GamesIndustry.biz Latest Articles Feed

Split Fiction breaks three Guinness World Records | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 10:17:19 +0000

Yoko Shimomura to receive BAFTA Fellowship

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:57:54 +0000

Japanese composer and pianist Yoko Shimomura will be awarded a BAFTA Fellowship at the BAFTA Game Awards on April 8, 2025.

Monster Hunter Wilds sells 10m units in first month | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:01:49 +0000

Half of Myst developer Cyan Worlds laid off

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:43:29 +0000

Myst developer Cyan Worlds has announced the decision to lay off half of its team.

National Videogame Museum appoints new trustees

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:37:53 +0000

The National Videogame Museum has unveiled a new roster of trustees that will join the board of its governing charity, The BGI.

Square Enix to shut down War of Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius in May 2025

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:02:19 +0000

Square Enix has announced that its mobile title War of Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius will shut down on May 30, 2025.

Nintendo announces new lending feature for digital games

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 10:08:51 +0000

Nintendo has announced a new feature for the Switch and Switch 2 changing digital games to Virtual Game Cards.

Nintendo launches Nintendo Today app on smart devices

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:16:19 +0000

Nintendo has launched a new app for smart devices focused on bringing news and updates directly to consumers.

Warner Bros. Games reportedly cancels expanded content for Hogwarts Legacy

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 08:04:05 +0000

Warner Bros. Games has reportedly cancelled an unannounced expansion for Hogwarts Legacy due for release later this year.

Former Space Ape devs band to form Offroad Games

Vikki Blake — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 20:26:30 +0000

Former Space Ape developers have banded together to form Offroad Games.

User research workers at Activision unionize

Vikki Blake — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 19:40:32 +0000

User research workers at Activision have voted to unionize.

Tencent invests $1.25bn in new Ubisoft subsidiary focused on Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six

Vikki Blake — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 19:03:59 +0000

Ubisoft has "accelerated its transformation" by developing a new operating model and subsidiary following a $1.25bn cash "injection" from Chinese megacorp Tencent.

PowerWash Simulator tops 17m players | News-in-brief

Vikki Blake — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:34:26 +0000

Alberta scraps tax credit plans for Canadian game studios

Vikki Blake — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:13:52 +0000

Plans to revive a tax credit for developers in Alberta, Canada, have been scrapped.

Assassin's Creed Shadows exceeds 3m players | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:48:28 +0000

Nearly 30,000 people attended GDC 2025

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:36:15 +0000

The organisers of this year's Game Developers Conference have revealed that almost 30,000 people were in attendance.

Crystal Dynamics lays off 17 employees

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:49:12 +0000

Crystal Dynamics has announced its decision to lay off 17 employees to "better align with [its] current business needs".

Game Informer returns after being shut down by GameStop

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:43:03 +0000

Game Informer has returned after being shut down by GameStop in August 2024.

CD Projekt reports third best year for profit despite no major launches in 2024

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:31:03 +0000

CD Projekt has released its financial results for 2024, reporting its third best year in terms of net profit despite no major launches.

Games London's Ensemble 2025 cohort announced

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:22:49 +0000

The organisers of London Games Festival this year's cohort for its flagship Ensemble exhibition, championing the work and voices of Black, Asian, and underrepresented games professionals in the UK.

German games market drops 6% to €9.4bn in 2024

Sophie McEvoy — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 10:45:56 +0000

The German games market decreased by 6% year-on-year to €9.4 billion in 2024, with sales of premium games dropping 17% to €921 million compared to revenues of €1.1 billion the previous year.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to launch on PS5 on April 17, 2025 | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 07:34:06 +0000

Opus Major raises $10m in seed funding round

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 13:59:18 +0000

Paris-based developer Opus Major has raised $10 million in a seed funding round, led by Griffin Gaming Partners and early investor Alven.

SpecialEffect's GameBlast25 raises over £130,000 | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:14:02 +0000

Silent Hill F has not been banned in Australia

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:02:22 +0000

Silent Hill F has not been refused classification in Australia, as confirmed by the country's Classification Board.

Assassin's Creed Shadows reaches 2m players | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:00:31 +0000

ESA launches Accessible Games Initiative to improve visibility of accessibility features

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:21:46 +0000

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the formation of the Accessible Games Initiative.

United Videogame Workers union launches at GDC 2025 in partnership with CWA

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:36:59 +0000

During the 2025 Games Development Conference this week, industry workers launched the United Videogame Workers union in partnership with the Communication Workers of America.

Report: Half of all mobile players have received real-world rewards from games

GamesIndustry.biz Staff — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 07:51:10 +0000

50% of mobile players have now received a reward with real monetary value from a smartphone game. Meanwhile, 72% of that group say real-world rewards are now "important" when it comes to them selecting a new mobile game to download.

