Tag: Industry - Page 8
News Guerrilla Games' Top Talent Continues Takeover of PS Studios
Moving on up
It's all change at the top of Guerrilla Games. Having just shipped Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores, a handful of the studio's top brass are taking on new positions. Perhaps most notably, Angie Smets has been promoted to Head of Development Strategy for PlayStation Studios.
News Can You Put a Price on a Quality RPG? Yes, and It's Rising All the Time
"We are just running at a f*cking wall"
PC Gamer recently organised an RPG roundtable where veterans like CD Projekt Red's Pawel Sasko (quest director on Cyberpunk 2077) and Mike Laidlaw (lead designer on the Dragon Age series) took aim at some of the biggest issues currently afflicting the genre. The ever-increasing arms race in the AAA space,...
News One of PS5, PS4's Best Exclusive Devs Has Grown to Over 500 Staff
Insomniac firing on all cylinders
Insomniac Games, the first-party studio responsible for iconic PS5 titles like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Marvel's Spider-Man, and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, has reportedly grown to employ over 500 developers. The increased headcount was spotted on the company's LinkedIn page by
News PlayStation Is No Longer Officially Verified on Twitter
Musketeers
PlayStation has one of the biggest gaming accounts on Twitter, with an eye-watering 30.1 million followers – but as the fallout from Elon Musk’s takeover of the social media platform continues, the juggernaut is no longer verified. The Japanese giant did previously have a gold checkmark to denote that it’s an official corporation,...
News Horizon Chase Turbo Dev Purchased by Epic Games to Flesh Out Fortnite
Aquiris now named Epic Games Brasil
Oh no! Horizon Chase Turbo is a true gem of an arcade racer, but its developer has been bought by Epic Games to feed the unstoppable Fortnite machine. The Brazilian-based Aquiris will now become Epic Games Brasil, and the Unreal Engine maker says it will “leverage experience to contribute to the future of...
News Sony Acquires Firewalk Studios, New Team Behind Innovative Multiplayer IP
And another one
Sony has added another team to its PS Studios portfolio, although as has become a consistent theme from the manufacturer, this is a new and independent studio – and not a household name that’s published multiformat titles in the past. The platform holder announced a publishing partnership with the firm a few years ago, and its...
News French Publisher Focus Entertainment Buys Train Sim World 3 Dev
Next destination: corporate consolidation
Focus Entertainment has acquired Railsimulator.com, the parent company of Dovetail Games which makes titles such as Train Sim World 3. The fee is not mentioned, and the news comes courtesy of the French firm’s financial report. The organisation used to publish the Farming Simulator series, before GIANTS...
News Sony Quietly Raises the Price of PlayStation Games on Steam in Select Regions
$$$
Sony has quietly hiked the prices of PlayStation games on Steam in seven countries worldwide, with titles like Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Days Gone, God of War, Returnal, and more affected. First spotted by Chairmanchuck over on ResetEra, and
News Media Molecule Co-Founder Exits Following Dreams' Live Support Stoppage
Mark Healey moving on
One of Media Molecule's founders, Mark Healey, has announced his departure from the studio. Sharing his news on social media, he says today will be his last day at the PS Studios developer. "So, after years of co-birthing and building Media Molecule, I have decided it is time for me to fly the nest today is my last day at...
News SEGA Buys Angry Birds Maker for $775 Million
Angry bids
Update: And just like that, SEGA has purchased Rovio, the mobile developer behind Angry Birds. The final bid is slightly less than had originally been reported: $775 million. Considering the Finnish firm’s turnover totals about $300 million a year, this deal looks like a snip for the Sonic the Hedgehog publisher. As we’re all...
News Kingdom Come: Deliverance Dev Warhorse Studios Mustering Creative Host for New Project
Must be willing to travel
The excellent open-world RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance was a surprise hit, considering its real-world, 15th-century Bohemian setting and foregoing the fantastical elements common to games of its ilk, such as Skyrim or Fallout 4. Now, developer Warhorse Studios, based out of Prague, has put out a call to arms (or keyboards)...
News American Senators Continue to Target Sony Over PS5, PS4 Timed Exclusives
PlayStation alleged of engaging in "anticompetitive conduct"
More and more American senators are calling out Sony over its timed exclusivity deals, as the fallout from Xbox’s unfathomable $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard continues to rumble. North Dakota’s Kevin Cramer is the latest to throw his hat into the ring, sending a letter...
Elden Lord
Hidetaka Miyazaki is the president of FromSoftware and one of the all-time great game directors, helming Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring (which has sold a surreal 20 million copies), to name a few. In recognition of this, the auteur creator has been named one of Time Magazi
News A Year After Stadia's Death, PlayStation Appears Poised for Cloud Gaming Push
Is a better home awaiting in the sky?
It's beginning to look like this PS5 Remote Play handheld is going to be a thing whether we, the PlayStation faithful, like it or not. Further, Sony appears poised to once more dive headlong into the cloud gaming breach now that Stadia is cold in the gr
News Konami Employee Charged with Attempted Murder After Attacking Boss with Fire Extinguisher
Publisher yet to comment
There’s never a dull day at Konami it seems – but this story isn’t really a laughing matter. According to Japanese publication Asahi Shimbun Digital, an employee has been charged with attempted murder after attacking his boss with a fire extinguisher, and allegedly hitting him “with the intention of killing him”...
News Capcom Opens Huge Motion Capture Facility to 'Further Strengthen' Its Games
It's all in motion
You know Capcom must be doing well for itself when it's just revealed a brand new, state-of-the-art development facility. Made up of not one, but two large motion capture studios, the so-called Capcom Creative Studio has opened in Osaka, Japan. Osaka is also where you'll find the company's head office. Capcom wants to "bolster...
News Sony Claps Back at UK Regulator's 'Irrational' Reversal on Microsoft Activision Deal
Down, but not out
Sony has hit back at the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over its revised stance regarding Microsoft's proposed $69 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard, which has softened significantly in recent days. The CMA published Sony's response, which calls out the organisation's abrupt about-face, stating: "The CMA’s...
News Ex-Sony Director Phil Harrison Quietly Departed Google When Stadia Died
Slipped out the back
Former Sony director Phil Harrison is apparently a former Google employee as well, reportedly departing the company at around the time the ill-fated Stadia was shut down in January. Neither Google nor Harrison has officially announced the departure in the months since. The Stadia was supposed to revolutionise the way players...
News With All Eyes on Activision Blizzard, EA Is Actually Driving Most Console User Engagement
Ubisoft bringing up the rear
Despite what Sony and Microsoft both want you to believe, EA, not Activision Blizzard, is the publisher driving the majority of user engagement on consoles these days. That's according to research done by Ampere Analysis, and they've put out a lovely graph from which much can be gleaned. EA has been consistently...
News US Justice Department, Activision Blizzard Settle Following Esport Wage Suppression Accusations
Still in the spotlight
On Monday, the U.S. Justice Department filed a complaint in the district of Columbia accusing embattled publisher Activision Blizzard of suppressing the wages and compensations of esports players, a matter which has reportedly already been settled. The Justice Department alleged that Activision Blizzard limited competition...
News Konami's Return to Games Continues with New Studio Opening
Another building planned for 2025
Konami's plans to return to releasing big and proper games took another step forward today as the firm has announced its relocated to a new studio in Osaka. Under the slogan of "Creators First", it's designed to help the company achieve "sustainable growth in the next 50 years". The building is kitted out with...
News Capcom Just Can't Stop Winning as Stock Hits All-Time High
Capgod
Capcom's growth over the last console generation or so has been frankly outstanding. The company has gone from strength to strength for close to a decade now, making everyone forget just how hard the PS3 era was for the Japanese gaming industry in general. Capcom's come so far, in fact, that its stock actually hit a new all-time high earlier...
News Shuhei Yoshida Wants to Change the Way Indie Developers Perceive PlayStation
Hearts and minds
Shuhei Yoshida is a decades-long video game industry veteran, serving as president of SIE Worldwide Studios through a crucial era in PlayStation history and occupying a special place of affection in the hearts of legions of fans. He was honoured with a BAFTA fellowship for his many achievements within and promotion of the gaming...
News ESA Director Explains Why E3 2023 Was Cancelled
"Ultimately, there were challenges that proved too large to surmount"
The news that E3 2023 has been cancelled is only a few hours old, and we are honestly kind of still reeling. Sure, we knew that the venerable industry event had an uphill battle ahead of it, with publishers pulling out left and right, but it still seems kind of surreal, you know?
News EA Is 'Restructuring', Laying Off Around 6% of Total Workforce
Around 775 employees affected
EA has announced it will be "restructuring", which is the corporate-approved way of saying it will be laying off as many as 775 employees. CEO Andrew Wilson, in a letter to staff that was later made public on the company’s website, describes EA as "operating from a position of strength" but wants to move away from...
