Today’s Gaming News Roundup
Remember when game studios were often in the spotlight for their harsh treatment of developers? Well, now Rockstar is facing allegations of firing Grand Theft Auto devs over union organization. This echoes past controversies and highlights ongoing challenges within the gaming industry.
On the lighter side of the gaming world, you can get a variety of Xbox controllers on sale at Amazon right now! They have various colors marked down, so it’s a great time to pick one up if you need an extra.
The Official Xbox Wireless Controllers Are on Sale for Just $39.99 at Amazon
The Xbox Wireless Controller is a solid all-arounder that works on both Xbox and PC. It has great ergonomics, decent battery life, and seems not to have as much stick drift issues as PS5 controllers.
Amazon is offering gamers a nice discount on the popular controller, with 38% off for a limited time. They have black, white, and breaker editions available, all of which support wireless and Bluetooth usage.
The best Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (Oct. 31-Nov. 2 2025)
“Doom” and “Eternal” deliver heavy-metal action with intense shotgun blasts. “Control” offers dreamy, surrealist vibes with its unique setting. “Metal: Hellsinger” combines metal music with FPS gameplay, released in 2022.
“The Artful Escape” provides a trippy journey through a cosmic scene. “Control: Ultimate Edition” includes both DLC expansions, providing players with extended gameplay and additional story content.
Rockstar Accused Of Firing Grand Theft Auto Devs Over Union Organization
Rockstar Games recently laid off 30 to 40 employees from their UK and Canada offices. This move comes just over six months before the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6. The fired staff were reportedly part of a private union chat on Discord. They were either union members or attempting to organize, according to Bloomberg’s report.
This action has drawn sharp criticism from the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain. IWGB president Alex Marshall labeled it as a blatant act of union busting. He described Rockstar’s actions as disrespectful to both the workers and their fans.
Betting Markets Have Decided Silksong Doesn’t Have A Chance In Hell Of Winning Game Of The Year
Polymarket has launched betting on The Game Awards 2025. The buzz? Hollow Knight: Silksong is seen as a long shot for Game of the Year. Bettors are skeptical, and the odds reflect it.
This comes as a surprise to many fans eagerly awaiting its release. Why the doubt about Silksong? It might be due to stiff competition from other anticipated titles.
What we’ve been playing – “playing the flute in front of people tends to diffuse any tension”
This week, the crew dives into a mix of intriguing gaming experiences. Bertie is navigating the sequel to the beloved rogue-like, Hades 2, trying to find his groove with its new twists. Meanwhile, Chris is getting plenty of practice with the “thanks” key, as he finds himself frequently resurrected in his current adventure. Connor, on the other hand, is using music as a tool, playing the flute to ease tensions like a true virtuoso.
Dom’s gaming sessions have taken a surreal turn, with hallucinations adding a wild layer to his playthroughs. Meanwhile, Marie reflects on the fruits of her labor, questioning the wisdom of her island reconstruction efforts. Lastly, Will has a unique method for testing mechanical keyboards, sharing insights from his “secret game. ”
The proof is undeniable: People will still pay for great shooters
Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders have shattered records, proving that not everything needs to be free-to-play. Battlefield 6 sold over 10 million copies in the first month. Arc Raiders, a co-op shooter, topped 5 million downloads.
Both games highlight gamers’ willingness to pay for quality experiences. These successes challenge the “free-to-play everything” trend in gaming.
ARC Raiders November/December Content Roadmap Features A New Map, Quests, Events, And More
ARC Raiders, the long-awaited extraction shooter from start Studios, is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. November’s roadmap reveals a new map called Stella Montis, a community unlock event, and new quests. Look forward to December’s Snowfall map condition and the Flickering Flames event.
We’re diving into the game, and you can check out our review-in-progress for more insights. ARC Raiders’ arrival marks Embark Studios’ debut multiplayer offering, featuring cross-play capabilities across all platforms.
Europa Universalis 5 review
Europa Universalis 5 is both a blessing and a curse for strategy fans. It takes about 45 hours to cover just 150 years of Neapolitan history. You’ll still have 250 years left to look at in the game.
Paradox delivers their signature intricate geopolitical gameplay. Be ready to set aside centuries for this dense playthrough.
Original report: Rock Paper Shotgun
Will You Pick Up an Xbox Controller?
I’ve already got at least a dozen controllers lying around the house, but, for some reason, I’m still tempted to pick up a new Xbox Wireless Controller. Between the NBA 2k series and Madden, I’ve probably logged 200 hours of usage on my Xbox controller in the last few years. Will take advantage of this deal, or is there another controller you’re eyeing? Let me know in the comments!
