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About this Episode
Highguard has done the most amazing race to the bottom we've ever seen. It has managed to out-concord Concord!
But that's not all the drama for this week. Ubisoft has decided to Ubisoft all over themselves yet again, Xbox Wrapped didn't happen because apparently Microsoft ran out of money and people are still developing for the Xbox One... Welcome to the start of 2026, I suppose.
🎮Everything Announced at Xbox Developer Direct 2026
Xbox Developer Direct 2026 focused on four games, all launching in 2026: Forza Horizon 6, Fable, Beast of Reincarnation, and Double Fine’s surprise new title Kiln. The show leaned into extended gameplay and developer commentary, with Playground Games, Game Freak, and Double Fine all explaining how and why they’re building these projects. A key message was predictability and variety—no vague CG teases, just games you’ll actually play this year. How do you feel about it? Because we're not very impressed (apart from Fable of course).
And now the Ubisoft news...
🧑💼Ubisoft Team Lead Suspended Over RTO Comments
An Assassin’s Creed level designer reported being suspended for publicly criticising Ubisoft’s newly enforced full return‑to‑office policy. The suspension was described as “unpaid disciplinary leave” for an alleged breach of loyalty. This incident sparked internal frustration over inconsistent RTO enforcement across Ubisoft studios.
🔥 Ubisoft Cancels Six Projects, Closes Two Studios, Confirms Layoffs
The cancellations included the long‑troubled Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake. Ubisoft cited financial pressure and restructuring as the reason for the cuts. Global searches for “Ubisoft layoffs 2025/2026” surged as the scale of the cuts became clear.
⚖️ Former Assassin’s Creed Boss Sues Ubisoft for CAD $1.3 Million
A former Assassin’s Creed director filed a lawsuit alleging “disguised dismissal” intended to avoid severance obligations. The claim argues Ubisoft used restructuring as a pretext for termination. Ubisoft has not issued a public response.
🧨 Ubisoft Layoffs Continue — 55 Staff Cut at Massive & Stockholm
Ubisoft confirmed a new wave of layoffs affecting approximately 55 roles across Massive Entertainment (Malmö) and Ubisoft Stockholm. These cuts follow a voluntary exit program from the previous year and are part of ongoing cost‑reduction efforts. The studios will continue work on The Division and Avatar projects, but fans are increasingly concerned about long‑term stability.
But let's get back to gaming... Kinda.
🕹️ Xbox One Still Getting 40+ New Games in 2026
Despite being two generations old, the Xbox One is confirmed to receive over 40 new titles in 2026. Many are cross‑gen indies, but several AA releases are included. This extends the console’s lifespan far beyond industry expectations.
📉 Xbox Wrapped 2025 Cancelled Due to Budget Cuts
A new report claims Xbox Wrapped 2025 won’t happen due to marketing budget constraints. Fans are disappointed, as Wrapped has become a beloved annual tradition. Microsoft has not confirmed whether the feature will return in 2026.
🇳🇿 NZ Video Game Sector Grows 38% Despite Global Decline
New Zealand’s gaming industry has grown 38% year‑over‑year, outperforming global markets. Local studios credit strong government support and increased international contracting. The sector now contributes significantly to NZ’s digital economy. NZ represent!
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