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Valve dev mentions rumored Half-Life game HLX, coworker immediately calls him out: “Nice work”

by Ralph on October 22, 2026 0

(Image credit: Valve) Half-Life 3 speculation conduit HLX has been referenced once more, this occasion by an experienced Valve creator during an official seminar focused on game sound. A thread on the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit records a recent discussion featuring three Valve creators who participated in the latest GameSoundCon, a symposium centered around game audio and composition. Presenter Mike Morasky, a Valve musician and sound designer whose career includes work on Team Fortress 2, the original Portal, and Half-Life: Alyx, was accompanied by sound engineers David Feise, a 17-year Valve expert, and Carlye Nyte, a newer addition to Valve hailing from Bungie and various other studios. During the Q&A segment of a panel about “Valve’s Strategy for an Open and Adaptable Audio Engine,” Morasky addressed a query concerning voice count. He introduced a grouping mechanism within Valve’s configuration and how it integrates into its HDR system. “Indeed, I believe Deadlock has their unique iteration of...

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The 5 best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, and more (October 23-25)

by Ralph on October 22, 2026 0

(Image credit: Netflix) As the evenings get longer, having a comprehensive watchlist is essential – you certainly don’t want to find yourself unprepared on a Saturday night with nothing to view. Evade this unfortunate situation by exploring our compilation of streaming suggestions for this weekend, which includes five fresh films and series that are all deserving of your attention. From an Oscar-nominated comedy-drama and a live-action Disney reimagining to the comeback of a beloved Netflix romantic comedy and an exhilarating anime, there’s something for everyone this week. I’ve selected titles from various streaming platforms, so whatever service you subscribe to, there should be something available for you to enjoy. Below you’ll discover suggestions from Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, and Disney Plus. While we don’t have any distinct Paramount Plus or Apple TV recommendations this week (once you’ve caught up with the recent episodes of Avatar: Seven Havens, that is), we do have guides...

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Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced New Game Plus is coming “next week”

by Ralph on October 22, 2026 0

(Image credit: Ubisoft) In yet another completely packed year of fresh video games, it seems like ages since Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launched (it’s genuinely only a few months), yet completionists haven’t ceased inquiring Ubisoft for a New Game Plus feature. Well, Ubisoft has rather nonchalantly verified that the game’s New Game Plus update will arrive in an update “next week,” quelling months of player pleas in a 16-word tweet. “Thank you all for your understanding,” states a tweet from the official Assassin’s Creed Twitter profile, seemingly recognizing how long it has been since we’ve heard anything regarding Black Flag Resynced post-launch. “New Game+ is set for Black Flag Resynced next week!” Thank you everyone for your understanding. New Game+ is arriving at Black Flag Resynced next week! 🥂🎊 https://t.co/nUYYmpzFS7October 22, 2026 I’ll confess, even being the pirate game fanatic I am and with Black Flag being one of my most awaited launches...

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Cyberpunk 2077 Has Just Been Added To Xbox Play Anywhere

by Ralph on October 22, 2026 0

It’s time for another Afterlife by Craig Reid Yesterday, 5pm I’ve shared quite a bit on Pure Xbox regarding my admiration for Xbox Play Anywhere and how it stands as my favorite feature. Well, I’m feeling rather pleased about it once more, as the remarkable Cyberpunk 2077 seems to finally endorse Xbox Play Anywhere, which means you receive a complimentary Xbox PC version along with the console variant! It appears the rollout is currently underway, because while the Xbox Play Anywhere label shows up on Cyberpunk 2077’s Xbox Store page and as an ‘Installable’ title on the Xbox PC application, it still prompts for Cloud Gaming. Cyberpunk 2077 is set to receive a significant update later this week, introducing console mods and several other features. This is a game that has perpetually seemed like it ought to already support Xbox Play Anywhere, and I was repeatedly disheartened whenever I overlooked that it didn’t and...

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Multiple Big Features Slated For Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 On Xbox This Wednesday

by Ralph on October 22, 2026 0

Today, we’ve already noted how Cyberpunk 2077 has unexpectedly joined the Xbox Play Anywhere program, and it’s also set to receive a significant update across Xbox Series X and S (and other systems) this Thursday. The update will be version 2.5, also referred to as the “Edgerunners 2 Update”. It encompasses a variety of enhancements from an Xbox viewpoint, including cross-platform mod compatibility, the capacity to dual-wield handguns and revolvers, new Edgerunners 2 and Night City tour side quests, an additional radio station, an FOV slider for consoles, a plethora of new customization options, several performance tweaks, and more! We told you this update is packed – and it’s officially set to launch on October 22nd: “Thought you were finished with Night City? Well, Night City’s not entirely finished with you… the update launches on PC, Mac (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 22nd, with players on...

Xbox

Xbox CTO Issues Statement On How Project Helix OS Is Being ‘Built On Windows’

by Ralph on October 22, 2026 0

Which might perhaps be perplexing, suggests it will probably succeed the Series X and S by Fraser Gilbert Yesterday, 7pm Yesterday, when Fortune released their significant article regarding Xbox, noting that there had been internal disputes between the Xbox and Windows divisions concerning the operating system for the upcoming generation of Xbox devices, individuals began to question what type of OS we might genuinely anticipate on the Project Helix console and beyond. After Windows Central released its article on this, Xbox CTO Scott Van Vliet opted to respond, affirming the Helix OS is “being constructed on Windows” and declaring that the article from Fortune (and subsequently Windows Central) “mischaracterizes both the technical efforts and the connection between the teams” at Xbox and Windows. Here’s a glimpse at the statement for yourself: This instantly ignited confusion and some unease that Xbox might be concentrating on a PC-oriented interface and abandoning the console-style OS for the...

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Mass Effect 5 Cancelled As Legendary Developer BioWare Closes Down

by Ralph on October 22, 2026 0

“There is nothing simple about crafting these phrases.” by Fraser Gilbert Yesterday, 7:25pm In some truly astonishing news today, it has been revealed that iconic development studio BioWare is shutting its doors after three decades, and the upcoming installment in the Mass Effect franchise has been scrapped as a consequence. BioWare issued a statement on social media affirming this, also recognizing titles such as Baldur’s Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age as some of the treasured series they have developed throughout the years. Here’s a complete view of the statement: No specific information regarding the cause of BioWare’s shutdown is available in this statement, but Bloomberg‘s Jason Schreier is indicating that it is part of approximately 400 positions being eliminated by parent organization Electronic Arts to reduce expenses. BioWare has evidently been a significant part of the Xbox narrative over the last 25 years, and we are deeply disheartened...

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Three Price Tiers Revealed As Xbox Rolls Out ‘Cloud Playtime’ To Insiders

by Ralph on October 22, 2026 0

A fresh approach to engage with Xbox Cloud Gaming by Fraser Gilbert Yesterday, 8pm We’ve been informed for some time that Xbox is keen on providing a new method of payment for Xbox Cloud Gaming without necessitating access to Xbox Game Pass, and it’s currently being tested with Xbox Insiders starting today. This service is being dubbed “Cloud Playtime”, and initially, it’s presented in three versions, each with distinct pricing tiers. The lowest option costs $3.99 for 10 hours, while the highest amounts to $11.99 for 50 hours. Below are the complete three pricing tiers – though remember, they’re still “introductory” at this stage: 10 hours for $3.99 25 hours for $7.99 50 hours for $11.99 Your investment will grant you the ability to engage in supported free-to-play games and titles that you already possess via Xbox Cloud Gaming, boasting “faster wait times, top-notch streaming, and available playtime until it’s consumed” compared to users...

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