GamesIndustry.biz — Latest games industry news

Latest update2026-09-16 11:04:58 UTC

1.Bohemia Interactive takes minority stake in Everwind developer Enjoy StudioSophie McEvoy · 3h agoBohemia Interactive has secured an undisclosed minority stake in Polish developer Enjoy Studio, creator of co-op FPS survival RPG Everwind. Read more
2.Why the publisher of Nintendo Life is launching a new PC gaming siteJon Hicks · 5h agoGames media publisher Hookshot has launched Steam Hype , a new PC-focused media outlet. It is the fifth site launched by Hookshot – in which GamesIndustry.biz parent IGN Entertainment holds a minority
3.Why switching main characters for your game's sequel might be a mistakeLewis Packwood · 23h agoChristian Fonnesbech is a well-known name in the North European games industry. He was previously head of IP development at Nordisk Film Games, but in 2019 he founded Leverage in Copenhagen to help ga
4.Sega and Netflix announce partnership to develop Crazy Taxi, Sonic, and Stranger Than Heaven adaptationsSophie McEvoy · 1d agoSega and Netflix have formed a multi-title partnership to adapt Crazy Taxi, Sonic, and Stranger Than Heaven. Read more
5.Team17 owner Everplay increases shareholding in Wardogs dev Bulkhead, touts strong FY26 resultsSophie McEvoy · 1d agoTeam17 owner Everplay expects strong full-year results, as Bulkhead's Wardogs and Expression Games' Hell Let Loose: Vietnam are outperforming expectations. Read more
6.Curve Games partners with Wayfinder Studios to publish online co-op RPG WyldheartSophie McEvoy · 1d agoCurve Games has partnered with independent developer Wayfinder Studios to publish Wyldheart, its online co-op RPG. Read more
7.Level-5 CEO admits using generative AI in recent showcaseVikki Blake · 2d agoLevel-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino has apologized after confirming that generative AI was used in the studio's recent digital showcase. Read more
8.Valve opens waiting list for Steam Frame, starting at $1059Vikki Blake · 2d agoValve has opened a waiting list for its new VR system, Steam Frame. Read more
9.More than 40% of people cancelling Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions blame rising costsVikki Blake · 2d agoCost is increasingly blamed for gamers choosing to cancel their Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions. Read more
10.Rockstar and IWGB outline arguments at start of tribunalVikki Blake · 2d agoRockstar and the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain have set out their arguments at an ongoing employment tribunal expected to run until October 16. Read more
11.PlayStation allegedly had "concerns over budget, potential profitability, and exclusivity" over Kojima Productions' PhysintSophie McEvoy · 2d agoPlayStation reportedly discontinued its involvement with Kojima Productions' Physint due to "concerns over budget, potential profitability, and exclusivity." Read more
12.Roblox creators will soon be able to publish games on multiple platforms as standalone appsSophie McEvoy · 2d agoRoblox will enable creators to publish their games on mobile, PC, and console through the Roblox Everywhere initiative. Read more
13."What's the harm in asking?" – Dlala Studios on taking a big swing to get comedy legend Bob Mortimer for the upcoming game MuralsAlex Forbes-Calvin · 2d agoThe name Bob Mortimer might not mean much to those who haven't lived in the UK, but he's a huge deal in the world of British comedy. Read more
14.New StarCraft title to launch in 2030, will be an open-world FPSSophie McEvoy · 2d agoBlizzard Entertainment has announced that the next StarCraft title will shift from real-time strategy to an open-world first-person shooter. Read more
15.Moss developer Polyarc Games announces closureSophie McEvoy · 2d agoMoss developer Polyarc Games is shutting down after 12 years in operation. Read more
16.Goodwill Hunting: Consoles’ brand value and loyalty is being tested | OpinionRob Fahey · 5d agoThere’s a really important piece of context that looms behind every decision, every announcement, and every news story about PlayStation or Xbox at the moment. It’s a ticking clock; a countdown to the
17.State of the Unions: the rise of unionisation in games workplacesJames Batchelor · 5d agoThe rise of unions in the video games industry has been a hot topic over the past decade, as more and more workers seek protection for their rights in the face of harsh working conditions and manageme
18.European studio expenditure on external talent rises 63% in 2025Sophie McEvoy · 5d agoIn 2025, European studios increased spending on external roles by 63%, outpacing the global growth rate of 55%. Read more
19.Marvel's Wolverine | Critical consensusSophie McEvoy · 5d agoInsomniac Games' take on Wolverine has had an eventful route to market. Read more
20.Saber Interactive's Tim Willits on generative AI, moving development out of North America, and embracing recognisable IPLewis Packwood · 5d agoSaber Interactive has achieved a lot in the past few years, but the most noticeable recent news to come out of the the company was CEO Matthew Karch's unfiltered response to accusations that a writer
21.Saudi Arabia's PIF reportedly considering to combine EA with Savvy Games GroupSophie McEvoy · 5d agoSaudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly planning to combine Electronic Arts with its subsidiary, Savvy Games Group. Read more
22.Saber Interactive has "no real development in North America any more"Lewis Packwood · 5d agoSaber Interactive's chief creative officer, Tim Willits, has said that the company has "no real development in North America any more." Read more
23.No More Robots' nine-year journey to releasing its first self-developed IP – "This sounds so naive and stupid, but somehow it's working"Alex Forbes-Calvin · 6d agoIt's been nine years since Mike Rose set up the indie publisher No More Robots . Read more
24.GTA 6 Netflix preview drove more than 100,000 sign-ups during its six-hour exclusivity windowSophie McEvoy · 6d agoRockstar's preview of Grand Theft Auto 6 on Netflix generated over 100,000 sign-ups in the US during its six-hour exclusivity window on August 27, making it the platform's third-largest subscriber spi
25.Saber Interactive's chief creative officer says "We've never replaced anybody with AI"Lewis Packwood · 6d agoTim Willits, chief creative officer at Saber Interactive, has given his own take on CEO Matthew Karch's response to accusations that a writer at the company had been replaced with ChatGPT. Read more
26.Newzoo: Most established live-service and evergreen titles were flat or down year over year in H1 2026Sophie McEvoy · 6d agoLive-service and evergreen titles were flat or declined year-over-year in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025, according to Newzoo data. Read more
27.Xbox to publish Kojima Productions' Physint after it "unexpectedly received notice" from PlayStation that it would cancel the projectSophie McEvoy · 6d agoXbox will publish Kojima Productions' upcoming title Physint after the developer "unexpectedly received notice from PlayStation Studios that they would cancel the Physint project" in mid-June. Read mo
28.Almost 1,900 Blizzard workers ratify first union contract with MicrosoftVikki Blake · 7d agoBlizzard Entertainment has secured a first union contract with parent company Microsoft, ratified by a workforce vote covering just under 1,900 staff. Read more
29.Lego Digital Play acquires mobile studio Offroad GamesVikki Blake · 7d agoLego Digital Play has acquired Offroad Games. Read more
30.Epic Games Store to introduce age checks for R18+ games in AustraliaVikki Blake · 7d agoEpic Games will require Australian players to confirm they're 18 or older before downloading or buying R18+ rated titles on the Epic Games Store, starting September 9. Read more
31.Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley launch Nova Games Foundation to fund young designersVikki Blake · 7d agoMark Cerny and Geoff Keighley have launched the Nova Games Foundation, a philanthropic fellowship program aimed at funding young game designers. Read more
32.Keywords Studios combines multiple marketing businesses into global creative agency FreeAnimalSophie McEvoy · 7d agoKeywords Studios has launched FreeAnimal, a new organisation combining seven of its creative agencies, to serve as a single point of contact for developers, publishers, and brands. Read more
33."We probably need a few more Expedition 33s to just prove them wrong" – the maker of Valor Mortis on why publishers should have faith in AAAlex Forbes-Calvin · 7d agoOver the past 12 years, Polish studio One More Level has carved out a niche in the world of AA games with projects whose production values often approach those of AAA titles. Its eye-catching 2020 cyb
34.Frontier Developments FY26 adjusted operating profit jumps 62% to £21.4mSophie McEvoy · 7d agoFrontier Developments has reported record financial results following its June trade update . Read more
35.Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show announces exhibitor lineup for 2026Sophie McEvoy · 7d agoGamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show has announced its exhibitor lineup for this year's event, including Capcom, Bandai Namco, and The Pokémon Company, as well as Nintendo and PlayStation represented by
36.Steam achievements for unreleased and unannounced games leak on aggregators such as Exophase and SteamDBSophie McEvoy · 7d agoAchievements for unreleased and unannounced games on Steam have been leaked, including Fable, Persona 6, Kingdom Hearts 4, and Control Resonant. Read more
37.Why the world needs a Club Penguin successor – that isn't RobloxLewis Packwood · 8d agoClub Penguin – the Disney-owned, Flash-based MMO, which ran from 2005 to 2017 – was a formative experience for a generation of children. Stephen MacDonald, who was a senior manager at Disney from 2012
38.Star Stable Entertainment reduces workforce by 20% to secure long-term future of its multiplayer horse adventure RPGSophie McEvoy · 8d agoSwedish developer Star Stable Entertainment has laid off 20% of its employees following a restructuring program. Read more
39.European game developers are more concerned that AI will pressure them to work faster rather than take their jobSophie McEvoy · 8d ago61% of European game developers are concerned that generative AI will place them under pressure to work faster and produce more, but only 35% think that AI might cause them to lose their job or reduce
40.The Tetris Company says it was "not involved in the creation" of White House parody, takes "copyright infringement very seriously"Sophie McEvoy · 8d agoThe Tetris Company has issued a statement regarding a US government-made parody of its tile-matching puzzle game, which has since been removed . Read more
41.FuturLab cuts staff after cancelling non-Powerwash Simulator titleSophie McEvoy · 8d agoFuturLab has laid off seven employees following the cancellation of a project unrelated to PowerWash Simulator. Read more
42.Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced debuts in Top 5 for PC and console revenue in July | Newzoo ChartsSophie McEvoy · 8d agoRemakes and rereleases drove games revenue in July, with Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced debuting in second on PC and fourth on console in Newzoo's charts. Read more
43.Arm explains its mobile-first AI-reconstruction technology, which takes a different tack from the "black box" approach of DLSS 5Lewis Packwood · 8d agoToday, the British semiconductor and software design company Arm is holding the Arm Everywhere China event in Shanghai to unveil its latest contributions to the AI computing landscape. Read more
44.Don't Nod warns it may not have enough funding to operate beyond January 2027Vikki Blake · 9d agoDon't Nod has warned there is "material uncertainty" over its ability to continue operating beyond January 31, 2027, unless it secures further external financing. Read more
45.Capcom says it will focus on reviving dormant IPs after Onimusha: Way of the Sword's breakout launchVikki Blake · 9d agoCapcom has revealed it will focus on reactivating dormant intellectual property following a strong launch for Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Read more
46."It's not sexy, but it's one of the most successful genres on Steam" – Stronghold developer Firefly launches publishing label to serve the vast strategy marketJon Hicks · 9d agoStronghold developer Firefly is the latest developer to move into publishing, debuting a new strategy-focused label Wuselfaktory and its first title Fool King as part of UKIE's For One Night Only show
47.Sega cancelled its "risky" Super Game project as it "would have to grow enormously to match the scale of the service"Sophie McEvoy · 9d agoSega cancelled its live-service Super Game initiative earlier this year as "taking on this challenge at this time would be too risky." Read more
48.Tim Schafer: "No one puts Double Fine out of business except me"Sophie McEvoy · 9d agoDouble Fine Productions' boss Tim Schafer recently explained how the studio avoided closure following significant layoffs at Xbox , stating, "no one puts Double Fine out of business except for me." Re
49.Gamescom issues apology for initial response to hardware thefts: "It did not show the people affected the empathy they deserve"Sophie McEvoy · 9d agoGamescom has apologised for its initial response to theft reports at this year's event, acknowledging it "did not strike the right tone" or "show the people affected the empathy they deserve." Read mo
50.Niko Partners: Chinese games market surpasses $50bn for the first time in 2025Sophie McEvoy · 9d agoChina's games market surpassed $50 billion for the first time in 2025, growing 5.4% year-on-year to $51.8 billion. Read more
51.PAX Unplugged Houston to debut in June 2027: "It's a chance to bring PAX back to the PAX South fans that missed us"Sophie McEvoy · 12d agoReedPop and Penny Arcade have announced the inaugural PAX Unplugged Houston, scheduled for June 2027. Read more
52.Inside Tencent's long-term strategy: live service, AI tools, and evergreen titlesLewis Packwood · 12d agoMany column inches have been spent questioning the wisdom of focusing on live-service. Sony gambled and lost , as did many other companies chasing the dream of steady recurring revenues, while firms l
53.Nvidia acquires open-source AI platform Hugging Face for $12.9bnSophie McEvoy · 12d agoNvidia has acquired the artificial intelligence platform Hugging Face for $12.9 billion. Read more
54.Future imperfect: Five predictions for the next decade | OpinionRob Fahey · 12d agoA lot of minds around the industry currently seem focused on one thing: the future. Whether it was Amir Satvat's Gamescom Dev keynote , or the plethora of industry luminaries who lined up to discuss o
55.GTA 6 Netflix preview causes PlayStation and Xbox hardware sales to jump in the UKSophie McEvoy · 12d agoPlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S console sales increased in the UK following last week's Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal on Netflix . Read more
56.Xbox adds monthly cloud limits to Game Pass as it "continues to invest in its reliability and performance"Sophie McEvoy · 12d agoXbox will introduce monthly cloud gaming limits for Game Pass subscribers beginning in November 2026. Read more
57.Voting extended for special categories in the Best Places To Work AwardsJon Hicks · 13d agoNow that Gamescom is firmly behind us, the GamesIndustry.biz team is busy judging the entries for this year's Best Places To Work Awards. Entries have closed for our headline awards, which are judged
58.Apple faces £2bn lawsuit over implementation of App Tracking Transparency frameworkSophie McEvoy · 13d agoApple is facing a £2 billion class action lawsuit over the implementation of its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework. Read more
59."We've got a great team, money in the bank, and financial independence": Glowmade comes out swinging after Amazon pulled the plug on King of MeatJon Hicks · 13d agoOften when a studio is dropped by a major publisher, it leaves them in dire straits. The story is all too common and often ends in layoffs or outright closure. Read more
60.Sony and Microsoft request dismissal of consumer lawsuits over tariff refundsSophie McEvoy · 13d agoSony and Microsoft have filed motions to dismiss class action lawsuits accusing them of not passing on tariff refunds to consumers. Read more
61.Peak studio Aggro Crab establishes publishing label for "intense, stylised games with an attitude"Sophie McEvoy · 13d agoAggro Crab, known for Peak and Another Crab's Treasure, has launched a publishing label to support "intense, stylised games with an attitude." Read more
62.Planet Coaster studio Frontier Developments announces new title based on Disney IPSophie McEvoy · 13d agoFrontier Developments has entered into an agreement with Disney to work on a new title based on its portfolio and IP. Read more
63."This is the worst crash we've seen since the 1980s," says Tim SweeneySophie McEvoy · 13d agoEpic Games CEO Tim Sweeney says the industry is going through its biggest crash since the 1980s in the latest issue of Edge magazine. Read more
64.CD Projekt Red sees profit climb 37% in H1 2026Vikki Blake · 14d agoCD Projekt Red generated $116.5 million (435 million PLN) in revenue during the first half of 2026, up 23% year-over-year. Read more
65.Nexus Mods acquires SteamDBVikki Blake · 14d agoNexus Mods has acquired SteamDB, the widely used Steam data-tracking site. Read more
66.Square Enix denies going private after report sends stock surgingVikki Blake · 14d agoSquare Enix has issued a statement denying it is exploring taking the company private after a report in Japanese business magazine Sentaku claimed the publisher had drawn interest from foreign investm
67."Sometimes you need fresh perspectives" – How external development helped Tomb Raider: Legacy of AtlantisAlex Forbes-Calvin · 14d agoA hands-off demonstration of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis at Gamescom last week showed that the game is far from a simple remaster of the 1996 original; it's a complete reworking of Lara Croft's fi
