Gait Games

There is an issue in 4X games. In fact, it’s so persistent, that Amplitude Studios’ co-founder and CEO Romain de Waubert de Genlis describes it as an “inherent problem”, one his team have been attempting to solve since the first Endless Legend released back in 2014.

“One of the X’s, ‘explore’, disappears after a while,” de Waubert de Genlis explains. You’ve discovered the map for one thing, so there is no more world to uncover. But ‘explore’ can also refer to something more abstract, your strategy becomes fixed. Because you can see the lands, and you can see the resources, and you can see the enemies you face, you must decide on a course of action and there will rarely be much reason to change it.

But spotting the problematic ‘X’ is far simpler than fixing it.

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Despite Rockstar Games’ silence on the matter, the cat rather seems to be out of the bag about GTA 6 getting its own online component that’ll doubtless serve as GTA Online has for GTA 5. Court docs the studio themselves filed as part of the ongoing final hearing in a legal battle over the firings of 34 developers last year are partly to thank, but now so is the boss of streaming platform Twitch just blurting out when he expects GTA 6 to get a big multiplayer bump.

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As many reservations as I had going into ZA/UM’s Zero Parades: For Dead Spies earlier this year, what with all of the drama and upset that’s surrounded the studio since Disco Elysium‘s release, it pleasantly surprised me. I don’t think I rate it more highly than its brilliant predecessor, but it offered a throughly fun time that felt like it was riding the coattails of Disco, but not in a way that left it any way unable to create its own magic.

Now, it’s getting a free Director’s Cut update to coincide with its console release, with a bunch of new additions and tweaks coming to the PC version.

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Heart Machine, the US-based makers of Hyper Light Drifter, its multiplayer spinoff Hyper Light Breaker, and last year’s Possessor(s), have laid off “nearly everyone” on staff after an unnamed publisher pulled funding for their next, unannounced game.

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FrostPrime, a well-known content creator recognized for his “Slay the Spire” streams, has recently found himself amidst controversy after publicly criticizing fellow Twitch streamer Dan Gheesling. With more than 160,000 followers, FrostPrime was let go by his talent agency, GG Talent Group, after he declined to stop his critiques of Gheesling, who came under fire for taking part in a game show sponsored by the U.S. Army aimed at a younger audience.

The situation began to develop on September 21, when Gheesling’s participation in the game show attracted significant criticism, including from his long-time friend, Northernlion. Northernlion condemned the sponsorship in a subsequent stream, stating that it crossed unacceptable lines due to the military’s imagery and implications. Although he rarely involves himself in Twitch controversies, Northernlion felt the need to speak out because of his close friendship with Gheesling, which has lasted 14 years.

In reaction to the backlash, Gheesling sought to apologize during a later stream, but this led to further criticism. Many within his community, including friends and moderators, distanced themselves from him after his statements. Gheesling maintained an “apolitical” position during this discussion, yet found it difficult to justify how participating in military-sponsored content could be seen as non-political.

FrostPrime has been outspoken against Gheesling’s actions, using Gheesling’s Twitch chat and Discord to share his views. On September 22, he published a YouTube video explaining how he was approached by Eric Harper, the CEO of GG Talent Group, who urged him to refrain from discussing Gheesling. FrostPrime declined, reiterating his long-standing ties with Gheesling and his own moral objections against what he referred to as a “pro-genocide sponsorship.”

The confrontation with Harper intensified, leading FrostPrime to assert that he was essentially forced out of the agency because of his unwillingness to relent. He emphasized his principles, identifying as anti-genocide and pro-Palestine, and declared that he would speak against actions that conflict with his moral values.

Following the fallout, other Twitch personalities started to consider the implications of collaborating with military-sponsored content, sparking a larger discussion on the ethics of sponsorship in gaming and the personal beliefs of content creators.

In a later clarification, FrostPrime noted that while he was “dropped” from GG Talent Group, he had actually requested to leave after a heated exchange with the CEO. He conveyed feelings of being cornered into silence regarding his beliefs, resulting in a mutual agreement for him to separate from the agency. GG Talent Group released a statement affirming their support for FrostPrime’s right to voice his political opinions, but they clarified that he left voluntarily and did not provide evidence for his claims of being bullied into silence.

