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Saudi Arabia's takeover of EA gets approval from European Commission
The European Commission has approved Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's proposed $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, stating it will not raise competition concerns within the EU. While this hurdle is cleared, the deal still faces scrutiny from US lawmakers and developers concerned about the takeover's implications.
Evening Reading - July 22, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming and entertainment news. Highlights include reviews for Final Fantasy X/X-2 on Switch and Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, Victor Wembanyama as the NBA 2K27 cover star, and Xbox backwards compatibility on PC. Business news includes earnings reports from Tesla, Google, and SpaceX, alongside updates on BlizzCon 2026 digital bundles and the reopening of the Cinerama Dome.
Business and Finance
Sony's decision regarding PlayStation discs could impact a $7 billion resale market, while Xbox reportedly paid more than Stalker 2's development cost for exclusivity. An Xbox VP also departed after only three months.
Business and Finance
Hasbro's recent push into the video game market is reportedly facing significant challenges. The company's efforts in this sector are struggling, indicating potential difficulties in their strategy.
UK games retailer Game entered administration owing £16m, thanks to fierce competition, consumer trends, and "uncertainty associated with Brexit"
British video game retailer Game has entered administration, owing £16 million. The company's downfall is attributed to changing consumer behavior, fierce competition, the shift to digital downloads, and uncertainty surrounding Brexit. The report highlights the decline in physical game sales and the impact of global chip shortages on console releases.
Steam Week in Review: Take cover, because it looks like more than half of Steam games will have an AI-disclosure by…
The article analyzes the increasing trend of AI disclosures on Steam, noting a significant rise in AI-flagged game launches since early 2025. If this trajectory continues, approximately half of all Steam games could be AI-flagged by 2027-2028, though most are unlikely to generate revenue. This surge in AI-generated content poses challenges for smaller developers seeking visibility on the platform.
After Destiny 2's death, Warframe head's advice for anyone in live services is to "make a good game…
Warframe's creative director Rebecca Ford advises live-service game developers to focus on creating a good game, citing the recent closure of Destiny 2 as a cautionary tale. She emphasizes that despite developer efforts, business decisions can ultimately dictate a game's fate, a reality she faces daily. Ford highlights Digital Extremes' long-standing success with Warframe, attributing it to a strong internal team and a well-balanced free-to-play model.
Evening Reading - July 15, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming news items, including the release of Dispatch on Xbox, updates on Two Point Studios' games, and the upcoming launch of Once Upon a Katamari. It also touches on the inclusion of Michael Myers driving in HALLOWEEN: THE GAME and Pokemon Unite's removal from the 2027 Championship Series.
Former Epic Games VP appointed Saber Interactive's chief business officer
Steve Allison, formerly the vice president of Epic Games, has been appointed as the new chief business officer at Saber Interactive. In his new role, Allison will oversee publishing, marketing, and revenue generation, reporting directly to CEO Matthew Karch. He expressed excitement about Saber's upcoming projects, including Space Marine 3, Jurassic Park, Turok, Hellraiser, and a John Wick game.
Steam study of over 53,000 games finds "60 – 90% of the growth" in monthly releases on Valve's store is from games using AI and "almost none of them make money"
A study of over 53,000 games released on Steam between July 2023 and July 2026 reveals that 60-90% of the growth in monthly releases comes from games disclosing AI-generated content. However, these AI-flagged games are not significantly more profitable than non-AI games, with the vast majority of titles, regardless of AI usage, failing to generate substantial revenue.
Business and Finance
Twelve state Attorneys General are suing to block the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The article also briefly mentions Grand Theft Auto VI and The Last Blockbuster.
AI Yi-Yi!
DeepSeek has announced a 75% price cut for its AI services, while Meta is expanding its Hyperion AI supercluster plans to 5GW and increasing its Louisiana investment to over $50 billion. These moves indicate an acceleration in the competitive AI race.
Warframe creative director says Destiny 2's end is tragic, because even with hard work 'the business side of this industry always gets the last remark'
Warframe's creative director Rebecca Ford expressed that the recent layoffs at Bungie and cessation of updates for Destiny 2 are tragic, highlighting how the business side of the industry often dictates outcomes despite developers' hard work. She noted that such decisions are existentially threatening to developers, as seen with Microsoft's closure of Tango Gameworks and other industry-wide cuts.
"My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand' statement isn't aging well" - id Software co-founder John Carmack speaks out after devastating Xbox layoffs
id Software co-founder John Carmack commented on the recent significant layoffs at his former studio following Xbox's restructuring. Carmack expressed sadness but not anger, suggesting id Software may have been a marginal business for Microsoft, with Minecraft revenues potentially subsidizing other studios. He reflected on the challenges of making games financially successful in a competitive market and questioned potential strategies for increasing revenue and reducing costs without alienating the existing player base.
'To Continue Being Produced Long Term, Games Need to Succeed, Not Just Be Beloved' — John Carmack Responds to id Software Layoffs
John Carmack commented on the recent layoffs at id Software, expressing sadness but not anger. He stated that for games to continue being produced long-term, they need to achieve commercial success, not just critical acclaim or popularity.
AI Yi-Yi!
Executives are reportedly facing unexpectedly high costs associated with implementing artificial intelligence, contrary to initial expectations of replacing human workers for free. The article touches on how AI is impacting product discovery and consumer trust.
Steam Summer Sale Shows Strategy Games Are Competing With Backlogs, Not Just New Releases
The Steam Summer Sale highlights that strategy game players face immense competition not just from new releases but also from their existing backlogs. New strategy titles must offer a clear, compelling problem for players to solve and demonstrate unique system relationships to stand out amidst a mature market with deep discounts. Games like Mandate Order need to articulate why their specific blend of city-building, war, and management systems is worth the significant time investment required.
Business and Finance
Senator Bernie Sanders has expressed concern over recent layoffs within the gaming industry, particularly those affecting Xbox. Meanwhile, GameStop stockholders approved proposals at their annual meeting, including increased share authorization, as the video game industry faces ongoing challenges.
etc., etc.
Valve co-founder Gabe Newell is reportedly expanding his personal investments in undersea vessels, with plans for an $800 million deep-sea ship in addition to a previously planned one. The article notes his continued wealth and ventures outside of the gaming industry.
The games industry reacts to Xbox layoffs: 'We are clearly at a turning point'
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 employees and leading to the closure or restructuring of four game studios. This move has drawn widespread reactions from industry figures, expressing shock, sorrow, and anger, with many calling it a turning point for the game industry. The layoffs occur amidst Microsoft's continued investment in artificial intelligence, a decision that has drawn criticism for its perceived prioritization over game development talent.
