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Jobs roundup: October | Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott voted chair of UKIE
Several key appointments have been made across the UK games industry. Harvey Elliott, CEO of Playstack, has been voted chair of UKIE, succeeding Maria Sayans. Murray Pannell joins Steel City Interactive as head of publishing, while Dean Anderson leads MV&P's APAC partnerships. Catherine Bygrave is the new head of commercial at Code Wizards Group, and Michał Platkow-Gilewski has been promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red.
Jobs roundup: October | Code Wizards Group appoints Catherine Bygrave as head of commercial
Several key figures have moved into new roles within the games industry. Michał Platkow-Gilewski was promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red, while Catherine Bygrave was appointed head of commercial at Code Wizards Group. Other notable appointments include Daniel Smith as executive producer at Playground Games, Gero Micciché as lead producer at 2K and Hangar 13 Games, and Tymon Smektala as executive producer at Bloober Team's Broken Mirror Games.
"There is no easy answer anymore, there's no kind of playbook" – Secret Mode is hedging its bets with two very different pillars
Independent UK publisher Secret Mode is experiencing significant growth by focusing on two distinct pillars: 'pure indie' titles and higher-budget games like Star Wars: Galactic Racer. The company, which recently separated from Sumo Digital and Tencent, is also exploring a 'caretaker development' model for existing titles and emphasizes the importance of discoverability in the current market.
Arm explains its mobile-first AI-reconstruction technology, which takes a different tack from the "black box" approach of DLSS 5
Arm has unveiled its new AI-native compute platform and Mali G2-Ultra NX GPU, focusing on mobile-first AI reconstruction technology. This approach aims to improve graphics performance and reduce power consumption, offering an open alternative to Nvidia's proprietary DLSS 5. The technology supports features like ray tracing and is designed to be adaptable by developers, with upcoming support for Unreal Engine and potentially Unity.
Inside Tencent's long-term strategy: live service, AI tools, and evergreen titles
Tencent's long-term strategy for its global games division centers on building sustainable communities through live service titles and evergreen IPs, alongside investing in high-quality talent and synergistic partnerships. The company is also embracing AI as a tool to enhance developer efficiency and iteration, rather than replace human roles, while navigating challenges in global integration and outsourcing.
New UK developer Pretty Cool Games founded by Human: Fall Flat developers
Pretty Cool Games, a new UK-based game development studio, has been founded by Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley, original developers of the hit indie game Human: Fall Flat. The studio, based in Leeds, is hiring and plans to develop an AA title with physics-based gameplay, aiming for innovation and a sustainable development model amidst industry challenges like layoffs and funding difficulties. Shefta highlighted the importance of long-term vision and supporting talent within the UK development community.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | Paramount Games appoints Nate Nanzer as EVP, head of commercial & marketing
This article rounds up recent appointments and transitions within the gaming industry. Notable moves include Nate Nanzer joining Paramount Games, Julia Gutnik heading media at Amazon Gaming, and Tracey Thompson returning to Bethesda as VP of communications. Several other companies like Epic Games, Studio MDHR, Games Workshop, and Blizzard Entertainment also saw new hires or promotions.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | CodeDev Group appoints Ben Board as CEO of The Performance Guys
This article rounds up recent hires and promotions across the gaming industry. Key appointments include Ben Board as CEO of The Performance Guys, Nate Nanzer as EVP at Paramount Games, and Tracey Thompson returning to Bethesda as VP of communications. Several other companies like Epic Games, Amazon, and Microsoft also saw personnel changes.
Secret Mode opens new Sheffield studio to support internal titles, starting with Escape the Backrooms and Chained Together
Indie publisher Secret Mode has established a new internal development studio in Sheffield, initially comprising three people and aiming to expand to 20 within a year. This new division will focus on supporting the publisher's existing titles, starting with Escape the Backrooms and Chained Together, by developing new content and porting games to additional platforms like Xbox and PlayStation 5. The move aims to reduce reliance on external development and foster a culture of rapid content creation.
Tencent-owned Lightspeed LA is laying off staff
Lightspeed LA, a subsidiary of Tencent's Lightspeed Studios and developer of Last Sentinel, has laid off approximately 80 employees. The studio cited a shift in creative and development direction for the project following internal reviews. Lightspeed Studios remains committed to its North American operations and global gaming strategy.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed review (2018)
This retrospective review highlights Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed as a strong arcade-style racer that offers a leaner, more skill-expressive alternative to Mario Kart. Developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega, the game features a unique crossover roster and the ability for vehicles to transform between cars, planes, and boats, making it a standout title on PC.
Should you work on your own games as an external development studio?
This article explores whether external development studios should also work on their own original games alongside client projects. While some studios like Redcatpig and Lab42 see internal projects as crucial for team motivation, skill development, and creative outlets, others like Code Wizards and Airship prioritize their service-based business model to avoid resource drain and client competition. The consensus suggests that while internal projects can offer significant benefits, careful management and clear focus are essential to balance them with external work.
What lessons have developers learned from external development?
External development studios emphasize the critical importance of trust and clear communication with clients, often valuing these over raw talent. Key lessons learned include aligning visions, being adaptable to client workflows, adding value beyond basic tasks, specializing in core competencies, and continuously updating technology and processes. Careful scaling and scope discipline are also vital for long-term success in the external development sector.
New TIGA Board reinforces commitment to championing the UK games industry
TIGA, the UK video games industry's trade association, has appointed new members to its Board of Directors, including Gemma Brown, Ben Gunstone, Dan Hett, Greg Howson, Marco A. Minoli, Stuart Muckley, Tim Repa-Davies, Sitara Shefta, and John Tearle. These appointments aim to strengthen TIGA's advocacy for games businesses across the country, focusing on growth, skills development, and policy initiatives. The new board members bring diverse expertise from various studios and specialisms within the UK games sector.
TIGA appoints nine industry veterans to board of directors
The UK video games trade body TIGA has appointed nine new industry veterans to its board of directors, including leaders from Dovetail Games, Stainless Games, and Supermassive Games. These appointments aim to strengthen TIGA's advocacy for UK games companies. Elaine Green of Nellyvision was previously appointed chair.
New TIGA Board Reinforces Commitment to Championing the UK Games Industry
TIGA, the trade association for the UK video games industry, has appointed new members to its Board of Directors, reinforcing its commitment to advocating for and supporting games businesses. The new board members bring diverse expertise from across the sector, aiming to strengthen policies that foster growth, attract investment, and develop talent within the UK games industry.
Xbox Game Studios Boss Is Out Ahead Of Reported Layoffs And Other Major Changes To “Reset” Xbox
Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, is departing Microsoft after 15 years, along with his chief of staff Louise O'Connor. These changes precede reported layoffs and potential studio closures as Xbox CEO Asha Sharma aims to "reset" the business. The departures follow comments from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about the need to make Xbox a sustainable business.
Xbox Game Studios boss Craig Duncan and Chief of Staff Louise O'Connor step down
Xbox Game Studios leader Craig Duncan and Chief of Staff Louise O'Connor have stepped down from their roles. Duncan, who previously led Rare, oversaw numerous internal studios, while O'Connor was an executive producer at Rare. Their departures coincide with reports of potential job cuts and a business 'reset' at Xbox.
Arm's ray-traced demo of its neural technologies for mobile phone gaming proves that there's an alternate chip…
Arm has partnered with Sumo Digital to showcase its new neural rendering technologies for mobile GPUs with a tech demo called Neural Dawn. The demo features ray tracing, AI denoising, and frame generation, suggesting potential applications beyond phones, particularly for handheld gaming PCs. While the technology is impressive, widespread adoption by game developers remains a significant hurdle.
New Arm tech enables the use of Unreal Engine MegaLights on mobile
Arm has unveiled its new neural graphics technology, demonstrated in the mobile game Neural Dawn developed by Sumo Digital. This technology enables the use of Unreal Engine MegaLights and ray-tracing on mobile devices for the first time, previously only available on PC and consoles. The Arm Mali GPU, incorporating machine learning, aims to deliver desktop-class visuals while preserving battery life, allowing for longer gaming sessions and dynamic lighting previously unachievable on mobile platforms.
