All Xbox employees will switch to @xbox.com email addresses next month as the default. The move bolsters the Xbox brand identity after ditching the Microsoft Gaming name.
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A union delegate told Le Monde that Arkane Lyon faces closure by November 13 unless a buyer is found, with 217 jobs at risk. Microsoft says it is still exploring options and seeking a partner for the studio's next project.
The Golden Joystick Awards revealed 12 Ultimate Game of the Year nominees, including 007 First Light, Big Walk, Resident Evil Requiem, Crimson Desert and Forza Horizon 6. Fan voting runs until 11:59 PM GMT on Friday, Oct. 30, with winners announced at the Nov. 11 ceremony at Troxy in London, hosted by Alix Wilton Regan. GTA 6 is absent because it launches Nov. 19, after voting and the show.
Auroch Digital, the Bristol studio behind Boltgun 2, said it has begun a redundancy consultation affecting around a quarter of roles as it restructures. It is owned by Roundtable Interactive. Support for Boltgun 2 and Warhammer Survivors (launching Nov 10) will continue. It gave no headcount.
Phantom Blade Zero's PC pre-load opens October 26 at 7:00 PM PDT (10 PM AST), per the game's official X account, which says the game is about 145 GB and asks players to reserve at least 300 GB of free SSD space for the pre-load. The game unlocks October 28 at 7:00 PM PDT (October 29, 10 AM Beijing) for everyone at once, on PS5 and PC.
Microsoft on Monday announced a new Voluntary Exit Offer for eligible employees in participating teams in the US, Canada, India and the UK at level 70 and below. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman's memo says it "builds on what we learned" from April's Voluntary Retirement Program. About 60,000 people, roughly a quarter of its 223,000 staff, are eligible, the company told GeekWire. A person familiar told CNBC that employees decide in December and leave Dec. 31. Some groups, including sales, aren't participating, and Microsoft says the offer doesn't replace layoffs.
