Tag: Microsoft
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After a 13-Year Run, The Xbox Ambassador Program is Ending – Insights into the Why and What’s to Follow
Microsoft recently made an announcement regarding the closure of the Xbox Ambassadors program, a successful program that has been operational for the past 13 years. The tech giant expressed its profound gratitude towards its fans for their unwavering support of the program throughout its run, but stated that necessary adjustments to fit “the needs of…
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Over 500 Developers at Blizzard Vote to Create Microsoft’s Largest Comprehensive Union for World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft developers have become the second-largest union at Microsoft, with over 500 employees joining efforts. Following a similar move by 241 Bethesda Games Studios staffers, this new union – known as the World of Warcraft GameMakers Guild – includes members from every department, from designers to producers, spanning across offices in California and…
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Report: Microsoft Allegedly Shuts Down a DEI Team, Dismisses Several Employees
Microsoft has reportedly disbanded a key Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team, leading to multiple staff layoffs. The company’s decision to eliminate the team was revealed in an internal email sent by the now-former team leader, who also accused the tech giant of “harassment and toxicity.” This move comes as Microsoft and other major tech…
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“Doom: The Dark Ages Makes History at Xbox Showcase”
Doom: The Dark Ages, a medieval prequel to the iconic franchise, was officially unveiled at Xbox Games Showcase, with a release set for 2025. Developed by id Software and Bethesda Studios, this installment introduces unique weapons and mechanics while maintaining the traditional Doom gameplay, featuring an endless horde of foes to vanquish. This title, anticipated…
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Microsoft Closes Bethesda Studios Responsible for Redfall and Hi-Fi Rush
In an effort to reallocate resources and priorities, Xbox Game Studios is closing several of its game studios, including Arkane Austin, the Redfall developer, Tango Gameworks, the Hi-Fi Rush developer and Alpha Dog Studios among others. Staff in affected studios will be relocated or, in some cases, the studios will be completely shut down. The…
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Baldur’s Gate 3 Will Not Be Included in Xbox Game Pass
Despite fans’ hopes, Baldur’s Gate 3 will not be available on Xbox Game Pass, as confirmed by Larian Studios founder, Swen Vincke, in an interview with IGN. Citing the rationale behind the decision, Vincke explained that Baldur’s Gate 3, a large-scale game without microtransactions, entails considerable development costs. As such, it’s only logical for interested…
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Peter Molyneux Leaves Microsoft
Old news, Peter Molyneux has left Lionhead Studios to join a new start up 22 Cans. I think it’s a good thing, as a) I just never liked the Fable series and b) I feel like they just had to keep creating Fable sequels instead of doing new and interesting things, which is what Mr.…
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Microsoft Removes XBLA Size Cap
Back in the old days, Microsoft capped the size of Xbox Live Arcade games at 50 MB. I’m not particularly sure why they choose that cap, but they did. Then Symphony of the Night broke the 50 MB limit, so they raised it to 150 MB. Then Portal: Still Alive broke that at 1 GB.…
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Microsoft Rumored To Buy EA
Word on Wall Street is Microsoft is going to Buy EA. I don’t know why Wall Street would randomly make up a rumor like this…but it’s driven up the stock prices for both EA and Microsoft (EA is up 8.1 percent, Microsoft 1.1 percent). Even Reuters covered the issue. “There’s talk that Microsoft might be…
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Microsoft Confirms 250GB Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360
Infinity Ward announced at a press event that Microsoft will be releasing a new Xbox 360 model based on Modern Warfare 2. The new console will be black and branded with Modern Warfare 2 images, a 250GB HDD, two wireless controllers, and a copy of Modern Warfare 2. It’ll be $399 and available on November…
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Fable III Announced
Lionhead’s Peter Molyneux announce Fable III this morning at Germany’s Gamescom. This time around, instead of being a hero, players will become the king (or queen) of Albion and rule over the land, choosing to be either a kindhearted ruler or ruthless tyrant. For the first half of the game, players will be working to…
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Microsoft’s Next Dashboard Update Coming August 11
Microsoft’s new Xbox 360 dashboard will be released on August 11th and feature a number of improvements and new features, including: A new “Xbox Live Games On Demand” service, allowing users to download whole Xbox 360 games. The service will launch with 30 games, including Assassin’s Creed, BioShock, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Mass…