Tag: Industry
News Nintendo Announces Acquisition Of Shiver Entertainment
The Embracer-owned studio has ported multiple titles to Switch
There have been all sorts of acquisitions in the video game industry recently and today it is Nintendo's turn. The Japanese company has "entered into an agreement with Embracer Group" to acquire the Miami, Florida-based team Shiver Entertainment. Shiver has previously worked under...
News Take-Two Reportedly Shutting Down OlliOlli And Kerbal Space Program 2 Devs
Update: CEO claims it didn't "shutter those studios"
Update [Fri 17th May, 2024 01:05 BST]: Following Bloomberg's report earlier this month, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has now shared an update, claiming the company hasn't closed these studios. Here's the full statement, courtesy of IGN: Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick: "We didn't shutter those...
News Square Enix To "Aggressively Pursue" Multiplatform Strategy, Includes "Nintendo Platforms"
Plans to step up digital sales, shift from quantity to quality, and more
Square Enix has released a three-year Medium-term Business Plan and its financial report for fiscal year 2024. And while it's mixed results for the developer, it has addressed how its going to try and improve things. Most notably, the company has revealed a brand new...
News EA Apparently Exploring The Idea Of In-Game Ads In Traditional AAA Titles
"We'll be very thoughtful as we move into that"
Third-party video game giant Electronic Arts had its earnings call this week and CEO Andrew Wilson was asked about the possibility of "dynamic ad insertion across more traditional AAA games". The idea is supposedly already being explored, but it's "still early on that front" and the company will be...
News Nintendo Will Continue To Support Physical Media And "Maximise" All Software Sales
"This policy will remain unchanged going forward"
Nintendo's digital software sales have grown remarkably over the years — and the same can be said for all of the big publishers. But in terms of where the Big N's focus lies, it's not dedicating itself to a digital-only future. During the financial results briefing for FY2024, Nintendo President...
News Nintendo Acknowledges That Successor Announcement May "Impact" Switch Sales
"We recognize that it is becoming more challenging to maintain momentum"
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furakawa was asked if he thinks the announcement of a "successor to Nintendo Switch" — which was made following the latest finacial report — will affect the momentum of the Switch's current sales. Responding during the Financial Results...
News Frontier Confirms Plans For A Third 'Jurassic World Evolution' Game
A Switch 2 release, perhaps?
Developer Frontier has confirmed that it has signed a fresh licensing deal with Universal Products & Experiences for a third Jurassic World Evolution game (thanks, VGC). Although the second game didn't make it to the Switch, the first Jurassic World
News Nintendo's Profit During The Switch Generation Is Absolutely Wild
It's apparently surpassed the "combined profit" of previous eras
The latest financial earnings release is now live, and in case you missed it, the Nintendo Switch has officially surpassed 140 million sales worldwide. The hybrid system has performed tremendously over the past seven years, and it's now not far off the lifetime sales of the Nintendo...
News Rumoured 'Hi-Fi Rush' Switch Port In Doubt As Microsoft Culls Tango Gameworks And Other Studios
A "reprioritization of titles and resources"
In the latest shocking blow to the gaming and developer communities, Microsoft has announced a series of studio closures and consolidations, including the shuttering of Tango Gameworks, the developers behind 2023's acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush. The game was released recently on PlayStation and, much like the...
News Princess Peach: Showtime! And Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Both Pass 1 Million Sales
There's life in the Switch yet
Nintendo has confirmed that Princess Peach: Showtime! and Mario vs. Donkey Kong have both passed 1 million sales on Switch. According to the company's latest financial release, Princess Peach: Showtime! sold a total of 1.22 million units since its launch on 22nd March 2024, while Mario vs. Donkey Kong managed a total...
News Here Are The Top Ten Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Games As Of March 2024
Another 1.39m for Mario Kart
As part of Nintendo's end-of-year financial report for FY2024, the company has updated its top ten best-selling games list for the Switch with new sales figures. The order stays the same as last quarter, and sales of all games show relatively minor bumps, although Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and
News Nintendo Switch Surpasses 140 Million Sales As Company Acknowledges Successor
13.50 million sales forecast for FY2025
As part of its latest financial earnings release, Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch has now sold a total of 141.32 million units since its launch in 2017. Digging in a bit deeper, the console managed to shift a total of 15.70 million units across its three SKUs during FY2024. This is down by 12.6%...
News Nintendo Switch "Successor" Announcement Is Coming "This Fiscal Year"
Update: Reportedly best described as "Switch next model"
Update [Tue 7th May, 2024 19:12 BST]: On an earnings call following the release of the end-of-year financials, president Shuntaro Furakawa was reportedly asked whether the "successor to the Switch" will be an entirely new console. According to David Gibson, senior research analyst an MST...
News Nintendo Partner Paladin Studios Closes Its Doors After "Almost 19 Years"
"Our quest has ended"
Netherlands indie developer Paladin, who worked with Nintendo in 2020 on the Switch eShop title Good Job!, has announced it has "closed the studio" after "almost 19 years". Apart from Nintendo, the 45-person studio (which began life in 2005 and peaked at 55 people at one stage) worked with various other "incredible partners"...
Feature "It's Fun, So It's Okay!" - Celebrating Takashi Tezuka's Astonishing 40-Year Nintendo Career
A look back at a glittering catalogue
Takashi Tezuka seems like a good laugh, the kind of chap who knows how to have fun. Despite all the Master-Sword-waving and PR-related hijinx from fellow Nintendo luminary Shigeru Miyamoto over the years, you still get the impression he's merciless in the workplace — an exacting, intimidating,...
News Atari Is Reviving The 'Infogrames' Publishing Label
The armadillo returns
Atari has announced that it is reviving the dormant publishing label Infogrames, once famous for publishing games such as Hogs of War, Heart of Darkness, Alone in the Dark, and many more. Though once one of the most recognisable publishers in Europe, the Infogrames name was ditched in favour of the Atari brand in 2009...
News Embracer Group To Split Into Three Separate Companies
Sullied name
Embracer Group has announced its intention to split the company into three separate entities going forward in what seems to be a drastic attempt to streamline its operations and rebuild its reputation after months of downsizing and layoffs. Announced via the official website (thanks, VGC), the company confirmed that each entity will be
News WayForward Director Says Nintendo Changed The Way He Looks At Making Video Games
"It's like seeing a color that doesn't exist"
Yesterday, during the latest Indie World presentation, WayForward revealed Yars Rising - a new Metroidvania based on the classic Atari franchise. Veteran game designer James Montagna is directing this new project and apparently has a new outlook on game design after teaming up with Nintendo for last...
News Ex-PlayStation Dev Gio Corsi Joins Nintendo of America
"Here we go!"
Gio Corsi, who is perhaps best known in the industry for his six-year tenure at PlayStation, has announced that he has joined Nintendo of America's 'AAA Third-Party Portfolio Management' team. Announced via a post on X, Corsi said "This week I began my new gig filled with fun & adventure", while his profile has now been updated...
News Saber Interactive CEO Doesn't Think $70 Video Games Are Sustainable
"I think the market is going to shift"
This generation has seen the arrival of $70 USD triple-A titles and even Nintendo has upped its prices with Link's latest outing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While it seems like this new price point is here to stay, Saber Interactive's CEO Matthew Karch doesn't think it's a sustainable model and...
News Staff At UK Retailer GAME Reportedly Facing Redundancies
Most employees now under zero hour contracts
Staff at UK retailer GAME are reportedly facing redundancies as the firm moves most of its workforce under zero hour contracts. As reported by Eurogamer, it's not currently known how many employees will be laid off, but it's understood that all non-managerial staff will now be on zero hour contracts...
News Dragon Quest 12 Reportedly Suffers Delay, Producer "Steps Down" Following Reshuffle
Square Enix has supposedly found a candidate to replace him
Square Enix is currently undergoing a large-scale organisational "overhaul" and it seems Dragon Quest has been impacted. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Dragon Quest's "top producer" Yu Miyake, who is now 56 years of age (and has contributed to "numerous" Dragon Quest titles over...
Rumour New Prince Of Persia Game Reportedly Arriving "Later This Year"
"Developed by Dead Cells developer Evil Empire"
Ubisoft's Prince of Persia series enjoyed a successful return earlier this year thanks to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and it seems more adventures could be on the way. According to a new "exclusive" from Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson, Ubisoft is aiming to release a "roguelite" game "later this...
News Thunderful Sells Publisher Headup For €500k After Acquiring The Studio For 11 Million
Something's not adding up here
Thunderful Group is once again back in the news today as it has been reported that the studio is selling Pumpkin Jack publisher Headup at a fraction of what it was bought for back in 2021. Word of this sale comes to us from Gamesindustry.biz which reports that Thunderful has sold the publisher for €500,000 — quite...
News Sega Sells Relic Entertainment And Announces Layoffs Across Multiple Teams
240 jobs will be cut
Sega has announced that it has sold Relic Entertainment to an unspecified investor and will cut a total of 240 jobs across multiple teams in Europe. As reported by IGN, the job losses will be split across Sega Europe, Creative Assembly, and Sega Hardlight. It's reported that the latter will be the least affected, with the...
"Some" contractors will be cut, others will become full-time employees
It's been a difficult start for the video game industry this year and now according to Kotaku senior reporter Ethan Gach, Nintendo of America has massively downsized its "small army of contractors" responsible for testing games and hardware. In an official statement, a Nintendo...
News GameStop Hit By Layoffs As Analyst Predicts 'Unsustainable' Sales Decline
Share price also takes a tumble
GameStop has announced that it has made an unspecified number of job cuts as it grapples with a sharp decline in revenue. As reported by Reuters (thanks, IGN), the firm saw $1.794 billion in sales for its fourth-quarter of the fiscal year; a fairly drastic drop from the $2.226 billion earned over the same period the...
News Free Radical Co-Founder Is Probably Done With TimeSplitters For Good
"It was a big letdown."
To the disappointment of many, including us, it was confirmed earlier this year that Free Radical Design, the developer behind the highly anticipated revival of TimeSplitters, would be closed down by Embracer Group and the game ultimately cancelled. It was a dire end to what many had hoped would be a grand return to the...
News Resident Evil Creator Shinji Mikami Gets Back To Work With A New Company
What could it be..?
Shinji Mikami, best known for creating the Resident Evil franchise and for his work on titles such as P.N.03 and The Evil Within, has seemingly established a brand new company after leaving Tango Gameworks in 2023. As spotted by VGC, the information can be found via a short biographic description on the new Sha
News Mario Kart Live Developer Warns Of Layoffs After "Major Project" Axed
46 of 121 staff members might be impacted
The Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit developer Velan Studios has announced it's going through a bit of a rough patch. Following a whole host of game companies making some serious job cuts over the past few months, the US-based studio behind not only this Mario Kart game but also Hot Wheels: Rift Rally and the...
News Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Just Won Two More Awards
At the 2024 Game Developers Choice Awards
Nintendo's award-winning Switch exclusive The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has just won two more awards - this time at the 2024 "Game Developers Choice Awards". Link's latest outing has been recognised for having the "best technology" and "best innovation" of any game over the past year. Here are...
News Super Mario Bros. Wonder Devs Show Off "Unused Wonder Effects" At GDC 2024
Including a giant block Mario!
Nintendo left a lot of ideas on the cutting room floor during the development of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and now at this year's Game Developers Conference, the game's director Shiro Mouri and producer Takashi Tezuka have shared some insight. In a series of slides (
News Thunderful Extends Its Distribution Agreement With Nintendo
"We’re exceedingly proud of this long-lasting partnership"
Publisher Thunderful has announced that it has extended its distribution agreement with Nintendo to publish the firm's products in the Nordics and the Baltics between Bergsala AB and Nintendo of Europe AG. Confirmed via an official statement (thanks, Go Nintendo), Thunderful states that...
News 'Tales' Series Artist & Character Designer Mutsumi Inomata Has Passed Away
Known for her work on Tales of Destiny, Graces, and more
Manga, anime, and video game artist Mutsumi Inomata — best known for her work on multiple games in the Tales series — has passed away at age 63 (via VGC). The announcement of her passing was shared on her official Twitter earlier today, written by Inomata's younger sister. Tributes have...
Guide Summer Game Fest Conference Schedule 2024: Dates, How To Watch, Everything You Need To Know
Another round
It really feels like Summer Game Fest 2023 has only just ended, yet here we are gearing up for another look at what Geoff Keighley has up his sleeves for Summer Game Fest 2024. The opening showcase for the upcoming event has just been confirmed, so that means it's time for us to start compiling a handy guide for you fine readers so...
News Embracer Group Sells Saber Interactive For A Cool $247 Million
Group discontinues all operations in Russia
Embracer Group has announced to investors that it has sold Saber Interactive for a total of $247 million to a company called Beacon Interactive, which is under the control of Saber's co-founder Matthew Karch. As part of the sale, Saber will retain the following studios: Nimble Giant, DIGIC, Fractured...
"Tackle life with as much energy as Goku! I'll try to do the same!"
It's impossible to overstate the impact of Akira Toriyama, the legendary manga artist and character designer who has been working in the manga industry since 1978. His death at 68 years old has thousands around the world mourning his loss. Toriyama was, to me, comfort on sick days...
News Industry Tributes Pour In As Fans Mourn Manga Legend Akira Toriyama
"I can't believe he is gone...."
The passing of Dragon Ball creator and manga/anime legend Akira Toriyama at the age of 68 has come as a shock to fans the world over. From colleagues and collaborators to the millions of people who have enjoyed his work, his death has led to an outpouring of tributes online. Below we'll be collecting together...
News Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama Has Passed Away
He also worked on games like Dragon Quest
There's some incredibly sad news coming out of Japan today, with the official Dragon Ball social media account revealing the legendary manga creator and character artist Akira Toriyama has passed away at the age of 68. He died on 1st March 2024 from acute subdural hematoma. Toriyama was an icon of the manga...
News Warner Bros. Doubles Down On Its Commitment To Live Service Games
It wants to move away from "one-and-done console game"
After revealing in November last year how it wanted to focus on transforming its biggest franchises into live services, Warner Bros. has now reiterated this at the Morgan Stanley conference earlier this week. According to WB Discovery gaming boss J.B. Perrette, it's no longer about launching "a...
News Capcom Announces New Digital Showcase Featuring Monster Hunter Stories And More
'Capcom Highlights' is a new two day event
Capcom has hosted all sorts of showcase over the past few years and to kick off 2024 it's announced 'Capcom Highlights' - a new digital event covering all of the latest Capcom titles. The difference with this event is it's being divided into two days. Day 1 will take place on 7th March 2024 and the second...
News Several WayForward Prototypes Appear Online Following Data Leak
Upcoming Shantae game will reportedly remain untouched
WayForward, the developer behind the likes of the Shantae series and last year's Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, has apparently suffered a data leak which has seen developmental prototypes and game backups posted online. As noted on Twitter by Lance McDonald, the leaked information is said to...
News 505 Games Shuts Multiple Offices As Remedy Acquires Rights To Control IP
Total control
505 Games, an Italian video game publisher responsible for multiple releases on the Switch including Ghostrunner and a cloud version of Control, has announced it will be shutting down offices located in Germany, Spain, and France. This information comes from Gamereactor via Eurogamer, and it's reportedly part of the previously...
News Crash Bandicoot Dev Toys For Bob Splits From Activision & Xbox, Goes Independent
"We're thrilled"
It's been another wild week for the video game industry and it seems we're not done just yet. After mass layoffs at companies like PlayStation and Electronic Arts, we've now got developers splitting from their owner groups. Adding to this is the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro developer Toys for Bob, which has now announced it's leaving...
News Saber Interactive Is Reportedly Splitting From Embracer Group
In a deal worth $500 million
Embracer Group is continuing to cull its catalogue of developers, but this time it sounds like it might be good news, as Saber Interactive will reportedly be splitting from Embracer in a deal worth $500 million. As reported by Bloomberg (thanks, Gematsu), the deal will result in Saber Interactive becoming a privately...
News Electronic Arts Cuts 5% Of Workforce, Closes Studio And Cancels Games
About 670 employees are believed to be impacted
The game industry layoffs continue with third-party publisher and developer Electronic Arts today revealing it's laying off 5% of its staff, which reportedly equates to about 670 employees. In a message to the team, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson cited this as a response to the "accelerating...
Talking Point What Would Make You Happy To Give Up Physical Games And Go 100% Digital?
Concessions stand
While the demise of physical media has seemed like an inevitability for many years now, boutique publishers are helping to keep a passionate base of physical-only fans with a stocked game library. The scenario right now isn't ideal, with eShop releases often only getting a physical version months later (once a publisher has gauged...
News Sony Lays Off 900 PlayStation Employees, Closes London Studio & Cancels Projects
Life is Strange dev 'Deck Nine' also axes 20% of staff
The video game industry layoffs continue with Sony's gaming division PlayStation this week announcing it would be axing "about 8% or about 900 people" across its workforce as part of an organisational restructure. This impacts employees "across all SIE regions" and several PlayStation studios...
News Publisher Midnight Works Allegedly Targeting YouTuber For Calling Out Its "Scam" Switch Games
"This is stooping to new lows"
YouTuber Luke Wild of channel SwitchStars — which focuses primarily on highlighting low-effort, low-quality games to avoid on Switch eShop — has published a video detailing what he believes to be an attack on his channel orchestrated by the publisher Midnight Works. The Moldovan company is responsible for much of...
News New SteamWorld Game Sales Fell "Slightly Short" Of Thunderful's Expectations
It's also putting one SteamWorld project "on hold"
The December release SteamWorld Build has not met Thunderful's sales expectations according to its latest fiscal report. Thunderful CEO Martin Walfisz explained how despite "new momentum" the game had fallen "slightly short" of expectations. He further noted how the genre didn't really appeal to...