This incident underscores the intricate relationship between content creators, their affiliations, and the sponsorships that can greatly affect their careers. As the conversation around political content and sponsorship continues to develop, FrostPrime’s situation emphasizes the difficulties faced by creators who wish to preserve authenticity in an increasingly commercial environment.

Layoffs have been a constant drumbeat in gaming industry news since 2022. Even if the cadence of layoffs seems to have slowed in 2026, the severity of those cuts has not lessened. In July, Microsoft made 1600 staff redundant as part of its great reset, and promised investors they would let 1600 more staff go in the next 12 months.

Cuts like those and the ongoing economic pressures plaguing the industry – rising debt rates, a cost of living crisis, and a memory shortage that is making every aspect of making and playing video games pricier – should have the head of any large studio examining their plans for the future. Especially when games are taking longer to make, costing more to make, and up against a much greater volume of competition than even two years ago.

With all that in mind, when I wasn’t talking to Saber Interactive’s chief creative officer Tim Willits about generative AI, I wanted to know what he would do if he ran one of those 200-people big-budget game studios. Because say what you like about Saber (and there’s a lot of things people like to say about Saber), but the developer is doing well at a time when a lot of other studios and publishers are struggling.

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**Xbox Restructuring: The Future of Halo Uncertain Amid Job Cuts**

In a major upheaval in the gaming sector, Xbox revealed on Tuesday that it plans to enact another wave of layoffs, affecting over 250 staff members, including numerous individuals at the famed Halo Studios, previously known as 343 Industries. This move is part of Xbox’s ongoing “reset” plan to reorganize its operations and redirect its focus towards a new vision.

A central aspect of this reorganization is the handover of the cherished Halo franchise to Activision. This alteration signifies that Halo, a fundamental element of Xbox’s identity since its launch in 2001, will no longer be produced by the team that has led it for years. Instead, a new development team at Activision will assume control, relegating the remaining Halo Studios staff to a support capacity in sustaining the franchise.

The news has been met with anguish and disappointment by many former developers tied to Halo. Kiki Wolfkill, a past executive producer for the series, shared her shock and compassion through a moving post on LinkedIn, acknowledging the skill and commitment invested in the franchise by the impacted teams.

Mirroring her thoughts, Marcus Lehto, co-creator of Halo, conveyed his mixed emotions on social media. While taken aback, he recognized the changes and extended well wishes to everyone affected by the layoffs. Bonnie Ross, a key figure in the Halo development community, expressed her sadness, highlighting the extensive impact these job cuts would have on numerous talented individuals across different creative positions.

Horia Dociu, a previous art director for Halo, shared his sadness for the friends and colleagues caught up in the transition. Additionally, Brad Hilderbrand, a former senior PR manager, voiced his concerns regarding the layoffs, pointing out that Halo, once seen as the “crown jewel” of Xbox, now confronts an unclear future as it becomes a mere shadow of its former self.

The layoffs and ensuing development alterations indicate a pivotal shift for a franchise that has influenced gaming culture. As industry veterans move on and the trajectory of Halo is called into question, both fans and former developers are left pondering what lies ahead for this legendary series. With no concrete plans revealed for the forthcoming Halo titles, the gaming community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a favorable outcome amid the turbulence of restructuring.

An ambitious Baldur’s Gate 3 custom campaign mod which adds a whole new region to explore between the RPG’s second and third acts is finally out in beta. This extra adventure midway through BG3’s main quest is the result of nearly two years of work from modder SquallyDaBeanz, who’s put together a trip to The Chionthar Wilds full of new missions and dungeons.

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**Title: Xbox’s Significant Reorganization: An Industry Transformation with Widespread Consequences**

Yesterday, Xbox captured attention by revealing the next stage of its comprehensive reorganization efforts, merging several of its studios and implementing job cuts as part of a wider plan to decrease its workforce by approximately 3,200 positions over the upcoming year. This recent wave included the termination of 268 employees, as Xbox continues to adjust its operations and focus. Notable changes entail the relocation of the legendary *Halo* franchise to Activision, while major studios like Rare and World’s Edge, recognized for *Age of Empires*, are also now connected to Activision. Concurrently, Obsidian will be merged into Bethesda, and a union between Turn 10 and Playground Games will take place. Ninja Theory is transitioning into a consulting capacity amid these alterations.

**A Reverse Acquisition: Perspectives from Industry Experts**

Joost van Dreunen, a faculty member at NYU Stern, described this action as “a reverse acquisition in slow motion,” implying that the very publishers Xbox heavily invested in are now incorporating the studios Xbox set up. Analysts have shown concern regarding Xbox’s evident identity crisis, as noted by Rhys Elliot of Alinea Analytics and James McWhirter from Omdia, both emphasizing a shift in Xbox’s function from a platform to a publisher-first model. McWhirter pointed out that this duality is complicating Xbox’s competitive position against opponents like Sony and Nintendo, suggesting that the Game Pass service aimed at expanding Xbox’s audience may have unintentionally altered spending patterns from upfront game purchases to subscription-based revenue.

In spite of these obstacles, some analysts recognize value in the consolidation of studios within similar genres. For example, merging smaller studios under larger organizations could streamline release strategies and diminish competition between Microsoft titles for the same audience. Newzoo analyst Manu Rosier commented on the possible advantages of structured leadership across genres, which could strategically improve market positioning.

**Importance of *Halo* Transition and Consequences for Other Franchises**

The incorporation of *Halo* by Activision signifies a pivotal moment in Xbox’s reorganization. Van Dreunen referred to this as an acknowledgment of the challenges faced by Halo Studios, effectively converting it into a support unit. With *Halo* now reporting to Activision, there is hope that the franchise will gain from the strong operational capabilities that Activision’s *Call of Duty* franchise utilizes each year. Analysts like Rosier proposed that *Halo* could alternatively release concurrently with *Call of Duty*, thereby sharing the gaming spotlight and alleviating some pressure from the annual shooter release schedule.

Nonetheless, there remains doubt regarding the reasoning behind assigning Rare and World’s Edge to Activision, considering their lack of direct connection to an established shooter portfolio. Elliott expressed regret over what he perceives as a demotion for the *Halo* series, which was instrumental in the initial triumph of the Xbox brand.

**Concerns Over Studio Identity and Prospects for Future Success**

The situation involving Ninja Theory, famed for its celebrated game *Hellblade*, also raises red flags among analysts. With unsuccessful sale negotiations surfacing, worries regarding the studio’s viability and market standing have increased. Van Dreunen stressed the potential impacts of this restructuring on Xbox’s overall efficiency and its capacity to retain talent—a costly lesson that Xbox and other firms should take note of going forward.

Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games echoed these views, forecasting significant turmoil within Xbox’s framework and warning against the possible erosion of identity for studios evolving into broader publisher roles. He underscored the unpredictability surrounding this reorganization and the potential for additional challenges if the current adjustments do not produce favorable results.

**Conclusion**

As Xbox traverses through these transformative changes, the effects on the gaming landscape are profound. The strategic choices made in the forthcoming months will not only redefine Microsoft’s gaming sector but could also establish the precedent for studio management within the gaming industry as it advances. The success of *Project Helix*—a critical initiative under scrutiny—will ultimately assess the efficacy of Xbox’s reorganization and its enduring influence on gamers and the competitive dynamics of the sector.

Control Resonant, much like the inside-out, interdimensional cryptids it has you bashing with a shapeshifting stick, probably shouldn’t exist. At least not in the risk-averse, pennypinching reality that sometimes seems to have enveloped the art of gamesmaking, and that may have installed some scepticism into my own head. The sequel to a liked yet slow-selling shooter, which replaces both the original’s player character and its instantly recognisable, bureauca-brutalist setting, while violently pirouetting into open-world RPG melee brawling. Five words that Remedy, in all their thirty years of existence, have never previously let pass their lips.

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