Video Game Industry
Ongoing coverage on Video Game Industry.
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7 developers that will save the video games industry - Reader’s Feature
This reader's feature highlights seven smaller developers, including 11 bit studios, AdHoc Studios, Daniel Mullins Games, Hazelight Studios, Larian Studios, Sandfall Interactive, and Supergiant Games, who are seen as vital to the future of the video game industry. The article praises their innovative approaches to game design and storytelling, contrasting them with the perceived missteps of larger publishers.
Evening Reading - August 20, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading for August 20, 2026, highlights various gaming news including The Duskbloods' FromSoftware-inspired experience, NBA 2K27 upgrades, Borderlands 4 lore, and Dota 2's The International 2026 details. It also features an Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC review, a unique GTA 6 promotion by the U.S. Army, and mentions of id Software's commitment to id Tech following Xbox layoffs.
Valve chief Gabe Newell makes a rare public appearance as "New Chad Gabe" and rings in Dota 2's biggest…
Valve co-founder Gabe Newell made a rare public appearance via video message at the opening ceremony of The International 2026 Dota 2 tournament. Newell, who appeared noticeably slimmer, reflected on the game's evolution and thanked the players and fans for their continued passion. The message was met with positive reactions online, with fans expressing happiness over his healthier appearance.
Hundreds of union workers rally across North America to protest Xbox layoffs
Hundreds of unionized video game workers rallied across North America to protest recent layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division. Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and allies gathered to call out corporate greed and demand fair contracts, citing multiple rounds of job cuts impacting studios like Obsidian, id Software, and ZeniMax Online Studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed 3,200 job eliminations, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, leading to legal action from the CWA against Microsoft for alleged mishandling of the cuts.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Launch Gets Some Players 4 Days off Work, But There’s a Controversial Catch
The U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division is offering active-duty soldiers a four-day pass around the release of Grand Theft Auto VI if they sign a reenlistment contract. This incentive program aims to connect with soldiers' interests and has already seen 20 soldiers reenlist to receive the perk. The Army has previously used gaming and esports as recruitment tools.
Japan’s best-selling games of July 2026 – huge sales for Rhythm Heaven Groove and Splatoon Raiders
Famitsu data reveals Rhythm Heaven Groove and Splatoon Raiders had massive debuts in Japan during July 2026, selling nearly 700,000 and 500,000 physical copies respectively. Nintendo dominated software sales and was the top publisher for the month, with the Nintendo Switch 2 remaining the best-selling console.
Surprise first party Xbox sequel to get reveal next week hints trusted insider
A trusted insider, NateTheHate, has hinted at a surprise first-party Xbox sequel reveal expected at Gamescom's Opening Night Live on August 25. While the specific game remains undisclosed, theories suggest it could be a new installment in the Ori or Sunset Overdrive series, developed by a third-party studio and potentially releasing by year's end.
Call of Duty studio Sledgehammer reportedly worked on a Halo multiplayer prototype before it got canned
Sledgehammer Games, a studio known for its work on Call of Duty, reportedly developed a prototype for a Halo multiplayer game at the request of Xbox. The project was ultimately canceled by Xbox after a testing period in June, though discussions about Activision potentially developing future Halo titles are ongoing. This collaboration was explored following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Heroes and Until Dawn star Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36
Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes and Until Dawn, has passed away at the age of 36. Panettiere also lent her voice and motion-capture talents to the horror game Until Dawn and was the voice of Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts series. Her death was confirmed on Sunday night, with no cause immediately provided.
How to make the perfect video game according to Google AI - Reader's Feature
A reader explores the concept of the 'perfect video game' by asking Google's AI for its criteria, which include good controls, clear rules, no wasted time, and good style. The AI's top picks were Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Elden Ring, prompting a discussion on how games like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Assassin's Creed succeed and fail in meeting these standards.
Nintendo has not “lost its soul” – here’s why
This article argues that Nintendo has not lost its soul, despite concerns arising from remakes and industry trends. While acknowledging the increasing cost of gaming and the shift towards digital, it highlights Nintendo's continued focus on charm, personality, and satisfying gameplay in titles like Mario Kart World and Pokemon Pokopia. The piece also touches on Nintendo's strategic decisions regarding hardware and non-game features, concluding that while some aspects may be missed, the core spirit remains intact.
Recension – Console Wars: The Card Game
Console Wars: The Card Game is a satirical card game that parodies the ongoing console wars, drawing inspiration from Monopoly Deal. The game involves collecting complete genres by gathering game cards, using fanbase and action cards to influence the game. Despite minor rule interpretation issues, it offers high replayability and entertainment for families and gaming enthusiasts, with an expansion available.
2011 Lord Of The Rings Game Didn’t Get A “Fair Shake” Launching Near Skyrim, Former WB Boss Says
Christian Allen, formerly of Warner Bros. Games, believes The Lord of the Rings: War in the North did not receive a fair chance at launch in 2011 due to its proximity to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. He argued against the release date, citing concerns that the game would be overshadowed and compared unfavorably to Skyrim, which proved to be true according to reviews. The game has since been re-released by Aspyr Media.
Fans Think They Cracked The Elder Scrolls 6 Subtitle — And It Was Hiding in Starfield Since 2023
Fans believe they have deciphered the subtitle for The Elder Scrolls 6, which was reportedly hidden within Starfield as an employee number. The number, 190514-2009140512, decodes to 'Sentinel,' matching the eight asterisks used by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to describe the game's subtitle. Former Bethesda writer Michael Kirkbride seemingly confirmed the theory with a simple 'yep.'
Lego Marvel games cancelled in favour of Warner Bros. IP says leaker
A leaker claims that all Lego Marvel games have been put on hold indefinitely, with the next Lego game set to feature a major Warner Bros. intellectual property other than Harry Potter. This comes despite the success of Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight, and suggests a shift away from licensed Marvel content due to Warner Bros.' ownership of DC Comics.
Abandon single-player, move development to Saudi Arabia, "reduce labour"? Experts on what EA's huge buyout debt could really mean
Electronic Arts has been acquired through a leveraged buyout, co-owned by private equity firms and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, with approximately $20 billion borrowed from Morgan Stanley. This significant debt places pressure on EA to generate substantial interest payments, leading experts to predict major shifts including potential layoffs and a focus on profitable live service games over niche single-player titles. The acquisition's structure and Saudi Arabia's strategic investment goals suggest a potential reorientation of EA's development and business practices.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's internal playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6 disrupted by a giant inflatable rat, as Bethesda union protests cuts
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's internal playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6 was disrupted by a protest organized by the CWA video game union outside Bethesda's offices. The protest, featuring a giant inflatable rat and red flags representing laid-off employees, aimed to highlight the substantial job cuts made by Microsoft. Sharma briefly commented on the game's scale and story on X, while the union vowed to continue fighting against the layoffs.
As Xbox head Asha Sharma reportedly visits Bethesda HQ, workers put up red flags representing laid off staff and a giant inflatable rat outside
Communications Workers of America union members protested outside Bethesda's headquarters with red flags representing laid-off workers and a giant inflatable rat. The protest coincided with a reported visit from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and highlights ongoing concerns about Microsoft's significant layoffs within its gaming divisions, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
3 months after the release of Directive 8020, Supermassive Games is laying off even more people
Supermassive Games is undergoing its third round of layoffs in less than three years, with up to 75 employees being made redundant. The studio cited the need for sustainability, despite being a division of Nordisk Film, which is owned by Egmont Group. This follows the release of their game Directive 8020, which received a mixed reception.
As GTA 6 anticipation builds and the games industry buckles, Take-Two boss says "I don't love winning by…
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick discusses the current state of the video game industry, marked by layoffs, acquisitions, and cancellations, while anticipating the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Zelnick expresses a preference for growth through innovation rather than attrition and highlights the benefits of being a transparent public company. He also touches on the increasing audience size and monetization potential within the gaming market.
