Latest Multi-platform Game News &amp; Updates

🟩 Xbox, Multi-platform

Microsoft Refutes Notion That Foreign-Worker Visas Were Behind Mass Xbox Layoffs

Since news broke of Microsoft's recent 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.)--which affected 1,600 people immediately and will reach double that number over the next year--a number of reports have claimed that mass approvals of foreign-worker visas were behind the decision. Now, Microsoft communications lead Frank X. Shaw has refuted what he calls "bad information." In a Twitter post, Shaw said that while there are Microsoft workers using H-1B visas, they are "not specific to Xbox and represent a small percentage of Microsoft's overall workforce. And the majority of the roles impacted were not American roles." https://twitter.com/fxshaw/status/2075637298046374135 "Recent workforce changes were made to restructure the Xbox business because it is not healthy. They were not made to replace employees with foreign workers," Shaw said. Shaw's comments come after multiple conservative news outlets pointed out that Microsoft was approved for more than 2,200 H-1B visas this year. Fox News(https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fury-erupts-us-brand-fires-1600-employees-after-securing-thousands-foreign-worker-visas) was told by Microsoft prior to publishing its story that H-1B employees were also among those affected by the layoffs. The recent Xbox layoffs are among the biggest we've ever seen in the gaming industry. Alongside losing roughly 20% of the Xbox workforce, Microsoft also made the decision to separate from five studios. Two of these--Double Fine and Compulsion Games--will return to operating as independent studios. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs, meanwhile, are being sold to a currently unknown buyer, and Microsoft is currently reviewing options with Arkane for its sale or separation. The studios that remain operational were still heavily impacted(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-after-the-layoffs-studios-left-and-what-theyre-making/) by the layoffs, however. Among the worst-hit, at least that we know of, was id Software, which lost roughly half its headcount(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-perfect-dark-co-op-doom-were-reportedly-in-the-works-at-id-software-before-mass-layoffs/) just as it launched the latest Doom: The Dark Ages expansion.

🎮 This Promising DayZ Rival

📱 Mobile, Multi-platform

A decade later, Pokémon Go finally made good on its original promise

When Niantic dropped the first Pok&233;mon Go trailer in 2015, it was hard to grasp how a bunch of players could work together to catch a pok&233;mon like Mewtwo. But this week at the game's 10th anniversary event in New York City, Pok&233;mon Go showed the world how it's done. Almost 2,000 players (many of &8230;

🎮 Pokémon🎮 Pokemon

TheNewsabout 1 month ago

🖥 PC, Multi-platform

This Promising DayZ Rival Is Thankfully Pivoting To PvE Before Launch

Zeverland(https://www.gamespot.com/games/zeverland/), the upcoming open-world zombie sim for PC, plays a lot like DayZ, but the team at Quantum Quirks has announced a major shift in the game's design following a closed alpha test. According to the studio, players wanted the PvPvE game to be an entirely cooperative PvE experience instead, so much so that the team is meeting the community's requests and turning Zeverland into exactly that. "You talked. We listened," the studio said on the Zeverland Steam page(https://store.steampowered.com/app/3371050/Zeverland/). "We've decided to shift Zeverland from a pure massive multiplayer online game into a buy-to-play, survival-crafting, co-op PvE game ... After hearing from our community, we've confirmed: Zeverland is doubling down on cooperative PvE. Survive together. Build together. Explore together--not harm each other." While such a change will fundamentally reshape the game's gameplay, Quantum Quirks isn't changing what most people call out when they first see Zeverland in action. The game's chibi-like art style is very eye-catching for a zombie survival sim, and it's not going anywhere. I've not seen a zombie game that looks like this before, though when I participated in the playtest recently, I came around to it quickly. While much of the game feels reminiscent of the games it's borrowing from, its standout aesthetic is a nice touch. More than that, what I enjoyed most about my time with Zeverland is how much more forgiving it felt. As much as I love it, I've never quite gotten good at DayZ. I've never joined a particular server and really built on my progression for many hours at a time. I've always jumped into one that's open, messed about for some time, and probably eventually died from blood loss, starvation, or a player who wanted to loot my pockets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hJ2YPMt38E My early impression of Zeverland is that it'll be a bit less grueling for newcomers. In addition to the game switching to PvE, my hands-on time revealed that bicycles are abundant for easier, faster travel, and even cars often worked right away--so long as they had gas. Beyond that, it has many of the key qualities I look for in games like it. The world is huge and desolate. Combat is nerve-racking, demanding I carefully avoid even just some scratches from the undead. Looting is exciting and instructive; I was constantly finding new crafting recipes and items that suggested there is a lot to learn, just in an environment that is not immediately, unrelentingly hostile the way I'm used to. It's not a zombie game for kids; don't get me wrong. You might think the aesthetic and the game's more welcoming early hours mean it's going for a younger audience, but I don't think it is. It's still checking many of the same gameplay boxes that a game like Project Zomboid or State of Decay also target. It's just that it feels like the on-ramp to learning how to play Zeverland won't be nearly as treacherous as some of its inspirations have proven to be. !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hunting.jpg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/inventory.jpg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/RV1.jpg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Scavenging.jpg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Scavengingdismantle2.jpg?w=1024) !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Scavengingdismantle3.jpg?w=1024) I never get tired of playing the best zombie games(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/the-best-zombie-games-of-all-time/2900-3806/). I'd likely have sunk some hours into Zeverland even with its previous PvPvE focus to see if it belongs in that conversation, but I definitely prefer the game's North Star now being PvE, and I'm looking forward to diving back into the game when its renewed focus is ready to see for myself.

