Tag: Industry
News It's "More Difficult Than Ever" To Collaborate With Nintendo, Claims Picross Developer Jupiter
"It’s been really hard to get them to say yes"
Nintendo has a great track record with its development partners, but not everyone has necessarily found it to be an easy process. Jupiter Corporation - the Japanese developer behind the Picross series on the Switch - recently revealed the difficulties of working with the video game giant. Speaking to...
News Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption Logo Update Reignites Remaster Rumours
Update: It's official
Update [Mon 7th Aug, 2023 15:30 BST]: And it's official: <related ids="153666"> Original Story: After the troubled release of the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy on multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch, it looks like Rockstar Games could potentially be remastering another one of its older titles. It seems the...
News Handheld Consoles Will Need Easily-Switchable Batteries By 2027, Says New EU Regulation
Future Switches will likely have to follow suit
It looks like we are about to see a shift in the design of future handheld gaming consoles. A newly-passed European Union regulation has stated that an appliance's portable battery will need to be "readily removable and replaceable by the end-user" by 2027, something that is not currently offered by...
News Microsoft Given All-Clear In The US To Acquire Activision Blizzard
Call of Duty is back on the menu
Update #3 [Sun 16th Jul, 2023 16:30 BST]: Microsoft gaming head Phil Spencer today confirmed a binding agreement with Sony has been made to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This is a 10-year deal, as confirmed by Stephen Totilo of Axios. "We are pleased to announce...
News Former PixelJunk Scrappers, Cursed To Golf Devs Open New Indie Studio In Kyoto, Japan
Denkiworks is already working on its first project
Former developers from Q-Games and Chuhai Labs have teamed up to open a brand new indie game studio in Kyoto, Japan. Denkiworks was founded by Liam Edwards, Jan de Graaf, and Taku Arioka. All three devs met while working on the mobile version of PixelJunk Scrappers at Q-Games in 2018. Edwards then...
News Percentage Of Female Managers At Nintendo Hasn't Improved, Despite Pledges
Annual report also reveals gender pay gap at NCL
According to Nintendo's annual report published earlier this week, only 4.2% of company managers in Japan are women. This is a number that has remained unchanged since 2021, when the company formed its 'Nintendo Women and Allies' initiative, pledging to "promote women’s careers" (thanks, Axios). On...
News Japan's Switch Sales In June Were Reportedly A Record High For The Console
Golden oldie
According to a recent Nikkei report, last month's Switch sales in Japan were the highest June figures that the console has ever received. The article cites Famitsu, stating that the Nintendo Switch sold 380,000 units in Japan during the month, which is said to be a 68% rise from the same time last year. When you consider the fact that...
News Ubisoft Game Designer And Creative Director Emile Morel Has Passed Away
His previous work included Rayman Legends
There's some incredibly sad news coming out of Ubisoft Montpellier today. Beyond Good and Evil 2 game designer and creative director Emile Morel has passed away at the age of 40. IGN originally spotted tributes on LinkedIn. Morel previously worked on games like Rayman Legends as a senior game designer and...
News Nintendo 2023 Annual Report Reveals Director Salaries Are Still Modest For The Industry
How much do the directors earn?
Nintendo has just published its annual report for the FY ended 31st March 2023, and it shows just how much money some of the company's biggest names take home each year. The listing accounts for five of Nintendo's top earners, with president Shuntaro Furukawa at the top (as you might expect) followed by Shigeru...
News Gollum Publisher Daedalic Entertainment Shuts Down Internal Development
Will focus exclusively on the publishing side of the business
Although The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is still meant to be coming to the Nintendo Switch at some point later this year, Daedalic Entertainment has now announced it will be shutting down its internal development teams to focus on publishing. Unfortunately, as part of this company...
News Pokémon GO Developer Niantic Axes Two AR Games And Lays Off 230 Employees
Pokémon GO is still the "top priority"
Niantic hit the big time with Pokémon GO and rapidly expanded into multiple other augmented reality-driven mobile experiences. Unfortunately, post-pandemic it's now experiencing a rough patch - with an update on the company website and email to employees revealing Niantic is axing two games and letting go of...
News Minecraft's Switch Version Earns More Revenue Than Xbox And PlayStation
Apparently it's "four times as big as" Xbox's earnings
Minecraft is still insanely popular and has been a huge form of revenue for Microsoft since its acquisition of Mojang. While PC and mobile is still seemingly the most popular way to play the game, during the final part of the 'Microsoft v FTC' hearing today, it's been revealed Nintendo's...
