The Weekly 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 story:

• Rockstar Staff to Vote on Union Recognition in November
• Xbox staff among up to 60,000 Microsoft employees offered voluntary exit
• Valve has ‘a significant number’ working on Steam’s visibility dilemma but says it won’t gatekeep games made with AI

Hosted by industry experts, Alex and Yaz, 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 weekly industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4yyVI75

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/rockstar-staff-to-vote-on-union-recognition-in-november/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-staff-among-up-to-60000-microsoft-employees-offered-voluntary-exit
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/valve-has-a-significant-number-working-on-steams-visibility-dilemma-but-says-it-wont-gatekeep-games-made-with-ai/

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

This week's story:

• Report claims next Xbox could cost between $1,200 and $1,800
• PEGI begins raising age limit of loot box games to 16
• EA shuts down BioWare after over three decades

Hosted by industry experts, Tom 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 weekly industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4yyVI75

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/report-claims-next-xbox-is-targeting-2028-and-could-cost-between-1200-and-1800/
• https://www.eurogamer.net/pegi-age-ratings-16-loot-boxes-digital-only
• https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/10/rip-bioware-ea-shuts-down-storied-rpg-studio-after-over-three-decades/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/activision-qa-united-cwa-union-vote-to-authorise-strike-claims-publisher-has-failed-to-bargain-in-good-faith-over-key-issues

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 story:

• Epic's Disney project reportedly shifts to 'AI-First' development
• Ubisoft to reduce workforce across Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Mainz as part of "proposed voluntary departure plan"
• Ubisoft is also closing Trials developer RedLynx
• Xbox Announces Xbox Labs, a new team aimed at experimenting with "emerging ideas"
• Rockstar says its next game won’t take another eight years to make

Hosted by industry experts, John 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 weekly industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4yyVI75

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/no-more-hand-written-code-epic-s-disney-project-reportedly-shifts-to-ai-first-development
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-to-reduce-workforce-across-dusseldorf-berlin-and-mainz-as-part-of-proposed-voluntary-departure-plan
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-closing-trials-developer-redlynx-and-cutting-jobs-in-singapore-studio
• https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/xbox-announces-xbox-labs-a-new-team-aimed-at-experimenting-with-emerging-ideas/
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/rockstar-says-its-next-game-after-grand-theft-auto-6-wont-take-another-eight-years-to-make/

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 story:

• Paramount and Warner Bros combine gaming divisions following merger
• Some of Star Wars Zero Company’s devs have been un-furloughed
• Unity unveils a web-based AI game creation platform
• RuneScape studio pulls trailer and says partner broke its anti-AI rule

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 weekly industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4yyVI75

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/paramount-and-warner-bros-combine-gaming-divisions-following-companies-us-110-billion-merger-report/
• https://aftermath.site/star-wars-zero-company-bit-reactor-workers-furlough/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/unity-unveils-a-web-based-ai-game-creation-platform
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/runescape-studio-pulls-trailer-says-a-partner-broke-its-anti-ai-rule-without-its-knowledge-and-its-happened-before/

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 story:

• PC and Console premium revenue in H1 26 grows 5%, hitting $30B for first time

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/4yyVI75

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://sensortower.com/report/gaming-deep-dive-premium-pc-console/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 story:

• Xbox lays off 260+ jobs amid major restructuring of studio portfolio
• PC and PlayStation unit sales in Japan rose 13% during H1 2026
• Messy Roblox lawsuit includes salaries paid in Robux and ownership disputes
• Steam has already generated $15B in gross revenue this year

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/4yyVI75

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://aftermath.site/xbox-layoffs-halo-obsidian/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sensor-tower-pc-and-playstation-unit-sales-in-japan-rise-13-to-21m-during-h1-2026-led-by-resident-evil-requiem
• https://aftermath.site/tower-defense-simulator-roblox-lawsuit/
• https://alineaanalytics.substack.com/p/steam-has-already-generated-15b-in

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 story:

• New IGN layoffs hit multiple departments and long-time hosts
• Apple is reportedly developing iPhone game controllers
• Mindseye developer Build a Rocket Boy faces new layoffs and potential closure
• Sega and Netflix announce partnership to develop Crazy Taxi, Sonic, and Stranger Than Heaven adaptations

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/4yyVI75

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://kotaku.com/sources-ign-layoffs-hit-multiple-departments-and-long-time-hosts-2000734361
• https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/apple-reportedly-developing-iphone-game-controllers/
• https://www.polygon.com/mindseye-developer-build-a-rocket-boy-layoffs-studio-shutdown/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sega-and-netflix-announce-partnership-to-develop-crazy-taxi-sonic-and-stranger-than-heaven-adaptations

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 story:

• Blizzard union workers ratify historic contract covering 1900 employees
• European game developers are more concerned that AI will pressure them to work faster rather than take their job
• Capcom says it will focus on reviving dormant IPs after Onimusha: Way of the Sword's breakout launch

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 today’s talking points:

• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/blizzard-union-workers-ratify-historic-contract-covering-1-900-employees
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/european-game-developers-are-more-concerned-that-ai-will-pressure-them-to-work-faster-rather-than-take-their-job
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/capcom-says-it-will-focus-on-reviving-dormant-ips-after-onimusha-way-of-the-swords-breakout-launch

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 story:

• Sony faces lawsuits over PlayStation Store disclosures and establishing a digital game monopoly
• Bit Reactor furloughed "many of its workers" ahead of Star Wars Zero Company’s launch 
• CD Projekt Red sees profit climb 37% in H1 2026
• GTA 6: An Extended Look got 31.1M Netflix views and topped charts in most countries

Hosted by industry experts, Tom and Yaz, 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 today’s talking points:

• https://www.polygon.com/sony-playstation-lawsuit-digital-game-monopoly/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/bit-reactor-furloughed-many-of-its-workers-in-the-weeks-before-star-wars-zero-companys-launch
• https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/investors/result-center/?accounting-year=2026
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/netflix-says-gta-6-an-extended-look-got-31-1-million-views-and-topped-its-charts-in-nearly-every-country/

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 story:

• Xbox to let players convert physical discs into digital games
• Ubisoft debuts Player Council platform to expand early development feedback
• Global games market predicted to generate $213.9bn in 2026, up 6.1% YoY

Hosted by industry experts, Tom and Yaz, 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 today’s talking points:

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-to-let-insiders-convert-physical-game-discs-into-digital-entitlements-later-this-month,
• https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-opens-up-on-future-of-physical-games-for-next-generation-console-project-helix
• http://www.gamasutra.com/business/ubisoft-debuts-player-council-platform-to-expand-early-game-development-feedback
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/newzoo-global-games-market-to-generate-2139bn-in-2026-up-61-yoy