The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast

The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics to discuss the biggest news from the past week. On this episode, we start with a discussion about the DICE Summit keynote from EA executive vice president and chief operating officer Laura Miele, in which she said that games company leaders who “fall short of basic standards” should be removed. Next, we address the implications of the rumoured delay to the Call of Duty planned for 2023, which would mark the first year without a premium title in almost two decades. Has Call of Duty finally peaked, and could it be time for a new approach? Finally, we discuss the announcement of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and Game Freak’s open-world ambitions. (Ironically, while we were recording a conversation in which some members of the team suggested the studio take a break, another member published an article about why now is not the time to do so). We would also like to direct listeners’ attention to the industry efforts raising funds to support those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. You can find more information, including donation links, here. As always, you can find more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics and discuss the biggest news of the past week. Following Team17's speedy withdrawal from its proposed NFT project, we explore the sentiments behind the backlash against this divisive technology (for more on this, be sure to read the latest This Week In Business). We also discuss the debate around Sifu and other games about different cultures that are still developed by studios predominantly staffed by white men. As always, you can get more news and insight at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team gathers around their mics and discusses the biggest news of the past week. On this episode, we are of course delving into Sony's $3.6 billion acquisiton of Bungie, as well as our exclusive interview with PlayStation boss Jim Ryan and the Destiny studio's CEO Pete Parsons. The discussion explores the future of Destiny (and any other properties Bungie creates), Sony's live-service ambitions, the increasing consolidation in the AAA games industry, and that hefty price tag. You can get more news and insight at www.gamesindustry.biz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics to discuss the biggest news of the past week. This week, that does of course mean delving deeper into Microsoft's record-breaking plan to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7bn. We've already spoken to analysts about, as one referred to it, "the deal that will change the industry forever" and posed our own unanswered questions about the deal. During this episode, we discuss the wider implications of the acquisition, why the companies might be a good fit for each other, and what we might expect from the next 18 months. As always, you can get more news and insight at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team gathers around their mics to discuss the biggest stories of the past week. On this episode, we start with Take-Two's $12.7bn acquisition of mobile giant Zynga, delving into why the publisher of GTA and Borderlands might want to grow its presence in the mobile market. We also discuss a similar topic: the rise of the Apple Arcade subscription service and how it clashes with typical free-to-play games design, following an article we ran by Seattle University's Dr Christopher A Paul. (Please note: This episode was recorded before Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We will discuss that story on next week's episode) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz podcast is back, with the team gathering around their mics to discuss the year ahead. Following our annual analysts' predictions feature, we discuss some of the more interesting topics that emerged and how we think they might develop. Subjects include the ongoing rumours around PlayStation's subscription plans, renewed interest in virtual reality, the impressive release slate for 2022 (and potential for delays), and more. As always you can get more insight at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our final podcast of the year, the GamesIndustry.biz team discuss the best games we played in 2021. Be sure to check out the website for our Games of the Year articles. We'll speak to you all in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first of our two year-end shows, we reflect on some of the biggest topics of the past 12 months in the games industry. We start with a discussion about the state of the AAA market, with a particular focus on the wave of new studios we've seen emerge - and the room for improvement when it comes to diversity behind the scenes. Then, we recap the highlights and implications of the Epic vs Apple trial from earlier this year. And we finish off with an update on our thoughts on what are undeniably the two biggest buzzwords of 2021: 'blockchain' and 'metaverse.' We'll be back next week with our Games of the Year show. For now, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics to discuss the biggest stories from across the video games business. This week, we're taking Xbox's 20th anniversary as a chance to reflect on the evolution of the brand and the impact it has had on the wider industry - something we've explored in detail here. We also share our first and fondest memories of the original Xbox, and discuss why it's the Xbox 360 that will trigger the biggest nostalgia moment for Microsoft's console business. And if you haven't already, be sure to check out our interview with Microsoft VP Sarah Bond about the future of Xbox and how it is still trying to change the games industry. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team gather around their mics to discuss the biggest stories from the business of video games. This week, we start with a discussion on the wave of name-dropping for NFTs and blockchains in major publishers' recent financial results - a trend on which we have made our stance very clear. As our contributing editor Rob Fahey observes, there is something of an agenda behind why even the execs that are somewhat skeptical about this new technology are referencing it in their earnings calls. Then we move to the upcoming release of Skyrim: Anniversary Edition and the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy, and explore why re-releases of certain titles - even those that have been made widely available over the years - continue not only to sell, but also appeal to us personally. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices