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OpenAI has reportedly missed internal revenue targets and its 1 billion active user goal
OpenAI has reportedly failed to meet its internal revenue targets and its goal of reaching 1 billion active users. Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has expressed concerns about the company's ability to fund its significant data center expenditures.
New North American Games Industry Summit, NAGIS, Annoucenes Speakers and Guests For June Event
The new North American Games Industry Summit (NAGIS) in Edmonton, Canada, has announced its lineup of speakers and guests for the June 18th-19th event. The summit will feature panels with notable figures from BioWare, including Casey Hudson and Gregory Zeschuk, as well as industry pioneers like Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, and Richard Garfield, creator of Magic: The Gathering.
Steelrising, GreedFall PS5 Dev Spiders Is Reportedly Soon to Close
French game studio Spiders, known for Steelrising and GreedFall, is reportedly set to close due to severe financial difficulties at its publisher, Nacon. Nacon failed to find a buyer for the studio and will initiate liquidation proceedings. Staff have been advised to update their CVs as the studio winds down operations.
Business and Finance
March 2026 marked the worst month for tech job layoffs since 2024, according to new figures. The article suggests that the situation is likely to worsen, indicating a challenging period for employment within the tech sector.
Microsoft Killed MMO Project Blackbird Because It Was A Line Item On A Ledger, Dev Says
Former The Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor revealed that Microsoft canceled ZeniMax's Project Blackbird due to financial reasons, with the project being viewed as just a number on a ledger during a business review. Firor described the cancellation as a heartbreaking but understandable business decision, noting the cyclical nature of the video game industry compared to more predictable revenue streams. Following the cancellation and layoffs, some former employees formed the new studio Sackbird Studios.
MMO Week in Review: Evercold, Aion 2, and EQ Legends
This week in the MMORPG genre saw the reveal of Final Fantasy XIV's 'Evercold' expansion for January 2027, alongside confirmations for Aion 2's global launch this year. Several other titles like Embers of the Uncrowned, RF Online Next, Palia, EverQuest Legends, and Loftia also had significant updates or beta launches.
Gaming Influencer Drops Truth Bomb on Community's Arab Attitudes | HappyGamer
Gaming influencer NEACE has criticized the gaming community for perceived Islamophobia and discrimination against Arab countries, suggesting it could deter significant esports investment from Saudi Arabia. He argues that the community exhibits selective outrage, embracing investment from some nations while shunning others, and that this could negatively impact the growth of esports and opportunities for players and creators.
The Ultimate Couch Co-Op Guide: Best Local Multiplayer Games in 2026 | TAG
Couch co-op gaming is experiencing a significant resurgence, with local multiplayer games generating billions in revenue and seeing increased player engagement. This guide categorizes the best local multiplayer titles for various player groups, including couples, families, and friends, highlighting games like It Takes Two, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and the Jackbox Party Pack series. The article also discusses the historical decline and recent comeback of couch co-op, emphasizing its unique social and bonding benefits.
Business and Finance
Shareholders have approved Paramount's deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, while the German game industry has seen a 3% drop in employment for the second consecutive year. Corsair Gaming is also mentioned in relation to business and finance news.
Google executive responsible for AI has a solution for the game industry's problems, and you're not going to…
Google Cloud's global director for games, Jack Buser, believes Artificial Intelligence is the solution to the game industry's declining profits and ongoing layoffs. While acknowledging AI's potential to grant 'superpowers' to developers, the article critically examines Buser's perspective, suggesting the focus is on protecting profits through 'right-sizing' rather than employee well-being. The piece also draws parallels to the failed Google Stadia project and the hype surrounding AI in game development.
Ruben Onsu Jadi Korban Dugaan Penipuan Proyek Mukena Rp5,5 M
Indonesian celebrity Ruben Onsu is reportedly a victim of alleged fraud involving a mukena (Muslim prayer garment) project, with potential losses reaching Rp5.5 billion. He was introduced to Philipus Suprihatin, who claimed to facilitate large-scale mukena production. Despite a contract and payments made by Onsu, the project was not realized, and Suprihatin has become difficult to contact.
