Microsoft is making sweeping changes to Game Pass, seemingly to avoid bleeding out on Call of Duty sales. Also: Circana report for May 2024, SAG-AFTRA updates, more Embracer and Paradox cuts, out of control EA executive pay in the face of layoffs, and more.
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TIME STAMPS
- [00:01:13] – SAG-AFTRA Updates Independent Development Contracts
- [00:06:42] – Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for May 2024
- [00:13:33] – Microsoft Makes Big Changes to Game Pass
- [00:28:56] – Investment Interlude
- [00:44:06] – Quick Hits
- [00:47:48] – Labor Report
SOURCES
- Life By You is Cancelled | Paradox Forums
- Paradox Interactive to close down Paradox Tectonic | Paradox
- Former Paradox Dev comments on Life by You Cancelation | Willem Delventhal on LinkedIn
- Cities Skylines 2 – Console Development Status | Paradox Forums
- Pieces Interactive has Been Shuttered by Embracer Group | Pieces Interactive
- Embracer-owned Gothic, Risen and ELEX developer Piranha Bytes closes | Eurogamer
- Former Piranha Bytes devs form Pithead Studio | GamesIndustry
- Galvanic Games is Closing Down | Galvanic Games (@GalvanicGames) on Twitter
- GOODBYE, HEROES OF ARMANTIA AND KOJI VILLAGERS | Challengers Games
- Gameloft Toronto staff laid off after studio ‘substantially’ reduces production activity | Game Developer
- Perfect World cuts staff in multi-unit layoffs, reportedly suspends game projects | Game Developer
- Network N lays off eight from games marketing agency Project N | GamesIndustry
- Gamurs Group reportedly lays off unknown number of staff | GamesIndustry
- EA execs earned $60 million in 2024 despite layoffs and office closures | Game Developer
INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
- Capcom Makes Minimum Studios Co., Ltd. a Subsidiary Through Share Acquisition | Capcom
- Keywords Studios reaches £2.2bn acquisition agreement with Swedish investment company EQT | GamesIndustry
- Daybreak Games, Singularity 6 to Collaborate on Development of Palia | Daybreak Games
- Arc System Works opens European branch | Arc Systems Works EU (@ASW_Official_EU) on Twitter
- Dutch publisher Mystic Forge nets €2 million to help indies get to market | Game Developer
- Kwalee makes minority investment in Devolver Digital | GamesIndustry
- PULLUP Entertainment Announces its results for the 2023/24 financial year | Pullup
- Series Entertainment and Pixelberry | Pixelberry
- Stellar Blade developer Shift Up raises $320m in IPO | GamesIndustry