Xbox CEO refuses to confirm whether next console Helix will have a disc drive

eurogamer.net Aug 31, 2026

Xbox CEO refuses to confirm whether next console Helix will have a disc drive

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 31, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Xbox chief Asha Sharma declined to confirm whether the upcoming Project Helix console will include a disc drive, telling the BBC that the priority is “your libraries can go wherever you are.” She highlighted a new initiative that will grant digital entitlements for up to a thousand physical‑disc titles, allowing owners to keep their collections in a digital form while preserving the option of physical media. Sharma emphasized Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to backward compatibility and the choice between physical and digital formats. The remarks came as Microsoft announced Project Helix as a hybrid console‑PC device, with development kits slated for release next year, and as the Xbox division continues to restructure, having already cut 1,600 jobs with more reductions planned.

💡 Why It Matters

· By framing disc‑to‑digital conversion as a bridge rather than a phase‑out, Microsoft signals a strategy to retain collectors while nudging the market toward a more flexible, cloud‑ready ecosystem.

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Housemarque Co-Founder Ilari Kuittinen Announces Exit from Saros Developer After 31 Years

Ilari Kuittinen, co‑founder of Finnish studio Housemarque, announced his departure after 31 years with the PlayStation‑owned developer, marking his final day on August 31, 2026. In a lengthy farewell letter he reflected on the studio’s evolution from a 1995 shoot‑‘em‑up outfit to a AAA developer behind titles such as Resogun, Alienation, Nex Machina, Returnal and the recent Saros. Kuittinen highlighted Housemarque’s 26‑year independence, its integration into Sony’s PlayStation Studios in 2021, and its reputation for giving creators freedom. The transition was pre‑planned; veteran Sami “Haxu” Hakala assumed the managing‑director role on July 1, 2026. Kuittinen said he will take a break after three decades of continuous work.

💡 Kuittinen’s exit signals the end of an era for a studio that has shaped PlayStation’s shooter legacy and now faces a new leadership era without its founding visionary.

gamesradar.com · Aug 31

The Blood of Dawnwalker review: “Despite clear Witcher 3 DNA, I wish…

The Blood of Dawnwalker, released on September 3 2026 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X, is Rebel Wolves’ freeform vampiric RPG that centers on half‑vampire Coen, who must decide how to spend 30 days of “time tokens” before a blood‑magic coronation kills his family and village. The game’s prologue offers tight, folklore‑rich storytelling, but the open‑world portion suffers from a time‑based quest system that makes pacing feel erratic and many side activities feel repetitive. Directional combat works well in duels, and the worldbuilding draws on Eastern European myth, yet vampire abilities are under‑utilised and moral choices are minimal. Reviewers noted that while exploration is largely respected, the lack of meaningful consequences for spending time leaves the adventure feeling less engaging than its premise suggests.

💡 The title’s novel time‑management mechanic forces players to confront opportunity cost in an RPG, exposing how poorly balanced pacing can undermine even a richly imagined setting.

gamesradar.com · Aug 31

Ex-Devil May Cry devs were tired of 40-hour ARPGs, so new zombie…

Former developers of Devil May Cry and Resident Evil are launching Stupid Never Dies, a zombie‑themed action brawler that compresses traditional RPG progression into 20‑minute dungeon runs. Director Eiichiro Sasaki told GamesRadar+ at Gamescom 2026 that most action‑RPGs require 30‑40 hours to reach the final boss, whereas his new title aims to deliver noticeable stat gains after each short dive. The game, built by GPTRACK50, promises “blazing fast growth” and continuous ability upgrades, while retaining the studio’s pedigree in pacing from titles such as Resident Evil 6 and the original Devil May Cry. Stupid Never Dies is slated for release on October 21, offering players a high‑octane loop of combat and rapid character development. The bright, loud aesthetic reinforces the frantic gameplay loop.

💡 It redefines progression speed, catering to gamers who favor quick, satisfying power spikes over marathon grinding.

eurogamer.net · Aug 31

Sony’s next PlayStation State of Play coming this Thursday, followed by a…

Sony announced that its next PlayStation State of Play will stream on Thursday, 3 September, beginning at 6 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. CEST. The hour‑long event will feature updates and announcements from PlayStation Studios and third‑party partners, concluding with an extended look at Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Revelation. Immediately after, Sony will launch a second broadcast, State of Play Japan, hosted by voice actor Yuki Kaji, spotlighting titles from Japan and Asia with new gameplay and announcements. Both streams will be available on PlayStation’s YouTube and Twitch channels. The schedule was leaked days earlier by insider NateTheHate, and the showcase arrives ahead of the September release of Marvel’s Wolverine, while other anticipated games such as God of War Laufey and Until Dawn 2 remain slated for future updates.

💡 By pairing a global reveal with a region‑focused showcase, Sony aims to capture diverse audiences and sustain momentum for its late‑year slate, especially as flagship titles near launch.

gamesradar.com · Aug 31

CD Projekt Red offers to help after police reports are filed at…

Multiple developers reported equipment thefts at Gamescom 2026, prompting a wave of industry support. Mimic’s Ryan Laley announced that all of his team’s laptops were stolen, forcing an early exit from the show. In response, CD Projekt Red, the studio behind Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3, pledged to check its “Arasaka hardware archives” for replacement gear, assuring Laley that no developer should start from zero. Everstone Studios and Netease Games echoed the sentiment, promising to deliver supplies to the affected booth. At least three exhibitors, including Ukiyo Studios, confirmed losses ranging from controllers to food, citing four consecutive years of thefts. Gamescom organizers acknowledged the incidents, emphasized existing security measures, and confirmed police investigations are underway as the expo continues.

💡 The thefts expose a security gap that even top studios feel compelled to patch themselves, underscoring how vulnerable indie developers are at high‑profile trade shows.

playstationlifestyle.net · Aug 31

PlayStation 5 Getting Intriguing New Historical Adventure Game

Gate Zero, a new historical action‑adventure title, was unveiled for PlayStation 5 at Gamescom 2026. Developed by Templar Media LLC, the game places players in first‑century Judea and Galilee, blending a semi‑open world with a story‑rich narrative triggered by a mysterious time‑machine from a dystopian 2072. Players control Max, a young scavenger who, while fleeing the authoritarian UniFi regime, is thrust into ancient Israel during the era of Jesus. The premise promises exploration of historic cities, marketplaces, and encounters with biblical figures, while uncovering UniFi’s plan to rewrite history. Gate Zero will also launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a PS Store wishlist now live, though no release date or price has been announced, and is expected to attract history enthusiasts.

💡 By merging sci‑fi time travel with biblical-era settings, Gate Zero offers gamers a rare interactive lens on a pivotal historical period, potentially redefining narrative ambition in mainstream console titles.