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Xbox Game Studios head and chief of staff step down as 'Xbox reset' looms
AppWizard
June 15, 2026

Xbox Game Studios head and chief of staff step down as ‘Xbox reset’ looms

Craig Duncan has announced his departure from the role of head of Xbox Game Studios after a tenure of just over a year and a half. He previously led Rare and guided the development of Sea of Thieves for nearly 13 years. His promotion in 2024 placed him in charge of all Microsoft’s gaming studios, including Double Fine, Halo Studios, inXile, Obsidian, Playground Games, and The Coalition. Concerns have been raised about the sustainability of Xbox's rapid studio acquisitions, with speculation about upcoming restructuring efforts and significant layoffs anticipated, potentially affecting studios like Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions, Beastro, Undisputed, and More
AppWizard
June 3, 2026

Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions, Beastro, Undisputed, and More

Herdling (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 4, available with Game Pass Premium. Total Chaos (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 4, included with Game Pass Premium. Solarpunk (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 8, available on day one with XBOX Game Pass. Undisputed (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – June 8, available through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Persona 5 Royal (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 9, available with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Beastro (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – June 11, available through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Frog Sqwad (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 11, available with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions (Game Preview) (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 11, available day one on XBOX Game Pass. Junkster (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – June 16, available on day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Batman: Arkham Knight (PC, Handheld) – May 16, part of the XBOX on PC lineup. Escape the Backrooms (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – May 28, available through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. EA Sports UFC 6: EA Play Early Access Trial (Console) – Coming June 12, includes a 10-hour trial and progress carryover. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege: Blitz Bushido Set (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now, includes exclusive skins for a limited time. Leaving June 15: - Jurassic World Evolution 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Lost in Random: The Eternal Die (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Warhammer 40K Space Marine: Master Crafted Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Thick as Thieves is making changes, but not the one I think matters most
AppWizard
May 31, 2026

Thick as Thieves is making changes, but not the one I think matters most

OtherSide Entertainment, the developers of Thick as Thieves, expressed satisfaction with player engagement but acknowledged room for improvement. A second update is scheduled for release mid-next week, which will include features like key rebinding. However, the option to adjust or remove mission timers is still absent, causing concern among players. The game features solo or cooperative missions with time constraints of 30 to 45 minutes, and an eight-minute countdown begins after completing any objective. Failing to reach the exit before time runs out results in mission failure. The developers have made the mission timer visible to enhance transparency, but concerns remain about the rigidity of the game's design regarding the timer and item retrieval.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era teases a roguelike mode as it hits 1 million sales
AppWizard
May 28, 2026

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era teases a roguelike mode as it hits 1 million sales

The latest installment of the Heroes of Might and Magic franchise, Olden Era, sold 250,000 copies within one day of its release and reached 1 million units sold in less than a month. The game pays homage to the mechanics of HoMM 3 while introducing new elements like a revamped magic system and new gameplay modes. Developers Unfrozen and publisher Hooded Horse have announced a roadmap for early access that includes new modes such as teamplay, observer modes, and replays, along with significant class reworks and hero skill rebalancing. Future updates will introduce features like a thieves guild, underground terrain, and a roguelike mode. The early access version currently offers a single act of the campaign with limited higher-tier magic and monsters.
Before Dishonored, Arkane was tapped to make Thief 4, and my heart weeps for what might have been: 'We had an amazing pitch for Thief'
AppWizard
May 25, 2026

Before Dishonored, Arkane was tapped to make Thief 4, and my heart weeps for what might have been: ‘We had an amazing pitch for Thief’

The Dishonored series is inspired by the Thief franchise, with Stephen Russell, the voice actor for Thief's protagonist Garrett, voicing Corvo Attano in Dishonored 2. Before creating Dishonored, Arkane Studios was approached by Bethesda to develop Thief 4, as they were seen as the ideal candidate for the project. Co-directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith have discussed this potential project, expressing nostalgia for an Arkane-crafted Thief game. Thief 4 was eventually developed by Eidos Montreal but received a lukewarm reception. A recent spiritual successor, Thick as Thieves, has also been released with mixed reviews.
Great moments in PC gaming: Stealing and selling someone else's treasure in Sea of Thieves
AppWizard
May 24, 2026

Great moments in PC gaming: Stealing and selling someone else’s treasure in Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves, developed by Rare and released in 2018, is a sandbox pirate adventure game that has evolved with new enemies, factions, systems, season passes, and cosmetics. Recently, players experienced a theft during their gameplay, where another crew stole one of their chests, highlighting the game's unpredictable nature. The thrill of piracy, including both stealing from others and being stolen from, remains a central theme in the game.
The director of the best Splinter Cell game reckons that modern lighting engines are making stealth games 'so much harder to read'
AppWizard
May 23, 2026

The director of the best Splinter Cell game reckons that modern lighting engines are making stealth games ‘so much harder to read’

The stealth gaming genre has shifted from emphasizing the intricate interplay of light and shadow to focusing more on lines of sight. Clint Hocking, director of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, notes that advancements in lighting technology, such as the transition to softer shadows and ray-tracing models, have changed how players perceive stealth mechanics. The recent release of Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow marks a return for the series after over a decade, though it has received mixed reviews. Additionally, Thick as Thieves offers a cooperative stealth experience but in a simplified format. The future of stealth gaming will depend on how developers balance innovative lighting with the core elements of stealth gameplay.
It's my own fault for thinking Warren Spector's new multiplayer stealth game adding singleplayer would make it the Thief successor I was hoping for
AppWizard
May 21, 2026

It’s my own fault for thinking Warren Spector’s new multiplayer stealth game adding singleplayer would make it the Thief successor I was hoping for

Thick as Thieves is a first-person stealth game featuring minimalist controls and hand-drawn map designs. The game combines elements of technology and magic, with Scottish-accented guards who discuss light. Players navigate Elway Manor's basement, encountering marked areas that hint at mysteries. The game includes responsive guards who react to player actions, such as extinguishing candles. Originally intended as a PvPvE experience, it has shifted to a single-player and co-op format, currently lacking features like key rebinding and offering only two maps. Otherside refers to this release as the first chapter, resembling an early access title. The game is priced attractively, leading to consideration for co-op play despite its limitations.
Warren Spector's Thick As Thieves encapsulates the joys of the heist, but I'm not convinced it'll steal my attention long-term
AppWizard
May 19, 2026

Warren Spector’s Thick As Thieves encapsulates the joys of the heist, but I’m not convinced it’ll steal my attention long-term

In Elway Manor, a master thief uses the Vistara Diamond to detect guards and navigates security measures while executing a heist. The game, Thick As Thieves, is set in an alternate early 1900s Scottish city, Kilcairn, where players aim to join the Thieves' Guild. It features two launch maps with dynamic security layouts and three difficulty levels. Stealth mechanics are crucial, with players utilizing various gadgets from the Black Market. The game has shifted to a cooperative format, allowing players to team up. After about ten hours of gameplay, some repetition may occur, but the experience remains polished with quick load times and smooth performance. The game is priced modestly, promising future content from OtherSide Entertainment.
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