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King business and news from across the web.
Nordic Game attendance rises by 6% in 2026Nordic Game 2026 saw a 6% increase in attendance, with over 1,100 companies from 59 countries participating. The event highlighted the strength of independent developers and featured discussions on the art of games. Separately, a report commissioned by King revealed that European mobile games generated €7.53 billion globally in 2025 and contributed significantly to the European economy.
Call of Duty was never the right fit for Game Pass | OpinionMicrosoft has reversed its strategy of including Call of Duty titles on Game Pass at launch and has rolled back recent subscription price hikes. The company realized that the franchise's core audience is not primarily interested in subscription services, and the inclusion of Call of Duty did not drive expected growth or justify lost sales revenue. This move aims to correct a strategic misstep by better aligning Game Pass value with its existing subscriber base and acknowledging the distinct market segments within gaming.
'Our presence on PC isn't strong enough,' Xbox bosses admitMicrosoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty have outlined a renewed commitment to Xbox, including a name change back to Xbox and a reevaluation of exclusivity, windowing, and AI strategies. The company aims to focus on daily active players and shared experiences, acknowledging past shortcomings in PC presence and console market share.
How China came to dominate mobile games – and how Western companies can compete | OpinionChinese companies have achieved global dominance in mobile games through strategic advantages like early adoption of free-to-play models, intense domestic market competition, and sophisticated live-ops. Western companies struggle to compete due to differences in organizational scale, talent acquisition, and cultural integration. The article suggests Western firms must focus on talent density and unique creative vision rather than scale to succeed.
XSOLLA BRINGS ACCESSIBILITY, SOCIAL IMPACT, AND ENTERTAINMENT IP LICENSING WITH XSOLLA AGENCY TO LONDON GAMES FESTIVAL 2026Xsolla is participating in the London Games Festival 2026 with initiatives focused on gaming accessibility, social impact, and entertainment IP licensing. The company is involved in a charity campaign with Stevenage FC and SpecialEffect to fund accessible gaming setups, will present at the inaugural Games for Change London Summit, and will highlight its Xsolla Agency services for IP licensing at Games Meets Music The B-Side.- NEW GAME PLUS RETURNS NEXT WEEK WITH 100 PLAYABLE GAMES, INDUSTRY TALKS, INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASES, AND MUCH MORENew Game Plus, a major games showcase and industry event, will take place on April 16-17, 2026, at Exhibition White City in London. The event will feature 100 playable games from independent developers and publishers, alongside talks from industry leaders like King, CCP Games, and Larian Studios. It also includes international showcases from Japan and Italy, and educational programming for students.
Reddit posts can be more important than data, and other lessons from maintaining Candy Crush as a forever gameEva Ryott, King's head of live operations, discusses maintaining Candy Crush Saga as a 'forever game' by focusing on player needs and leveraging AI for content creation and workflow support. She highlights the importance of combining data-driven insights with innovation and listening to player feedback, even from platforms like Reddit, to keep the long-running mobile title engaging.
What was most popular in the UK gaming scene in 2025 | Invision Game CommunityThe UK gaming market in 2025 saw continued expansion across consoles, mobile, and online casinos, driven by digital subscriptions and the launch of the Switch 2. Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza topped sales charts following the Switch 2's release, while EA Sports FC 25 and Call of Duty remained popular. The mobile market thrived with free-to-play titles like Block Blast and Roblox, earning revenue through microtransactions.
Top 12 Most Expensive Video Game Buyouts Of All TimeThis article lists the top 12 most expensive video game buyouts, with Microsoft's $75.4 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard topping the list. Other major deals include EA's $55 billion sale to an investor consortium and Take-Two's $12.7 billion purchase of Zynga. The analysis highlights trends of industry consolidation and significant investment from entities like Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Biting the silver bullet: AI in the games industry in 2026 and beyond | OpinionDr. Tommy Thompson argues that while AI has potential in game development, the current focus on generative AI is misguided and driven by corporate greed, overlooking genuine breakthroughs and ethical concerns. He emphasizes the need for a more nuanced industry discussion on responsible AI adoption, distinguishing between hype and practical application.
72-Year-Old Candy Crush Master Reaches Level 20,000, Proves Gaming Has No Age LimitA 72-year-old woman has reached level 20,000 in the mobile game Candy Crush, demonstrating significant dedication and challenging age stereotypes in gaming. This achievement highlights the longevity and strategic depth of casual mobile games and the diverse nature of the gaming community.
The future of Xbox is vague and contradictory, with just a glimmer of hopeMicrosoft has announced significant leadership changes within Xbox, with Asha Sharma stepping into a combined CEO role previously held by Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond. The article analyzes the implications of these changes, Sharma's background in AI, and the perceived contradictions in Xbox's future strategy, highlighting concerns about talent retention and the company's long-term direction.
Todd Howard says Bethesda isn't 'fully ignoring' AIBethesda game director Todd Howard stated that the studio is cautiously exploring artificial intelligence as a tool for data analysis and long-term player insights, rather than for content generation. He emphasized the importance of artistic intention and human creativity in game development. This approach aligns with Xbox's broader exploration of AI features, though other studios under the Xbox umbrella have had varied experiences with AI implementation and mandates.
Jobs Roundup: February 2026 | UK games publisher PQube appoints Dominic Wheatley as chairmanSeveral key appointments and leadership transitions have occurred across the games industry. Dominic Wheatley has been named chairman of PQube, Ricardo Briceno is the new CEO of Gamefam, and Craig Cincotta has returned to Xbox. Additionally, Christie Golden joins IO Interactive as principal writer, and Joshua Mills takes over as creative director for Rainbow Six Siege at Ubisoft Montréal.