Game Industry
Ongoing coverage on Game Industry.
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Warframe lead Rebecca Ford says Destiny 2's death is "horrible news" for everyone: "Not the first time it's happened, and it'll happen again"
Warframe's creative director Rebecca Ford expressed concern over the halt of active development for Destiny 2, viewing it as a negative sign for the live-service game industry. She highlighted how business decisions can override developer passion, even for established titles. Ford also touched upon the broader industry anxieties surrounding layoffs and studio closures, referencing the impact on games like The Elder Scrolls 6.
"Sony waited for Rockstar to make the first move": Founding Xbox member warns against PlayStation's all-digital future, says "I trust" Steam games won't just disappear
Industry veteran Laura Fryer, a founding member of the original Xbox, warns about the risks of an all-digital future for gaming, citing PlayStation's move away from physical discs. She shares a personal anecdote about losing hundreds of dollars in Rock Band songs due to delisting, highlighting the impermanence of digital ownership and the potential loss of the second-hand market. Fryer suggests Sony is waiting for major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 to normalize digital-only sales before fully committing.
Evening Reading - July 9, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and features, including reviews for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Digimon Story, discussions on 2XKO and Guilty Gear Strive, and mentions of Microsoft's potential new Quake game. It also touches on industry layoffs and includes personal anecdotes and internet content.
Games Inbox: Will Sony do a U-turn on PS5 discs?
Readers discuss Sony's potential shift to digital-only for the PlayStation 5, with speculation that Rockstar Games' desire for full profits from Grand Theft Auto 6 might be a factor. The article also touches on layoffs at id Software and the business strategies of Microsoft and Xbox, questioning their long-term viability.
Xbox retreats again – but to where? | Opinion
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees across various studios as part of a company 'reset' to focus on profitable franchises. This move raises questions about the future of Xbox's first-party strategy, its Game Pass subscription service, and the upcoming console generation, particularly given the high cost of components and the blurring lines between PC and console gaming.
Nobody Plays New Games Anymore: The 2026 Playtime Data | TAG
Recent data from Valve's Steam Replay and Newzoo reports indicate that new game releases consistently capture only 14-17% of player playtime on PC, with older titles dominating the remaining hours. This trend holds true across platforms, with Xbox showing the highest engagement for new releases at 18%. The analysis suggests this is due to factors like the prevalence of live service games, adult time constraints, and the value proposition of established back-catalog titles, rather than a decline in player interest.
Ex-Xbox dev slams game execs as ‘money grubbing idiots’ in quote of the year
A former Bungie and 343 Industries developer, Dan Callen, has criticized game executives, calling them 'stupid detached money grubbing idiots.' Callen shared an anecdote about former Xbox executive Don Mattrick suggesting Halo 4 should implement a real money auction house for mech skins, a concept that had previously failed in Diablo 3. This criticism comes amid recent layoffs at Sony and Microsoft, highlighting ongoing issues within the games industry.
The games industry reacts to Xbox layoffs: 'We are clearly at a turning point'
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 employees and leading to the closure or restructuring of four game studios. This move has drawn widespread reactions from industry figures, expressing shock, sorrow, and anger, with many calling it a turning point for the game industry. The layoffs occur amidst Microsoft's continued investment in artificial intelligence, a decision that has drawn criticism for its perceived prioritization over game development talent.
Bethesda union blasts Microsoft as Xbox layoffs hit the Fallout and Elder Scrolls studio, too: "When will this cycle of cuts in pursuit of ever-greater profits end?"
Microsoft has initiated significant layoffs across its Xbox division, impacting Bethesda Game Studios and other developers. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed frustration over the recurring cuts, highlighting the impact on long-term employees and calling for an end to profit-driven redundancies. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited weak operating margins and underperforming investments as reasons for the restructuring, which includes potential strategic shifts for studios like Arkane.
Xbox Lays Off 1,600 People Today, With Another 1,600 Cuts To Come
The Xbox brand has initiated significant layoffs, cutting 1,600 jobs and planning an additional 1,600 reductions. This has created anxiety among employees regarding their future employment within the company.
3 200 sägs upp och 4 studios lämnar Xbox
Xbox is undergoing significant restructuring, with 3,200 employees being laid off, 1,600 immediately, and four studios leaving the Xbox family. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will become independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are being sold. The company is also streamlining management levels and appointing its first Chief Operating Officer, Helen Chiang. These changes come as Xbox faces lower profit margins and a shrinking player base, despite continued investment in Game Pass.
This Week In Games Was Bad, But Next Week May Be Worse
The gaming industry experienced a particularly bleak week with multiple significant layoffs, studio closures, and price increases. Microsoft's Xbox division saw widespread job cuts, while Sony announced plans to end physical disc production for PlayStation games by 2028. These events, coupled with delays and the ongoing impact of AI discussions, paint a grim picture for the industry's immediate future.
PlayStation killing discs is bad for everyone, whether you care about physical games or not
Sony's decision to cease production of physical PlayStation game discs in 2028 is a significant loss for consumers, impacting game preservation and the used games market. While digital distribution benefits publishers, the end of physical media raises concerns about long-term game access, potential surveillance pricing, and Sony's complete control over its ecosystem.
Comings and Goings
Upcoming layoffs at Xbox are already creating significant disruption within the gaming industry. The article discusses the potential aftermath and broader implications of these workforce reductions.
Surprising no one, GTA 6 is at the top of the PlayStation Store in practically every country in the world
Grand Theft Auto 6 has topped the PlayStation Store charts in most regions worldwide since pre-orders went live on June 25th, with the Ultimate Edition being the most popular choice. While specific Xbox data is unavailable, it's suggested that sales are significantly higher on PlayStation 5. The game is set to release on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Xbox cuts rumoured to be the ‘largest single layoff event’ in gaming history
Reports suggest that Xbox is planning a significant round of layoffs, potentially the largest in gaming history, impacting multiple studios including Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine. Game designer George Broussard claims to have inside information indicating widespread studio closures and job cuts across the Xbox division following the end of its fiscal year.
Arc Raiders and Marathon aren't "dead" just because their concurrent player count has dropped, Palworld lead says – but he's "not denying that some games do 'die'"
Pocketpair's John Buckley argues that games are not 'dead' simply because their concurrent player counts have dropped, emphasizing the importance of daily and monthly active users over peak concurrent numbers. While acknowledging that some live service games do fail, he believes many can sustain a healthy player base with just a few thousand daily players and criticizes the premature labeling of games as 'dead' for views.
Games Inbox: Is Sonic the Hedgehog cooler than Super Mario?
This article discusses whether Sonic the Hedgehog is still cooler than Super Mario, exploring arguments about their respective attitudes, supporting characters, and modern relevance. It also touches on the high cost of new hardware like Steam Machines and the PlayStation 6, and Sega's struggles with its retro revival strategy.
TIGA Games Education Conference – Full agenda announced!
TIGA has announced the full agenda for its upcoming Games Education Conference 2026, hosted at Birmingham City University and sponsored by Epic Games. The event will feature over 30 speakers from educational institutions and studios discussing key topics such as skills requirements, graduate employment, games research, and diversity in games education.
The Last of Us Part 2 will get multiplayer later this year, but not from Sony, and sadly not on PS5 either
A multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part II has been released by modder Specilizer, featuring lobby systems and custom maps, with a September release date. Meanwhile, CD Projekt Red's co-CEO Michał Nowakowski admits the company has not yet fully redeemed itself in the eyes of fans after the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077, despite significant improvements and positive reception to its Phantom Liberty expansion.
