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Sony and Microsoft do their best Nintendo impression, say customers aren't entitled to tariff refunds because they chose to pay inflated prices and got "exactly" what they "paid for"
Sony and Microsoft are following Nintendo's lead by refusing to pass tariff refunds onto consumers for products like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The companies argue that customers received exactly what they paid for at the advertised price, and that consumers were free to not purchase the goods if they disagreed with the cost.
How does Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney reckon we can fight the industry's "Crash 2.0"? By building more factories
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney believes the gaming industry is facing its biggest crash since 1983, attributing it to market contraction and rising development costs. He specifically highlights component shortages, exacerbated by AI data center demand, as a critical threat that will likely persist for three years, necessitating the construction of new factories to meet global capacity needs.
"We can get any IP" - Saber CCO on why reviving dormant franchises is the big, obvious secret the the publisher's success, and why Xbox could learn from it
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes the company's success stems from its strategy of reviving dormant franchises and ensuring projects can generate four times their cost. He highlighted titles like World War Z and Snow Runner as examples of profitable ventures, and suggested that larger companies like Microsoft could benefit from a similar approach by revitalizing underutilized IPs.
Sony makes twice as much money from you on PS5 compared to PS4
Sony is prioritizing monetizing existing PlayStation 5 owners over acquiring new ones, as the company makes significantly more revenue per user on the current generation console compared to the PlayStation 4. This strategy focuses on recurring revenue from services like PlayStation Plus and digital purchases, while physical game sales decline.
Following Nintendo's example, Sony and Microsoft argue they have no obligation to pass tariff refunds onto customers
Sony and Microsoft are arguing in separate lawsuits that they are not legally obligated to pass tariff refunds onto consumers who purchased their consoles at inflated prices. Both companies, along with Nintendo, are facing legal challenges from customers seeking compensation after US-imposed tariffs were ruled illegal and companies became eligible for refunds. While the platform holders maintain consumers paid fair market price, some smaller companies like Panic and Arctic have opted to refund customers.
Keeper PS5 Trophy Listing Indicates Impending Release – Rumor
A PlayStation Trophy listing for the adventure game Keeper suggests an impending release on PlayStation 5, following its original launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S. The article also touches on Double Fine Productions' recent independence from Microsoft, the studio's subsequent layoffs, and the positive reception of Keeper despite its niche appeal.
Sony, Microsoft Say They Have No Obligation to Offer Refunds For Tariff-Based Price Hikes
Sony and Microsoft are arguing, similar to Nintendo, that they have no legal obligation to provide refunds to consumers for price hikes caused by import tariffs. Lawyers for both companies stated that customers paid the advertised price and received what they paid for, and that intervening legal developments regarding tariffs do not entitle them to a rebate. These arguments come amidst ongoing lawsuits filed by companies seeking refunds from the US government after tariffs were deemed illegal.
Devil May Cry co-creator understands why physical games are dying, but wants IP holders to prioritize game preservation
Devil May Cry co-creator Hideki Kamiya expresses concern over the decline of physical games and the industry's apparent lack of commitment to game preservation. While understanding the shift to digital, Kamiya urges IP holders to ensure older titles remain accessible for future generations, citing examples like PlayStation's phasing out of discs and Microsoft's layoffs.
Double Fine's famous game jam returns with 26 new ideas and a promise to make Brutal Legend 2, if its Kickstarter…
Double Fine's Amnesia Fortnight game jam has returned, launching a Kickstarter campaign that has already surpassed its $400,000 goal. The event allows developers to pitch and prototype new game ideas over two weeks, with the top four finalists being built into playable demos for public voting. A stretch goal of $100 million could potentially fund Brutal Legend 2.
OpenAI head Sam Altman says 'people hate data centers,' but the company still plans to invest $50 million more in AI infrastructure this year alone
Despite public backlash and negative sentiments towards data centers and AI, OpenAI plans to invest an additional $50 million in AI infrastructure this year. CEO Sam Altman acknowledges the public's negativity but emphasizes the continued need for compute power, even exploring renting out capacity for profitability. The article highlights community opposition to data centers, citing examples of lawsuits and environmental concerns.
Banjo-Kazooie composer says "like 3 companies" have pitched a new entry in the series, but "Rare just…
Banjo-Kazooie composer Grant Kirkhope stated that multiple companies have pitched new game ideas to Microsoft and Rare, but Rare has consistently rejected them. Kirkhope expressed a desire to be involved if a new game is ever made and suggested Day 4 Night Studios or Toys For Bob as potential developers.
'Consoles are here to stay': CD Projekt Red boss bets on Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo 'weathering the…
CD Projekt Red's CEO Michal Nowakowski believes consoles from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will overcome current hardware shortages and potential price increases. However, the article notes Sony faces backlash over its planned discontinuation of physical game discs in 2028, which could impact sales.
Witcher 4 Dev “Not Worried” About Future Of Consoles Despite Rising Costs
CD Projekt joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski expressed confidence in the future of consoles, stating they are essential for broadening the gaming audience despite rising costs and potential delays of next-generation hardware like the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox. He believes strong content will ensure players find ways to access games regardless of platform.
"You can’t just throw new people at that problem": Bethesda devs doubt future Elder Scrolls and Fallout games will have the same "quality level", after losing seasoned staff to Xbox cuts
Unionized Bethesda Game Studios staff are expressing doubts about the company's ability to maintain its historical quality level for future Elder Scrolls and Fallout games following significant layoffs by Microsoft. Developers cite the loss of seasoned employees and institutional knowledge as critical factors that cannot be easily replaced, leading to concerns about the development of The Elder Scrolls VI and other titles. Negotiations over severance terms are ongoing, with union members feeling Microsoft's offers are insufficient.
Former id Software producer says the team faced the 'worst crunch' in the series' history on Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations: 'There were days where I didn't see my son'
Former id Software producer Andrew Willis revealed that the team experienced severe crunch conditions while developing Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations, describing it as the worst in the series' history. This intense period of overwork, which included days of 12-17 hour shifts, occurred shortly before many developers on the expansion team were laid off by Xbox. The article also touches on the game's sales performance relative to Doom Eternal and the studio's overall health post-layoffs.
Bethesda Employees Thought They Were Safe From Layoffs Thanks to Skyrim, Fallout
Former Bethesda Game Studios Austin developer Anne Barrett shared that employees felt secure from layoffs due to the success of games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and Fallout, making Xbox's subsequent announcements even more shocking and devastating. The layoffs resulted in a significant drop in morale and a loss of institutional knowledge crucial for the company's proprietary game engine.
That Grand Theft Auto 6 exclusive reveal worked out pretty well for Netflix: It was the platform's biggest show…
Netflix's exclusive deal for the Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal generated 31.1 million views within four days, making it the platform's most-watched title of the week. This success suggests a potential future trend of major gaming companies utilizing streaming service exclusivity for major announcements.
Skyrim and Fallout made Bethesda devs feel "safe" from mass layoffs before Xbox ended decades-long careers in…
Bethesda Game Studios developers, known for franchises like Skyrim and Fallout, felt secure from mass layoffs at Xbox, but were instead blindsided by job cuts affecting long-term employees. An employee described the experience as devastating, with meetings lasting only two minutes to end decades-long careers. The loss of institutional knowledge is a significant concern for future game quality.
Xbox Game Pass September 2026 Wave 1 Lineup Announced
Microsoft has announced the first wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in September 2027. The lineup includes a major Call of Duty title.
Double Fine are all in on making Brutal Legend 2, if you're willing to give them $100 million in their game jam Kickstarter, anyway
Double Fine has launched a Kickstarter campaign for their Amnesia Fortnight game jam, with a stretch goal to fund Brutal Legend 2 if $100 million is raised. While the funding goal is highly ambitious, the campaign allows backers to vote on prototypes developed during the jam, with winners potentially becoming full games. This initiative marks Double Fine's return to independence after being acquired by Microsoft.
