The XboxCast

Relooted Gets Booted

Relooted launched. 
Apparently.
 
That's right, another game for "the modern audience" launched to great applause amongst the 160 people who played it. Whereas last week Highguard peaked at almost 100,000 players before catering from the stratosphere, it seems this game never even left the ground. Will game studios ever learn, or are we stuck playing Asian games forever?
 
🎮 Xbox Play Anywhere Boosts The First Descendant by 167%
The First Descendant saw a 167% increase in Xbox player activity after gaining Xbox Play Anywhere support, according to TrueAchievements and Windows Central. This surge is tied to cross‑progression and the ability to switch seamlessly between Xbox and PC. The game previously dropped support for Xbox One and PS4, making the new feature even more impactful. The boost highlights how Play Anywhere can revive engagement for free‑to‑play shooters. It also helps that this game leans into the escapism of games in a big way.
 
🎬 Netflix Values WB Games As Worthless?
Netflix is acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, including NetherRealm, Rocksteady, Monolith, Avalanche, and the entire WB Games division. The deal marks one of the largest entertainment acquisitions in history. A follow‑up report claims Netflix internally values WB Games as “worthless” financially, despite its massive IP catalogue. Analysts believe this signals Netflix prioritising film/TV rights over game development, especially after Netflix's failed foray into adding on games to their subscriptions... 
 
💾 GoG Sold to New Owner, Plans Classic Game “Rescue Missions”
Good Ole Games (GoG) has been sold by CD Projekt RED to the cofounder of GoG! The new leadership plans “ambitious” preservation‑focused initiatives, including restoring and re‑licensing classic PC games starting next year. GoG will continue operating independently under its new structure. The move aims to stabilise the platform after years of financial struggles, and now that it's out from CD Projekt RED, who knows what direction it will take!
 
👹 Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Expansion Details
Blizzard has confirmed the Lord of Hatred expansion will introduce the Skovos region, two new classes, and a late‑2025 release window. The expansion continues the story of Mephisto and expands endgame systems. Skovos marks the first major new zone since launch. Pre‑orders include early access and cosmetic bonuses.
 
⭕ Halo Infinite Enters Maintenance Mode
RIP to what could have been... 343 Industries has confirmed that Halo Infinite will no longer receive major content updates and is now in long‑term maintenance mode. The game will continue receiving security patches and small fixes. This marks the end of active development for the title. Fans are left looking toward the future of the Halo franchise, as it prepares to launch on PlayStation. Is this the end of Halo as we know it? 
 
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Highguard's High Drama

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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For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit
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Something Special

🎵 One more time
Ooo, we gonna celebrate 
One more time 🎵
 
It's our very special last episode of 2025! 
 
Kyle and Lee get together in person! What?? And talk about stuff. 
What stuff? All sorts of stuff! That's what stuff. 
 
There's no plan, no prep, no topics organised - just off the cuff Xbox discussion between two friends who haven't been in the same room since 2023 (maybe?)... 
 
Anyway, we hope you enjoy it, and we hope it's a good way to say goodbye to 2025. Even though we're typically late with publishing these things, so its probably 2026 by the time you hear it, but hey! We're trying, ok?
 
 
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For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit
⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

The XboxCast Game Awards 2025

It's time to play the musicIt's time to light the lightsIt's time to reveal our game awards tonight
It's time to put on makeupIt's time to dress up rightIt's time to raise the curtain
On the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, XboxCastationalGame Awards tonight!

Year of the Slop 2025: A Game Awards Review

The Game Awards for 2025, have come and gone. 
And... Yeah... 

Theres Ga-No Remote Desktop For You!

Kyle and Lee talk Linux. 
Yes, Microsoft is that bad, that the biggest Microsoft fans are now actively using Linux. 
(And hating it... But less than Windows 11!)

Who Doesn’t Like A Good Bundle?

Want a bundle? Have a bundle!
In fact, have a bundle of bundles! 

You're An Egg!

In what seems to be a big yolk, we now have a game where you're an egg. 
Has the game industry finally cracked? Or is this new genre ready to come out its shell? 

Lee Has A Low Acceptance Of Colour

In a world of band t-shirts, why wear anything that isn't black?