News Microsoft CEO Says He Would "Love To Get Rid Of" Exclusives On Consoles
While blaming Sony for shaping the market
Even from a Nintendo perspective, there are all sorts of juicy insights, quotes and documents coming out of the Microsoft v FTC hearing. The latest day in the ongoing courtroom battle has briefly focused on exclusivity. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadalla admitted in his own testimony he would "love" if Xbox could...
News Activision CEO Made 'A Bad Judgement' In Not Supporting The Nintendo Switch More
Console has sold more than 125 million units
During day four of what is already proving to be a surprisingly gripping trial relating to Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick took to the stand and stated his deep regret in not supporting the Nintendo Switch more over the course of its lifespan so far. As...
News PlayStation Boss Doesn't Think Call Of Duty Appeals To Nintendo's Core Audience
You know, the fans who enjoy "Mario and Zelda"
As part of the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft's aim is to bring Call of Duty to as many platforms as possible. This includes Nintendo's devices, with a 10-year legal agreement already penned. The only thing Xbox has got to overcome first is the FTC and Sony's attempts to block the deal. The...
News The FTC Doesn't Seem To Think Switch Is A Serious PlayStation & Xbox Competitor
Microsoft's Phil Spencer says it's "incorrect"
Microsoft is currently locked in a courtroom battle with the Federal Trade Commission over its proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and although the focus is mostly on Xbox, on day two of the proceedings, the Nintendo Switch has already been dragged into the fight. According to The...
News E3 2024 And 2025 Have Supposedly Been Cancelled
The ESA claims "no final decisions" have been made
E3 2023 was cancelled earlier this year in March, and now in an update, it seems the events for 2024 and 2025 have also been axed. This information was featured in a slide during a Los Angeles City Tourism Board meeting. The Entertainment Software Association has come out with a statement,...
News EA Splits "EA Entertainment" And "EA Sports" In Massive Company Restructure
"This evolution of our company continues"
Industry juggernaut Electronic Arts has today announced a huge restructuring that splits its studios into two major organisations - EA Entertainment and EA Sports. As explained by CEO Andrew Wilson, this "evolution" allows the company to give studio leaders more power, including "creative ownership and...
News Skyrim Has Now Sold More Than 60 Million Copies, According To Bethesda
Making it the "seventh best-selling game" ever
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has been ported and re-released on just about every platform under the sun at this point, and it appears to have paid off for Bethesda. Speaking to IGN this week, the game's director Todd Howard revealed how the legendary action RPG has now sold over 60 million copies...
News Metroid Prime 4 Developer Retro Studios Is Hiring New Talent
It's now been six years since the project was announced
Metroid Prime Remastered launched on the Switch earlier this year, and Metroid Fusion followed with a release on the Switch Online GBA service. Obviously, there's still more to come for Metroid fans, and today actually marks six years since Nintendo originally announced Metroid Prime 4 was in...
News Summer Game Fest Will Return In 2024 After 'Record-Setting' Year
More Nicolas Cage, please
Following what's been described as a "record-setting 2023", Geoff Keighley and Summer Game Fest have announced that the event will return in 2024. Was there ever any doubt? Much like this year, a live showcase will kick off the summer celebrations once again followed by the media/creator-focused 'Play Days' from iam8bit...
News Embracer Group To Make Severe Cutbacks After Absurd Spending Spree
Jobs, studios, and games all on the line
Embracer Group has announced that it is entering a 'restructuring program' with a view to becoming a "leaner, stronger and a more focused, self-sufficient company". In other words, it's about to undertake some pretty substantial cost-cutting measures after spending the last six years or so focusing on...
News Suda51's Grasshopper Manufacture Teases 25th Anniversary Announcement
Update: "Grasshopper Direct" & remaster announced
Update [Fri 9th Jun, 2023 04:30 BST]: In a video update, Grasshopper Manufacture has announced it will be hosting a special anniversary "Direct" program next week on 14th June. In addition to this, it's also revealed a Shadows of the Damned Remaster is "currently in development" and is "coming...
Really Keighley
It only feels like yesterday that we were getting geared up in preparation for last year's Summer Game Fest, yet here we are with Summer Game Fest 2023 - crazy, right? Let's not dwell on the rapid passing of time, lest we fall into a deep well of existential crisis. Summer Game Fest 2023 is now the only overarching celebration of...
