Gaming the Political Landscape
Plus Amazon makes some big changes in their gaming plans
The U.S. government is using gaming imagery in its recruitment advertisements for ICE. Also, is Rockstar Games busting unions? All this and more. Let’s go!
When politics abuses gaming IP
After Microsoft announced that Halo was coming to PlayStation, retailer GameStop penned a funny press release declaring that the console war was over on Twitter. No one expected commentary from the White House and a misuse of Halo imagery in recruiting for ICE.
Shortly after the GameStop announcement, The White House posted an AI-generated image of President Donald Trump on Twitter wearing Halo armor saying “Power to the Players.” Following that, the Department of Homeland Security posted an advertisement to join ICE using Halo graphics.
One would think Microsoft might weigh in on the use of their intellectual property in this highly polarizing campaign by the U.S. government. However, the mega-corporation has refused to comment on the usage. Some view this lack of comment as acceptance by Microsoft of the use of their imagery in ICE advertisements.
While the publishers of Halo refused to say anything, a few members of the team that originally created the game were appalled by the usage, saying it “crossed a line.” Jaime Griesemer, a designer on Halo: Combat Evolved and lead on Halo 2 told Game File:
Using Halo imagery in a call to ‘destroy’ people because of their immigration status goes way too far, and ought to offend every Halo fan, regardless of political orientation.I personally find it despicable. The Flood are evil space zombie parasites and are not an allegory to any group of people.
This is not the first time ICE has used video games in their recruitment efforts. Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security used the Pokémon theme song in a montage of ICE raids. The Guardian points out that this is a tactic long used by the Trump administration to “mobilise a toxic subculture of rootless white males.”
Amazon changes the game
Amazon is laying off over 14,000 employees, including significant cuts in their gaming division according to a new report.
One of their biggest transitions is moving away from MMOs. Amazon announced it is officially ending development for their game New World. The game will remain online through 2026, but no further updates will be released. From the New World website:
After four years of steady content updates and a major new console release, we've reached a point where it is no longer sustainable to continue supporting the game with new content updates.
Amazon also reportedly cancelled a Lord of the Rings MMO it was developing. The company plans to focus development around their Luna platform and focus on party games and casual AI-focused games.
Not-so-Rockstar
Rockstar Games is accused of union busting, after firing between 30-40 employees in the United Kingdom and Canada who were members of a union Discord channel.
In an interview with The Verge, head of global corporate communications at Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive Alan Lewis says the firings were “for gross misconduct, and for no other reason,” but did not elaborate further.
Alex Marshall, president of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) said the organization will “pursue every legal claim possible to ensure our members are reinstated and receive interim relief.” Marshall also stated:
Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry. This flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions is an insult to their fans and the global industry.
Side Quests (more stories worth reading)
📅 A new update including a (paid) upgrade for Switch 2 is coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons in early 2026.
😯 The Simpsons and their hometown of Springfield are now in Fortnite for a limited time.
💰 Roblox has paid out a billion dollars to creators on its platform so far in 2025.
📊 Xbox hardware sales are down 29%, while third-party content sales are "better-than-expected.”
🔫 EA released Battlefield REDSEC, a free-to-play battle royale game that accompanies Battlefield 6.
🧛🏻 Another free-to-play battle royal game is going away in April of 2026, as Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt will shut down.
😄 The Outer Worlds 2 makes fun of people who paid extra to play the game early.
🎞️ In the late ‘90s, Konami shot down a request from The Matrix creators the Wachowskis to have Hideo Kojima make a game based on the movie.
🤖 A new report claims that EA’s management is urging staff to use AI for “just about everything.”
🎮 A Resident Evil Requiem Switch 2 Pro Controller is up for preorder and will release with the game in 2026.
📈 Round Numbers: RV There Yet? sold over 1.3 million copies in a week.
New Releases this week:
Check out our article on 11 New Games to Play in November.
11/4: Europa Universalis V (PC)
11/4: Football Manager 26 (PlayStation, Xbox and PC)
11/6: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (Switch)
11/6: Syberia Remastered (PlayStation, Xbox and PC)
11/6: Unbeatable (PlayStation, Xbox and PC)
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