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Microsoft needs to "reset Xbox," says Asha Sharma, as the company lays off 3,200 employees
AppWizard
July 7, 2026

Microsoft needs to “reset Xbox,” says Asha Sharma, as the company lays off 3,200 employees

Xbox plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 3,200 employees by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2027, with an initial layoff of around 1,600 positions. CEO Asha Sharma expressed concerns about the company's health and announced a transition of four studios to new management. Xbox is facing financial challenges, operating at margins significantly lower than comparable entities, and the expected growth of Game Pass has not occurred. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will return to independent status, retaining ownership of their intellectual properties. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will also join new ownership structures. Bethesda is refocusing on its major franchises, and there are no cancellations of first-party games due to these reductions. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions expressed gratitude for support during this transition.
Crossfire is actually the second singleplayer shooter named after Korea’s Counter-Strike—and the last one was made by Remedy
AppWizard
July 4, 2026

Crossfire is actually the second singleplayer shooter named after Korea’s Counter-Strike—and the last one was made by Remedy

Crossfire is a new military simulation game developed by the creators of the 2019 reboot of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, published by Smilegate. It features an innovative cover mechanic and a deeper emotional connection between its two lead characters. The game is related to the earlier multiplayer FPS Crossfire, which received a single-player mode called CrossfireX, developed by Remedy Entertainment. CrossfireX includes three-hour FPS campaigns that follow a Call of Duty formula and features a bullet-time mechanic. The game faced challenges upon release and was met with poor reception, leading to its shutdown just over a year after launch.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
July 3, 2026

The latest Chinese PC gaming hit is an indie game that spent the last 8 years growing into something you’ve never played before

The Scroll of Taiwu is a Chinese indie game that debuted in early access on Steam in 2018 and has recently reached its 1.0 release after eight years of development. It offers an immersive experience rooted in Chinese mythology, contrasting with the fast-paced action of many contemporary games. The game features an expansive open world where players can hone martial arts skills, manage towns, and navigate conflicts. Despite its popularity among Chinese gamers, the lack of English localization has limited its reach, but the recent full release includes ongoing English translation efforts. The game has over 5 million words in its script, making complete translation challenging. The game's publishing advisor, Leye "Yager" Yu, has invested over 1,200 hours into it and believes in its potential to attract a broader audience. The developers are focused on improving localization and addressing bugs post-launch, while Yager plans to promote the game through collaborations and word-of-mouth.
Dragon Age setting creator says AI push is a delusion of the executive class that's a 'virulent plague' on games
AppWizard
July 2, 2026

Dragon Age setting creator says AI push is a delusion of the executive class that’s a ‘virulent plague’ on games

David Gaider, a veteran of BioWare and creator of the Dragon Age universe, expressed concerns about generative AI in gaming, calling it a "virulent plague" that negatively impacts creativity and job opportunities. He criticized the current use of AI for producing subpar results and diminishing entry-level opportunities for writers. Gaider suggested that AI should be used as a supportive tool for mundane tasks, allowing human writers to focus on creative work, but noted that AI is currently taking on critical roles instead. He emphasized the importance of nurturing new talent and cautioned against eliminating tasks essential for training junior developers. Gaider also raised ethical concerns about AI's reliance on datasets that may lack consent from original creators, warning of potential legal issues. He expressed skepticism about AI's readiness for widespread application in the industry, advocating for caution until proper regulation and ethical data training are established.
Based on Meccha Chameleon's incredibly short 2-month dev cycle, its creators have already earned $1 million per day of work
AppWizard
July 1, 2026

Based on Meccha Chameleon’s incredibly short 2-month dev cycle, its creators have already earned $1 million per day of work

Meccha Chameleon, launched on June 9, has sold over 10 million copies within three weeks, developed by two Japanese indie developers, Lemorion and Haganeiro, in a rapid two-month timeline. The developers utilized a strategy of creating a basic mockup and reusing assets from previous projects to streamline their process. The game has received significant sales, particularly in Western markets, with 20,712 English reviews out of 36,810 on Steam. This success has likely allowed the developers to benefit from a reduced revenue cut from Valve, earning them potentially "life-changing" income. If sales continue at the current pace, they could retroactively claim a day rate of approximately million for their work. Meccha Chameleon has also been well-received for its engaging gameplay, earning a score of 82%.
ESA Lobbyist Calls Private Minecraft Servers Illegal During Hearing
AppWizard
June 30, 2026

ESA Lobbyist Calls Private Minecraft Servers Illegal During Hearing

Jennifer Gibbons, Vice President of State Government Affairs at the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), stated during a California State Senate hearing that community servers for Minecraft and Call of Duty are "illegal" and equate to "piracy." She mentioned that the ESA has pending lawsuits against private servers and that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has identified some private servers as notorious markets for piracy. Gibbons' comments were challenged by Assemblyman Chris Ward, who noted the existence of community servers for both games. An ESA representative later clarified that Gibbons was responding to a complex question and that private servers hosting copyrighted content without authorization infringe on the intellectual property rights of game publishers. The ESA reported a total revenue of ,614,556 in the fiscal year ending March 2025, with ,804,681 from member dues.
Private Minecraft servers violate the law and resemble a "black market" - according to the Entertainment Software Association
AppWizard
June 30, 2026

Private Minecraft servers violate the law and resemble a “black market” – according to the Entertainment Software Association

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has declared private Minecraft servers illegal, equating them to a "black market" for video games and considering them a form of piracy. The ESA is pursuing legal action against the owners of these private servers. However, Microsoft and Mojang Studios, the creators of Minecraft, do not fully share the ESA's perspective, as many fan-driven projects have thrived in a more lenient environment. Microsoft has not officially commented on the ESA's statements regarding private servers.
The smartest Windows OS upgrade costs just $10 through July 1
Winsage
June 30, 2026

The smartest Windows OS upgrade costs just $10 through July 1

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, down from its regular price of 9. This limited-time promotion runs until July 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The upgrade includes features such as a modern user interface, improved multitasking, advanced security features, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, Azure AD integration, and Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant, Copilot.
YouTube Shorts just borrowed more of TikTok's best tricks
AppWizard
June 29, 2026

YouTube Shorts just borrowed more of TikTok’s best tricks

YouTube is enhancing its Shorts platform with several new features: - Introduction of 2x playback speed, allowing users to accelerate through content by holding either side of the screen. - A "clear screen" mode that hides on-screen elements for a cleaner viewing experience. - Replacement of the thumbs-up icon with a heart for expressing approval. - Elimination of the dislike button, with users now able to select "Not interested" or "Don’t recommend this channel" for feedback. - Current dislike counts will remain accessible in YouTube Studio, but new dislike counts for Shorts will not be collected starting at the end of June. - Users can mute Shorts directly from the player for a quieter browsing experience.
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