Latest Xbox, multi-platform Game News & Updates
☁ Xbox, multi-platform News
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🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformOne Of Last Year's Best Horror Games, Total Chaos, Is Getting A Low-Poly Retro Mode And It Looks Awesome
!Total Chaos Retro Mode Trigger Happy Interactive Apogee Entertainment Doom II 2(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/16/b4e8e081/t2.jpg.webp) Developer Trigger Happy Interactive released its first-person horror game Total Chaos(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/total-chaos) last year on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and it became one of my favorite horror games of 2025(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/total-chaos/a-haunting-catharsis). The game was great at launch, made even better with a New Game+ update that arrived earlier this year with a brand-new finale alongside a Switch 2 version, and now, thanks to an upcoming "Retro Mode" update, is set to get even more tantalizing. Publisher Apogee Entertainment revealed on Bluesky(https://bsky.app/profile/apogeeent.com/post/3mqosmjetjk2f) today that Retro Mode will bring pixelated visuals, low-poly horrors, and yet another new ending to Total Chaos. This horror game began as a total conversion mod of Doom II, and Apogee says this new ending is inspired by those Doom II origins. You can see an example of the Retro Mode look in the header image at the top of this article, but here's another look below: !Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/16/b4e8e081/t2.jpg.webp) The game is set within the corridors, hallways, cliffs, and bunkers of an isolated and desolate mining town run amok by a rotting disease that has infected both the protagonist's mind and the once-citizens of this place. Using first-person combat, a constantly expanding crafting system, and environmental puzzle-solving, Trigger Happy Interactive crafted an excellent horror adventure well worth the price of admission and the dozen or so hours of runtime. You can read more about why in Game Informer's Total Chaos review(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/total-chaos/a-haunting-catharsis). There's no word on when Retro Mode will arrive in Total Chaos, but Apogee Entertainment says it's coming soon. In the meantime, read my dissection of the game's themes(https://www.gameinformer.com/opinion/2025/12/26/hating-cancer-and-the-cutthroat-catharsis-of-total-chaos) and how they intersect with hating cancer, cutthroat catharsis, and more. Total Chaos is available today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Have you played Total Chaos? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below!
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformXbox Support Pledges To Help Customer Reclaim His Hacked Account
Earlier this week, Twitch streamer and gamer Joshua Khane went viral(https://x.com/JoshuaKhane/status/2076918699248803977) with a post calling out Microsoft for deleting his account and OneDrive. Khane noted that Microsoft acknowledged that the account had been compromised, but it declined to help him recover "25 fing years of data, thousands of Euros spent on games" and his "son's baby pictures." Now, after a massive outcry, Xbox Support has changed course and reached out to Khane to help him regain access to his account. In a message posted on X, a Microsoft representative apologized to Khane and stated that its team has "been working to restore access to your purchases and reached out with the next steps." https://twitter.com/XBOXSupport/status/2077401588394529030 While Khane acknowledged the reply, other users have come forward to state that they've received the same form statement from Microsoft in the past. And unlike Khane, the company apparently didn't respond to their requests about restoring their accounts. https://twitter.com/ThatHyperZack/status/2077533019783516214 https://twitter.com/Helpma2/status/2077463287969542652 https://twitter.com/DeadpoolCentral/status/2077441981710565689 https://twitter.com/ObaidGhubash/status/2077491908440740286 https://twitter.com/AsmadiGames/status/2077501079319674971 Microsoft was already suffering a public relations beating this month after another round of mass layoffs(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-layoffs-studio-closures-and-spin-offs-everything-announced-today/:~:text=Microsoft%20has%20officially%20announced%20that,a%20%E2%80%9Crestructuring%E2%80%9D%20process%20at%20Xbox.) in the gaming division that affected 1,600 workers, with more to follow. The planned cuts will affect roughly 20% of Microsoft's Xbox workforce. Two of Microsoft's studios, Double Fine and Compulsion Games, are going independent as a result of the cutbacks. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are being sold to new buyers, while the fate of Arkane remains up in the air. Senator Bernie Sanders slammed Microsoft(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bernie-sanders-rips-microsoft-for-xbox-layoffs-and-price-hikes/) for the layoffs in the wake of the company posting $100 billion in profit in 2025. He also called the company out for its plans to hike the price of Xbox consoles again(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-is-increasing-the-cost-of-xbox-consoles-again-starting-in-august/) later this summer.
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformMicrosoft Says Id Tech Is Safe, Former Staffers Say They’ve Fired Everyone Who Could Save It
Id Software was hard hit(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-layoffs-hit-id-software-and-zenimax-as-focus-shifts-to-bigger-franchises/) by the Xbox "reset" this month(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-layoffs-studio-closures-and-spin-offs-everything-announced-today/) that saw scores of developers laid off--with more retrenchments on the way--and there's a big fear that the Doom developer could be reduced to a smaller role within the gaming division. Fans of the studio are also concerned with the future of idTech(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/some-of-the-most-impressive-gaming-tech-ever-wasnt-enough-to-save-devs-from-xbox-cuts/), id Software's proprietary engine that has powered its games through multiple gaming generations, with it possibly being binned in favor of Unreal Engine 5. Officially, Microsoft's company line is that everything is just fine at id Software even after it lost 136 employees--around half the studio--while the developer also posted a statement(https://x.com/idSoftware/status/2075638499412189455) online where it said that it has all the staff it needs to continue building games and working on id Tech. These statements have been cast into doubt by a new report, where one of the affected id Software employees has spoken out. "They've just gotten rid of all the people who could ever fix or change id Tech, so it's most likely going to end up in the trash can. That's where I just come back to: It completely feels like success is detached from your ability to keep a job, and I think that's basically provable," the anonymous former staffer said to The Game Developer(https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/-good-work-is-not-going-to-save-your-job-at-this-company-laid-off-xbox-devs-condemn-microsoft). They added that five members of the VFX team were among the layoffs, leading to an "immense" loss of institutional knowledge. So what's going on here? It's not hard to imagine that Microsoft is looking to do some damage control after sacking 1,600 people this month, and has roped in id Software to help strengthen that message. With another 1,600 layoffs on the horizon, the remaining developers likely don't want to rock the boat in case they're put at risk of losing their jobs. The anonymous source can cut loose with their statements, and the real proof will be seen when--and if--id Software announces a new game(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-perfect-dark-co-op-doom-were-reportedly-in-the-works-at-id-software-before-mass-layoffs/). If id Tech is on the chopping block, then that will be a major blow for gaming. The engine is known for being hyper-focused on creating fast-paced first-person shooter experiences, allowing it to be optimized for a specific purpose, render high-level graphics, and run games at a blisteringly fast framerate on a variety of platforms. While Unreal Engine 5 is no slouch, the industry's continuing reliance on it also carries certain risks. CD Projekt Red has ditched its proprietary Red Engine for Unreal 5 to continue work on The Witcher 4(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/the-witcher-4-release-date-trailer-news/2900-5228/), and the next Halo project(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-halo-games-project-foundry-unreal-engine-5-when-to-expect-them/1100-6527083/) is also being developed in it, but some of its technical limitations include hidden performance drains, demanding features that require the latest--and very expensive--hardware, and poor optimization. Other concerns include games adopting a more homogenized design that some have dubbed "the Unreal look," and there's also a concern that the rapid adoption of Unreal Engine 5 could lead to the loss of in-house artistry. The other big concern is that Epic Games could be creating a monopoly. While its current licensing deals are fairly generous, there's no guarantee that the company won't change things in the future, which could leave many game studios in the lurch with no viable backup plan.
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformAnother Elder Scrolls game is in jeopardy as Xbox layoffs hit heads of major studio
Over 200 staff have been laid off from ZeniMax Online Studios, the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online, including senior leadership figures.
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformDoom meets BioShock and Overwatch in the coolest new shooter in years
Doom: The Dark Ages got what might be its final update, but hell comes in many forms, including an exciting new roguelite FPS with horror to spare.
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformPersona 6 fan theory may have just solved one of the cast's greatest mysteries
Persona games often include at least one non-human party member, and we can expect that character to be in keeping with Persona 6's spooky vibe.
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformSavannah Bananas announce original song from EGOT-winning Disney team
The duo behind La La Land, The Greatest Showman, and more are lending their talents to baseball's most viral team
🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformDispatch Will Finally Make Its Way To Xbox Later This Month
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2025/10/14/f490074a/dispatchofficialreleasedatetrailer0-39screenshot.jpg.webp) Dispatch(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/dispatch), the "superhero workplace comedy" game from former Telltale developers, launched on PlayStation 5 and PC last October(https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/09/16/narrative-superhero-game-dispatch-launches-next-month-with-first-two-playable-episodes). It then made its way to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 earlier this year(https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/12/17/update-dispatch-is-soaring-to-switch-2-and-switch-next-month), in January. Now, Xbox players can enjoy the antics of the Z-Team later this month when Dispatch hits Xbox Series X/S on July 29. The game centers on former superhero Robert Robertson (played by Aaron Paul), who becomes a dispatcher for a dysfunctional team of reformed villains. The narrative-focused game features choice-driven conversations that steer the plot down different paths, while dispatching heroes to handle a multitude of disasters unfolds as a light take on turn-based strategy. To celebrate the news, developer AdHoc Studio released a new trailer that teases some of the superhero adventures and dispatching drama that await Xbox players in the game. Check it out below: We loved Dispatch last year, and you can read why we gave it a 9 out of 10 in the Game Informer Dispatch review(https://www.gameinformer.com/review/dispatch/with-great-power-comes-guaranteed-paperwork). Have you played Dispatch? Let us know who your favorite character is in the comments below!
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformAll passive skills in Palworld
What do passive skills in Palworld do? We explain and list all the passive skills in our guide.
🎮 PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Multi-platformYou Can Now Order Games And Consoles From GameStop With Uber Eats
GameStop has announced a partnership with Uber Eats to allow people to order things like games and collectibles through the delivery app. Inside the Uber Eats app, you can navigate to the "Retail" or "Electronics" hubs and search for GameStop to see what you can buy. Local inventories will vary, but my Uber Eats app shows things like Ubisoft's newly launched Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/black-flag-resynced-is-a-bad-remake-of-peak-assassins-creed/), a variety of collectibles, consoles like the Switch 2, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S, as well as Red Bull cans. Like with Uber Eats food orders, you can select ASAP or your own specific delivery time, and from there, you can see your driver in real time. My app shows a $6 delivery fee. GameStop is just the latest retailer to join Uber Eats' lineup of retailers. Others include Best Buy, Home Depot, PetSmart, Target, and many more. In other news, GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen continues to push for his ambitious buyout of eBay for $56 billion(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ebays-rejection-letter-to-gamestops-56-billion-bid-pulls-absolutely-no-punches/1100-6539894/). eBay has said it does not plan to sell, but Cohen is still trying, and he has said he might pursue a hostile takeover. Cohen has also discussed how video games could play a major role in his plans for eBay(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-ceo-came-up-with-plan-to-buy-ebay-on-the-toilet-wants-it-to-become-re-seller-of-digital-gaming-items/), should he succeed in taking over the platform. GameStop was also in the news recently after Sony announced plans to kill off physical game discs in 2028.(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstations-disc-based-game-sales-have-dropped-dramatically-in-recent-years/) Many theorized that this would be bad news for GameStop because it sells physical games. However, GameStop's stock price did not fall after Sony announced those plans--in fact, the stock price rose. Why? One reason could be that software is the smallest part of GameStop's business today(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-is-not-hurting-after-sony-kills-discs-and-there-is-a-good-reason-why/), which is now more focused on collectibles.
🟩 Xbox, Multi-platformTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 Has Disappeared From Game Pass Without Explanation
After being previously announced as a new arrival for Xbox Game Pass this month(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-game-pass-new-games-for-july-revealed/), Microsoft has mysteriously pulled Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2(https://www.gamespot.com/games/tony-hawks-pro-skater-1-plus-2/) from the July lineup. Microsoft hasn't provided an explanation for why it's doing this, with many left wondering as to the cause behind this. The current theory is that the removal could be related to rights issues, as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 was first released almost six years ago and features a jukebox full of 2000s-era music, with a few '90s classics sprinkled in for good measure. The game also features numerous real-world skateboarding brands, all of which required a licensing deal to be included in the game. It's worth noting that Microsoft owns the game and the Tony Hawk Pro Skater IP, as it acquired the game's publisher, Activision, back in 2023--a purchase that has contributed(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-spent-80-billion-on-its-bet-for-xbox-game-pass-it-did-not-work/) to several layoffs at Xbox, including last week's devastating round of "reset" retrenchments(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-layoffs-studio-closures-and-spin-offs-everything-announced-today/). Meanwhile, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4(https://www.gamespot.com/games/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-plus-4/) is still available to play through Game Pass, as it was added to the subscription service when it launched last year. A replacement for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 has not yet been announced, and for now, the announcement image has been edited to only show off the other nine games that were previously announced. Winds of Arcana, Tamashika, Ascend to Zero, and PBA Pro Bowling 2026 have already been added to the Game Pass library, and the rest of the month includes Quarantine Zone: The Last Check, Mavrix by Matt Jones, FixForce, The Planet Crafter, and Fogpiercer. Gears of War: Reloaded also arrived earlier this month, for the lower tier of Game Pass. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 first launched in September 2020, and it earned rave reviews for updating the classic Pro Skater games for modern platforms. "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 deftly recreates the original games' levels while implementing smart additions to the trick system and creating engaging challenges," Mat Paget wrote in GameSpot's review(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tony-hawks-pro-skater-1-2-review/1900-6417555/).
🎮 PlayStation, Xbox, Multi-platformTechland Cancels PlayStation 4 And Xbox One Versions Of Dying Light: The Beast
!Dying Light: The Beast(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2025/09/19/3c4dc7ba/screenshot6-gameplay.jpg.webp) Techland launched Dying Light: The Beast(https://gameinformer.com/sgf-2025/2025/06/06/dying-light-the-beast-launches-in-august-and-gets-a-new-trailer) last September for current consoles and PC, but had planned to bring the game to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One at a later date. Unfortunately for players on those platforms, those plans have been axed. The developer/publisher posted on X(https://x.com/DyingLightGame/status/2077000243455906018?refsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) stating that it will no longer bring Dying Light: The Beast to last-gen consoles due to technical issues getting the game to run well on older hardware. “Dying Light: The Beast was built from the ground up to take full advantage of current-generation hardware," Techland writes. "Its open world, advanced visuals, and fluid combat and traversal all depend on processing power and memory that previous-generation consoles simply cannot provide. As development progressed, it became clear that bringing the game to those platforms would require compromises that would prevent us from delivering the experience we set out to create. This was not a matter of choosing to leave those platforms behind. Rather, it reflected the technical realities of development and our commitment to delivering the best possible experience." > After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision that Dying Light: The Beast will no longer be released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. > > Dying Light: The Beast was built from the ground up to take full advantage of current-generation hardware. Its open world,… > > — Dying Light (@DyingLightGame) July 14, 2026(https://x.com/DyingLightGame/status/2077000243455906018?refsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) Techland states that any players who had planned to play Dying Light: The Beast on PS4 or Xbox One are eligible for a refund. Dying Light: The Beast was released on September 19, 2025, and sees the protagonist of the first game, Kyle Crane, return as the playable character after suffering genetic mutations granting him special powers. We scored the game an 8.5 out of 10 in our review(https://gameinformer.com/review/dying-light-the-beast/a-deadly-return-to-form). Techland recently released a new edition of the game called Restored Land(https://gameinformer.com/2026/03/24/dying-light-the-beasts-restored-land-edition-adds-a-persistent-survival-mode-that-sounds) that adds a new persistent survival mode alongside every piece of available content.