Video Game Industry
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Regulators clear the path: Saudi Arabia’s $55B takeover of EA loses its final barrier
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has received approval from the European Commission for its $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, removing a major regulatory hurdle. The deal, which is the second-largest in video game history, has been cleared without competition concerns. This move is part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to diversify its economy and increase its presence in the global gaming market.
MMO Business Roundup: CliffyB is back, a crackdown on Steam criming, and Palworld’s 30.5M sales
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including Cliff Bleszinski's return with plans for a comeback after the failures of LawBreakers and Radical Heights. It also notes a temporary pause on the Warner Bros. buyout due to antitrust concerns, an indictment in Florida for malware injection into Steam games, and Palworld's continued sales success, reaching an estimated 30.5 million copies sold.
EA Sports UFC 6 and Meccha Chameleon Dominated US Software Sales Charts for June
US video game software sales in June saw EA Sports UFC 6 top the charts, followed by Meccha Chameleon. Despite strong individual game sales and upcoming releases like Grand Theft Auto 6, overall spending dropped 12 percent year-on-year, with hardware sales also experiencing a significant decline.
Gamescom 2026's exhibition area is fully booked for the first time
Gamescom 2026 has fully booked its exhibition area for the first time due to unprecedented exhibitor demand. Organizers are considering expanding the space for 2027 to accommodate growth and improve the visitor experience. The event will feature highlights like Gamescom Opening Night Live and the new Gamescom GDQ, with IGN partnering for the Gamescom Awesome Indies Show.
Count Binface Is Making A Campaign Promise That Every Sega Fan Can Get Behind
Independent candidate Count Binface has called on Sega to reopen its West End Arcade and greenlight Shenmue 4 as part of his campaign for the Clacton-on-Sea by-election. He also expressed a desire to see the return of Sega World in London and the original Sonic the Hedgehog. This campaign effort follows a viral fake Shenmue 4 trailer that Ys Net condemned.
Baldur's Gate and D&D owner Hasbro is down $56 million as its strategy of canceling almost everything…
Hasbro is reporting a $56 million loss on its digital games portfolio, leading to the cancellation of several unspecified titles planned through 2028. While Baldur's Gate 3 was a success, the company's broader strategy of investing in and then canceling projects has resulted in significant financial setbacks. CEO Chris Cocks stated the company is refocusing investments on franchises with the clearest upside.
Union slams Microsoft for "unfair labor practice", alleging Xbox "unlawfully" laid off staff
Microsoft's Xbox division is facing accusations of unfair labor practices, including unlawfully laying off staff without proper union notification or discussion. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has filed complaints alleging refusal to bargain and coercive actions. Meanwhile, Netflix reported a 600% surge in kids' game engagement, driven by its dedicated mobile app, and expressed confidence in scaling its cloud gaming offerings.
Marathon’s game director resigned from Bungie for ‘something new, somewhere else’
Joe Ziegler, game director for Bungie's upcoming game Marathon, has announced his resignation from the company. He expressed gratitude to fans for their support and stated that the mission for Marathon will continue under new leadership, with Del Chafe III and Julia Nardin taking over. Ziegler is moving on to a new opportunity elsewhere.
"Honestly, it's still getting worse" - Valve Steam Machine engineer says component prices are still rising, potentially paving the way for a price increase
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that consumer electronics component prices are still rising, potentially leading to price increases for products like the Steam Machine and Steam Deck. This trend is also impacting consoles, with Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo having already raised prices or planning to do so. Separately, Bethesda Game Studios leader Todd Howard thanked fans for their support following recent announcements about Fallout and The Elder Scrolls projects, emphasizing that the company listens to community feedback.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Could Shatter Launch Week Sales Records
Newzoo reports that Grand Theft Auto 6 is projected to shatter launch week sales records, potentially earning between $3.25 billion and $5.2 billion globally. Pre-orders on the PlayStation Store have already reached $180 million in the US and five major European markets within the first week. The article also discusses the implications of digital-only sales and the game's potential impact on the lagging video game market.
ZA/UM are set for more layoffs only two months after launching Zero Parades: For Dead Spies
ZA/UM is reportedly laying off over 30 employees, approximately one-third of its studio, just two months after the release of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. The company cited the game's commercial performance as the reason for the layoffs, despite its critical acclaim. This follows previous controversies and the formation of the ZA/UM Workers' Alliance, the UK's first recognized video game union.
Bethesda Roadmap: Fallout 5, Fallout 3 & New Vegas Remasters — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Bethesda Game Studios has outlined its future game development roadmap, confirming Fallout 5 is in pre-production and will follow The Elder Scrolls VI. The studio also announced remasters for Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, and revealed that Obsidian Entertainment is collaborating on a new Fallout title. Continued support for Starfield and Fallout 76 is also planned, with a Raven Rock expansion for Fallout 76 targeted for 2027.
As PlayStation declares nobody wants physical discs anymore, Gen Z is helping fuel a 16% surge in US music CD sales
Despite PlayStation's move away from physical discs, CD sales in the US have seen a 16% surge, driven by Gen Z and Millennials who view CDs as affordable collectibles. This trend highlights a growing appreciation for physical media and direct artist support, contrasting with the predominantly digital game sales market where similar benefits of ownership and collectibility still hold value.
"Don't fall for it": Union says Fallout 5 and Elder Scrolls 6 news shouldn't distract you from huge Bethesda layoffs as Xbox CEO praises the series' "remarkable" achievements
The United Videogame Workers-CWA union claims Bethesda's announcements about Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls 6 are a deliberate distraction from recent mass layoffs at Bethesda and Obsidian Entertainment. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma praised the franchises' achievements, while unions filed unfair labor practice complaints against Microsoft regarding the layoffs.
Nintendo reveals Japan’s best-selling Switch 2 and Switch eShop games for first half of 2026
Nintendo has released its list of best-selling games in Japan for the first half of 2026 on both the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch platforms. Pokemon Pokopia topped the charts for the Switch 2, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream led sales on the original Switch. The lists feature a mix of new releases and enduring popular titles.
Fallout 3 and New Vegas are getting remastered, and Bethesda just promised more Starfield support
Bethesda Game Studios announced remasters for Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, alongside continued support for Starfield with new content and improvements. The studio is also collaborating with Obsidian Entertainment on a new Fallout project, while Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls 6 remain in early development.
Star Wars: KOTOR remake is alive and eyeing a 2028 release window, according to Sabre Interactive's chief business office
Sabre Interactive's Chief Business Officer Steve Allison has indicated that the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake is still in development and could be released around 2028. The project has faced numerous development challenges, including being moved from Aspyr to Sabre Interactive by Embracer Group. Despite past delays and uncertainty, Allison's comments offer a glimmer of hope for fans of the classic RPG.
"Far more interesting than the RPGs we see today": Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto preferred casual physics sandboxes to cutting-edge graphics even in 1996
In a 1996 interview, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto expressed a preference for simple physics-based games over graphically intensive RPGs, citing an old Macintosh game where players adjusted cannon launch angles. He felt that the focus on high production values and justifying price tags stifled creativity and the joy of player discovery, contrasting it with the more interactive potential he envisioned for games like Super Mario 64.
GTA 6 Just Got A Jaw-Dropping Sales Prediction
Research firm Newzoo predicts Grand Theft Auto 6 could generate between $3.3 billion and $5.2 billion in its first week, potentially selling over 51 million copies. These projections are based on its classification of GTA 6 as a 'Proven Sequel' and strong preorder numbers. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Comings and Goings
Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone significant layoffs, impacting numerous studios and projects. Industry figures like Jason Schreier have reported on the scale of these cuts, with outlets like Game Developer and BBC analyzing the implications for the gaming giant's future.