BioWare Closes, Xbox Cuts Continue, Mass Effect Petition Grows
EA’s closure of BioWare and cancellation of its next Mass Effect game drive the week’s biggest story, as a petition urging the company to save the series passes 223,000 signatures . Layoffs and possible studio closures continue elsewhere, while Cyberpunk 2077 receives a free update and Pokémon Unite sets a shutdown date
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EA Closes BioWare and Cancels Mass Effect as Petition Passes 223,000
Electronic Arts has closed BioWare after more than 30 years and ended early development on its next Mass Effect game. The closure comes amid around 400 EA job cuts, including roughly 50 BioWare roles .
A petition calling on EA to save Mass Effect grows from more than 75,000 signatures to 187,000 and then past 223,000 over the week . It asks EA to restart development internally or license the franchise to another studio, rather than specifically calling for BioWare to return
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A pre-production internal trailer for the canceled game surfaces, alongside leaked details about its design and a reported story that would have accounted for choices across Commander Shepard’s trilogy .
Microsoft Offers Voluntary Exits as Xbox Restructuring Continues
Microsoft offers voluntary exit packages to 60,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its workforce, as the company seeks to reduce headcount . Earlier reports said Xbox was preparing additional rounds of layoffs in October, November and January 2027, following 1,868 cuts and toward a reported total of 3,200
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Microsoft is also reportedly considering an à la carte Game Pass plan that would let subscribers choose features such as console games, cloud gaming and multiplayer . Xbox prices prepaid cloud gaming at $3.99 for 10 hours or an introductory $11.99 for 50 hours, with broader availability planned for November
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Sucker Punch Cuts Jobs as Arkane Lyon Searches for a Buyer
Sucker Punch reportedly lays off between 24 and 26 employees, while Auroch Digital says it plans to cut around a quarter of its staff +1. The reports add to the week’s wider pattern of studio workforce reductions.
Microsoft extends Arkane Lyon’s reported deadline to find a buyer by a month, moving it to December 13 as the studio continues work on Marvel’s Blade +1. The 217-person studio could close if no buyer or alternative arrangement is found
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Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.5 Adds Edgerunners Content and Console Mods
CD Projekt Red’s free Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.5 is live, adding Edgerunners-themed content, new combat options and technical upgrades . The update also brings mod support to PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox, with 52 user-created mods available on PS5 at launch
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Capcom and Warhorse Studios Disclose Cybersecurity Incidents
Capcom says a third party accessed information associated with approximately 11.77 million Capcom ID accounts; credit card information was not compromised . The company warns users about possible phishing attempts and says around 200 passwords were changed following the breach
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Kingdom Come: Deliverance developer Warhorse Studios confirms that attackers accessed its systems and data, and says the incident’s full extent remains under investigation .
Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer Previews Leonida Ahead of November Launch
The official Grand Theft Auto VI launch trailer offers a new look at Leonida ahead of the game’s November 19 arrival . Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 also goes live worldwide following staged early access to its campaign and DMZ
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Pokémon Unite Sets March 2027 Shutdown Date
The Pokémon Company and TiMi Studio Group plan to end Pokémon Unite service on Nintendo Switch and mobile devices on March 23, 2027 . In-game sales have ended, and a planned library feature will allow users to access some of the game’s content after shutdown
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