games industry Archives

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

ESA warns of impact of Trump tariffs on games industry

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has expressed concerns about tariffs implemented by former President Donald Trump, which could significantly harm the U.S. video game industry by raising hardware prices due to the global sourcing of components from countries like Vietnam and China. ESA's senior vice president, Aubrey Quinn, highlighted that many products consumers buy may be subject to multiple tariffs, leading to increased costs. Quinn described the situation regarding relocating manufacturing jobs to the U.S. as complicated, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of decisions affecting consumers, businesses, and employees. The tariffs include a 46 percent tax on goods from Vietnam and a combined levy and duty of 54 percent on imports from China, posing challenges for the industry in maintaining affordability and accessibility for consumers.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

PlayStation vet Yoshida reckons Nier Automata “revived” Japanese games industry

Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida discussed the significant impact of the game Nier Automata on the Japanese gaming industry. Released in 2017, the game has sold nine million copies and shifted the perspective of Japanese developers, who previously emulated successful trends from other regions. Yoshida noted that Nier Automata demonstrated that uniquely Japanese stories could resonate globally, leading to a renewed focus on authenticity and cultural heritage among developers. This shift marked a revival in the Japanese game industry, encouraging creators to embrace their identities and enriching the global gaming landscape.

AppWizard

March 13, 2025

Get ready for an unforgettable Pocket Gamer Party in San Francisco

The Pocket Gamer Party will take place on Monday, March 17, 2024, from 8:30 to 11:30 pm at Temple Nightclub, 540 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94105. Attendance is free, but registration is encouraged due to limited spaces. Those with a Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco 2025 ticket will have early entry, subject to capacity limits and first-come, first-served basis.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

Publisher Acclaim is making a return

Acclaim, a publisher founded in 1987 and previously bankrupt in 2004, is making a comeback under the leadership of Alex Josef, who was the CEO of Graffiti Games. The company plans to support independent studios with funding, marketing, and public relations, while also reviving classic franchises. Notable advisors include Russell Binder, Mark Caplan, and Jeff Jarrett. Jeff Jarrett expressed excitement about the revival, highlighting the impact of great games and the opportunity to create memorable experiences for new gamers. Acclaim aims to honor its legacy while fostering innovation in the indie game space.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

Reignbreaker maker Studio Fizbin is closing down

Studio Fizbin will close its operations after the release of their game Reignbreaker on March 18th. The closure is attributed to a strategic shift by their parent company, Thunderful, which decided to significantly reduce internal development. Founder and CEO Alexander Pieper noted that despite efforts to pursue new projects, none were successful, leading to the studio's decision to shut down. He expressed gratitude to fans and partners for their support and acknowledged the contributions of the team members to the studio's legacy.

AppWizard

February 25, 2025

Bossa makes unknown number of job cuts

Bossa Games, based in London, has announced a workforce reduction as part of a strategic pivot for the late-stage production of its upcoming title, Lost Skies. Co-CEO Henrique Olifiers shared that the studio plans to reorganize into smaller teams after the game's launch to enhance innovation and expedite future development. He expressed regret over the layoffs, acknowledging the talent of those affected. Earlier in 2024, Bossa Games had already laid off about a third of its staff.

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

‘These kids do not care about romance’: Game devs want to know what today’s teens want, and surveys say sex and romance isn’t it

Surveys indicate that today's youth prefer narratives focused on platonic friendships and social connections over romance and sexual themes. At the D.I.C.E. Summit, industry leaders shared that 73% of individuals aged 16 to 24 report feelings of loneliness, attributed to various factors including global events and social media. Research from UCLA shows young people value safety, kindness, acceptance, friendship, and spiritual connection, with a growing disinterest in romance. The 2024 Teens and Screens report reveals that "romance and/or sex" ranked 15th out of 21 media preferences among adolescents, while "friendships and social groups" ranked 5th. The desire for content focused on platonic relationships rose from 51.5% in 2023 to 63.5% in 2024, and the belief that sexual content is not essential to advance a plot increased from 47.5% to 62.4%. Additionally, adolescents are engaging in sexual activity less frequently than previous generations. Mainstream video games have historically featured minimal sexual and romantic content, with recent titles like Baldur's Gate 3 exploring these themes more deeply.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

ESA wants to be consulted on Trump tariffs

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has requested to participate in discussions about future tariffs proposed by President Donald Trump, expressing concern that these tariffs could burden American consumers. The video game industry relies on imported components, particularly from China, and currently faces a 10 percent tariff. There were also plans for a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, which are temporarily suspended. The ESA stated that tariffs on video game devices and related products would impact Americans of all ages and emphasized the need for a transparent consultation process with the private sector. They highlighted the cultural significance of video games and warned that tariffs could negatively affect hundreds of millions of Americans and the industry's contributions to the US economy. The ESA is eager to collaborate with the Administration and Congress to sustain the economic growth supported by their sector.

AppWizard

December 10, 2024

Build A Rocket Boy acquires PlayFusion

Leslie Benzies' Build A Rocket Boy has acquired UK-based developer and publisher PlayFusion. Mark Gerhard, the CEO and CTO of PlayFusion, will become co-CEO at Build A Rocket Boy, focusing on enhancing the studio's content pipeline and user-generated content tools. The acquisition aims to reshape the gaming landscape and democratize premium game development. The collaboration is expected to deliver original online experiences and empower players to create their own high-quality games.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

Radical Forge secures $3.4m in funding

Radical Forge has secured an investment of £2.6 million from Mercia Ventures' Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, which will help create 15 new positions at their Middlesbrough studio and support the release of their game, Southfield, in early 2025. The investment follows earlier layoffs at the company. CEO Bruce Slater expressed enthusiasm about the funding and partnership with Mercia, while Chris McCourt from Mercia highlighted the potential for Radical Forge to attract talent and undertake larger projects amid industry downsizing.