Business
Ongoing coverage on Business.
Latest coverage
With GTA 6 about to launch, Take-Two boss unloads on investor criticizing "years of delays, missed expectations, and continued dependence on a small number of major franchises"
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed investor concerns about game delays and franchise dependence during the company's shareholder meeting. While acknowledging Grand Theft Auto 6's delays, Zelnick defended the management team's performance, highlighting the company's revenue growth and the sustained success of Grand Theft Auto 5.
Sony had good reasons to axe Hideo Kojima's Physint claims report
Sony Interactive Entertainment reportedly dropped Hideo Kojima's upcoming game Physint due to missed deadlines, budget concerns, and potential profitability issues, despite it being a spiritual successor to Metal Gear. The project will now be funded by Xbox and is planned for release on both Xbox and PC, marking Kojima's second collaboration with Microsoft after the horror game OD. This decision comes after Death Stranding titles did not meet PlayStation's revenue expectations, and Sony was hesitant to invest in a title where it would not own the intellectual property.
Sony reportedly dropped Hideo Kojima's next game because it kept missing deadlines, was over budget, and would…
Sony has reportedly dropped Hideo Kojima's upcoming game, Physint, due to missed deadlines, budget overruns, and a lack of exclusivity for PlayStation hardware. Xbox has since picked up the project. This decision comes after Kojima's previous games, Death Stranding and its sequel, did not meet PlayStation's revenue expectations.
PlayStation reportedly dumped Hideo Kojima spy action game Physint over exceeded budgets, missed deadlines, and Death Stranding sales
PlayStation reportedly canceled Hideo Kojima's spy action game Physint due to exceeded budgets, missed deadlines, and disappointing sales from Death Stranding. The game has since switched publishers to Xbox, potentially increasing its chances of a PC release. This decision reflects PlayStation's stricter production oversight and concerns over Kojima's games not meeting revenue expectations.
After Death Stranding missed expectations, Sony reportedly axed Physint because Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear successor is over budget, years away, missing deadlines, and not a true exclusive
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reportedly canceled Hideo Kojima's action-espionage game, Physint, due to budget overruns, missed deadlines, and its perceived lack of true exclusivity. The project has since been picked up by Microsoft and Xbox. This decision follows disappointing sales for Kojima's previous titles, Death Stranding, and a shift in Sony's strategy away from PC releases and towards console exclusivity.
Tim Schafer says Double Fine's unique games can be commercial hits if they can find their audience
Tim Schafer, head of Double Fine Productions, believes the studio's unique games have mass market appeal and can be commercial hits if they find the right audience. Despite recent titles like Keeper and Kiln not being profitable, Schafer argues against the 'arthouse' label and emphasizes the importance of creative freedom for the team's survival and motivation.
GTA Online Turns Up the Heat With Month-Long Business Rivalries Event
Grand Theft Auto Online has launched a month-long Business Rivalries Event across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, offering significant in-game rewards and free properties. The event features weekly themes focusing on different criminal enterprises, including executive offices, biker businesses, gunrunning, and nightclubs, with substantial GTA$ and RP bonuses for completing various challenges and sales.
"You cannot make a game like The Witcher 4" by being "cost-driven," CD Projekt CEO says, and he's "100% sure" GTA 6 is being made the same way
CD Projekt Red CEO Michał Nowakowski stated that games like The Witcher 4 and Grand Theft Auto 6 cannot be made with a cost-driven approach, emphasizing quality and fan expectations over budget constraints. He believes that while cost-consciousness is important, it's not the primary driver for such ambitious titles. Nowakowski also touched upon Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch, attributing it to psychological factors rather than investor pressure.
Brian Ward steps down as Savvy Games Group CEO
Brian Ward is stepping down as CEO of Savvy Games Group, a company established in 2021 to expand Saudi Arabia's presence in the global games industry. Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), will serve as interim acting CEO. Ward's tenure saw significant acquisitions, including Scopely and Moonton.