68.Moon Studios delays No Rest for the Wicked to March 2027 – "We're holding our games to a standard we won't compromise on"Sophie McEvoy · 14d agoOri and the Will of the Wisps developer Moon Studios has postponed the full release of its next title, No Rest for the Wicked, to March 2027. Read more
69.Over 700 games launched on Steam in one week for the first time, though 74% had fewer than 10 reviewsSophie McEvoy · 14d agoFor the first time, more than 700 games were released on Steam in a single week; however, 74% received fewer than 10 reviews. Read more
70.Supercell's acquisition of Metacore expected to close at the end of September 2026Sophie McEvoy · 14d agoSupercell's acquisition of Metacore is progressing, with both companies having signed an agreement expected to close at the end of this month . Read more
71.GTA 6 extended look reaches 31.1m views on Netflix in four days, making it the most-viewed title last weekSophie McEvoy · 14d agoThe extended look of Grand Theft Auto 6 was the most-viewed title on Netflix last week, reaching 31.1 million views in four days. Read more
72.IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak to discuss development of 007 First Light at Game Republic New Horizons 2026Sophie McEvoy · 14d agoIO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak will host a 007 First Light session at Game Republic New Horizons. Read more
73.The Big Picture: What you need to know about the ongoing games industry resetLewis Packwood · 15d agoThe games industry is undergoing a reset. That was the message of Gamescom Dev's opening keynote, delivered by Amir Satvat, who until a few days ago was business development manager at Tencent, but is
74.Brian Ward steps down as Savvy Games Group CEOSophie McEvoy · 15d agoBrian Ward is stepping down as CEO of Savvy Games Group, according to a staff note obtained by Bloomberg . Read more
75.Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Asmodee appoints Brian Trunk as senior vice president, Route to Market for the AmericasSophie McEvoy · 15d agoIt can be difficult keeping track of the various comings and goings in the games industry, which is why we compile them in semi-regular round-ups. Read more
76.UKIE launches Discord-backed Go To Market Academy, a business program to support early-stage indie devsSophie McEvoy · 15d agoUKIE has partnered with Discord and GameFlex to launch the Go To Market Academy , a business program to support UK-based indie studios. Read more
77.Gamescom 2026 attendance rose 6% to 368,000 visitorsSophie McEvoy · 15d agoGamescom 2026 attracted 368,000 visitors from 131 countries, a 6% increase over the previous year. Read more
78.Rovio closes Copenhagen studio following shut down of Sonic BlitzSophie McEvoy · 15d agoRovio has closed its Copenhagen studio after cancelling its mobile title Sonic Blitz. Read more
79.Bit Reactor furloughed "many of its workers" in the weeks before Star Wars Zero Company's launchSophie McEvoy · 15d agoStar Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor furloughed "many of its workers" prior to the game's release. Read more
80.GTA 6 will have a halo effect for the entire industry | OpinionRob Fahey · 19d agoWhen the hype engine for GTA 6 roared into top gear this week, there was a quietly touching aspect amid the excitement that will stay with me for a while. As the 27 minute long extended look at the ga
81.Limbic Entertainment on life after Bandai NamcoAlex Forbes-Calvin · 19d agoIn December 2025, German developer Limbic Entertainment was sold by Bandai Namco to a "private investor" . This news came just over three years after the Japanese giant acquired a majority stake in th
82.Cloud Imperium delays Squadron 42 to 2027 – "There is no way I want to launch into the attention buzz saw of GTA 6"Sophie McEvoy · 19d agoThe release of Star Citizen spin-off Squadron 42 has been postponed to Q2 2027 to avoid "launching into the attention buzz saw of Grand Theft Auto 6." Read more
83.Rockstar formed a new LA-based team to develop more realistic NPCs for Grand Theft Auto 6Sophie McEvoy · 19d agoRockstar Games established a new team focused on developing more realistic NPCs for Grand Theft Auto 6. Read more
84.Sensor Tower: Netflix US mobile viewership increased 35% during GTA 6 extended previewSophie McEvoy · 19d agoNetflix US mobile viewership rose 35% hour-over-hour during Grand Theft Auto 6's extended preview yesterday , according to data from Sensor Tower. Read more