News Activision Boss Disappointed by Sony, But Commits to Best Games Possible on PS5, PS4
Assuming any releases remain, of course
Microsoft’s unprecedented $69 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard has brought out the worst in everyone, as the trillion dollar Team in Green has pleaded poverty to the press while PlayStation has embarrassingly undermined its entire catalogue in front of regulators. However, it now looks like the deal...
News E3 2023 in Doubt as More Publishers Pull Out
SEGA and Tencent not attending
A new IGN report reveals SEGA and Tencent have joined Ubisoft in pulling out of E3 2023, casting further doubt over whether the event in June will go ahead. Having spoken to numerous PR outlets, the website says there's significant confusion surrounding the expo, with many unsure of who will be there and a lack of...
News Sony Is Acting Unfairly Against Xbox in Japan, US Congress Members Say
Politics are coming for your PS5
In another twist for the surreal, the Biden administration is now being pressured by members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle to take decisive action on a supposed 'monopoly' held by PlayStation on the Japanese video game market. Some required reading on this one, as it all stems from comments made...
News Put a Pin in It! Ubisoft Pulls Out of E3 2023 As Well
French firm to present Ubisoft Forward instead
And that may be the final nail in the coffin, folks! Ubisoft, one of the few remaining publishers that had shown interest in attending E3 2023, has officially pulled out. The French firm had committed to the convention earlier in the year, promising it had a big slate of software to show. But in a...
News The Late Lance Reddick Will Return in Destiny 2, Horizon Forbidden West
Eyes up
Last week brought news of the tragic passing of actor Lance Reddick, perhaps best known in the realm of video games for his iconic role as Commander Zavala in both Destiny and Destiny 2, as well as the enigmatic Sylens in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West Developers and
News The Like a Dragon Team Definitely Didn't Get Much Sleep This Week
Kiryu's karaoke will have kept them awake
For as good as the Like a Dragon (formerly known as Yakuza, of course) games undoubtedly are, they all have two fairly consistent qualities: they’re long and they’re largely the same. Spare a thought for developer Ryu ga Gotoku Studio, then, who, not content with simply making the games, decided to...
News UK Regulator No Longer Concerned About Activision Buyout's Impact on Console Competition
Update: Activision rips into Sony in response to updated findings
Update: Activision Blizzard has released a gleeful response in relation to the UK regulators’ softened stance today. “The CMA’s updated provisional findings show an improved understanding of the console gaming market and demonstrate a commitment to supporting players and...
News Microsoft Thinks It Hasn't 'Pulled Any Games' from PS5, PS4
Reckons it's brought more games to PlayStation
Microsoft has today responded to the news of a cancelled PS5 version of Redfall by saying it hasn't "pulled any games from PlayStation". In fact, the platform holder thinks it's actually "expanded our footprint of games that we've shipped on Sony's PlayStation since our acquisition of ZeniMax, and the...
News US Senator Says Sony Has 'Monopoly' on High-End Japanese Game Market
You'll never guess her biggest campaign contributor
A new player has entered the neverending saga of Microsoft's proposed $69 billion dollar acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell (who represents the state of Washington) weighed in on the subject today in a rather confusing fashion. Spotted over
News Atari to Acquire Retro Restoration Specialists Nightdive Studios
"We could think of no better long-term partner"
As the video game industry matures, more and more emphasis is rightfully being placed on preservation and ensuring classics remain playable for future generations. One team that’s built its entire business model around bringing back some of the great releases from yesteryear is Nightdive Studios, and...
News Ubisoft Helps Out Its Writers by Implementing AI Tech to Do Their Job for Them
Thanks, Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a publisher unafraid of tackling new technology head-on. The company is always supportive of new platform launches, and seems willing to embrace cutting edge tech where possible — even the questionable stuff. It's already attempted to implement NFTs in its games with the Ubisoft Quartz initiative, which went about as...
News Horizon Maker Guerrilla Praises Profound Impact of Lance Reddick
Actor passes away aged just 60-years-old
Update: Guerrilla Games, the creator of the Horizon series, has released a tribute to actor Lance Reddick, following news his passing earlier this week. In the post, it thanks the star for bringing the character of Sylens to life, and goes on to praise him for his “generous warmth and inimitable...
News FIFA 25 Will Take on EA Sports FC, Promises Re-Elected Gianni Infantino
"News on this very soon"
Gianni Infantino, the head of football’s governing body FIFA, says that it will have news “very soon” on a rival to EA Sports FC, following EA Sports’ decision to drop the iconic license. The recently re-elected president – who is presiding over controversial tournament changes, like the expansion of the World Cup...
News PlayStation Legend Shuhei Yoshida to Be Awarded the BAFTA Fellowship
Top honours for Sony exec
Shuhei Yoshida, one of PlayStation's best and most beloved executives, is to be recognised for his achievements at this year's BAFTA Games Awards. During the awards ceremony, he'll be given the BAFTA Fellowship award, the organisation's top honour. The BAFTA Fellowship is a 'Hall of Fame' style award, recognising...
News Disco Elysium Creatives Drop 'Unfair Dismissal' Cases Against Developer ZA/UM
It might not be "the end", but it's the end of something
In something of a conclusion to our now five-part coverage of the messy legal spat between studio ZA/UM and some of the key creatives responsible for Disco Elysium, the developer has announced that several legal cases against it have been resolved. For the sanity of this humble scribe, we...
News Sony Concerned Microsoft Could, Knowingly or Not, Sabotage Call of Duty on PlayStation
The knives come out
It's time to return to everyone's favourite ongoing story in games, namely, the war of words between Microsoft and Sony in regard to the former's intent to purchase publisher Activision Blizzard. In the latest turn, Sony has voiced concern that should the acquisition come to pass, future Call of Duty titles on PlayStation could...
News Take-Two Says Layoffs Necessary for 'Another Extended Period of Success'
"We have experienced exponential growth in recent years"
Take-Two, the publisher of Grand Theft Auto, Borderlands and many other well-known gaming franchises, has confirmed the reports of layoffs taking place at the company, stating that "we are taking these necessary steps to position the company for another extended period of success." Take-Two...
News Sony Has Approximately $5 Billion Left for Acquisitions and Investments
But not specifically for PlayStation
All the way back in 2021, Sony revealed that it had earmarked around ¥2 trillion (~$18 billion) for strategic investments across its entire company, which expanded to the acquisition of developers like Housemarque and Bungie, as well as anime streaming service
News Aragami Developer Lince Works Sadly Shuts Down in April
Aragami, Aragami 2 aren't going anywhere
Barcelona-based indie developer Lince Works will be closing its doors this April, the company has confirmed. The sad news broke earlier today, when the studio released a statement on its current situation. Lince Works explains: "The last couple of years have been particularly difficult as we shifted towards...
News Surprise! God of War Ragnarok the UK's Best-Selling First-Party PS5, PS4 Game of 2022
Most copies sold physically
A new report has emerged online, shining the spotlight on the UK's entertainment markets in 2022. If you're at all interested in entertainment media and how it all hangs together, it's worth a read. Of course, it's stuffed with facts and figures about last year's video games and hardware, including some info on Sony's...
News Funko Pop Tossing Over $30 Million Worth of Stock into a Landfill
More like Junko
In a not-so environmentally friendly move, Funko Pop is chucking an estimated $30 to $36 million of unsold stock into a landfill. The company claims that storing the excess inventory is costing it a fortune, thus it’s willing to write the figurines off and funnel them into the ground, where they’ll remain until the end of time...
"There. I said it"
The Last of Us co-creator and long-time Naughty Dog game director Bruce Straley has sparked a developer debate on social media, after declaring that linear games are easier to make. The insinuation here is that titles which have a set path, like perhaps Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, take less of a toll on teams than giant open...
News European Union Likely to Pass Xbox's $69 Billion Buyout of Activision
Money talks
According to a Reuters report, the European Union will apparently not object to Microsoft’s unprecedented $69 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard. The Redmond firm went on a charm offensive in Brussels last week, signing a variety of deals with Nintendo and NVidia GeForce Now, promising Call of Duty for at least the n
News Square Enix President Yosuke Matsuda Set to Step Down This Summer
After ten years at the top
It looks like Square Enix is going to be making changes at the summit of its corporate ladder later this year. In a new business memo, the Japanese publisher has revealed its plans to replace Yosuke Matsuda as the company's president, subject to approval from shareholders in June 2023. Matsuda is set to be succeeded by...
News Former Sonic Team Boss Yuji Naka Admits to Insider Trading
In ongoing legal proceedings
The embattled former head of Sonic Team, Yuji Naka, has reportedly admitted to charges of insider trading in relation to shares worth around £865k. We brought you news back in November that Naka had been arrested after a suspicious trade in shares of Japanese developer Aiming. Following that story and awaiting trial,...