The games industry + the bond rate + the cost of capital + saturation (aka "how we got here"). youtube.com/shorts/BkZzt...

A #Starfield content preview is about to air on Bethesda's YT channel: youtu.be/ScvzSEaUrBs?...

Krafton has been ordered to reinstate the CEO of Unknown Worlds, after it was found he was terminated to avoid payouts (the semi-retirees can be re-hired by Gill) on #Subnautica2. courts.delaware.gov/Opinions/Dow...

1/ When I listed to Kaplan's interview, I can't avoid the overall thought that game dev teams have grown too large, particularly in the "AAA" segment. It's just a fascinating interview. When you hear him talk about the early WoW days, it's hard to believe that the game was made with that few people.

Warhammer 40k Darktide continues to receive significant updates, with the game's biggest update on the horizon: Expeditions. www.playdarktide.com/news/dev-blo...

As MSFT unifies #Xbox development (something they wanted to do for 25 years), the intention isn't to force everything to be a Windows game. Instead, it's about unifying the process and bringing many of the advantages of console development, to Windows. devblogs.microsoft.com/directx/dire...

I continue to see misinformation regarding Project Helix and new #Xbox hardware. - Yes, it will play games developed on the current XDK just like Xbox does now. It isn't emulation. It's a hypervisor session, just like the current Series hardware.

1/ This is what I was referring to earlier when discussing when / how MSFT is going to ask that developers follow the unified GDK. It is looking more likely that it does indeed start on Helix devkits. Meaning, if you're game starts on a Helix devkit, it will built under the unified GDK.

Microsoft reiterated how it should now be faster / easier to get a game moved from PC to #Xbox, using the new GDK process. developer.microsoft.com/en-us/games/...

The #Xbox keynote presentation covered most of the bases we were expecting. However, they didn't really say anything about sunsetting the XDK specifically. Instead, the focus seems to be on asking developers to consider what Helix brings to the table and use Play Anywhere.

NCSoft is now the publisher for DEFECT.

This is the #Xbox GDC talk that I'd like to see if I was in another profession.

1/ Remember, GDC is a conference focused on developers. We shouldn't expect some shocking reveal from #Xbox, but rather clarifications on how development will work for future hardware & Windows.

The broader games industry focus is reduction in team size, while still producing content / updates. Even if #Battlefield6 retained higher CCU consistency, these layoffs likely would have occurred at some level. www.ign.com/articles/ea-...

Dynamic pricing in games is the current nonsensical blame game. Since supply is effectively infinite with digital games, pricing reflects demand (or lack thereof). And I'm also a big proponent of individual sales offers (targeted discounts). Dynamic pricing is generally a money saver individuals.

Social media fiction is the dumbest kind of fiction. The idea that any executive would offer up a "blank check" is just complete nonsense. In fact, this kind of conversation is much more boring than you think.

Someone might want to let GK know how that Xbox Series units actually work. They are already"PC based Xbox hardware devices." MSFT has been producing glorified Hypervisor machines since Xbox One. Obviously Helix is a step above that, but it's OK to say the word "console." 😄

Xbox EVP / CEO confirms the next Xbox console will play PC and Xbox games (as we expected). Codename is Project Helix. A "return of Xbox."

I'll wait to see the release version, but everything about #ControlResonant looks better than the first game (in my humble opinion). Don't get me wrong, Control wasn't a bad game, but I spun off it fairly quickly. This game looks more my style. news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...

This was the very first thing I said when the rumor broke. All that nonsense about "protecting the brand" is nothing more than a smokescreen for the real underlying reason: It's cost cutting (margin protection). And so be it, but let's stop pretending this is about the #PlayStation brand.

Given the underwhelming sales of #KillingFloor3, I don't see how it's possible to avoid the layoffs with the current outlook. On one hand, obviously the game failed to excite buyers, but on the other hand, market saturation is still taking its toll on the overall industry. (I actually enjoy KF3.)

Capcom 9mo consolidated trajectory of PC + Console unit sales. Pretending the games industry is the same type of industry as it was 10 years ago is nonsense. Look back even further and you start to realize just how much has changed.

Capcom is a company that thrives from catalog sales. While nothing can escape cash flow (down on cash via previous report), Capcom often drives a healthy margin from their back catalog (probably one of the best in the business).

Highguard engaged over 2M players after it launched on Jan 26, 2026. Highguard will shut down on March 12, 2026. x.com/PlayHighguar...

The kids are playing Roblox. All of them. More importantly, when the kids are playing Roblox, they aren't playing something else. naavik.co/deep-dives/t...

Does Xbox need a "gamer" CEO / EVP? No, because the entire point of a CEO is to build a functional organization, not run it themselves. youtube.com/shorts/aMfRk...

