The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast

The GamesIndustry.biz editorial team discusses the most controversial game announcement of the year so far and weigh up whether developers can handle a topic as sensitive as war. Following our interview with the company behind upcoming shooter Six Days In Fallujah, we explore the reaction to the game's existence -- both in 2021 and back in 2009 when the title was dropped by its publisher -- and the mistakes it already seems to be making. We also discuss whether Victura's stated intention is appropriate for a conflict like the Siege of Fallujah. Towards the end of the episode, we shift towards the announcement of the most recent Nintendo Direct, the 35th anniversary of Zelda, and the strange disconnect between Skyward Sword's high review scores but low reputation among many series fans. 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 takes a deeper look at one of the biggest stories of the past week -- namely, Warner Bros securing a patent for Shadow of Mordor's Nemesis system. For this episode, we're joined by Kostya Lobov of law firm Harbottle & Lewis to look at the intricacies of patents and the implications for any other developers hoping to build games around a similar mechanic to the Nemesis system. In case you missed the news, it was revealed last week that Warner Bros has finally secured a patent after repeated attempts to protect its method of creating a heirarchy for NPCs that changes based on player actions. The move was widely criticised by developers, claiming it will stifle innovation in this space -- but is that the case? We discuss on this week's podcast. If you'd like to find more about how developers can protect their intellectual property, check out our in-depth guide on the GamesIndustry.biz Academy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On our latest podcast, Matt, Brendan and James discuss two of the biggest games industry stories of the past two weeks. First up, we discuss Embracer Group's acquisition of Gearbox Software -- a deal potentially worth close to $1.4 billion, but with some very notable caveats. We use this as a jumping off point to explore Embracer's overall mergers and acquisitions strategy, and ponder the wider trends in the M&A space -- something further analysed in this article by GameDiscoverCo's Simon Carless. In the second half, we talk about Google's decision to close its internal Stadia Games and Entertainment and the broader implications for the internet giant's cloud streaming games service. 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 editorial team looks optimistically forward and starts to ponder the future of video games when the COVID-19 pandemic eventually comes to an end. Following on an editorial by our Head of B2B Chris Dring, James, Brendan, Marie and Chris discuss the implications of 2020's rapid growth in terms of new customers, and the perhaps inevitable industry contraction when those consumers drop their newfound hobby as life returns to normal (or at least closer to it). We talk about the challenges Microsoft and Sony face in pushing their new consoles while still trying to engage the swathes of people who only purchased the old ones in the last nine months, as well as the pressure on Nintendo to continue Switch's incredible mometum. As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Five Games Of is a special series of The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast that explores the evolution of the video games business through the career of prominent developers, executives and more. This time, we explore five games from the career of Jesper Kyd, one of the industry's most prolific composers. We talk to Kyd about his start in the industry, working with a group of friends that went on to found a fairly well-known Danish studio, before looking at some of the biggest games he worked on.  Naturally, this includes how he defined the sound of Assassin's Creed -- plus the evolution of Ezio's Theme, which has since become the most iconic cue in Ubisoft's biggest franchise. Title music by Juilan Villareal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's podcast, the GamesIndustry.biz editorial team takes a look at some of the biggest challenges facing indie developers. Our discussion begins with the recent reveal of Moonrise Fund, which focuses on financing teams working on gameplay that hasn't been seen before. We recently spoke to the fund's creator Evva Karr about their ambitions for the project. We then talk about the gaps in funding and even gaps in knowledge that form barriers to experimental games developers from bringing more unorthodox projects to market. We also touch on the hurdles indies face when trying to market their game or secure press and media coverage ahead of release.   As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, GamesIndustry.biz team members Matt, Rebekah and James are joined by PCMag's Mike Williams to discuss the biggest news of the past week. Following a slew of LucasFilm Games announcements -- including the revival of the brand, Bethesda's Indiana Jones game, and Ubisoft's open-world Star Wars project -- we discuss licensed games. It wasn't so long ago that licensed games were often hastily-developed merchandise created to tie in with a film release or ensure a publisher got the most out of its licensing agreement. But in the wake of titles like Marvel's Spider-Man by Insomniac Games, it's easier to be optimistic about the aforementioned announcements. We discuss our expectations for these games and more, as well as changing attitudes towards the use of blockbuster IP in video games from the perspectives of developers, publishers and rights holders. For more news, analysis and insight, head over to www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first weekly episode of 2021, the GamesIndustry.biz team discuss the biggest news of the past week – and slightly further back. Matt, Brendan, Rebekah, James and Chris unpack the implications and build-up to Nintendo's acquisition of Next Level Games, the team behind Switch hit Luigi's Mansion 3. And in the first instalment of a new monthly discussion, we expand on the most recent 10 Years Ago column to look at how things have changed in the past decade. This month, we look at the rise and fall of the last dedicated games handhelds: PlayStation Vita and 3DS, two devices launched as smartphone gaming began to take off. Both Sony and Nintendo handled this difficult situation differently, but what did the industry learn from their strategies? As always, you can find more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special sponsored GamesIndustry.biz podcast, we speak with Facebook Audience Network’s Imran Khan to discuss mobile game monetisation methods and in-game advertising. This week’s podcast discusses all forms of monetisation and provides ideas and guidance on how to maximise revenue for game developers. Khan will reveal why the games industry needs to look beyond in-app purchases as the de facto monetisation model for mobile games. You can find more information on ad monetisation and how app bidding is transforming businesses here.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special series of The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast talks to developers about the titles that influenced their careers. This time, we have Xalavier Nelson Jr., the creator of An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs as well as an award-nominated narrative mind behind Hypnospace Outlaw, Reigns: Beyond, Skatebird, and more. Nelson Jr. is here to chat about The Evil Within 2, specifically its modular design. He describes the game as a "puzzle box" where pushing and prodding one element can impact the whole, and discusses its influence on his own thinking about game development and specifically his work on Dog Airport Game. Game Developer's Playlist is an extension of a series we run on the site called Why I Love, in which developers explore their favorite games. You can find these articles here. Title music by Julian Villareal. The weekly news show will be back on Monday, and you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices