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Tencent Looking to Offload Game Dev Investments, Even at a Loss
Chinese company Tencent is reportedly looking to divest from several of its Japanese game development investments, even if it means taking a financial loss. This move is attributed to the current industry downturn and Tencent's focus on AI development. While specific studios are not all named, Marvelous is mentioned as one of the companies Tencent seeks to exit. Despite these potential sales, Tencent has stated its continued commitment to the video game industry and its presence in the Japanese market.
Eidos Montreal founder says modern execs are driven more by spreadsheets than passion for games
Stephane D'Astous, founder of Eidos Montreal, believes modern game executives are driven more by financial spreadsheets than a genuine passion for games. He notes the shift from smaller, more personal decision-making to large, financially motivated corporate strategies, citing the increased influence of entities like Tencent and sovereign wealth funds. D'Astous feels this change has led to unrealistic expectations and a less creative development environment.
Ubisoft eliminates 93 roles in San Francisco
Ubisoft is eliminating 93 roles at its San Francisco office, with the layoffs expected to be permanent. This follows recent announcements of studio closures in Winnipeg and Belgrade, and a significant year-on-year decrease in net bookings. The company also secured a $1.25 billion investment from Tencent.
Rockstar's legal setback, Final Fantasy tax incentives, and PlayStation swaps 'PC' for 'AI' - Patch Notes #57
This week's gaming news includes Rockstar Games facing a trial date for union busting allegations, Sony Interactive Entertainment shifting its business strategy focus from 'PC' to 'AI' in SEC filings, and Microsoft's Xbox division reportedly preparing for studio closures. Additionally, Don't Nod is seeking new financing after Tencent withdrew short-term investment, Shibuya ward is offering Final Fantasy 14 in-game items for tax donations, and Epic Games is merging Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN into a unified Unreal Engine 6. The UK government is also set to implement a ban on social media for under 16s, impacting high-risk features in games.
Newzoo: Global games market made over $200bn in 2025
The global games market generated over $200 billion in revenue in 2025, marking a 9.1% year-on-year increase. Mobile gaming accounted for 56% of this revenue, while PC and console gaming each took 22%. China and the United States were the largest markets, contributing over half of the global spending.
Don't Nod says it has "several levers" to secure financial position after auditors detailed cash woes
French developer Don't Nod is actively pursuing financing initiatives and cost optimizations to secure its financial position, following an auditor's report indicating potential cash flow issues by November. The company confirmed Tencent remains a shareholder but will not provide further investment, while Don't Nod seeks support for its in-development Project P14.
OtherSide Entertainment cuts 17 jobs after Argos cancellation
OtherSide Entertainment has laid off 17 employees following the cancellation of its in-development project, Argos. The studio cited challenging industry conditions as the reason for the project's unviability. This follows a history of project cancellations and IP acquisitions for the developer.
Xbox’s Biggest Problems May Still Be Ahead
Xbox is facing significant internal challenges despite a recent showcase of upcoming games like Gears of War: E-Day. CEO Asha Sharma admitted to substantial financial losses and poor investment returns over the past five years, citing issues with funding franchises and inadequate infrastructure. Reports suggest impending layoffs and potential restructuring, including spinning off Xbox as a subsidiary or forming joint ventures, as Microsoft seeks to make its gaming division a sustainable business.
Don't Nod pursuing 'several levers' to secure financial future after Tencent decides against short-term investment
Developer Don't Nod is actively seeking financial solutions to extend its cash runway after Tencent decided against a short-term investment. The company is working to optimize its cost base and secure funding for 'Project P14' amidst a challenging industry environment.
Life is Strange creator Don't Nod look to be in hot water as a financial report says they'll be out of cash by November
French game developer Don't Nod, known for the Life is Strange series, is reportedly facing a severe cash shortage and may run out of funds by November 2026. Despite releasing five games in three years, recent titles have not performed well enough, and minority stakeholder Tencent is not providing further funding. The company is exploring options including seeking external financing, accelerating a new game's release, or taking on work-for-hire projects.
Ulysses Graphics appoints Chief Business Officer, Claas Grimm, to strengthen its position as a leading AAA art partner
Ulysses Graphics has appointed Claas Grimm as its new Chief Business Officer to bolster its position as a AAA art partner. Grimm brings over 20 years of experience in business development and operations within the games industry, having previously worked with major companies like Activision and Tencent. The company, which has studios in Ukraine and Poland, aims to leverage Grimm's expertise to enhance its client experience and solidify its reputation for high-quality art production.
Auditors warn Don't Nod will run out of cash by November if it is unable to secure financing
French game developer Don't Nod is at risk of running out of cash by November if it cannot secure additional financing, according to its auditor. The company has sought capital from its largest shareholder, Tencent, without success, and has also failed to secure funding from other industry players. Don't Nod, known for Life is Strange, has previously restructured and made staff redundant.
Aphelion and Life is Strange developer Don't Nod in trouble as it struggles to secure funding for its next project
French studio Don't Nod, known for Life is Strange and Aphelion, is facing financial difficulties and may run out of cash by November as co-owner Tencent is unwilling to fund its next project or increase its stake. The company is seeking other publishers for funding, but discussions have not yet yielded commitments. This situation could lead to layoffs and a scaled-back development scope for its upcoming game, Project P14.
ONCE A RANGER, ALWAYS A RANGER - GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE 'ARK RANGER' UPDATE NOW AVAILABLE
Level Infinite has released the 'Ark Ranger' update for Goddess of Victory: Nikke, available on PC and mobile devices. This update introduces the new character Ark Ranger Black, a hero-themed story event inspired by tokusatsu series, and new costumes. The game has been downloaded over 45 million times globally.
Ubisoft are reportedly laying off up to 380 staff, as the Assassin's Creed publisher closes two studios and restructures another
Ubisoft is reportedly laying off up to 380 employees as it closes its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and restructures its Barcelona studio to focus solely on Rainbow Six games. These cuts are part of a broader cost-slashing initiative and company reorganization into creative houses for specific game series.
Analyst: Q1 2026 revenue figures show there is still demand for compelling single-player video games
Global game content revenue saw a 3.6% year-over-year increase in Q1 2026, reaching $54.14 billion, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Companies like Capcom and Pearl Abyss reported significant growth, driven by titles such as Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert, indicating continued consumer demand for compelling single-player experiences alongside live-service games. PC emerged as the fastest-growing platform.
Ubisoft is reportedly closing two studios and restructuring another, with around 380 people expected to be laid off
Ubisoft is reportedly closing its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios, impacting around 380 employees. Ubisoft Barcelona will now focus solely on Rainbow Six projects, and other departments, including Global Publishing and Ubisoft Montreal, are also affected by restructuring and layoffs. This marks the third round of job cuts at Ubisoft this year, following earlier reductions at Red Storm Entertainment and other studios.
Ubisoft reportedly shuts down Winnipeg and Belgrade studios
Ubisoft has reportedly closed its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios, with additional layoffs occurring at its Barcelona studio, potentially affecting up to 380 employees. The Winnipeg studio closure is particularly notable given Ubisoft's previous commitment to expand it. These actions follow a year of labor disputes, including employee strikes and previous studio closures, amidst a significant deal with Tencent.
Ubisoft closing Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and making further layoffs
Ubisoft is closing its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and implementing further layoffs across its Barcelona studio and global publishing business. These cost-reduction measures could affect up to 380 roles and are part of a broader restructuring to focus on new strategic priorities. The Winnipeg studio was key in developing the Anvil and Snowdrop engines, while Belgrade focused on various PC and console titles.
Envar Games' Magical Open-World Adventure Game ‘Witchspire’ Launches on PC
Envar Games has launched its new magical open-world adventure game, Witchspire, into Early Access on Steam for PC. The game features co-operative multiplayer, character customization, base building, and a variety of familiars to collect and level up. Witchspire is the debut original IP from Envar Games, a subdivision of co-development studio Envar.