Marvel’s Blade enters full production at Arkane (Xbox News)
Revealed at The Game Awards 2023, Marvel’s Blade by Arkane Studios (part of Bethesda and Xbox) has finally entered full production. This milestone was first hinted at in a financial report from the team, shared via BlueSky, indicating the AAA project began full-scale development in late 2024.
Arkane has been quiet since Deathloop hit Xbox in 2022, but Blade now looks like their main focus. While no new gameplay has surfaced, it’s expected at Xbox Showcase 2025. Fans of Dishonored are hopeful the team’s expertise in immersive sims will translate well into this superhero setting.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 includes full game on disc (on Series X)
Amid the growing concern around game preservation, it’s refreshing to hear that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 ships with the entire game on disc for Xbox Series X—confirmed by Reddit user Revenax Gamer. This comes after backlash over physical copies of Indiana Jones and Doom: The Dark Ages requiring online downloads.
Though the Xbox One version still needs an internet connection, the preservation-friendly Series X disc is a bright spot. Notably, Tony Hawk’s is published under Activision (now part of Microsoft), unlike the Bethesda games that sparked recent criticism.
Holdfast: Nations of War gains momentum on Xbox
The console launch of Holdfast: Nations of War, a 150-player Napoleonic war game, has been a surprise hit. Featuring proximity chat, regiment battles, and large-scale multiplayer chaos, the game has been trending on Xbox charts and even required extra server support due to high demand.
Developed by a small indie studio, Holdfast has already carved out a passionate player base. If you own the game, consider joining the Xbox Nation Regiment to ride into battle with the community.
Mafia: The Old Country new gameplay revealed
IGN unveiled nearly 10 minutes of gameplay from Mafia: The Old Country, a prequel from Hangar 13 and 2K. The footage focuses on the fifth chapter’s villa section and showcases driving, combat, and cinematic cutscenes. Priced at $50 USD / £45 GBP, the new Mafia installment seems to continue the series’ trademark storytelling and atmosphere.
While the campaign remains mostly under wraps, fans of the franchise have reason to be optimistic based on this early look.
Xbox Ultimate Game Sale 2025 kicks off early for Game Pass users
While the full Xbox Summer Sale is expected to go live around July 17, Xbox Game Pass members can already access a preview sale. Titled the Ultimate Game Sale 2025, this early access includes over 300 discounted titles across the Microsoft Store.
To access the deals, just head to the Deals section on your Xbox console and look for the Ultimate Game Sale teaser. A full breakdown video covering 30–40 of the best deals is set to go live tomorrow.
Call of Duty: WWII PC servers go offline over major exploit (Xbox News)
A concerning security issue has forced Call of Duty: WWII servers on PC offline.
Hackers exploited vulnerabilities to gain control of other users’ systems, prompting Activision to temporarily pull the PC version, while the console version remains active on Xbox Game Pass.
Activision issued a statement on July 5 confirming an investigation is underway. Activision advises players who recently accessed the PC version to run antivirus checks as a precaution.
