Xbox Cuts 650 More Gaming Jobs, But No Studios Closed Or Games Canceled

Microsoft has implemented another round of heavy cuts to its Xbox gaming team following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In this latest round of layoffs, Microsoft is eliminating about 650 positions from its gaming team, but no additional studios have closed and no other games are canceled as a result of the move, which Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirmed on September 12. In January, Microsoft cut 1,900 gaming positions, bringing the number of cuts to the company to about 2,550 since the $75.4 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard closed in October 2023.

In a memo to staff obtained by IGN, Spencer said the cuts came as part of Microsoft's effort to align the company's "post-acquisition team structure and managing our business."

The approximately 650 layoffs from Microsoft Gaming "mostly" impact the "corporate and supporting" functions of the business, the company said. Affected staffers in the US are getting severance, extended healthcare, and outplacement services. Packages for those outside of the US are available, too, and vary by location.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Bobiverse Book 5 Debuts At No. 1 - Here's How To Catch Up On The Popular Sci-Fi Series

Dennis E. Taylor's hilarious sci-fi series Bobiverse has exploded in popularity since its debut in 2016, and after a three-plus year wait, the highly anticipated fifth novel, Not Till We Are Lost, released September 5. There is a catch here, though: Not Till We Are Lost is currently an Audible exclusive, so you'll have to listen to the audiobook to continue the story. A release date for the paperback and Kindle versions hasn't been announced, but Audible's timed exclusives typically last a few months. The Bobiverse series on Audible is performed by Ray Porter, one of best narrators working today. Not Till We Are Lost is another big hit for Taylor; it quickly snagged the No. 1 slot on Audible's best-seller list.

It's possible to read and listen to the whole series for free with Audible Premium Plus and Kindle Unlimited memberships. Get Bobiverse Book 5

Continue Reading at GameSpot


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How Gorilla Tag Became A Generational Obsession And Conquered VR

If you don't have kids, it's quite possible you've never heard of Gorilla Tag, and if you do have kids, there's a good chance Gorilla Tag is all you've been hearing about for a few years now. Originally developed by one person, Kerestell Smith--known to fans by his online handle Lemming--Gorilla Tag is the game of a generation. It hosts a million unique players daily, up to three million monthly active users, and has been played by over 12 million people since it released in 2021. While many older players have sometimes already written off VR, players of a particular age, approximately 7-14, have flocked to a game that is simple in its gameplay loop but sneakily complex in its design.

As both a writer in this space and the parent of a Gen Alpha kid who's been shimmying through his bedroom as a virtual great ape for a few years now, I was excited to meet Smith and hear the complete Gorilla Tag origin story, learning why and how he believes Gorilla Tag overtook a generation, and what it means for the future of the platform.

"What's really funny is that I didn't set out to make a game that kids like. I just thought to make a game that I like," Smith told me through a laugh as part of a sit-down conversation in Seattle during PAX West earlier this month. "So I don't know what that says about my sensibilities for, like, what I want to do in VR."Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Destiny 2's Anniversary Update Is A Depressing Cap To 10 Years

I'm standing in the Skywatch area of the Cosmodrome, Old Russia, in Destiny 2, with a few other random players, and we're waiting for enemies to spawn. A Hive Tomb ship appears in the sky right over my head and drops off exactly two enemies, and I blast away at them with a machine gun. The other players sprint over, swooping in like hawks, but I manage to snag the two kills before they can, so they jump back onto rooftops and boulders to wait for the next batch of baddies and try again. A lot of long, boring seconds pass before any more enemies spawn and we all repeat the scramble.

I'm shooting these particular fish in this particular barrel because it's a requirement to unlock the Legend title, a social marker of in-game achievements that appears beneath your name. Another player getting a kill means I don't, so we're all competing against each other to spend the least amount of time here. Developer Bungie added this title to the game in honor of the 10th anniversary of the original Destiny, and the objective I'm working on is a joking nod to the early days of that game. We have to kill a bunch of enemies in the Skywatch and loot "engrams," or weapon/armor drops, from them.Hello Darkness, my old friend.

