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:

• Bain & Co: Research shows only one in five players seek out new titles
• Launching PS6 and Xbox Helix at $1,000 could lead to a nearly 40% drop in sales over five years, analyst warns

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: https://bit.ly/4yyVI75

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/bain-co-research-shows-only-one-in-five-players-seek-out-new-titles
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/launching-ps6-and-xbox-helix-at-1000-could-lead-to-a-nearly-40-drop-in-sales-over-five-years-analyst-warns/

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 puts GTA VI extended look trailer behind Netflix paywall
• Supermassive Games is laying off up to 75 staff to ensure sustainability
• Square Enix Q1 profit soars following FF7: Rebirth launch on Switch 2 and Xbox
• Saber Interactive denies replacing writer with ChatGPT on its new driving game

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

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://www.ign.com/articles/if-youre-not-a-netflix-subscriber-you-definitely-should-be-take-two-boss-teases-grand-theft-auto-vi-an-extended-look
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/dark-pictures-anthology-studio-supermassive-games-is-laying-off-up-to-75-staff-to-ensure-sustainability/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/square-enix-q1-profit-soars-following-final-fantasy-7-rebirth-launch-on-switch-2-and-xbox
• https://www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/saber-interactive-denies-replacing-writer-with-chatgpt-on-its-new-driving-game-but-says-it-will-use-ai-as-the-number-of-passengers-in-the-game-is-infinite/
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-says-the-elder-scrolls-6-is-incredible-as-bethesda-protesters-put-up-giant-rat-outside-building/

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

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://www.gamesindustry.biz/microsoft-confirms-increased-xbox-prices-in-the-uk-and-europe
• https://www.eurogamer.net/ea-aquisition-55-complete-saudi-arabia-jared-kushner-private
• https://www.dexerto.com/roblox/roblox-loses-70-billion-in-value-as-company-blames-lack-of-viral-games-3395064/
• https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/nintendo-q1-operating-profit-jumps-151-beating-analyst-estimates-2026-08-06/
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-is-reportedly-putting-warning-labels-on-ps5s-about-decision-to-ditch-discs/

This week's story:

• Layoffs will affect 14,259 people by the end of 2026
• Subnautica and PUBG drive Krafton Q2 revenue up 94.9%
• EA boss awarded $38.6M after a year of franchise success, studio layoffs, and GenAI adoption
• Bethesda Union accuses Fallout developer of violating Canadian labour laws

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 weekly newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4yyVI75

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/new-data-suggests-layoffs-will-affect-14259-people-by-the-end-of-2026-up-78-from-first-forecast-of-the-year
• https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/subnautica-2-is-responsible-for-kraftons-record-second-quarter-performance-despite-the-messy-legal-battle-and-accusations-of-sabotage/
• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/ea-boss-awarded-38-6m-after-year-of-franchise-success-studio-layoffs-and-genai-adoption
• https://www.eurogamer.net/generative-ai-100-percent-japanese-online-game-developers
• https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/bethesda-union-accuses-fallout-developer-of-violating-canadian-labour-laws/

This week's story:

• Nintendo says it has no legal duty to pass tariff refunds on to consumers
• June 2026 spending in the US slumps following Switch 2's record launch
• Disco Elysium and Zero Parades studio ZA/UM to lay off staff
• Only seven PS5 games have sold 100K+ disc copies in the US 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://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-says-it-shouldnt-have-to-pay-back-players-if-it-gets-tariff-refunds-from-the-us-government/
• https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3mraew23qqc2s
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/32-workers-at-zaum-laid-off-following-release-of-zero-parades-for-dead-spies
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/only-seven-playstation-games-have-sold-more-than-100000-physical-copies-in-the-us-this-year-analyst-says/
• https://gamehistory.org/e3-history/

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 announces it will end physical disc production by January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles
• Microsoft confirms 3200 layoffs alongside four studio divestments in major shakeup for Xbox

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://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/physical-disc-production-ending-in-january-2028-for-new-games-releasing-on-playstation-consoles/
• https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/07/06/resetting-xbox/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/original-switch-console-lineup-to-be-discontinued-in-europe-by-mid-february-2027
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/video-game-history-foundation-calls-on-the-esa-to-find-a-way-to-legally-preserve-digital-only-games-for-research/

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:

• Compulsion Games, Double Fine and Ninja Theory are all at risk of closure 
• EA launches new advertising platform for brands
• Tribunal rules against Rockstar's request to amend ongoing legal dispute

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.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-is-reportedly-considering-closing-south-of-midnight-studio-compulsion-games-with-double-fine-and-ninja-theory-also-allegedly-at-risk
• https://www.eurogamer.net/ea-advertising-ads-in-game-content-integrations
• https://www.eurogamer.net/gta-6-rockstar-legal-dispute-blacklisting-claims
• https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/nintendo-japan-issues-switch-2-purchase-conditions-to-combat-scalpers/
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/epic-reveals-unreal-engine-6-is-integrating-ai-models-so-developers-can-reduce-tedious-work/

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:

• Switch 2 sales drop in Japan following big surge ahead of cost revisions
• Xbox is reportedly planning major layoffs for the fourth year in a row
• Ubisoft conducts more layoffs + closes Winnipeg and Belgrade studios

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.gamesindustry.biz/switch-2-sales-drop-87-in-japan-following-surge-ahead-of-cost-revisions
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-is-reportedly-planning-major-layoffs-as-sharma-tells-staff-we-need-to-reassess-our-priorities/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/yet-more-layoffs-reported-at-ubisoft-this-time-in-san-francisco

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:

• HoYoverse to invest up to $14.6bn in AI for in-house tools
• Microsoft to pay $250M to Activision Blizzard shareholders
• Payment for some TheGamer staff is now tied to per-article sessions

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: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

Links to today’s talking points:

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/hoyoverse-to-invest-up-to-146bn-in-ai-for-in-house-tools
• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-payment-for-thegamer-writers-now-tied-to-per-article-sessions
• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/microsoft-to-pay-250m-to-settle-lawsuit-filed-by-aggrieved-activision-blizzard-shareholders
• https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/most-of-bungies-staff-were-reportedly-unaware-of-the-decision-to-end-active-development-on-destiny-2-until-it-went-public
• https://news.instant-gaming.com/en/articles/19739-paralives-has-sold-250-000-copies-in-eight-hours
• https://automaton-media.com/en/news/two-japanese-men-arrested-over-alleged-213k-usd-pokemon-card-heist-targeting-delivery-vehicle/

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:

• Sony won't be bringing any more single-player games to PC
• Nintendo denied touchscreen-specific patent in Pocketpair fight
• Wizards of the Coast ends partnership with Giant Skull

Hosted by industry experts, Alex Beech and Yaz Brookes, 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.gamesindustry.biz/sony-wont-be-bringing-any-more-single-player-games-to-pc-says-playstation-studios-boss
• https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-pocketpair-palworld-touchscreen-patent
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/wizards-of-the-coast-ends-partnership-with-giant-skull
• https://www.gamesradar.com/games/adventure/lego-batman-legacy-of-the-dark-knights-metacritic-score-makes-it-the-best-rated-lego-game-ever-knocking-the-skywalker-saga-off-its-perch-after-4-years/
• https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-expanded-its-workforce-by-over-200-employees-in-the-past-year-with-further-plans-for-upsizing/
• https://automaton-media.com/en/news/krafton-says-it-was-actually-able-to-raise-birth-rates-among-its-employees-through-60k-usd-per-newborn-incentive-and-other-measures/