Deals For Today: I Need These Book Box Sets Yesterday

I’ve rounded up some killer deals today, stuff I’d actually grab myself. We’re talking fan-favorite book sets, a vinyl gem for Pokémon collectors, and a fresh wave of PC games from Humble Choice. There’s even a white noise machine and a bladeless neck fan in the mix, both priced low and ready to save your summer sanity.

TL;DR: Deals For Today

From cozy farm sims and cat pirates to the grimdark chaos of Warhammer and Westeros, this list covers all kinds of tastes. If you’re looking to cool down, gear up, or zone out, there’s something here worth checking out before prices shift or stock vanishes.

Coke Zero Sugar 12 Pack

Even if you change your mind and don’t want to subscribe and save, you can still get this great deal on Coke Zero when you purchase. It’s Coke with zero sugar, and there’s 12 cans that you can drink out of and recycle (thumbs up).

Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine

This Dreamegg portable white noise machine is down to $16.15 with the on-site 15% coupon, shaving nearly a quarter off the list price. It’s small enough to fit in your palm but loud enough to drown out hotel noise, snoring, or busy office chatter. With 16 nature sounds, a beefed-up 1000mAh battery, and USB-C charging, it’s a smart little travel buddy. The nubbed button makes it easy to use in the dark, and the memory function keeps your settings locked in. For sleep, focus or baby naps, it punches way above its size.

FrSara Neck Fan

The FrSara neck fan is down to $26.99 and it’s built for real heat relief. It’s bladeless, quiet, and pushes air from both sides with a 360° flow that cools you fast. The 5200mAh battery lasts up to 16 hours, so it won’t quit halfway through your day. It’s comfortable, won’t tug your hair, and the three speed settings give you full control.

Prismatic Evolutions Super-Premium Collection

Prismatic Evolutions Super-Premium Collection is going for $195 right now, beating Amazon by 6%. You’re getting a full-art foil Eevee ex promo card, a plushy-soft Eevee deck box, and a matching playmat with all the Evolutions. 15 Prismatic Evolutions booster packs and 65 themed card sleeves round out the box.

The Witcher Boxed Set

This is the core of Sapkowski’s epic—Blood of Elves, The Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of Swallows, and Lady of the Lake—finally bundled in one set. If you’ve only seen the show or played the games, this is where the real magic lives. The writing is sharp, the world-building deep, and Geralt’s story hits harder on-page.

George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones 5-Book Boxed Set

The full A Song of Ice and Fire box set (Don’t blame me for the listing name) brings together George R. R. Martin’s five epic novels in one heavyweight bundle. Game of Thrones, Clash of Kings, Storm of Swords, Feast for Crows and Dance with Dragons form a world of brutal politics, ancient threats and unforgettable characters. If you’ve only watched the show, you’re missing huge layers of intrigue and detail the books lay bare.

Humble Choice

Humble Choice is bringing the heat this month with a killer lineup for just $14.99. You’ll snag Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, Daemon X Machina, Cat Quest III, Death’s Door, and more including a free month of IGN Plus. That’s over $200 in games ready to drop into your library. Every month you stay subbed, you get exclusive discounts and new indie gems in the Vault. Oh, and 5% of your sub supports charity too.

Symphonic Journeys Pokémon Red & Blue Vinyl

his one’s a real collector’s gem. Symphonic Journeys: Pokémon Red & Blue is getting the orchestral treatment, and the exclusive IGN variant presses it to Fire Red vinyl. It ships September 2025, but you can lock in your pre-order now for $34.99. Nolan Markey leads the score with full performance by Budapest Scoring, reimagining everything from Pallet Town to the Champion Battle.

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows Limited Edition (PS5)

Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally delivers the long-awaited leap into feudal Japan, and it doesn’t waste the opportunity. This Amazon-exclusive Limited Edition includes the full game plus the Sekiryu Character Pack, and it’s now down to $49.99—29% off the original $69.99 price. You’ll switch between Naoe, a nimble shinobi, and Yasuke, a powerhouse samurai, across a moody and expansive Sengoku-era Japan. We praised the game’s dynamic environments, more focused pacing, and demanding combat. It doesn’t reinvent the series, but it smartly trims the bloat while offering rich stealth and action-driven storytelling. At this price, it’s a sharp buy for any AC fan.