See, back when Destiny launched in 2014, the grind to increase your level and reach the requirements for its endgame content--the Vault of Glass raid--was awful. After a certain point, your strength was determined by the stats on your gear, so you were always chasing weapons and armor with higher levels. Gear was dolled out stingily; you could get it from playing Strike missions, but only in unpredictable fits and starts, and from random drops when you killed aliens. But the gear was never guaranteed to be better than what you already had.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Disney Lorcana's Next Collector's Gift Set Releases Alongside Azurite Sea Expansion

Disney Lorcana is getting another expansion later this year, with Azurite Sea arriving on November 25. This marks the sixth set of the popular Lorcana TCG, and it’s looking to bring a variety of new cards to the game and shake up your deck. Coinciding with Azurite Sea is the release of the Lorcana: Stitch Collector’s Gift Set, which is a great way to pick up an exclusive foil promo card, card portfolio, and a handful of booster packs.

Best Buy is taking preorders for Disney Lorcana's Azurite Sea expansion, which includes a booster box, Illumineer's Trove box set, starter decks, and various accessories. Since these will likely be the last Lorcana new releases of the year, they're likely to be popular gifts this holiday season. See all preorders at Best Buy

Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Zoe Saldana Wants To Direct An Action Movie: 'I've Never Seen A Woman Direct James Bond'

From Avatar to Guardians of the Galaxy, Colombiana, and more, Zoe Saldana has starred in a lot of action movies in the last two decades. Now, Saldana wants to transition to directing by helming an action movie of her own.

"I've never seen a woman direct James Bond," said Saldana at the Toronto International Film Festival via Variety. "I like The Equalizer. I watch crime shows, and, so, maybe in the future. I've always been drawn to heist themes. Heat is a film that I need to watch at least once a year and analyze it, and the way that Michael Mann just pairs it all together, the way that everybody performed it. So, I would love to start with an action-heist sort of thing."

It may take some time before Saldana's ambitions become a reality. While the actress has already filmed her part for Avatar: Fire & Ash, she still has to finish the fourth and fifth films in James Cameron's Avatar franchise. While Saldana didn't offer any hints about what lies ahead in the next movie, she did explain why she feels the Avatar movies are special to her.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Nintendo Museum Gets A Pikachu-Themed Manhole Cover

Kyoto's Nintendo Museum is getting a special Pokémon-themed manhole cover featuring Pikachu. The manhole cover's design features the electrified rodent leaping out of a GameBoy, with pixels shooting outward in his wake.

Nintendo showed off the surprising new choice in street decor via an official blog post, giving prospective museum-goers a closer look at the design. Pikachu isn't the only character from the franchise to get a special themed manhole cover, however--a whole collection of them have been popping up in various Japanese cities, featuring other Pokémon, like Golem and Vulpix. Nintendo has even released a map showing the location of each manhole cover--referring to them as "Poké Lids"--along with a bit of an explanation for why they exist to begin with.

"Poké Lids, artistic covers for utility holes, have recently started to be spotted in some cities," reads the Poké Lid site's description. "Who knows if they are of Pokémonopolistic nature? It seems that not all utility holes are man-made; rumor has it that Diglett may be responsible for digging large enough holes to be mistaken for utility holes, and some artists took it upon themselves to “mark” the covers to differentiate them from ordinary ones. Where will the next 'mark' be?"Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Ana de Armas Teases "Sexy" And "Dangerous" John Wick Movie, Trailer Coming Soon

Ana de Armas shared updates about the John Wick spin-off Ballerina during the Toronto International Film Festival, where she was also promoting her film Eden. In an interview with Collider, de Armas discussed recent reshoots for Ballerina, describing them as a surprisingly positive development.

"Every time they say you have reshoots, it's not good. You don't feel good about it," de Armas said. However, she assured that the reshoots added significant value to the film. "All we did in those reshoots had to be there. We got amazing footage. It's really spectacular," she said. She also confirmed that a trailer for Ballerina is on the way, adding, "I saw it, and it's beautiful. I'm very proud of it."

