Industry Trends
Ongoing coverage on Industry Trends.
Latest coverage
Take-Two's former AI guy is, in a twist, skeptical about AI now: 'The guy should be selling you the gold if…
A former AI lead for Take-Two Interactive, Dicken, expresses skepticism about the current hype surrounding generative AI in game development. He argues that the technology's practical application is often overstated, citing issues with authorial intent, dialogue trees, and debatable productivity gains. Dicken also warns of potential vendor lock-in and price hikes, comparing the situation to Unity's controversial pricing changes.
Console Game Development Is Moving to Unreal Engine, and Halo Just Proved It
Halo Studios has transitioned from its proprietary Slipspace engine to Unreal Engine 5 for Halo: Campaign Evolved, marking a significant shift in console game development. This move aims to reduce internal engine maintenance costs, allowing more resources for game creation and faster content delivery to platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Gamescom Dev speaker survey identifies potential impacts of AI on team structure and productivity
A survey of Gamescom Dev speakers indicates that artificial intelligence is expected to be the most significant industry trend for the next three years, with 83% anticipating an impact on team structure or productivity. While 36% believe AI will change roles rather than reduce team sizes, 33% expect smaller teams. Economic uncertainty, market saturation, and discoverability were identified as major challenges.
id Software dev says mass layoffs like Microsoft's are weakening the games industry, because developers 'don't have the incentive to care anymore'
id Software lead services programmer Chris Hayes argues that mass layoffs, like those seen at Microsoft's Xbox division, are detrimental to the games industry. He believes these actions weaken the industry by removing developers' incentive to care about their craft and the long-term quality of games, ultimately leading to mediocre products and a less healthy creative environment.
Ex Escape From Tarkov dev believes his new game Rush is Real can cut through a risk-averse industry with an "original idea"
Former Escape From Tarkov developer Jean Tyulegenov is working on a new game called Rush is Real with Nomion Games, aiming to introduce an original mechanic to a risk-averse industry. Tyulegenov believes that despite industry challenges like rising costs and AI competition, there are opportunities to engage players with fresh ideas and leverage AI as a development tool. He also highlighted the indie game Gris as an example of artistic achievement in game development.
Nintendo reports a full 38.5% of its sales are still physical in the wake of Sony abandoning discs
Nintendo reported that 38.5% of its sales in the last quarter were physical, despite the industry trend towards digital. This figure includes Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions and DLC, but excludes hardware bundles. Sony plans to cease physical disc production in 2028, a move that has been met with player backlash, though some publishers like Capcom are not overly concerned.
The Soulslike genre has grown stale after Elden Ring, and only FromSoftware can take it to strange new places
The article argues that the Soulslike genre has become stagnant since Elden Ring, with many developers iterating on FromSoftware's formula without significant innovation. It suggests that only FromSoftware itself can revitalize the genre by taking it in new, unexpected directions, potentially by shifting focus from open-world expansiveness to deeper mechanics or by embracing a more distinct aesthetic like anime.
What’s Really Happening With Halo: Campaign Evolved?
Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake utilizing Unreal Engine 5, has launched to mixed reception despite generally positive critic scores. While it performed moderately on consoles, particularly Xbox via Game Pass, its PC launch on Steam saw significantly lower concurrent player counts compared to previous Halo titles. The article analyzes this lukewarm reception, attributing it to potential shifts in Xbox leadership and strategy, and questions the franchise's future direction.
Bethesda Celebrates “40 Years of Adventures” With A Brand-New Logo Reveal
Bethesda has unveiled a new logo to commemorate its 40th anniversary, marking decades of game development. The studio acknowledged recent performance of titles like Starfield and addressed player concerns regarding layoffs and future releases, expressing optimism for a new direction.
New data suggests layoffs will affect 14,259 people by the end of 2026, up 78% from first forecast of the year
New data from the ASGC Games Industry Layoffs Tracker forecasts that job losses will reach 14,259 by the end of 2026, a significant increase from earlier projections. This trend indicates an acceleration in layoffs, with North America and Europe being the most affected regions. The projected numbers for 2026 are expected to surpass the total for 2024.
