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Video Games coverage focuses on sweeping Xbox restructuring, layoffs affecting multiple studios and major projects, alongside updates for several high-profile games and upcoming releases.

Xbox restructuring and studio layoffs

Xbox-related cuts and organizational changes dominate the news, affecting World's Edge, Undead Labs, The Coalition and Halo development teams.

  • World's Edge reportedly loses nearly half its staff and a project

    Two reports say Age of Empires studio World's Edge lost nearly half of its staff during Xbox cuts, with one report also saying a new game project was cancelled. The studio is reportedly moving to Activision.

    EurogamerRock Paper ShotgunTechRaptor

  • Undead Labs becomes independent while laying off a significant number of developers

    State of Decay studio Undead Labs reportedly became independent from Xbox after restructuring, while laying off a significant number of staff. Another report says the cuts are not expected to affect State of Decay 3.

    Rock Paper ShotgunEurogamerKotaku

  • Gears of War: E-Day story director laid off shortly before launch

    Multiple reports identify story director Juan Vaca as among those affected by Xbox layoffs, with the cuts coming roughly two weeks before Gears of War: E-Day's launch.

    EurogamerTheGamerGamespotGamingBolt

  • Halo shifts to Activision amid further cuts

    Xbox is reportedly moving the Halo franchise to Activision as part of cuts affecting 268 more jobs. Separate reports describe Halo Studios as having very few developers left, while former staff have criticized the effective closure of the studio.

    EscapistTheGamerEurogamerGamespot

  • Xbox's studio footprint continues to contract

    A report says Xbox has fallen from 23 studios to 12 over five years and may not be finished with reductions.

    TheGamer

Game announcements, updates and industry developments

Several established franchises received notable updates, while some games and projects posted sales, platform or development news.

  • Star Wars Zero Company reportedly reaches one million sales

    Reports estimate that Star Wars Zero Company has sold one million copies, with nearly 70 percent of sales reportedly coming through Steam. One report questions whether its furloughed development team could now be reinstated and paid.

    EurogamerIGN

  • Baldur's Gate 3 receives a new region

    A report says Baldur's Gate 3 has added a new region containing more than 30 fights and more than 70 items.

    Polygon

  • Counter-Strike 2 adds new gameplay and cosmetic features

    Updates to Counter-Strike 2 reportedly add a 3v3 mode, music, chicken eggs, chicken pets and silent reloading, while players continue to request stronger anti-cheat measures.

    GamesRadarPC GamerTheGamer

  • Rocket League adds post-match one-on-one challenges

    A Rocket League update reportedly lets players settle post-match disputes through one-on-one matches.

    TheGamer

  • Rayman Legends Retold could revive the franchise

    A brand producer reportedly said Rayman Legends Retold could restart the Rayman franchise; a Rabbid Easter egg has also been found in the game.

    GamingBoltTheGamer

Business, technology and player concerns

Reports also cover potential advertising, generative AI experimentation, malware and the continued commercial momentum of major releases.

  • Xbox explores advertisements during game downtime

    Xbox is reportedly exploring advertisements that could appear after boss fights and cutscenes.

    Game Rant

  • Microsoft reportedly tests face-driven generative game design

    A report says Microsoft wants to record a user's face and provide it to generative AI to help design a game based on the user's expression.

    Rock Paper Shotgun

  • Steam game hit by another bout of mod-based malware

    A Steam game about mistreating ragdolls reportedly suffered a second incident involving malware distributed through mods this year.

    Rock Paper Shotgun

  • Stellar Blade developer describes its earlier financial crisis

    Stellar Blade's developer reportedly said the studio once had enough money to pay salaries for only about three months, before the game became successful.

    Eurogamer

  • GTA 6 marketing expands in Miami

    A large Vice City sign has reportedly appeared at the Miami Heat arena as GTA 6 marketing grows. WWE has also abandoned a trademark pursuit involving Vice City ahead of the game's launch.

    DestructoidIGNGame Rant

Generated from RSS headlines collected by The Daily Read. Check the linked reporting for full context.

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  10. Rayman Legends Retold's Rabbid Easter Egg Has Been Found TheGamer
  11. Halo: Campaign Evolved Cinematics Director Was Promoted Shortly Before Being Laid Off GamingBolt
  12. Halo: Campaign Evolved Cinematics Director Says He Was Promoted Shortly Before Being Laid Off GamingBolt
  13. GTA 4 Mod Adds Native Support for NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR DSOGaming
  14. State Of Decay 3 Studio Lays Off A ‘Significant’ Number Of Developers But Says It... Kotaku
  15. 'I Had 3 More STAR WARS to Make' — George Lucas Reveals What He Left... IGN
  16. How to create zombies and make them work in Graveyard Keeper 2 Destructoid
  17. Stellar Blade is a success now but once came close to the brink: "We could... Eurogamer
  18. Age of Empires studio World's Edge reportedly lost "nearly half" of its staff during yesterday's... Eurogamer
  19. WWE Ends Trademark Pursuit Because of GTA 6 Game Rant
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  21. MICROSOFT want to record your face and feed it to a generative AI, telling it... Rock Paper Shotgun
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  23. MARVEL Rivals Sparks Another Controversy Over Discord Bans TheGamer
  24. Rayman Legends Retold Could “Restart The Franchise,” Per Brand Producer GamingBolt

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