The Game Business Show

This week we're joined by Dundee-based game developer 4J, the creators of the Minecraft: Console Edition, to discuss its new Minecraft-rival: Reforj.The team, which includes legendary Minecraft YouTuber Joseph Garrett (aka Stampy), believe that Minecraft is a genre, and that there's room for another one built for modern audiences.We also chat the arrival of AI prompt-based platforms like Meta Horizon, the state of video game financing, going from YouTube to game design, when to listen (and not listen) to the community, and a whole lot more. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

We discover the unlikely series of events that saw a small EA team update old-school classic Wing Commander and Road Rash games, and put them out on Steam. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In Part One of today's The Game Business Show, we are joined by Digital Foundry boss Richard Leadbetter to discuss the threat posted by AI-powered game piracy, with views from the industry trade bodies. We also chat whether now is the time to be talking about new Xbox and PlayStation consoles. And Chris looks at the drama around Helen Chiang's exit from Xbox. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week, we return to Arc Raiders developer Embark to look at the game one year on from its launch. The shooter went up against Battlefield and Call of Duty and came out smiling, with 16 million sales. But since the start of the year, it has faced numerous challenges and player numbers have tumbled.Chris speaks with CEO Patrick Söderlund and executive producer Aleksander Grøndal to hear about the game’s journey so far, how they’ve adapted to the challenges, the reaction to its new update ‘Frozen Trails’ and whether it should add a PvE mode. They also discuss advising other studios, AI controversy, The Finals, not being just a live-service studio, Patrick’s new role at Nexon and Hollywood’s interest in their games. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Welcome back to The Game Business Show! This week, we bring you a packed industry breakdown featuring Circana's Mat Piscatella, accessibility expert Jenna ‘Jennisary’, and gaming industry veteran Bing Gordon.We reveal it was Marvel’s Wolverine, not GTA 6, that actually moved PS5 hardware in September. And we look at why Xbox console numbers continue to slide despite Gears of War: E-Day’s release. We also look at the impact of removing Call of Duty from Game Pass on Day One, and what to make of the latest Nintendo Switch 2 numbers.Mat also discusses the potential impact of Grand Theft Auto and the variety of different games in the September charts.Plus, Jenna makes the commercial case for having blind and visually-impaired game accessibility options in your title, while EA legend Bing Gordon talks about his new book: Everybody Wins. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week, we chat to Meta's VP of Horizon Sax Persson to discuss its new prompt-based game development tools: Horizon Create and Horizon Studio. We discuss the rise of UGC, whether it undermines the traditional game business, whether AI-made games are an opportunity for professionals, and the battle between Meta, Google and Roblox. Enjoy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

It’s a jam-packed edition once again. On the Show, we’re joined by Poki’s Romy Halfweeg to discuss the rapid rise of web-based game platforms, and consultant Cassia Curran comes on to chat video game pricing.Plus, we discuss the shock closure of BioWare, and tease a bit of our upcoming interview with ‘father of PlayStation’ Ken Kutaragi. Enjoy!Fan of The Game Business? Why not consider becoming a paid subscriber. Find out more here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's edition, Chris is joined by Commodore CEO Peri Fractic (real-name Christian Simpson), A Star Wars actor and YouTuber who now runs one of gaming's most iconic brands.In our chat, we discuss the success of the C64, the appeal of its 'digital detox' flip phone, the company's partnership with Cyberpunk, its move to publishing video games, growing to Atari levels and more. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

It's a mega edition of The Game business this week, featuring two huge interviews. Our big focus is on Activision’s bid to regain fan trust with this year’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, featuring insight from chief marketing officer Tyler Bahl. We discuss leaving PS4, Xbox One and Game Pass, returning to Nintendo, the disappointment of Black Ops 7, the GTA 6 opportunity, press coverage and the surprise success of the Black Ops 1 and 2 PlayStation ports.As well as that, we also have an interview with Lucasfilm Games VP Douglas Reilley and Fuse Games boss Matt Webster to discuss a more independent approach to making Star Wars games, and what comes next for Star Wars: Galactic Racer. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week, we speak to Velan Studios leaders Guha and Karthik Bala, who run the studio behind the new Star Fox remake on Nintendo Switch 2.The Balas, who had previously founded Vicarious Visions, discuss how they won over Nintendo, how they keep costs low as an independent US developer, working with big IP, taking risky bets and finding a 'middle way'. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe