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GamesIndustry.biz
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The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) has announced that former Naughty Dog co-president Evan Wells will join its Hall of Fame at the DICE Awards this year.

www.gamesindustry.biz/evan-wells-t...
Evan Wells to be inducted into AIAS Hall of Fame
Former Naughty Dog co-president to be presented with award during 29th annual DICE Awards ceremony
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 6, 2026 at 5:38 PM
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News-in-brief: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles surpasses 1m units in three months

Remake of 1997's Final Fantasy Tactics launched across all platforms on September 30, 2025

www.gamesindustry.biz/final-fantas...
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles surpasses 1m units in three months | News-in-brief
Remastered version of 1997 RPG Final Fantasy Tactics launched across all platforms on September 30, 2025
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 6, 2026 at 2:21 PM
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Canada-based VR studio Cloudhead Games has laid off 70% of its employees

www.gamesindustry.biz/cloudhead-ga...
Cloudhead Games reduces 70% of workforce
"The general downturn of the gaming industry [and] a lack of platform funding have placed us in an impossible position," says CEO
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 6, 2026 at 11:11 AM
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"Research is starting to confirm that studios can mobilise their communities to play a role in conserving and preserving the planet," says the UNEP's Sam Barratt. "With a concerted effort, we might be able to build a tipping point of positive action."

www.gamesindustry.biz/all-still-to...
All still to play for | Opinion
When it comes to environmental issues, video games are uniquely placed to educate through play
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 6, 2026 at 10:30 AM
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Formosa Interactive has rebranded to Arrival
www.gamesindustry.biz/formosa-inte...
Formosa Interactive has rebranded to Arrival
The venture is headed up by president Paul Lipson
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 6, 2026 at 10:24 AM
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Nintendo admits that open-world tastes changed during Metroid Prime 4's long development
www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-adm...
Nintendo admits that open-world tastes changed during Metroid Prime 4's long development
"I think this game is pretty much divorced from the changing of times"
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 6, 2026 at 9:45 AM
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Jobs Roundup: January 2026 | Chris Leggett joins Microsoft as Xbox senior communications manager

Frontier Developments appoints Jo Cooke as CEO, leadership changes at Nitro Games

www.gamesindustry.biz/jobs-roundup...
Jobs Roundup: January 2026 | Chris Leggett joins Microsoft as Xbox senior communications manager
Frontier Developments appoints Jo Cooke as CEO, leadership changes at Nitro Games
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 6, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
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ZeniMax Online founder confirms he quit after Microsoft shut down Project Blackbird, "the game I had waited my entire career to create"
www.gamesindustry.biz/zenimax-onli...
ZeniMax Online founder confirms he quit after Microsoft shut down Project Blackbird, "the game I had waited my entire career to create"
ZeniMax Online founder Matt Firor has confirmed he chose to walk away from the studio after parent company Microsoft ca…
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
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News-in-Brief: Arc Raiders hits 12 million copies sold as it tops 3.2 million DAUs

Alinea analyst Rhys Elliott credits "a well-timed 20% discount" and a "holiday boost"

www.gamesindustry.biz/arc-raiders-...
Arc Raiders hits 12 million copies sold as it tops 3.2 million DAUs | News-in-Brief
The resource for people who make and sell games.
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
gibiz.bsky.social
Ubisoft was forced to "intentionally" take Rainbow Six Siege offline during holiday hack
www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-was-...
Ubisoft was forced to "intentionally" take Rainbow Six Siege offline during holiday hack
Ubisoft's tentpole shooter, Rainbow Six Siege, is still struggling after a hacker group forced the publisher to take it…
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
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Square Enix artist and character designer Toshiyuki Itahana leaves Square Enix after 25+ years
www.gamesindustry.biz/square-enix-...
Square Enix artist and character designer Toshiyuki Itahana leaves Square Enix after 25+ years
Final Fantasy designer Toshiyuki Itahana is leaving Square Enix after over 25 years at the company.
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
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Embark boss insists studio isn't using AI to replace people in Arc Raiders development
www.gamesindustry.biz/embark-boss-...
Embark boss insists studio isn't using AI to replace people in Arc Raiders development
"[Games] is going to be a people industry. I don't envision games being done automatically by some artificial intelligence"
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
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"In a few years," says Joost van Dreunen, "we're going to see all these big companies that have been so brave to lay off all these workers rehiring a whole bunch of people at a higher cost, because suddenly they'll realise they now have a labour shortage."

