Game Industry
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Nordic Game 26 Speaker Update: Samson Creator Christofer Sundberg Leads New Wave of Speakers in Malmö
Nordic Game Spring 2026 has announced a new wave of speakers, including Christofer Sundberg, creator of Samson, who will discuss the games industry. The event will also feature panels on voice acting with David Bateson and Magnus Bruun, and talks from the creators of Planet of Lana and the vampire life-sim Real Vampires. Developers from Windup Games will also present on player-focused design.
Samson Studio Lead Said He Can’t Watch Industry Leaders “Just Flushing it All Down in the Toilet”
Christopher Sundberg, studio head at Liquid Swords and former co-director of the Just Cause series, expressed frustration with the current state of the gaming industry, citing numerous layoffs and project cancellations. He stated that Samson: A Tyndalston Story was made as a response to industry practices and a desire to steer development back on track. Sundberg also discussed the studio's careful budget planning, including a significant layoff, to ensure the game's future development and a $25 player experience.
Samson Studio Lead Says He Can’t Watch Industry Leaders “Just Flushing it All Down in the Toilet”
Christopher Sundberg, studio head at Liquid Swords and former co-director of the Just Cause series, expressed frustration with the current state of the gaming industry, citing numerous layoffs and project cancellations. He stated that Samson: A Tyndalston Story was made as a response to industry practices and a desire to steer development back on track. Sundberg also discussed the studio's careful budget planning, including a significant layoff, to ensure the game's future development and delivery of a $25 experience.
Clash Of Clans boss to receive Bafta Fellowship award, for some reason
Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen will be honored with the Bafta Fellowship for his contributions to the games industry. Paananen co-founded Supercell in 2010, known for popular mobile titles like Clash Of Clans, Clash Royale, and Brawl Stars. The article notes the choice is unusual given the focus on mobile games, contrasting it with other industry figures who have not yet received the award.
BAFTA to honour Supercell CEO with Fellowship
Supercell CEO and co-founder Ilkka Paananen will receive a BAFTA Fellowship for his leadership and impact on the mobile gaming industry, particularly for titles like Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars. Paananen also contributes as an investor and mentor through his organizations, supporting social impact and education. The award ceremony will take place at the BAFTA Game Awards.
Business and Finance
The Australian games industry is experiencing a resurgence, with new data indicating significant growth and development. This analysis explores the factors contributing to this rebirth and its potential future impact.
Analyst argues Epic’s floundering is a symptom of wider problems with American platforms
Analyst Joost van Dreunen argues that Epic Games' recent struggles, including job cuts, are symptomatic of broader issues within the American gaming industry. He points to the excessive power of digital store platforms, economic factors like tariffs, and a lack of innovation compared to other regions embracing new technologies like generative AI.
Starfield DLC Achievements Hint At Upcoming Features Including New City & Outpost Mechanics
Discussions surrounding Starfield's upcoming PlayStation 5 release touch upon its initial reception, with some claiming an 'Xbox tax' influenced negative reviews, while others point to genuine criticisms from Xbox and PC players. Bethesda's Todd Howard has acknowledged issues, and the Free Lanes update aims to improve the game for both existing and new players on all platforms.
MMO Week in Review: Queen Devona
This week's MMO news roundup covers updates for Guild Wars Reforged, layoffs at MechWarrior studio Piranha Games, and a potential acquisition of Epic Games by Disney. The article also touches on political discussions surrounding game shutdowns in Europe and new early access dates for Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era.
"My 20-year tenure is no longer good enough": GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption veteran says getting a job is a "toss of coin" right now when everyone is as experienced as you are
Former Rockstar Games audio engineer Rob Carr, who worked on Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption, commented on the difficulty of finding employment in the current games industry. Carr stated that his 20 years of experience are no longer sufficient to secure a job, highlighting the prevalence of layoffs and studio closures.
ALL WILL FALL Launches with 300K Wishlists and Zero Hype
Despite accumulating over 300,000 wishlists and receiving positive reviews from outlets like Netto's Game Room, The Wand Report, and Analog Stick Gaming, the indie city-builder ALL WILL FALL is launching with minimal public attention. The article highlights the disconnect between AAA game hype and the quiet release of quality indie titles, questioning the industry's focus and the attention economy's impact on game discovery.
Games Inbox: What is the biggest Xbox game of 2026?
Readers discuss potential major Xbox releases for 2026, with Forza Horizon 6, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Fable being highlighted as strong contenders. The conversation also touches on the rising cost of consoles, the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, and the potential for a Nintendo Switch 2 Lite.
Massively Overthinking: So how panicked are we about the state of the games industry?
Industry veterans Brenda and John Romero expressed deep concern over the current state of the games industry, citing funding issues, AI concerns, and studio closures. The Massively OP staff discusses these worries, with some feeling resigned and others cautiously optimistic about a potential industry correction, particularly concerning the future of MMORPGs.
"Fortnite's cultural moment is starting to fade," games analyst says amid mass layoffs, and its downturn is part of the "erosion of American leadership" in video games
Fortnite is experiencing a significant downturn in engagement, contributing to recent layoffs at Epic Games. Industry analyst Joost van Dreunen suggests this decline reflects a broader erosion of American cultural dominance in the video game industry, exacerbated by platform holders capturing disproportionate revenue compared to content creators.
"There’s always work to be done": Limit Break's mentorship program for under-represented groups returns for 2026
The Limit Break mentorship program, aimed at supporting under-represented groups in the UK and Irish games industry, has opened applications for its 2026 cohort. Founded in 2019, the program supports individuals from marginalized genders, orientations, ethnicities, as well as neurodiverse people and those with disabilities. The 2026 program will introduce new initiatives like virtual onboarding and a track for aspiring game business founders.
"Fortnite's Cultural Moment Is Starting To Fade," Expert Says
Industry expert Joost van Dreunen suggests that Fortnite's cultural dominance is waning, citing Epic Games' recent layoffs and stagnant user growth as evidence. While Fortnite remains popular, its "forever game" status is questioned, contrasting with Roblox's growth driven by user-generated content. Despite challenges, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is seen as a resilient leader.
Here Are Your Canadian Game Awards 2026 Nominees | Console Creatures
The Canadian Game Awards have announced their nominees for 2026, celebrating the Canadian games industry. The event will take place on May 21, 2026, in Toronto, with tickets available for purchase and a Fan Choice Award voted on by the public in partnership with the Entertainment Software Association of Canada. Victor Lucas will receive the Game Changer Award.
We'll Hear from PlayStation Royalty Ken Kutaragi at a UK Event Later This Year
Ken Kutaragi, known as the "father of PlayStation", will be a keynote speaker at the UK's Game Republic New Horizons event in October. He will participate in an interview discussing his career, including his role in the development of the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 consoles during his tenure at Sony. Kutaragi currently serves as CEO of Ascent Robotics and Cyber AI Entertainment.
Roblox rival and Deus Ex dev the latest to be hit by video game layoffs
The video game industry is experiencing widespread layoffs, with major companies like Epic Games and Eidos-Montréal reducing their workforces. Even successful titles like Fortnite are not immune, as Epic Games let go of 1,000 employees. Several studios, including Rec Room and Ivy Road, are shutting down entirely due to financial difficulties and a challenging market, particularly in VR.
Iconic Devs Say the Industry Feels 'Crashier' Now Than the Actual Video Game Crash of the 80s
John and Brenda Romero, founders of Romero Games, believe the current state of the video game industry is more challenging than the 1983 crash. They cite difficulties in securing funding and widespread layoffs, even at successful studios like EA's Battlefield division, as evidence of the industry's instability.