RuneScape 4, Xbox Project Helix, Gaming Studio Layoffs

Sep 30, 2026 — Oct 7, 2026

Jagex’s RuneScape 4 announcement arrives alongside a backlash over AI-generated art in a RuneScape trailer, while job cuts hit studios including Ninja Theory and Supermassive Games This Week in Video GamesVGCGame DeveloperVGC. Xbox describes Project Helix as part of a next-generation device family, and Paramount completes its $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, combining the companies’ game divisions under Skydance VGCGamesIndustry.bizVGC.

Jagex Announces RuneScape 4 and Plans RuneScape Reignited

Jagex Announces New RuneScape MMO, Built in Unreal EngineRuneScape Reignited launches 2 DecemberThis Week in Video GamesEurogamer

Jagex announces RuneScape 4, a fourth MMO built in Unreal Engine, at RuneFest 2026; the project has no release date and is described as a long way off This Week in Video GamesIGNTechRaptorRock Paper Shotgun. The announcement comes alongside plans for RuneScape Reignited, a clean-slate update scheduled for December 2, and a multi-year roadmap for RuneScape: Dragonwilds EurogamerNintendo Life.

Jagex Pulls RuneScape Trailer Over AI Art as Capcom Plans RE Engine AI

Jagex pull Runescape trailer and apologise for genAI use after complaints about six-fingered knights, pinning the blame on a "trusted external partner"Capcom is preparing for a ‘future where we create games together with AI’Rock Paper ShotgunThe Verge

Jagex pulls a RuneScape 3 trailer after complaints about generative-AI imagery and apologizes, saying an external partner used the art without its knowledge and breached the studio’s anti-AI rule Rock Paper ShotgunVGC. The dispute contrasts with Capcom’s plan to evolve RE Engine into an AI-generation game engine, while Sega says it will not use AI for creative aspects of game development The VergeEurogamerVGCPush Square.

Studio Layoffs Hit Nerial, Ninja Theory and Supermassive Games

Reigns developer Nerial enters 'hibernation mode,' lays off staffReport: Ninja Theory lays off workers after failing to spin off from XboxGame DeveloperGame Developer

Nerial, the studio behind Reigns, enters hibernation mode and lays off staff after significant trading losses over the past two years Game DeveloperGamesIndustry.biz. Ninja Theory begins layoffs after two agreements to sell the Hellblade studio fall through, while Supermassive Games cuts more than 70 staff Game DeveloperRock Paper ShotgunVGCVGC.

Xbox Says It Is Returning to Growth as Project Helix Expands

'We've Started To Return To Growth' - Asha Sharma Updates Employees On Xbox's Plans For The FutureXbox Boss Suggests Project Helix Won't Be The Only Next-Gen System From MicrosoftPure XboxPure Xbox

Xbox boss Asha Sharma tells staff the business has started to return to growth, with hours spent no longer declining Pure Xbox. She describes Project Helix as part of a next-generation device family that includes products from Microsoft and other manufacturers, as Xbox’s restructuring follows more than 1,800 job losses Pure XboxVGCVGC.

Paramount Combines Warner Bros. Games Divisions Under Skydance

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery operating under Skydance following completion of $111bn mergerParamount and Warner Bros Combine Gaming Divisions Following Companies’ US $110 Billion Merger – ReportGamesIndustry.bizThis Week in Video Games

Paramount completes its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing the companies’ gaming divisions together under the Skydance name GamesIndustry.bizVGC. The combined business includes Paramount Games Studio and Warner Bros. teams such as Rocksteady and Avalanche, alongside properties including Mortal Kombat and SpongeBob This Week in Video GamesVGC.

GTA 6 Rating Reveals Content as Rockstar Explains Its Satire

GTA 6's 18+ age rating reveals Lucia and Jason can partake in drug use "directly from their inventory" and "at any time""It has to be more over the top, more insane, more in your face" - Rockstar explains why GTA 6 doesn't satirise real-world eventsEurogamerEurogamer

Grand Theft Auto VI’s PEGI 18 listing, later pulled, cites prominent drug use, sexual content and decapitation; the game’s US rating is M for Mature EurogamerPush SquareIGNVGC. Rockstar says the game avoids direct political references in favor of broader social satire, and its release remains scheduled for November 19 EurogamerRock Paper ShotgunVGCIGN.

Gears of War: E-Day and Star Wars: Galactic Racer Reach Launch

Interview: Gears Of War: E-Day - The Coalition Talks Locust, Development Pressures, And Building 'The Best F***ing Gears Game'Out Today: Star Wars: Galactic Racer, the Highest-Rated Star Wars Game in Over 20 YearsPure XboxPush Square

Gears of War: E-Day reaches full release on October 6 through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, following premium early access that began October 1 Pure XboxXbox WirePure Xbox. Star Wars: Galactic Racer also launches with an 88 Metascore, making it the highest-rated Star Wars game since 2003’s Knights of the Old Republic Push SquareGamingOnLinux.

Metro Redux Gets Free PS5 and Xbox Series Upgrades

Metro Redux's Next-Gen Update arrives this month as franchise passes 50 million salesEurogamer

Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux receive free updates for PC on October 22 and for consoles on October 29, as the Metro franchise passes 50 million sales Eurogamer.

End of the weekly overview · 8 stories from 18 outlets

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