The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How Twitch failed to create a safe space for staff and streamers Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

Matt, Brendan, Rebekah and James are on hand to discuss the biggest stories of the week -- or, in this instance, story.

We delve deeper into Brendan's extensive exposé on the toxic culture at Twitch, which extends across both the office and the site itself.

The team explores a story that ranges from allegations of sexual assault and racism to defaction on the walls and a relaxed attitude to the Klu Klux Klan, as we debate how other companies can learn from Twitch's mistakes.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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The Game Developers' Playlist: Ultima 7 with Megan Fox Oct 08, 2020

Show notes

The Game Developers' Playlist is a special series of The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast in which we talk with developers about the titles that influenced their careers.

This time, we have Megan Fox -- founder of Skatebird developer Glass Bottom Games -- discussing the impact of Ultima 7, the 1992 systems-driven RPG.

Fox reflects on how the use of the game's systems opened up player freedom, and the evolution of similar mechanics in genres such as survival games.

The Game Developer's Playlist is an extension of a series we run on the site called Why I Love, in which developers explore their favourite games.

Title music by Julian Villareal.

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Cybercrunch 2077 and Pokémon Stay Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

Rebekah, Marie and James are on hand to discuss the biggest stories of the past week.

We start with the disappointing but perhaps inevitable news that -- despite promises of 'non-obligatory crunch' and multiple delays to the game - CD Projekt Red is forcing the Cyberpunk 2077 developers to work six-day weeks in the run-up to its November 19 launch.

Then we're joined by Eurogamer's Lottie Lynn to discuss the impact of changes Niantic made to Pokémon Go to account for the pandemic -- and how it will likely affect the game now many of these are becoming permanent.

Finally, we take a look at the early success of Chinese-developed free-to-play epic Genshim Impact, as well as sharing our initial impressions of the game widely described as a Breath of the Wild clone.

As always, you can get more news, analysis and insight into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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Microsoft's game-changing acquisition Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

Rebekah, Brendan and Marie are on hand to discuss the biggest stories of the week -- which, of course, means Microsoft's acquistion of Bethesda parent ZeniMax Media.

The platform holder splashed $7.5 billion on the Fallout and Elder Scrolls publisher, but what wider implications does this deal have? We discuss the impact on Game Pass, on the Bethesda IP that struggled at retail but may now have renewed hope, how this affects Microsoft's ability to compete with Sony, and the consequences of industry consolidation.

Then we turn our attention to the surprise announcement (despite long-running rumours) of Amazon's Luna cloud gaming service. We weigh up whether Amazon can compete with Xbox, PlayStation and Google in the games streaming space, and question the lack of hype in the run-up to its unveiling.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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The Five Games Of... Debbie Bestwick Sep 25, 2020

Show notes

The Five Games Of is a special spin-off series of The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast that charts the evolution of the industry through the careers and games of prominent developers and more.

This month's guest is Debbie Bestwick, CEO and owner of UK-based indie label Team17, whose first game was released in 1991.

On the show we discuss this and other formative titles, the changing opportunities for indie developers over the years, shifting attitudes at publishers, and how the very first Worms game was developed on a calculator.

The weekly news show will be back on Monday, and you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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PlayStation, pre-orders and preparing for next-gen Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

Matt, Rebekah, Brendan and USGamer's Mike Williams discuss the biggest news of the past week.

We start with the PS5 launch plans and confusion over pre-orders, and move on to our wider thoughts about the next console generation.

With both platform holders offering digital-only consoles, what does this mean for the concept of ownership during the upcoming generation? And how does the rise of subscriptions factor into this?

Finally, we go round the table and share which next-gen machine most appeals to us.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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Xbox shows its hand Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

This week, James, Brendan, Rebekah and Chris discuss the biggest news of the past week, which is, unsurprisingly, Xbox.

The platform holder announced its long-rumoured Xbox Series S model at $299, priced the Xbox Series X at $499, detailed the Xbox All Access payment plan for both models, gave a November 10 launch date, and revealed that the EA Play library will be added to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate later this year.

With all the pieces in place for the launch of Microsoft's fourth console generation, we discuss how the platform holder is trying to reshape the business, who the audience for the Series S might be, and whether Sony might respond to the EA Play deal, among other things.

And then we somehow masterfully manage to steer the last third of the episode to talking about Nintendo.

As always, you can get the latest news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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The Game Developers' Playlist: RPG Maker with Davionne Gooden Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

The Game Developers' Playlist returns with a look at RPG Maker.

In this new monthly show, developers join us to discuss the games that influenced their careers.

This episode features Davionne Gooden, the indie developer behind the upcoming She Dreams Elsewhere, talking about how tinkering with RPG Maker motivated him to make a living making games.

The Game Developer's Playlist is an extension of a series we run on the site called Why I Love, in which developers explore their favourite games. You can find these articles here.

Title music by Julian Villareal.

As always, you can get your daily dose of news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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The future of Unity Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

Matt, Brendan, James and USGamer's Mike Williams gather around their mics to discuss the biggest industry news of the past week.

Our first big discussion this week is Unity's long-awaited IPO. Having delved deeply into the filing, Brendan discovered some little known and surprising facts about the company behind the widely-used engine.

We discuss these revelations and ponder the future of Unity as it targets a potential growth area of £29 billion - but has its biggest competitor got there first?

Then we discuss the recent statement of support from 2K Games following the NBA's protest over the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Major publishers already made similar statements and accompanying charity donations in the wake of George Floyd's murder earlier this year, but what more can the industry do to make an impact and drive positive change?

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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The Five Games Of... Mike Bithell Aug 28, 2020

Show notes

This is the first episode in a new spin-off series of The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast, charting the evolution of the industry through the games and careers of prominent professionals.

In this monthly show, we'll be joined by developers, composers, writers, publishers and other members of the games industry to discuss five games they have worked on: their first, their last, and three of their choice.

Around each title, we'll be exploring how the business of video games has changed, the lessons that have been learned and areas that still need improvement.

To kick off this series, we're joined by indie developer Mike Bithell, best known for Thomas Was Alone and his most recent hit John Wick Hex.

Don't forget to download our weekly news discussion show every Monday, as well as our other spin-off The Games Developers' Playlist, in which game creators discuss the titles that had the biggest impact on them.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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