Latest Multi-platform Game News &amp; Updates

Xbox upheaval news: Rumors, changes, and cancelled games in 2026

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has implemented many changes over the past month. Here's every rumor, change, and game cancellation in our running news roundup.

🎮 Minecraft🎮 Call of Duty

Minecraft, Call Of Duty Community Servers Are “Illegal,” Claims ESA Rep

The Protect Our Games Act(https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB1921/id/3412286?cfchlftk=1bWcdbY1TkTedCGfsTmqqcIzqyPwaXhT.fP6KGvFrpw-1782851077-1.0.1.1-C1rf1N9QLNOF89eOmKPKKX.4EFFl1s4lT7DiQGt4)--a piece of legislation endorsed by the Stop Killing Games movement--has been voted down at the California State Senate. However, one of the most noteworthy incidents from this legislative battle was a comment made by an Entertainment Software Association lobbyist who claimed that Minecraft and Call of Duty private community servers are "illegal." Jennifer Gibbons, the ESA's vice president of state government affairs, told lawmakers that community servers for Minecraft and Call of Duty games are both breaking the law. "They’re illegal," said Gibbons. "They are not in any way affiliated with Microsoft. Microsoft, for Minecraft, has gotten a lot of criticism because of those community servers not employing the same safety standards that Microsoft does on their Minecraft servers ... In fact, we consider it piracy. We have ... two pending lawsuits against private servers right now, and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in their Notorious Markets Reports on counterfeiting and piracy has named some of these big private servers as a notorious market." As PC Gamer(https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/esa-bafflingly-declares-private-minecraft-servers-illegal-in-stop-killing-games-hearing-we-consider-it-piracy-we-have-lawsuits/) and Video Games Chronicle(https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/us-bill-requiring-paid-games-to-be-playable-after-they-shut-down-has-failed-to-pass-a-senate-vote/) have noted, Gibbons has apparently conflated community-run servers with the ones actually targeted by the USTR for allowing players to circumvent subscription fees. Neither Minecraft nor classic Call of Duty games fall under those parameters and they don't require a subscription to play. There are even links to Minecraft community servers on the game's official site. On Reddit(https://www.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1uj16th/industrylobbysaysminecraftcommunityservers/), an advocate for Stop Killing Games accused Gibbons and the ESA of making claims that were "designed to scare a busy legislator who does not have time to fact-check a well-dressed lobbyist in real time." In response, the advocate vowed to continue the fight in future legislation. "We are not stopping. Not even close," reads the statement. "We are not limiting this to California. We intend to introduce versions of this in other state legislatures, and we are seriously looking at the federal level. The ESA is about to learn what it is like to fight on many fronts at once. They have to win every single time to keep things the way they are. We only have to win once to change them. That math does not favor them." In a statement to Video Games Chronicle(https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/us-bill-requiring-paid-games-to-be-playable-after-they-shut-down-has-failed-to-pass-a-senate-vote/), the ESA doubled down on its claims about private servers. "Private servers infringe on the intellectual property (IP) rights of game publishers," reads the statement. "Publishers reserve the right to exercise their rights against them. The provision in CA AB 1921 that proposed these servers as a legitimate alternative to keep games running raises concerns about a publisher’s ability to enforce their IP rights. In addition, private servers operate with no oversight from the publisher and do not uphold the same trust and safety standards. This could create an unsafe environment for players and be counter to the industry's commitment to fostering safe and fun game play for all players." The Stop Killing Games movement initially came together(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70Xc9CStoE) when Ubisoft decided to shut down The Crew. Since then, activists for the group have argued in Europe and North America that gaming companies have an obligation to keep older games alive that have already been sold to players. Video game publishers have in turn argued that following the demands of these players "would curtail developer choice(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/lobbying-group-says-stop-killing-games-petition-would-make-games-prohibitively-expensive-to-create/1100-6532989/) by making these video games prohibitively expensive to create."

Man sentenced to 10 years in prison for major Pokémon card heist

A man from North Carolina pleaded guilty to the Pokémon Trading Card Game-related crime in late June and will serve up to 13 years in prison.

🎮 Pokémon🎮 Pokemon

🎮 GTA🎮 GTA 6 Fans Are Convinced The Game

GTA 6 Fans Are Convinced The Game Has A Bodybuilding System, And Here’s Why

As the wait for GTA 6's next trailer continues, fans are poring over all the little details from the new batch of screenshots that recently went live(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/gta-6-screenshots-images/2900-6525/). One piece of information that fans are now obsessing about is what they believe will be a system in the game that lets you get swoll. As relayed by GamesRadar(https://www.gamesradar.com/games/grand-theft-auto/rockstar-please-drop-gta-6-trailer-3-soon-people-are-starting-to-analyze-jasons-muscles-for-clues-about-the-game/), fans are convinced that a newly released image that shows main character Jason being less jacked than he was in a previous image is evidence that the game will have some kind of fitness/bodybuilding system. The commenters rightly point out that lighting and angles can make a person's build look different from image to image, not to mention the effect of a good pump on making muscles pop. However, what we're looking at here in the images seems to be more than that. As you can see in the image on the right, Jason's biceps, triceps, traps, and back are looking absolutely huge, whereas the image on the left shows a much more average-looking Jason. https://twitter.com/playb0y4L/status/2071725574716842475 This follows on from the trailer for GTA 6 released in May 2025 showing Jason throwing up some heavy weight(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6s-jason-does-he-even-lift-bro-heres-how-much-he-can-bench/1100-6531346/) on the bench somewhere on the beach in Vice City. We dug deep to try to find out how much Jason could bench.(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6s-jason-does-he-even-lift-bro-heres-how-much-he-can-bench/1100-6531346/) It’s likely pumping out sets could be an activity in GTA 6, as Rockstar is known to allow players to do much of what they see in trailers for their games. Given that, it stands to reason that putting in the work would lead to some proper gains like the ones people are noticing in the comparison image above. GTA San Andreas had a bodybuilding system whereby CJ could lift weights to build muscle that was then reflected in his character model and gameplay attributes, so it seems GTA 6 might be bringing that back. Jason is one of two playable characters in GTA 6, the other being Lucia. GTA 6 launches on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and while the game will have a physical edition, it comes with a code in the box, not a disc(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-is-not-releasing-with-a-disc-and-that-just-makes-sense-in-2026/?thumbnailid=1803129).

GameNewsabout 2 months ago

IO Interactive Faces Layoffs After Xbox Ends Partnership For Its Upcoming Online RPG Project Fantasy

!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/30/7d283510/project-fantasy-concept-IOinteractive.jpg.webp) In 2023, Hitman and 007 First Light developer IO Interactive announced a surprising new IP, an online RPG codenamed Project Fantasy. While that game is still on the way, it has hit a snag that will result in layoffs. IO posted an update(https://x.com/IOInteractive/status/2072005107797893315) on the game, stating that “A relationship with an external partner on our own IP, Project Fantasy, has come to an end. This means we have to adapt to this new reality and its short-term consequences, including staffing decisions, which is what is happening as we write this update, and we are fully committed to supporting those affected through this challenging transition.” Bloomberg(https://re-evaluates investment decisions) has reported that Xbox confirmed to the outlet that it was the "external partner" funding the project and that it has pulled out of the relationship as it re-evaluates its investments. An Xbox spokesperson told Bloomberg that despite the news, the company is not investing less in video games, but rather plans to invest the same amount as it did last year. "What's changing is where we're investing and the kinds of projects we're backing," said the spokesperson. Despite this setback, IO remains committed to continuing work on Project Fantasy, writing that it is “a game, a world, and an IP that we absolutely love and remain 100% committed to, now and in the future. This wonderful universe will see the light of day.” > Dear gaming community, > > For a good while, it has been all positive news from IO Interactive. We remain humbled and honored by the response to our latest outing with a young, unproven Bond. A bold new story and a take on one of the most famous characters in entertainment, which… > > — IO Interactive (@IOInteractive) June 30, 2026(https://x.com/IOInteractive/status/2072005107797893315?refsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) Project Fantasy was revealed in February 2023. At the time IO wrote of the game(https://ioi.dk/project-fantasy?utmsource=Twitter&utmcampaign=Spring23Rec&utmmedium=Social) that it is “A world and a game built from the core to entertain players and expand for many years to come. It feels familiar, yet at the same time IOI is going on a journey unlike any we have been on before.” “For many, this journey is also a deeply personal one that began long before we started making games for a living – and it started with the fantasy genre,” IO wrote in Project Fantasy’s announcement post. “From the “Fighting Fantasy” books compelling you to choose your path, alone, against wizards, lizards, and thief kings. To the togetherness, camaraderie, agony, and delight found around the tabletop. For some it meant taking the role of a game master: Part storyteller, part AI opponent, part guide, part villain. For everyone around that table it meant creativity, imagination, building a world together, and a shared goal in creating a great game experience.” Earlier this year, IO released 007 First Light to positive reviews and strong sales. You can read our review of that game here(https://gameinformer.com/review/007-first-light/cinematic-flair).

Hideo Kojima’s OD Is Reportedly Safe From Upcoming Xbox Cuts

Hideo Kojima's Xbox console-exclusive horror game, OD(https://www.gamespot.com/games/od/), is reportedly safe amidst reports and rumors of studio closures, layoffs, and game cancellations at Xbox loom. According to a report from IGN(https://www.ign.com/articles/hideo-kojimas-xbox-horror-game-od-is-safe-from-microsofts-reset-plan-but-other-games-are-on-the-chopping-block), a source familiar with Microsoft's Xbox plans has stated OD remains in development at Kojima Productions and will still be published by Xbox. Not much is known about OD(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hideo-kojimas-od-release-date-gameplay-and-everything-we-know/1100-6533769/), but it was announced during an Xbox showcase in June 2022, with only a few brief glimpses since. It is set to star three actors-- Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and the late Udo Kier--and is being made in collaboration with director Jordan Peele. Kojima said in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly(https://ew.com/xbox-25th-anniversary-hollywood-adaptations-cover-story-exclusive-12003252) that while pitching OD, most people didn't understand the concept. Former Xbox CEO Phil Spencer, however, understood, resulting in a partnership between Kojima Productions and Xbox. When OD will release is unknown, but news that its development will continue comes as Xbox seems poised to undergo a painful transition under new CEO Asha Sharma. It was just earlier today that 007 First Light developer IO Interactive announced layoffs(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-007-first-light-studio-begins-layoffs-as-its-fantasy-rpg-project-suffers-setbacks/) after it was confirmed by Bloomberg that Microsoft had pulled funding for the studio's upcoming Project Fantasy game. In a statement(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-focusing-on-highest-priorities-claims-its-not-cutting-back-overall-spending-on-games/), Microsoft said it would not be "reducing our overall investment in games," but changing "where we're investing and the kinds of projects we're backing." A number of Xbox studios and games are reportedly on the chopping block, with the possibility of some being spun out from under Xbox, being sold to other companies, or being closed entirely. One game said to be in danger of cancellation is Marvel's Blade(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-could-cancel-marvels-blade-and-close-its-developer/), from developer Arkane. Blade was announced in 2023 but no gameplay has been shown. In a quote(https://www.ign.com/articles/bethesda-boss-todd-howard-saw-marvels-blade-in-may-says-arkane-doing-a-really-really-great-job) from May, Bethesda's Todd Howard said he recently saw the game and that Arkane was doing a "really, really great job." According to a report from The Verge(https://www.theverge.com/report/959467/microsoft-xbox-cancel-blade-game-arkane-studios-closure?viewtoken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpZCI6Inp0bjNNQk1pVm0iLCJwIjoiL3JlcG9ydC85NTk0NjcvbWljcm9zb2Z0LXhib3gtY2FuY2VsLWJsYWRlLWdhbWUtYXJrYW5lLXN0dWRpb3MtY2xvc3VyZSIsImV4cCI6MTc4MzI3MDkyMSwiaWF0IjoxNzgyODM4OTIxfQ.pOFMRE5pUQgOYGX0scwb6LrEhrfZuecr50Fysx3fd8&utmmedium=gift-link), at least five studios, including Arkane, Compulsion Games (which has already reportedly seen layoffs(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-layoffs-appear-to-be-starting-with-south-of-midnight-dev-compulsion/)), Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, are all in danger. Mass layoffs are said to be coming around July 6, according to the report, and will hit "most parts of Xbox."

🎮 s OD

New Star Wars book reveals 4 massive secrets from the galaxy's most important planet

The Art of Andor uncovered some eye-opening behind-the-scenes information about Luthen's ship, Dedra's apartment and a whole lot more about Coruscant.

🎮 New Star Wars book

GameNewsabout 2 months ago

Report: Microsoft Is Considering Shutting Down Arkane Studios And Canceling Marvel’s Blade

!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2023/12/14/0281a995/bladeconcept2.jpeg.webp) According to a new report by The Verge(https://www.theverge.com/report/959467/microsoft-xbox-cancel-blade-game-arkane-studios-closure?viewtoken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpZCI6Inp0bjNNQk1pVm0iLCJwIjoiL3JlcG9ydC85NTk0NjcvbWljcm9zb2Z0LXhib3gtY2FuY2VsLWJsYWRlLWdhbWUtYXJrYW5lLXN0dWRpb3MtY2xvc3VyZSIsImV4cCI6MTc4MzI3MDkyMSwiaWF0IjoxNzgyODM4OTIxfQ.pOFMRE5pUQgOYGX0scwb6LrEhrfZuecr50Fysx3fd8&utmmedium=gift-link), Microsoft is considering closing Arkane Studios and canceling its upcoming title, Marvel’s Blade(https://gameinformer.com/the-game-awards-2023/2023/12/07/marvels-blade-is-coming-from-the-makers-of-deathloop-and-dishonored). This studio closure would be among the several reportedly planned to take place(https://gameinformer.com/2026/06/15/compulsion-games-and-other-xbox-studios-reportedly-at-risk-of-being-shut-down) in the next week as part of a larger "Xbox reset"(https://gameinformer.com/2026/06/11/report-xbox-preparing-for-significant-layoffs-as-new-ceo-asha-sharma-details-xbox-0). On June 15, reports surfaced from various news outlets that Microsoft is planning to either close or sell off multiple studios in its gaming division. While nothing has been officially announced or confirmed, five have been named by reporters so far: Compulsion Games (South of Midnight), Double Fine (Psychonauts), Ninja Theory (Hellblade)(https://gameinformer.com/2026/06/17/a-new-report-claims-xbox-had-already-planned-to-close-ninja-theory-despite-senua), and, most recently, Undead Labs (State of Decay), as reported by GamesBeat(https://gamesbeat.com/cwa-represented-workers-at-xbox-criticize-microsoft-management-and-pending-layoffs/). These studios have been said to be in various stages of negotiations with Microsoft about their futures. Xbox studios that won’t be shuttered are still expected to undergo layoffs. The Verge reports that sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans state that Dishonored and Deathloop developer Arkane Studios is also under consideration for closure or sale. Arkane, based in Lyon, France, was acquired by Xbox as part of its larger purchase of ZeniMax(https://gameinformer.com/2021/03/08/microsoft-zenimax-bethesda-acquisition-for-75-billion-officially-approved-by-eu) in 2021, which also gave the company Bethesda and id Software. Under the Xbox umbrella, Arkane Lyon specifically has released Deathloop(https://gameinformer.com/review/deathloop/deathloop-review-the-joys-of-death-and-dying). Arkane’s former American branch, Arkane Austin, the team behind 2019’s Prey, was shuttered by Xbox in 2024(https://gameinformer.com/news/2024/05/07/xbox-is-shutting-down-arkane-austin-tango-gameworks-and-more) following the negative reception to its 2023 co-op action game Redfall. Arkane Studios’ next announced project is Marvel’s Blade, an action game based on the popular hero first revealed at The Game Awards 2023. No gameplay has been shown for the title, but it’s been described as a single-player, mature-rated third-person action-adventure game set in Paris. According to The Verge’s sources, Blade was supposed to debut later this year, but its launch date was internally delayed to 2027 (the game has no publicly known release window). Blade is also reportedly running over budget. This news comes a week after Entertainment Weekly(https://ew.com/xbox-25th-anniversary-hollywood-adaptations-cover-story-exclusive-12003252) published a large feature covering the state of Xbox, in which Bethesda’s Todd Howard provided a brief comment about Blade and Arkane as a whole. "I'm not at liberty to say when we'll see more," Howard teases, "but I saw some stuff just yesterday on May 21 and the folks at Arkane Studios, the developers are doing a really, really great job." All eyes are looking toward next week for the shoe to drop on all of these reports, given that it will be the end-of-quarter financial calls for Microsoft, which is presumably why the company has not made any official layoffs announcement yet. Source: The Verge(https://www.theverge.com/report/959467/microsoft-xbox-cancel-blade-game-arkane-studios-closure?viewtoken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpZCI6Inp0bjNNQk1pVm0iLCJwIjoiL3JlcG9ydC85NTk0NjcvbWljcm9zb2Z0LXhib3gtY2FuY2VsLWJsYWRlLWdhbWUtYXJrYW5lLXN0dWRpb3MtY2xvc3VyZSIsImV4cCI6MTc4MzI3MDkyMSwiaWF0IjoxNzgyODM4OTIxfQ.pOFMRE5pUQgOYGX0scwb6LrEhrfZuecr50Fysx3fd8&utmmedium=gift-link)