www.gamesindustry.biz/nobody-wants...
"Nobody wants AI slop" – Joost van Dreunen on the future of AI and the shifting economics of the games industry
"We're going to see all these big companies that have been so brave to lay off all these workers rehiring a whole bunch of people at a higher cost"
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
gibiz.bsky.social
Higher review scores on Steam can lead to stronger ad performance, particularly when developers listen to community feedback on premium titles

www.gamesindustry.biz/boosting-ste...
Boosting Steam reviews post-release leads to increased conversion rates, says Gamesight
Reviews that jump from 'Mixed' to 'Very Positive' almost triple conversion rates, according to games marketing firm
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
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Staff at Ubisoft's Halifax studio have officially formed a union

www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-hali...
Ubisoft Halifax staff officially form union
This is the first bargaining unit in the French games giant's North American business
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
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Games industry veteran Michael French has been awarded an MBE as part of the New Year Honours List 2026

www.gamesindustry.biz/london-games...
London Games Festival's Michael French awarded MBE
"It’s a huge personal honour and also great recognition for an industry I’m so passionate about"
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
gibiz.bsky.social
Xbox veteran Albert Penello has passed away
www.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-veteran...
Xbox veteran Albert Penello has passed away
The industry veteran died aged 53 after a battle with cancer
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Reposted by GamesIndustry.biz
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The winners of 2025’s Steam Awards have been announced, with Hollow Knight: Silksong winning Game of the Year

www.gamesindustry.biz/hollow-knigh...
Hollow Knight: Silksong wins Game of the Year at 2025 Steam Awards
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hades 2, and Dispatch were among the winners
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 11:25 AM
gibiz.bsky.social
ZeniMax Online founder confirms he quit after Microsoft shut down Project Blackbird, "the game I had waited my entire career to create"
www.gamesindustry.biz/zenimax-onli...
ZeniMax Online founder confirms he quit after Microsoft shut down Project Blackbird, "the game I had waited my entire career to create"
ZeniMax Online founder Matt Firor has confirmed he chose to walk away from the studio after parent company Microsoft ca…
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 8:49 PM
gibiz.bsky.social
News-in-Brief: Arc Raiders hits 12 million copies sold as it tops 3.2 million DAUs

Alinea analyst Rhys Elliott credits "a well-timed 20% discount" and a "holiday boost"

www.gamesindustry.biz/arc-raiders-...
Arc Raiders hits 12 million copies sold as it tops 3.2 million DAUs | News-in-Brief
The resource for people who make and sell games.
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 8:04 PM
gibiz.bsky.social
Ubisoft was forced to "intentionally" take Rainbow Six Siege offline during holiday hack
www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-was-...
Ubisoft was forced to "intentionally" take Rainbow Six Siege offline during holiday hack
Ubisoft's tentpole shooter, Rainbow Six Siege, is still struggling after a hacker group forced the publisher to take it…
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 7:56 PM
gibiz.bsky.social
Square Enix artist and character designer Toshiyuki Itahana leaves Square Enix after 25+ years
www.gamesindustry.biz/square-enix-...
Square Enix artist and character designer Toshiyuki Itahana leaves Square Enix after 25+ years
Final Fantasy designer Toshiyuki Itahana is leaving Square Enix after over 25 years at the company.
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 6:22 PM
gibiz.bsky.social
Embark boss insists studio isn't using AI to replace people in Arc Raiders development
www.gamesindustry.biz/embark-boss-...
Embark boss insists studio isn't using AI to replace people in Arc Raiders development
"[Games] is going to be a people industry. I don't envision games being done automatically by some artificial intelligence"
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 3:40 PM
gibiz.bsky.social
"In a few years," says Joost van Dreunen, "we're going to see all these big companies that have been so brave to lay off all these workers rehiring a whole bunch of people at a higher cost, because suddenly they'll realise they now have a labour shortage."

www.gamesindustry.biz/nobody-wants...
"Nobody wants AI slop" – Joost van Dreunen on the future of AI and the shifting economics of the games industry
"We're going to see all these big companies that have been so brave to lay off all these workers rehiring a whole bunch of people at a higher cost"
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 3:35 PM
gibiz.bsky.social
Higher review scores on Steam can lead to stronger ad performance, particularly when developers listen to community feedback on premium titles

www.gamesindustry.biz/boosting-ste...
Boosting Steam reviews post-release leads to increased conversion rates, says Gamesight
Reviews that jump from 'Mixed' to 'Very Positive' almost triple conversion rates, according to games marketing firm
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM