Game Industry
Ongoing coverage on Game Industry.
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It's Equally Exciting And Worrying That Some Of The Best VR Games Are Coming To Console
Polyarc has announced Moss: The Forgotten Relic, a compilation of the Moss VR games, will be released for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles this summer. This release highlights the trend of VR-exclusive titles being ported to flatscreen platforms, a move seen as both an opportunity for wider accessibility and a sign of the current struggles within the VR gaming industry.
The Free Games You Can Grab Today — And Why May 2026 Feels Incredible for Gamers | Invision Game Community
May 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible month for gamers, with major platforms offering a wealth of free content, giveaways, demos, and subscription bonuses across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The Epic Games Store continues its weekly free game tradition, Steam offers free weekends and demos, PlayStation Plus provides a balanced mix of titles, and Prime Gaming offers overlooked rewards for Amazon subscribers. This abundance of free content is particularly significant as gaming becomes more expensive, allowing players to discover new titles without financial risk.
GTA 6 Is Carrying Rockstar’s Biggest Expectations Ever
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has expressed both excitement and terror regarding the immense expectations for Grand Theft Auto 6, calling it the "most extraordinary title anyone's ever seen in the history of entertainment." Despite the pressure and the success of Grand Theft Auto 5, the article suggests that meeting every single expectation for the highly anticipated game will be an impossible task for Rockstar Games.
2026 World Video Game Hall of Fame finalists announced
The finalists for the 2026 World Video Game Hall of Fame have been announced, featuring titles such as Angry Birds, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and League of Legends. While no Nintendo-developed titles are among the finalists, some have ties to Nintendo platforms. Public voting for a 'Player's Choice' ballot will take place from March 5 to March 13, with winners announced on May 7.
MindsEye Dev Reportedly Laid Off 170 Of 250 Employees
Build A Rocket Boy, the developer of MindsEye, has reportedly laid off approximately 170 of its 250 employees. This follows the game's poor reception last year and previous rounds of layoffs. The company has also faced accusations of installing surveillance software and issues with crunch time.
Steam week in review: Another online shooter winds down weeks after launch, as robot cowboys take over
The cooperative shooter Far Far West, inspired by Left 4 Dead and Vermintide, is shifting focus to replayability and community support after a successful early access launch. Despite a challenging year for new multiplayer titles, developer Night Street Games aims to keep the game playable for its community. The article also reviews Steam's top sellers list for April 21-28, noting the performance of various games including Counter-Strike 2 and the new s&box platform.
Former PlayStation boss blames "really sad" layoffs on "misjudgment" of companies: "It's funny to see the companies who shut down, lay off, the stock price goes up"
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida attributes the widespread layoffs in the gaming industry to management misjudgments, particularly concerning the surge in interest during lockdowns. He notes that despite layoffs, the overall headcount in many companies continues to grow, and observes that stock prices often rise following such workforce reductions.
ESA's iicon was a promising start, but needs more commitment and more candour | Opinion
The Entertainment Software Association's new industry event, iicon, shows promise with its focus on strategy and C-suite discussions, attracting key executives from major companies. However, the event suffered from notable absences from major players like Xbox, Nintendo, and Sony, and a lack of candid, insightful discussions from those who did attend, hindering its potential impact.
Xbox CEO knows there's "work to do" to win players back, as Microsoft boss recommits to "core" fans
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledges that Microsoft has work to do to regain player trust and revenue growth, despite recent positive steps like a Game Pass price reduction and setting new records for monthly active users. Microsoft boss Satya Nadella reaffirmed the company's commitment to its core fans and players, with plans to focus on affordability, PC-console hybrid projects, and expanding its franchise portfolio.
Game Industry Layoffs Hide Real Financial Failures, Insider Claims | HappyGamer
An industry insider suggests that recent game industry layoffs are not due to corporate greed but rather hidden financial failures, with many "successful" games barely breaking even due to massive budgets. The article argues that the industry's reliance on illusionary success metrics and lack of financial transparency creates a fragile economic environment, leading to desperate cost-cutting measures like layoffs. It calls for a shift towards more sustainable development practices, potentially through subscription services or smaller projects, to ensure long-term financial health.
14 years ago, Valve boss Gabe Newell thought Steam would be replaced by something else in "2 or 3 years" because things always "change dramatically"
In 2011, Valve co-founder Gabe Newell predicted that Steam would be replaced within two to three years, believing that digital distribution platforms were inherently unstable. He cited the rapid rise and fall of social gaming and the unique success of the Nintendo Wii's motion controls as examples of dramatic industry shifts. Despite competition from platforms like EA's Origin and Games for Windows, Steam ultimately became the dominant PC game storefront.
The best Finnish games in the world will be awarded at The Finnish Game Awards 2026 gala in May
The Finnish Game Awards 2026 gala will take place on May 21, 2026, in Helsinki to honor the best Finnish games of 2025. The event will feature new award categories such as Best IP Expansion of the Year and Business Excellence Award, alongside traditional honors like Finnish Game of the Year. The Finnish games industry saw revenue growth in 2025, driven by a strong performance in multi-platform, PC, and mobile segments.
Crimson Desert Devs Get Huge Bonuses as Korean PM Praises PS5 Hit
Pearl Abyss, the developer of Crimson Desert, has awarded its employees a significant bonus following the game's global success, which has sold over five million units. South Korea's prime minister praised the studio, highlighting the potential for Korean game content to expand across diverse platforms, including consoles, and marking a new chapter for K-content.
Gaming’s Collective Memory Loss: How Cyberpunk 2077 and Starfield Got Second Chances
This article discusses the phenomenon of "gaming revisionism," where games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Starfield, initially met with criticism for technical issues and unmet promises, are now being re-evaluated and praised by content creators. It explores how narratives about games are shaped and potentially rewritten over time, influencing collective memory and the perception of industry accountability.
Undersökning – vad tycker du om Indiespelklubbens första period?
This article seeks feedback on the initial period of the Indiespelklubben, asking members for their opinions on the games, content, and future desires. It also includes discussions on major game surprises, popular threads like Forza Horizon 6 and Project Helix, and a poll on Ubisoft's best game series.
Game Crossovers and Collaborations
Kiki Wolfkill, a long-time Microsoft executive who led Xbox Film-TV and was formerly involved with Halo, has departed the company after 28 years. The article also briefly mentions a legendary appearance for Delta Force.
Games Inbox: Is Call Of Duty still popular?
Readers discuss the declining popularity of the Call of Duty franchise, questioning if the upcoming Black Ops 7 will improve sales after recent titles have underperformed. The discussion also touches on the effectiveness of Activision's efforts to prevent leaks and the broader identity crisis at Xbox, contrasting its past successes with its current strategy of releasing games on PC.
Morning Interviews
Peter Molyneux discusses his upcoming game Masters of Albion and reflects on the changes within the gaming industry. The interview touches upon his career and future projects.
Microsoft to Announce Lay-Offs Affecting 15 Percent of Gaming Division – Rumor
A rumor suggests Microsoft is planning to lay off 15 percent of its gaming division workforce, with an announcement potentially coming in early May or June. This follows a hiring freeze in other divisions and comes after recent leadership changes, including the appointment of Asha Sharma as CEO of Microsoft Gaming and the departures of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 developer Iron Galaxy announces more layoffs after cuts in early 2025
Iron Galaxy Studios has announced another round of layoffs, citing current market conditions and evolving player consumption habits. The veteran developer, known for its work on titles like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 and support for The Last of Us Part II's PC port, previously laid off 66 employees in early 2025. Adam Boyes also stepped down as co-CEO last year, leaving Chelsea Blasko as the sole leader.
