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 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

Welcome back to The Weekly Download! Brought to you by Big Games Machine, industry experts Jack and Tom are once again going to speedrun you through the biggest stories of the week. 

In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing Xbox’s declaration that TikTok is its biggest competitor, the Roblox creator who is suing a Fortnite copycat, and Netflix’s closure of Boss Fight Entertainment and partnership with Don’t Nod Games.

Prefer your news in written form? Eager for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of the most intriguing developments in the global video games industry delivered fresh to your inbox daily? Be sure to subscribe to The Daily Download.

Stories mentioned in this episode can be found below: 

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xboxs-biggest-competition-isnt-another-console-but-tiktok-and-movies-claims-exec/

https://www.eurogamer.net/robloxs-steal-a-brainrot-creator-sues-copycat-fortnite-creative-game-stealing-brainrots

https://www.theverge.com/news/806303/netflix-squid-game-unleashed-boss-fight-entertainment-studio-shut-down

https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/dont-nod-netflix-development-partnership-announcement/

https://www.reddit.com/r/NASCAR/comments/1ojic17/the_nascar_25_creator_series_is_off_to_a_really/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/new-world-is-officially-ending-development-following-huge-amazon-layoffs/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/pokemon-legends-z-a-got-off-to-a-strong-start-in-the-us-with-the-best-first-week-physical-sales-in-two-and-a-half-years/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-is-releasing-a-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-vinyl-box-set-in-the-west-to-gauge-the-demand-for-physical-soundtracks-there/

Welcome back to The Weekly Download! Brought to you by Big Games Machine, industry experts Jack and Tom are once again going to speedrun you through the biggest stories of the week. 

In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the departure of Remedy CEO Tero Virtala, analysing Xbox’s latest comments on console exclusivity, and examining the recent success of Escape from Duckov and the relationship between Chinese gamers and Steam.

Prefer your news in written form? Eager for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of the most intriguing developments in the global video games industry delivered fresh to your inbox daily? Be sure to subscribe to The Daily Download.

Stories mentioned in this episode can be found below: 

• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/remedy-ceo-tero-virtala-steps-down-after-nine-years
• https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/10/xbox-boss-believes-sonys-strategy-of-console-exclusives-is-antiquated
• https://www.gematsu.com/2025/10/escape-from-duckov-sales-top-one-million
• https://www.dexerto.com/counter-strike-2/cs2-skin-update-rug-pulls-collectors-as-1-billion-wiped-from-market-cap-3273322/
• https://www.polygon.com/ea-shutting-down-the-sims-mobile/?mc_cid=b9e9305713&mc_eid=a70eb334cb
• https://automaton-media.com/en/news/steam-wishlist-to-sales-study-shows-how-genre-release-timing-and-reviews-affect-success-nsfw-games-show-unusually-high-conversion-rate/

Welcome back to The Weekly Download! Brought to you by Big Games Machine, industry experts Jack and Tom will again speedrun you through the biggest stories of the week. 

In today’s episode, we’ll analyse the potential impact of the reported leaks/hacks at Nintendo and the Pokémon company, the latest major shakeup at Ubisoft following the announcement of its new Tencent-backed studio, and the ongoing legal fight between Sony and Tencent over the latter’s Horizon-esque game, Light of Motiram.

Prefer your news in written form? Eager for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of the most intriguing developments in the global video games industry delivered fresh to your inbox daily? Be sure to subscribe to The Daily Download! 

Main stories mentioned in this episode can be found below: 

https://www.engadget.com/another-game-freak-leak-claims-to-show-the-pokemon-roadmap-205503195.html

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/nintendo-responds-to-reported-crimson-collective-hack-with-official-statement

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/assassins-creed-franchise-lead-marc-alexis-cote-exits-ubisoft-after-20-years

https://www.eurogamer.net/sony-fires-back-at-tencents-nonsense-defence-for-horizon-knock-off-light-of-motiram

Owlcat Games resource hub: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/owlcat-games-unveils-educational-resource-hub-for-game-industry-professionals

Welcome to the debut of The Weekly Download! Brought to you by Big Games Machine, industry experts Jack and Tom (hosts of the Games PR Podcast) speedrun you through the biggest stories of the week. 

In this first episode, we break down new Circana data on US video game purchasing habits and question what the rising prices of consoles mean for the ecosystem. Plus, we dive into the freshly announced AC Mirage DLC, examining reports of backing by the Saudi Arabian PIF. 

Prefer your news in written form? Eager for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of the most intriguing developments in the global video games industry delivered fresh to your inbox daily? Be sure to subscribe to The Daily Download! 

Main stories mentioned in this episode can be found below: 

1. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/more-than-60-of-us-game-players-only-buy-two-games-or-fewer-per-year-survey-finds/
2. https://www.eurogamer.net/the-role-of-the-console-is-shifting-are-rising-prices-the-end-for-games-consoles-as-we-know-them
3. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/assassins-creed/ubisoft-reveals-the-surprise-free-assassins-creed-mirage-dlc-which-just-coincidentally-happens-to-be-set-in-a-region-the-saudi-government-wants-to-turn-into-an-economic-powerhouse/