Roblox’s Latest Crossover Is One I Guarantee You’d Never Guess

The Rolling Stones, one of the most legendary rock bands of all time, are coming to Roblox. The band is launching an "immersive" new game inside Roblox today, July 10, but it's only going to be around for a short time. The Stones are coming to Roblox's The Block virtual venue starting today(https://www.roblox.com/events/6093579869168468604?utmsource=ig&utmmedium=social&utmcontent=linkinbio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn8QBJup3YiMx1SCs16nYwwdoPpD8oeqBUbh-eQOfEzxhp-hxxSygmcvzLkaemDXzdrOwGx8nxOFimE6Lo6w) and ending on July 17. The in-game event will feature "classic hits" and new songs from the band's Foreign Tongues album, which released on July 10. As for the game, players are called on to work together to "save rock history" by defeating a mysterious force known as The Man, who went back in time to destroy rock and roll. "Stop The Man and bring back The Rolling Stones for the biggest music event ever," reads a line from the game's description. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiKjPE0xBY4 In the game, players will "progress through decades representing the band's eras" as they seek out and destroy "crystals" while famous Stones song play. Finding and shattering the crystals "powers up a massive tongue-and-lips that releases a surge of rock and roll energy to disrupt each decade and unlock the next--culminating in a globally shared interactive performance that evolves based on community participation." The Stones are just the latest rock band or musical artist to appear in Roblox, following Lil Nas X and Twenty One Pilots. It's been tough times for Roblox Corp. of late, as the company's share price is down 30% this year. The dropoff is due in part to ongoing concerns about child safety, prompting lawsuits and other negative press. In response, Roblox rolled out new protections and other significant changes(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/roblox-is-rethinking-accounts-after-lawsuits-over-failing-to-protect-children/1100-6539359/).

🎮 s Latest Crossover

🟩 Xbox, Multi-platform

Doom studio id Software responds to Xbox layoffs reports

"We're going to keep building great games," id Software says in response to mass Xbox layoffs at the Doom and Quake studio.

Evil Dead Burn ending and post-credits scenes explained

Evil Dead Burn features two post-credits scenes. Here's what happens, who returns, and what they mean for the franchise's future.

AC Black Flag Resynced Is A Hit, But People Are Particularly Upset About One Thing

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced launched on July 9, and the swashbuckling pirate adventure game got off to a great start. Vantage Studios, the new company in charge of the Assassin's Creed brand, announced today that Resynced sold more than 2 million copies in its first 24 hours. It hasn't been a total success story, however, and the negativity surrounding the game pertains to the usual culprit: microtransactions. Beyond the strong sales and player numbers, Resynced is scoring well with critics, sitting at an impressive 84 on GameSpot sister site Metacritic(https://www.metacritic.com/game/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced/). It's the most celebrated Assassin's Creed game since 2013(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-delivers-the-series-best-reviews-since-2013/) based on Metacritic scores. The game also reached 99,451 concurrent players on Steam in the first day(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-has-the-best-launch-the-series-has-seen-in-years/), setting a record for an Assassin's Creed game on Steam. !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Resynced-1.webp) Resynced is off to a good start. It hasn't been completely smooth sailing for Resynced, however, as players have taken issue with how there is $85's worth of microtransactions for the $60 game. In a post on Steam(https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198018869799/recommended/3751950), Ubisoft said it's aware of the feedback and "reading all of it." The studio said the add-on content that people can buy is "entirely optional." None of the extra content is a "requirement to enjoy or complete the game." Eight out of the nine microtransaction items for Resynced are $10 cosmetic packs, including one that gives you a bright blue monkey with glowing eyes(https://store.steampowered.com/app/4496600/AssassinsCreedBlackFlagResyncedSeaSerpentNavalPack/). There is also a $5 "Map Pack"(https://store.steampowered.com/app/4496660/AssassinsCreedBlackFlagResyncedMapPack/) that does not include any new maps, but instead gives players a special spyglass they can use to reveal collectibles that players would otherwise need to seek out and find on their own. Ubisoft's games, including the Assassin's Creed series, are known for extensive microtransaction offerings. Numerous other publishers utilize microtransactions as well, and another recent high-profile example is CFB 27, which is pissing everyone off with its microtransactions(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/college-football-27-is-pissing-everyone-off/). GameSpot's Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced review(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/black-flag-resynced-is-a-bad-remake-of-peak-assassins-creed/) scored the game a 7/10. Reviewer Jordan Ramee said the game "goes beyond the scope of a traditional remaster and adjusts the content of Black Flag to make improvements to the experience." At the same time, Ramee said the remake "creates problems the original Black Flag didn't have." Ubisoft has been undergoing a cost-cutting program in recent times, and this also impacted dozens of developers who worked on Resynced, according to Insider Gaming(https://insider-gaming.com/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-layoffs/). For more, check out the story below: - Black Flag Resynced Hides Its Connection To Assassin’s Creed Shadows, And That’s A Shame(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/black-flag-resynced-hides-its-connection-to-assassins-creed-shadows-and-thats-a-shame/)

🎮 AC Black Flag Resynced

All Palworld Pals, types, and skills in the Paldeck

There are more than 100 different Pals in Palworld. We list all Pals, alongside their types and base skills, to help you fill out your Paldeck.

🎮 Palworld

After 2 years, Marvel Rivals finally made one of its worst characters one of its best

Marvel Rivals' season 9 Black Widow rework makes the former sniper a flanker and burst damage dealer, in keeping with her role in Marvel comics

🖥 PC, Multi-platform

Palworld radically redesigned to look less like Pokémon for official release

Designs for monsters that looked like final evolution starters Cinderace and Decidueye now have a more distinct visual style in Palworld

🎮 Palworld🎮 Pokémon

🎮 Final Fantasy🎮 FF14 July Fan Fest schedule

FF14 July Fan Fest schedule revealed ahead of Evercold expansion

Square Enix will share more information on what to expect in the 8.0 version of the MMORPG