John Romero announced as keynote speaker for Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show
id Software co-founder John Romero has been announced as the keynote speaker for the business conference at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok. The event, running from October 29th to November 1st, will feature speakers from companies like Tencent and Godot, and has expanded its floor space by 20% following a successful 2025 debut.
Ubisoft CEO says ditching physical games "helped" PC gaming, and PlayStation ending discs won't "disturb" the industry much anyway
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot believes the discontinuation of physical PlayStation games will not significantly disrupt the industry, citing PC gaming's growth as evidence that a digital-only future can be beneficial. He suggests that eliminating physical media could lead to more accessible console pricing. While acknowledging the loss of the used games market, Guillemot stated that the overall impact on the industry will be manageable.
Only 7 PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical copies in the US this year, says analyst, as commenters demand…
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella reports that only seven PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical copies in the US this year, suggesting a decline in physical media sales. Despite fan outcry for physical discs, data indicates that digital sales are dominant, with over half of Xbox Series consoles and a quarter of PlayStation 5 consoles lacking physical drives.
Former PlayStation boss says Sony needs 'more games for more people' to justify a $1,000 PS6
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Sony needs to innovate with game content to justify the projected $1,000 price tag for the PlayStation 6. He argues that focusing on a narrow range of popular titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 limits the industry's reach, and developers should create more diverse games to attract a wider audience.
Ex-PlayStation boss says devs need to reach people who don't care about GTA 6, even if Rockstar's long-awaited game is going to hit "with great force and power"
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes game developers need to appeal to a broader audience beyond fans of major titles like Grand Theft Auto 6. He argues that the industry is becoming too insular, focusing on the same genres and failing to attract new players. Layden suggests that console makers and developers should explore more diverse game experiences and support developers from different regions to expand the market.
Loss of Institutional Knowledge Due to Xbox’s Layoffs is “Staggering”, Says Former Employee
Former employees from Xbox studios, including Bethesda Game Studios, have expressed concern over the significant loss of institutional knowledge due to recent layoffs. They believe these cuts will hinder the development of core franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, despite company statements about focusing on these titles. Morale is reportedly low, with employees feeling insecure about future job stability following multiple rounds of significant job cuts.
"I had a front row seat to one of the greatest creative explosions in history" – Glen Schofield announces retirement
Industry veteran Glen Schofield has announced his retirement after a 35-year career, citing the past two decades as a period of immense creativity in gaming. He expressed gratitude to Electronic Arts for Dead Space, Activision for three Call of Duty titles, and reflected on his work on The Callisto Protocol. Schofield, who also co-founded Sledgehammer Games and founded Striking Distance Studios, believes the industry is at an inflection point for the next generation of developers.
Dead Space creator and Call of Duty veteran Glen Schofield announces retirement: 'I had a front row seat to one of the greatest creative explosions in history'
Glen Schofield, the creator of Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol, has announced his retirement after 35 years in the video game industry. Schofield, who also worked on several Call of Duty titles, cited the challenges of securing funding for new projects in the current market. He expressed optimism for the future of game development despite industry difficulties.
One week after going independent in the Xbox bloodbath, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games is looking for work
Compulsion Games, the developer of the BAFTA and Peabody Award-winning title South of Midnight, has announced it is seeking new collaborations after becoming independent following recent layoffs at Xbox. Microsoft, which acquired Compulsion in 2018, allowed the studio to go independent rather than closing it. The studio is leveraging its experience in creating original intellectual property to partner with other companies in the games and entertainment industry.
Xbox Developers Facing “Panic and Anxiety” at Further Layoffs – Rumor
Xbox developers are reportedly experiencing significant panic and anxiety due to ongoing and anticipated future layoffs, with further job cuts planned for the remainder of fiscal year 2027. This uncertainty is causing stress among remaining staff, who fear their workload could be used as justification for future termination. The situation extends to agencies working with the company, which have seen their vendor budgets slashed by 50 percent.