Assassin's Creed Shadows passes 1m players on launch day | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 07:19:47 +0000

Balatro leads Game Developers Choice Awards 2025, wins Game of the Year

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:41:20 +0000

Balatro dominated the Game Developers Choice Awards last night, taking home Game of the Year and Best Debut alongside Best Design and the Innovation award.

Monster Hunter Wilds debuts at No.3 on revenue charts for February 2025 | Newzoo Charts

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:53:34 +0000

Monster Hunter Wilds debuted at No.3 on Newzoo's overall revenue chart for February, despite launching on the final day of the month.

Monster Hunter Wilds is US' best-selling game of 2025 so far | US Monthly Charts

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:43:12 +0000

Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds topped Circana's US charts for February, and is the best-selling game of 2025 so far.

Midia Research: Global games industry estimated to reach $236.9bn in 2025

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 08:23:36 +0000

The global games industry is predicted to increase by 4.6% in 2026 to $236.9 billion, and is expected to reach $280.1 billion in 2031.

ID@Xbox has paid indie devs more than $5bn since 2013

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 11:11:31 +0000

Microsoft has revealed it has paid developers in its ID@Xbox program more than $5 billion since it launched in 2013.

EA Sports offers $1,500 for student athletes to appear in College Football 26

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 10:21:12 +0000

EA Sports has more than doubled payments for college football players appearing in College Football 26 from $600 to $1,500.

Ubisoft reportedly implements "anti-harassment plan" for Assassin's Creed Shadows devs

Sophie McEvoy — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 12:59:39 +0000

Ubisoft has reportedly implemented an "anti-harassment plan" for developers that worked on Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Sporty Group opens new UK games development hub

Sophie McEvoy — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:30:23 +0000

Sporty Group has opened a new games development hub in the UK led by former Tower Studios CEO and creative director Jon Hare.

PlayStation forms new first-party studio Dark Outlaw Games

Sophie McEvoy — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 09:44:55 +0000

Sony has formed a new first-party PlayStation studio called Dark Outlaw Games, led by industry veteran Jason Blundell.

Split Fiction reaches 2m sales in one week | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:06:07 +0000

Star Wars: Hunters to be sunset later this year

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:54:46 +0000

Squad-based arena shooter Star Wars: Hunters is being shut down less than a year after launch.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster sells over 5m copies | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 07:40:16 +0000

SAG-AFTRA remains "frustratingly far apart" from major game companies

Vikki Blake — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:38:37 +0000

SAG-AFTRA - the union that represents 160,000 actors, voiceover artists, and other media professionals - has issued an update about the video game strike, saying it remains "frustratingly far apart" from video game studios and publishers.

Spectre Divide developer Mountaintop to shutter just six months post-launch

Vikki Blake — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:38:28 +0000

Spectre Divide developer Mountaintop Studios is shuttering just six months after launch.

Netflix Games confirms departure of former president and VP of GenAI Mike Verdu

Vikki Blake — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:25:38 +0000

Netflix Games' VP of generative AI, Mike Verdu, has left the streaming giant.

Zenless Zone Zero voice actors quietly recast following SAG-AFTRA action

Vikki Blake — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 21:46:39 +0000

Two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors claim they have been replaced for participating in the SAG-AFTRA strikes.

Moon Studios' Ori series tops 15m sales | News-in-brief

Vikki Blake — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:01:09 +0000

Scopely acquires Pokémon Go developer Niantic in deal worth $3.5bn

Vikki Blake — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 17:48:58 +0000

Pokémon Go developer Niantic has agreed to be acquired by Savvy Games Group subsidiary Scopely.

Leaked video appears to show Sony director conversing with an AI Aloy prototype

Vikki Blake — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:49:00 +0000

PlayStation is reportedly using characters from its biggest franchises in an AI prototype.

AI firm Uthana secures $4.3m to "revolutionize" 3D character animation with generative AI

Vikki Blake — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:27:00 +0000

Uthana has secured $4.3m to "revolutionize" 3D character animation with generative AI.

The Outlast Trials clocks up 3 million players since launch | News-in-brief

Vikki Blake — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:11:00 +0000

Xsolla launches all-new direct-to-consimer publishing suite

Vikki Blake — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:40:34 +0000

Xsolla has launched a new direct-to-customer publishing suite.

Bitter Playdead row goes public as co-founder demands $73K for using a "copyright protected image" on LinkedIn

Vikki Blake — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 18:55:34 +0000

Playdead co-founder Dino Patti has been threatened with a lawsuit after he posted a now-deleted LinkedIn post that shared an "unauthorized" picture of co-founder Arnt Jensen.

Split Fiction tops 1 million units sold in just 48 hours | News-in-brief

Vikki Blake — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:47:26 +0000

Pullup Entertainment appoints new CEO

Vikki Blake — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:38:53 +0000

Geoffroy Sardin has been appointed CEO of Pullup Entertainment.

Tilting Point launches new $150m UA fund to give devs "financial backing without sacrificing independence"

Vikki Blake — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 16:47:46 +0000

Tilting Point has outlined a new $150 million User Acquisition (UA) program to "help developers scale their games and apps."

Sony announces PlayStation 5 rental scheme in UK

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:46:14 +0000

Sony has partnered with tech leasing service Raylo to offer a rental scheme for PlayStation 5 hardware in the UK via its Flex program.

Shocking success: Understanding a new era of horror with Blumhouse Games | Playable Futures

Will Freeman — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:31:12 +0000

This series of Playable Futures articles considers how the design, technology, people, and theory of video games are informing and influencing the wider world.

French Supreme Court rules in favour of Nintendo against site hosting pirated copies of its games

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:14:10 +0000

Nintendo has won a long-running legal battle against French sharehosting operator Dstorage.

Indie developer Welevel raises $5.7m in funding

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 09:06:02 +0000

Munich-based indie developer Welevel has raised $5.7 million in a funding round led by Bitkraft Ventures.

Hidden Variable sues Skullgirls publisher Autumn Games for $1.2m in unpaid payments

Vikki Blake — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:17:12 +0000

Hidden Variable has announced that as of January 21, 2025, it was "no longer involved in the development on Skullgirls Mobile, 2nd Encore" due to a "dispute with Autumn Games."

Epic Games Store pulls free-to-play Dark and Darker as copyright dispute continues

Vikki Blake — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 18:47:54 +0000

A year after it debuted on Epic Games Store in March 2024, the free-to-play version of Dark and Darker has once again been delisted.

Sony launches new beta program for PlayStation

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:51:59 +0000

Sony has announced a new beta program for PlayStation players.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 leads BAFTA Game Awards 2025 nominations

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:08:59 +0000

The 2025 BAFTA Game Awards nominations have been announced, with Ninja Theory's Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 picking up 11 nominations across multiple categories including Best British Game.

20-year-old browser game to shut down as result of UK's new online safety law

Vikki Blake — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 22:19:30 +0000

Free-to-play text MMO browser game, Urban Dead, will close just shy of its 20th anniversary because of the introduction of the UK's Online Safety Act.

European Investment Fund pledges $20m to bolster Nordic game development

Vikki Blake — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 22:01:59 +0000

The European Investment Fund (EIF) has pledged $21 million to bolster game development in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

Until Dawn remake studio Ballistic Moon "effectively closed"

Vikki Blake — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 21:35:46 +0000

Until Dawn remake studio Ballistic Moon has reportedly "effectively closed."

Report: Sony lays off employees at Visual Arts and PS Studios Malaysia

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:07:39 +0000

First-party PlayStation support studio Visual Arts and PS Studios Malaysia have reportedly been affected by staff cuts.

Thank Goodness You're Here wins Game of the Year at UKIE Video Game Awards 2025

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 11:22:36 +0000

Coal Supper's comedy title Thank Goodness You're Here took home UK Game of the Year at the UKIE Video Game Awards 2025 last night, in addition to best PC game.

Jam City announces sale of Ludia

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:20:44 +0000

Mobile games firm Jam City has announced the sale of its Montreal-based developer Ludia.

Acclaim relaunches, led by CEO Alex Josef

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:36:44 +0000

90s games publisher Acclaim has been revived, supported by a team of industry veterans looking to support indie titles and "reignite classic franchises."

Match-3 devs blasted for "incredibly harmful" stereotypes and gender-based violence in advertisements

Vikki Blake — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 21:24:15 +0000

Mobile game developers Microfun, Nanobit, and Magic Tavern have been accused of reinforcing harmful stereotypes and gender-based violence in a new report about mobile game advertising.

Jagex appoints new CEO Jon Bellamy

Vikki Blake — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:53:26 +0000

Jagex has appointed Jon Bellamy as its new CEO.

Tencent acquires additional shares in FromSoftware parent company, Kadokawa

Vikki Blake — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:42:24 +0000

Tencent has increased its stake in FromSoftware's parent company, Kadokawa, by 1.11%, bringing its total shareholding ratio to 7.97%.

Monster Hunter Wilds sells 8m units in three days | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 10:54:43 +0000

PTW rebrands as Side

Sophie McEvoy — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 10:38:52 +0000

Games outsourcing firm PTW has undergone a rebrand, uniting its subsidiaries 1518 Studios, audio services provider SIDE, and Ghostpunch Games under one brand name – Side.

Rockstar Games acquires Video Games Deluxe, now known as Rockstar Australia

Sophie McEvoy — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:26:36 +0000

Rockstar Games has acquired Sydney-based developer Video Games Deluxe, rebranding it to Rockstar Australia.