My overall view of #Towerborne hasn't changed, despite the dev team reworking the game to focus more on single player (or friend list co-op). The combat is the shining star here, with the rest of the game falling in around it. There's a lot of content here as well, especially for a "brawler" game.

A studio that actually looked at *cash flow* and trimmed down base cost to create a reasonable financial runway to release their game. You know, instead of keeping 100+ people on staff and spending every last dime. Give me more of this, please. wccftech.com/just-cause-s...

1/ We can debate the whole "PlayStation on PC" thing, but I do believe the reality is setting in: The big "legacy" suppliers are all realizing that the growth phase is (for the most part) over. Unless you're running #Roblox, or selling games in China, every else is basically flat.

The support of #SpaceMarine2 has been excellent, making it one of the best Warhammer 40k games out there. If you're a fan of Warhammer 40k, it should be on your playlist. As I said before, this game is great because it knows what it is. It's not filled with fluff or useless scope creep.

1/ Layoff at Full Circle (EA). I expected #Skate to have problems retaining players. The F2P market is a double edged sword, with millions of people often willing to try something, but the typical return factor is about 1 in 10. www.ea.com/ea-studios/f...

Maverick Games creative director states that their motorsports game will come out this year, despite being dropped by Amazon Games publishing. Seems like they were prepared, or perhaps will try self-publishing? Not clear yet.

1/ Worth reading if you're curious about the new CEO of Xbox is thinking. Short term: Don't expect any immediate changes. Xbox is still largely focused on tearing down the wall between the Xbox SDK and Windows. www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...

Blizzard announced #Overwatch Rush - a new mobile twin stick PvP shooter. Basically, it creates the experience of Overwatch from the top down. It is well past the pre-production phase (as you can see), but no exact release timeline is set. news.blizzard.com/en-us/articl...

1/ The only thing you really need to understand studio closures is the basic funding rule: A studio needs an approved project, and with that comes funding. The closure of almost every "AAA" studio is quite simple. You start at the end and work backwards.

Towerborne launches this week. Most of the "live service" components were dropped and several systems were reworked for a complete game at launch. It also shifted to a standard purchase (original plan was F2P). You can also play via Game Pass. www.towerborne.com/everything-y...

I can understand Sony trying to lock up Crimson Desert. It would follow the same strategy laid out by Helldivers 2 (but not their IP). A primarily PC game, driving live service revenue. And I can also be glad it didn't happen. They don't need Sony and it would only hurt their overall profits.

There is nothing that strange about Phil Spencer privately planning retirement and then leaving over a weekend. It IS a short exit window (signaling a company shift), but, historically, EVPs are known to leave abruptly (after planning). Call it a corporate thing.

Her actions will define her legacy, not her achievement score.

Strauss Zelnick, by his own admission, isn't a gamer. He's a CEO. His job is to listen, set company goals / direction, and hire the right people. His job ISN'T to play games and decide if they should tighten up the graphics on level 3.

Circana's January 2026 numbers are out. We see a slight increase in general US sales, led primarily by subscription (network service / catalog) spending and hardware. (Keep in mind where we see growth this year.) Mobile was basically flat. Black Ops 7 was the best selling game of the month.

My summary on what to expect from a new #Xbox CEO (based on my 20 year corporate experience): x.com/i/status/202...

I post some version of this about a dozen times a year. I really should just save it and be done with it. TLDR: Studios in big gaming publishers generally run themselves...until they don't. This causes abrupt changes from the outside view, but there was usually internal friction.

I see we've entered the "new #Xbox CEO is terrible because..." territory already. I prefer to call balls and strikes AFTER we see what happens in a year or two, not right now. I'm sure there will be plenty to talk about.

Sarah Bond posting on LinkedIn a few hour prior to the announcement means absolutely nothing. She's a well paid professional doing her job. While obviously no one on the outside knows anything with 100% certainty, it is likely the entire #Xbox executive staff knew what was going on.

Phil Spencer's retirement is relatively standard as far as retirements go. This is not a push out, it looks planned. Sharma's email largely carries on Spencer's vision. We don't really know what they truly hope to implement until they've been in the position for a while. www.ign.com/articles/phi...

Introducing: The #PlayStation 6 Pro Plus: youtu.be/QjUQqrKchr4?...

Focus Entertainment confirms RoadCraft sold 1M units.

Stop trying to define "indie" in gaming. The industry doesn't really work that way. The term has become almost meaningless. If someone uses it, it's going to be their own version of it.

Square Enix's shift in development priorities is a sign of the times (and somewhat their own doing). Regardless, less focus on PlayStation, more focus on cross-platform content. youtube.com/shorts/V5Mld...