Gaming
Industry news, technological leaps, and the cultural impact of interactive entertainment.

reviews: Pokémon Day sales are already kicking off at Argos — save
Pokémon Day sales are already kicking off at Argos — save 24% off Pokémon Legends Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Key takeaways Argos has reportedly commenced significant discount promotions on a range of Pokémon

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2: Production Confirmed
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 is officially in production, confirming the return of the new Game of Thrones series. This key development means active work on fresh episodes is underway, with further details on plot or release dates yet to be announced.

open-source: Today’s Octordle Hints & Answers for February 23 (Wordle)
Fossbytes published "Today’s Octordle Hints & Answers for February 23." Octordle is a word-hunting game, akin to Wordle, where players find multiple five-letter words. This resource helps in daily puzzle solving.
Stop Killing Games Campaign Establishes EU and US NGOs
The Stop Killing Games campaign is establishing NGOs in the EU and US to combat publishers discontinuing support for purchased video games. Creator Ross Scott expressed confidence in their success, aiming to codify their petition into EU law and set up systems for reporting publishers. This formalization follows the campaign's strong reaction to Ubisoft's delisting of _The Crew_ and a petition gaining over a million signatures.

guides: Phil Spencer is leaving Microsoft as Xbox chief as new head
Phil Spencer is departing from his role as Xbox chief at Microsoft, alongside Sarah Bond. Asha Sharma will now lead Microsoft Gaming as Executive Vice President and CEO, tasked with shaping the future strategy for the division.

Microsoft Gaming's AI Strategy: A Pivotal Question Emerges
Microsoft Gaming's AI Strategy: A Pivotal Question Emerges Key takeaways TechCrunch has publicly posed a central question regarding the future direction of Microsoft's prominent gaming division concerning Artificial

regional: Analysis: The best thing that the new Xbox CEO can do is …
Asha Sharma takes the helm as Microsoft Gaming's new CEO, following Phil Spencer's retirement and Sarah Bond's resignation. Despite her lack of gaming experience and AI background, industry analysis suggests her best initial move may be to foster stability. By allowing Xbox's robust studios to operate without the threat of further layoffs or closures, she could leverage the company's strong game pipeline and rebuild its reputation.

regional: Mariners open Spring Training with a win — and a loss in
The Seattle Mariners participated in the first in-game test of MLB's new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System during their Spring Training opener, winning the game but losing their initial challenge. Powered by T-Mobile's 5G network and Hawk-Eye technology, the system allows players to dispute umpire calls, aiming to blend human judgment with technological precision in Major League Baseball.
Xbox Head Phil Spencer Retires; Asha Sharma Takes Over
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, is retiring after a long tenure marked by the creation of Game Pass and major studio acquisitions. Asha Sharma, from Microsoft's CoreAI division, will succeed him as Executive VP and CEO, Microsoft Gaming. Sarah Bond is also leaving, while Matt Booty receives a promotion amidst challenges for the Xbox division.

Xbox shakeup: Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are leaving Microsoft
Phil Spencer retires as Microsoft Gaming CEO after 38 years; Sarah Bond leaves Xbox presidency. Asha Sharma (ex-CoreAI) named new CEO, Matt Booty promoted. No layoffs promised amid leadership pivot.

Xbox Leadership Shifts: Spencer Retires, Sharma Named Gaming CEO
Xbox Chief Phil Spencer Retires; Asha Sharma Named New Gaming CEO Redmond, WA – February 20, 2026 – Microsoft's gaming division is undergoing a significant leadership transition as Phil Spencer, the long-serving head of

Asha Sharma Takes Xbox Helm, Outlines Vision in First Memo
Microsoft Gaming sees a major leadership shift as Phil Spencer departs after 12 years. Asha Sharma, with a diverse background in AI, Instacart, and Meta, takes over as CEO. Her first memo outlines a commitment to "the return of Xbox" and expansion into "new categories and markets" focused on player value.
gadgets: Tunic publisher claims TikTok ran 'racist, sexist' AI ads
Indie game publisher Finji accuses TikTok of using generative AI to create "racist, sexualized" ads for its games without permission, despite Finji disabling AI features. One ad for 'Usual June' reportedly depicted a character drastically altered from its original design. TikTok initially denied, then acknowledged the issue, citing an unselected "catalog ads format." Finji's CEO expressed disappointment over TikTok's unresolved response and potential brand harm.
Ubisoft lays off 40 staff; Splinter Cell remake development continues
Ubisoft has laid off approximately 40 staff at its Toronto studio, impacting individuals working on the *Splinter Cell remake*. The company confirms the game remains in development, despite the cuts. These layoffs are part of a broader organizational restructuring following other studio reductions and a recent employee strike.

Epilogue GB Operator Review: Bridge to Retro Game Boy Worlds
Epilogue's GB Operator is a remarkable hardware solution, enabling collectors to easily play their physical Nintendo Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges directly on a modern laptop. This "adorable" plug-in device merges the tactile joy of original hardware with the convenience and capabilities of PC gaming, establishing itself as an essential tool for retro gaming enthusiasts and preservationists alike.
AI Meets Entertainment: OpenAI & Reliance JioHotstar's Game-Changing Partnership
OpenAI's Billion-Dollar Surge: A Game-Changer in AI Valuation
OpenAI is reportedly nearing a massive $100 billion funding deal, pushing its valuation to an astonishing $850 billion. This landmark agreement involves major tech giants like Amazon, Nvidia, SoftBank, and Microsoft, signaling a new era for the AI leader and the broader tech industry.