News Apple Acquires AR Headset Startup Responsible For Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
The special ride only at Super Nintendo World
Tech giant Apple yesterday announced its new headset the "Vision Pro", and now in somewhat related news, it's reportedly acquired the AR startup company, Mira. This is the Los Angeles-based team behind the headset technology featured in the Super Nintendo World experience, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge...
News Dillon's Rolling Western & Kirby Developer Vanpool Shuts Down
"We have decided to disband"
In some surprising news, it's been discovered Vanpool, the independent Tokyo-based development team behind the Dillon's Rolling Western series, has shut down. As of 31st May 2023, the studio is no longer in operation. It shared an official statement on its website confirming this. Here's part of a translation:...
News Embracer Group Shares Plunge After $2 Billion Deal Falls Through "Late Last Night"
The stock market reacts
Embracer Group — the owners of huge IPs including The Lord of the Rings, Tomb Raider, and Borderlands — has seen its shares drop by a whopping 39.28% in the past day after it announced the surprise "negative outcome" of a potential $2 billion contracted development deal. The drop occurred this morning following the...
News Zelda: Cadence Of Hyrule Dev 'Brace Yourself Games' Confirms Layoffs
Up to half of its workforce may be gone
Canadian indie developer Brace Yourself Games (known for the Switch exclusive Cadence of Hyrule) has cut "a portion" of its workforce. Brace Yourself Games shared the following statement with PC Gamer, confirming the "incredibly difficult decision" to lay off employees. In a
News Sega Looks Set To Raise Its Game Prices Up To $70
"We would like to review the prices of titles"
Sega Sammy has suggested that it may join other major publishers in raising some of its game prices up to $70. In a recent Q&A session (thanks, VGC) with President / Group CEO Haruki Satomi and Senior Vice President / Group CFO Koichi Fukazawa, it's been confirmed that the company will be reviewing...
News Crash Bandicoot's Original Voice Actor Has Passed Away
"No words can express how much he is missed"
There's been a sad discovery recently, with the news the American voice actor and performer Brendan O'Brien (also known as the original voice of Crash Bandicoot) has passed away at 60 years of age. This information was relayed by Antonblast game developer Tony Grayson on social media. A eul
News Time Between Switch's Announcement And Launch Was A "Special Case", Says Nintendo
Could the gap be shorter for the next console?
The official translation of Nintendo's financial Q&A for the recently-released figures is now available to view online, in which the company's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, discusses the time between the Switch's announcement and its release, hinting that the same may not be applied to future...
News New Mortal Kombat Seemingly Teased By NetherRealm In 30th Anniversary Video
Update: "It is almost time" according to a new teaser
Update [Thu 11th May, 2023 05:45 BST]: The Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios has now teased a new teaser clip with the line "it is almost time attached". Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon also joined in on the fun, with a comment asking about the time. The teaser shows a clock jumping...
News Inti Creates' Gunvolt Series "Has Come To A Close For Now"
Company CEO teases a "completely new project"
If you're eager for more Gunvolt games, you might be waiting a while - with Inti Creates CEO Takuya Aizu revealing the Japanese developer will be taking a break from the series. In response to a fan asking about future Gunvolt projects, Aizu revealed the series had come to a close "for now" while...
Random Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Tops GQ's 100 Greatest Games Of All Time
List compiled by over 200 industry experts
We all know The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a pretty good game, right? Of course it is. But is it the greatest game of all time? Well, according to a recently published article from GQ Magazine, it might well be. Granted, any site can post its own list of the greatest games of all time and you...
News Nintendo Switch Surpasses One Billion Software Sales
Now that's a lot of games
As a part of the latest financial report for the fiscal year ending March 2023, Nintendo has provided updated figures for both its hardware and software sales. While the Switch's hardware numbers started to slow as the console reached 125 million units sold (as of March 2023), the big milestone this time around is on the...
News Splatoon And Link's Awakening Remake Composer Leaves Nintendo After 17 Years
Ryo Nagamatsu joined in 2006
Long-time composer at Nintendo Ryo Nagamatsu has left the company after 17 years to "work a little wider". Announcing the news on Twitter earlier today, the composer and arranger — whose most well-known works include The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Mario Kart 8, Splatoon 2, Splatoon 3, and the Link's...
News Xenoblade Developer Monolith Soft Raises Staff Salaries Across The Company
Future banked
Monolith Soft has revealed that it's increasing all staff salaries for all employees at the company. From April 2023, basic salaries have been increased "in line with rising prices", the developer has announced on its website. The raise affects everyone working at the company, including graduates, who will receive a 22% increase in...
