Deathloop director Dinga Bakaba has commented on Microsoft’s acquisition of Arkane’s parent company Bethesda and what it will mean for the studio’s future software output. Speaking toPress Start, Bakaba saidnews of Microsoft’s acquisitionwas initially “pretty surprising”, but later “made a lot of sense”. Following the completion of the deal,Xbox boss Phil Spencer saiddelivering exclusive games for platforms that supportXboxGame Pass was the primary reasonMicrosoftpurchasedBethesda. And according to Bakaba,Arkane’s passion for making “original” games with “a lot of personality and style” seems like a natural fit for the Xbox Game Pass model....

Jake Solomon is striking out on his own. The Firaxis veteran worked on XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2, andMarvel’s Midnight Suns, establishing himself as a leader in the tactical genre. VGC last spoke to Solomon in February 2023 to discuss Midnight Suns. One week later,he’d left the studio he’d been at for more than two decades. “I wasn’t drunk for our call, but I probably could have been,” he laughs, as we sit down to talk abouthis new studio, Midsummer Games....

Wondering how to take pictures in Tear of the Kingdom? Well, then this is the guide for you. The game features a photo mode just like inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, buthow to take picturesin Tears of the Kingdom is somewhat less obvious. Thankfully, this guide will give you all you need to know about unlocking the game’s photomode as early in the game as possible....

This article has been corrected to point out that IDC’s estimate of PlayStation VR2 launch sales was subsequently challenged by Sony’s own numbers. Sony has reportedly paused production of PlayStation VR2, just one year after launch, so it can deal with a backlog of unsold units. A new report byBloombergclaims thatPlayStationVR2 shipments have been getting progressively smaller every quarter since the headset launched in February 2023, and that Sony has now paused production altogether....

Struggling to find everyWishing Orb Express locationin Miraland’s Wishing Woods? Follow along with this little checklist. Reach the Wishing Woods and you’ll soon start to spot Wishing Orb Express box games from theFolklore Guidedisplayed on tables, boxes, and a benches. But finding all 11 for a few extra Diamonds can be tricky. How to unlock box games in Infinity Nikki Before you can start logging Wishing Orb Express locations, you need to unlock the Folklore Guide app on your Pear-Pal....

Amazon Studios is reportedly in the process of securing the rights to a new TV series based on Mass Effect. Deadlinereports that the studio, which is responsible for creating original content forAmazonPrime Video, is “nearing a deal” to develop a series based on EA’s best-selling sci-fi franchise. According to the article, the deal is part of a push to create more ‘genre’ content for the streaming service, following the success of fantasy series The Wheel of Time and the upcoming Lord of the Rings series....

Amazon has revealed the next wave of ‘free’ games coming to Prime Gaming this month. Prime Gaming, which is included with an Amazon Prime subscription, offers membersPCtitles to keep and exclusive in-game content each month. Unlike services such asPlayStationPlus andXboxGame Pass, after claiming a game via Prime Gaming players will continue to have access to these games, even if they cancel their Amazon Prime subscription. This month’s games include BioShock Infinite Complete Edition,Wolfenstein: Youngblood(which can also be played on Xbox) and Deus Ex: Human Revolution: Director’s Cut....

Popular Poker-based roguelike Balatro has been removed from several digital storefronts in an apparent ratings mix-up. The game, which has been frequently occupyingSteam‘s top ten most popular games since its release last month, was removed from several storefronts due to the game’s rating suddenly jumping from 3+ to 18+. A statement on the publisherPlaystack‘sXpage reads:“We are aware thatBalatrohas been temporarily removed from sale on a number of digital stores in some countries on console platforms, meaning that some new customers will be unable to buy it....

Bandai Namco has revealed plans to develop its own ‘IP Metaverse’, to help fans of its games interact. The publisher shared details on its mid-term plan (April 2022 to March 2025) with shareholders on Tuesday, and explained that the plan’s core aim will be what it calls its ‘IP Axis Strategy’. This strategy consists of three main goals – connecting with fans through its IP, enhancing IP value and making its projects span worldwide to improve sales outside of Japan....

The PlayStation VR and PlayStation VR2 versions of Beat Saber will no longer get new content, developer Beat Games has announced. All future content for the game, including new songs, will be released on Meta Quest andSteam, but will not be coming to either ofPlayStation‘s VR devices. “As we look to the future and plan the next big leap for Beat Saber, we have made the decision to no longer release updates forPS4andPS5starting in June 2025,” the studio said in a statement....

Ubisoft has officially announced Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition. Following multiple leaks, the publisher said the previously unannounced title will be released in early 2024 for unspecified platforms. The US Entertainment Software Ratings Boardclassified the game in AugustforPC,PS4,PS5,Xbox Series X/SandNintendo Switch. Over the past few days,Xboxachievements for the title appeared online and it was alsospotted on the Microsoft Store. Ubisoftalso confirmed today that it had mistakenly released an early version of the game to some of its customers....

Chinese developer and publisher Game Science has delayed the Xbox Series X/S version of Black Myth: Wukong. “We are currently optimizing theXbox Series X|Sversion to meet our quality standards, so it won’t release simultaneously with the other platforms,” the company said on Friday. “We apologize for the delay and aim to minimize the wait forXboxusers. We will announce the release date as soon as it meets our quality standards.”...

Striking Distance Studios, the developer behind The Callisto Protocol, has been hit with a round of layoffs. Its parent companyKraftonsaid it has “reduced the size” of the California-based studio, but that it “remains operational”. It confirmed the layoffs in a statement issued toPC Gamer, after multiple affected employees broke the news on LinkedIn. “Most of the devs were laid off”,wroteformer director of concept art Jesse Lee, who had been with Striking Distance for almost six years....