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.
Darkest Dungeon's studio, Red Hook, has decided against using AI to replicate the voice of late narrator Wayne June, despite his pre-passing permission. The decision highlights the importance of human performance in gaming. Red Hook's stance has been met with widespread community approval.
Darkest Dungeon's developer, Red Hook Studios, has pledged never to use AI to replicate the voice of late narrator Wayne June, who passed away in January 2025. This decision underscores the studio's commitment to preserving June's legacy. The voice actor's iconic narration was integral to the game's charm since its 2016 release and its 2023 sequel.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 continues its box office reign, crossing $400 million globally in its second weekend, with $433.2 million worldwide. Mortal Kombat II, despite a promising start with a $63 million global opening weekend, faces an uphill climb to profitability given its $80 million production cost. The Devil Wears Prada 2's success underscores its broad appeal, outperforming Mortal Kombat II in both domestic and international markets.
Guerrilla Games co-founder Arjan Brussee is developing "The Immensive Engine", a European alternative to Unreal and Unity, tailored to European guidelines and integrated with AI from the ground up. This engine promises to provide more choice for studios seeking non-US based development solutions. By leveraging AI, it aims to streamline development processes, potentially reducing the workload equivalent of ten to fifteen people with a smartly designed AI framework.
Warner Bros. Games has quietly added Denuvo DRM to Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, sparking backlash from PC players concerned about performance impacts. The move, just weeks before the game's May 22, 2026, launch, exacerbates existing worries over the title's steep system requirements. PC gamers are already hesitant, with some vowing to wait for fixes and discounts.
Celebrate the arrival of Mortal Kombat 2 in theaters by claiming the 2021 Mortal Kombat film for free, courtesy of Warner Bros. and Microsoft, through a Microsoft Rewards promotion that requires using Bing for seven days. Complete a series of Mortal Kombat-themed tasks to redeem your free digital copy. This offer is available until June 30.
Dan Stevens, star of The Terror: Devil in Silver, highlights the American healthcare system as the season's real monster, drawing from his experience filming in an underfunded psychiatric ward. The show, based on Victor LaValle’s novel, uses horror to critique societal ills. Stevens hopes the genre will deliver a powerful message about the system's failures.
In a surprising move, Greg Mottola, known for directing comedy hits like Superbad, is reportedly set to direct a DCU film featuring iconic villains Deathstroke and Bane. This unexpected pairing raises questions about the movie's tone, potentially leaning towards a buddy comedy. The project, written by Matthew Orton, is still in early stages with no finalized script.
Andy Serkis, renowned for his iconic roles, asserts that video game acting is indistinguishable from film and stage acting, highlighting a significant shift in Hollywood's perception. Serkis, who has worked on games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, notes the increasing use of game engines in filmmaking. This evolution reflects the gaming industry's growth and its growing importance in the entertainment sector.
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen revealed in a conversation with Business Insider that he never felt passionate about GameStop, expressing greater interest in leading eBay. Despite his efforts, GameStop continues to struggle with a declining physical retail presence. Cohen's bid for eBay, however, faces significant financial hurdles.