News Nintendo Switch Is Not "Technically Capable" Of Running Call Of Duty Games, Says CMA
Despite Microsoft's confidence otherwise
Yesterday, Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard was officially blocked in the UK by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This was accompanied by a 418-page final report that elaborates on how the authority reached its decision. The report outlines several reasons for the block, including...
News Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Acquisition Has Been Officially Blocked In The UK
Is Microsoft's deal with Nintendo in jeopardy?
Microsoft's planned acquisition of publisher Activision Blizzard has been officially blocked in the UK by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The $68.7 billion acquisition was blocked on grounds that it would "alter the future of the fast-growing cloud gaming market, leading to reduced...
News Nintendo Subsidiary Hiring Engineer For "Current And Next-Generation" Platforms
Here we go again...
Nintendo European Research & Development (NERD) is looking to hire a Game Tech Engineer to join the team. However, However, the listing has caught people's eye as the future employee will be targeting both "current and next-generation Nintendo platforms". (Thanks, GoNintendo!) The job seeks someone to fill an engineer and...
News FTC Reportedly Wants Info From Nintendo On Call Of Duty Deal (North America)
A seven hour testimony has been requested
The US Federal Trade Commission is attempting to get more information from Nintendo regarding the 10-year licensing deal it signed with Microsoft to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms. In a report published by TweakTown (via
News Former Rare Director Joel Hochberg Has Passed Away
"Joel changed the course of history"
We've got some sad news on the industry front - with a Miami Herald obituary confirming the former Rare director Joel Hochberg passed away earlier this week, aged 87. Joel lives on through his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family. As highlighted by GamesIndustry.biz, he signed on with the Ultimate...
News Kirby GDC Panel, 'The Many Dimensions Of Kirby', Now Available Online
Celebrating 30 years of Kirby
Kirby got his very own panel at this year's GDC, and for a while, many different outlets were sharing stories on how developer HAL Laboratory brought the pink puffball's adventures into full 3D with Kirby and the Forgotten Land. And now, you can watch the full 50-minute talk over on YouTube. GDC has uploaded the...
Quiz Can You Guess Which Game Industry Figures Said These Quotes?
He said she said
There have been countless quotes from notable game developers over the years and decades, whether they be inspirational, amusing, informative, or just downright bonkers. Some key quotes have become almost synonymous with their owners, and there are even a few that have become almost legendary despite lingering questions about their...
News IGDA Updates 'Game Crediting Policies' In Hopes Of Improving Industry Standards
Open-source toolkit for Unity & Unreal also in the works
The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has announced the first major update to its 'game crediting policies' guide in a decade, in hope of improving crediting standards across the video game industry. Its 'Game Credits Special Interest Group' (SIG) recognises inconsistencies...
News Devolver Digital Acquires 'Gato Roboto' And 'Gunbrella' Dev Doinksoft
"A historic moment"
Publisher Devolver Digital has announced that it has acquired Doinksoft, the developer behind Gato Roboto, the physical exclusive Demon Throttle, and the upcoming run 'n' gun title Gunbrella. Announced via Twitter, Devolver calls the acqusition "a historic moment" and included a rather amusing accompanying image that will look...
News Nintendo And Mobile Firm DeNA Launch Joint Venture Company
Update: Company now formally established
Update [Mon Apr 3rd 2023, 09:15 BST]: Nintendo has released a statement on its Japanese website to confirm that the joint venture company 'Nintendo Systems Co., Ltd' has now been formally established with DeNA. Loosely translated, the statement reads: "Today, April 3, 2023, "Nintendo Systems Co., Ltd.", a...
News It's Official, E3 2023 Has Been Cancelled
A number of publishers planned to skip the event
E3 2023 will not be going ahead, the ESA has informed its members. This comes from IGN, who has confirmed the news with two separate sources IGN was told that members were informed about the event's cancellation by email, which was sent out earlier today. In the email, the ESA stated that this year's...
News SEGA & Tencent Have Also Decided To Skip This Year's E3
“There’s no possible way this show can happen”
Following yesterday's news Ubisoft would be withdrawing from this year's E3, it seems a few more third-party publishers have decided not to attend this year's event. According to IGN, both Sega and Tencent will not be in attendance. In a statement, Sega mentioned how it would not be participating...
News Ubisoft Paris Workers Allege Crunch Culture And Workload Issues
"This is morally and physically exhausting for the employees"
A recent investigation by NME has found reports of crunch culture and poor working conditions in game development at Ubisoft Paris following a similar allegation by the French trade union Solidaires Informatique last week alleging high rates of sick leave and developer 'burn out'. The...