M3GAN 2.0 – Limited Edition Steelbook (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)

M3GAN 2.0 dials up the chaos and trades in some of the original’s horror flair for a louder sci-fi action vibe. The Limited Edition Steelbook packs in 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital formats for $37.99, with a pre-order guarantee that locks in the best price. While we noted the sequel stumbles trying to balance satire and spectacle, M3GAN still steals the spotlight with her savage wit and unpredictable presence. It may not reinvent the killer robot genre, but if you’re in for stylish carnage and sharp-edged commentary, this edition delivers plenty of polished personality for the price.

WOWBOX 32 PCS Clear Plastic Drawer Organizer Set

For $15.99, this 32-piece WOWBOX drawer organizer set is an easy win for cutting clutter across any room. You get four sizes of clear black bins, perfect for separating everything from office supplies to cosmetics and kitchen tools. The plastic is sturdy enough to handle daily use without cracking, and the stackable design lets you double your storage without taking up more space.

Tunise Rechargeable Portable Neck Fan

It’s a fan that you don’t have to hold because it sits comfortably around your neck. This is such a cool and handy product for under $15, especially if you’re like me and get warm at the thought of some sunshine.

The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated by the Author

I can’t describe how much I need this work of art. This edition of the Silmarillion arrives in a deluxe stamped clothbound hardcover edition housed in a custom slipcase and lavishly illustrated with over 50 color pieces by J.R.R. Tolkien himself. This collector’s version presents the complete text in two-color print and includes exclusive extras like two fold-out maps of Beleriand, a booklet on the making of The Silmarillion by Christopher Tolkien, and a collectible art card. From the crafting of the Silmarils and Morgoth’s theft, to the fall of Númenor and the forging of the Rings of Power, this volume captures the vast mythological backdrop of The Lord of the Rings. Beautifully quarterbound with foil-stamped black cloth boards, silver-edged pages, and a ribbon marker, it’s a definitive edition for Tolkien devotees.

Amazon Prime Day Is Coming

We’re all over Prime Days 2025, and some deals are going live now. For more information about the event and an inside scoop on hot deals and top tips, check out our Prime Day hub.

6 Months Free Amazon Prime For Young Adults

This one is a no-brainer. If your 18-24, snap up this 6-months free deal for Amazon Prime. It includes the free and fast delivery Amazon is known for alongside unlimited streaming, free delivery on GrubHub+, free Prime games every month and loads more.

3 Months for $0.99 Audible Deal

Audible’s doing that 99c a month deal again for Premium Plus, and it’s a steal. Amazon Prime Members get three months free, so make sure to check for an active subscription before looking for this deal. You get three audiobooks to keep, full access to the big library, and it works even if you’ve had a sub before as long as it’s not active now. I just logged in, saw the banner, and grabbed it. Sunrise on the Reaping is already in my library, and I’m eyeing that massive new Sanderson one next. Less than three bucks for all that? Easy win.

3 Months Free Kindle Unlimited

I’ve never really stuck with audiobooks before, but this Kindle Unlimited deal finally got me into them properly. Right now you can get three months free if you’ve got Prime, and it works on your phone or tablet, not just a Kindle. I gave it a go, downloaded a couple of books, and now I’ve actually started finishing them while I’m out walking or doing stuff around the house. It’s made getting through my backlog way easier and I didn’t have to pay a thing to try it. If you’ve been on the fence, this is a solid excuse to dive in.

Pokémon TCG Price Comparison

Some of the pricing here by Amazon is insane, but there’s some deals to be had when comparing these products to TCG Player. For example, Prismatic Evolutions Super-Premium Collection was a massive 56% below market value, but TCG Player is coming in cheaper now at $195. On the other end of the scale, TCG Player has Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Premium Collection at a massive 48% below Amazon’s current price, which is very close to MSRP. I’ve compared all the prices in the carousel above, but another pro tip is clicking through to eBay to see if there’s any new bargains to be had.

This Weeks Pokémon Card Crashers and Climbers

I’ve been keeping a close eye on the Pokémon TCG market this month, and we’re seeing two very different stories unfold. On one side, Surging Sparks cards are going through a steep correction.

On the other hand, Crown Zenith cards are showing early signs of what could be a long-term value surge. The bottom line? If you’re a collector or investor, now is the time to buy into both.

I’m picking up what I can from both sets. The current dip in Sparks is a glimmer of hope for long-suffering 2024-2025 collectors. And Crown Zenith is a train I want to be on before it leaves the station.

Pokémon TCG Classic

The Sam’s Club Pokémon TCG Classic deal is back, and it’s massively undercutting other big box retailers and the secondary market. Just for comparrison, the top four cards from this set, Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur and Mewtwo, are worth the same price as this discounted offer. This deal is well worth it and should be snapped up as soon as possible.

