Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?
I recommend you check out the following videos I found.
#1 Calvin Dyson’s The Spy Who Love Me in-depth review – One of the best James Bond-focused YouTubers is Calvin Dyson. Years ago, he posted his in-depth retro review of The Spy Who Loved Me – starring the late Roger Moore – which is pretty entertaining to watch. I saw the 1977 James Bond film a number of times in my life and I can say that Dyson not only made an engaging retro review, he also provided crucial insight about the movie. For those who have not seen The Spy Who Loved Me, watch it first entirely before watching Dyson’s spoileriffic review. Otherwise, enjoy his video belo.
#2 Slope’s Game Room examines Popeye video games – Growing up, I saw cartoon episodes about Popeye. I also read a few comic books about the character and even saw the live-action movie of 1980. When it comes to retro gaming, I played the Popeye Game & Watch game and then the Family Computer (Famicom) port of the Popeye arcade game. I recently found Slope’s Game Room’s retrospective video about Popeye games and to my surprise, there were more video games about the character which I never played. To discover the Popeye games and their collective history, watch the video below.
#3 The decades-old conflict between Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell – In case you somehow missed the buzz all the time, the conflict between Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell has lasted for decades. As far as the modern age is concerned, Trump successfully returned as President of the United States and O’Donnell left America for another country. The truth about Rosie O’Donnell is that you cannot trust her and you should never let her manipulate. Behind all the Hollywood glamor and entertainment glitter, Rosie O’Donnell is problematic and unstable. Her conflict with Trump goes a very long way back and I urge you to watch the video below. It is both entertaining and compelling to watch.
#4 Friday The 13th (1980) reaction videos – Do you find the 1980 horror movie Friday The 13thnotable if not special at all? For me, there is absolutely nothing special about the slasher horror film directed by Sean Cunningham (read my retro movie review by clicking here). If there is anything notable about it, it would be its economic achievement of grossing almost $60 million worldwide on a negative cost of less than $3 million (including marketing and distribution costs). When it comes to story, cinematic concepts and performances, it is still pretty weak. Still the flaws of Friday The 13th (1980) did not stop it from becoming a popular film of choice for reaction videos by YouTubers. For your interest, posted below are assorted reaction videos of the movie.
#5 Reviews of James Gunn’s Superman – Now playing in theaters worldwide, James Gunn’s Superman is bringing in a lot of money. Of course, commercial success does not clearly reflect the film’s overall quality nor the reviews it gathered from the corrupted mainstream media and from independent bloggers and content creators. It also sucks that there are some movie-focused websites that signed marketing deals with contractors of movie studios that guaranteed not only constant film promotion but also the publishing of overall positive reviews. That being said, I encourage you to take time out to watch the selected video reviews of James Gunn’s Superman below sourced from four YouTubers. If you have not seen the new movie in the cinema and you are leaning towards watching it soon, then the videos below are a must-see.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…
The three suspects behind the murder and robbery of a TNVS driver in Parañaque City last May have surrendered to authorities on Monday.
According to Jaime Santos’ report in “Saksi”, the families of the suspects coordinated with their barangay chairperson and councilor to surrender before Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. The mayor, on the other hand, coordinated with the Manila Police District and the Northern Police District.
The families of the suspects feared for their safety after their identities were reported, the report added.
“Humingi sila ng tulong kung paano sila susuko sa alagad ng batas, through some assistance from the Northern Police District and the Manila Police District, nandito sila kanina. Gusto ko rin ipaalam sa inyo na ang pamilya ng mga suspects ay nandito rin. Kinausap ko sila kanina,” said Moreno.
(They asked for help on how they can surrender to the authorities, through some assistance from the Northern Police District and the Manila Police District, who were also here earlier. I also want to inform you that the family of the suspects are also present here. I talked with them earlier.)
“Now I’m happy that the case is na-resolba. Nakikiramay kami…sa pamilya ng biktima. In our own little way, kami ay maging tulay man lamang na makapagbigay ng hustisya sa pamilya ng biktima.”
