Game Industry
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MMO Week in Review: Foreverrrrr
BlizzCon 2026 saw major announcements including a new open-world StarCraft shooter, Diablo V for 2029, and World of Warcraft Forever launching soon. The event also revealed World of Warcraft's next retail expansion, The Last Titan, and sparked controversy over World of Warcraft Forever's monetization. Other news included the sunsetting of Ship of Heroes, layoffs at Pantheon Rise of the Fallen, and business dealings involving ArcheAge.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 earned 35% of its $1.2 billion on disc, analyst says, but PlayStation is more interested in…
An analysis by Rhys Elliot of Alinea Analytics suggests that Sony's decision to move away from physical PlayStation releases is driven by profit margins and market control, rather than a decline in physical sales for prestige single-player games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2. While Marvel's Spider-Man 2 generated $1.2 billion, 35% of that revenue came from physical disc sales, indicating a significant market still exists.
GNOG and Goodbye Volcano High dev KO_OP share that they are laying off staff in the only, remotely good statement I've seen in a while
Independent studio KO_OP, known for games like GNOG and Goodbye Volcano High, has announced layoffs affecting 13 staff members shortly after the release of their latest game, Young Suns. The studio cited a radical change in the games funding landscape and an inability to secure new project funding as the primary reasons. KO_OP emphasized a transparent, democratically decided process focused on studio survival rather than profit maximization, and expressed intent to rehire affected developers if future funding is secured.
The Rare SNES game that became Banjo-Kazooie has been preserved thanks to a leaker who wants you to "delete…
A leaker has released the ROM files for Project Dream, a canceled Super Nintendo pirate RPG prototype that served as the basis for Rare's Banjo-Kazooie. The leaker cited concerns about the current state of the game industry, including layoffs, anti-preservation tactics, and Microsoft's management of Rare, as reasons for the release. The leaker also expressed strong negative sentiments towards Microsoft and Sony, urging boycotts.
Snabbkollen: Köper du nya Ocarina of Time?
Nintendo has announced a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, set to release on November 7th for the Nintendo Switch. The article also features reviews for "The Blood of Dawnwalker," "Star Wars Zero Company," and "Mortal Shell 2," alongside news about "Valheim," "Orbitals," and "Justin Wack and the Big Time Hack."
Nintendo Direct September 2026: Start Time, How To Watch, And What To Expect
Nintendo is set to hold its September Direct presentation on September 9th at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET, running for approximately 45 minutes. The broadcast is expected to feature a variety of first-party and third-party titles for the Nintendo Switch, with rumors suggesting potential reveals for a new Super Smash Bros. game, a new Star Fox title, and a new 3D Mario game.
Don't Nod considering laying off 90 workers in France
Life is Strange developer Don't Nod has warned it may lay off 90 employees in France due to financial difficulties and systemic pressures in the video game industry. The company's operating revenue declined by 56 percent year-on-year, resulting in a significant operating EBITDA loss. Don't Nod is proposing a restructure to adapt to new market conditions and ensure its survival.
MMO Week in Review: Joy of movement
This week's MMO news roundup covers a preview of Guild Wars 3's combat and movement, with ArenaNet's Colin Johanson taking on the game's direction. Other news includes Xbox's cloud gaming plans, Aion 2 lacking an Oceania server, Elder Scrolls Online's roadmap, and rumors of a StarCraft successor from Nexon and Blizzard.
Fall’s Video Game Release Slate Is Intimidatingly Good And Completely Doomed
The Fall 2026 video game release schedule is packed with highly anticipated titles, but this glut is predicted to cause a 'bloodbath' in the industry. Intense competition for consumer dollars and a worsening global economy are expected to lead to significant underperformance, layoffs, and potential studio closures, particularly for smaller developers. Even major publishers may struggle to navigate the crowded market, with few likely to emerge unscathed.
Mardrömsmaskinen har slutat mala – nu är det spelhelg!
Several individuals share their gaming plans for the weekend, spanning a variety of genres and platforms. Titles mentioned include Metal Gear Solid 4, Secret of Mana, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Fallout 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and StarCraft 2, among others, reflecting diverse tastes in retro and modern gaming.
