The Next Halo Game From Halo Studios Was Reportedly Still Years Away, Before Microsoft Handed the Franchise to Activision

ign.com Sep 25, 2026

The Next Halo Game From Halo Studios Was Reportedly Still Years Away, Before Microsoft Handed the Franchise to Activision

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 25, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Microsoft terminated Halo Studios’ planned next game, citing its long development timeline, and transferred the Halo franchise to Activision. The move follows a broader studio reshuffle that also moved Rare and World’s Edge under Activision. Halo Studios, rebranded from 343 Industries, had announced multiple new titles on Unreal Engine, but leadership upheavals and past launch issues prompted the cancellation. Activision is forming a dedicated team to create the next mainline Halo, while Microsoft focuses on other flagship IPs.

💡 Why It Matters

· The shift signals a strategic pivot in how major gaming franchises are managed, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape between Microsoft’s Xbox and Activision’s Call of Duty.
· It also raises questions about the future direction and creative control of a culturally iconic series.

Read full article on ign.com

Game of the Week – At just $18, Nighthawks is exactly what…

Nighthawks, a text‑based vampire RPG from Wadjet Eye Games, launched this week at $18 and quickly proved ideal for the Steam Deck. The game features five Acts, ten companion characters, and multiple endings, all navigable via a special handheld‑mode that adapts the UI for small screens. Reviewers noted flawless performance, with joystick scrolling and touchscreen support working intuitively despite the title lacking official Steam Deck verification. Play sessions average under 20 hours, and the narrative‑driven combat‑light design suits travel or couch play without draining the Deck’s battery. The title blends visual‑novel storytelling with RPG mechanics, offering replay value through varied companion quests and skill builds, making it a compelling budget pick for portable gamers.

💡 Nighthawks shows that high‑quality, narrative‑rich indie games can thrive on handheld PCs without formal verification, expanding the Steam Deck’s library beyond traditional “Verified” titles.

playstationlifestyle.net · Sep 25

GTA 6 Gives Fans a New Way to Enjoy Vice City Ahead…

Rockstar Games announced a premium pre‑order collectible titled “Grand Theft Auto VI: The Goodtime State – Vice City Collection,” allowing fans to experience the game’s Vice City setting before its release. The set, inspired by Leonida’s TV show Macca the Gator, includes assorted memorabilia and is priced at $400 through the official Rockstar store while supplies last. The announcement coincides with the rollout of exclusive tracks from Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, featuring artists such as Travis Scott, Metro Boomin, and Keith Richards; six of the 34 songs are already streaming on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, with the full album available for pre‑save and slated for vinyl and CD release. Rockstar confirmed the game’s launch date as November 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

💡 The collectible creates a tangible bridge between the franchise’s iconic setting and its upcoming launch, deepening fan engagement and generating early revenue ahead of the game’s release.

eurogamer.net · Sep 25

World of Warcraft: Forever has recaptured the original MMO’s magic, something I…

Blizzard unveiled World of Warcraft: Forever at BlizzCon and opened its beta last week, allowing players to level characters to 20 in a revamped Classic experience. The project builds on lessons from Classic, Classic Hardcore, and the Season of Discovery, adding fresh zones such as the Riverglades, new towns like Farholde Keep, and integrated race‑class combos—including Undead Paladins—while preserving core gameplay. Environmental design, music cues, and subtle mechanics, such as druids transforming into snakes after acquiring the Fang gearset, aim to recreate the original MMO’s sense of wonder. Early player feedback highlights the seamless blend of nostalgia and innovation, suggesting Blizzard has successfully refreshed the franchise without sacrificing its iconic identity.

💡 By marrying beloved Classic elements with thoughtful new content, Forever re‑engages lapsed veterans and demonstrates a viable path for legacy games to evolve without alienating their core audience.

ign.com · Sep 25

Arc Raiders Is Testing a PvE Mode Very Soon

Embark Studios announced a PvE toggle for Arc Raiders, to be tested from October 13–20. Players can switch between PvP and non‑damage lobbies, with lower‑valued loot and AI targeting downed players for tension. The studio will monitor economy and matchmaking, noting the test may not become permanent. Data shows 37% of players favor friendly co‑op, 27% mixed, and 34% pure PvP, with 51% desiring a dedicated PvE option. The experiment reflects player‑driven gameplay preferences.

💡 The trial could reshape Arc Raiders’ core experience, balancing competitive tension with cooperative play. It signals a shift toward player‑centric design, potentially redefining the game’s community dynamics.

playstationlifestyle.net · Sep 25

Konami’s New PS5 Action-Adventure Game Is Out Today on PlayStation Store

Konami Digital Entertainment has released the survival action‑horror title Silent Hill: Townfall on the PlayStation Store for PS5, co‑published with Annapurna Interactive. Developed by Scottish studio Screen Burn Interactive, the game departs from the series’ usual third‑person view, offering a first‑person perspective. Players control Simon Ordell, who returns to the fog‑shrouded island of St. Amelia in 1996, navigating abandoned streets with limited resources and a pocket television. The standard edition sells for $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition costs $59.99. The title earned a 9/10 rating from PlayStation LifeStyle, praised for its atmosphere and balanced gameplay.

💡 The shift to first‑person gameplay marks a bold evolution for the Silent Hill franchise, potentially redefining player immersion in horror titles. The partnership with Annapurna Interactive also signals Konami’s strategic move toward niche, critically‑oriented releases.

eurogamer.net · Sep 25

Roman Sands Re:Build review – a fiendish immersive sim drenched in a…

Roman Sands’ Re:Build launches as a two‑act experience that blends a vaporwave‑infused immersive sim with a bleak, Evangelion‑style survival journey. In Act One, players serve a cursed resort’s four residents, performing menial tasks in a time‑looped cycle that tests endurance and efficiency. Act Two shifts to a slow, oppressive survival mode set in fractured realities, emphasizing the relentless demands of service and sacrifice. The game’s stark aesthetic and psychological pressure create a uniquely unsettling narrative that defies conventional genre labels.

💡 By forcing players into a relentless, dehumanizing service loop, Re:Build exposes the hidden mechanics of modern labor, offering a stark commentary on exploitation that resonates beyond gaming.