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EU Proposes Ban on Video Game Sales to Russia in New Sanctions Package

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Key Developments:

  • The European Commission has proposed new restrictions on video game sales to Russia as part of its 16th sanctions package against Moscow.
  • The ban would affect video game consoles and accessories, including:
    • Microsoft Xbox
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Sony PlayStation
    • Game controllers, flight simulator controllers, joysticks, and other input devices

Context & Implications:

  • The move is part of ongoing EU efforts to tighten economic pressure on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
  • The proposal aims to curtail access to Western gaming technology and entertainment systems in Russia.
  • If approved, major gaming companies could be forced to halt sales of consoles and accessories to the Russian market.

The proposal is still under review by EU member states, with further discussions expected before formal adoption.

Call of Duty: World at War and Singularity Expected to Join Game Pass in 2025

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Call of Duty: World at War and Singularity Expected to Join Xbox Game Pass in May 2025

Reports suggest that Call of Duty: World at War, Treyarch’s World War II-themed first-person shooter, will soon be available on Xbox Game Pass. The 2008 title is expected to join the subscription service around May 2025, bringing the iconic military shooter to Game Pass subscribers. Alongside World at War, Singularity, a sci-fi first-person shooter developed by Raven Software, is also anticipated to be added to the service in the same month.

The leak comes from trusted tipster @eXtas1stv, who has a track record of accurately predicting Game Pass additions. The leaker shared the information on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that both titles will be available on Game Pass by May. In the same post, @eXtas1stv also hinted that another Call of Duty game could be coming to the platform in March, though the title remains unnamed at this point.

This would make Call of Duty: World at War the third Call of Duty game to be available on Xbox Game Pass. Previous entries, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, have already made their way to the service. Modern Warfare 3 joined Game Pass in July 2024, while Black Ops 6 became the first COD title to launch day one on Game Pass in October.

The inclusion of Call of Duty: World at War on Game Pass marks another significant step in expanding the reach of the Call of Duty franchise on Xbox platforms. With World at War joining the lineup, Game Pass subscribers will have access to a broader range of iconic COD games, further solidifying the service’s appeal to fans of the popular shooter series.

Xbox Set to Host First-Party Games Showcase in January

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Xbox Preparing for a Developer Direct Showcase in January 2025

Microsoft is reportedly gearing up for a major Xbox event in January 2025, likely to be another installment of its Developer Direct showcase. This event is expected to offer new updates on the company’s first-party games and provide a glimpse of what’s coming to Xbox Game Pass in the near future. The timing of this event is consistent with previous Developer Direct showcases, with the 2024 edition taking place on January 18. During the 2024 event, Microsoft revealed exciting updates such as the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, as well as updates on highly anticipated titles like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Avowed, and more.

A Big Year Ahead for Xbox Game Pass

Tom Warren from The Verge recently shared his expectations for the upcoming Xbox event, noting the growing strength of Xbox Game Pass releases. He pointed out the successful drops such as Indiana Jones and the promising lineup scheduled for 2025, including games like Avowed, South of Midnight, Doom, Towerborne, Fable, and Outer Worlds 2. These releases are expected to maintain the momentum for the gaming service, with many games launching directly into Xbox Game Pass on day one, keeping the subscription service fresh and exciting for subscribers.

Highlights from the 2024 Xbox Developer Direct

At the 2024 Xbox Developer Direct on January 18, Microsoft gave fans a deeper look at its upcoming titles. One of the standout announcements was the reveal of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle by MachineGames, which made its debut on Xbox Series S/X and PC on December 9. The action-adventure title, based on the iconic movie franchise, is also set to launch on PS5 in 2025. Additionally, the event provided key information about Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, confirming its release date, and gave a sneak peek at Avowed, Obsidian’s highly anticipated fantasy RPG.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we head into 2025, the next Xbox Developer Direct showcase promises to continue Microsoft’s trend of revealing big titles and major updates. With many fans excited for the next chapters in franchises like Fable and Doom, along with new IPs like South of Midnight and Towerborne, January’s event is expected to be another significant moment for Xbox. Whether it’s updates on existing projects or brand-new game announcements, Microsoft is likely to keep the momentum going into the new year, ensuring a packed lineup for its console and Game Pass subscribers.