Vishal Kamal has been covering video games for 7 years, writing about everything from hardware deals and new releases to esports and the business
side of the industry. He runs TheBadGamer, focused on gaming news worth your time.
State of Decay 3, originally slated for a Game Pass day-one launch, may no longer join the service due to Microsoft's sale of developer Undead Labs. The game's future on the platform hinges on a new deal between Xbox and the studio's undisclosed buyer. Scheduled for 2027 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, the game's launch plans have been thrown into uncertainty.
XBOX Game Pass subscribers are in for a treat this July with the addition of iconic titles like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 and The Planet Crafter on July 21. Palworld transitions to its full 1.0 release on July 10, offering an expanded open-world survival experience. A total of 7 new games join the catalog between July 6-21, but 9 games will leave on July 15.
Elder Scrolls Online's Season One launches in two days amidst Xbox's 1600 staff cuts, impacting 12-year-old MMO's development team. The game's roadmap, initially planned 12-14 months ago, will undergo changes post-Season One. Despite assurances the seasonal model isn't a direct response to layoffs, the team faces significant resource challenges.
As Doom: The Dark Ages' Revelations DLC releases today, id Software faces unprecedented turmoil with approximately half of its staff laid off. Xbox's sweeping 3200 job cuts by FY2027 have hit ZeniMax's division hard, including major losses at id Software. The community reacts with a mix of disappointment and unsurprise at the timing, coinciding with the DLC launch.
Nintendo confirms the Switch 1 will continue sales in North America, Japan, and other regions beyond Europe, where it will be phased out by mid-February 2027. Despite its aging hardware, the Switch 1 remains an affordable option with ongoing game support, including titles like Rhythm Heaven Groove. The decision contrasts with Europe's transition to Switch 2, which features user-replaceable batteries to comply with EU laws.
Xbox Game Pass, a cornerstone of Microsoft's gaming strategy, has drastically underperformed, boasting only 30 million subscribers instead of the projected 77 million. This shortfall, coupled with significant layoffs and studio closures, prompts a reevaluation of the service's model. The future of Xbox's first-party titles on Game Pass hangs in the balance.
Dive into the chilling Feardemic Publisher Sale on the Xbox Store, featuring 35 horror titles with discounts up to 90%. Celebrate the Summerween season with psychological horrors, survival adventures, and more, including standout deals on Bad Cheese, I Hate This Place, and Menace from the Deep.
Discover Walmart's discounted 512GB MicroSD Express card for Nintendo Switch 2, now available for $84.77, despite market-wide price hikes. This deal is a must-grab for Switch 2 owners facing storage constraints with large games. The card boasts up to 800MB/s write and 600MB/s read speeds.
The original Nintendo Switch model will no longer be produced or distributed in Europe, marking a significant shift in the region's market. This move follows the launch of the Nintendo Switch OLED Model and growing demand for enhanced gaming experiences. Players in Europe will soon only have access to the newer Switch variants.
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