The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast

Throughout E3, we'll be running several video podcasts collecting our thoughts on the big announcements - and we'll be joined by some surprise industry guests to get their take, too. For this first edition, Chris, James and Danielle discuss the first wave of news from Summer Games Fest Kickoff Live and the Battlefield 2042 reveal, as well as our expectations and hopes for the week ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz editorial team gather around their mics to discuss the oncoming storm that is E3 2021. This year's show will be, to say the least, unusual. In the absence of a physical event, the ESA has endeavoured to get as many of the usual publishers and platform holders on board as it can. Some of the outliers -- such as Ubisoft -- are hosting their own digital events independently of E3, but still running them within the usual window in order to capitalise on the interest around video games announcements. And then there's Summer Games Fest, Geoff Keighley's attempt to bring E3 and all related-but-not-related events under one umbrella. There's also the ever-present shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, and the fact it's almost impossible to know what impact lockdowns and remote working have had on planned game announcements, even after a year of adapting to these new circumstances. In the face of all this, we discuss what we expect from each of the major platform holders, as well as some of the biggest publishers. We ponder the plausibility of recent rumours and leaks, and inevitably once again discuss what the future holds for E3 in an age when companies can just broadcast their big news to consumers directly. As always, you can get more news, analysis and insight at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the past few weeks, we've be delivering audio versions of some of the best sessions from our recent GI Live: Online event. In our final week, our head of games B2B Chris Dring speaks to Peter Moore, currently heading up Sports & Live Entertainment at Unity and serving on the board of directors at sports-centric mobile publisher Nifty Games. Moore is, of course, best known for his tenures at Xbox and Electronic Arts. Having now returned to games after a stint as CEO of Liverpool FC, he discusses the crossover between the worlds of sports and video games, as well as a few hints at what he might be working on at Unity. You can also watch the full session on our YouTube channel. For more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games, visit www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team discusses the high-profile anti-trust case between Epic Games and Apple, joined by special guest Thomas Buscaglia of law firm The Game Attorney. Buscaglia -- who has previously contributed to our weekly 'in review' roundups of the trial -- gives us insight into some of more interesting aspects of the court proceedings and the arguments both sides makes. The conversation covers the long wait for a ruling and why that ruling will be far from final, the impact this case will have had on Epic's similar fight against Google, and the contention around the long-standing 30% commission fee. You can find all our coverage of Epic vs Apple here, as well as our definitive roundup here. And, of course, 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 editorial team discuss the biggest news of the past week – including the future of Warner Bros' games studios, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick's skepticism about the metaverse, Embracer's plans for even more acquisitions, and the return of TimeSplitters. With AT&T forming a joint venture with Discovery, it's been reported that not all of the Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment development teams will be moved over to the new company. We discuss what this means for the publisher's portfolio, and whether this could lead to studio closures. Next, we discuss Strauss Zelnick's comments about the metaverse and his allergy to buzzwords from a recent investor call. The conversation expands beyond this to the future of Grand Theft Auto Online and the challenges facing GTA 6. Then we take a look at Embracer Group's revelation that it has been speaking to more than 150 acquisition targets, including 20 with which is hosting late-stage talks. Given the company's reputation for absorbing a wide variety of studios, we ponder how much larger the group can grow and what's sustaining this strategy. Finally, with news of Free Radical's revival and a new TimeSplitters in the works, we explore why the series remains so popular (at least, James tries to explain this to a justifiably skeptical Brendan and Danielle). As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the next few weeks, we'll be delivering audio versions of some of the best sessions from our recent GI Live: Online event. This week, our head of games B2B Chris Dring speaks to Jon M. Gibson, founder of specialist merchandise provider Iam8bit. The interview explores the company's origins, some of its biggest successes in bringing collectors' items and even special boxed editions to indie games, and what motivates fans to invest in everything from vinyl soundtracks to art prints.  You can also watch the full session on our YouTube channel. For more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games, visit www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team discusses the biggest stories of the past week -- and lays out some simple demands for PlayStation's future. First up, we discuss Ubisoft's revelation that it will be investing more in high-quality free-to-play experiences based on its biggest brands. We touch on whether this is likely to become the norm for AAA publishers (if it isn't already) and whether free-to-play games might cannibalise their full price counterparts (hint: it's unlikely). After that, we ponder the news that PlayStation has 25 first-party titles in the works, half of which are said to be new IP. Which Sony properties do we want to see continue, and what are the gaps in their portfolio we believe they need to fill? Finally, we discuss the issue of scalpers -- or rather how the issue may actually be exaggerated (keep your eyes on the site for more on this topic later this week). As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the next few weeks, we'll be delivering audio versions of some of the best sessions from our recent GI Live: Online event. This week, our head of games B2B Chris Dring speaks Tomas Sakalauskas from No Brakes Games and Curve's VP of Franchise Publishing Gary Rowe about the smash hit indie title Human Fall Flat. The discussion explores why the physics-based platformer has such broad appeal, how it reached sales levels rarely achieved by indie games, why the developers continue to produce new content for free, and why there's more overlap betwen Human Fall Flat and PUBG than you might think.  You can also watch the full session on our YouTube channel. For more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games, visit www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team discuss the biggest stories of the week -- which, of course, means Epic's ongoing antitrust trial against Apple. We reflect on the first week's events and relevations, and share our thoughts on which side has the stronger argument. We also discuss the potential ramifications for the rest of the industry, and the impact it is already having on other major games firms. For example, Sony's crossplay strategy was called into question when Epic revealed it agreed to pay an additional royalty in order to allows PS4 Fortnite players to connect with those on other platforms. We discuss Sony's decision and the importance of crossplay. Finally, with E3 less than a month away, we discuss expectations for this year's digital-only show. Can the show cope with the absence of a few key players, and the continuing onslaught of other digital events? As always, you can get more news, analysis and insight at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the next few weeks, we'll be delivering audio versions of some of the best sessions from our recent GI Live: Online event. This week, our head of games B2B Chris Dring speaks to IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak about the rollercoaster journey the Hitman studio has been on for the past few years. The conversation covers everything from IO's split with former publisher and parent Square Enix, through the risky period of supporting Hitman 2016 alone, charting the rise of the World of Assassination trilogy with Hitman 2, and culminating in full independence and self-publishing for this year's Hitman 3.  You can also watch the full session on our YouTube channel. For more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games, visit www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices