brings Lord of the Rings Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War to Switch 2
The Nemesis system games launch for Switch 2 on September 30, with the announcement driving renewed demand for the older titles.
Eurogamer · +4 outlets
Steam game People Playground disables mods after second Workshop malware outbreak
A self-replicating virus in the sandbox game's Workshop forced another shutdown of mod support this year.
Pcgamer · +3 outlets
Stellar Blade Switch 2 release to include a frame generation toggle
Shift Up added the option after feedback, as several upcoming Switch 2 titles experiment with frame generation to reach 60fps.
Nintendolife
Meta reveals new VR glasses aimed at casual viewers with 3D and full-frame IMAX
The announcement came at Meta Connect 2026, a week after Valve's Steam Frame debut.
Ign · +1 outlets