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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.
Steam has raked in an estimated $11.1 billion gross revenue so far this year, says market analyst—its…
A report from Alinea Analytics indicates that Steam generated an estimated $11.1 billion in gross revenue in the first half of 2026, marking its highest-ever six-month period. This growth is attributed to factors like increased game prices, successful new releases, and the return of third-party publishers like Ubisoft to the platform.
As Xbox and PlayStation flounder, Steam is reportedly having another record year
Valve's PC storefront Steam has achieved record-breaking revenue in the first half of 2026, generating an estimated $11.1 billion. This growth is attributed to the strong performance of the Chinese market, higher new release prices, and the return of third-party publishers. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation divisions are facing challenges due to declining sales, increased hardware costs, and negative consumer sentiment.
Bethesda Hit Hard by Layoffs, Studio Head Says “We Need to Change Course” – Rumor
Bethesda has reportedly experienced significant layoffs, with studio head Jill Braff stating the company needs to "change course" to ensure a more stable foundation and sustainable growth. This shift involves focusing on its strongest franchises, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, potentially impacting development on other titles. The move comes amid broader industry layoffs and aims to reposition Bethesda for future success.
Xbox are parting ways with Double Fine, Arkane, Undead Labs, Compulsion, and Ninja Theory in the course of thousands of layoffs
Microsoft has announced significant layoffs affecting 3200 employees and is parting ways with five Xbox-owned studios: Double Fine, Arkane, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, and Ninja Theory. Some studios will become independent or find new ownership, while Arkane's future is uncertain. CEO Asha Sharma cited rising costs, underperforming acquisitions, and a challenging industry landscape as reasons for the "reset."
Xbox Could Help Studios at Risk to Complete Their Games – Rumor
Rumors suggest Xbox is planning significant cost-cutting measures, potentially leading to layoffs and studio closures. While some studios might go independent or be sold, there's a possibility that affected studios could still complete their announced games. This news comes amid broader industry challenges and discussions about PlayStation ceasing disc production.
Where did all the UK game events go?
The UK faces a significant decline in major consumer video game events, with many established shows like EGX and Insomnia folding or merging, and new attempts failing. This trend is attributed to rising costs, shifting global marketing budgets of major publishers away from such events, and the overwhelming draw of larger international shows like Gamescom. While smaller niche and B2B events remain successful, the lack of large-scale consumer gatherings is a concern for the UK's substantial gaming market.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Developers Thought About Leaving the Industry
Former Rocksteady Studios developers Axel Rydby and Johnny Armstrong discussed the challenging development of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, revealing that executive decisions focused on monetization led them to question their passion for game making. The developers also shared their experiences with the game's numerous delays and the studio's inexperience with multiplayer titles, ultimately leading them to leave Rocksteady and pursue new projects like Secret of Circadia.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.