Zynga Games
Zynga Games business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Draft of new EU law proposes sweeping restrictions on online games
The EU Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, which would introduce significant restrictions on online games sold within EU territories. These proposed rules aim to curb excessive use by minors, restrict communication between users, and increase transparency on in-game currencies and lootboxes. Separately, Nex Playground announced securing $150 million in funding as its active console sales surpass one million units, with plans for international expansion.
Nex Playground maker secures over $150 million to expand globally
Nex, the company behind the controller-free Nex Playground console, has secured over $150 million in financing to support its global expansion. The active play system has sold over 1 million units and is targeting Europe and Asia. The company also appointed Jeff Shouger as its new CFO.
Nex Playground announces $150m in new funding as hardware sales pass one million
Nex Team has secured $150 million in Series E funding, co-led by Baillie Gifford and BAI Capital, as sales of its Nex Playground active console surpass one million units. The company's subscriber base has grown sevenfold in 18 months to nearly one million. The new funding will support international expansion, inventory, and go-to-market initiatives, with former Niantic CFO Jeff Shouger and executive Bing Gordon joining the team.
GTA 6 Is Going To Be Huge. So Why Is Take-Two’s Stock Having Such A Bad Year?
Despite immense hype for Grand Theft Auto 6, Take-Two Interactive's stock has declined significantly over the past year. Factors contributing to this include investor concerns over AI technology, a high price-to-earnings ratio, and the impact of leaks, which have rattled confidence in the company's control over its flagship product. While analysts remain largely bullish on the stock's long-term potential, citing the expected success of GTA 6 and its online component, the market's short-term reaction has been negative.
Take-Two's former AI guy is, in a twist, skeptical about AI now: 'The guy should be selling you the gold if…
A former AI lead for Take-Two Interactive, Dicken, expresses skepticism about the current hype surrounding generative AI in game development. He argues that the technology's practical application is often overstated, citing issues with authorial intent, dialogue trees, and debatable productivity gains. Dicken also warns of potential vendor lock-in and price hikes, comparing the situation to Unity's controversial pricing changes.
Canceled Star Wars RPG Magellan Looked Like A Star Wars Take On Borderlands
Details have emerged about Star Wars: Magellan, a canceled AAA action-RPG developed by Echtra Games under Zynga. The game, which was in development since 2021, featured third-person shoot-and-loot gameplay with Jedi and Mandalorian classes, and was targeting PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Echtra Games was shut down last year, leading to the project's cancellation.
Another cancelled Star Wars video game has surfaced online with early footage
A cancelled multiplayer action RPG for Star Wars, codenamed Magellan, developed by Echtra Games and NaturalMotion under Zynga, has surfaced with early footage. The game, intended for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, was reportedly abandoned in 2025 due to strategic realignments within Zynga and its parent company Take-Two Interactive, which also led to Echtra Games being shut down.
Canceled Star Wars RPG surfaces 1 year after it was officially scrapped, revealing Jedi and Mandalorian combat, looter shooter gameplay, and more we'll never get to experience ourselves
Footage has surfaced online of a canceled Star Wars action RPG, reportedly codenamed Star Wars: Magellan, which was in development at Echtra Games before the studio's closure. The leaked gameplay showcases playable Mandalorian and Jedi characters engaging in combat, featuring looter shooter mechanics and a multiplayer ARPG focus. The game was intended for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S before its cancellation.
Gameplay footage for the cancelled Star Wars: Magellan has appeared online
Gameplay footage has surfaced online for Star Wars: Magellan, an action RPG developed by the now-closed Echtra Games. The footage showcases Jedi and Mandalorian characters fighting enemies and collecting loot, hinting at a loot-centric experience. The game was intended for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S before Zynga shut down Echtra Games in June 2025.
As GTA 6 publisher Take-Two revises its 2027 net bookings up to $8.2bn, Strauss Zelnick confirms its sales are "well over 90% digital"
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed that over 90% of the publisher's sales are digital, a trend reinforced by Grand Theft Auto 6's physical release being a code in a box. The company has revised its Fiscal 2027 net bookings outlook upwards to $8.2 billion, largely due to strong pre-order performance and excitement for Grand Theft Auto 6's November 19th launch.
Take-Two Q1 results include net bookings ahead of guidance, a slight increase in revenue, and cancellation of unannounced game
Take-Two Interactive reported Q1 results exceeding guidance, driven by strong performance from NBA 2K6 and Grand Theft Auto V, alongside its Zynga mobile portfolio. The company maintained its full-year net bookings projection of $8-8.2 billion. Revenue impairment was noted due to the cancellation of an unannounced title, contributing to a significant year-over-year increase in net loss.
Unsurprisingly, GTA 6 Has Take-Two Predicting A Massively Profitable Year Ahead
Take-Two Interactive is predicting a highly profitable financial year, running from April 2026 to March 2027, with revenue expected to reach $8.2 billion, largely driven by the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. The publisher anticipates Rockstar Games will contribute 37% of this revenue, with Zynga and the 2K Games label making up the rest. The company also highlighted the continued success of its mobile games and annual sports titles, as well as microtransaction sales from established franchises like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2.
"A couple of companies have managed to ignite a culture war and bring the economy to the brink of collapse": Games AI veteran says it can be useful, but we've made mountains out of ChatGPT's molehills
AI researcher Luke Dicken argues that while AI has useful applications in game development, the current hype around Large Language Models and generative AI is disproportionate. He distinguishes between AI as a decision-making tool and the overblown promises of magic buttons, emphasizing that AI's true value lies in enabling capabilities beyond human scale, not just faster or cheaper execution of existing tasks. Dicken also warns of the unsustainable economic model behind current AI tools and suggests publishers should focus on addressing wasted labor in AAA development rather than relying on AI to cut corners.
Take-Two Interactive’s Positive Cash Flow Opens Up Opportunities for Acquisitions, Says CEO
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick reported strong financial results, with net bookings exceeding expectations thanks to titles like NBA 2K and the Grand Theft Auto series. The company anticipates over $1 billion in cash flow for the upcoming fiscal year, enabling potential mergers and acquisitions. The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with pre-orders already indicating record-breaking sales potential.
Games for Change Reveals 2026 Festival Speakers as Global Leaders Gather to Reimagine Play
Games for Change has announced additional speakers for its 23rd annual festival, themed "Reimagining Play," taking place July 21-22, 2026, in New York City. The event will feature leaders from UNICEF, thatgamecompany, and Annapurna, among others, discussing how games drive social impact and innovation beyond entertainment. The festival will include panels, a new Playtest Lab for early-stage works, and the Games for Change Awards.
