Gaming

Criterion Games has confirmed that while the Burnout franchise remains significant to the studio's identity, its future development efforts are now directed towards the Battlefield series. This strategic shift aligns with the commercial success experienced by recent Battlefield titles, including Battlefield 6. The company's statement emphasizes that Burnout is not forgotten, but the current operational focus is on the military shooter genre. This decision underscores a broader trend in the gaming industry where established studios often pivot to more commercially viable franchises. The emphasis on Battlefield suggests a commitment to leveraging the existing player base and ongoing development cycles for that particular intellectual property. Criterion's history includes significant contributions to both franchises, with Burnout being a beloved arcade racing series and Battlefield a major player in the first-person shooter market. The continued focus on Battlefield by Criterion Games raises questions about the future of arcade racing games. The genre has seen a decline in major releases from established developers in recent years, making Criterion's past association with Burnout particularly noteworthy. The studio's acknowledgment of Burnout's importance suggests a potential for future entries, but the immediate business priorities clearly lie with the Battlefield franchise, indicating a long-term investment in its development and support.

Don't Starve Together launched its mobile port on July 21, 2024, enabling players to access the survival sandbox experience on mobile devices. This release brings the cooperative survival gameplay, previously exclusive to PC and consoles, to a portable format. Players can now join friends in surviving the harsh environment of The Constant from their smartphones or tablets. The mobile version aims to replicate the core gameplay mechanics of the original game, including resource gathering, crafting, base building, and combat against various creatures. The development team has focused on adapting the user interface and controls to suit touchscreens, ensuring a playable experience without significant compromises to the game's depth. This port is expected to appeal to both existing fans of the Don't Starve franchise and new players looking for a challenging survival game on mobile. Don't Starve Together, developed by Klei Entertainment, is known for its unique art style, challenging gameplay, and emphasis on cooperative play. The game has maintained a dedicated player base since its initial release, with continuous updates and expansions adding new content and features. The introduction of a mobile port signifies a strategic move to broaden the game's reach and accessibility to a wider audience, potentially tapping into the large mobile gaming market.

Microsoft's Xbox division has reportedly canceled the planned sequel to Obsidian Entertainment's fantasy RPG, Avowed. This decision comes as Obsidian shifts its focus to developing a new installment in the Fallout franchise, according to a Bloomberg report. The new Fallout game will be led by Josh Sawyer, who previously directed the critically acclaimed Fallout: New Vegas. The cancellation of the Avowed sequel signals a strategic pivot for Obsidian and Xbox's first-party studios. Avowed, which was released in September 2024, received mixed reviews, with many critics praising its world-building but criticizing its gameplay mechanics. The decision to halt development on its sequel suggests that Xbox is prioritizing projects with potentially higher commercial or critical appeal. Josh Sawyer's involvement in the new Fallout project is a significant development for fans of the series. His work on Fallout: New Vegas (2010) is often cited as a high point for the franchise, known for its player choice, branching narratives, and engaging writing. The move indicates a desire to recapture the magic of that particular entry in the Fallout universe. While the Bloomberg report does not specify a release window or title for the new Fallout game, the reallocation of Obsidian's resources suggests that development is likely underway. The future of the Avowed IP remains uncertain, with no immediate plans for a continuation of the series.

Obsidian Entertainment is now developing a new title in the Fallout franchise as part of a significant restructuring within Microsoft's Xbox division. This strategic pivot follows a broader "reset" initiative by Xbox, which has included approximately 3,200 layoffs and a reallocation of investments towards "higher priority projects." The studio, previously known for titles such as Grounded and The Outer Worlds, has canceled "multiple projects" to accommodate this new direction. The decision to shift Obsidian to Fallout development signifies a notable change in the studio's planned output. While specific details regarding the Fallout title remain undisclosed, its development will likely absorb resources previously allocated to other games. This move is part of a larger strategy by Xbox leadership to streamline operations and concentrate on franchises with established market appeal and potential for growth. The exact number of projects canceled by Obsidian was not specified, but the statement indicates a significant reorientation of the studio's development pipeline. This reassignment occurs amidst a period of considerable change for Xbox's internal studios. The 3,200 layoffs announced earlier this year impacted various teams across the gaming division, reflecting a move towards greater efficiency and a more focused approach to game development. The "reset" aims to ensure that resources are directed towards projects that align with Microsoft's long-term vision for the Xbox ecosystem. The specific impact on Obsidian's team size or the timeline for the new Fallout game has not yet been detailed by Microsoft.