The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry.
 
This week's headlines:

• Saudi Arabia's PIF to transfer $12bn in shares to Savvy Games Group
• Merger and acquisition activity dropped to $500m in Q4 2025
• Stellar Blade director says AI is “essential” to compete with bigger studios as Games Workshop prohibits AI use in its products

Hosted by industry experts Tom and Alex, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.

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Links to today’s talking points:

• https://www.pocketgamer.biz/saudi-arabias-pif-to-transfer-12bn-in-gaming-shares-to-savvy-games-group/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/aream-co-ma-activity-dropped-to-500m-in-q4-2025
• https://www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/games-workshop-says-its-senior-managers-arent-excited-about-ai-prohibits-its-use-and-laments-that-its-included-on-our-phones-or-laptops-whether-we-like-it-or-not/
• https://automaton-media.com/en/news/stellar-blade-director-says-using-ai-will-be-essential-for-competing-with-overwhelming-manpower-of-china-and-us-developers/
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-first-lego-pokemon-sets-have-been-revealed-including-a-650-charizard-blastoise-and-venusaur-statue/
• https://www.eurogamer.net/forza-horizon-5-ps5-port-tops-5-million-sales-securing-300m-in-additional-sales-for-xbox