🎮 Report: Microsoft

Xbox pulls out of partnership with Hitman developer IO Interactive

Xbox was meant to fund and publish IO Interactive, but is now backing out of that deal. As such, IOI may face layoffs.

Xbox Focusing On “Highest Priorities,” Claims It’s Not Cutting Back Overall Spending On Games

Microsoft has confirmed that it pulled out of funding Hitman developer IO Interactive's new fantasy game(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-007-first-light-studio-begins-layoffs-as-its-fantasy-rpg-project-suffers-setbacks/), and it's because the company is re-focusing its spending on the "highest priorities" for the business. Speaking to Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-30/microsoft-s-xbox-pulls-out-of-project-fantasy-video-game-from-io-interactive?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4Mjg0MTc5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzgzNDQ2NTk2LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUSEdISUtLSVAzSUEwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.X7fWJXMkER0LX8wjbPlqWJNXJqjEfaYkVxpStwD114&leadSource=uverify%20wall), a Microsoft spokesperson said Xbox is "taking a fresh look at where we invest so we're focusing on our highest priorities." !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/XboxReset-2.png?w=1024) Major changes are afoot at Xbox. The statement went on to claim that Microsoft is "not reducing our overall investment in games," adding that the total amount of investment this year should be about the same as it was last year. "What's changing is where we're investing and the kinds of projects we're backing," Microsoft said. IO Interactive said its fantasy game, which is in development under the working title Project Fantasy, "will see the light of day." However, it remains to be seen how IO will go about doing that. As part of the shakeup, IO is laying off staff, though it's not immediately clear how many people are affected. In addition to Project Fantasy, many are hoping to see IO make a sequel to 007 First Light(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/007-first-light-sequel-sounds-like-a-matter-of-when-not-if/). As for Xbox, the company is undergoing a "reset" of its business(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-boss-wants-xbox-to-start-pulling-its-weight-financially/?thumbnailid=1791632) under the leadership of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. This is reportedly going to include mass layoffs, studio closures (or divestitures), and game cancellations(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-could-cancel-marvels-blade-and-close-its-developer/). A report said the cuts will begin on July 6(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-could-cancel-marvels-blade-and-close-its-developer/).

🖥 PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Multi-platform

Arkane Studios and its Blade game may be shuttered as part of upcoming Xbox layoffs

Xbox is gearing up for a massive wave of layoffs that may include Dishonored developer Arkane Studios, which is currently working on Marvel's Blade.