This week on GameBurst, the team digs into a turbulent moment for the games industry, with fresh blows to both big studios and beloved franchises.

Epic Games confirmed it is cutting more than 1,000 jobs — its second major round of redundancies in three years — as Fortnite engagement continues to slide and spending outpaces income. CEO Tim Sweeney was clear that AI had no role in the decision. Meanwhile, Nintendo has reportedly slashed Switch 2 production by a third following disappointing US holiday sales, with a thin software line-up taking much of the blame.

In France, four Nacon-owned studios — including Spiders, Cyanide, and Kylotonn — have filed for judicial reorganisation following their parent company's own insolvency earlier this year, putting more than 320 jobs at risk across some of the country's most recognisable development teams.

On a brighter note, Life is Strange: Reunion launches today, bringing Max and Chloe's decade-long story to a close with a complete, non-episodic experience. Mojang, meanwhile, had a big week: Minecraft Dungeons II was announced for autumn 2026, and a £50m Minecraft-themed land is heading to Chessington World of Adventures in 2027 — rollercoaster included. The GDC rebranded itself as the Festival of Gaming and welcomed Hideo Kojima back to the keynote stage for the first time in five years.

In Pick of the Week, Gary shares his experience of his first live DJ set in Southampton, Jerome has been deep in Magic the Gathering: Commander, and Taylor picked up Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor – Deluxe Edition.

#gameburst

🔗 Links from this episode:

• Epic Games — Today's Layoffs
• Nintendo Switch 2 production cuts — Game Developer
• Nacon studio insolvencies — Game Developer
• Life is Strange: Reunion — VGC
• Minecraft Dungeons II — Shacknews
• Minecraft World at Chessington — ITV News London
• GDC Festival of Gaming — Game Developer