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.
Reckless Ben's investigation into a missing $200,000 Lego Star Wars collection has spiralled into a controversy involving Bricks & Minifigs, alleged police collusion, and dramatic twists. The saga has captured the internet's attention, with new developments emerging rapidly. From corporate disputes to unredacted body cam footage leaks, the story is far from over.
Toys for Bob's departure from Activision in 2024, facilitated by Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition, marked a strategic escape to regain creative control. This move allowed the studio to announce its passion project, Spyro: A Realm Beyond. After years of being occasionally diverted to support blockbuster IPs like Call of Duty, the studio is back to its roots.
Xbox is revamping its Game Pass with new flexible options, catering to diverse gaming habits. This move promises to enhance player experience and potentially disrupt the gaming subscription landscape. Discover how these changes benefit both casual and dedicated gamers.
Valve is discontinuing physical Steam gift cards by the end of 2025 due to persistent scams. Despite various protective measures, scammers adapted, impacting both Steam customers and unsuspecting individuals. Digital Steam gift cards will remain available.
Xbox CEO highlights the prohibitive cost of modern consoles, advocating for a radical rethink. This stance acknowledges the financial barrier to entry for many gamers. The move could significantly impact the gaming industry's future pricing strategies.
Steam has announced the discontinuation of physical gift cards as of 2026, citing an increase in scamming activities. This move affects all platforms where Steam physical gift cards are currently sold. The decision underscores the platform's efforts to mitigate fraud.
The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced eight years ago, yet it remains one of the most anticipated yet invisible games in development. Despite the gaming community's eager anticipation, it was notably absent from the recent Xbox Showcase. This prolonged development period has sparked both curiosity and concern among fans.
Xbox Game Pass has suffered a significant loss of millions of subscribers following a 50% price hike in fall 2025. The increase, which made the service "too expensive" for many players, was recently reversed in April 2026. This move comes as part of a broader strategy adjustment, including the removal of Call of Duty from the platform.
Toys for Bob, developers of the successful Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, have achieved independence from Activision after a corporate mandate shifted their focus to supporting Call of Duty: Warzone. Following Microsoft's 2024 layoffs, the studio secured a buyout, described as "many mini miracles" by studio head Paul Yan. Now, they're developing a new, original Spyro game.
Valve is discontinuing physical Steam gift cards at retailers due to ongoing scam concerns, despite their continued honoring of existing cards. Digital gift cards will remain available through the Steam storefront. This move aims to mitigate the impact of scams targeting gift card users.
