Microsoft is making sweeping changes to Game Pass, seemingly to avoid bleeding out on Call of Duty sales. Also: Circana report for May 2024, SAG-AFTRA updates, more Embracer and Paradox cuts, out of control EA executive pay in the face of layoffs, and more.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:13] - SAG-AFTRA Updates Independent Development Contracts
• [00:06:42] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for May 2024
• [00:13:33] - Microsoft Makes Big Changes to Game Pass
• [00:28:56] - Investment Interlude
• [00:44:06] - Quick Hits
• [00:47:48] - Labor Report

SOURCES

• Life By You is Cancelled | Paradox Forums
• Paradox Interactive to close down Paradox Tectonic | Paradox
• Former Paradox Dev comments on Life by You Cancelation | Willem Delventhal on LinkedIn
• Cities Skylines 2 - Console Development Status | Paradox Forums
• Pieces Interactive has Been Shuttered by Embracer Group | Pieces Interactive
• Embracer-owned Gothic, Risen and ELEX developer Piranha Bytes closes | Eurogamer
• Former Piranha Bytes devs form Pithead Studio | GamesIndustry
• Galvanic Games is Closing Down | Galvanic Games (@GalvanicGames) on Twitter
• GOODBYE, HEROES OF ARMANTIA AND KOJI VILLAGERS | Challengers Games
• Gameloft Toronto staff laid off after studio 'substantially' reduces production activity | Game Developer
• Perfect World cuts staff in multi-unit layoffs, reportedly suspends game projects | Game Developer
• Network N lays off eight from games marketing agency Project N | GamesIndustry
• Gamurs Group reportedly lays off unknown number of staff | GamesIndustry
• EA execs earned $60 million in 2024 despite layoffs and office closures | Game Developer

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Capcom Makes Minimum Studios Co., Ltd. a Subsidiary Through Share Acquisition | Capcom
• Keywords Studios reaches £2.2bn acquisition agreement with Swedish investment company EQT | GamesIndustry
• Daybreak Games, Singularity 6 to Collaborate on Development of Palia | Daybreak Games
• Arc System Works opens European branch | Arc Systems Works EU (@ASW_Official_EU) on Twitter
• Dutch publisher Mystic Forge nets €2 million to help indies get to market | Game Developer
• Kwalee makes minority investment in Devolver Digital | GamesIndustry
• PULLUP Entertainment Announces its results for the 2023/24 financial year | Pullup
• Series Entertainment and Pixelberry | Pixelberry
• Stellar Blade developer Shift Up raises $320m in IPO | GamesIndustry