Life is Strange and Aphelion studio Don't Nod probably facing layoffs again, as it announces ominous-sounding "transformation initiative"
French developer Don't Nod, known for Life is Strange and Aphelion, is initiating a "transformation initiative" that strongly suggests impending layoffs. The company cited "profound changes in the economic conditions of the video game industry" and deteriorating economic indicators as reasons for adapting its operating model, with negotiations underway for a job-preservation plan.
Games Inbox: Does GTA 6 have the best video game graphics ever?
Readers discuss the graphics of Grand Theft Auto 6, with some praising them and others finding them only slightly better than older titles. The discussion also touches on game design philosophies, the challenges of parenting in relation to adult-themed games, and comparisons to other titles like Ninja Gaiden 4 and Dave The Diver.
Saros Studio’s Co-Founder Ilari Kuittinen Announces Departure From Housemarque
Housemarque co-founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen has announced his departure from the company after 31 years. He reflected on the studio's journey from an independent developer to a AAA studio within PlayStation Studios, highlighting achievements like Returnal and Saros. Sami Hakala has taken over as managing director, while Kuittinen plans to take a break before potentially returning to the industry in a mentoring or consulting role.
Playdate maker Panic refunds tariff surcharges to customers
Playdate maker Panic is refunding customers who paid tariff surcharges, following a US Supreme Court ruling that President Trump's tariffs were unlawful. The company had added a 19% tariff line item to Playdate orders during a specific period. Separately, a report indicates the European games industry generated €30 billion in 2025, with mobile and tablets being the leading platforms.
Panic is refunding tariff fees paid by Playdate owners
Panic, the developer of the Playdate handheld console, is refunding tariff fees previously paid by its owners. These fees were incurred under the Trump administration's original tariff regime.
Playdate maker Panic is refunding tariff fees to customers
Playdate manufacturer Panic is refunding customers who paid tariff fees during a specific period this year. The company received tariff refunds from the United States government and decided to pass the money back to its customers, citing that it was not their money to keep. This decision contrasts with other companies like Nintendo, which are reportedly keeping their tariff refunds.
Riot Games sunsets active development on 2XKO as it costs "substantially more to operate than it brings in"
Riot Games is ending active development on its free-to-play fighting game 2XKO in December due to high operating costs and flat engagement. Servers will remain online beyond 2026, and the game will continue to be playable for free on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Riot will issue refunds for in-game currency and has unlocked most gameplay content, including all champion characters, with upcoming patches.
2XKO Is Ending Active Development Very Soon
Riot Games announced that active development for its free-to-play fighting game, 2XKO, will cease in December 2026 due to a lack of sustained player engagement. While content updates will end, the game's servers will remain online beyond 2026, and a final patch with new characters and improvements is planned for December. The company cited the difficulty of achieving sustainability in the competitive fighting game market as the primary reason for this decision.
Game Companies Could Learn Wrong Lessons From GTA 6’s $80 Price, Analyst Says
Industry analyst Rhys Elliott of Ampere Analytics suggests that publishers might misinterpret Grand Theft Auto 6's $80 price point as a universal green light for all AAA games. He argues the correct lesson is to maintain a $70 base price and offer premium editions with extras, rather than universally increasing prices, especially as living costs rise and console prices increase.
EG7 Q2 2026: Daybreak has finished buying out Cold Iron and Aliens Fireteam Elite 2
Enad Global 7's subsidiary Daybreak Game Company has finalized its acquisition of Cold Iron Studios for $3 million, securing assets and intellectual property related to the developer, including the Aliens franchise IP for Aliens: Fireteam Elite. Daybreak reported improved profitability in Q2 2026, driven by Palia and DC Universe Online, alongside steady performance from its other live-service titles like EverQuest and EverQuest II.
The MOP Up: RIFT’s Razorback Roundup is back, yeehaw!
This week's MMO news roundup includes the return of RIFT's Razorback Roundup event, updates for Marvel Rivals and Uncharged Waters Origin, and news from various games like Wizard101, Fiesta Online, and Gloria Victis. Gamigo announced upcoming releases, while War Thunder reported on bans, and Myth of Empires: Throne secured a publishing deal.
