197 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Tom Warren

Tom Warren

Senior Correspondent

Senior Correspondent

    More From Tom Warren

    Tom Warren
    Tom Warren
    Some Forza Horizon developers leave Xbox to form new studio.

    Maverick Games is a new studio made up of some of the leaders behind Microsoft’s Forza Horizon series. Games Industry reports that the studio is led by Mike Brown, the former creative director on Forza Horizon 5. Other Playground Games veterans have also joined Maverick, who plan to create a AAA open world game. No news on what that game will be or when it arrives, but it will launch on “consoles and PC.”

    Maverick Games is currently 10 employees with plans to expand to 140.
    Maverick Games is currently 10 employees with plans to expand to 140.
    Image: Games Industry
    Tom Warren
    Tom Warren
    Microsoft rumored to invest $10 billion in OpenAI.

    Microsoft first invested $1 billion into OpenAI in 2019, and has had a close relationship with the ChatGPT creator ever since. Semafor is now reporting that Microsoft is eyeing a $10 billion bet on OpenAI that would see the software giant get 75 percent of profits and a 49 stake in OpenAI. The rumors come days after reports that Microsoft is planning to integrate OpenAI models into Bing, Word, and more.

    Tom Warren
    Tom Warren
    Xbox event expected on January 25th.

    Microsoft is rumored to be holding a special Xbox event later this month. Windows Central reports a “Developer_Direct” games show will be held on January 25th with Arkane, Bethesda, and more.

    Games like Redfall, Forza Motorsport, and Minecraft Legends are all expected to appear, but Starfield might be skipping the show entirely. Microsoft is expected to announce this event in the coming days.