Describing the film as "dangerous" and "sexy," de Armas emphasized that it maintains the John Wick style. "It's really exciting. It's dangerous, it's sexy, it's very John Wick. I think people are going to be surprised."Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Check Out This Budget-Friendly $30 Zelda Merch Box

The holiday season is fast approaching, and if you're looking for a quick stocking-stuffer gift for a Legend of Zelda fan that won't break the bank, you might want to check out CultureFly's new collector's box packed with official merch themed around the most recent game in the series, Tears of the Kingdom. The box includes a beer stein, an ice cube tray, a leatherbound journal, and an earphone carrying case. There's also a selection of Zelda-themed apparel, including an embroidered snapback baseball cap and a pair of crew socks featuring the iconic Hyrule Crest symbol. You can grab CultureFly's Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector's Box for $30 at Target (was $35) or at Amazon for $35.

* The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector's Box (Target) -- $30
* The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector's Box (Amazon) -- $35


CultureFly x The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom merch box

More Zelda merch deals



CultureFly's Collector's Box isn't the only Zelda merch deal available right now. You can also find other merch bundles, manga sets, special edition game and consoles, limited-edition vinyl soundtracks, and more.

Breath of the Wild merch bundle



For $44, you can pick up a Breath of the Wild bundle that is full of items that look like they were plucked straight out of ancient Hyrule. Here's what you'll find inside:Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Save On Zelda-Themed Handheld Controller Ahead Of Echoes Of Wisdom's Launch

Hori's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom-themed Split Pad Pro is on sale for $49 at Amazon. Normally $60, this special-edition handheld-only controller has superior ergonomics compared to standard Joy-Con controllers. It's just one of several Zelda-themed controllers you can get for nice discounts at Amazon ahead of the release of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom later this month. Get Split Pad Pro at Amazon



Continue Reading at GameSpot


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PUBG Mobile Launches 100-Years Later Version Of Its Original Map To Show The Effects Of Climate Change

PUBG Mobile is taking action against climate change with a new Play for Green initiative, one that lets players battle it out on a version of the game's iconic Erangel map ravaged by climate change.

The map is a collaboration between PUBG Mobile developers Lightspeed Studios and Krafton in conjunction with University College London professor Mark Maslin, who has written multiple books on the dangers of climate change. Using Maslin's research, the PUBG Mobile development team reimagined what the ruins of Erangel would look like 100 years from now given the current rate of climate change if no further action is taken. That translated into Erangel becoming an apocalyptic hellscape, one plagued by sandstorms, drought, and largely devoid of plant life.

Step into the Ruins of Erangel WOW map series to see the effects of climate change if we don’t take action.
Run for Green! Sprint in-game to support conservation projects. Try new in-game events, eco-themed items and more!
📲
https://t.co/FplKDpy4Pn#PUBGMPlayForGreen… pic.twitter.com/QWSU5P7iWI — PUBG MOBILE (@PUBGMOBILE) September 11, 2024

For those who want to explore the map themselves, there's two modes featuring the climate-ravaged Ruins of Erangel. One, Ruins of Erangel: Sandstorm is the battle royale experience PUBG players are familiar with, as players struggle to survive against not only sandstorms but other players. Ruins of Erangel: Exploration is a narrative version of the map that guides players through the progressive effects of climate change to the map's environment.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Ewan McGregor Wants To Play Obi-Wan Kenobi Again

One of actor Ewan McGregor's most famous roles is that of Obi-Wan Kenobi, but will he ever get a chance to play the part again following the Obi-Wan TV show? We don't know, but McGregor said in a new interview that he believes there are more Obi-Wan stories to be told and hopes to come back one day.

"I really do hope we get a chance to do another one," he told Variety. "Between where we ended off in the series and when Alec Guinness comes on screen with Luke Skywalker, I think there's another few stories to tell in there."

Hayden Christensen, who played Darth Vader opposite McGregor on the TV show, spoke to the site as well and said he's also keen to come back.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Tom Cruise's Olympics Stunt Pay Was Surprisingly Low

Movie star Tom Cruise, who is known for doing his own over-the-top stunts, was apparently paid the very low fee of $0 for his epic stunt during the Olympics closing ceremony in July.

Casey Wasserman, the president of the committee that is bringing the Olympics to Los Angeles in 2028, revealed this during the CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan event this week in Los Angeles. For anyone unaware, Cruise jumped off the Stade du France, glided down to the ground, strolled through a crowd of adoring fans, grabbed the Olympic flag, and then drove off into Paris on a motorcycle to an airplane taking him to Los Angeles.

