Fans have unofficially ported the original Halo: Combat Evolved to several platforms, including Windows, Linux, Android, and PS5, featuring the full campaign and multiplayer with support for up to 128 players.
Playdigious is set to release Absolum for iOS and Android on November 5, bringing the roguelite side-scrolling beat 'em up game to mobile gamers. The game features four unique heroes, arcade-style combat, and online two-player coop, with a soundtrack composed by Gareth Coker. The mobile version will include touch controls, achievements, controller support, and cross-progression tied to Google Play Games accounts.
Absolum is a game where players join a rebellion led by high enchantress Uchawi to free the lands of Talamh from the oppressive rule of Sun King Azra. Players can choose from four heroes with different fighting styles and must craft new strategies to defeat Azra's elite guard. The game features arcade beat 'em up action combined with modern roguelite mechanics, set in a fantasy world with beautiful art and music by composer Gareth Coker. The game is available on both iOS and Android with revamped touch controls and cross-progression between devices.
Microsoft is considering a strategic pivot for its Xbox division, which may include spinning it off into a standalone entity or transforming it into a wholly-owned subsidiary. There are discussions about a potential joint venture with unnamed partners to facilitate a smoother sale of Xbox. The company is focusing its resources on its most prominent gaming titles while facing challenges, including the possibility of job losses for hundreds of employees. Anticipated game releases like Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls VI have left fans waiting for updates, and the Halo franchise has seen stagnation since the establishment of 343 Industries. Halo Infinite's content updates ceased in 2025, four years after its launch. Microsoft has not yet made immediate changes but is exploring a broad range of options for the future of Xbox.
Serious gaming on Linux has become a reality, with modern games showing impressive performance. A performance comparison was conducted between Windows 11 (25H2 build) and CachyOS (March 2026 build), a Linux distribution optimized for gaming. The test system specifications included a Cooler Master GA27127-inch monitor, Intel Core i5 12400F CPU, 24GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, 1TB HDD, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT GPU, and the respective operating systems with their drivers.
In gaming performance benchmarks, CachyOS outperformed Windows 11 by an average of 8.6% across five tested games. Specific game performances included:
- Dead Space Remake: 70 FPS (Windows 11) vs 76 FPS (CachyOS)
- Resident Evil 4 Remake: 84 FPS (Windows 11) vs 95 FPS (CachyOS)
- Scorn: 118 FPS (Windows 11) vs 120 FPS (CachyOS)
- Silent Hill 2 Remake: 53 FPS (Windows 11) vs 54 FPS (CachyOS)
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Next-Gen: 95 FPS (Windows 11) vs 111 FPS (CachyOS)
In ray tracing (RT) enabled games, performance varied:
- Resident Evil 4 Remake: 77 FPS (Windows 11) vs 83 FPS (CachyOS)
- Silent Hill 2 Remake: 30 FPS (Windows 11) vs 24 FPS (CachyOS)
- The Witcher 3: 51 FPS (both systems)
Most PC games are designed for Windows, while Linux games require the Proton compatibility layer, which can complicate performance. Multiplayer titles often face compatibility issues on Linux, particularly due to anti-cheat systems. Linux has matched or surpassed Windows 11 in single-player scenarios for users with AMD GPUs, while NVIDIA users face challenges due to proprietary drivers.
Halo Studios has announced the cessation of new updates for Halo Infinite four years post-launch, shifting focus to Halo: Campaign Evolved. The final update will be released on November 18, featuring accelerated XP, Spartan Points, and rank progression. The game will transition to smaller updates, which has raised concerns about its long-term viability. The June update introduced a nostalgic Halo 3 mode that received positive feedback. Former director Chris Lee had stated that Halo Infinite would be the last standalone release for the foreseeable future, and Microsoft has not yet revealed the next chapter in the Halo series, which will be developed using Unreal Engine. Halo: Campaign Evolved is the only upcoming title in the franchise. Halo Infinite explored innovative modes, including a third-person perspective, and influenced perceptions about battle passes and user-generated content.