(I’m happy that the case is now resolved. We extend our sympathies to the family of the victim. In our own little way, we hope we can become a tool in giving justice to the victim’s family.)
Meanwhile, the suspects have yet to declare where they disposed the victim’s body.
“Disgrasya lang po talaga ang lahat…Hindi ko na po masasagot…Sa NBI ko na lang po ipapaliwanag ang lahat po,” one of the suspects said.
(Everything was just an accident…I cannot answer anymore….I will just explain everything to the NBI.)
Moreno said that it will be up to the National Bureau of Investigation to take the next steps on the case. The suspects are now in NBI custody.
The suspects were picked up by the victim in Parañaque last May 18. The car didn’t reach its destination in Molino, Cavite and instead was driven around the province.
Audio from the car’s dashcam indicated that the victim, Raymond Cabrera, was no longer driving the car. It can also be heard from the audio that he was being stabbed.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you think that murder and violent forms of crime in the city will keep getting worse over the next six months?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the video game and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Welcome back retro gaming enthusiasts, Atari fans, geeks and others who are passionate about video games!
Today we go all the way back to the year 1980 when Atari released in arcades a game that strongly resonated with people who were concerned about a potential nuclear conflict between the United States and Russia during the Cold War…Missile Command.
Designed by Dave Theurer and programmed by Rich Adam with Theurer, Missile Command is a 2-dimension shoot ‘em up arcade game that had a trackball to allow players to control a crosshair to defend six existing cities. The arcade also had three buttons players could use to launch surface-to-air missiles from the three missile bases to protect the cities from incoming ballistic missiles that came from an unseen enemy.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at the Missile Command arcade game of 1980 developed and published by Atari.
The arcade flyer with a great looking painted artwork. This one really resonated with gamers who lived during the Cold War.
Game design
As the commander of three missile bases (each armed with 10 defense missiles), the player is tasked to protect six existing cities from waves of ballistic missiles (launched by an unnamed enemy) coming down. From time to time, the enemy deploys bombers, satellites/drones and smart bombs to overwhelm your defense and test your precision and decision making.
You have three missile bases that each has its own supply of defense missiles. There are cities between each base which you have to defend from the endless assault of enemy missiles, smart bombs, war planes and satellites/drones.
When your defense missile detonates in the air, it creates an explosion which serve as a shield to destroy enemy missiles, war planes and satellite/drones when contact is made. If any projectiles from the enemy manages to get through the aerial explosion, you will have to quickly launch more defense missiles from the near base you have.
Players use a single crosshair which designates which part of the sky a defense missile can be fired at. Once the defense missile reaches its destination (placed by the crosshair) in the sky, it will explode and cause a growing flame lasting seconds. The said flame serves as a shield that can destroy the enemy’s ballistic missiles, smart bombs, war planes and satellites/drones upon contact. Defense missiles can be launched consecutively into selected spots in the sky in anticipation of the incoming weapons of the enemy.
To proceed from one level to another, the player must have at least one city remaining intact. Once all the six cities have been destroyed and the player no longer has any unused missiles (and no new cities earned by reaching certain high scores that justify rewards), the game will end with a “Game Over” screen with an explosion in the background.
Quality
In this screenshot, the enemy’s satellite/drone is floating while a smart bomb is about to hit the missile base at the lower-right. Smart bombs can be challenging to intercept because it reacts by avoiding the aerial explosion of defense missiles.
This arcade game – which is currently available for modern console owners to play via the Atari 50: The Anniversary Collection – remains very engaging and a lot of fun to play with after all these decades. As a player, my only objective was to defend the six existing cities and three missile bases from the waves of enemy ballistic missiles (and smart bombs in later levels) coming from the sky. Given the way the game was designed, this is strongly emphasized and the only times I could attack the enemy is by launching my own missiles towards the enemy’s bombers and satellites/drones (note: both of these are capable of launching more missiles at you).
If any of the enemy’s weapons hits one of your missile bases, it and the remaining supply of defensive missiles will be wiped out. Enemy missiles that hit a city will result in total destruction. Considering the intentional increase in challenge with each new level of play started, the enemy’s ballistic missiles move faster, the warplanes and/or satellite/drones appear more and the smart bomb – which is the most difficult to intercept as it deliberately avoids the aerial flames caused by your defense missiles – get launched against you.
When intercepting enemy missiles, you have to think quick where to aim (ahead of incoming missiles), which missile base to use to launch defense missiles and remember how much missiles do you have left per base.
That being said, the game deliberately becomes harder which compelled me to be more watchful of enemy weapon movements, and to be more strategic using my defense missiles while keeping a quick eye on the remaining supply of missiles per base. While the in-game difficulty intensifies per level, the game never became frustrating to play nor did it ever turn into a chore on my part. I just keep playing because I found the increasing challenges actually fun to take on.
The game’s visuals are still good to look at. It’s still engaging to see streaks of missile trails (both your defense missiles and the enemy’s ballistic missiles) fill the air above the cities and the flashing light effects that simulate explosions are still effective as eye candy. Along the way, the game’s sound effects worked perfectly with the visuals and they added a lot to the immersion.
When you score enough points, the game will reward you with a bonus city.
Me putting my initials after achieving a great score in Missile Command.
Considering its simplicity and the way it was designed, there clearly is no way for players to win at all. Rather, the game will challenge your precision, decision-making and ability to defend your cities and bases. That being said, the greater challenge is to survive and be able to move on to the next level with missile bases and whatever cities remaining you still have to defend. As with other games of the past, achieving the high possible score – which reflects your endurance, skill and progress – is a goal here. Achieving certain high scores also result in an extra city for you.
Cultural relevance
Missile Command’s legacy as one of the greatest arcade games ever released is undeniably real. Not only that, this game resulted in a lot of ports for consoles, portable gaming devices and home computers through the decades. This classic was re-released in several compilations from Atari and the Xbox-listed Missile Command contains the arcade version. In 2020, a remake called Missile Command: Recharged was released as part of the Atari Recharged series of games.
The different Missile Command arcade machines.
Missile Command even appeared for a few seconds in Terminator 2: Judgment Day which added more to the film’s concept of nuclear war.
With regards to arcade gaming, Missile Command is notable for having a trackball on its machine as a way for arcade players to control the crosshair during game sessions.
Conclusion
Apart from being the commander of missile defense, try imagining yourself being on of the citizens living in one of those cities. Can you imagine watching real-life missiles get intercepted in sky above you?
The Missile Command (1980) arcade game is a true video game classic and it remains compelling and enjoyable at the same time. It can also be an intriguing game experience since it does not let players complete the game by winning. All players can do is perform the best defense they could, survive to the next round and keep playing until their defense gets overwhelmed by the enemy and the rising in-game difficulty.
As a result of the game design, playing Missile Command is actually moral because the concept of defending your people using powerful yet limited resources is very strong all the time. Even with progressive difficulty, the game never became frustrating to play and I actually enjoyed the challenges knowing that defense and survival are main goals. Achieving the highest possible score is the other goal as reflected by video gaming of the era. Missile Command simply delivers bouts of fun and you cannot go wrong with playing it. It is not surprising that this game became a massive hit and established itself as a true classic among video games.
Overall, Missile Command (1980) highly recommended and the best way to play it on console today is to avail of Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration compilation.
Parañaque City’s 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan has a new proposal to create public offices at the local government level to assist senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in their search for better job opportunities, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
Parañaque 2nd district Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is batting for the creation of public offices at the local government level that will help persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens land jobs.
Such offices–to be known as Local Centers for Inclusive Employment (LCIEs)–will partner with the private sector to assist PWDs and seniors for this purpose. According to Yamsuan’s proposal, they will also provide access to upskilling opportunities.
“Disabled persons and seniors who are fit to work can become productive members of our economy if given the chance. However, many PWDs and elderly citizens remain poor because they find it difficult to get hired for jobs that suit them,” Yamsuan said iin a statement Tuesday, July 8.
