Fortnite's global return to the Apple App Store has ignited a monumental surge in downloads, with 3.4 million downloads in its first week back, nearing its 2018 launch-week record. Daily activity skyrocketed by 1,408%, peaking at 674,000 installs on May 23. This resurgence, however, faces the challenge of reviving long-term engagement amidst Epic's recent layoffs.
Double Fine, the Xbox-owned studio behind Psychonauts 2, has filed to unionize with the CWA, seeking protections amid significant strategy shifts under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. The move includes all 42 employees and comes as Xbox undergoes sweeping changes, including alterations to Game Pass and leadership overhauls. This unionization reflects a growing trend among Xbox-owned studios.
Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, expresses deep disappointment over the prolonged delay in developing a new BioShock game, citing challenges in finding the right creative concept. The project, under Cloud Chamber, has faced setbacks, including over 80 layoffs and a restart under Rod Fergusson's leadership. Despite these hurdles, Zelnick feels more optimistic about the game's current state.
