The increasingly tricky business of video games
02-19-26 | 01:09 AM
#251
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Why go through the effort to purchase all those gaming sites just to shutter them and opening online gambling businesses instead? Why not buy actual online gambling businesses?
02-19-26 | 01:16 PM
#252
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
https://bsky.app/profile/jasonschrei.../3mfaauf5pek2b
Speaking of buying things to shutter them. This is unfuckingbelievable,,,
Speaking of buying things to shutter them. This is unfuckingbelievable,,,
02-19-26 | 01:26 PM
#253
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
For those who can’t see the bsky post, Sony is shutting down Bluepoint, the studio behind the phenomenal remake of Demon’s Souls,
and others.
As I recall, they were working on a secret title for the last 5 years, and now that’s seemingly over.
Another damn shame, and another indication that first party content doesn’t need to be a priority for Sony this generation.
and others.
As I recall, they were working on a secret title for the last 5 years, and now that’s seemingly over.
Another damn shame, and another indication that first party content doesn’t need to be a priority for Sony this generation.
Last edited by Dan; 02-19-26 at 01:33 PM.
02-19-26 | 01:45 PM
#254
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
But that is likely what you meant by it not needing to be a priority for them.
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Dan (02-19-26)
02-19-26 | 02:27 PM
#255
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
That is absolutely shocking. I can't believe Bluepoint is getting axed.
I would have to think we'll be hearing about more closures before too much longer. If Bluepoint isn't safe, would Bend or Media Molecule be either? Assuming Fairgames goes the way it looks like, Haven probably isn't long for the world either.
I would have to think we'll be hearing about more closures before too much longer. If Bluepoint isn't safe, would Bend or Media Molecule be either? Assuming Fairgames goes the way it looks like, Haven probably isn't long for the world either.
02-19-26 | 03:46 PM
#256
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
I don’t disagree about the state of Xbox and there’s no hiding the fact that they’ve made massive and small studio closures as well. However, as poor as their console marketshare has been since the 2013 Xbox One launch, their own studio releases have been relatively consistent for the last 2-3 years, at least in comparison to the drought of years passed. Releasing the games on PlayStation has probably kept some of them in the green, but it’s kind of funny that they’re finally arguably delivering on the promise of “more games!” compared to their rivals, but it has come at a time when their entire business strategy has changed, F2P games rule the world, and the future of any new console hardware from any manufacturer is up in the air; blame AI data centers for hogging up all the RAM among other things.
03-02-26 | 10:59 AM
#257
DVD Talk God
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Th co-founder of the XBox thinks it's days are numbered and Microsoft will shutter it.
(Before any hardcore XBox user panics and had a heart attack, this is just his speculation)
https://ktla.com/news/technology/co-...-amid-ai-push/
(Before any hardcore XBox user panics and had a heart attack, this is just his speculation)
https://ktla.com/news/technology/co-...-amid-ai-push/
03-24-26 | 10:00 AM
#258
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From: Greenville, South Cackalack
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Epic is laying off more than 1,000 people.
This note was sent to Epic employees today:
Today we're laying off over 1000 Epic employees. I'm sorry we're here again. The downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we're spending significantly more than we're making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded. This layoff, together with over $500 million of identified cost savings in contracting, marketing, and closing some open roles puts us in a more stable place.
Some of the challenges we're facing are industry-wide challenges: slower growth, weaker spending, and tougher cost economics; current consoles selling less than last generation's; and games competing for time against other increasingly-engaging forms of entertainment.
And some of our challenges are unique to Epic. Despite Fortnite remaining one of the most successful games in the world, we've had challenges delivering consistent Fortnite magic with every season; we're only in the early stages of returning to mobile and optimizing Fortnite for the world's billions of smartphones; and in being the industry's vanguard we have taken a lot of bullets in a battle which is only in the early days of paying off for ourselves and all developers.
Since it's a thing now, I should note that the layoffs aren't related to AI. To the extent it improves productivity, we want to have as many awesome developers developing great content and tech as we can.
What we now need to do is clear: build awesome Fortnite experiences with fresh seasonal content, gameplay, story, and live events; accelerate developer tools with greater stability and capability as we evolve from Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN to Unreal Engine 6. And we'll be kicking off the next generation of Epic with huge launch plans towards the end of the year.
This isn't our first time being here. Epic survived upheavals in 1990's with the move from 2D to 3D with Unreal 1; in the 2000's building console games with Gears of War; and in 2012 moving to online gaming with Paragon and Fortnite. Each time, we rebuilt our foundations and earned a renewed leadership position.
Market conditions today are the most extreme we've seen since those early days, with massive upheaval in the industry accompanied by massive opportunity for the companies that come out as winners on the other side. That's what we're aiming to do for our players, and we aim to bring other like-minded developers in the industry along on the journey to build an increasingly open and vibrant future of entertainment together.
