The PlayStation 5 Pro defies all logic, reaching deeper into diehards’ pockets in the worst economy we’ve seen in 15 years. We break down the challenging economics (while also admiring Mark Cerny’s ASMR-style presentation). Also: GameStop earnings tumble, more Microsoft layoffs, Unity reverses a terrible decision, and can AI companies just stop stealing our stuff?
Sony dug a giant hole and dumped all the Helldivers 2 goodwill into the pit (while cutting off 177 countries). Microsoft lit itself on fire and burned player sentiment to the ground. Good times. Also: Take-Two layoffs target a BAFTA winner, Unity has a new CEO with a massive compensation package, the Circana report for March, and earnings, earnings, earnings.
It’s been less than one month, and the industry has already suffered more than 3,500 lost jobs. Also: The Circana report for December 2023 and the full year, a few investments, and a discussion about…
Unity couldn’t have made a bigger mess of its reputation in the game development community. Also: Microsoft’s big leak, GameStop earnings, Circana report for August, SAG-AFTRA fires a shot at video game publishers, and more.
We’re SO close to the end of earnings season. This week: Square Enix, Nintendo, Take-Two, Unity (and a discussion about that brutal Bloomberg expose about CEO John Riccitiello). Also: Strange happenings at Studio ZA/UM, Remedy details Control 2 publishing deal, the EU gets prickly about Microsoft’s proposed Activision acquisition, and more.
Ubisoft leadership has all but given up on fixing the company’s culture as Tencent increases its ownership stake. Also: NPD for August 2022, GameStop bleeds, Square Enix reconsiders how it approaches studio ownership, 343 loses its leader, and Microsoft and Sony continue to butt heads in the UK over Activision acquisition.
GameStop and Unity are making ugly moves, drawing the ire of consumers and developers. Also: E3 returns as the ESA gives up on being an event organizer, a surprisingly meaty list of new investments, NPD for June 2022, another Activision studio moves to unionize, and a double FAFO!
Activision Blizzard is accused of participating in a cover-up related to the death of one of its employees at a company retreat. Also: An update on video game industry action over Ukraine crisis, Epic purchases Bandcamp, Intellivision in trouble, and more.