Mega Evolution Pokémon Cards Are Climbing

I can’t believe the X Y era of Pokémon cards came out 12 years ago, but it was an amazing era for the TCG introducing the Mega Evolution mechanic. Mega’s will be returning later this year with the start of the Mega Evolutions era and the end of Scarlet and Violet, so snapping up these top Mega cards before prices go even higher is a wise move. We know how it’ll play out, no one will be able to grab the new sets at launch, then the nostalgia will kick in and these cards will skyrocket. Just the Charizards and Rayquazzas alone are worth a look.

Magic: The Gathering Price Comparison

MTG doesn’t seem to be struggling to keep up with demand despite it being one of the biggest trading card games on earth, but that doesn’t stop big box retailers getting cheeky when they notice a peak in demand. Like with Pokémon TCG, i’ve gone through the majority of MTG stock on Amazon and compared their pricing to market values on TCG Player. The Theros Beyond Death booster made me spit out my tea. Amazon is listing a single booster for $378.08, but these can be picked up any day of the week for $5.59 on TCG Player. Go figure. Another big difference is Marvel’s Spider-Man – Play Booster Box. Amazon has their preorder price guarantee on this, but it’s still 17% cheaper to preorder on TCG Player.

This Weeks MTG Crashers and Climbers

As we covered in our recent synergies feature, Harmonic Prodigy gives double Wizard triggers – nice! That means it’s gone up by 118.70% in the past month (246.76% in three) – not so nice!

That’s good for those that own the card, not so good for those who are looking to pick it up standalone. Still, market is still just $12.75 right now, so it could be a lot worse.

Moving away from Vivi, Tifa’s getting some love from Bristly Bill, Spine Sower. This Outlaws of Thunder Junction card can help power up our martial artist heroine, but at a cost of almost $40 now.

Another nifty synergy that’s climbing is Perch Protection. This Instant has climbed from a dollar to almost $6, since it handily ties into Chocobo decks.

WAOAW Sleep Mask w/ 3D Eye Cups & Adjustable Strap (Black)

If you’re sensitive to light while sleeping, this 3D contoured eye mask from WAOAW might be worth trying. It’s designed with deeper eye cavities so there’s no pressure on your lids, and the wide, adjustable strap helps it stay put without pulling at your hair. The material is soft and breathable, and it comes with earplugs and a travel pouch, which makes it a handy option for travel or quick naps.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

More World of Darkness RPGs deserve “the Bloodlines treatment”, say White Wolf, especially Mage: The Ascension

The current custodians of the World of Darkness tabletop RPG universe are bang up for doing more video game adaptations like the troubled Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, according to White Wolf brand marketing manager Jason Carl. In fact, they may be working on a few already, with Carl naming Mage: The Ascension, Changeling: The Dreaming and the Dark Ages setting as deserving of “the Bloodlines treatment”.

People who’ve been keeping up with the vamps and their video game misadventures may find that last phrase a bit rich. For clarity, I assume that by “Bloodlines treatment” Carl means “we’re going to make a big 3D RPG with a lot of lore”. Rather than “we’re going to delay it so often it becomes a running joke, fire the original narrative director, hand it to a different studio with no real track record for RPGs, then tell people it’s more spiritual successor than sequel“.

Video: Digital Foundry Delivers Its Technical Analysis Of Street Fighter 6 On Switch 2

“Switch 2 punches well above its weight”.

Switch 2 arrived with a bunch of titles that had to perform well if they were going to be worth your time. Arguably, none were more in need of a silky smooth frame rate than Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition, which had to be top notch if it was ever going to appeal to the fighting fans.

We had a blast with the title in our review last month, with the performance in all modes (apart from World Tour) being a particular highlight. But for those who want the specific numbers, the experts over at Digital Foundry have finally joined the fight to give a detailed rundown of all the tech specs in Capcom’s latest.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Gets Some New Tricks up its Sleeve

Category: ID@Xbox

July 2, 2025

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Gets Some New Tricks up its Sleeve

Daniel Helbig (Co-CEO), Megagon Industries

Summary

Huge update comes to Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders today.
New Trick Mode and the return of the beloved Free Ride Mode.
Wide range of new accessibility features.

After opening the skiing season of the Lonely Mountains in January with Xbox Game Pass, more than one million riders have already hit the snowy slopes. But our team from Megagon Industries isn’t done yet. Our newest Freestyle update released today not only introduces two new game modes with more than 100 new challenges to the game but also several accessibility improvements. Check out what’s in store.

