Game Industry
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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.
Nintendo’s Iwata Cut His Salary, Epic’s Sweeney Cut 830 Jobs Instead
The article contrasts the leadership styles of the late Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney during difficult company periods. Iwata famously cut his own salary to avoid layoffs during Nintendo's struggles with the 3DS launch and Wii U, while Sweeney laid off 830 employees at Epic Games in 2023. The piece argues that Iwata's approach fostered a better work environment and contributed to Nintendo's long-term success, contrasting it with what it describes as a more traditional, employee-costing corporate strategy at Epic.
The industry is in a 'really horrible place,' say Brenda and John Romero
Brenda and John Romero describe the current state of the video game industry as 'horrible,' drawing parallels to the 1983 crash due to widespread layoffs and studio closures at companies like EA, PlayStation, and Epic Games. Brenda Romero also expressed concern over the push for generative AI, stating that Romero Games is not utilizing the technology.
"I didn't expect them to have the same impact as Final Fantasy 16": Clair Obscur Expedition 33's Ben Starr thought "being an idiot with Balatro" would be his biggest role of 2025, not Sandfall's surprise-hit RPG
Voice actor Ben Starr expressed surprise at the significant success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, noting it unexpectedly rivaled the impact of Final Fantasy 16. Starr, who also contributed to Hades 2, initially believed his biggest role of 2025 would be related to Balatro. The RPG's widespread acclaim highlights a strong player demand for its specific style.
Analyst says Epic Games layoffs send a clear signal: 'This will not get any easier'
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced over 1,000 layoffs due to a decline in Fortnite engagement since 2025, leading to the company spending more than it earns. Analysts suggest this signals a challenging period for the entire industry, exacerbated by inflation and increased competition from platforms like Roblox. The company is also shutting down several Fortnite game modes, including Rocket Racing and Festival Battle Stage.
Metacritic’s 16th annual game publisher rankings released, Nintendo ranks #12
Metacritic has released its 16th annual publisher rankings, with Nintendo improving to the 12th position from 22nd in the previous year. The company's performance was notably boosted by the continued success of its past titles, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Epic Games Lays Off Over 1,000 Employees Amid Fortnite Slowdown and Industry Pressure
Epic Games has laid off over 1,000 employees due to declining Fortnite engagement and broader industry pressures, as confirmed by CEO Tim Sweeney. The company is implementing significant cost reductions and addressing challenges in maintaining consistent seasonal content for Fortnite. These layoffs are framed as a financial correction, not related to AI adoption, while Epic continues to invest in Unreal Engine and developer tools.
Epic Games lays off more than 1,000 employees: 'We're spending significantly more than we're…
Epic Games has laid off over 1,000 employees due to ongoing financial challenges, with CEO Tim Sweeney citing a significant spending deficit and a slump in Fortnite engagement since 2025. Sweeney mentioned that while some issues are industry-wide, others are specific to Epic's struggles in consistently delivering engaging Fortnite seasons.
