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:

• Niko Partners’ 10 major trends to watch out for in 2026 
• Nintendo dominated Japan in 2025
• Ubisoft’s latest restructuring with studio closures and project cancellations

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

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://nikopartners.com/niko-partners-2026-predictions/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-switch-2-sells-37m-units-in-japan-in-2025-accounting-for-over-half-of-home-console-sales
• https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisofts-troubled-prince-of-persia-sands-of-time-remake-is-dead-as-publisher-kills-multiple-projects-closes-studios-and-orders-staff-back-to-the-office
• https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/it-is-out-of-the-question-to-let-a-boss-run-rampant-ubisoft-workers-strike-against-disastrous-cutbacks

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.

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

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

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry.

In the first episode of 2026, we’ll be taking a look at some of the stories that could shape the industry across the next 12 months!

This week's headlines:

• Xbox suffers "worst year on record" for console sales in the UK
• Sony AI patent will see games play themselves if players are stuck
• UK games revenue rose 7.4% to hit £5.4bn in 2025

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

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox. 

Links to this week's stories:

• https://www.eurogamer.net/xbox-suffers-worst-year-on-record-for-console-sales-in-the-uk
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-ai-patent-will-see-playstation-games-play-themselves-when-players-are-stuck/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/era-uk-games-revenue-rose-74-to-hit-54bn-in-2025
• https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/01/beyond-incredibly-dumb-the-internet-doesnt-like-people-sealing-up-graded-3ds-consoles
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmlnmnwzk2o

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. 

To mark the final episode of 2025, we wanted to take a look back at the year that was and tackle the year’s biggest stories, from the rise of generative AI to the explosion in UGC content and the troubles facing AAA studios.

This Year’s Headlines:

• The rise of generative AI and the industry’s response
• Another year of layoffs, mergers, and major acquisitions
• Triple A faltered as indies, and UGC exploded in popularity

Hosted by industry experts Jack and Megan, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the year to keep you informed.

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

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:

• Netflix views Warner Bros.' game studios as "relatively minor" assets amid acquisition talks
• Tencent sells Battalion maker Bulkhead to newly-formed consortium backed by Team 17 owner
• One of Square Enix’s major shareholders drops a 100-page presentation criticising how the company is managed

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

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

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:

• Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney isn’t a fan of Steam's AI disclosure 
• Controversial surrealist horror game ‘Horses’ is refused distribution on the Epic Games Store
• Yacht Club faces a "make-or-break" situation after delaying Mina the Hollower

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

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

Links to this week’s main stories: 

• https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/epic-games-ceo-tim-sweeney-ai-disclosure-comments/
• https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/horses-banned-from-epic-games-store-hours-before-release/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/yacht-club-says-it-is-make-or-break-for-the-studio-after-delaying-mina-the-hollower

Pod Description:

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:

• The Saudi Public Investment Fund runs out of cash for games?
• Roblox’s CEO holds tense interview on child safety
• Attendees of the To The Moon Expo have spoken out about their experiences at the convention.

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

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

Stories mentioned in this episode can be found below:

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-ceo-holds-tense-interview-about-child-safety-but-insists-roblox-is-an-amazing-platform-right-now-for-your-kid
• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-savvy-games-group-s-saudi-owned-parent-fund-is-running-low-on-investable-cash
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/to-the-moon-expo-i-probably-couldve-counted-the-number-of-attendees-on-one-hand
• https://www.eurogamer.net/a-narrative-sequel-to-kill-bill-is-premiering-in-fortnite?mc_cid=66ba7c738c&mc_eid=7a6d6dd196
• https://www.pcgamesn.com/shores-of-vaelithar/steam-page?mc_cid=f538c40207&mc_eid=UNIQID
• https://www.gamesradar.com/games/steam-machine-price-more-in-line-with-what-you-might-expect-from-the-current-pc-market-confirms-valve-but-ideally-wed-be-pretty-competitive-with-that-and-have-a-pretty-good-deal/?mc_cid=5a3f3b3f6b&mc_eid=7a6d6dd196
• https://www.eurogamer.net/unbelievably-17-years-after-its-original-announcement-ubisoft-appears-to-still-be-hiring-for-beyond-good-and-evil-2

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:

• Reports from the ESA claim 43% of US kids want in-game currencies as Christmas gifts
• 70% of gacha/live-service games in Japan are discontinued by their third year on the market
• The GDC 2025 Game Industry Salary Report indicates 56% of U.S. game workers want to join a union

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

Get the Daily Download: Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

Stories mentioned in this episode can be found below:

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nearly-half-of-us-kids-want-in-game-currency-this-christmas
• https://automaton-media.com/en/news/more-than-70-of-gacha-and-live-service-games-in-japan-get-discontinued-before-their-third-year-gacha-game-researcher-finds/
• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/half-of-us-game-workers-want-to-join-an-union-survey-says
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/honored-to-be-selected-texas-based-developer-hired-by-nintendo-for-switch-2-game-updates/
• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/hypixel-acquires-hytale-back-from-riot-games
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/you-probably-didnt-expect-to-see-me-here-epic-and-unity-announce-unique-partnership/
• https://www.pcgamer.com/games/city-builder/after-the-bungled-launch-of-cities-skylines-2-paradox-interactive-and-colossal-order-part-ways-as-development-moves-to-a-new-studio/

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:

• Valve announces the Steam Machine
• ARC Raiders' controversial use of AI voice actors
• EA and The Game Awards navigate fresh PR nightmares

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

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

Stories mentioned in this episode can be found below:

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/epics-tim-sweeney-wades-into-the-arc-raiders-ai-row?mc_cid=10381475b8&mc_eid=a70eb334cb 
• https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/as-clair-obscur-expedition-33-gets-snubbed-at-the-2026-grammys-assassins-creed-and-journey-composer-says-hed-happily-trade-places-with-the-rpg/?mc_cid=c599d0f956&mc_eid=a70eb334cb 
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/playstation-experiences-h1-sales-increase-ps5-reaches-84m-in-lifetime-sales?mc_cid=10381475b8&mc_eid=a70eb334cb 
• https://www.gamereactor.eu/rumour-league-of-legends-2-could-arrive-as-soon-as-next-year-1631783/?mc_cid=10381475b8&mc_eid=a70eb334cb
• https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-announces-12-veterans-day-pack-for-battlefield-6-but-proceeds-wont-be-donated/1100-6536113/?mc_cid=1e2d517951&mc_eid=a70eb334cb 
• https://kotaku.com/sony-announces-cheaper-ps5-thats-only-for-japan-2000643085?mc_cid=1e2d517951&mc_eid=a70eb334cb 
• https://automaton-media.com/en/news/krafton-launches-voluntary-resignation-program-for-employees-as-it-transforms-into-an-ai-first-company/?mc_cid=74e9d4c05c&mc_eid=a70eb334cb 
• https://stevivor.com/news/the-game-awards-future-class-alumni-feel-neglected-program-wont-return-for-second-year/?mc_cid=74e9d4c05c&mc_eid=a70eb334cb
• https://www.gamereactor.eu/kingdom-come-deliverance-ii-surpasses-four-million-copies-sold-1633133/?mc_cid=74e9d4c05c&mc_eid=a70eb334cb 

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:

• The allegations of union-busting at Rockstar Games.
• The continued success of the Nintendo Switch 2 and what it means for Nintendo's future development plans.
• Japanese publishers banding together to fight against the use of copyrighted works in the new AI model, Sora 2.

Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

Stories mentioned in this episode can be found below:

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/iwgb-accuses-rockstar-of-union-busting-following-reported-dismissal-of-over-30-employees

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/11/switch-2-sells-over-10-million-units-nintendo-increases-forecast-even-further

https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/nintendo-shift-primary-development-focus-switch-2-shuntaro-furukawa-remarks/

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/japanese-publishers-demand-openais-sora-2-stops-using-their-copyrighted-creative-works-without-permission

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/study-says-only-72-percent-of-game-developers-reckon-that-steam-has-a-monopoly-on-pc-games-and-even-with-some-big-caveats-it-makes-me-wonder-what-the-other-28-percent-are-thinking/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/obsidian-staff-pick-an-rpg-class-when-they-join-then-level-up-receiving-gifts-for-the-next-20-years-they-work-there/

https://www.nintendolife.com/features/the-art-i-stole-from-nintendo