Off the Grid studio Gunzilla faced a forced shutdown petition over alleged unpaid bills, and are accused of owing one company over $100,000
Gunzilla Games, the studio behind Off The Grid, is facing allegations of significant unpaid debts, including over $100,000 owed to a marketing company and delayed payments to contractors and employees. The studio has also faced two winding-up petitions in the UK over alleged unpaid debts, one from The Vertex Guild and another from HM Revenue and Customs.
Gunzilla's unpaid bills are piling up, say sources—including one for over $100,000
Gunzilla, the studio behind the game Off The Grid, is facing allegations of widespread unpaid bills to contractors, with one outstanding invoice exceeding $100,000. The company's UK division is also subject to a winding-up petition due to unpaid debts. CEO Vlad Korolev has downplayed claims regarding employee salaries, stating full-time employees have not experienced significant delays.
Nordic Game 2026 announces speakers for Masterclass Friday programme
Nordic Game 2026 has announced the speakers for its Masterclass Friday program, featuring industry professionals from companies like Starbreeze and Ubisoft. The program will offer full-day workshops in design, art, business, and narrative, curated by the Mighty Diamonds mentor group. The event will take place from May 26 to May 29 in Malmö, Sweden.
Broke Indie Studio Gets Real About Game Development Struggles
Indie studio MYSTERY CROWN has shared a candid account of their financial struggles and the harsh realities of game development following the underperformance of their previous title, 'Back 3'. Ahead of their new game 'Worthy or not's' launch on PC, the developers detailed their journey from being broke to finding a funding partner, highlighting the critical importance of community support and transparency in the indie game ecosystem.
Nordic Game 26 Masterclass Friday: Speakers Revealed!
Nordic Game Spring 2026 will feature a dedicated Masterclass Friday program for students and indie developers, curated by Mighty Diamonds. The event, held from May 26-29 in Malmö, will offer full-day workshops and expert sessions focused on Design, Art, Business, and Narrative. Speakers include Christoffer Bodegård, Chris Brettman, Danny Perez, Will Blood, Lauren Stone, Patrick Rose, Johan Lundqvist, and André Persson, covering topics from interactive writing and level design to character creation and investor relations.
Intel launches Wildcat Lake Core Series 3 processors: Kitten-sized chips for the business and budget markets only
Intel has launched its new Wildcat Lake Core Series 3 processors, aimed at the business and budget laptop markets. These chips utilize the same core architecture as the Panther Lake processors but with fewer cores and a significantly less powerful integrated GPU, making them unsuitable for graphics-intensive gaming. Intel highlights improved battery life and AI performance compared to previous generation Core 7 processors.
Some takes don't age: Back in 2009, a creative director warned about the risks of 'obsessively self-referencing' existing hit games
In a 2009 interview, Paul Barnett, then creative director of Warhammer Online, criticized the industry's tendency towards 'design memes' and 'obsessive self-referencing,' warning that replicating successful formulas stifles innovation and funding for new ideas. He also discussed the distinction between games as art, design, and business, emphasizing the importance of the business aspect for long-term studio sustainability.
DevGAMM Returns with Madeira Games Summit in May: An Exclusive Executive Event for Global Games Industry Leaders
DevGAMM will host the second Madeira Games Summit on May 7-8, 2026, in Funchal, Madeira. This exclusive event is designed for C-level executives in the global games industry, focusing on networking and showcasing Portuguese development studios. The summit aims to connect US and European leaders in a relaxed, high-value setting, featuring speakers from companies like Bethesda Game Studios and Epic Games.
Jobs Roundup: April 2026 | Sega Europe appoints Irina Kim as chief financial officer
This article rounds up recent executive appointments across the gaming industry. Notable changes include Irina Kim as CFO of Sega Europe, Joost Hagesteijn leading Roblox's European operations, and Andy Norman appointed COO of CodeDev. Several other key roles have also been filled at companies like Astragon Entertainment, Rovio, and Blizzard Entertainment.
