Folks combating again towards their company overlords, extra juicy Krafton gossip, and (however after all) layoffs galore. The online game trade stays depressingly predictable in some areas, however there are glimmers of hope when you look onerous sufficient.
This week, union members at ZeniMax On-line Studios stood agency towards their dad or mum firm Microsoft within the face of yet one more spherical of layoffs, lambasting the Xbox maker for upending their lives and failing to help the very individuals who helped the corporate earn billions in income. Throughout the pond, workers at Secret 6 Madrid instructed us how they’re dealing with a studio closure in solidarity with one another—regardless of allegedly being “left to die” by proprietor Testronic.
It is heartening to see folks calling out the flagrant mismanagement that has led to so many debilitating layoffs—however the reality stays: extra are undoubtedly coming.
Simply this week, Virtuos laid off 7 % of its world workforce shortly after their groups acquired large plaudits for wrangling Oblivion Remastered into being with poise and panache. For the second week operating, Microsoft remained tight-lipped concerning the true scale of its gaming layoffs, however new rumblings point out workers are being changed by AI instruments on the firm’s cell studio, King.
As at all times, we’ll dig into all of that and extra beneath, however on the off probability you occur to be studying this with a glass of your choicest beverage in hand, how a few fast toast to the builders making video video games world wide? Could they in the future obtain all of the plaudits, respect, and monetary rewards they undoubtedly deserve.
by way of 404 media // Steam has up to date its pointers to ban builders from publishing titles that “could violate the principles and requirements” outlined by fee processors and associated card networks and banks. The platform mentioned it is a tweak that may largely influence “sure sorts of grownup content material.” The change is there for all to see on the Steamworks web site, however 404 Media has printed a sturdy breakdown of the state of affairs by leaning on knowledge from SteamDB to have a look at how the change is already impacting the favored PC storefront.
by way of Sport Developer // Krafton stays at loggerheads with the ousted founders of Subnautica developer Unknown Worlds. Final week, the previous management crew claimed Krafton delayed Subnautica 2 and kicked them to the curb to keep away from paying a $250M earnout. All three co-founders subsequently introduced plans to file a lawsuit towards the writer. Effectively, they made good on that promise and in a public (and barely redacted) model of the lawsuit have alleged that Krafton went ‘nuclear’ in its makes an attempt to grab management of Unknown Worlds and delay Subnautica 2. Our writeup consists of all of wildest allegations—which Krafton has beforehand refuted by claiming the Unknown Worlds execs had been fired for abandoning their duties. Refill your popcorn bucket as a result of this very public spat is just simply getting began.
by way of Sport Developer // Staff at Secret 6 Madrid have spoken out towards dad or mum firm Testronic in a large ranging dialog with Sport Developer forward of the workplace’s purported closure. Throughout our chat, a number of workers claimed the artwork outsourcing studio was sabotaged by Testronic, which is accused of neglecting to offer contract work to the crew and stopping them from promoting their companies to purchasers instantly to be able to drive their closure. The larger image, defined those that spoke with us, is that Testronic desires to deal with Secret 6’s different workplace in Manila, the place working situations are “way more precarious and wages a lot decrease.” Testronic has but to answer our repeated requests for remark. In the meantime, Secret 6 Madrid staff have confirmed they’ll strike if the corporate does not meet their calls for for truthful severance.
by way of Sport Developer // Unionized staff at ZeniMax On-line Studios have lambasted dad or mum firm Microsoft over its resolution to make a big (however unknown) variety of staff redundant throughout Xbox Sport Studios. It is the fourth main layoff spherical the corporate has wrought since merging with Activision Blizzard for nearly $70 billion, and staff at The Elder Scrolls On-line maker mentioned they really feel their “future has been stolen” by their dad or mum firm. Though they confirmed no one within the union has been laid off but—largely as a result of it stays in negotiations with Microsoft over the cuts—it is attainable that some members shall be impacted. “The place Microsoft has didn’t help the proficient craftspeople who’ve generated billions in income, our union has stepped as much as present readability and help,” learn a press release printed on social media. Microsoft has but to touch upon the dimensions of the cuts inside its online game division particularly.
by way of mobilegamer.biz // Talking of these Microsoft layoffs… a number of sources have instructed mobilegamer.biz that Sweet Crush developer King, which is below the possession of the U.S. tech big, is jettisoning various workers to interchange them with the very AI instruments they created and skilled. Bloomberg beforehand reported that 200 folks can be made redundant at King, and a number of sources now declare morale is within the “gutter” as the corporate prepares to supplant its human workforce with AI automatons. “The actual fact AI instruments are changing folks is totally disgusting nevertheless it’s all about effectivity and earnings although the corporate is doing nice total,” mentioned one supply. It is a sentiment we suspect will sound worryingly acquainted to quite a lot of builders.
by way of SGDQ on Bluesky // In case you wanted a bit of cheering up, here is a reminder of how video video games and the broader trade can nonetheless be an immense drive for good. Summer season Video games Completed Fast 2025 completed earlier this week after elevating a colossal $2,436,614 for humanitarian group Docs With out Borders. The annual pace operating occasion continues to display that there are many folks with coronary heart and empathy throughout the online game trade. Oh, I ponder how the world may be if a couple of extra of them had been sitting in C-suites. Congrats and thanks to everybody concerned.
by way of Sport Developer // UCG platform and youngster labor pioneer, Roblox, has rolled out a brand new licensing platform to let creators construct and monetize experiences primarily based on main franchises like Stranger Issues, Like a Dragon, Squid Sport, Noticed, Now You See Me, Divergent, and Twilight. Platform proprietor Roblox Corp has partnered with various IP holders (with extra to return, apparently) so customers can license their properties when creating their very own Roblox jaunts. Creators will solely have the ability to license an IP in the event that they meet the calls for of their respective homeowners. Sega, for example, desires to know creators are able to pulling in over 1,000 each day energetic customers earlier than granting them permission to make use of the Like a Dragon license. Netflix, in the meantime, has opened Squid Sport and Stranger Issues to even the smallest creator—though their income share providing is not fairly as beneficiant as their friends. Extra on that within the full story.
by way of virtuos // It is necessary to cite corporations instantly after they announce a whole lot of layoffs to underline simply how vacuous their statements have turn out to be. Yesterday, world recreation service supplier Virtuos mentioned it should make a whole lot of individuals redundant so it will possibly (and right here comes the punchline) “strengthen” its providing in “high-value co-development.” Virtuos at the moment employs over 4,200 folks in line with its web site, so you possibly can count on a hefty chunk of its workforce to be punted out the door. The corporate has confirmed the layoffs will influence about 200 roles in Asia and 70 in Europe—however said that quantity consists of “fewer than 10 in France” the place the core crew engaged on acclaimed title Oblivion Remastered is situated. Are folks meant to rely that as a win?
