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Crimson Desert and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 don't copy other AAA games, The Witcher 3 director says, so they stand out in an industry filled with people focused on "how to make money"
Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, director of The Witcher 3, praises Crimson Desert and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for their originality in an industry he feels is too focused on profit. He believes games like The Blood of Dawnwalker, which aim to push boundaries and offer fresh experiences, are crucial for artistic evolution and avoiding stagnation.
LONDON GAMES FESTIVAL 2026 OPENS FOR BUSINESS WITH RECORD-HIGH UK MARKET VALUATION REVEALED
The London Games Festival 2026 has commenced, highlighting a record-high UK video games market valuation of £8.7bn in 2025, according to Ukie. The festival features numerous consumer and business events, including the Games Finance Market, and aims to bolster London's position as a global gaming capital with support from the Mayor of London and government initiatives.
The First Berserker: Khazan studio Neople announces restructure, clarifies no layoffs
Neople has announced a restructure, clarifying that while developers are being moved to new projects, there will be no layoffs. This follows earlier reports suggesting the company was reorganizing due to the performance of The First Berserker: Khazan.
SAGA Barcelona Game Fest 2026 Opens its Exhibitor Applications Today
SAGA Barcelona Game Fest 2026 has opened applications for exhibitor stands, with prices starting at 350 EUR. The event, scheduled for October 9-11, 2026, anticipates over 20,000 attendees and will feature a B2B area with networking opportunities, conferences, and workshops. Past participants include Larian Studios, THQ Nordic, and Devolver Digital.
Business and Finance
Paramount has finalized its debt financing as it progresses towards a potential deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. Separately, Mattel announced its First Quarter 2026 financial results and the date for its conference call.
Vague Patch Notes: No, Epic Games is not the bellwether of the game industry
This article critiques the notion that Epic Games is a bellwether for the game industry, arguing that its success is primarily tied to the battle royale mode of Fortnite, a cash-in on a trend rather than a creative vision. The author contends that Epic's over-reliance on Fortnite and the underperformance of the Epic Games Store, coupled with questionable business strategies, led to recent layoffs, contrasting this with more diversified companies like Blizzard and Square Enix.
How Global Gaming Groups Build Long-Term Success and Stability
Building long-term success in the global esports industry requires strategic planning, financial discipline, and a deep understanding of competitive dynamics and fan culture. Thriving organizations diversify revenue streams beyond prize money, invest in scouting and talent development, and foster strong brand identities and community engagement. Adaptability, professional management, and a long-term vision, including franchise participation and international expansion, are crucial for enduring stability in the rapidly evolving esports landscape.
Business and Finance
This article analyzes the Australian game development industry, detailing its historical rise, subsequent decline, and recent resurgence. It explores the factors contributing to these shifts and the current state of the sector.
Finally, a sim for the real sickos: plushie crafting simulator buried in more than twice its Kickstarter goal is less…
The plushie crafting simulator Toymaker: Threads of Joy has successfully surpassed its Kickstarter goal, raising over £18,000 against an £8,721 target. Developed by Uprising Studios, the game tasks players with managing a plushie shop, fulfilling customer orders, and uncovering local myths in its setting of Salamanca. The game is slated for a Q1 2027 release.
Sony CEO Reveals Gaming Makes Largest Revenue, Wants PlayStation To Be Best Place To Play & Publish
Sony's CEO revealed that gaming generates the company's largest revenue, emphasizing a desire for PlayStation to be the premier platform for both playing and publishing games. Separately, Falcom released new details and screenshots for their action RPG Kyoto Xanadu, introducing characters and the battle system for its upcoming release on Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation 5.
PlayStation Studios Quietly Removes PC References From Website
PlayStation Studios has removed nearly all references to PC gaming from its official websites, causing concern among PC players about Sony's commitment to the platform. This move follows the release of several PlayStation exclusives on PC, such as God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn, and raises questions about future PC ports and Sony's overall platform strategy.
ALL-KILL: COMEBACK Drops Official Merch on Steam
ALL-KILL: COMEBACK has launched official merchandise for pre-order on Steam, featuring a music single pack and a Chuck keychain plush. This move leverages Steam's existing infrastructure for a smoother customer experience and signals the game's long-term brand commitment. While pricing and specific details are currently unknown, the early merchandise drop suggests confidence in the game's intellectual property and potential for future revenue streams.
Business and Finance
Eidos-Montréal has announced the appointment of Patrice Baig as its new General Manager. Baig, a CPA, CA, will oversee the studio's operations.
Morning Tech Bits
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is reportedly planning a public share listing valued at approximately $1 trillion. The article also briefly mentions a new brain implant technology aimed at stroke patients.
Discord’s Last Meadow Online April Fools game has users thinking its there to test future ad placements
Discord launched a browser-based MMO game called Last Meadow Online within its client as an April Fools' Day event. While the game offers a Discord badge for defeating a dragon, some users speculate it's a test for future ad placements, especially given Discord's reported plans for an IPO and the need for consistent revenue streams.
Tickets go on sale for consumer event IGN Live 2026, returning to LA on 6 June
IGN Entertainment is hosting IGN Live 2026 in Los Angeles on June 6-7, featuring game reveals, trailers, and playable titles like Gothic Remake. Separately, the social VR platform Rec Room, developed by Rec Room Inc., will shut down on June 1, 2026, due to profitability challenges. The article also mentions industry participants like Xbox, Sega, Ubisoft, and 2K Games, and celebrity guests including voice actors and the cast of Critical Role.
VR platform Rec Room to shut down in June 2026
Social VR platform Rec Room will shut down on June 1, 2026, due to unsustainable profitability. Developer Rec Room Inc. cited overwhelming costs and a challenging VR market as reasons for the closure. Services, including account logins and content creation, will cease on that date.
Rec Room shutting down after failing to become 'sustainably profitable'
The VR chat and game platform Rec Room will be shutting down on June 1, 2026, exactly ten years after its initial launch. The closure is attributed to the platform's failure to achieve sustainable profitability.
Rec Room shutting down after failing to become 'sustainably profitable'
Rec Room is shutting down on PC and consoles due to its inability to achieve sustainable profitability. The developers cited that porting the game to platforms like PlayStation VR2 was not economically viable, despite the game's popularity. This decision raises concerns about the sales performance of the PlayStation VR2 and Sony's support for VR development.
Rec Room, a Roblox-style VR game, is shutting down
Rec Room, a social VR game inspired by Roblox, will shut down on June 1 after a decade of operation due to profitability challenges. Despite attracting 150 million players, developers could not find a sustainable business model. Some features will be temporarily free, and users can download room assets. Snap has acquired some Rec Room assets and employees.