Overcome new challenges in the new Trick Mode! Ride in style, ramp up points, and pull off as many awesome flips, spins and grabs as you can on your way down the slopes. To achieve the highest score, you need to look at the mountains from a fresh perspective. Your best speedrunning strategy might not be the best route to jump to the top of the leaderboard.

The new update also brings back the belovedFree Ride Mode from Lonely Mountains: Downhill to the snowy peaks of Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders. Free Ride is the ultimate challenge to all speedrunners. Not limited by any checkpoints you can freely explore the mountains and hunt for the ultimate path down to the finish line. However, be cautious, as no checkpoints also means that every crash will send you back to the start.

Both modes come with full leaderboard support and new achievements. The update also addresses one of the loudest asks from the community, as you can now reach the highest player level without the need to participate in multiplayer matches.

In addition to the new game modes, we’re also adding a wide range of accessibility features!

You can now turn on auto-break or or auto-accelerate allowing you to play the game with only one trigger.
Break, accelerate or crouch can now also be set to toggle instead of the need to hold the buttons allowing you to play the game without the need to hold a button constantly over time.
You can now individually map the buttons and keyboard keys to your own liking.
You can now play with mouse and keyboard combined.

We hope that the new Freestyle update will allow a much wider audience to enjoy the game and experience the Lonely Mountains.

We wish you all a great time with the new additions, and the whole team is looking forward to watching your best trick videos and crazy free-ride speedruns!

Daniel & The Megagons

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders

Megagon Industries

☆☆☆☆☆
229

★★★★★

$24.99

$19.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

Take a deep breath, count to three, and… go! Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is a game about skiing down gorgeous mountain vistas. Slice through deep snow, skitter over ice lakes, and leap into the air in spectacular jumps, all surrounded by a variety of breathtaking landscapes.

Play solo or race together!
Snow Riders also adds a brand new feature to the Lonely Mountains world – online multiplayer! Work your way down the mountain as a team in co-op, adding save points as you go, or compete in a breakneck race to the base in versus mode. Available for 2-8 players.

Fancy a challenge?
Perform daredevil tricks or try to best your time for a spot on the leaderboard. Or you can take the road less travelled, discovering shortcuts as you explore the slope. Unlock new equipment, outfits and tricks as you play!

Whether you’re looking for a challenge or a chilled out vacation with friends, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is the perfect winter getaway.

The post Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Gets Some New Tricks up its Sleeve appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Amazon Just Restocked This Elusive Pokémon Set Back Again, and I Still Think the Price Is a Joke

Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collection in stock and listed at $208.31 right now. That’s a big jump from its original MSRP of $89.99, and while still cheaper than the $259.99 it peaked at recently, it’s clear this set is being treated as a premium collector’s item rather than a typical retail product.

That said, Amazon isn’t your only option. TCGPlayer currently has it valued at around $197.31 on the secondary market, which isn’t a massive difference but still saves you ten bucks or more, and at this price point, every dollar helps. That’s a -56.74% drop in value over the past few months, and -6.28% in the past 30 days.

If you’re primarily interested in the booster packs, it’s worth noting that the Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collection offers a compelling value at the moment.

While the Booster Bundles (listed below) provide more packs if buying multiple at a time ($68.50 a pop), they lack the exclusive promos and collector’s items included in the SPC, such as the full-art foil promo card featuring Eevee ex, a deck box, a playmat, and 65 card sleeves. Therefore, the SPC stands out as a cost-effective choice for collectors seeking both quantity and quality.

Alternatively, you could skip the sealed product altogether. Singles from this set are trending down, and if there’s a specific chase card you’ve been eyeing, now might be the time. Sylveon ex SIR, for example, has dropped from $562 in May to around $400 for a near-mint copy.

Pulling one from a premium box is a long shot, especially with Prismatic’s tough pull rates and reverse holos soaking up the rare slots, so buying outright may be the smarter move.

Or skip the gamble altogether. With Prismatic Evolutions singles trending downward, this might be the perfect moment to snag specific cards you want without rolling the dice.

Prismatic Evolutions Single Cards: What to Buy?

While a few top-tier pulls like Roaring Moon ex SIR and Vaporeon ex SIR are holding steady, or even creeping upward, a bunch of Prismatic Evolutions heavy-hitters are absolutely tanking in value right now. And that’s your opportunity.

Yes, suggesting that Pokémon cards priced over $200 are a deal might sound unhinged. But here’s the thing: pulling a Special Illustration Rare from this set is brutal. Thanks to those Pokéball and Masterball reverse holos clogging the rare slots, your odds are garbage. Booster packs are running over $10 a pop, and most people will burn through a mountain of them with nothing to show for it.

Take Sylveon ex SIR: easily one of the most striking cards in the set. It’s dropped 28% in just a couple weeks, from $562.60 in early May to around $400 for a near-mint copy right now. If you’ve been eyeing it, this might be the sweet spot before prices rebound, and you’re definitely not pulling it from a single $260 Super Premium Collection box.

Stock Alert: Amazon vs. Market Price

It’s still wild to see Pokémon sets climbing past $200 just months after launch, but if you’re looking for value, comparing Amazon and TCGPlayer is worth your time. In some cases, Amazon’s price isn’t far off market value, but in others, like Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Premium Collection, TCGPlayer is nearly 50% cheaper vs Amazon.

We’ve rounded up the best live prices in the carousel above, but don’t forget to check eBay too, sometimes the real deals are hiding just off the main drag.

Looking for more TCG discussion and market watch? Check out the full Pokemon TCG release schedule for 2025, the most expensive 151 cards going right now for Pokemon trainers, and last week’s MTG price movers and shakers, alongside all the big price changes for Pokemon cards this week.

Should You Wait For Amazon Prime Day?

Yes and no. It’s unlikely Amazon will drop the price of the Prismatic Evolutions SPC any further for Prime members, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see any Pokémon card deals or restocks over the four day shopping event.

It’s also worth noting that Walmart, Best Buy, and Target are also running discount sales through July 4th and beyond to compete with Amazon, so keep an eye on those as well for more top deals.

But, if you’re 24 and under, Amazon is the top choice right now for freebies, as you can currently get six months of Prime, three months of Audible, and three months of Kindle Unlimited, all for zero cost.

To be fair, the final two are for everyone, but getting six months of Prime for free is worth the biggest call out, so take note Gen Z readers.

When it comes to actually shopping the big sales though, Amazon Prime Day still wins on variety, but Walmart often matches prices on big-ticket items like AirPods, iPads, and consoles.

Where Walmart stands out is with its exclusive brands, think Vizio TVs or budget gear you won’t find on Amazon. It’s also been stronger recently for Nintendo Switch deals, which Amazon rarely stocks directly anymore.

The smart move? Compare both during the sale. Prices often match, but not always, and Walmart+ members get early access to some of the best deals (but a membership also isn’t required to shop). Target’s Circle Week sale is also running, but most shoppers will find the biggest wins at either Amazon or Walmart in 2025.

Leading Total War: Warhammer 3’s peasants to freedom from their equine oppressors

As a faction, the strength of Total War: Warhammer 3‘s Bretonnia lies in their knightly calvary. The peasant infantry is basically just there to squishily hold the enemy in place for charges. However, I’m feeling revolutionary today, so we’re staging a serf uprising. Let’s see how long we last. Pretty simple rules here, then. No knights. No horses. Conquer the entirety of Bretonnia. Defeat every horse I see in one-on-one combat.

Indeed, the serfs of Carcassonne had suffered too long under feudalism’s gussied-up protection racket, and the battle fought for their freedom had been long and bloody. Bretonnia’s knightly class were better armed and better trained, their bodies nourished and strong. The bones of the common folk creaked from years of tireless field work. Their frames were frail from a diet of nettles, bruised turnips, and a wide selection of delectable artisanal French pastries which they all refused to eat, French being the language of their oppressors.

Microsoft has reportedly canceled long in development Rare game, Everwild, as layoffs confirmed today sweep across Xbox.

IGN reported on the cuts, revealed a memo sent to staff by Xbox boss Phil Spencer and reviewed by IGN. Reports indicate over 9,000 staff across Microsoft may be hit, with Candy Crush developer King and Bethesda both hit hard.

VGC was first to report the Everwild news, which IGN sources have corroborated. IGN has asked Microsoft for comment.

In the memo, Spencer failed to confirm specifics, telling staff “any organizational shifts will be shared by your team leaders in the coming days.”

The following message from Phil Spencer was shared to all gaming staff today:

Today we are sharing decisions that will impact colleagues across our organization. To position Gaming for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas, we will end or decrease work in certain areas of the business and follow Microsoft’s lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness. Out of respect for those impacted today, the specifics of today’s notifications and any organizational shifts will be shared by your team leaders in the coming days.

