Ustwo Games
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Netflix's gaming "secret weapon" is no more - Oxenfree studio Night School is to close
Netflix has closed Night School Studio, the developer behind Oxenfree and Unhinged, as part of a strategic shift to focus on more mainstream games. The company also shut down Moonloot and is reportedly cutting jobs from its internal games team. This move signifies a reduction in Netflix's gaming ambitions, moving away from experimental and narrative-driven titles.
Evening Interviews
Ustwo Games was reportedly pushed out of the mobile market due to the prevalence of free-to-play models. However, the article suggests that the free-to-play approach is now influencing the PC gaming landscape.
Ustwo Games was pushed out of mobile by the rise of free-to-play – but the mobile way of doing things is coming to PC
Ustwo Games is shifting its strategy from mobile-first to PC-first, citing the dominance of the free-to-play model on mobile and a desire to focus on premium, narrative-driven experiences. CEO Maria Sayans and CCO Daniel Gray explained that while this transition is challenging, the studio aims to retain its core identity while adapting its development philosophy for a new audience. Other mobile-focused companies like Outfit7 are also exploring PC releases, indicating a broader trend of diversification within the industry.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wins Best Game at Develop:Star Awards 2026
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive was awarded Best Game at the Develop:Star Awards 2026, alongside wins for Best Narrative and Best Audio. Other notable winners included Frontier Developments for Best Studio and Sony Interactive Entertainment for Publishing Star.
Game Maker's Sketchbook announces selections for 2026 showcase
The Game Maker's Sketchbook has announced its selections for its fifth annual showcase, highlighting concept art, environment art, character designs, and storyboards from games including Pragmata, Borderlands 4, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Monument Valley 3. The works are featured in an online gallery and will be exhibited at Summer Game Fest: Play Days in Los Angeles, with prints available for pre-order to support non-profit initiatives.
A gaming CEO just said 'We’ve been a little bit too romantic about the idea that we should have employees and give people long-term job security', and doesn't that sum up everything wrong with the industry right now
Ustwo Games CEO Maria Sayans has sparked debate by suggesting the company has been "too romantic" about providing long-term job security to employees, citing high development costs in London. The studio is shifting its strategy towards PC and console releases, potentially relying more on contractors to manage growth and reduce budgets, a move Sayans admits she dislikes.
Ustwo Games to consider hiring more contractors to reduce development costs
Ustwo Games CEO Maria Sayans stated the studio plans to reduce development costs by increasing reliance on contractors rather than full-time employees. This shift is part of a move towards a PC-first strategy, aiming for smaller budgets compared to previous titles like Monument Valley 3. Sayans also suggested launching games at higher prices with later discounts to ensure studio sustainability.
"Those of us who joined in the early 2000s, we had it very good": Monument Valley boss says it's getting harder to give workers full-time stability
Ustwo Games CEO Maria Sayans believes the company has been too idealistic about providing full-time employment, leading to a shift towards using more contractors. Sayans, who also chairs Ukie, noted that the industry has changed significantly since the early 2000s, making long-term job stability for all employees more challenging. Ustwo Games is now prioritizing PC development after Monument Valley 3 was removed from Netflix.
'We've been a little bit too romantic:' Ustwo CEO says lowering development costs is now paramount
Ustwo Games CEO Maria Sayans states that lowering development costs and increasing the use of contractors are crucial for the studio's future as a PC-first developer. The company is pivoting away from mobile due to declining profitability and is focusing on creating meaningful single-player experiences for PC and consoles, while re-evaluating its budget and pricing strategies.
NEW GAME PLUS RETURNS NEXT WEEK WITH 100 PLAYABLE GAMES, INDUSTRY TALKS, INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASES, AND MUCH MORE
New 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.
Ustwo Games to keynote Develop:Brighton 2026
Ustwo Games executives Maria Sayans, Daniel Gray, and Peter Pashley will deliver the keynote at Develop:Brighton 2026, discussing the studio's 14-year history and its strategic shift towards PC as a primary platform. The studio, known for titles like Monument Valley and Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, will explore its journey and future direction.
PONCLE KEYNOTE LEADS EXPANDED B2B PROGRAMME AT LONDON GAMES FESTIVAL
The London Games Festival has expanded its B2B program, featuring a keynote from Poncle, the studio behind Vampire Survivors. The event includes a two-day Games Finance Market with £247 million in potential investment, a Self-Publishing Toolkit live session, and the first Games For Change London Summit focused on social impact through games. A 'Games meets film' convergence event, Screen Play, will also explore collaborations between creative industries.
Clair Obscur and Dispatch lead BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch lead the BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations with 12 and nine nods respectively. A total of 42 titles received nominations across various categories, with Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Arc Raiders also securing multiple nominations. The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 17, 2026, in London.
BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations revealed, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads in nine categories
The nominations for the 2026 BAFTA Game Awards have been revealed, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading with 12 nominations, including Best Game. Other notable nominees for Best Game include Dispatch and Ghost of Yōtei. The awards ceremony will take place on April 17, 2026, in London.
Bafta Games 2026 nominees announced and it’s another Clair Obscur sweep
The nominations for the Bafta Games Awards 2026 have been announced, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading the pack with 12 nominations, matching its record at The Game Awards. Dispatch and Arc Raiders also received multiple nominations, including for Best Game. The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 17.