Cruise then appeared in Hollywood (thanks to a little movie magic!) for a skydiving segment to complete the Olympic hand-off for the next host city. It was pretty epic.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Worms Armageddon Anniversary Is Getting A Physical Collector’s Edition

Worms Armageddon wiggled onto the gaming scene in 1999, and to celebrate its 25th birthday and re-release on consoles and PC, the turn-based strategy game is getting a collector’s edition packed with physical goodies. A digital version of the game was launched on PS5, Xbox, and Switch earlier this year, but if you’re looking to snag a bunch of collectible goodies, the collector's edition that arrives on December 3 is worth a closer look.

Worms Armageddon Anniversary Collector’s Edition



$50

The Worms Armageddon Anniversary Edition

The anniversary edition of Worms Armageddon includes updated graphics, an interactive documentary about the game, a single-player campaign, multiplayer modes, and over 55 unique weapons. However, the big draw of this bundle is the physical collectibles. Here’s what you’ll get:

* Double-sided coin
* Worms sticker sheet
* Weapons & Utilities Guide booklet
* Double-sided poster
* Three exclusive pins




Preorders only appear to be open for Switch, though we’re expecting PS5 and Xbox preorders to open soon.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Doctors Hate This One Weird Trick For Getting A PS5 Pro For About $350

Following the official reveal of the PlayStation 5 Pro earlier this week, the majority of the conversations about it have centered on its $700 price rather than its advanced PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution technology. This is understandable, since $700 is a lot of money to put down on a new version of a console that's only been out for four years. But as noted by former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, there's at least one way to get that price down. Or as they say in the spam ads, "one weird trick."

Ybarra pointed out a tactic that many fans had already thought about--namely trading in their existing PS5 models and effectively cutting the cost of a new PS5 Pro in half.

Think of this a bit differently. Pro models, or any in-generation upgrade, is about existing users upgrading. So when teams evaluate the cost - they don't want to lose money on each console as that puts pressure on other parts of the business. And they think about how they can… — Mike Ybarra (@Qwik) September 10, 2024

GameStop is offering between $350 to $385 in store credit for used PlayStation 5 consoles, with the higher prices for models with the disc drive. But if a significant number of gamers pursue that strategy, would GameStop keep that trade in value or lower the amount that it offers? Just because GameStop is offering those rates now doesn't guarantee that it will in November. That would throw a wrench in this strategy, especially since GameStop is facing more store closures. Additionally, the PS5 Pro doesn't come with a disc drive, with the optional add-on costing another $80. Unfortunately, it's already selling out across multiple retailers.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Honkai: Star Rail Is Getting A PS5 Physical Edition With Collectible Art Cards And Cute Keychains

Honkai: Star Rail is a free-to-play game, but if you're a big fan who wants to show off their love for the popular RPG, a physical edition for PS5 is now available to preorder at Best Buy. Priced at $40, Honkai: Star Rail Trailblazer Edition includes the base game on a disc and the following bonus content: nine gilded holographic cards, two holographic character keychains, an exclusive postcard, and a game redemption code with exclusive in-game items. Best Buy lists the release date as March 31, 2025, but this date is sometimes used as a placeholder for Q1 (first three months of the year). Preorder at Best Buy



It's not unheard of for a free-to-play game to receive a physical edition. Fortnite has received multiple boxed releases over the years, each of which contains exclusive in-game cosmetics. The difference here is that you're actually getting a disc. This is a bit unusual, especially since Honkai: Star Rail requires an internet connection and you'll need to download the game regardless. From a practical gaming perspective, the disc is useless, but it could make for a cool drink coaster.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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PC Cross-Play Is Required For All Multiplayer Games On Epic Games Store, Epic Confirms

Epic Games confirmed that cross-play across PC storefronts is a requirement for all multiplayer games on the Epic Games Store.

The statement, shared with Eurogamer, reads: "Cross-play across all PC storefronts is a requirement of the Epic Games Store for all multiplayer games, ensuring that players and friends can play together wherever they purchase their games. Developers are free to choose any solutions that meet this requirement, including Epic Online Services, which may require a secondary installation to enable the Social Overlay (friends lists, cross-platform invites, etc) on PC."