85.Grand Theft Auto 6 30-minute teaser debuts on NetflixVikki Blake · 20d agoTake-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 extended gameplay debut is now live on Netflix . Read more
86.Playdate maker Panic refunds tariff surcharges to customersVikki Blake · 20d agoPlaydate maker Panic is refunding tariff surcharges to customers after receiving its own refund from the US government after the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump's tariffs were an unlawful use
87.European games industry revenue reached €30bn in 2025Sophie McEvoy · 20d agoThe European games industry generated €30 billion in 2025, with digital purchases accounting for 91% of total revenue, according to Video Games Europe (VGE). Read more
88.Newzoo: 2026 console revenue would be flat year-on-year without Grand Theft Auto 6Alex Forbes-Calvin · 20d agoWithout the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 this year, console revenue would be flat compared to 2025. Read more
89."The things that we based our assumptions on have changed fundamentally": Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani on the games industry's rapid transformationAlex Forbes-Calvin · 20d agoThe CEO of Helldivers 2 maker Arrowhead Game Studios, Shams Jorjani, has said that the games industry is in a "transitional phase at the moment". Read more
90.Roblox to establish Saudi Arabia headquarters to support MENA creatorsSophie McEvoy · 20d agoRoblox has announced plans to open a headquarters in Riyadh to support its creator program in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Read more
91."We view AI as a sliding scale. There will always be a human in the loop; that's our ethos": Why Side has signed an MOU with Modl.ai to use AI for QAAlex Forbes-Calvin · 20d agoServices provider Side has signed a memorandum of understanding with Danish AI firm Modl.ai. Read more
92.European Games Developer Federation announces 2026-28 board, Hendrik Lesser re-elected as presidentSophie McEvoy · 20d agoHendrik Lesser has been re-elected president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) as the organisation announces its 2026-2028 board. Read more
93.Xbox to focus on "efficiency and affordability alongside performance" for next-gen console amid rising hardware costs and innovations in AISophie McEvoy · 20d agoXbox is prioritising "efficiency and affordability alongside performance" for its next-generation console in the face of rising hardware costs and innovations in AI. Read more
94.1047 Games ends active development on Empulse and Splitgate: Arena Reloaded, says it's moving away from live service shootersVikki Blake · 21d ago1047 Games is ending active development on Empulse and Splitgate: Arena Reloaded, moving both titles to peer-to-peer hosting as the studio signals a broader shift away from live service shooters after
95.IGDA Incubation SIG to unveil first global census of game incubators and accelerators at GamescomVikki Blake · 21d agoThe IGDA Incubation SIG will present the first international census of game incubation and accelerator programs at Gamescom 2026 this week, aiming to give the industry its first broad picture of the o
96.Xbox to let Insiders convert physical game discs into digital entitlements later this monthVikki Blake · 21d agoXbox will let Xbox Insiders begin testing a disc-to-digital feature from August 31, letting owners of supported physical games unlock a digital entitlement for the same title. Read more
97.Ubisoft announces playstest platform The Player CouncilSophie McEvoy · 21d agoUbisoft has announced the soft launch of The Player Council, a platform where players can test games and give feedback directly to developers. Read more
98.Rockstar responds to GTA 6 leaks – "This is obviously not how we intended for you to see the game after all this time"Sophie McEvoy · 21d agoRockstar Games has issued a statement regarding the recent leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6. Read more
99.Testronic expands senior leadership, Mike Guttman appointed vice president of senior partnershipsSophie McEvoy · 21d agoTestronic has made several senior appointments across its global locations, including Mike Guttman as vice president of senior partnerships. Read more
100.Roblox applies restrictions to games featuring "reward-driven media feeds" available in Roblox Kids and SelectSophie McEvoy · 21d agoRoblox has introduced a policy to prevent children from accessing "reward-driven media feeds" in games available in Roblox Kids and Select. Read more