“Sayang ang kanilang galing, dedikasyon at sipag na madadala sa kanilang trabaho kung sila ay mananatiling jobless. Sa halip na kaawaan o hindi bigyang pansin, dapat ay kinikilala natin ang kanilang mga kakayahang makapag-ambag sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya,” added Yamsuan.
(Their talent, dedication and diligence that they will bring to the workplace will go to waste if they remain jobless. Instead of pitying or ignoring them, we should recognize their capabilities to contribute to our economic growth.)
Yamsuan said he will soon re-file in the 20th Congress a bill which aims to mandate the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to set up, operate and maintain job facilitation offices called LCIEs for PWDs and seniors.
These LCIEs will be established upon the request of the LGUs in capital towns, key cities and other strategic areas.
The proposed legislation was filed earlier by Yamsuan in the previous 19th Congress following extensive consultations conducted with seniors and PWDs in his home city of Parañaque.
Among the complaints aired by PWDs and senior citizens during these meetings were the perceived lack of government support in helping them find jobs that match their skills and qualifications.
Yamsuan said that despite the enactment of laws that aim to encourage the hiring of PWDs and seniors, government data show low labor participation rates in these sectors.
Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveal that only 353,000 PWDs were gainfully employed out of the 1.9 million who were within working age in 2022.
In the same year, the elderly sector faced a similar predicament where only 38.2 percent or about 965,200 of 2.54 million qualified senior citizens were employed.
A study made by the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) found that most PWDs were unaware that they can seek assistance in finding jobs through existing Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) in LGUs.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you think Congressman Yamsuan’s proposal makes a lot of sense and has the potential to help senior citizens and PWDs find better job opportunities someday? Do you think the City Government of Parañaque has been neglectful towards senior citizens and PWDs on job opportunities?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
There is no denying that consumers here in the Philippines prefer to use digital methods of paying over cash as more than 57% of retail transactions by volume are digital, according to a business news report by Malay Business Insight. The details were revealed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from Malaya Business Insight’s news report. Some parts in boldface…
More Filipinos are going cashless and transacting in e-money or digital cash as the most preferred payment for retail accounts, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in a report on Monday.
Based on the latest BSP status report, digital payments now account for 57.4 percent of retail transactions by volume as of end-2024, up from 52.8 percent in 2023. In terms of value, e-money’s share also increased to 59 percent from 55.3 percent.
The figures surpassed the government’s target range of between 52 and 54 percent as set under the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028.
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said the steady year-on-year growth “reinforces the momentum built after surpassing the 2023 digitalization target of 50 percent for volume.”
He also said the upward trajectory “reflects the long-term impact of market developments, policy initiatives, and the growing trust and familiarity of Filipinos with digital payment options.”
Remolona said the BSP will continue to harness technology and finance to connect markets and ensure that “every Filipino becomes part of the formal financial system.”
They will do this by empowering banks, non-banks and the fintech sector to leverage innovation in designing financial products that are not only accessible but also more responsive to the needs of consumers.”
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? When it comes to retail transactions, do you prefer to pay with cash or with a digital payment method? Do you have any e-wallets (electronic wallets) right now?
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Domestic travel continues to lead the recovery of the Philippine tourism industry, with its receipts able to make up for the “shortfall” in international arrivals, real estate advisory firm Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) said Thursday.
“Domestic travel is so big. It’s so big and strong that it can make up for, now in the short term, the shortfall of international arrivals,” Alfred Lay, LPC director for Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure, said during the presentation of the LPC Q2 2025 Philippine Property Market Report in Makati City.
“It can do that for a long time, and the long-term goal for domestic tourism would probably to double (its) size within the next five to 10 years.”
Lay noted that domestic tourism expenditure in 2024 reached PHP3.16 trillion, surpassing the pre-pandemic level of PHP3.14 trillion in 2019. Tourism contributed 8.9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year.
International tourism expenditures, on the other hand, stood at PHP699 billion, up from PHP600 billion pre-pandemic levels, despite missing the 2024 targets.
