Microsoft layoffs impact Undead Labs and World's Edge, while Counter-Strike 2 introduces fast-paced game mode Rush.
Today’s PC gaming news revolves around the significant workforce impact within the gaming industry and some updates in ongoing game titles.
Microsoft Layoffs Hit Hard
Major developments came from Microsoft as they managed a round of layoffs and restructuring within their gaming arm. This has significantly affected studios like Undead Labs and World’s Edge. According to Rock Paper Shotgun, Undead Labs, known for their State of Decay series, laid off “a significant number” of their staff just after announcing their independence from Xbox. This move is part of a broader shift following Microsoft’s decision to disengage some studios from its direct control.
In tandem, Rock Paper Shotgun also reported that World’s Edge, the studio managing the Age of Empires series, also faced drastic downsizing. Nearly half the staff reportedly lost their jobs, and an additional game project was canned amid the transition to Activision’s oversight—part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to consolidate efforts around fewer projects and IPs following its recent acquisition.
Game Updates: Counter-Strike 2 and Guild Wars 2
Elsewhere in the gaming space, Counter-Strike 2 has added a new fast-paced 3v3 game mode called Rush. This update, highlighted by GamingOnLinux, is aimed at providing players with quicker, intense matches—a contrast to the more traditional, slower-paced battles the franchise is known for. However, an amusing side note from PCGamesN mentions that a new in-game item, the CS2 Chicken Egg, has amusingly overshadowed this update in some circles, suggesting the enduring appeal of quirky content in maintaining user engagement.
In the MMO scene, PCGamesN reports that Guild Wars 2’s “Code of Creation” update is now live. This update brings a conclusion to the “Visions of Eternity” saga, offering players fresh content as they await more substantial future developments from the franchise.
Modding Community Adds New Options
Modding continues to play a pivotal role in extending the life and enjoyment of games, as evidenced by the newly released seamless co-op mod for Dark Souls 2. As Rock Paper Shotgun reports, modder Yui, known for similar endeavors in Elden Ring and other titles, has released this mod in alpha. It allows players to experience the notoriously challenging Dark Souls 2 with friends in a seamless multiplayer format, potentially revitalizing interest in the classic title.
In sum, while the industry grapples with the realities of layoffs and restructuring, the games themselves continue to evolve, offering players both new modes of play and fresh content to engage with.
