Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss the biggest stories of the past week, starting with the mixed messages over whether Xbox Game Pass is heading to Nintendo and PlayStation consoles. While Xbox CFO Tim Stuart said last week that this is part of the company's long-term strategy (echoing comments from Xbox boss Phil Spencer five years ago), Spencer has since said this is not on the cards. Which is unsurprising given the number of obstacles such a move would need to overcome (as Rob Fahey disc...
Dec 04, 2023•26 min
On our latest Microcast, James Batchelor and Chris Dring discuss the fallout of Embracer Group's ongoing restructure, as revealed by its recent financial results that confirmed over 900 people were laid off in the space of three months. We discuss the strategy that led directly to Embracer's struggles, as well as whether these issues are a sign of further turbulent times to come for the wider industry. The conversation also covers the value of video games, a discussion prompted by recent comment...
Nov 20, 2023•28 min
The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast returns, bringing you a digestible dose of the biggest news and analysis from the business of video games. On this episode, James Batchelor and Christopher Dring discuss the upcoming reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, and how the development team behind it has changed since the launch of the record-breaking Grand Theft Auto 5 back in 2013. We also discuss the reports regarding the allegedly strained development of Modern Warfare 3 (reports that Sledgehammer Games has s...
Nov 14, 2023•22 min
James Batchelor and Chris Dring dive into the implications of this week's Xbox leak - and debate whether the industry truly learned anything of value. Among the revelations discussed are Microsoft targeting 2028 for its next Xbox console, full details of two mid-generation refreshes for Xbox Series X and S that are expected to launch next year, a hybrid cloud gaming platform due to launch by 2028, Bethesda's future line-up of games, and Spencer's ambition to acquire Nintendo. We also ponder the ...
Sep 20, 2023•23 min
James Batchelor and Brendan Sinclair dive into the backlash around Unity's proposed Runtime Fee. As the industry waits for the engine provider's revised plan to charge developers for every install of their game (past certain thresholds), we look at how Unity could have handled both the announcement and the need for more revenue in a different way. We also discuss the impact on developers and their trust in the tech firm, as well as the games industry's concerning reliance on two engine providers...
Sep 18, 2023•25 min
The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics and discuss the biggest stories of the past week. We start with a recap of Gamescom Opening Night Live before looking forward to the high-profile hits due for release in the run-up to Christmas - particularly the crowded October slate. Which titles do we expect to do well? Which ones face stiffer competition, and how will this affect their chances? And which titles are we particularly looking forward to? There's also more thoughts on the new Mi...
Aug 25, 2023•45 min
On today's GI Microcast, Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss the latest developments in the ongoing saga that is Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This morning it was announced the CMA has fully blocked the original deal, but a modified deal is now undergoing a phase one investigation with the aim to have a final decision on the transaction by October 18. The biggest change is that this deal excludes cloud gaming rights, which have been divested to Assassin's Creed pub...
Aug 22, 2023•24 min
In the final episode of this series of the Playable Futures Podcast, Will Freeman chats to Mitu Khandaker, CEO and Co-Founder of mobile studio Glow Up Games, about the impact of AI on games and what they mean for the future of play. The Playable Futures Podcast accompanies Playable Futures, a collection of insights, interviews and articles from global games leaders sharing their visions of where the industry and medium will go next. A series of ten articles so far have been published on GamesInd...
Aug 18, 2023•46 min
In today's Microcast, we discuss two of the biggest stories of the week. First, we debate Microsoft's newly announced Xbox enforcement system, which will issue 'strikes' to players for violations of its code of conduct ranging from cheating and profanity to harassment and hate speech. Eight strikes earns a one-year suspension, but is the system too lenient? And how effective do we think it will be at addressing the issue of toxicity in multiplayer games? Then we ponder the future of Call of Duty...
Aug 17, 2023•25 min
After eleven and a half years at UKIE, Jo’s imminent move to the music industry, where she will be serving as CEO of the British Phonographic Industry, felt like an appropriate opportunity to pause and reflect on her tenure and the importance of play. Speaking with us at Develop in Brighton, she explained that play has always encompassed more than just games. The Playable Futures Podcast accompanies Playable Futures, a collection of insights, interviews and articles from global games leaders sha...
