Category Archives: Uncategorized

Xbox’s FY27 “Turnaround” Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test

When Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told employees and investors that the gaming division expects to return to growth by the end of fiscal year 2027, the statement was intended to project confidence during an otherwise disappointing earnings report. Predictably, much of the conversation that followed focused on assigning blame; some argued the results still reflectedContinue reading “Xbox’s FY27 “Turnaround” Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test”

The Hard Truth About Microsoft’s Studio Spin-Off Strategy

Double Fine’s decision to lay off 23 employees only weeks after regaining its independence from Xbox should surprise no one who has been paying attention to the state of the games industry. When Microsoft began spinning studios out instead of simply closing them, many observers celebrated the move as a compassionate alternative. I argued atContinue reading “The Hard Truth About Microsoft’s Studio Spin-Off Strategy”

Steam Machine Demand May Be Overstated. And That’s Okay.

Valve’s latest update on the Steam Machine is being framed as good news: the company now expects to fulfill all current reservations by the end of 2026 while continuing to ramp production. On its face, that sounds like evidence of overwhelming demand, but I’m not convinced the reservation queue tells the whole story. A reservationContinue reading “Steam Machine Demand May Be Overstated. And That’s Okay.”

The Xbox & PlayStation Outage Didn’t Prove Physical Media Is Better – Your Digital Identity and Entitlements Follow You Regardless

Microsoft has responded to reports that some Xbox players were unable to launch even physical disc-based games during a recent Xbox Live outage, acknowledging that this behavior was unintended. According to the company, consoles should have relied on locally cached licensing entitlements instead of requiring an online validation check, and Xbox says it is investigatingContinue reading “The Xbox & PlayStation Outage Didn’t Prove Physical Media Is Better – Your Digital Identity and Entitlements Follow You Regardless”

This Isn’t a Game Pass Discount—It’s a Pricing Experiment

Xbox lowered the price of Game Pass today. But the truth behind the facade is different than some will be lead to believe. While Call of Duty comes out of the service for the first year of any new version (by which time it will be value-less as the multiplayer community will have moved onContinue reading “This Isn’t a Game Pass Discount—It’s a Pricing Experiment”

Starting Fresh in New Eden: What Exordium Means for New EVE OnLine Players

Seal-clubbing is a time honored tradition. It is the online digital gaming equivalent of hazing; of putting newbs on the frat pledge line and putting them through the ringer. In truth, it is much less “congenial” than that, if I can use that term even in reference to frat hazing (which tells you just howContinue reading “Starting Fresh in New Eden: What Exordium Means for New EVE OnLine Players”

Microcenter Isn’t the Victim—They’re the Scalper Now

I had some other thoughts for the title of this blog post: “PC Parts Aren’t Disappearing—The Media Just Wants You to Think They Are” “Fear Sells: How Games Media Helped Justify 100% PC Part Markups” “Stop Paying Panic Prices: The Truth About DIY PC Costs Right Now” “This Isn’t a Shortage—It’s a Narrative (And It’sContinue reading “Microcenter Isn’t the Victim—They’re the Scalper Now”

Another Studio, Same Market: Why New Game Companies Keep Missing Reality

Nope. This doesn’t make any sense. And it is exactly what I am talking about is part of the industry problem. What am I on about? Today, GameRant reported that Jason Blundell opened a new studio, Magic Fractal. This is the third studio he has opened in 5 years. None of which have shipped aContinue reading “Another Studio, Same Market: Why New Game Companies Keep Missing Reality”