Licensing
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Four Studio Ghibli Builds Are Alive in LEGO Ideas Review — the Closest Fans Have Ever Come
Four Studio Ghibli-themed LEGO Ideas concepts have advanced to the review stage, marking the furthest any Ghibli pitch has ever come. While previous submissions have failed, the current progress, especially with two sets tied to the franchise's 40th anniversary, suggests a potential official LEGO build may be on the horizon. The primary hurdle remains securing licensing agreements directly with Studio Ghibli, unlike sets derived from established partnerships with companies like Disney or Warner Bros.
Six Penguins Wanted: SOLYD Opens Pudgy Licensing Deal for Its Debut iPhone Cases
Accessories brand SOLYD has opened a licensing deal on OverpassIP, seeking six Pudgy Penguins NFTs to feature on its debut iPhone case line. This partnership follows SOLYD's existing Pudgy Penguins: Pengu Edition case for the Solana Mobile Seeker. The submission window for the new iPhone cases is three weeks, with chosen NFT owners receiving royalties on sales.
What’s Leaving PlayStation Plus in September 2026: Madden, Toy Story and More
Sony's PlayStation Plus service will see several games removed in September 2026, including Madden NFL 26, Persona 5 Tactica, and two Toy Story titles. The Shadowrun trilogy is also listed as a "last chance to play." The article notes that while August was a strong month for the service, September's departures are confirmed while new additions remain unannounced.
Simpsons creator himself leaks that Hit & Run video game is coming back
The Simpsons creator Matt Groening may have accidentally revealed that The Simpsons: Hit & Run is returning in some form, during a recent D23 event panel. While showrunner Matt Selman seemed to backtrack, Groening's comment has fueled fan speculation for a remake or remaster of the beloved 2003 game. Licensing issues have previously prevented any re-release, but the involvement of former Radical Entertainment staff at New Radical Games offers renewed hope.
2K funds new AAA sports studio as EA Sports FC faces potential new rival
Take-Two Interactive, through its 2K label, has established Small Axe Studios in Vancouver, staffed by veterans from EA Sports FC and FIFA. The new studio aims to create a AAA sports game, potentially challenging EA Sports FC's market dominance. While the specific sport is unconfirmed, evidence suggests a focus on football, with key personnel having extensive experience in football game development.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | CodeDev Group appoints Ben Board as CEO of The Performance Guys
This article rounds up recent hires and promotions across the gaming industry. Key appointments include Ben Board as CEO of The Performance Guys, Nate Nanzer as EVP at Paramount Games, and Tracey Thompson returning to Bethesda as VP of communications. Several other companies like Epic Games, Amazon, and Microsoft also saw personnel changes.
The Pokemon Company made $15.7 billion in retail sales in 2025
The Pokemon Company achieved $15.7 billion in retail sales in 2025, a significant increase of $12 billion from the previous year. This performance has positioned the company as the sixth largest global licensor.
Xbox ber om ursäkt för gårdagens strul och avbrott
Xbox has apologized for a widespread service outage that prevented players from logging in, accessing their game libraries, and launching games. Scott Van Vliet, CTO for Xbox, explained the issue stemmed from a licensing service and promised improvements in error detection and communication. The company plans to share more details on platform improvements in the coming weeks.
Baldur's Gate 4 should just be an "oversized expansion pack for Baldur's Gate 3," BioWare veteran says: "Get Larian to agree to license out the Divinity Engine"
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah suggests that Baldur's Gate 4 should be developed as an 'oversized expansion pack' for Baldur's Gate 3, proposing that Larian Studios license out its Divinity Engine. However, Larian CEO Swen Vincke has stated the studio is moving on from the Baldur's Gate series. Hasbro is reportedly exploring options for Baldur's Gate 4 with other developers.
"The market is becoming much more diverse" – Will the proliferation of football video games last?
The football video game market is experiencing increased diversity following the split between FIFA and Electronic Arts, with new titles like UFL and Netflix's FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition emerging. While established players like EA Sports FC and eFootball remain dominant, industry figures believe the market can support a range of experiences catering to different player preferences, from full simulations to mobile and social games. Challenges include high development costs, complex licensing, and meeting player expectations for authenticity and continuous updates in a competitive landscape.
Hasbro (HAS) signs deal with Nintendo (NTDOY) to make Legend of Zelda toys ahead of the film
Hasbro and Nintendo have signed a deal to produce The Legend of Zelda toys, with initial prototypes to be revealed at San Diego Comic Con in July 2026. The full toy line is expected to launch in 2027, coinciding with the release of the live-action The Legend of Zelda film. This partnership aims to capitalize on the upcoming movie's release and expand the franchise's merchandising.
Hasbro wins license to make Legend of Zelda toys, action figures, and more from 2027
Hasbro has secured a licensing agreement with Nintendo to produce The Legend of Zelda toys and merchandise starting in 2027. The partnership will cover a wide range of products, including action figures, plushies, and potentially board games. The first product reveals are expected at San Diego Comic Con, with three 6-inch figures set to be unveiled.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 Has Disappeared From Game Pass Without Explanation
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 has been mysteriously removed from the Xbox Game Pass July lineup without explanation. While Microsoft owns the IP, theories suggest potential licensing issues with music and brands may be the cause for its disappearance from the subscription service.
After Space Marine 2 'literally changed everything', Saber Interactive has been inundated with offers from major licenses: 'We are in a very fortunate position to turn down more than we can accept'
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2's success has significantly boosted the studio's reputation and led to numerous offers from major license holders. The company is now in a strong position to selectively choose future projects, aiming to leverage existing fanbases for safer bets like Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Robert Henrysson steps down as Supermassive Games CEO
Several key personnel changes have occurred in the gaming industry. Robert Henrysson has stepped down as CEO of Supermassive Games and partner at Nordisk Games. Christopher Serra joins Paramount Games as VP of business development and licensing, while Alexis Bonte departs as CEO of Stillfront. Nicholas Penwarden also leaves Epic Games after 15 years.
Slitherine acquires Warhammer Blood Bowl licence from troubled French publisher Nacon
Slitherine Software has acquired the publishing rights and back catalogue for the Blood Bowl franchise from Nacon, which recently filed for insolvency. The game will continue to be developed by Cyanide Studio under a long-term development deal with Slitherine. This acquisition is part of Slitherine's wider expansion into strategy and tactics games.
ESA VP calls Minecraft Community Servers “illegal,” which is an impressively stupid thing to say in an industry full of impressively stupid things already
An Entertainment Software Association VP called Minecraft community servers "illegal," a statement widely criticized as inaccurate and damaging. While individual servers can violate EULAs, the concept of community servers is officially supported by Mojang and Microsoft. This statement occurred during a California Senate committee hearing opposing the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to ensure players retain access to games after services shut down.
Valve just killed the Steam Machine Companion Cube
Valve has halted production of Dbrand's "Companion Cube" case for the Steam Machine, which was designed to make the console resemble the Weighted Companion Cube from the Portal games. Dbrand was denied a retroactive license by Valve, forcing them to refund thousands of orders and cease development. The company acknowledged fault for proceeding without initial licensing approval.
Company that made a Steam Machine wrap based on Valve intellectual property without asking forced to take it down
Dbrand has been forced to cancel its 'Companion Cube' wrap for the Steam Machine after failing to obtain a license from Valve. The company admitted to building the product without permission and will issue full refunds to pre-order customers. This incident follows a similar controversy in 2021 where Dbrand was compelled to remove custom PlayStation 5 faceplates due to intellectual property concerns with Sony.
Is 2K Developing a FIFA Game? - Latest Report on Partnership Failure
Reports indicate that negotiations between FIFA and 2K for a new football simulation game have failed, with FIFA reportedly walking away to pursue quicker monetization opportunities like the FIFA World Cup – Launch Edition on Netflix. While both parties were advanced in discussions, FIFA ultimately decided against the partnership, possibly to capitalize on World Cup hype. Despite interest from 2K and comments from Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick, no official FIFA title is currently rumored to be in development at 2K.