Capcom promotes Monster Hunter producer to chief product officer in charge of all development

Vikki Blake — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 21:27:53 +0000

Capcom's current executive corporate officer and chief product officer, Yoichi Egawa, will step down on April 1, with Monster Hunter producer Ryozo Tsujimoto assuming the latter role from that same date.

Former NetEase director self-funds new studio to ensure "management protects creators"

Vikki Blake — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 21:13:00 +0000

Months after leaving NetEase-owned Ouka Studios - which closed down last year shortly after Visions of Mana was published by Square Enix - co-director Kenji Ozawa has established Studio Sasanqua.

Steam breaks concurrent record again, topping 40m simultaneous players for first time | News-in-brief

Vikki Blake — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:15:47 +0000

Sumo Group sells publishing business Secret Mode for undisclosed sum

Vikki Blake — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:06:26 +0000

Sumo Group has sold its publishing business, Secret Mode, for an unknown sum to Emona Capital and Secret Mode's current leadership, Ed Blincoe and James Schall.

Studio Fizbin's upcoming release, Reignbreaker, will be its last as studio shutters after 14 years

Vikki Blake — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 19:48:49 +0000

Studio Fizbin has confirmed its upcoming game, Reignbreaker, will be its last.

French Apex Legends voice cast refuses contracts over "unacceptable" AI clause

Vikki Blake — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 19:25:13 +0000

The voice talent team that brings Apex Legends' characters to life in French has reportedly refused to sign contracts that would authorize their voices to be used to train AI.

Report: 30% of game devs believe AI will play an "extremely important role" in QA testing

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 13:52:01 +0000

According to a new study from Modl.ai, 30% of game developers believe that artificial intelligence will play an "extremely important" role in QA processes.

Striking Distance Studios lays off unknown number of staff

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:12:02 +0000

Krafton has confirmed that Callisto Protocol developer Striking Distance Studios has undergone another round of layoffs.

The Game Assembly expands to UK in partnership with City of Liverpool College

Sophie McEvoy — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 09:54:52 +0000

Swedish game development school The Game Assembly has announced its expansion to the UK, offering its education model to students at the City of Liverpool College.

Pokémon TCG Pocket reaches 100m downloads | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:50:09 +0000

4A Games Ukraine rebrands to Reburn, announces new IP

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:07:56 +0000

4A Games Ukraine has rebranded to Reburn, and has announced its new IP La Quimera.

Warner Bros games revenue dropped 29% during Q4 2024

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 09:32:58 +0000

Warner Bros. has released its financials for Q4 and FY2024, reporting that revenue for its games segment dropped 29% year-on-year for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Rekindled Studios raises £225,000 in funding round

Sophie McEvoy — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 08:26:53 +0000

Work-for-hire animation and character art studio Rekindled has secured £225,000 in a funding round led by a group of angel investors.

StreamElements brings "performance-based sponsorships" directly to Twitch dashboards

Vikki Blake — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:01:09 +0000

StreamElements has partnered with Twitch to bring StreamElements' "performance-based sponsorships from marquee brands" directly to streamer dashboards.

India's first dedicated PC and console game publishing house closes pre-seed founding round

Vikki Blake — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:26:00 +0000

1312 Interactive - India's first dedicated PC and console game publishing house - has successfully closed its pre-seed founding round.

Madbox opens new studio in Annecy, France

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 11:15:36 +0000

Mobile developer Madbox has opened a new studio in Annecy, France.

Surpass Game secures $1.5m in pre-seed funding round

Sophie McEvoy — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:09:40 +0000

Surpass Games has raised $1.5 million in a pre-seed investment round led by Laton Ventures.

Konami partners with Bloober Team for another "joint project" based on unspecified Konami IP

Vikki Blake — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 20:55:50 +0000

Konami has partnered with Silent Hill 2 Remake developer Bloober Team for "a joint project."

Retro-Bit apologizes after uncredited fan translations were discovered in its games

Vikki Blake — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 19:31:01 +0000

Retro-Bit has apologized for releasing a number of 16-bit games with uncredited fan translations.

Finnish mobile dev Seven Stars secures seed funding round

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 13:43:30 +0000

Finnish mobile developer Seven Stars has secured a seed funding round led by Spintop Ventures and Behold Ventures alongside new investor Sisu Game Ventures.

Room 8 Group announces two appointments in executive roles

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 11:07:27 +0000

Services provider Room 8 Group has announced the appointment of two executive roles following an expansion in its technology and game development offerings.

Fable delayed to 2026 | News-in-brief

Sophie McEvoy — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:01:06 +0000

The Pokémon Company settles lawsuit against copyright-infringing mobile game for "a huge sum"

Vikki Blake — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 22:25:23 +0000

The Pokémon Company has settled its lawsuit against Pocket Monster: Remake.