Epic released this statement to clarify Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2's usage of an Epic online services. The game installs an Epic Online Services client after the player accepts a EULA, even on Steam. Developer Focus confirmed in a forum post that the Epic client facilitates optional cross-play and syncs friend lists across services. However, linking Steam and Epic accounts is completely optional and will not affect gameplay.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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PlayStation Wants To Put More Emphasis On Family-Friendly Games, CEO Says

When thinking about PlayStation, The Last of Us might come to mind. Or maybe Marvel's Spider-Man, Horizon: Zero Dawn, or God of War. But looking ahead, Sony seems set on concentrating more on family-friendly games like Astro Bot, according to PlayStation CEO Hermen Hulst.

Spotted by Eurogamer, Hulst spoke with Astro Bot creative director Nicolas 'Nico' Doucet on the official PlayStation Podcast about family-friendly games after the recent launch of the cute platformer. "I think it's massively important that PlayStation Studios develops games in various genres, and the family market, I think, is really important for us to focus on," Hulst said.

Astro Bot has become the best-reviewed game of the year so far, showcasing the possibilities for the franchise and brand for PlayStation. It's something Hulst, who became PlayStation joint-CEO earlier this year, seems very aware of.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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Game Pass Standard Is Available Now, But Won't Get Microsoft's New Releases For A While

The new Xbox Game Pass tier, Game Pass Standard, is officially available now for everyone, following an initial debut in August only for testers. The Standard membership includes "hundreds" of games for $15/month with some key differences between Game Pass Core and Game Pass Ultimate, including how Microsoft's new releases won't come to Game Pass Standard for some time.

Game Pass Standard is Microsoft's attempt to "give players more choice" when it comes to a subscription offering, the company said. As announced previously, Standard comes with all the benefits of Game Pass Core, including online multiplayer and a selection of games. One of the big distinctions is the Game Pass Standard library is substantially larger than Game Pass Core, which has 40+ games.

Game Pass Standard has a library of 369 titles, compared to 506 for Game Pass Ultimate, according to PureXbox. For more, check out a list of all the titles not included in Game Pass Standard, including Starfield, Diablo IV, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and more.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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The Dead Island 2: Ultimate Edition Includes The Full Game And All DLC Expansions For $70

Last year saw a megaton of fantastic games arrive on PC and consoles, including the surprise release of Dead Island 2. Stuck in development hell for what seemed like an eternity, Dead Island 2 wasn't a GOTY contender, but it still had plenty of cheeky charm. And if you've been waiting to play it, you can grab the upcoming Dead Island 2: Ultimate Edition which includes the base game and tons of extra content for $70. Dead Island 2: Ultimate Edition launches for PS5 and Xbox Series X on October 22, and preorders are available now.

Preorder Dead Island 2: Ultimate Edition



$70



While Dead Island 2 has been out for a while, the Ultimate Edition is perfect for anyone who prefers physical media to digital, since you're getting the base game and its two expansions, Haus and SoLA, all on one disc. You'll also get some gear to help you survive the zombie apocalypse, like various weapon packs, premium skins for all six Slayers, and more cosmetics to apply to each character. Here is a list of all the included weapon and item packs:

* Deadly Weapons Pack
* Memories of Banoi Pack
* Golden Weapons Pack
* Pulp Weapons Pack
* Red’s Demise Pack
* 6 Slayer's Premium Skin Packs




Preorders for the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of Dead Island 2: Ultimate Edition are available for $70 at Best Buy. Preorder on PS5 Preorder on Xbox Series X

If you missed it when it first came out, Dead Island 2 is a horror-action first-person game that unfolds in Los Angeles after the city was overrun with zombies. It has a great sense of humor, plenty of interesting gameplay systems, and it's one of the best 7/10 games of 2023. Basically, it has a few annoyances, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

"Games labeled as being in "development hell" rarely release in a state anyone would want to experience--if they release at all. With Dead Island 2, however, Dambuster Studios kicks away a decade of dev hell problems like they’re a zombie lunging for its throat to deliver an undead RPG that is surely imperfect, but also enjoyable and even inventive," Mark Delaney wrote in GameSpot's Dead Island 2 review.Continue Reading at GameSpot


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