compensation

AppWizard
August 11, 2026
Supermassive Games is reducing its workforce by up to 75 employees three months after the launch of Directive 8020, citing the need for long-term sustainability. This is the third round of layoffs in under three years, with previous cuts occurring in 2024 and 2025 due to challenges in the gaming industry. The parent company, Nordisk Film, reported an operating profit of €140 million on revenues of €2.2 billion in 2025. The number of employees remaining after the layoffs is currently unclear.
TrendTechie
July 18, 2026
More than 100 authors have filed a lawsuit against Anthropic, claiming over 0 million for the unauthorized use of their books in training AI systems. The complaint was submitted to the federal court for the Northern District of California on June 17, alleging that Anthropic unlawfully obtained and utilized over 500 pirated copies of their works. The lawsuit includes various literary works and notable plaintiffs, such as Nolan Bushnell and Donna Barba Igna, who are demanding 0,000 for each work used without permission. The authors claim Anthropic downloaded books via BitTorrent and used illegal libraries, integrating these works into its AI training systems. This lawsuit follows a previous class action against Anthropic that concluded with a .5 billion settlement. The current plaintiffs have opted out of that settlement and are pursuing individual claims, asserting that Anthropic not only used but also distributed pirated copies. The lawsuits estimate around seven million works may have been unlawfully utilized in AI development.
AppWizard
July 16, 2026
Sony is phasing out physical game discs and has removed 500 movies from its platform without compensation. Microsoft has laid off 3,200 Xbox game developers and suspended gamer accounts for reasons beyond users' control. GOG.com offers games without Digital Rights Management (DRM), allowing users to download standalone, offline installers and gain permanent ownership of their games. GOG's "Preservation Program" aims to keep games free from DRM.
AppWizard
July 3, 2026
The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCC), a Dutch nonprofit organization, has filed a class action claim against Valve, alleging that the company's practices are stifling competition in the PC gaming market and inflating game prices. The CCC claims that Valve enforces price-parity agreements through contracts and peer pressure, preventing game developers from offering lower prices on competing platforms. They argue that Valve's 30% commission on sales restricts studios from setting their own prices, leading to higher costs for consumers. The CCC is also concerned about Valve's requirement for microtransactions to go through the Steam Wallet, which incurs an additional 30% commission, and the practice of region-locking keys. They are seeking €220 million in damages for affected Dutch players. The CCC is currently exploring an amicable resolution with Valve and is encouraging individuals to support their cause by signing up on the GameClaim website. The CCC's claims extend beyond direct Steam purchases, affecting the entire market. The likelihood of a successful lawsuit is uncertain, as the CCC has a mixed track record in previous cases. Valve has faced legal challenges in the past, including a penalty in 2016 for misleading consumer representations, and ongoing lawsuits regarding its market dominance.
AppWizard
July 2, 2026
Robert Bowling, former strategist of the Call of Duty franchise, has co-founded a new studio called //18.bravo after the closure of his previous venture, Midnight Society, in 2025. The studio aims to foster a collaborative environment by aligning leadership compensation with employee success and introducing a royalty program for employees and profit-sharing with external talents. //18.bravo's debut project will not support live service models, focusing instead on creating a sustainable gaming experience with dedicated servers and optimized peer-to-peer architecture. This approach prioritizes longevity over immediate financial success, addressing gamer concerns about game shutdowns.
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