In an interview, Lay said he expects inbound arrivals this year to reach at least six million.
He noted that the arrival of South Korean visitors, the Philippines’ top market, has seen a decline in the past five months, likely due to the “negative media coverage” in South Korea over security issues in the country, but long-haul tourists are increasing and have offset the decline.
According to the LPC report, Korean arrivals in the first five months of 2025 dipped 19 percent to 552,000 from 682,000 in the same period last year, while inbound arrivals from the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada surged between 9 percent and 19.4 percent.
Additional routes and flight frequencies, he said, are likewise expected to sustain this upward momentum.
Meanwhile, Lay addressed news coverage about the affordability of travel to the Philippines, stating that the country only ranks in the “middle of the pack” in terms of hotel average daily rates (ADR) compared to Southeast Asian neighbors and competitors.
The LPC report showed that the Philippines ranks fourth in hotel ADR at PHP6,048, with Thailand (PHP8,171), Cambodia (PHP6,591), and Vietnam (PHP6,359) in the top three places.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the tourism industry of the Philippines will do better this year with domestic travel as the main factor? Do you think it is still possible for the Philippines to attract at least six million foreign tourists by the end of this year? Do you think both the national government and private sector should work together to improve local infrastructure so that the cost of travel will go down?
Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?
I recommend you check out the following videos I found.
#1 Ashleigh Burton and Popcorn in Bed react to The Spy Who Love Me – Remember The Spy Who Loved Me? Released in 1977, the film was Roger Moore’s 3rd performance as James Bond and it was also the start of Albert Broccoli’s full control of the film franchise after breaking up with his partner. The filmmakers went all-in making The Spy Who Loved Me filled with a lot of thrills, dangerous stunts and a twist on Cold War politics to not only delight James Bond fans but also attract moviegoers who wanted something grand and fun to watch. That being said, you should watch how this 1977 Agent 007 movie drew reactions from Ashleigh Burton and Popcorn in Bed.
#2 PatmanQC examines Chase H.Q. – I never played Chase H.Q. in the arcade nor any of its ports on consoles and home computers. Historically, the game was a huge arcade hit and it was praised by game critics during its time. Chase H.Q. offered players the unique experience of playing a police officer (who has a partner) and must drive a fancy car to chase criminals who are trying to get away on the road. The game is an inspired work and if you want to discover more about how it was made and who the creators were, watch the in-depth video of PatmanQC below.
#3 James Gunn’s Superman controversy – By the time you are reading this, James Gunn’s Superman movie is already playing in theaters around the world. Just before it was released, James Gunn confirmed in a media interview that his take on DC Comics’ icon is indeed political and he even used the word “jerks” to refer to those who reject his movie. For analysis, explanations and opinions, watch the videos below.
#4 You, Me and the Movies react to Cannonall Run II – Believe it or not, the first Cannonball Run movie I ever saw was the 2nd movie titled Cannonball Run II. Released worldwide in 1984, Cannonball Run II had an all-star cast, stunts and a lot of comedy but ultimately it failed to match the commercial success of its predecessor. You, Me and the Movies recently posted its reaction video of the sequel and it deserves your attention.
#5 When Obama mocked Donald Trump – Remember back in 2011 when Barack Obama – and the elite – mocked Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner? Back then, Obama was US President and he abused his authority to put down Trump (who was rumored to run for President in the 2012 contest) to conveniently boost his own chances of for re-election. Not only that, Obama’s elite allies also pounced on Trump. By today’s standards, the 2011 event is painful for the liberals, the woke, the Satanic Left and the Democratic Party because Trump got elected as US President twice. No matter what Obama and the Satanic Left did, Trump only got stronger and hit back at them hard. Watch the video below.
Recently in the city of Parañaque, NBI agents arrested two people and seized illegal vape products that have been estimated to be worth almost P4 million, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). This development is the result of a successful entrapment operation by the NBI.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested two individuals and seized PHP3.9 million worth of illegal vape products in an operation in Parañaque City.
In a press briefing, NBI Director Jaime Santiago identified the suspects as Ace Garcia and Reginald Llanto, who were arrested by operatives of the NBI’s Cavite North District Office (NBI-CAVIDO-North) on Wednesday.
According to the NBI, the CAVIDO-North received information on the sale and distribution of illegal vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products.
After presenting a sample, the NBI received a certification from the Department of Trade and Industry – Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (DTI-OSMV) that the vape products submitted were considered “unregulated and substandard.”
Operatives conducted an entrapment against the two suspects, resulting in the seizure of 49 master cases which contain 8,200 pieces of vape pods and 1,600 pieces of vape devices, among others, with an estimated value of PHP3.92 million.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you think the sale and distribution of illegal vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products in the city will only get worse over the next six months?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
It has been more than a week since Microsoft announced its latest round of layoffs affecting not only thousands of employees but also Team Xbox, its game studios and certain game projects as well.
To be clear, this is not the first time Microsoft had layoffs this year but it is much more significant because the latest layoff round hit Xbox really hard and already Xbox fans and gamers saw their excitement about future video games drop. It is important to keep in mind that Microsoft and its Xbox division are both profitable which makes the new round of layoffs baffling to some. So far this year, over 15,000 employees were laid of by the technology giant. With the layoffs affecting Xbox’s developers and projects, there are matters that concerned both the Xbox fans and gamers who could have joined in.
Firstly, the Xbox game studio The Initiative will be closing down and their high-profile game Perfect Dark (which involved Crystal Dynamics) has officially been cancelled. This is tragic because Team Xbox had the opportunity to reboot the decades-old Perfect Dark franchise, delight the long-time PD fans while offering other gamers something new and exciting to play. A lot of gamers have been anticipating Perfect Dark for many years now only to end up frustrated.
The Perfect Dark reboot is no more!
Secondly, the successful and reliable Xbox game studio Turn 10 saw several of its employees laid off and their team will reportedly work as a supporter for Playground Games. For the newcomers reading this, Turn 10 created and built up the Forza Motorsport franchise of simulation racing games that started in 2005. To see Turn 10 get demoted and work on support duty for Playground Games on the Forza Horizon franchise is just very odd and baffling. Could this mean that Forza Motorsport (2023) is the last game of its franchise? Do you think a leaner Turn 10 will still be able to make another Forza Motorsport game?
Thirdly, the much-delayed Xbox game Everwildgot cancelled and its developer also suffered from the Microsoft layoffs. This unfortunate development only added to the perception that developer Rare (the team behind many hit games it made with Nintendo decades ago) kept going downhill creatively, critically and commercially. Considering how long the game development lasted, I can only imagine that many millions of Dollars were spent on Everwild and Microsoft decided to pull the plug.
Fourthly and most notably, Xbox head Phil Spencer’s official email (addressed to employees) related with the huge layoffs was revealed and its content has been posted below for you to see. Some parts in boldface…
Today we are sharing decisions that will impact colleagues across our organization. To position Gaming for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas, we will end or decrease work in certain areas of the business and follow Microsoft’s lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness. Out of respect for those impacted today, the specifics of today’s notifications and any organizational shifts will be shared by your team leaders in the coming days.
I recognize that these changes come at a time when we have more players, games, and gaming hours than ever before. Our platform, hardware, and game roadmap have never looked stronger. The success we’re seeing currently is based on tough decisions we’ve made previously. We must make choices now for continued success in future years and a key part of that strategy is the discipline to prioritize the strongest opportunities. We will protect what is thriving and concentrate effort on areas with the greatest potential, while delivering on the expectations the company has for our business. This focused approach means we can deliver exceptional games and experiences for players for generations to come.
Do you miss the good old days of Xbox? Are you a long-time Xbox gamer who became disappointed over Team Xbox’s decisions and releases? You are not alone!
Prioritizing our opportunities is essential, but that does not lessen the significance of this moment. Simply put, we would not be where we are today without the time, energy, and creativity of those whose roles are impacted. These decisions are not a reflection of the talent, creativity, and dedication of the people involved. Our momentum is not accidental—it is the result of years of dedicated effort from our teams.
