The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Microcast: AI voice acting and too many games Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

James Batchelor and Chris Dring once again discuss some of the biggest stories from the past week, including the divisive agreement between union SAG-AFTRA and AI voice tech firm Replica Studios to use AI voice acting in video games.

The discussion inevitably extends to the broader implications of AI, including Steam's revised policies that will allow "the vast majority of games using it" to launch on the leading PC marketplace.

We also discuss comments from our recent interview with Nacon head of publishing Benoit Clerc as to whether there are too many games on the market.

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Microcast: Layoffs and AI debates kick off 2024 Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Chris Dring and James Batchelor return with our weekly dive into the biggest news stories from the business of video games.

2024 has barely started and the ongoing trend of layoffs across the games industry continues. We discuss some of the wider factors that are driving this, and what else we can expect in the year ahead.

We also discuss recent stories about the use of generative AI in promotional art, including an ID@Xbox image that was published before the holidays, and the recent report of a former Activision exec suing the Call of Duty publisher for discrimination against "old white guys."

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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Games of the Year 2023 Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

For our final podcast of the year, The GamesIndustry.biz team gathers around their mics to discuss their favourite games of the past twelve months.

You may well have read our extended thoughts in our Games of the Year articles, and this conversation wraps things up, as well as gives some nods to our honourable mentions.

From the relaxing trials of Pikmin 4 to the freeform adventures of Baldur's Gate 3, from the political commentary and fast-paced gameplay of Bomb Rush Cyberfunk to the creepy and compelling narrative of Alan Wake 2, listen in as we discuss the best games of 2023.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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2023 in review Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

The GamesIndustry.biz team gathers around their mics to reflect on the past year, as well as the biggest stories and trends we've covered.

The discussion inevitably begins with the waves of layoffs we've seen throughout 2023, and what they say about both the state of the industry and what we can expect in 2024.

We also discuss the debate around using AI in games development, the quality of games released this year, and the implications of the Epic vs Google trial (note: this was recorded before this week's verdict).

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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Microcast: GTA 6 reveal, The Game Awards 2023 Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss the biggest stories of the past week, on (potentially) our final Microcast of 2023.

Today's discussion begins with the reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, from the changes at Rockstar since GTA 5 to the sales expectations and potential impact the game will have on 2024 and 2025, plus our own thoughts on this first look at the game.

We also discuss this year's The Game Awards, including the range of winners, the discourse around developers' winners speeches, and the many balancing acts involved when organising an event like this.

Finally, we discuss Lego Fortnite, and how it fits into both Epic's plans to transform its multiplayer titles into a platform and Lego's ongoing efforts to work closer with the games industry.

All this in just 25(ish) minutes.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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Microcast: Game Pass on rival consoles, Microsoft's mobile store Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

Chris Dring and James Batchelor discuss the biggest stories of the past week, starting with the mixed messages over whether Xbox Game Pass is heading to Nintendo and PlayStation consoles.

While Xbox CFO Tim Stuart said last week that this is part of the company's long-term strategy (echoing comments from Xbox boss Phil Spencer five years ago), Spencer has since said this is not on the cards. Which is unsurprising given the number of obstacles such a move would need to overcome (as Rob Fahey discussed in his latest column).

The episode also discusses the ongoing trend of companies focusing on their core strengths in the face of economic uncertainty, as explored in the latest edition of This Week In Business.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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Microcast: Embracer restructure, the value of games, PlayStation Portal Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

On our latest Microcast, James Batchelor and Chris Dring discuss the fallout of Embracer Group's ongoing restructure, as revealed by its recent financial results that confirmed over 900 people were laid off in the space of three months.

We discuss the strategy that led directly to Embracer's struggles, as well as whether these issues are a sign of further turbulent times to come for the wider industry.

The conversation also covers the value of video games, a discussion prompted by recent comments by Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, and Chris gives us his first impressions of the PlayStation Portal.

As always, you can be more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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Microcast: Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal dated, Modern Warfare 3 development woes? Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast returns, bringing you a digestible dose of the biggest news and analysis from the business of video games.

On this episode, James Batchelor and Christopher Dring discuss the upcoming reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, and how the development team behind it has changed since the launch of the record-breaking Grand Theft Auto 5 back in 2013.

We also discuss the reports regarding the allegedly strained development of Modern Warfare 3 (reports that Sledgehammer Games has since denied), and the position the Call of Duty brand finds itself in as it receives the lowest review scores in the series' history.

You can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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Microcast: Xbox leak Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

James Batchelor and Chris Dring dive into the implications of this week's Xbox leak - and debate whether the industry truly learned anything of value.

Among the revelations discussed are Microsoft targeting 2028 for its next Xbox console, full details of two mid-generation refreshes for Xbox Series X and S that are expected to launch next year, a hybrid cloud gaming platform due to launch by 2028, Bethesda's future line-up of games, and Spencer's ambition to acquire Nintendo.

We also ponder the impact of leaks in general, and whether the industry can change how it communicates about its products in order to negate any damage done by early reveals.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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Microcast: Unity Runtime Fee Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

James Batchelor and Brendan Sinclair dive into the backlash around Unity's proposed Runtime Fee.

As the industry waits for the engine provider's revised plan to charge developers for every install of their game (past certain thresholds), we look at how Unity could have handled both the announcement and the need for more revenue in a different way.

We also discuss the impact on developers and their trust in the tech firm, as well as the games industry's concerning reliance on two engine providers.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz

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