Game Industry
Ongoing coverage on Game Industry.
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WoW's got the right to close private servers—but in this industry layoff hellscape, I also feel like I'm watching the MMO genre's future get snuffed out
While Blizzard Entertainment has the legal right to shut down World of Warcraft private servers, the author laments the loss of innovation and creativity they represent, especially in an industry plagued by layoffs and a lack of new MMOs. The article suggests that these servers, despite their legal status, have influenced official game developments like World of Warcraft Classic and Season of Discovery, and their closure highlights broader issues within the game industry.
We are watching the end of Xbox in real-time and it’s heartbreaking - Reader’s Feature
A reader expresses concern over the current state of Xbox, suggesting Microsoft's management and strategy, including the costly Game Pass model and lack of console exclusives, have led to significant studio closures and layoffs. The author fears this marks the beginning of the end for the Xbox brand as a major console player, drawing parallels to Sega's transition to a third-party publisher.
gamescom dev announces opening keynote by Amir Satvat and first program highlights
gamescom dev 2026 has announced its first program highlights, including an opening keynote by Amir Satvat on the future of the games industry. The event will feature new curated tracks for Animation, Level Design, and AI, with initial speakers and sessions revealed. The conference, taking place August 23-25 in Cologne, aims to bring together global industry professionals.
Former PlayStation boss says Xbox shows a "basic misunderstanding" of the games industry amid leadership changes, mixed messaging, and reports of studio closures
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox's recent inconsistent actions, including shifts in publishing strategy and reports of studio closures like Ninja Theory, indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of the games industry. Despite denials from figures like Matthew Ball, these moves have fueled an identity crisis for Xbox, leading to confusion among players and raising concerns about the company's health.
The Federal President of Germany Steinmeier to visit gamescom 2026 and open gamescom congress
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will be the first German head of state to attend gamescom, the world's largest video game event, in 2026. He is scheduled to open the gamescom congress on August 27 with a keynote speech and participate in a panel discussion focusing on the role of games in democracy and their broader societal impact.
Xbox Game Studios-chef lämnar – efter 20 månader
Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, has resigned after only 20 months, with chief of staff Louise O'Connor also departing. This follows recent news of potential studio closures and layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division. The departures occur amidst a strategic shift for Xbox, including price adjustments to Game Pass and a re-evaluation of multi-platform releases.
Bebolicious vinner PaperKlays-speedrun
Bebolicious has won the PaperKlay speedrun, completing the game's first world in 6 minutes and 11 seconds. The article also touches on other gaming news including a potential Witcher game, updates for Assassin's Creed Shadows, and rumors about Ninja Theory's future.
HR veteran Liz Prince awarded MBE for services to the games industry and diversity
Liz Prince, a veteran business manager at gaming recruitment specialist Amiqus, has been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list for her services to the games industry and diversity. Prince has been a long-time advocate for equality and inclusivity, launching initiatives like G Into Gaming and co-founding Empower Up to promote better workplaces.
Games Inbox: Are the original Halo games still worth playing?
Readers discuss the enduring appeal of older Halo titles, with one praising Halo 3's timeless design and soundtrack. Another reader reflects on the evolution of gaming technology and online infrastructure since the original Xbox era. Concerns are also raised about the current state of game pricing and the potential impact of consumer reluctance to buy games at full price.
Star Fox Hands-On, Pragmata, and the 100-Yen Democracy
This article provides a preview of upcoming games Star Fox and Pragmata, alongside a discussion on the concept of '100-Yen Democracy' within the gaming industry. It touches upon the potential impact of these titles and broader industry trends.
Weekend Discussion - June 13, 2026
This weekend discussion covers various topics including Super Mario World and Super Mario Bros. 2 hacks, a critique of a sports apparel company, and a "Pitch Meeting" segment on a Star Wars property. The article also features a musical recommendation from The Linda Lindas and mentions Shacknews' policy against using generative AI in its content. Staff writer Ozzie Mejia shares his background in gaming and his preferred genres.
Japanese gamers reveal their favourite games and the answers might surprise you
A survey by Japanese magazine Famitsu revealed that RPGs dominate the preferences of Japanese gamers, with series like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy being highly influential and desired. Nintendo was named the nation's favorite developer, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a top pick for recommendations and replaying. The survey highlights a significant difference in gaming tastes compared to Western markets, with a strong emphasis on adventure and anime-style games in Japan.
Japanese gamers vote on most influential game and series, favorite character, favorite developer, more
Famitsu magazine's 40th-anniversary survey of over 5,000 Japanese gamers revealed Nintendo as the favorite developer and Mario as the favorite character. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was highly recommended, while Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series dominated influence and sequel requests. Masahiro Sakurai was named favorite creator.
2026’s autumn release schedules are pure insanity but it’s not GTA 6’s fault
The upcoming autumn release schedules for 2026 are exceptionally crowded, largely due to the November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto 6. This has created an "exclusion zone" around the highly anticipated title, forcing many other major game releases to compete for attention in a condensed period. This intense competition, coupled with the high cost of game development, poses a significant risk to publishers and could lead to underperformance for many titles.
Games Inbox: What will be in the Nintendo Direct today?
Readers speculate on the contents of an upcoming Nintendo Direct, with predictions ranging from a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to new Switch 2 titles. Discussions also touch upon Xbox's exclusivity policies, the perceived lack of innovation in modern game design, and the aging gamer demographic.
Nordic Game attendance rises by 6% in 2026
Nordic Game 2026 saw a 6% increase in attendance, with over 1,100 companies from 59 countries participating. The event highlighted the strength of independent developers and featured discussions on the art of games. Separately, a report commissioned by King revealed that European mobile games generated €7.53 billion globally in 2025 and contributed significantly to the European economy.
Sonic co-creator Yuji Naka is "the most miserable person I have ever worked with," says former Sega VP
Former Sega vice president Mike Fischer described Sonic co-creator Yuji Naka as "the most miserable person" he has ever worked with, citing instances of Naka's volatile reactions to game naming and marketing decisions. Fischer also contrasted Naka's difficult personality with the kindness of Sonic's other co-creator, Naoto Ōshima, and mentioned Naka's past insider trading conviction.
Games Inbox: Will Modern Warfare 4 save Call Of Duty?
Readers discuss the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with concerns that Activision is not taking enough time to address player dissatisfaction. Other topics include the potential for Persona 6 leaks to be AI-generated, the quality of movie-licensed games, and the rising cost of next-generation consoles.
Games Inbox: Could 2026 be the best year for video games ever?
Readers discuss the potential for 2026 to be a landmark year for video games, citing high review scores for titles like 007 First Light and Forza Horizon 6. Concerns are raised about the lack of couch co-op in modern games and the sustainability of large development studios with infrequent releases. The article also touches on the perceived staleness of the Forza Horizon series and the delayed review copies for 007 First Light.
How Brazil's government boosts the local game industry
Brazil's government is actively supporting its burgeoning game industry through an infrastructural approach that goes beyond traditional tax credits. Initiatives like the Brazil Games export program, managed by Abragames and funded by Apex Brazil, aim to boost the country's game development sector by framing it as a key export economy. This strategy, combined with existing tax incentives and lobbying for public fund mechanisms, aims to provide financial stability for both indie developers and external development studios, leveraging the favorable exchange rate to attract international investment.
