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Articles · 12
id Software reportedly cut in half amid Xbox layoffs
id Software has laid off roughly 50 percent of its staff, or about 95 employees, as part of Microsoft's Xbox layoffs. The reductions hit on the day of a major Doom expansion release and come as ZeniMax shifts focus to its biggest franchises, raising concerns about future game quality and release timelines.
Xbox employees test disc-to-digital conversion feature
Microsoft is reportedly testing a disc-to-digital feature that would convert physical Xbox One and Series X games into digital entitlements tied to the specific disc. The capability could become critical if the company's next-generation console launches without a disc drive.
Xbox reportedly mulls shuttering at least five studios and axing Blade
Microsoft is preparing Xbox layoffs next week that could close at least five studios, including the team behind Marvel’s Blade, and scrap the troubled project as part of cost reductions. The changes belong to a larger reset under new CEO Asha Sharma while the division contends with slipped schedules, overspending, and an unsustainable operation.
Oblivion Remastered arrives on Switch 2 August 11
Bethesda has confirmed The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on August 11 with a trailer highlighting the Adoring Fan. The news comes as the remaster has already reached 9 million players on other platforms while Microsoft weighs major changes at Xbox.
Undead Labs Reportedly Facing Possible Shutdown
Overnight reports indicate Microsoft is seeking a buyer for Undead Labs, with its zombie survival title at risk of cancellation if none is found. The move is part of broader layoffs threatening hundreds of jobs across Xbox gaming studios including Double Fine, Compulsion, and Ninja Theory.
Xbox Network Down Worldwide, Microsoft Working on Fix
Xbox Network servers are down worldwide on June 12, preventing sign-ins, online play, cloud saves and other sign-in features. Microsoft has confirmed it is working on the issue, which typically resolves within one or two hours.
Microsoft Plans Major Xbox Layoffs Next Week
Microsoft is planning major layoffs in its Xbox gaming business as early as next week after its fiscal year ends on June 30. The cuts mark the fourth big round in 18 months as the division faces pressure to improve margins following the $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition.
21 Game Pass Titles Receive New Announcements At Xbox Showcase 2026
Microsoft announced new details for 21 Xbox Game Pass titles during the June 7 Xbox Games Showcase 2026, including release dates for Stranger Than Heaven, Palworld 1.0 and a major update for Grounded 2. The event, celebrating Xbox's 25th anniversary, mixed first-party reveals with partner content and a dedicated Gears of War: E-Day Direct.
Gears of War: E-Day Becomes Xbox Console Exclusive
Microsoft has made Gears of War: E-Day an Xbox console exclusive, dropping PS5 support after previously announcing it for multiple platforms. The change signals a broader return to Xbox-first releases following recent leadership shifts at the division.
Microsoft Delays Fable Reboot to February 2027
Microsoft has pushed its Fable reboot from autumn 2026 to February 2027 to secure a dedicated launch window amid a fall lineup crowded with major titles including GTA VI. The company will reveal a new look at the game during its June 7 showcase but will not discuss its next-generation Project Helix console.
Valve Raises Steam Deck Prices Over 40%, 1TB OLED at $949
Valve has lifted Steam Deck OLED prices by more than 40 percent, placing the 1TB model at $949 while both variants have returned to stock. The company cited rising component and logistics expenses, the latest in a wave of increases that also hit Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft amid elevated console costs.
Forza Horizon 6 PS5 Release Set for Later in 2026
Microsoft has confirmed Forza Horizon 6 will release on PS5 later in 2026 after launching first on Xbox and PC. The staggered timing reflects the company's inconsistent approach to multiplatform releases, following both day-and-date launches for other titles and the prior success of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation.
From the feed · 14
Id Software laid off 136 people, more than half its workforce, as Microsoft cuts 1,600 roles with another 1,600 Xbox positions still at risk.
Microsoft targeted 77 million Game Pass subscribers. Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown says the service failed to attract enough users to be viable.
Microsoft's 3,200 layoffs reached id Software, where director Hugo Martin claimed the studio avoided major cuts. Current and former employees are now disputing that assessment.
Todd Howard called Microsoft's Xbox cuts "very difficult for our teams." The Bethesda head noted the impact on staff after recent layoffs and project shifts.
Valve's Steam Machine review calls the hardware a compromised console that shines with indie games yet leaves Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo in control of living-room play.
Microsoft restored a 25-year-old account to a Dutch streamer after a hack, following sustained player pressure. The incident highlights how little ownership players retain over decades-old digital libraries.
US and Canadian video game unions filed charges with the NLRB accusing Microsoft of bad faith bargaining over Xbox. The complaints center on contract talks with affected workers.
Microsoft says id Tech remains safe after the id Software layoffs. Former staffers say the cuts removed everyone who could maintain the engine.
Microsoft explained why Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 was pulled from the upcoming Xbox Game Pass schedule. The title was set to arrive but no longer appears on the list.
Xbox users can now claim 32 packs of Black Ops 2 DLC for free on the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft reportedly never canceled the Ryse series. Work on it simply stopped.
Microsoft lost a lawsuit to an Xbox gamer and must restore the account and digital library while paying roughly $400 in damages.
A Brazilian Xbox gamer won a lawsuit against Microsoft, forcing the company to unlock their account and restore access to a blocked digital library.
Microsoft communications lead Frank X. Shaw called reports linking H-1B visas to the Xbox layoffs bad information. He said those workers represent a small percent of staff and are not specific to the division.