Games Inbox: Has Sony lost the trust of PS5 gamers?
Readers express significant distrust in Sony Interactive Entertainment's stance on digital game ownership, with one reader vowing to boycott the PlayStation 6. Other discussions include praise for Star Wars Zero Company and Beast of Reincarnation, anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6's realism, and a retrospective on the inconsistent quality of Sonic games.
Sega-owned Rovio is shutting down its Copenhagen studio
Sega-owned Rovio is shutting down its Copenhagen studio, resulting in the cancellation of the mobile game Sonic Blitz and the redundancy of approximately 20 employees. The company cited that player retention for Sonic Blitz did not meet expectations. This closure follows a series of other shutdowns and layoffs within Rovio and Sega.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Amir Satvat joins 1Up Ventures as a general partner
This article rounds up recent personnel changes in the games industry, including Amir Satvat joining 1Up Ventures, Ilari Kuittinen stepping down from Housemarque, and Tamara Feiman appointed CEO of Lion Studios. It also notes new roles at Sega of America and Activision Blizzard for Call of Duty.
Dwarf Fortress' creator says the industry's in shambles over AI and layoff-happy CEOs: 'Everyone I know, their bosses are slowly getting psychosis'
Dwarf Fortress creator Tarn Adams expresses deep concern over the current state of the game industry, citing widespread layoffs and the problematic integration of generative AI. He believes these trends are unsustainable and are leading to a 'psychosis' among industry leaders, drawing parallels to past economic downturns.
Games Inbox: Are retro video games becoming more popular?
This collection of reader letters discusses the growing popularity of retro gaming, the anticipation and potential console exclusivity of Grand Theft Auto 6, and the perceived resurgence in quality of Sonic the Hedgehog games. Other topics include Capcom's future releases, Sony's State of Play, and the long wait for Nintendo's Zelda remakes.
Modern gamers spoiled by Steam will never understand the joy of a MegaPak
This article reflects on how modern gamers are spoiled by the abundance and affordability of games compared to the 1990s. It highlights the "MegaPak" compilations from Megamedia Corp as an early precursor to modern game bundles, offering a large collection of PC titles at a budget price. The author argues that while modern gaming offers more choice, the MegaPak era provided a unique, less noisy way to discover games.
The Biggest Gaming Stories That Happened Since GTA 5 Came Out 13 Years Ago
Since Grand Theft Auto 5's release in September 2013, the gaming landscape has seen significant shifts, including the rise of live-service games like Fortnite and the eventual decline of E3. Major events include numerous Skyrim ports, the expansion of the Watch Dogs franchise, Halo appearing on PlayStation, and Grand Theft Auto 5 itself releasing on multiple new platforms. The period also saw the rise of Andrew Wilson at EA, the entire Phil Spencer era at Xbox, the successful launch and dominance of the Nintendo Switch, and a significant increase in console prices.
Weekend Discussion - August 22, 2026
This weekend discussion from Shacknews covers various topics including a mention of Anthony Bourdain, an interview with Gillian Anderson about The X-Files, and a segment with Elyse and Nikole from Won't You Be My Gamer? at the Aquarium of the Pacific. The article also includes a note about Shacknews's policy against using generative AI in its content and a personal anecdote from an employee about their gaming history.
'Dude no joke looks like Hugh Jackman now': The internet is swooning over Gabe Newell's svelte new look…
Valve president Gabe Newell appeared in a video for The International 2026, the Dota 2 championship tournament, sparking widespread online discussion about his significantly slimmer appearance. Many fans expressed admiration for his new look, with some comparing him to actors like Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, while others simply expressed happiness that he appears healthy.
Games Inbox: Are online video game fans too negative?
Readers discuss the intense negativity surrounding games like Marvel's Wolverine and Grand Theft Auto 6, questioning whether online fans are too critical. Other topics include the decline of attract modes in modern games, Sony's struggles with live service titles, and the retro gaming market.
