The Game Business Show

It is our last News and Analysis Show of 2025! This week, we dive into the big stories of the moment, we reveal who REALLY won The Game Awards 2025, and we look back at the year that was with Newzoo’s director of market intelligence Emmanuel Rosier.Plus, why the whole industry needs to be wary of Rockstar's on-going union row, and why Netflix and Warner Bros might be a good fit when it comes to video games after all.Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In a bleak month for video game consoles, a surprising new competitor emerged in the form of Nex Playground. The sold-out family game console is the spiritual successor to Wii, and the company behind it has huge ambitions. In this episode of The Game Business Show, Chris speaks to Nex CEO David Lee to find out the story behind the platform, and what comes next. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's edition of The Game Business Show, Chris sits down with Bethesda's creative director and executive producer Todd Howard ahead of the release of the new TV show. Along with Samsung's head of gaming Kevin Beatty, the three discuss the ways in which Bethesda are looking to drive interest in the video games by capitalising on the TV show's immense popularity.They also discuss streaming, the important of games people being involved in the TV production, and keeping Elder Scrolls, Fallout and Starfield fans happy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today’s edition of The Game Business Show, we speak with Day 4 Night, the studio behind the upcoming Bradley The Badger, which received its debut at The Game Awards. The studio was formed by Davide Soliani (Mario + Rabbids) and Christian Cantamessa (Red Dead Redemption), and was one of the most distinctive games on show. It’s also a game that has received big investment from the likes of 1Up Ventures and Krafton. We spoke to Christian and Davide about securing funding during a challenging time for games, the importance of doing something a bit crazy, and trying to bring satire to the game space. Note: This week’s episode suffers from some audio issues, particularly in the second half. We apologise for the sound, and if you’d rather read the interview, you can at www.thegamebusiness.com.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Geoff Keighley, the creative force behind The Game Awards, dives into the complex orchestration of the event. He shares insights on the controlled chaos of show preparation and the balancing act between awards and world premieres. Geoff highlights how indie games find their moment to shine, while also discussing the innovation in game reveals and distribution changes, such as partnerships with Prime Video. He underscores the importance of live audiences and the unique challenges in acknowledging industry issues during such a celebratory occasion.

Andy Robinson, founder of Video Games Chronicle, joins Dr. David Doak, a veteran game developer known for GoldenEye and TimeSplitters, to discuss their new project, a roguelike word game called Beyond Words. They delve into insights on the gaming industry's back catalogue dominance, revealing how nostalgic titles affect new game sales. Doak reflects on their design choices, explaining the benefits of small teams for rapid iteration. The duo shares their shift from shooters to word games and their hopes for future projects. Expect a nostalgic blend of old-school spirit and innovative gameplay!

In this engaging discussion, former Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney shares insights on the evolving game industry. He highlights the acquisition of Embark, detailing challenges and the value of patience in live games. Owen boldly asserts that AAA processes are broken, stifling innovation due to risk-averse decision-making. He explores how AI could dramatically expand the gaming market and emphasizes the importance of balancing creative freedom with business needs. His reflections on the industry's future and key innovators like Valve spark a thought-provoking conversation.

In today's episode of The Game Business Show, we speak to the Tekken development team including executive game director Katsuhiro Harada, chief producer and game director Kouhei Ikelda and producer Michael Murray.The trio discuss rising video game budgets, the importance of live events, potential new revenue streams and what goes in to creating a new Tekken character. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Ralph Panebianco, known as Skill Up, is a YouTuber and media entrepreneur who founded This Week In Videogames. He discusses his new media model emphasizing quality ad-free coverage. The conversation dives into the Unity and Epic partnership, and the ongoing dispute involving Rockstar and a UK union. A major focus is on the shifting shooter landscape, with Call of Duty facing tough competition from Battlefield 6 and Ark Raiders, including exclusive insights on player movement and market dynamics.

In this week's edition of The Game Business Show, we secure a very rare interview with Bandai Namco Entertainment CEO and president Nao Udagawa. During the chat, We ask Udagawa-san about the firm's strong relationship with FromSoftware, the rise of Japanese-made games, the desire to grow its own IP, plus movies, merchandise, mobile and more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe