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According to Circana, American consumer spending on subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus grew by only 1% in April this year compared to last year, with an overall two-year increase of just 2%. This indicates a potential slowdown in the sector.

Market leaders Microsoft and Sony have encountered similar issues. Despite price hikes for their subscription services, their revenues have remained static, suggesting a drop in user engagement.

Xbox Game Pass has not met growth targets since 2022, and while subscriber numbers have slightly increased since then, the data raises concerns among analysts about the future growth prospects of the service. The latest financial report adjusted the number of Game Pass subscribers by including users from the rebranded Xbox Live Gold, now known as Game Pass Core, complicating data interpretation.

These trends raise doubts about the long-term viability of subscription models as the predominant method of game distribution.

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Arrowhead Game Studios, creators of Helldivers 2, found themselves at the center of controversy following their decision to require Steam and PlayStation Network account linking. This decision led to a flood of negative reviews, rendering the game unavailable in 177 countries due to lack of PSN access. Following intense criticism, the studio head apologized to the community and expressed intentions to regain player trust.

In response to ongoing discussions, PlayStation announced via their official Twitter that they would not proceed with the controversial update. "We value our fans' feedback and are canceling the mandatory account integration for playing Helldivers 2," stated the tweet.

This decision aims to reassure users and demonstrates the company's willingness to engage with gamers to find the most suitable solution for all. Going forward, the developers face the challenge of not only rectifying the situation but also restoring the lost trust, which will require time and additional efforts.

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In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Arthur Bruno, CEO of Crate Entertainment, expressed his frustration with common perceptions about video game development, specifically addressing the project Manor Lords from Slavic Magic. This game is widely regarded as the brainchild of a solo developer, Greg Styczeń. However, Bruno highlighted that the development actually involved a team of specialists.

Bruno emphasized that while Styczeń is the pivotal figure in the development, the project indeed involved numerous contractors and external experts, making it akin to other small projects where a handful of people are employed. For instance, his own studio's project, Farthest Frontier, is developed by just seven people. This challenges the myth that Manor Lords is purely a solo endeavor.

Additionally, Bruno expressed his bewilderment at how the public and some media tend to overstate the role of solo developers, overlooking the significant contributions of other team members and external collaborators, which often remain behind the scenes. He suggested a reevaluation of this narrative to acknowledge that creating a high-quality game is always the result of teamwork.

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Sony PlayStation's recently implemented requirement for PC players of Helldivers 2 to link their accounts to PlayStation Network has led to widespread community backlash. As a result, over the past two days, Arrowhead Game Studios' game has received more than 110,000 negative reviews on Steam, setting a new record for premium games. For comparison, the free-to-play game War Thunder gathered about 106,000 negative reviews in one day in May 2023 after announcing changes to its in-game economy, which also displeased players.

This surge in negative reviews has made Helldivers 2 one of the most criticized games on Steam to date. The number of negative reviews is expected to reach 120,000 or more by the end of the day. This phenomenon highlights the significant impact of publisher policies on user product perception and underscores the importance of mutual understanding between developers and the gaming community.

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According to recent information from well-known series insider Dusk Golem, the next installment in the famed horror franchise Resident Evil is expected to be announced soon. The game is slated for release in January 2025 and will be the most expensive in the series' history.

Resident Evil 9 has been in development since 2018 and is set to introduce a new open-world dimension comparable to projects like Dragon's Dogma 2. This represents a significant evolution for the series, considering the successful reception of the last major installment, Resident Evil Village, released in 2021.

While Capcom has not yet officially confirmed this information, sources close to the developers confirm a high likelihood of an upcoming announcement. Given the lengthy development and substantial investment, the community anticipates Resident Evil 9 to set new standards in quality and depth.

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Microsoft is excited to announce that this year's annual Xbox Games Showcase will take place on Sunday, June 9th, at 8:00 PM Kyiv time. Following tradition, after the main presentation, there will be a detailed dive into one of the popular gaming franchises. To maintain the suspense, the name of this part of the event remains confidential and is temporarily referred to as [redacted] Direct. Secrecy and intrigue are key elements of our approach to announcing new products.

The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 will mark the first presentation of games not only from renowned Microsoft studios such as Bethesda, Activision, and Blizzard, but also from third-party developers. This event will serve as a platform to showcase a wide array of new gaming content spanning various genres and platforms.

The event will be streamed on multiple platforms, including YouTube, Twitch and Facebook, and will be available in more than 30 languages, including American Sign Language and English audio descriptions, highlighting Microsoft's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

Viewers can expect not just announcements of new games but also updates on previously announced projects. The range of content presented promises to be broad: from indie games to blockbusters, from virtual reality to console exclusives. Microsoft is focusing on the development of the gaming ecosystem, supporting developers in creating high-quality and engaging games.

Furthermore, Microsoft plans to use this platform to showcase new gaming technologies such as enhanced graphics, more complex gameplay mechanics, and innovative approaches to storytelling. Participants will see how the latest technologies make gameplay even more immersive and realistic.

For everyone interested in the latest news from the world of Xbox and video games, Microsoft recommends marking this event in their calendars and keeping an eye on updates in the official Xbox blog. Subscribers and fans will be able to set reminders and ensure they do not miss any important moments of this significant event.

The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 promises to be a vibrant and significant event in the gaming industry, showcasing innovative approaches and the future of gaming. Make sure you are part of this exciting journey into the world of gaming with Microsoft.

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