games industry Archives

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

GTA 6 may not have a PC release yet, but the games industry is heading towards PC dominance, believes publisher’s CEO

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, believes the gaming industry is shifting towards PC dominance while still valuing console gaming for its unique experience. He noted the importance of flexibility and accessibility in gaming. Zelnick commented on Valve's Steam Machine, which merges console and PC gaming, indicating a trend towards integrated experiences. He also highlighted the growth of mobile gaming, predicting a 10 percent increase in Take-Two's mobile business in the upcoming quarter. Many publishers are adopting a multi-platform strategy, with PlayStation releasing exclusive titles on PC, which has proven profitable. Zelnick mentioned that while there is anticipation for GTA 6, the PC version's release remains uncertain, as it can represent up to 40 percent of total sales for multiplatform games.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

Arrowhead boss calls for middle ground in AI debate

Shams Jorjani, head of Arrowhead Studios, discussed the polarized opinions on artificial intelligence in game development during an interview with The Game Business. He highlighted the significant debate surrounding AI's role in the industry, particularly following controversies related to Embark Studios' use of generative AI in their games. Jorjani noted that opinions on AI range from executives advocating for automation to developers fearing for their jobs. He suggested that a more balanced perspective might be necessary, questioning whether the reality of AI's impact could lie somewhere in between the extremes of the debate.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

Grand Theft Auto 5 has now sold an incredible 220 million copies

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 is set for release on November 19, 2026, despite previous delays. He highlighted that Grand Theft Auto 5 has sold over 220 million copies since its 2013 launch, with approximately 20 million copies sold in the past year alone. Zelnick emphasized the company's philosophy of releasing games only when they are ready and the importance of early marketing efforts. Additionally, Rockstar Games recently faced criticism for dismissing over 30 employees linked to a Discord server focused on labor organization, citing "gross misconduct" and leaking confidential information. This incident has been criticized by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain as a significant act of union busting.

BetaBeacon

November 10, 2025

Google and Epic upend Android mobile game monetisation | Week in Mobile Games podcast

The latest episode of the Week in Mobile Games Podcast discusses Google and Epic's new proposals for developers monetizing on Android, top grossing and most downloaded mobile games in October 2025, PUBG Mobile's decline, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket's revenue milestone, and Nintendo Switch 2's launch sales.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

Rockstar accused of ‘the most ruthless act of union busting in the history of the UK games industry’ after firing dozens of employees who were allegedly attempting to form a union

Rockstar Games has terminated the employment of 30 to 40 staff members across various offices in the UK and Canada on October 30. The Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) alleges that these firings are a form of union busting, as some of those dismissed were union members or in the process of organizing. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, denies these claims, stating the dismissals were due to misconduct.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

When Irrational picked a new writer for BioShock Infinite, it didn’t realise he was in the next room, already working at the studio

Joe Fielder is the senior narrative designer for The Outer Worlds 2 and has worked in the gaming industry for over two decades in various roles, including level designer, producer, and director. He was a producer on BioShock Infinite, where he contributed as an art and narrative producer. Fielder's writing for BioShock Infinite included crafting the initial walk into Columbia, focusing on combat dialogue and worldbuilding elements. He emphasized non-expositional writing, allowing players to organically learn about the game's world through character conversations. Fielder has a strong focus on incorporating humor into games, which he has been doing for years, and he is now being paid for it in The Outer Worlds 2. He previously embedded comedic slogans into BioShock's in-fiction brands, such as a slogan for a fictional cigarette brand aimed at children.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

New report suggests that there are 3 million fewer PC gamers in Japan than 10 years ago, despite the market having at least tripled in size

Japan's gaming market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with the overall market projected to reach 2,396.1 billion yen in 2024, up from 2,317.6 billion yen in 2023. The PC gaming market is estimated at 265.3 billion yen for 2024. The number of overall gamers in Japan is 54.753 million in 2024, an increase from 48.55 million in 2014. However, the number of PC gamers is 14.52 million in 2024, down from 17.49 million in 2014, despite the PC gaming sector tripling in size from 2020 to 2024 based on software sales. Prices for pre-built PCs in Japan have increased by 40% since 2019, with graphics card prices rising over 300%. There is a noted decline in the popularity of inexpensive and free browser games as mobile gaming gains traction.

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

From Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Minecraft to Roguelite Raids: Everbloom Games Unveils Nullpoint Protocol

Everbloom Games is transitioning from creating content for Minecraft to indie game development with their first title, Nullpoint Protocol, a co-op roguelite set for release in 2026. The game focuses on MMO-style boss encounters without the grind of traditional RPGs and will feature a playable demo at PAX West 2025, Booth #648. Everbloom's origins trace back to a 2016 PlanetMinecraft competition, leading to successful collaborations with major franchises. Co-founder Tom van Berkel emphasizes the need for creative freedom as a driving force behind their shift to indie development, reflecting on the potential for growth in the industry through user-generated content platforms.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Milky Tea CEO Jon Holmes steps down after 20 years

Jonathan Holmes, the founder and CEO of Milky Tea, is leaving the company he established in 2005, with Chris Wood, the current general manager, set to succeed him as managing director. Under Holmes' leadership, Milky Tea gained recognition with titles like HyperBrawl Tournament and Coffin Dodgers, and is preparing to release Grit and Valor - 1949 in August. The studio was acquired by Aonic in 2023. Holmes expressed gratitude for his time at Milky Tea and emphasized the importance of stepping back to focus on family. Chris Wood expressed pride in taking on the leadership role and acknowledged Holmes' contributions over the past 20 years.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

7 in 10 German game purchases are now digital downloads

Digital downloads represent 70% of all video game purchases in the German market, according to a report from the German Games Industry Association (game) released on July 29. The share of digital downloads increased by 8% in 2024, rising from 60% to 68%, while physical media accounts for 32% of purchases. Nearly all PC games (99%) were acquired digitally in 2024, and digital purchases of console games increased from 40% in 2023 to 44% in 2024. Physical media still holds 56% of the console market. Individuals aged 20 to 29 purchase 77% of their games as downloads, while those aged 50 and above account for 47% of all physical purchases. The German games industry is facing a downturn, with a 4% decline in the number of game companies in 2025 and a 6% decrease in total sales revenue from 2023 to 2024. There was a 17% decrease in purchases across mobile, PC, and console games, and a 10% drop in hardware sales, although revenue from online gaming services increased by 12% since 2023.