HR is working directly with impacted employees to provide severance plan benefits (aligned with local laws), including pay, healthcare coverage, and job placement resources to support their transition. Employees whose roles were eliminated are encouraged to explore open positions across Microsoft Gaming, where their applications will be given priority review.
Thank you to everyone who has shaped our culture, our products, and our community. We will move forward with deep appreciation and respect for all who have contributed to this journey.
This is my opinion about Spencer’s message…as head of Xbox, Spencer is really powerless and he has no choice but to follow orders from Microsoft’s top management whose views about video game culture and interests do not really match with what we gamers and the game makers have. For Microsoft’s leadership, they have a business to run but it is clear that gaming (electronic entertainment) won’t be going away soon and they will keep investing more money in video game projects. Of course, Microsoft expects healthy returns on its investments which is why they will keep the Game Pass subscription service moving, offer games to varied users (console, computer, mobile and cloud) and they will push through with the next-generation Xbox with AMD as a bigger strategic partner.
Regarding layoffs reaching thousands, it is depressing on face value because those who lost their jobs will have to deal with the high costs of living in first world economies like the United States and in parts of Europe. However, I see an opportunity that others cannot see…the opportunity for Team Xbox to get rid of their least-productive employees as well as laying off the woke activists scattered among the employees of the many Xbox game studios. As seen in entertainment over the past several years, woke activists working in movies, video games, comic books and TV shows do not prioritize quality, do not care about the fans, and they keep on abusing the company resources as they prioritized their Leftist agenda. Is it any wonder why modern entertainment sucks? Did you notice the use of pronouns in Xbox games?
To be fair, Microsoft and Team Xbox both have been woke for years already. In America, the tone of society has changed drastically ever since Donald Trump successfully returned as United States President. Perhaps Microsoft and Xbox executives realized that they should get rid of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) from their business practices and corporate culture before the wave of change under Trump’s America leaves them behind. As of this writing, Trump is making America great again and the woke know they are losing the culture war.
As US President Trump is reshaping America to be great again, meritocracy has become essential too. This means DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) really has no place in government, business, entertainment and culture. DEI must DIE!
I can only speculate that as Xbox game studios each have less employees to work with, there could be a renewed effort to focus more on making high-quality video games that are both enjoyable to play and worth the money of customers. The Outer Worlds 2, which will be released this October, has an eye-catching American price of $79.99 (regular edition) and already a lot of gamers – including The Outer Worlds fans – find the price excessive.
The way things are right now, the future of Xbox looks gloomy and the excitement of the Xbox fans and other gamers have weakened. That being said, we can only wait and see what will happen next in the near future. Perhaps a month from now, Team Xbox will clarify what direction they are headed to and what exciting projects or events fans can still look forward to.
How do you gamers feel about Xbox gaming right now? If you are an Xbox fan, are you feeling disappointed with the cancellation of Perfect Dark and Everwild? Do you think it is time for Team Xbox’s leadership to be changed now that Microsoft impacted the gaming projects and work forces?
In preparation for the next edition of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that the nationwide voter registration process will be held from August 1 to 10, 2025, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the resumption of the nationwide voter registration next month for the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) later this year.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the Commission’s seven-member panel has approved the holding of the 10-day voter registration activities from Aug. 1 to 10.
“The Commission en banc has approved the resumption of voter registration for the BSKE,” he said in an interview.
He noted that the resumption of the voter registration has been decided to ensure that those looking to vote in the village and youth polls will be able to vote, particularly those aged 15 to 17 years old.
“We are still waiting if the BSKE will push through or not. The problem is, if it pushes through on Dec. 1 and we have not conducted voter registration, we won’t have voters, especially in the 15 to 17 years old age group,” he explained.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has yet to sign the proposed bill setting the terms of village and youth officials.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel confident that the BSKE will push through this year? Are many voters aged 15 to 17-years-old in your local community eager to vote in the Sangguniang Kabataan polls?
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Author Carlo Carrasco 