At Epic, we pride ourselves in only hiring the industry's best, so it is very painful to part with so many talented people. The folks impacted by the layoffs will receive a severance package that includes at least four months of base pay, with more based on tenure. We're also extending Epic-paid healthcare coverage.
For example, in the U.S., they'll receive paid coverage for 6 months. We'll also accelerate their stock options vesting through January 2027 and extend equity exercise options for up to two years.
We'll have a company meeting Thursday to talk about the roadmap in more detail.
-Tim
Today we're laying off over 1000 Epic employees. I'm sorry we're here again. The downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we're spending significantly more than we're making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded. This layoff, together with over $500 million of identified cost savings in contracting, marketing, and closing some open roles puts us in a more stable place.
Some of the challenges we're facing are industry-wide challenges: slower growth, weaker spending, and tougher cost economics; current consoles selling less than last generation's; and games competing for time against other increasingly-engaging forms of entertainment.
And some of our challenges are unique to Epic. Despite Fortnite remaining one of the most successful games in the world, we've had challenges delivering consistent Fortnite magic with every season; we're only in the early stages of returning to mobile and optimizing Fortnite for the world's billions of smartphones; and in being the industry's vanguard we have taken a lot of bullets in a battle which is only in the early days of paying off for ourselves and all developers.
Since it's a thing now, I should note that the layoffs aren't related to AI. To the extent it improves productivity, we want to have as many awesome developers developing great content and tech as we can.
What we now need to do is clear: build awesome Fortnite experiences with fresh seasonal content, gameplay, story, and live events; accelerate developer tools with greater stability and capability as we evolve from Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN to Unreal Engine 6. And we'll be kicking off the next generation of Epic with huge launch plans towards the end of the year.
This isn't our first time being here. Epic survived upheavals in 1990's with the move from 2D to 3D with Unreal 1; in the 2000's building console games with Gears of War; and in 2012 moving to online gaming with Paragon and Fortnite. Each time, we rebuilt our foundations and earned a renewed leadership position.
Market conditions today are the most extreme we've seen since those early days, with massive upheaval in the industry accompanied by massive opportunity for the companies that come out as winners on the other side. That's what we're aiming to do for our players, and we aim to bring other like-minded developers in the industry along on the journey to build an increasingly open and vibrant future of entertainment together.
At Epic, we pride ourselves in only hiring the industry's best, so it is very painful to part with so many talented people. The folks impacted by the layoffs will receive a severance package that includes at least four months of base pay, with more based on tenure. We're also extending Epic-paid healthcare coverage.
For example, in the U.S., they'll receive paid coverage for 6 months. We'll also accelerate their stock options vesting through January 2027 and extend equity exercise options for up to two years.
We'll have a company meeting Thursday to talk about the roadmap in more detail.
-Tim
03-24-26 | 02:22 PM
#259
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
^ terrible news.
on a much smaller scale, Dark Outlaw Games (a first party PlayStation studio that was created in March 2025) is now being shut down before releasing or even announcing a game. They join Firewalk and Bluepoint as other recent PS closures.
on a much smaller scale, Dark Outlaw Games (a first party PlayStation studio that was created in March 2025) is now being shut down before releasing or even announcing a game. They join Firewalk and Bluepoint as other recent PS closures.
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Adam Tyner (03-24-26)
03-24-26 | 02:42 PM
#260
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Th co-founder of the XBox thinks it's days are numbered and Microsoft will shutter it.
(Before any hardcore XBox user panics and had a heart attack, this is just his speculation)
https://ktla.com/news/technology/co-...-amid-ai-push/
(Before any hardcore XBox user panics and had a heart attack, this is just his speculation)
https://ktla.com/news/technology/co-...-amid-ai-push/
03-25-26 | 12:49 AM
#261
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Wow if Fortnight is having financial issues what hope is for the majority of the industry? Are kids not playing Fortnight anymore? Or are they not playing video games anymore? Maybe the Fortnight kids are in high school and busy with other things and not playing video games and they didn't capture a younger audience?
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Dan (03-25-26)
03-25-26 | 07:54 AM
#262
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
To give some context it seems like they had 5000 employees so this is a 20% cut in staff.
03-25-26 | 09:59 PM
#263
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Wow, that does put a lot of perspective on it. That is a LOT of employees.
I don't know how I didn't know they created Unreal and the powerhouse Unreal Engine. Did not know that was the Fortnight guys.
Also didn't know Tencent owns a 48.5% stake in them. They're really leaching themselves into a majority of the industry.
I don't know how I didn't know they created Unreal and the powerhouse Unreal Engine. Did not know that was the Fortnight guys.
Also didn't know Tencent owns a 48.5% stake in them. They're really leaching themselves into a majority of the industry.
