War, War Never Changes...💥

Welcome back to Gamer Dad Energy! A newsletter that covers gaming news, tips, and nostalgia for busy gamers.

Gaming has changed a lot over the last 25 years, but some things never change. We still love jumping into a great co-op campaign, discovering a game that comes out of nowhere, and arguing about whether new ideas are actually making gaming better.

This week, we’re looking back at the Xbox memories that helped turn us into Gamer Dads, while also looking ahead to Gears of War: E-Day. We’re also breaking down the confusing mess of Halo armor unlocks and showing you how to claim yours today. Plus, we’ve got another trivia question for the old-school gamers out there.

Grab a drink, find five minutes, and let’s get into it.

Xbox is celebrating 25 years! For us here at Gamer Dad Energy, Xbox has been the main platform we have become Gamer Dads on. Now we play PC, VR, Handhelds, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Switch. If you haven’t noticed, our platform of choice is usually Xbox.

For me, my journey started with a Nintendo at my Grandma’s house. I have no idea how or why my grandma had a Nintendo, but I was there all the time growing up, and it was so cool to play that thing while my mom was cutting hair during the day.

My first console was Sega, and Sonic was my boy! I beat Sonic 1 and 2 a hundred times! Then back to the Nintendo 64, which was mind-blowing. Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the first RPG I had beaten in my life, and it took years to accomplish that. Damn, you Water Temple!

PlayStation 2 was next, and I was still controlled in what I could play and buy, but when it was time to move to PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. I got the 360!

I remember being finally old enough to buy my own games without parental oversight. I think that moment solidified the Xbox as one of the most impactful consoles in my life.

For the 25th Anniversary, Xbox released a fan video about everyone's best Xbox moment from the last 25 years. Mine was playing Gears of War 3 Co-op with my buddies, and they crashed at my house. We woke up that morning and finished the crazy Bug lady boss. I can’t remember if that game was also the end of Dom and Marcus. Now that I think of it, that was the last coop game I beat with those guys before life took us all in separate directions.

Gaming and Xbox have impacted our lives for the better, and we love everything about it. We want to hear from you!

Whether it is Xbox or a different system. Reply to this email and tell us what one of the most impactful memories you have of gaming in the last 25 years was!

_-MadHad

Sony has responded to criticism over its decision to stop producing physical PlayStation games, but the company does not appear interested in changing course.

Sony announced in July that physical disc production for all new games released on PlayStation consoles will end in January 2028. Games released before that date will not be affected, and customers will still be able to buy new releases digitally through the PlayStation Store or participating retailers.

As reported by Vice, Sony Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao addressed the backlash during the company’s July 31 earnings presentation. Tao acknowledged that physical games carry strong memories and emotional value for many players. However, she said Sony spent considerable time reviewing the decision and plans to move forward cautiously.

Sony’s sales figures might give some insights on the decision. It’s reported that during the first quarter of its 2026 fiscal year, 82% of full-game sales across PS4 and PS5 were digital downloads. This data point is interesting as it appears Sony is also counting free digital games in the calculation, skewing the impact of the data. Sony has not officially revealed the PS6 or confirmed whether it will include a disc drive, but ending new disc production in 2028 would effectively make future PlayStation releases digital-only.

From a business standpoint, Sony’s reasoning isn’t surprising. Most customers already buy digitally, (perhaps not 82% when they actually have to pay money though…) and removing manufacturing, shipping and retail costs could improve margins. Still, physical games remain valuable. They give consumers more choices, create competition with digital storefront pricing, and allow games to be shared, sold, collected and preserved.

Xbox may now have an opportunity to capitalize on Sony’s decision. Microsoft is reportedly exploring ways to convert eligible Xbox discs into digital licenses, potentially helping players carry older collections forward. It has not confirmed whether its next console will include a disc drive, but Xbox appears more interested in addressing consumer concerns and sees the opportunity Sony is giving the market players.

Sony may believe digital is the future, but fewer options are rarely better for consumers. If Xbox supports physical collections while Sony continues doing its own thing, Microsoft could have a significant win with the next generation consoles and into the future.

_-BensZ28

This is legitimate! Unlike the new Halo remake (which I thought was not as bad as everyone is crying about), this game will bring Gears of War back to the spotlight! I have not been able to get my hands on the game yet. But as our Gamer Dad ranks swell every day, we will be able to bring exclusive looks to our Gamer Dad Energy readers! That day will come!

They have announced a very interesting Multiplayer mode! It is a 3-team mode, and your team will be given different objectives during the match. The quicker you complete them, the more points you will score. You will come across the other teams trying to complete their objectives. You will be able to aid them or walk past them. I am not sure if they will let you engage them yet, but that could be an update after they see whether people like working with other teams or want to fight against them.

It seems like an intense PVE Horde mode! I am here for it! As long as I can get my kids in bed on time and get to my gaming rig before work the next day! Hey, boss, I feel the darkness coming for me on E-Day!

Dom and Marcus are back. They have been missed! For some reason, I just couldn’t finish Gears 5. I just didn’t feel connected to the story like when it was Dom and Marcus fighting side by side. I love me some Cole Train as well! I hope we will see the original cast get together, and that it is a full story about how everyone meets for the first time!

I need a Band of Brothers-type game right now. I feel like Arc Raiders was touching those thoughts at times when you got done with a great raid, and you were able to come on top after 2-3 PvP battles with your crew, but I need an amazing story Co-op experience that makes me pissed off if my buddy plays it further before we can get back on together!

That’s the game I think we are getting with Gears of War E-day!

_-MadHad

I am all for giving Master Chief a few new look and Halo: Campaign Evolved includes several different armor styles that let players change Chief’s appearance throughout the campaign. Some are clean and classic, while others are colorful enough to make the Covenant wonder what kind of Spartan just landed on the ring. The problem is not the armor. The problem is finding it.

Instead of unlocking most of these skins by completing missions, finding collectibles, beating the campaign on Legendary, or finishing difficult challenges, players are being sent all over the internet. One skin requires Discord. Another requires two hours of Twitch. One is limited to verified students through UNiDAYS. Another requires specially marked bottles of Fanta. There is even an armor style locked behind a $75 Mattel Warthog building set.

That is a lot to keep track of, especially when several promotions are only available for a short time. The Hidden Blade Discord reward ended August 3, while the Stream of the Crop Twitch Drop ends today, August 4. Players who do not follow Halo’s social accounts every day could easily miss them.

I miss the good old days of Halo: Reach. You played the game, earned credits, increased your rank, and bought armor from the Armory. When someone had an impressive helmet or armor combination, you knew they had put time into the game to earn it. Your Spartan felt like a record of everything you had accomplished.

There is nothing wrong with an occasional promotional skin. Those have been around forever. However, when so many cosmetics are scattered across different companies, websites, accounts, codes, and limited-time promotions, customization starts feeling more like homework.

Regardless, we are here now and we’ve complied a list of some armor skins that area still available to be unlocked!

Redeem these through the Halo Waypoint code redemption page. Sign in with the same Microsoft account connected to Halo: Campaign Evolved. Promotional cosmetics redeemed through Waypoint sync across linked platforms.

Damascus Prototype Armor Style

Code: GWT9-DNBT-7X9S-DJCX-8KH3

Sandstone Ancient Armor Style

Code: L563-J46G-PZN1-SBF2-AXN6

Stream of the Crop Mark V Armor Style

Connect your Twitch account to Halo Waypoint, then watch two hours of an eligible Halo: Campaign Evolved stream with Drops enabled. Once the requirement is complete, claim the reward from your Twitch Drops inventory. You may also need to claim it through the Twitch Drops section on Halo Waypoint.

Use the official Halo Twitch Drop instructions and visit the Twitch Drops page.

Deadline: August 4, 2026.

Shadowfrost Armor Style

Shadowfrost is limited to verified students through UNiDAYS. (Which kinda sucks as how limited this makes this skin.) Create or sign into a UNiDAYS account, verify your student status, and open the Xbox Halo offer. Select Get a Master Chief skin to receive the redemption code. Visit the UNiDAYS Xbox Halo offer.

The promotion is available for a limited time, and the deadline may vary by regional UNiDAYS listing.

Fantastic Spartan Armor Style

Purchase a specially marked Fanta product displaying the Xbox25 logo. Scan the QR code on the package, create or sign into a Coca-Cola account, complete one of the Rewards Chest challenges, and select the Fantastic Spartan Armor as your reward. A unique Waypoint code will be sent by email.

Availability depends on your region and whether specially marked products are still available. Many of our fellow Spartans have had issues with not ever getting a skin code from Fanta. No solution is in sight yet, but hopefully they can get everything sorted out with this one.

Ignition Armor Style

The Ignition skin is included with the Mattel Brick Shop Hot Wheels UNSC M12 Warthog building set. The unique redemption code will be included inside the package. Halo Studios says the skin is exclusive to the United States version of the product. The set is available to preorder through Mattel’s official store and is scheduled for full release on October 1, 2026.

Once any skin has been redeemed, launch the game and select Customization, followed by Armor, to equip it.

Again, while these customization options are cool, the process to get them takes us out of the game and doesn’t feel rewarding. Isn’t the point of unlocks like this to get us to keep playing the game? Maybe that’s more telling than is should be…

_-BensZ28

This game hit me like a ton of bricks from nowhere. I wasn't tracking this game till last week, and it could very well be a Game of the Year when it drops. We probably aren’t going to see it till 2027.

What we do know is that you have Layla and Cross who seem to be fighting on different ideological sides. They have a common enemy, and they must work together to save themselves. The opening trailer was fantastic. This game looks to be a nod to Metal Gear Solid 5 and Army of Two. I am hoping it will have a full Co-op mode when it launches, but if it is purely a single-player experience, I can feel the darkness creeping on me again!

The studio that this game is coming from is called That’s No Moon. This is the first game they have made yet. They also have $100 million in backing. That should do the trick. Another thing you need to know is that they are built from former Call of Duty, Last of Us, and God of War Devs!

You need to watch the trailer that dropped for Summerfest 2026!

These guys know how to tell a story and make it very engaging! I am super excited that it is based on modern combat operators. I think that is why Call of Duty Modern Warfare did so well!

The devs have done a public interview about their game. They have mentioned a new game mechanic called adaptive cover.

There aren’t box or pillar structures for your player to snap to anymore. The character mechanic will switch to the enemy's point of view and adjust their body to place any object between the enemy and you. As you watch the trailer, you can see how the main character uses rocks and shadows to move their body and stay out of the enemy's line of sight. It feels like a modern Splinter Cell movement!

I’m excited, almost as excited I get when the wifey wants 12 seconds of Heaven. Maybe 15 seconds now.

Here is an extensive interview with the dev team talking about Crossfire!

_-MadHad

A. A professional gymnast

B. Creator Jordan Mechner himself

C. Jordan Mechner’s younger brother

D. A Hollywood stunt performer

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Catch the Live Stream on Twitch here: Backwards Compatibility

Answer: C. Jordan Mechner’s younger brother

Fun fact: Jordan Mechner filmed his 15-year-old brother, David, running, jumping and climbing, then used rotoscoping to turn those movements into the game’s remarkably smooth character animations.