Business Strategy
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Frontier Developments FY26 adjusted operating profit jumps 62% to £21.4m
Frontier Developments reported record financial results for FY26, with adjusted operating profit jumping 62% to £21.4 million. The company attributes this growth to strong trading, disciplined cost control, and higher tax credits, driven by titles like Jurassic World Evolution 3 and the Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo franchises. Leadership changes were also announced, including the appointment of Dan Lazarides as chief marketing officer and David Braben's move to a non-executive director role.
Tim Schafer: "No one puts Double Fine out of business except me"
Tim Schafer, head of Double Fine Productions, discussed the studio's efforts to regain independence from Microsoft following significant layoffs. He stated that the studio's mission changed after new leadership took over at Xbox, leading to the decision to part ways. Schafer emphasized the importance of creative problem-solving and keeping the team alive amidst industry challenges.
"We can get any IP" - Saber CCO on why reviving dormant franchises is the big, obvious secret the the publisher's success, and why Xbox could learn from it
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes the company's success stems from its strategy of reviving dormant franchises and ensuring projects can generate four times their cost. He highlighted titles like World War Z and Snow Runner as examples of profitable ventures, and suggested that larger companies like Microsoft could benefit from a similar approach by revitalizing underutilized IPs.
Saber Interactive hands-on with Hellraiser: Revival, Turok: Origins and Stuntman
Saber Interactive showcased upcoming titles Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, Turok: Origins, and Stuntman: Hollywood at Gamescom. Hellraiser: Revival is a survival horror game set to release on October 8 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC. Turok: Origins is a prequel shooter with co-op, planned for early 2027. Stuntman: Hollywood revives the stunt driving series with movie-themed challenges and is slated for 2027.
Xbox Says It Isn't Retreating as Hardware Crisis Forces a Rethink of the Console | Invision Game
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company is not retreating from the hardware market but is rethinking its strategy due to a global hardware crisis. Microsoft is focusing on affordability and efficiency for future hardware, expanding the Xbox ecosystem beyond consoles to reach a billion players daily across PC, cloud, and mobile.
Xbox’s Disc-To-Digital Program Means Microsoft Is Probably Done With Discs Too
Microsoft has introduced a "Disc-to-Digital" program for Xbox, allowing users to convert physical game licenses into perpetual digital ones usable across Xbox, PC, and cloud gaming. This move, alongside Sony's earlier announcement to cease physical disc production for PlayStation games after 2028, strongly suggests that both companies are phasing out physical media for future console generations. The program aims to help players maintain access to their game libraries in a digital-first future.
Gamescom Dev head says smaller studios represent the biggest opportunity in the games market
Frederik Hammes, managing director of Gamescom Dev, believes smaller studios represent the biggest opportunity in the current games market, emphasizing the need for business acumen alongside development skills. He also discussed the rebranding of Devcom to Gamescom Dev, extending the event to a full week and integrating it more closely with Gamescom itself. Hammes highlighted the importance of leadership in navigating industry changes, particularly concerning artificial intelligence, and the value of providing a safe space for industry leaders to discuss challenges.
Maria Redin of mobile giant MTG on rebranding, buying Raid: Shadow Legends, and plans to double the company's size
MTG CEO Maria Redin outlines ambitious plans to double the company's size within three to five years, primarily through acquisitions, following the $620 million purchase of Raid: Shadow Legends developer Plarium. The company is rebranding its studio districts to Playsimple and Playamp, focusing on employee retention and integrating technology across its portfolio. Redin also highlights the crucial role of embracing generative AI to maintain competitiveness and enhance game development workflows in the maturing mobile gaming market.
Disney Has 9 Gaming Franchises That Have Generated $1 Billion+ At Retail, Including Kingdom Hearts
Disney has identified video games as a fundamental part of its future entertainment strategy, with nine gaming franchises having generated over $1 billion in retail sales. The company's gaming division, Disney Games, has achieved approximately $3.5 billion in annual consumer spending for the past four years, exceeding $4 billion in the last fiscal year. Disney is focusing on creating original game content rather than movie tie-ins and sees significant opportunity in its partnership with Epic Games for Fortnite.
Netflix Shuts Down Oxenfree Creator Night School Studio in Gaming Pullback
Netflix has shut down Night School Studio, the developer behind Oxenfree, as part of a significant pullback from the gaming industry. Despite positive performance metrics for their recent horror title 'Unhinged,' Netflix is refocusing its gaming ambitions on children's and party titles, as well as established IPs.
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.
"I don't see why people are scared of it" – ShipShaper developer Tomas Sala on why indies shouldn't be stressing about GTA6
ShipShaper developer Tomas Sala believes indie developers shouldn't fear the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, as its audience is distinct from that of niche indie titles. He argues that while the industry faces challenges, it is currently a golden age for indie creativity, and success can be found by focusing on specific niches and understanding market fit. Sala also discusses his own business-minded approach to game development, emphasizing the importance of financial stability for creative freedom.
Netflix shutters Night School Studio and Moonloot Games
Netflix has closed its internal game development studios Night School Studio and Moonloot Games, alongside eliminating additional roles within its gaming division. Night School Studio, known for Oxenfree and its sequel, recently released Unhinged. This move leaves Next Games as Netflix's sole internal studio, as the company refines its gaming strategy around four key pillars.
Netflix Closes Two More Studios
Netflix has closed two more of its game development studios, Night School and Moonloot, as part of a strategic shift to focus on games for kids, party games, story-driven titles, and games with mainstream hooks. This follows recent layoffs at Refactor Games, despite the success of their cloud-based titles like 'Unhinged'.
Testronic appoints Sonia Kerr as CEO, Sharon Baylay-Bell becomes company chair
Testronic has appointed Sonia Kerr as its new CEO, succeeding Sharon Baylay-Bell, who will now serve as company chair. Kerr, formerly CFO at XR Games, brings experience in leading high-growth digital businesses. The company also announced Mike Fitzgerald as Chief Revenue Officer and Samantha Williams as Chief Commercial Officer, reinforcing its commitment to its 'Player-Focused, Partner-First' strategy.
Xbox leadership's words are drowned out by their actions
Despite assurances from Xbox leadership, the company's actions, including mass layoffs and studio closures, paint a grim picture for its talent and future projects. While executives like Asha Sharma mention upcoming games like The Elder Scrolls 6, these words are seen as empty promises contrasting with the reality of job cuts at studios like id Software and Bethesda.
Kudos Games Services expands leadership team with Testronic and Team17 execs
Kudos Games Services has appointed Michael Hanna as Chief Operating Officer and Anna Hurley as Non-Executive Director to its senior leadership team. Hanna, formerly of Testronic, will focus on operational excellence and international growth, while Hurley, previously with Team17, will lead commercial strategy. The article also notes Devolver Digital's intention to go private later this year due to market volatility and a desire to focus on long-term company health.
Roblox value tanks 72% as viral hits dry up and execs try to ditch "clickbait-y, or kind of cash grabby-type games" for babies and pursue an older crowd
Roblox's stock has fallen 72% following its Q2 earnings report, attributed to a shift in strategy from viral hits to 'evergreen' games targeting an older demographic. While engagement hours met expectations, monetization fell short due to a transition from high-monetizing games to experiences with lower hourly revenue, particularly impacting younger users.
Xbox Version Of PlayStation Platinum Trophy Teased For Later This Year
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has teased that an equivalent to PlayStation's Platinum trophy system for Xbox achievements could arrive later this year. An update to the Xbox achievement system is also rolling out, allowing users to sort games by name, completion percentage, Gamerscore, and achievement count. Sharma's comments come as she works to "reset" the Xbox business for profitability and growth.
EA’s Saudi takeover will be "a real waste" if it turns the publishers into a "sequel-and-mega-franchise machine", Helldivers 2 studio boss says
Shams Jorjani, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, expressed concern that Electronic Arts' recent $55 billion acquisition by Saudi Arabian investors could lead the publisher to focus solely on sequels and mega-franchises, potentially wasting its diverse game catalog. He hopes for continued business and creative diversity within EA, despite the consolidation and significant debt incurred by the deal, which may lead to cost-cutting measures and layoffs.
