Game Development Conference
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PlayStation first-party sales see modest rebound after half-decade decline
PlayStation first-party game sales saw a modest increase to 32.1 million copies in FY2025, the first upturn in five years, following a significant decline since a peak in 2020-2021. This growth is attributed partly to the release of Ghost of Yōtei, while the overall decline was linked to inconsistent studio output and lengthy development cycles. Sony has also reportedly scaled back on releasing PS5 exclusives for PC, fearing it could damage the console's brand.
Stephan Reichart transfers leadership of game events GmbH to Frederik Hammes
Frederik Hammes will take over as managing director of game events GmbH in May 2026, succeeding Stephan Reichart. Hammes brings over 20 years of industry experience, including a significant tenure at Travian Games. Reichart will remain involved until August 2026 to ensure a smooth transition for events like gamescom dev and the German Computer Game Awards.
GDC 2026 | Highlights from Atari
Atari showcased several upcoming titles at the 2026 Game Developers Conference, including the remaster SiN: Reloaded, the beat 'em up Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch, the action-adventure REPLACED, and the 3D platformer Bubsy 4D. Developers were present to demo the games and answer questions about their features and release plans.
Bandai Namco Appears to Be Developing a New Fighting Game
Bandai Namco Entertainment appears to be developing a new fighting game. The article also touches on Xbox's presence at the Game Developers Conference, highlighting their support for indie developers and showcasing upcoming games.
Rebranded GDC Festival of Gaming attracts 20,000 attendees
The GDC Festival of Gaming, formerly GDC, welcomed over 20,000 unique attendees in 2026. The event, held from March 9 to March 13 in San Francisco, featured over 700 sessions and 1,100 speakers. Organizer Informa Festivals aims to make the content more accessible with a simplified pass structure.
Game dev union members marched at GDC to propose a 'Game Workers' Bill of Rights'
Members of the United Videogame Workers of CWA union marched at the Game Developers Conference to propose a 'Game Workers' Bill of Rights.' The proposed bill includes protections against mandatory AI use, anti-crunch policies, and protections for immigrant workers. The union also announced a 'We don't play with ICE campaign' and an upcoming online Gamer Workers Conference.
Morning Gatherings and Events
Newsweek reports on concerns about the sustainability of the US video game industry, particularly in the context of the Game Developers Conference. The article suggests that current industry practices may be unsustainable in the long term.
Neverwinter: Tempus Arena Now Available
Arc Games and Cryptic Studios have released the Tempus Arena update for Neverwinter, introducing new bosses, challenge rounds, and Cleric class updates. The update is now available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The article also briefly mentions ongoing events for Pokémon GO, Apex Legends, Invincible VS, Rush Royale, and Hoa 2, as well as the opening of the GDC Festival of Gaming.
Highlights from Day of the Devs 2026
Day of the Devs 2026, organized by Double Fine Productions and iam8bit, showcased a variety of indie games at The Midway in San Francisco as a prelude to the Game Developers Conference. Featured titles included the spy thriller For Dead Spies, the musical beat 'em up Dead as Disco, the arcade space combat game Rogue Eclipse, and the chaotic party game Pro Jank Footy. The event also served as a networking opportunity for developers and attendees.
Reboot Develop organizer issued bankruptcy order
The organizer of the Reboot Develop conference, Digitalna Avantura, has been issued a bankruptcy order for approximately €520,000 in unpaid debts. Financial agency Fina initiated proceedings after determining the company lacks assets to cover repayment. The future of the conference, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025, is now uncertain, with no mention of a 2026 event and the hotel confirming no booking.
Organiser of Reboot Develop issued with bankruptcy order, underlining fears over event's future
The organizer of the Reboot Develop Blue conference, Digitalna avantura, has been issued a bankruptcy order for approximately €520,000 in unpaid debts. This confirms long-standing concerns about the future of the event, which has not been booked for 2026 by its usual venue. Damir Đurović, the operator of Digitalna avantura, has been unreachable.
