Playground Games' Fable survived over a decade of development despite widespread Xbox layoffs and studio closures because the franchise is considered vital to the platform's identity. The game's survival contrasts sharply with canceled projects like Everwild and shuttered studios, with director Ralph Fulton crediting Fable's importance to Xbox's DNA as protection during turbulent years of acquisition-driven upheaval.
Indian rapper Santy Sharma posted a viral AI-generated meme on Instagram showing himself with a kidney removal scar while holding Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo, sarcastically commenting on the device's high price of approximately $3,100 in India. The meme plays on the common joke about selling one's kidney to afford expensive products, sparking widespread online engagement following Apple's September 9th announcement of the phone.
Indian rapper Santy Sharma posted a viral AI-generated meme joking that he sold his kidney to afford Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo, which costs around $3,100 in India. The humorous post comments on the device's expensive price tag following its September 9th announcement.
XBOX CEO Asha Sharma reportedly spends a few hours each month responding to customer support tickets to better understand player concerns. She has made changes to Game Pass, removed an AI assistant, and is working to rebuild XBOX as a gaming brand following 2026 layoffs.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, in her first six months leading the company, personally responds to customer support tickets a few hours monthly to better understand players and their issues. She has also overseen major changes including price cuts to Game Pass Ultimate, layoffs, and strategic decisions like green-lighting a new Fallout RPG from Obsidian Entertainment and signing director Hideo Kojima for multiple projects.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma promoted PHYSINT, a Kojima Productions action stealth game that shifted from PlayStation exclusive to Xbox exclusive after Sony canceled it. Microsoft is leveraging the deal on social media, with Sharma leaving a message at Kojima Productions, as both companies face scrutiny over their recent decisions and upcoming console strategies.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma visited Kojima Productions to mark a new partnership, discussing the action-espionage game PHYSINT's switch from PlayStation to Xbox and the project OD. The visit signals a significant collaboration between the companies for future game development.
Microsoft Xbox is introducing customizable startup animations for current-gen consoles, allowing players to choose from options including the Xbox One and Series X/S boot sequences as part of broader console updates. Under new leadership following Phil Spencer's departure, Xbox is also rolling out features like local search, improved Remote Play at 1440p, Voice Clarity for party chat, and profile badge display to boost user experience and recapture goodwill.
Analysts warn the stock market is in a late-stage bubble driven by AI investments, with Capital Economics forecasting an S&P 500 crash of 21% to 6,500 by end-2027 after reaching 8,250 this year. Key bubble indicators include extreme valuations near dotcom levels, unsustainable earnings growth, negative free cash flow for AI companies by 2027, and concentrated market gains in fewer stocks. Rising Treasury yields above 5% could further destabilize AI funding and equities.
Hideo Kojima's upcoming action-espionage game 'Physint' has moved from PlayStation to Xbox after Sony cancelled the project in June. Xbox and Kojima Productions are expanding their partnership beyond games to include film and television collaborations, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and Kojima having discussed creative plans over several months.