The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast

Welcome to the weekly GI Microcast giving you the latest in video games news. Join James Batchelor and Chris Dring where they give you their take on the biggest stories in video games. Never miss an episode and subscribe to the GI Microcast on all Podcasting platforms and YouTube. Join them every Monday for more video games news. This week, we discuss the slew of game announcements that emerged from and around the Nintendo Partner Direct, the potential for surprise hits in 2024, and the industry's data deficiencies that make it difficult to judge which games truly are the most successful.As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Dring and James Batchelor take a look at the biggest stories from the business of video games in the last week.We start by discussing Xbox's announcement of four first-party titles coming to other platforms, as well as Microsoft's wider games strategy, before delving into PlayStation's latest financials, the challenges it faces and the revelation that there will be no major launches from existing franchises until April 2025 at the earliest.We finish off with the recent reports that Switch 2 may not launch until 2025, and the impact this may have on the wider market.As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics discussed include Xbox's expansion strategy of bringing first-party titles to PlayStation, the rise of live service games and the challenges they present, and the criticisms of live service games and their monetization strategies.

GamesIndustry.biz's James Batchelor and Chris Dring discuss the biggest stories of the past week.First, we discuss the Eidos Montreal layoffs and the cancellation of a new Deus Ex title, as well as the implications for the future of this franchise - and many of the other franchises, such as fan favourite (and Chris favourite) TimeSplitters, whose future depends on the outcome of the Embracer Group restructure.Next, we delve into the changes proposed by Apple to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets App; seemingly opening iOS to third-party app stores, but also introducing new commission fees and complicating the process for mobile developers and publishers who seek to use alternatives to Apple's own systems.Finally, there are the 1,900 layoffs announced across Microsoft's gaming businesses and the potential impact these may have on the various video game sectors in which the company operates.As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss some of the biggest stories about the business of video games from the past week.This week's Microcast kicks off with Chris' report on the industry bracing itself for further difficult times, with investors, publishers and developers expecting up to two years of closures, changes to the release schedule and investment opportunities, and more.We also discuss the reaction to our interview with Ubisoft's Philippe Tremblay and the notion that subscriptions will only take off when players become accustomed to not owning their games, the end of UK retailer GAME's pre-owned business, and the highlights of the Xbox Developer Direct.As always you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Batchelor and Chris Dring once again discuss some of the biggest stories from the past week, including the divisive agreement between union SAG-AFTRA and AI voice tech firm Replica Studios to use AI voice acting in video games.The discussion inevitably extends to the broader implications of AI, including Steam's revised policies that will allow "the vast majority of games using it" to launch on the leading PC marketplace. We also discuss comments from our recent interview with Nacon head of publishing Benoit Clerc as to whether there are too many games on the market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discussion on industry layoffs, AI debates in promotional art, and discrimination allegations, exploring the impact of the post-pandemic era on businesses, targeting older generations in the games industry, and Microsoft's plans with AI and the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

In this podcast, the GamesIndustry.biz team shares their favorite games of 2023, including Baldur's Gate 3, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, Alan Wake 2, and Pikmin 4. They discuss the emotional journey of reconnecting with Baldur's Gate, the significance of following threads and Easter eggs, and their experiences playing multiple games. The speakers also explore the involvement of Poets of the Fall in video games, describe their experience playing Control, compare Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, and discuss older games Ghost Trick Phantom Detective and Venba. The podcast ends with honorable mentions and a preview of upcoming episodes.

The podcast reflects on the major stories of 2023, including industry layoffs, the debate around AI in game development, and the Epic vs Google trial. It discusses challenges faced by big companies and startup studios, Unity's changing terms of deal, the mobile gaming industry, and the potential impact of AI. It also explores the success of acclaimed sequels and new releases, as well as the power of intellectual properties in the gaming sector.

Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss the biggest stories of the past week, on (potentially) our final Microcast of 2023.Today's discussion begins with the reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, from the changes at Rockstar since GTA 5 to the sales expectations and potential impact the game will have on 2024 and 2025, plus our own thoughts on this first look at the game.We also discuss this year's The Game Awards, including the range of winners, the discourse around developers' winners speeches, and the many balancing acts involved when organising an event like this.Finally, we discuss Lego Fortnite, and how it fits into both Epic's plans to transform its multiplayer titles into a platform and Lego's ongoing efforts to work closer with the games industry.All this in just 25(ish) minutes.As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices