Microsoft’s gaming division kicked off its 25th anniversary festivities, a milestone that dates back to the launch of the first console in November 2001. Although the official date is only November 15th, the company has already started a schedule full of in-person events, cosmetic items created by the community and news for fans of the platform.
The result of a partnership with designers Klobrille and Ben Kenobi, the company today released a visual customization package for the systems. Console owners can now download a new dynamic theme, as well as several player images and themed wallpapers.
Another gift prepared for the occasion is a quarter-century commemorative stamp, which will be visible on users’ profiles. To secure the digital badge, simply log in to your Microsoft account via computer, cell phone app or video game until the last few days of 2026.
The subscription service’s catalog also got into the festive mood with curated selections that bring back the greatest hits from each hardware era. PC and console subscribers easily find generation-defining works, including heavy hitters like “Halo: The Master Chief Collection,” “Fallout 4,” “Psychonauts 2” and “Fable Anniversary.”
Microsoft global in-person meeting roadmap
The kickoff of the world tour took place in the United States, more specifically in Los Angeles, during the Xbox Games Showcase broadcast on June 7th. From now on, the celebration caravan will travel across different continents to bring the brand closer to its consumer base.
The travel calendar foresees strategic stops in Cologne, Germany, on August 26th, followed by Tokyo, Japan, on September 17th, and London, in the United Kingdom, on September 26th. The following month, on October 17th, the activities take place simultaneously in Mexico City and Sydney, Australia, culminating in Toronto, Canada, on November 6th, with only details remaining for the Seattle edition to be confirmed.
Pop music star lands in Epic Games’ battle royale
Fortnite’s virtual universe will welcome singer Addison Rae on August 6, expanding the title’s famous series of icons. The artist’s arrival introduces new mechanics and exclusive cosmetics, reinforcing the developer’s strategy of mixing pop culture with gameplay.
Players will be able to purchase the celebrity’s standard costume, which faithfully reproduces the pink costume used in the “Fame is a Gun” music video, complemented by interactive sunglasses. There will also be a variant focused on live performances, available in white, Soda Black and a mix of pink and yellow called Fame Brite.
The musical collaboration also features choreography and improvisational tracks based on the hits “fame is a Gun” and “Diet Pepsi”. The package in the virtual store is completed with themed collection tools, such as the Number One Fan Pickaxe and the Scepter of Fame, as well as the Addison’s Ice Cream and Turtle on the Moon backpacks.
Global competition will distribute thousands of dollars to modders
In an effort to foster the creativity of its fan base, KRAFTON, Inc. has teamed up with the CurseForge platform to launch a user-generated content tournament with a total prize pool of $95,000. The dispute, which starts on August 12th, serves as a warm-up for the arrival of the long-awaited PUBG: Playgrounds mode.
Amateur developers will have the opportunity to submit original projects focused on survival, combat or creative mechanics. At the end of the process, thirty modifications will be officially integrated into the shooter ecosystem, ensuring global visibility for the winners’ work.
The financial distribution will allocate US$25,000 to each of the three development fronts, guaranteeing direct US$10,000 for the great champions and smaller bonuses for the top 10. In addition, parallel prizes include:
- Ten creators awarded $500 halfway through the tournament.
- Six community favorites, elected by popular vote, receiving US$2,500 each.
The official schedule stipulates that projects will be sent between August 12th and September 2nd. Soon after, the public will have from the 6th to the 9th of September to choose their favorites, culminating in the announcement of the winners on September 14th.
The upcoming PUBG: Playgrounds will function as a native entertainment center within the battle royale itself, dedicated exclusively to housing the community’s inventions. Users will access this catalog of modifications directly from the main menu, making it easier to discover new ways to play.
Japanese virtual idol gets official Magic: The Gathering cards
Publisher Wizards of the Coast has revealed the arrival of a special product for card game enthusiasts: the Secret Lair Commander Deck: Hatsune Miku. The package comes with a complete deck of 100 cards, assembled and ready to be taken to the tables.
The digital music star stars in the first complete release of the Universes Beyond line focused on the Commander format, a Hasbro strategy that has boosted the company’s revenue in recent years by bringing external franchises to the card. The character takes on the role of Commander Trostani, renamed here as “Miku, Song of the People”, in a kit that comes with a personalized box and ten cards with illustrations on both sides.
The collectible product has thirteen cards displaying completely new illustrations, increasing the aesthetic appeal of the games. Interested parties will have an extremely short window to purchase, with sales open for just 24 hours starting at 9am Pacific Time.
The promotional material describes the deck as a classic tactic for accumulating life points in green and white, functioning as a show by the singer that grows in intensity with each round. Fundamental pieces like Mirari’s Wake, Voice of the Blessed, Rhys the Redeemed, Crested Sunmare, Aetherflux Reservoir, and Archangel of Thune help the player expand their dominance at the table, converting accumulated vitality into a crushing victory.
Cleaning simulator receives update that concludes first arc
The Soft Rains studio has made “Ambrosia Sky: Act Two” available on the market, an update that puts an end to the initial stage of its peculiar game focused on cleaning environments. The new feature delivers the narrative outcome that the community was waiting for.
Scientist Dalia gains access to improved tools, new abilities and never-before-seen scenarios as she tries to locate Maeve, her former love partner. In the midst of this personal drama, the protagonist bears the burden of protecting the human race from extinction and unraveling the mysteries behind eternal life.
The title can be found on computers through the Epic Games Store and Steam digital stores. Anyone who had already purchased the base version of the simulator is entitled to download all the content of this second act at no additional cost.
Independent game publisher prepares delisting from the stock market
Devolver Digital, a giant in the independent games distribution sector, confirmed that it intends to end its activities as a publicly traded company in 2024. The financial maneuver comes as a direct response to the turbulence affecting the global digital entertainment economy.
A document sent to shareholders on August 6 details the plan to withdraw from the UK-based AIM exchange. The company’s future will be decided at a general meeting scheduled for September 8th and, if the proposal is approved by investors, the transition to private equity will be made official on September 16th.
The publisher’s executives explained that the chronic instability of the video game industry made it practically impossible to maintain a growth rate that would please market analysts. The board also argues that the current share price on the stock exchange is far below the true potential and value of the brand.
When it debuted on the financial market in November 2021, the company was valued at a significant US$950 million, equivalent to £694.6 million at the time. Since that period of optimism, shares have melted 96.27%, causing the distributor’s total value to plummet to a modest US$46.63 million, or £34.64 million.
