games industry Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Queens students advance in Minecraft esports competition ahead of NYC’s first-ever Video Game Festival

On May 5, over 270 students from Queens participated in the semi-finals of the 2025 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs at Thomas Edison High School. The event was organized by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, NYC Public Schools, and the National Esports Association. This year's competition saw 3,295 students submit 659 entries, a 37% increase from last year and more than double the participation from 2023. Participants used Minecraft Education to create models of a sustainable New York City. The winning teams from Queens are: - Elementary Division: Team Sigma from PS 24 Andrew Jackson, led by Kerry McGarvey and Principal Bani Singh. - Middle School Division: Neo NYC from J.H.S. 185 Edward Bleeker, coached by Ana Silva-Collins under Principal Michael Leung. - High School Division: Diamond Sword Bustamoney from World Journalism Preparatory School, guided by Ernest Lai and Principal Michael Roberts Bacchus. These teams will represent Queens in the Mayor’s Cup Minecraft Education finals during the NYC Video Game Festival at Convene Brookfield Place in Manhattan. The festival will feature esports competitions, virtual reality experiences, indie game demonstrations, cosplay contests, and a career expo focused on the digital games industry. Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrión Jr. highlighted the event's role in promoting career-connected learning and the city's digital economy. The final round will take place on May 31.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

10 reasons why PGC Barcelona is a must for PC game developers in 2025

The Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC) Barcelona is a two-day conference taking place in 2025, marking the 52nd edition of the series and the first time it is held in Spain. It aims to connect various stakeholders in the gaming industry, including indie developers, studios, and business professionals. The event will feature over 100 expert speakers across 17 themed tracks, with topics on global trends, investment strategies, and emerging technologies. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from over 500 companies, including major players like Epic Games and Ubisoft, and engage with C-level executives and senior management. The conference emphasizes networking through the MeetToMatch platform and fringe events, while also showcasing Spain's gaming ecosystem. The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower and is expected to attract over 1,000 industry professionals.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

UK acting union Equity calls for better working conditions for performers in games

Equity, the UK's union for actors, is advocating for better working conditions and compensation for performers in the video game sector, highlighting stagnant pay over the past decade despite the industry's growth and substantial tax breaks for major companies. John Barclay, Equity's assistant general secretary, emphasized the need for industry leaders to address poor practices and establish union-negotiated agreements to improve pay and conditions. The union also raised concerns about the lack of protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence and non-disclosure agreements, as well as the need for safer working environments to prevent injuries and ensure respectful handling of intimate scenes.

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.