The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast

Welcome to the weekly GI Microcast giving you the latest in video games news. Join James Batchelor and Chris Dring where they give you their take on the biggest stories in video games. Never miss an episode and subscribe to the GI Microcast on all Podcasting platforms and YouTube. Join them every Monday for more video games news. This week, Chris and James discuss this year's BAFTA Games Awards, the array of winners, and the vibe among industry professionals - both at the ceremony and the London Developer Conference that was held earlier in the day. The episode also explores some of the key takeaways from the conference, such as Newzoo's revelation of how few play hours everyone is competing for, as well as the latest discussions around the ongoing waves of layoffs, including the IGDA's call for more action to prevent or minimise them. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Sign up for the GI Daily here to get the biggest news straight to your inbox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the weekly GI Microcast giving you the latest in video games news. Join James Batchelor and Chris Dring where they give you their take on the biggest stories in video games. Never miss an episode and subscribe to the GI Microcast on all podcasting platforms and YouTube. Join them every Monday for more video games news. This week, we discuss the ongoing conversations around Xbox - from Chris' recent revelation that developers are finding it hard to justify supporting the platform, to Xbox boss Phil Spencer's suggestion that the console could open up to third-party stores. We also discuss last week's big studio sales, including Embracer's $460m sale of Gearbox to Take-Two and Relic's breakaway from Sega to become an independent developer. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz, and you can get all the biggest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the GI Daily at www.gamesindustry.biz/newsletters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast dives into the biggest stories across the business of video games from the past week. This week, Chris Dring returns from San Francisco to bring us a better sense of the mood at GDC and how it reflects what's happening in the industry, as well as some of the more interesting things he learned around the conference. Subjects that get discussed include the leaked PS5 Pro specs and what impact (if any) a mid-gen refresh might have for the console, why publishers and developers may be deprioritising Xbox, and the potential for AI initiatives such as Ubisoft's Neo NPCs. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Remember to sign up for the GI Daily here to get the biggest news straight to your inbox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast takes a quick dive into the biggest stories from the business of video games over the past week. This week, editor-in-chief James Batchelor is joined by staff writer Jeffrey Rousseau, who makes his Microcast debut while regular co-host Chris Dring is attending GDC 2024. The discussion begins with a look at Embracer Group's $247m sale of Saber Interactive and various studios, as well as which operating groups and subsidiaries the troubled publisher might divest next. We also reflect on the stumbles made by PlayStation VR 2 as reports suggest production has been paused to clear a surplus of unsold units, and dive into some of the key takeaways from Unity's 2024 gaming report. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz, and be sure to sign up to the GI Daily newsletter to get the biggest news delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast is a weekly podcast with Chris Dring and James Batchelor offering a quick dive into the biggest stories from across the business of video games. This week, we discuss Apple's short-lived ban on Epic Games' developer account, which would have prevented both the return of Fortnite to iOS and the launch of Epic's app store. Far from being another chapter in the ongoing Epic vs Apple saga, this is part of the iOS firm's ongoing efforts to resist the European Union and its new regulations, such as the Digital Markets Act. We also discuss the $2.4 million settlement between Nintendo and the makers of Switch emulator Yuzu, and Warner Bros' comments about the volatility of the console space and how live service games more than "one-and-done" titles like Hogwarts Legacy may be the answer. You can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast offers a quick look at the biggest stories from the business of video games every Monday. This week, Chris Dring and James Batchelor are joined by Remedy communications director Thomas Puha, who talks to us about the studio reclaiming the publishing rights of Control, the success of Alan Wake 2, and the challenges of AAA development in general. We also discuss the mass layoffs at Electronic Arts and Sony, plus how those two companies are adapting their strategies to the current climate, and reports that Rockstar is mandating that employees return to the office five days a week. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the weekly GI Microcast giving you the latest in video games news. Join James Batchelor and Chris Dring where they give you their take on the biggest stories in video games. Never miss an episode and subscribe to the GI Microcast on all Podcasting platforms and YouTube. Join them every Monday for more video games news. This week, we discuss the slew of game announcements that emerged from and around the Nintendo Partner Direct, the potential for surprise hits in 2024, and the industry's data deficiencies that make it difficult to judge which games truly are the most successful. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Dring and James Batchelor take a look at the biggest stories from the business of video games in the last week. We start by discussing Xbox's announcement of four first-party titles coming to other platforms, as well as Microsoft's wider games strategy, before delving into PlayStation's latest financials, the challenges it faces and the revelation that there will be no major launches from existing franchises until April 2025 at the earliest. We finish off with the recent reports that Switch 2 may not launch until 2025, and the impact this may have on the wider market. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Batchelor and Chris Dring discuss the biggest news from the past week. The main topic this week is the recent rumours that Microsoft may bring key first-party exclusives such as Starfield and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to other platforms, including PlayStation 5. We talk about Microsoft's history of exploring 'rival' platforms, and why it does and doesn't make sense for these titles to be ported. We also discuss the recent report that the majority of developers are working on live service games, as well as attitudes towards this business model, and our highlights from PlayStation's State of Play showcase. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GamesIndustry.biz's James Batchelor and Chris Dring discuss the biggest stories of the past week. First, we discuss the Eidos Montreal layoffs and the cancellation of a new Deus Ex title, as well as the implications for the future of this franchise - and many of the other franchises, such as fan favourite (and Chris favourite) TimeSplitters, whose future depends on the outcome of the Embracer Group restructure. Next, we delve into the changes proposed by Apple to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets App; seemingly opening iOS to third-party app stores, but also introducing new commission fees and complicating the process for mobile developers and publishers who seek to use alternatives to Apple's own systems. Finally, there are the 1,900 layoffs announced across Microsoft's gaming businesses and the potential impact these may have on the various video game sectors in which the company operates. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss some of the biggest stories about the business of video games from the past week. This week's Microcast kicks off with Chris' report on the industry bracing itself for further difficult times, with investors, publishers and developers expecting up to two years of closures, changes to the release schedule and investment opportunities, and more. We also discuss the reaction to our interview with Ubisoft's Philippe Tremblay and the notion that subscriptions will only take off when players become accustomed to not owning their games, the end of UK retailer GAME's pre-owned business, and the highlights of the Xbox Developer Direct. As always you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Batchelor and Chris Dring once again discuss some of the biggest stories from the past week, including the divisive agreement between union SAG-AFTRA and AI voice tech firm Replica Studios to use AI voice acting in video games. The discussion inevitably extends to the broader implications of AI, including Steam's revised policies that will allow "the vast majority of games using it" to launch on the leading PC marketplace. We also discuss comments from our recent interview with Nacon head of publishing Benoit Clerc as to whether there are too many games on the market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Dring and James Batchelor return with our weekly dive into the biggest news stories from the business of video games. 2024 has barely started and the ongoing trend of layoffs across the games industry continues. We discuss some of the wider factors that are driving this, and what else we can expect in the year ahead. We also discuss recent stories about the use of generative AI in promotional art, including an ID@Xbox image that was published before the holidays, and the recent report of a former Activision exec suing the Call of Duty publisher for discrimination against "old white guys." As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our final podcast of the year, The GamesIndustry.biz team gathers around their mics to discuss their favourite games of the past twelve months. You may well have read our extended thoughts in our Games of the Year articles, and this conversation wraps things up, as well as gives some nods to our honourable mentions. From the relaxing trials of Pikmin 4 to the freeform adventures of Baldur's Gate 3, from the political commentary and fast-paced gameplay of Bomb Rush Cyberfunk to the creepy and compelling narrative of Alan Wake 2, listen in as we discuss the best games of 2023. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team gathers around their mics to reflect on the past year, as well as the biggest stories and trends we've covered. The discussion inevitably begins with the waves of layoffs we've seen throughout 2023, and what they say about both the state of the industry and what we can expect in 2024. We also discuss the debate around using AI in games development, the quality of games released this year, and the implications of the Epic vs Google trial (note: this was recorded before this week's verdict). As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss the biggest stories of the past week, on (potentially) our final Microcast of 2023. Today's discussion begins with the reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, from the changes at Rockstar since GTA 5 to the sales expectations and potential impact the game will have on 2024 and 2025, plus our own thoughts on this first look at the game. We also discuss this year's The Game Awards, including the range of winners, the discourse around developers' winners speeches, and the many balancing acts involved when organising an event like this. Finally, we discuss Lego Fortnite, and how it fits into both Epic's plans to transform its multiplayer titles into a platform and Lego's ongoing efforts to work closer with the games industry. All this in just 25(ish) minutes. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss the biggest stories of the past week, starting with the mixed messages over whether Xbox Game Pass is heading to Nintendo and PlayStation consoles. While Xbox CFO Tim Stuart said last week that this is part of the company's long-term strategy (echoing comments from Xbox boss Phil Spencer five years ago), Spencer has since said this is not on the cards. Which is unsurprising given the number of obstacles such a move would need to overcome (as Rob Fahey discussed in his latest column). The episode also discusses the ongoing trend of companies focusing on their core strengths in the face of economic uncertainty, as explored in the latest edition of This Week In Business. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On our latest Microcast, James Batchelor and Chris Dring discuss the fallout of Embracer Group's ongoing restructure, as revealed by its recent financial results that confirmed over 900 people were laid off in the space of three months. We discuss the strategy that led directly to Embracer's struggles, as well as whether these issues are a sign of further turbulent times to come for the wider industry. The conversation also covers the value of video games, a discussion prompted by recent comments by Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, and Chris gives us his first impressions of the PlayStation Portal. As always, you can be more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast returns, bringing you a digestible dose of the biggest news and analysis from the business of video games. On this episode, James Batchelor and Christopher Dring discuss the upcoming reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, and how the development team behind it has changed since the launch of the record-breaking Grand Theft Auto 5 back in 2013. We also discuss the reports regarding the allegedly strained development of Modern Warfare 3 (reports that Sledgehammer Games has since denied), and the position the Call of Duty brand finds itself in as it receives the lowest review scores in the series' history. You can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Batchelor and Chris Dring dive into the implications of this week's Xbox leak - and debate whether the industry truly learned anything of value. Among the revelations discussed are Microsoft targeting 2028 for its next Xbox console, full details of two mid-generation refreshes for Xbox Series X and S that are expected to launch next year, a hybrid cloud gaming platform due to launch by 2028, Bethesda's future line-up of games, and Spencer's ambition to acquire Nintendo. We also ponder the impact of leaks in general, and whether the industry can change how it communicates about its products in order to negate any damage done by early reveals. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices