Microsoft has today made significant layoffs to its gendut 188 gaming division, per a memo sent to staff by Xbox boss Phil Spencer and reviewed by IGN. Paste Media has launched a new website, Endless Mode, that’s dedicated to “games, anime, theme parks, and interactive entertainment,” according to a press release. A former Microsoft Game Studios executive producer has released a video discussing the future of Xbox. This is where you’ll find all of TheGamer’s – get this, right – game news. We cover big, breaking stories and smaller, viral ones, on everything from triple-As to indies to streaming.

Arrowhead Game Studios has announced that the Sony-published Helldivers 2 is officially coming to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S next month. I had a great time slashing my way through the mystery of the Soulless Army, but a few gameplay flaws prevent Raidou Remastered from cementing itself as an Atlus classic. Ridgeline Studios, the original team on the campaign, allegedly shut down with “nothing left” for other studios to build upon. Before The Edge of Fate arrives on July 15th, Bungie is letting all players run through previous content and reap the rewards. Developers from veteran support studio Virtuos have spoken about the successful, record-breaking launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Something has changed in terms of Red Dead Online – or at least that’s what players are hoping for after the first trailer for a new update in years.

Survival Horror Games

Last year, Microsoft slashed almost 2,000 jobs from its gaming division, affecting employees across Xbox and Activision Blizzard. In the same year, it also shuttered a trio of ZeniMax game development teams after having acquired the video game holding company in 2021. This will be the fourth round of cuts at Xbox in the last 18 months. These layoffs come against the backdrop of Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October 2023. As part of today’s layoffs, several games, including Rare’s Everwild, have been cancelled and The Initiative, the Xbox studio which was producing the Perfect Dark reboot, has been shut down. From the latest consoles to PC gaming and mobile games, we cover it all.

Here’s all you need to know to solve today’s game, plus my commentary on the puzzles. Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty had to reportedly pull the controller away from Spencer when he tried an early build in March. Electronic Arts is officially sunsetting BioWare’s disastrous looter shooter, having removed it from online storefronts. Reports indicate that the simulation-styled racing franchise has been cancelled along with Turn 10’s getting hit by massive cuts. The Warbond Token allows players to pick any premium Warbond of their choice rather than being stuck with Steeled Veterans.

Developer Interviews

Only a brief flash of gameplay was shown, but it looks like fans of Chivalry and the like may have a new place to call home next year. If it truly is based on the Z2 platform, it probably won’t be cheap. ASUS just increased the price of its ROG Ally and ROG Ally X by $100 in the U.S. to account for Trump’s tariff blitz. There’s already a swath of competitors on the market too, including the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go.

The company first laid off around 1,900 employees in January 2024, mostly from Activision Blizzard King. Following that, three ZeniMax Media studios were closed in May 2024, including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, although the latter was purchased by PUBG owner Krafton and revived in a last-minute deal. Finally, another 650 employees were cut in September 2024, again mostly from Activision Blizzard King. Additional details regarding the Microsoft layoffs and which divisions have been impacted (sources tell Variety that the cuts in gaming do not make up the majority) are expected to be shared later Wednesday. “We continue to implement organizational and workforce changes that are necessary to position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace,” a Microsoft spokesperson said Wednesday.

Europe’s biggest game developer conference will again offer a wide range of events and sessions for international game developers, publishers, and service providers. From this date, players will no longer be able to earn gold points on digital purchases. The platinum coins earned by completing weekly challenges and claimed against physical rewards and icons for Switch profiles will continue. Nintendo has given interesting caveats to the removal of the My Nintendo Gold points scheme.

The tough hack n’ slash with anime stylings was quite impressive in its own way, but the sequel looks like its trying to take things to the next level in a big way. Top down visuals and survival horror elements make this look like one to watch. The PlayStation exclusive looks absolutely incredible, but hopefully, like the first game, it will eventually makes its way to Xbox and PC. Summer Game Fest is kicking off in earnest, showcasing the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. Drop a notification bell on the PC Gaming Show, set to go live this Sunday after the Xbox Showcase. Color me intrigued, but Xbox studio Undead Labs posted this on their Facebook page recently.

Microsoft Xbox Layoffs June 2025 – What’s Clear And What’s Not As The Weekend Nears

Tim Cain uploaded a new video exploring the struggles of game preservation throughout his career and why companies need to take more responsibility for it. One player shared their discovery of a unique easter egg in Death Stranding 2. While taking a bath, Hideo Kojima appears as a constellation in the night sky. The father of the first Path of Exile has founded a new studio and is developing a yet unannounced RPG. Hideo Kojima, creator of the highly acclaimed Death Stranding 2, among others, talked about his dreams of space flight and commented on the challenges we face as humanity.