Aug 04, 2023•34 min
James Batchelor and Christopher Dring discuss a busy week in the ongoing saga that is Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Following the denial of the FTC's preliminary injunction, the denial of its request for an extension to the temporary restraining order, and the denial of its appeal, there is seemingly nothing to stop Microsoft completing the deal in the US before its deadline tomorrow. And with a ten-year deal signed with Sony to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation, the ba...
Jul 17, 2023•24 min
The latest episode of Playable Futures features a conversation with Deborah Mensah-Bonsu, who is the founder of dmb crew. Her flagship initiative is Games for Good, which focuses on helping studios and the wider industry harness games for social impact. Will and Deborah discuss the opportunity presented by the proliferation of games on mobile to unlock societal and behavioural change for good. “People are starting to understand that what it means to be a gamer is not what it was ten years ago,” ...
Jun 30, 2023•36 min
The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast is back. In today's episode, James Batchelor and Chris Dring reflect on the revelations so far from the court hearing between the Federal Trade Commission and Microsoft over the latter's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. As you can tell from our ongoing roundup, it's hard to gauge whether any progress is actually being made here but there are certainly some interesting tidbits coming out from the various parties involved that make for great headlines. W...
Jun 29, 2023•24 min
The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics to reflect on this year's cavalcade of video game showcases. We've already shared our favourite indie titles from the likes of Summer Game Fest, Xbox Games Showcase, Day of the Devs, Wholesome Direct and more, while Chris Dring reviewed his experience of the first physical Summer Game Fest event. Now we discuss the overall line-up of the week-and-a-bit, our personal highlights, areas we'd like to see improvement, and how we think this collectio...
Jun 20, 2023•43 min
Shawne Benson, Global Head of Third Party Portfolio & Acquisitions at Sony Interactive Entertainment and Laila Shabirm, Founder & CEO of Girls Make Games speak to Will Freeman for the latest instalment of our Playable Futures Series. Our eighth outing sees us tackling what continues to be a prominent talking point within the industry - women in games. For a sector often associated with toxic stereotypes around gender, this enlightening chat looks at the ways in which the industry has cha...
Jun 16, 2023•43 min
James and Brendan discuss two of the biggest stories of the day in our latest GamesIndustry.biz Microcast. We start by wrapping up our coverage of the major summer games showcases, discussing the line-up at yesterday's Ubisoft Forward. The conversation touches on everything from the narrative dilemmas of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora to the more-than-a-little awkward introduction of Netflix animated series Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix. Then we turn our attention to this morning's annou...
Jun 13, 2023•23 min
Continuing our breakdown of the biggest summer games showcases, James and Marie reflect on the line-up Microsoft showed off at last night's Xbox Games Showcase. Headlined by the likes of Fable and Star Wars: Outlaws, with a good old fashioned hardware reveal and a lot more information on the upcoming Starfield, the showcase gave a great insight into what Microsoft's first-party studios are working on as it continues to beef up its offering. We discuss our highlights of the show, but be sure to r...
Jun 12, 2023•25 min
The GamesIndustry.biz microcast returns as we discuss the biggest announcements from this year's Summer Game Fest: Kickoff Live. James and Marie share their thoughts on the most promising games, as well as the tone and quality of the overall line-up. And, inevitably, the conversation shifts towards the usual 'do we need E3/Not-E3?' discourse. If you missed this year's Summer Game Fest, be sure to catch up on all the news with our handy roundup. As always, you can get more news, insight and analy...
Jun 09, 2023•23 min
The GamesIndustry.biz team gathers around their mics to discuss the biggest stories in the business of video games. This week, we dive deeper into the potential for cloud gaming - a technology the UK competition regulator believes will become so big that it's using this as ground to block the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Following our recent conversation with analysts on the true impact cloud streaming might have on the industry, we share our own thoughts on the many, many barri...
Jun 05, 2023•54 min
Chris and James offer a bite-sized breakdown of yesterday's PlayStation Showcase, from the new hardware revealed to the glimpses at Sony's future first-party line-up. As well as rounding up some of the highlights, the discussion dives a little deeper into the potential audience and use cases for the Project Q handheld streaming device, Remedy's decision to release Alan Wake 2 as a digital-only title, and Sony's latest steps into the live service arena. You can get more news, analysis and insight...