I recognize that these changes come at a time when we have more players, games, and gaming hours than ever before. Our platform, hardware, and game roadmap have never looked stronger. The success we’re seeing currently is based on tough decisions we’ve made previously. We must make choices now for continued success in future years and a key part of that strategy is the discipline to prioritize the strongest opportunities. We will protect what is thriving and concentrate effort on areas with the greatest potential, while delivering on the expectations the company has for our business. This focused approach means we can deliver exceptional games and experiences for players for generations to come.

Prioritizing our opportunities is essential, but that does not lessen the significance of this moment. Simply put, we would not be where we are today without the time, energy, and creativity of those whose roles are impacted. These decisions are not a reflection of the talent, creativity, and dedication of the people involved. Our momentum is not accidental — it is the result of years of dedicated effort from our teams.

HR is working directly with impacted employees to provide severance plan benefits (aligned with local laws), including pay, healthcare coverage, and job placement resources to support their transition. Employees whose roles were eliminated are encouraged to explore open positions across Microsoft Gaming, where their applications will be given priority review.

Thank you to everyone who has shaped our culture, our products, and our community. We will move forward with deep appreciation and respect for all who have contributed to this journey.

Phil

In February, Spencer issued an update on Everwild following repeated no-shows at various Xbox livestreams since its 2019 announcement.

In an interview with XboxEra, Spencer listed Everwild as one of the games yet to come out that he was excited for, adding he’d recently visited Rare, which runs live service pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves, to get a look at Everwild and the progress the developers were making.

“Yeah, State of Decay is just one of the franchises I love back from the original one, so that one stays on the board. I do think the work that Double Fine’s doing and how Tim [Schafer] kind of solicits feedback from the team. And the other one, I’ll say because I was recently out at Rare. It’s nice to see the team with Everwild and the progress that they’re making.”

Spencer said Microsoft had been able to give the developers of those games (State of Decay, the next game from Double Fine, and Everwild) time while still having a packed schedule of releases (bolstered, obviously, by the acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard).

“We can give those teams time,” Spencer said. “And next week I’m going to be up in Vancouver with the Coalition [Gears of War developer] — and how fun is that?”

Everwild had faced concern amid reboot reports and the exit of creative director Simon Woodroffe in 2020. Rare filled the director’s chair with veteran designer Gregg Mayles, who previously worked on Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, and Sea of Thieves.

What was Everwilds? Reports indicated it was a third-person adventure game with god game elements, but given how long it was in development, that may have changed. The last Everwilds trailer, released in July 2020, carried the following description: “Everwild is a brand new IP from Rare. A unique and unforgettable experience await in a natural and magical world.”

Microsoft has made a huge number of cuts to its gaming business since acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. It laid off 1,900 staff in January 2024, then made further cuts just a few months later when it closed Redfall developer Arkane Austin and Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks. In September 2024, Microsoft cut a further 650 staff from its gaming business. And in May this year, Microsoft cut an eye-watering 6,000 staff, or 3% of its entire workforce. Today’s round of layoffs is the fourth to hit Microsoft’s gaming business in 18 months.

Speaking to IGN in June 2024, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said: “I have to run a sustainable business inside the company and grow, and that means sometimes I have to make hard decisions that frankly are not decisions I love, but decisions that somebody needs to go make.”

The cuts come hot on the heels of Microsoft’s confirmation that it plans to release next-gen Xbox consoles, and has a strong presence at video game show gamescom.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

The best handheld PCs

Y’know what, I think we’ve lived long enough in the post-Steam Deck world that it bears weighing up what the current best handheld PCs are. A few years ago this would have just been a vaguely-ranked list of whatever portables were available, but after Valve demonstrated that the palm-resting format could not just work, but actually be good, handhelds have arguably become the most interesting and rapidly-changing thing in all of PC hardware. Even Microsoft are having a go, slapping their branding on the upcoming Asus ROG Xbox Ally – though here, I’m sticking strictly to the finest handhelds that I’ve tested and that you can buy.

Microsoft have reportedly set in motion the wave of layoffs the company were said to be gearing up for last week – the fourth round of major job cuts to hit Xbox in 18 months.

Microsoft has today made significant layoffs to its gaming division, per a memo sent to staff by Xbox boss Phil Spencer and reviewed by IGN.

A source told IGN that Candy Crush developer King was hit hard, but the cuts affect other parts of the gaming business. IGN understands parts of Microsoft-owned Bethesda, including its London office, were also affected by the cuts.