NewApp Digest
search bot

games industry

PlanetPlay and UNICEF collaborate to support children through a PC games collection
AppWizard
June 9, 2026

PlanetPlay and UNICEF collaborate to support children through a PC games collection

PlanetPlay has partnered with UNICEF to support global children's causes through game-based fundraisers and awareness campaigns. The first project, the PlayForEveryChild PC Games Collection, will launch in October and will be available exclusively on PlanetPlay's games marketplace, with 100% of profits directed to UNICEF. The funds will enhance children's access to education, healthcare, climate resilience programs, and emergency response efforts. PlanetPlay is inviting game studios and publishers to contribute titles to the Collection by June 30.
Fallout lead Tim Cain argues games industry crisis hasn't reached the level of the 1983 crash: 'I don't think there's ever been a worse time in the games industry'
AppWizard
May 22, 2026

Fallout lead Tim Cain argues games industry crisis hasn’t reached the level of the 1983 crash: ‘I don’t think there’s ever been a worse time in the games industry’

Tim Cain, a veteran RPG developer, discussed the challenges in the current video game industry, noting that approximately 10% of game developers are affected by layoffs and studio closures. He emphasized that while the situation is serious, it does not compare to the catastrophic crash of 1983, during which many developers were abruptly unemployed and the U.S. video game market collapsed. Cain reflected on the lasting impact of that crash, stating it resulted in the loss of an entire generation of game developers and took nearly a decade for the PC market to recover. He identified contemporary issues such as an oversaturation of games, a devaluation of games due to subscription services, and an uneven crisis that largely bypasses consumers. In contrast, industry veterans John and Brenda Romero expressed a more pessimistic view, feeling that the current crisis seems more severe than the earlier collapse.
Amazon reportedly had a studio pivot away from a game 'everyone was excited by' to make something with more AI stuffed in it, then laid them all off anyway
AppWizard
May 14, 2026

Amazon reportedly had a studio pivot away from a game ‘everyone was excited by’ to make something with more AI stuffed in it, then laid them all off anyway

A recent report from Eurogamer highlights the fate of Project Trident at Amazon Games, where the entire team was dismissed after being directed to shift their creative focus towards artificial intelligence integration. This incident reflects a broader trend in the games industry, as Amazon had previously laid off 14,000 employees by late 2025, indicating job insecurity in the field.
City Life Org - Thousands Gather at NYC Video Game Festival to Crown 2026 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs and NYC Collegiate Esports Champions
AppWizard
May 12, 2026

City Life Org – Thousands Gather at NYC Video Game Festival to Crown 2026 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs and NYC Collegiate Esports Champions

The 2nd Annual NYC Video Game Festival took place on May 9, attracting 2,000 attendees. The festival included esports competitions, indie game demonstrations, drone soccer, and arcade classics. The Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs Esports Finals honored student achievements, with team Hyper Pigmentation from PS 889 winning in the Elementary division, NEST+ from Manhattan winning in the Middle School division, and Tottenville from Staten Island winning in the High School division. The NYC Collegiate Esports Circuit Finals crowned The City College of NY as the League of Legends champion and Pace University as the Valorant champion, with a shared prize pool of ,000. The BOTB competition has engaged over 15,000 NYC Public School students since its inception, with a record 3,395 participants in 2026, including a 44% increase in high school submissions. The festival also featured a screening of a documentary about the Battle of the Boroughs.
TIGA: PC and console continue to drive UK games development
AppWizard
April 14, 2026

TIGA: PC and console continue to drive UK games development

Recent insights from TIGA indicate a shift in UK game studios' focus towards PC development, with 46% of studios identifying PC as their primary platform, and 56% of start-ups prioritizing PC development from May 2024 to September 2025. Mobile game development has declined from 33% to 31.6%, and jobs related to mobile gaming fell from 19% to 17.9%. The console gaming sector's job share increased from 47.2% to 50%, despite a 2.1% decrease in headcount at console-focused studios. TIGA reported a net loss of 1,537 development jobs, a 4.5% annualized decline, marking the UK gaming sector's most severe downturn on record.
Roblox unveils new Roblox Plus monthly subscription that pays creators who get players to sign up for the new Roblox Plus monthly subscription
AppWizard
April 11, 2026

Roblox unveils new Roblox Plus monthly subscription that pays creators who get players to sign up for the new Roblox Plus monthly subscription

Roblox has contributed over 60% to the net growth in consumer spending within the games industry, excluding China, since 2021. The company has launched a new subscription plan called Roblox Plus, aimed at enhancing user experience and providing creators with additional revenue opportunities. Roblox will absorb the costs of discounts, ensuring creators earn the same amount on individual purchases. The platform's API documentation includes a script that encourages players to subscribe to Roblox Plus, offering immediate rewards and access to exclusive areas. Roblox has indicated that this launch is just the beginning of their plans for expansion.
Africa’s monetisation debate: founders weigh in on mobile, PC, and the realities of game revenue
AppWizard
March 14, 2026

Africa’s monetisation debate: founders weigh in on mobile, PC, and the realities of game revenue

African founders view the continent's mobile gaming market as facing significant constraints, including challenges related to payments, purchasing power, and infrastructure, rather than being fundamentally broken. Industry leaders like Hugo Obi and Abdallah Elshabrawy highlight that while monetization is a global challenge, it is particularly exacerbated in Africa due to economic realities. Advertising, especially rewarded video ads, is currently the most reliable revenue model, though lower advertising rates necessitate a larger user base for sustainable revenue. Mobile gaming accounts for about 87% of African gamers and 90% of gaming revenue, emphasizing its reach despite higher spending in PC gaming. Founders stress the importance of targeting global audiences and adapting monetization strategies to the diverse payment ecosystems and cultural dynamics across the continent. A hybrid approach to monetization, combining mobile and PC gaming, is seen as a potential future direction for the industry.
Arrowhead boss calls for middle ground in AI debate
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.
Search