game industry

  1. Windows 10 Support Ends: Final Fantasy XIV and the Future of PC Gaming

    As Microsoft approaches the final curtain call for Windows 10, the ripples are reaching far beyond the realm of operating system updates and security patches and into the everyday experience of PC gamers. Among the earliest—and arguably the most impactful—casualties of this OS transition is...
  2. Xbox’s Future at a Crossroads: The End of Backwards Compatibility and Preservation Risks

    Microsoft’s Xbox division finds itself at an extraordinary crossroads. Once proudly the industry’s standard-bearer for backwards compatibility, Xbox is stepping into uncharted territory as the next-gen console strategy reorients dramatically around Windows. Hardware sales have sharply declined...
  3. AI in Game Development: Ethics, Transparency, and Industry Standards Highlighted by 'The Alters'

    In the rapidly evolving landscape of game development, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has become a contentious topic, balancing innovation with ethical considerations. A recent incident involving 11 Bit Studios' latest release, The Alters, has brought this debate to the...
  4. Digimon Story Time Stranger: PC System Requirements, Accessibility, and Community Impact

    Digimon Story Time Stranger is shaping up to be a compelling addition to the beloved Digimon franchise, promising both longtime devotees and newcomers a deep role-playing experience that seamlessly bridges the real world and the Digital World. In this feature, we’ll explore the confirmed PC...
  5. Microsoft’s Big Shift: Making Windows the Central Hub for Gaming Everywhere

    For years, Microsoft’s approach to gaming seemed locked within the familiar rectangle of the Xbox console, a proprietary ecosystem designed to challenge Sony’s PlayStation and, to a lesser extent, Nintendo’s quirky innovations. Now, as articulated by Xbox president Sarah Bond in a recent video...
  6. Sony Removes Region Locks on PC Games on Steam: What It Means for Gamers

    Sony, a company famed for both its technical prowess and strategic secrecy, has once again disrupted global gaming markets with a decision that rippled across continents and caught millions by surprise: stealthily removing region locks for a large swath of its PC games on Steam. This...
  7. Windows and Tech Ecosystems in 2025: Updates, AI, Gaming, and Industry Shifts

    Windows users and tech enthusiasts alike witnessed a whirlwind week marked by pivotal software updates, major developer conferences, and seismic shifts in the gaming and tech ecosystems. In the latest Windows Weekly episode, Leo Laporte, Richard Campbell, and Paul Thurrott dissected the latest...
  8. Bend Studio Faces Major Layoffs Amid Industry-Wide Gaming Reshuffle

    There’s a quiet, persistent anxiety weaving through the video game industry, and the latest jolt comes from Bend Studio, an Oregon-based development house best known for the open-world action game Days Gone. In an already turbulent year for games, Bend has confirmed what had long been feared...
  9. Microsoft Pauses Xbox Handheld Development to Focus on Windows 11 Portable Gaming

    Microsoft’s decision to temporarily halt development of its long-speculated Xbox handheld console has sent waves through the gaming community, especially as the portable gaming sector enjoys record growth. With portable powerhouses like Valve’s Steam Deck and Nintendo’s Switch dominating the...
  10. Nintendo Switch 2 Performance Reality: Can It Truly Reach 4K@60FPS?

    Gamers and industry analysts alike have been eagerly awaiting concrete information on what the Nintendo Switch 2 is truly capable of, especially as Nintendo leans into bolder performance claims for their upcoming hardware. With the launch date imminent, headlines touting support for up to 120...
  11. Microsoft Shifts Focus to Improving Windows 11 for Handheld Gaming Devices

    Microsoft's foray into the handheld gaming market has been a topic of considerable interest and speculation. Recent developments indicate a strategic shift in the company's approach, focusing on enhancing the Windows 11 experience on third-party handheld devices rather than pursuing an in-house...
  12. Understanding RNG in Video Games: How Randomness Shapes Gameplay and Player Experience

    In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of video games, unpredictability is more than a desirable feature; it is often a core mechanic that defines gameplay, player engagement, and even competitiveness. Behind the veil of this unpredictability lies a fundamental technology known as the Random...
  13. Microsoft Delays Xbox Handheld, Focuses on Windows 11 for Portable Gaming Ecosystem

    The highly anticipated emergence of a dedicated Xbox handheld has hit a notable road bump as Microsoft recalibrates its priorities in the face of increasing competition and transformative shifts in the portable gaming landscape. According to multiple independent sources and recent industry...
  14. Chrono Trigger Remake Rumors: The Truth, Legacy, and What Fans Should Expect

    Few games are as revered in the annals of gaming history as Chrono Trigger, the 1995 Square Enix classic heralded for its innovative narrative, memorable characters, and masterful combat system. In the decades since its release on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), fans have...
  15. Episode 5: Interview with Cierra McDonald--achievement unlocked! | Level Up

    Level Up is a show devoted to game development. Each show will recap current news and events in gaming, deep dive with a game industry insider, and cover tips for programming or finding resources to help you with game construction. We would love to hear from you with feedback or suggestions for...
  16. Windows 7 Duke Nukem fan based trailer

    Well, movies take "4ever" to make What has probably been one of the longest running jokes in the industry has now been revived as a fan-made trailer, looking to become a movie. Yes, we’re talking about the Duke Nukem saga, which can easily be called a saga in real life as well, what with all...