gaming division Archives

AppWizard

November 12, 2025

Phil Spencer reminds everyone that Xbox is ‘one of the largest publishers on Steam’ as he congratulates Valve on its new hardware with all the enthusiasm of a man paying his taxes

Valve has unveiled a new lineup of hardware, including the Steam Controller, Steam Frame VR headset, and the Steam Machine, which aims to integrate Steam libraries into living rooms. Phil Spencer from Microsoft praised Valve's initiative, emphasizing the importance of expanding access across devices. There are concerns about the future of Xbox, with remarks suggesting uncertainty about next-generation console ambitions. Industry observers note a shift in consumer perception, with some feeling there is no reason to buy an Xbox again. The Steam Machine will bring an entire Steam library into the living room and is set to launch in 2026, a year ahead of Microsoft's new console hardware in 2027. Valve's pricing strategy for the Steam Machine has yet to be disclosed.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

China’s ByteDance reportedly building a Steam competitor — ‘GameTop’ for overseas markets will distribute and publish games like any other store, while harboring a social space with AI-assisted creator tools

Steam's dominance in the PC gaming market is being challenged by new platforms, including the upcoming "GameTop," a gaming marketplace being developed by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. GameTop is aimed at overseas markets and is part of ByteDance's strategy to enhance its gaming division under new leadership. The initiative follows a shift from aggressive expansion to a focus on operational efficiency. There is an existing app named GameTop on the Google Play Store, which is unrelated to ByteDance. ByteDance has made progress in the Chinese gaming sector and is attempting to expand internationally, though it currently does not compete with Tencent, which has a significant stake in Epic Games.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Arkane STJV members demand Microsoft halt support for Israel

Members of Arkane Studios, part of the French union STJV, have called on Microsoft to stop its support for Israel, aligning with the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) movement and the No Azure for Apartheid campaign advocating for Palestinian rights. The BDS movement, established in 2005, aims to discourage corporate engagement with Israel, particularly following Microsoft's services to the Israeli military. Over 2,000 employees from Microsoft's gaming division signed a petition against the company's support for Israel. The STJV expressed that Microsoft should not be complicit in what they termed a genocide and emphasized the responsibility of tech workers to ensure their technologies do not facilitate oppression. They also raised concerns about the impact of Microsoft's actions on the viability of Xbox Games and their job security.

Winsage

August 13, 2025

Microsoft Stock Gains as Edge Promotes Over Chrome Browser Use

Microsoft's stock price has risen on the Nasdaq exchange as the company encourages users to switch from Google's Chrome browser to its Edge browser. On Tuesday, shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) saw a modest increase as the company reiterated its recommendation for Windows users to abandon Chrome, promoting Edge as a more secure alternative. Users attempting to close Chrome receive a notification encouraging them to switch to Edge. Chrome users outnumber Edge users by a ratio of approximately six to one. In the latest pre-release version of Edge, new flags prompt users to pin Edge to their taskbar and make it their default browser if Chrome usage exceeds 90%. Microsoft is also transitioning users from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and is facing criticism and a class action lawsuit regarding the discontinuation of security support for Windows 10. Despite these challenges, Microsoft continues to support popular gaming titles and maintains a "Strong Buy" consensus rating from analysts, with a 26.03% increase in share price over the past year and an average price target indicating an 18% upside potential.

AppWizard

August 11, 2025

Sega’s games business reports 13% dip in sales

Sega reported a 13 percent decrease in sales for the first quarter of its fiscal year, with the Consumer segment generating ¥44.6 billion, down from ¥51.3 billion the previous year. The operating income for the gaming division dropped 66 percent from ¥8.9 billion to ¥5.2 billion. Sales of new games declined by 33 percent from ¥3.9 billion to ¥2.6 billion, while catalogue sales decreased by 21.4 percent from ¥11.2 billion to ¥8.8 billion. Sega Sammy, the parent company, experienced a 22.7 percent decline in net sales, totaling ¥81 billion for the quarter.

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

Humble Bundle’s new Warner Bros. collection has 15 really good games, plus Suicide Squad, for just $12

Humble Bundle is offering the "Play the Legends" collection featuring 16 Warner Bros. games for a price of , which includes the mixed-reviewed title Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Additionally, there is a more economical option available with seven games for . The bundle serves as a nostalgic reminder of Warner Bros.' gaming legacy, which includes notable titles like Mad Max, the Middle-earth series, and the Arkham franchise. The collection is available for purchase until August 27.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

Grounded 2 PC system requirements show the Xbox Game Pass title is 5 times bigger than the original — but you can run it on decade-old specs

Microsoft's gaming division, Xbox, is set to release Grounded 2, a sequel developed by Obsidian Entertainment, following the success of the original game launched in 2020. Grounded 2 was unveiled during the Xbox Games Showcase in June and features gameplay where players navigate a park environment after being shrunk to the size of an ant. The game has minimum and recommended PC system requirements: Minimum Requirements: - OS: Windows 10/11 with updates - Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 / Intel i5-8400 - Memory: 16 GB RAM - Graphics: AMD RX 5700 / Nvidia GTX 1070 / Intel Arc A580 - DirectX: Version 12 - Storage: 40 GB available space Recommended Requirements: - OS: Windows 10/11 with updates - Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X / Intel i7-10700K - Memory: 16 GB RAM - Graphics: AMD RX 6800 XT / Nvidia RTX 3080 - DirectX: Version 12 - Storage: 40 GB available space Grounded 2's storage requirement is 40 GB, an increase from the original game's 8 GB, reflecting expanded content. The game will be available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, or for purchase at .99, with a Founder's Edition priced at .99 and a Founder's Pack upgrade available for .99.

Winsage

July 21, 2025

Microsoft abruptly stops selling and renting movies and TV shows on Xbox and Windows devices

As of July 18, Microsoft has ceased the sale and rental of TV shows and movies on Xbox and Windows platforms. Customers can still access their previously purchased content on these devices, and Microsoft encourages users to explore third-party entertainment applications for viewing needs. Microsoft began offering TV shows and movies in 2006 through Xbox Live. Additionally, the company has initiated layoffs within its gaming division, affecting over 9,000 employees.

Winsage

July 21, 2025

12 years after Xbox One’s ‘all-in-one’ vision, Microsoft will no longer sell films or TV shows

Microsoft has announced the cessation of sales for digital films and television shows on its Xbox and PC platforms, effective July 18. No refunds will be issued for previously purchased content, but customers can still redownload their existing shows and movies through the Movies & TV app. The company no longer offers new entertainment content for purchase on Microsoft.com, Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox. This decision marks a departure from its previous strategy of positioning the Xbox One as a multimedia hub. Microsoft is encouraging users to explore third-party streaming services available on the Microsoft Store. Additionally, Microsoft recently announced layoffs affecting over 9,000 employees, and there have been cancellations of several gaming projects and changes in leadership at various studios.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

DICE and Goodbye Kansas vet Loving takes over LEGO game arm

Fredrik Loving has been appointed as the Senior Vice President and global head of LEGO's gaming division. He previously served as president at Spin Master for over five years and has experience at Rovio and DICE, where he worked on the Battlefield franchise. Loving founded Goodbye Kansas in 2017 but left after two years. LEGO is shifting its video games division in-house, moving away from reliance on licensing agreements.