May 25, 2023•22 min
GamesIndustry.biz's Chris Dring and James Batchelor deliver another short, sharp analysis of the biggest stories happening across the business of video games. Today's microcast covers: Take-Two's latest financial results Ubisoft's latest financial results Strauss Zelnick: Key companies took E3 for granted Next week's PlayStation Showcase As always, any feedback on this new show format would be appreciated. Please email news@gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...
May 19, 2023•21 min
Welcome to the new GamesIndustry.biz Microcast. In addition to our full-length, in-depth discussions of key topics from across the industry, we are also experimenting with a new short-form format in which we analyse the biggest stories as they break. Today's episode covers the European Commission's approval of Microsoft's proposed Activision Blizzard acquisition, the record-breaking UK launch sales of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Amazon's announcement of a new Lord of the Rings...
May 16, 2023•22 min
The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics to discuss the biggest stories from the business of video games. This week, we discuss the recent cancellation of E3 2023, the myriad factors behind it, and what comes next for the long-running trade show. With the industry's needs changing over the years, and the rise of new ways to reach your audience, the very purpose of E3 has been the ongoing subject of debate - so how can the event evolve in the future? For further context around this dis...
Apr 06, 2023•48 min
Episode seven of the Playable Futures podcast turns its attention to the future of game consumption, and the shift in the dynamic between user, creator and platform. The result was a wide-ranging, insightful conversation between two brilliant guests – Stephanie King, Chief Administrative and Legal Officer and Playco, and Karol Severin, Senior analyst, VP of data, and Co-Founder at MIDiA Research. Both brought robust analysis and fascinating data – and a lot of vibrancy and infectious Through the...
Mar 17, 2023•57 min
The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics to discuss the biggest stories of the past week. On this episode, we begin with the report that 2023's Call of Duty release will be a follow-up to 2022's Modern Warfare 2 that originally began an expansion. It will plug the previously reported gap that could have seen this year become the first since 2005 not to see a new entry in the series, with Treyarch's next game pushed to 2024. We ponder Call of Duty's reliance on an annual release, Activ...
Mar 03, 2023•49 min
Marcia Deakin, Co-Founder of Next Gen Skills Academy, Shahneila Saeed, Head of Education at UKIE and Director of Digital Schoolhouse and Keira McGarvey, Head of People at FuturLab join Will Freeman for the latest edition of our Playable Futures Series. Episode six of the Playable Futures podcast assembles a panel of experts to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the industry’s talent pipeline, and how the sector finds itself at a crossroads in terms of future proofing recruitment for the ...
Feb 24, 2023•42 min
The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics to ponder the year ahead. Rather than offering predictions on what we think will happen in the business of video games this year, we share our hopes for what we want to see. The discussion ranges from serious concerns such as the desire to see more unionisation among developers and fewer immoral monetisation practices, to more personal wishes such as more innovative AAA games, a fresh wave of quirky indie titles and, er, the return of companion...
Jan 18, 2023•46 min
The latest of our Playable Futures series tackles the industry's foundational duo - Publisher and Developer - and looks at what the future holds for Publishing in a sector in which the rate of change is rapid and accelerating. It’s also one in which the balance between Community, Audience, Developer and Publisher has shifted irrevocably. For Episode 5, presenter Will Freeman speaks to Jean-Paul Hardy, General Manager of Gearbox Amsterdam and Thomas Hegarty, Founder and Director of Roll7. Veteran...
Jan 06, 2023•36 min
The GamesIndustry.biz team gathers around their mics and discusses their favourite games of the year. In addition, we discuss several of the honourable mentions, the titles we've delved deeply into throughout the course of 2022 but haven't quite established themselves as our favourites. You can read our full thoughts on each member of the team's on the site throughout this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 14 min
It’s a double whammy for our latest episode of the Playable Futures Podcast, with gaming communities at the centre of the discussion. For this episode, presenter Will Freeman chats to Mark Reed, Founder of Heaven Media to reflect on gaming’s relationship with marketing and the important role that communities play in shaping its landscape. He then interviews Romain de Waubert de Genlis, Studio Head and Chief Creative Officer at Amplitude Studios who discusses how his platform Games2Gether aims to...
Dec 19, 2022•1 hr 10 min
