The Game Business
The Game Business business and news from across the web.
"This is all about control" - industry experts speak on Sony's move away from discs, and what this means for the PlayStation 6 and the cost of gamesSony has announced it will cease production of physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts believe signals a disc-less PlayStation 6 likely launching in 2028. This decision is expected to reduce console manufacturing costs and shift the market further towards digital distribution, impacting game pricing and consumer ownership. While some see it as a necessary evolution, concerns remain about preservation and the second-hand market.
Xbox Game Pass Lost “Millions of Subscribers” After 2025 Price Hike, per Chief Strategy OfficerXbox's Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball confirmed that the company lost millions of subscribers following a significant price increase for Xbox Game Pass in October. While the exact timing of the price hike is unclear, the article suggests the decision negatively impacted the service's player base, though recent efforts may be helping to regain trust.
Vampire Survivors Dev Doesn't Need to @ Us, It's Working on 15 ProjectsPoncle, the developer behind Vampire Survivors, clarified that it is working on 15 projects, not necessarily 15 distinct games. These projects include DLC, free updates, and published titles, with new studios opened in Italy and Japan to increase output. Vampire Survivors has surpassed 27 million players, and its engine has been shared with Auroch Digital for the development of Warhammer Survivors.
GamesIndustry.biz to host The Games Investment Panel at MCM Comic Con's Indie Game SummitGamesIndustry.biz will host The Games Investment Panel at Game Republic's Indie Games Summit during MCM London Comic Con. Editorial director Jon Hicks will moderate the panel on May 22, featuring industry professionals discussing investment and funding options for game developers. The summit includes various talks, roundtables, and networking opportunities.- 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.