The Industry News section is designed to offer comprehensive updates and analyses on various elements shaping the video gaming industry. This includes, but is not limited to, mergers and acquisitions, financial earnings, company strategies, and technological advancements. By focusing on the structural developments within the gaming industry, Industry News aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of the factors affecting market trends and company performance.
Steam has achieved its highest half-year revenue on record, generating $11.1 billion in H1, a 14.5% year-over-year increase. The surge is driven by back-catalogue sales, strategic promotions, and viral co-op games. Notable performers include Resident Evil Requiem and Forza Horizon 6, highlighting the platform's reliance on established franchises and discounted classics.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced suffered a critical failure of its Offline Mode when a 1-hour Ubisoft Connect outage rendered the game unplayable on PC, despite its advertised offline capability. Over 15,000 players upvoted complaints on Steam Forums and Reddit, decrying the issue and the game's costly cosmetic microtransactions. This debacle highlights persistent problems with Ubisoft's PC ports and DRM implementation.
Obsidian Entertainment director Brandon Adler addresses critics claiming the studio has changed following recent Xbox layoffs, emphasizing the studio's consistent "DNA" despite staff changes. Adler defends the team's composition, noting key leaders worked on iconic titles like The Outer Worlds and New Vegas. The response comes amid uncertainty after Microsoft's widespread layoffs affected several Xbox studios.
Steam is on track for its most lucrative year ever, generating $11 billion in gross revenue in the first half of 2026, driven in part by high-priced new releases like Resident Evil Requiem and Forza Horizon 6. The platform's success also stems from its thriving back catalogue and growing adoption in Asian markets, particularly China. Despite the industry's challenges, Valve's platform continues to thrive.
A Dutch consumer group is suing Sony for €400 million, arguing its 30% PlayStation Store fee is unfair. The lawsuit gained new momentum as Sony announced the end of physical discs by 2028, eliminating the second-hand market and alternative pricing. The group claims this gives Sony sole control over game costs and usage duration.
Ubisoft has removed its controversial claim that monetization makes games "more fun" from its latest annual report, following widespread criticism. The move comes as the publisher faces challenges with lengthy development cycles for titles like Skull and Bones, Prince of Persia remake, and Beyond Good & Evil 2. Average wages at Ubisoft are also down, sparking further scrutiny.
Sony's decision to cease physical game disc production by 2028 sparks comparisons to the PC industry's transition away from disc drives. Analyst Daniel Ahmad suggests this shift, driven by digital sales dominance and platform-led strategies, may face initial backlash but will likely become the new norm. The move underscores Sony's focus on maximizing revenue through its closed digital ecosystem.
Warframe's developers, Digital Extremes, have shared their somber reactions to the abrupt conclusion of Bungie's Destiny 2, highlighting the unforgiving business side of the gaming industry. Despite being longtime rivals in the MMO shooter space, Digital Extremes expresses no joy in Destiny 2's demise. Warframe, launched a year before Destiny 2, continues to thrive as its competitor's story is left unfinished.
Obsidian Entertainment's Game Director Brandon Adler responds to community concerns that the studio has lost its original talent and identity following recent layoffs and announcements, including a new Fallout project. Adler emphasizes the studio's consistent DNA from Knights of the Old Republic 2 to current games. The comments come as Obsidian navigates mixed reactions to its involvement in a new Fallout game, headed by Josh Sawyer, amidst thousands of layoffs across Xbox's restructured gaming divisions.
Obsidian Entertainment, fresh from releasing Avowed, Grounded 2 (Early Access), and The Outer Worlds 2, addresses the aftermath of Microsoft's 1,600-strong gaming division layoffs, which saw 50 staff cut from the studio. Despite halted Avowed sequel plans in favor of a new Fallout game under Josh Sawyer's leadership, the studio pushes back against claims of a changed identity. Game Director Adler defends Obsidian's "DNA," emphasizing continuity despite external speculation.
