Video Games Industry Memo
@vgim.bsky.social
A newsletter about the business and politics behind video games.
Sign up: www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
Tips and press contact: george@videogamesindustrymemo.com
Sign up: www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
Tips and press contact: george@videogamesindustrymemo.com
We're outside the Larry David statute of limitations on saying Happy New Year, but we're thankfully still in the window for making annual predictions.
Check out the latest issue of VGIM for our thoughts on what to expect in the games industry in 2026.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/six-video-...
Check out the latest issue of VGIM for our thoughts on what to expect in the games industry in 2026.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/six-video-...
Six video games industry predictions for 2026, 08/01/2026
Each one more surprising than the last ๐ช
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:34 AM
We're outside the Larry David statute of limitations on saying Happy New Year, but we're thankfully still in the window for making annual predictions.
Check out the latest issue of VGIM for our thoughts on what to expect in the games industry in 2026.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/six-video-...
Check out the latest issue of VGIM for our thoughts on what to expect in the games industry in 2026.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/six-video-...
New Year, same old Video Games Industry Memo request for you to send us your news.
We're looking to promote our usual mix of:
๐ผ Job moves and open posts
๐ Industry conferences
๐ฎ New video game releases
Want to be in this week's VGIM? Email george@videogamesindustrymemo.com pronto.
We're looking to promote our usual mix of:
๐ผ Job moves and open posts
๐ Industry conferences
๐ฎ New video game releases
Want to be in this week's VGIM? Email george@videogamesindustrymemo.com pronto.
January 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
New Year, same old Video Games Industry Memo request for you to send us your news.
We're looking to promote our usual mix of:
๐ผ Job moves and open posts
๐ Industry conferences
๐ฎ New video game releases
Want to be in this week's VGIM? Email george@videogamesindustrymemo.com pronto.
We're looking to promote our usual mix of:
๐ผ Job moves and open posts
๐ Industry conferences
๐ฎ New video game releases
Want to be in this week's VGIM? Email george@videogamesindustrymemo.com pronto.
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
An @vgim.bsky.social exclusive: we reveal how Steam is censoring games featuring LGBTQ+ content in Russia on behalf of state censor Roskomnadzor.
Thank you to Ian Masters and the Flick Games team for being brave enough to share their story.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/how-steam-...
Thank you to Ian Masters and the Flick Games team for being brave enough to share their story.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/how-steam-...
How Steam censors LGBTQ+ content on behalf of the Russian Government, 27/11/2025
When Roskomnadzor calls, Valve answers
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:04 AM
An @vgim.bsky.social exclusive: we reveal how Steam is censoring games featuring LGBTQ+ content in Russia on behalf of state censor Roskomnadzor.
Thank you to Ian Masters and the Flick Games team for being brave enough to share their story.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/how-steam-...
Thank you to Ian Masters and the Flick Games team for being brave enough to share their story.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/how-steam-...
Yesterday's VGIM, sponsored by Testronic, summarised all the biggest financial results in the games industry (apart from Ubisoft, who were messing us about).
Catch up with all the news and the top releases this week right here: videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/video-game...
Catch up with all the news and the top releases this week right here: videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/video-game...
Video Games Finance Cheat Sheet: Autumn 2025 edition, 20/11/2025
Nintendo rakes it in, Robloxโs growth turbocharges, and Ubisoft keeps us waiting
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Yesterday's VGIM, sponsored by Testronic, summarised all the biggest financial results in the games industry (apart from Ubisoft, who were messing us about).
Catch up with all the news and the top releases this week right here: videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/video-game...
Catch up with all the news and the top releases this week right here: videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/video-game...
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
Last week the venerable @georgeosborn.bsky.social reached out with a question submitted to this @vgim.bsky.social newsletter regarding the ethical issues surrounding the use of AI in Arc Raiders.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
The release of Arc Raiders has raised significant concerns about the ethics of utilising generative AI in a AAA game. Itโs important we understand that for whatever gains AI delivers, who is losing out, and what impact does that have on the industry?
Read on!
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Read on!
www.aiandgames.com/p/arc-raider...
Arc Raiders and the Ethical Use of Generative AI | 19/11/25
We discuss the issues surrounding Embark's use of AI voices
www.aiandgames.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Last week the venerable @georgeosborn.bsky.social reached out with a question submitted to this @vgim.bsky.social newsletter regarding the ethical issues surrounding the use of AI in Arc Raiders.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
What started as a short one paragraph response became a 4000+ word newsletter issue.
What did we learn at last week's @aiandgames.com conference? Find out over on Video Games Industry Memo (and thanks to Testronic for sponsoring our fine work)
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/four-thing...
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/four-thing...
Four things we learned at this yearโs AI and Games Conference, 06/11/2025
Riotโs safety-first approach to AI, Cyberpunkโs police system simplicity, and investment trends dominate the chat
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:21 AM
What did we learn at last week's @aiandgames.com conference? Find out over on Video Games Industry Memo (and thanks to Testronic for sponsoring our fine work)
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/four-thing...
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/four-thing...
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
The Online Safety Act came into force ages ago. So why is Ofcom issuing guidance to online games businesses now? And what does it all mean?
Read this week's @vgim.bsky.social, sponsored by Testronic, to find out.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/online-saf...
Read this week's @vgim.bsky.social, sponsored by Testronic, to find out.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/online-saf...
Online Safety Act-ing on Games, 23/10/2025
Ofcom releases long-awaited guidance for industry๐๏ธ
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:10 AM
The Online Safety Act came into force ages ago. So why is Ofcom issuing guidance to online games businesses now? And what does it all mean?
Read this week's @vgim.bsky.social, sponsored by Testronic, to find out.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/online-saf...
Read this week's @vgim.bsky.social, sponsored by Testronic, to find out.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/online-saf...
VGIM turned two years old last month, so we're having a party to celebrate ๐
Join us in London on Wednesday 26th November to sip, chat, and possibly eat a slice of branded birthday cake.
Thanks to Renaissance PR, Fifty, and the Games Rating Authority for sponosring.
buytickets.at/halfspacecon...
Join us in London on Wednesday 26th November to sip, chat, and possibly eat a slice of branded birthday cake.
Thanks to Renaissance PR, Fifty, and the Games Rating Authority for sponosring.
buytickets.at/halfspacecon...
October 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
VGIM turned two years old last month, so we're having a party to celebrate ๐
Join us in London on Wednesday 26th November to sip, chat, and possibly eat a slice of branded birthday cake.
Thanks to Renaissance PR, Fifty, and the Games Rating Authority for sponosring.
buytickets.at/halfspacecon...
Join us in London on Wednesday 26th November to sip, chat, and possibly eat a slice of branded birthday cake.
Thanks to Renaissance PR, Fifty, and the Games Rating Authority for sponosring.
buytickets.at/halfspacecon...
Read on for insights into how autocracies control narratives through games through censorship, encouraging self-censorship, and through aggressively promoting their own narratives
How are video games being used as a frontier for information war? What are democracies doing to respond to the challenge? And how are organisations like NATO grappling with the problems?
Find out in this week's @vgim.bsky.social - videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/natos-vide...
Find out in this week's @vgim.bsky.social - videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/natos-vide...
NATOโs video game frontline, 09/10/2025
Itโs all gone a bit John le Carrรฉ ๐ต๏ธ
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Read on for insights into how autocracies control narratives through games through censorship, encouraging self-censorship, and through aggressively promoting their own narratives
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
If you don't already subscribe to @vgim.bsky.social then you should; today's edition is a must-read:
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/a-kushy-de...
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/a-kushy-de...
A Kushy Deal, 02/10/2025
Selling out democracy one $55bn video games business at a time
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:48 AM
If you don't already subscribe to @vgim.bsky.social then you should; today's edition is a must-read:
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/a-kushy-de...
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/a-kushy-de...
Did you catch @vitageorge.bsky.social's great piece about remakesters?
Well, why not re-view the piece at your leisure now?
*audible boos at the pun*
Well, why not re-view the piece at your leisure now?
*audible boos at the pun*
This week's @vgim.bsky.social by @vitageorge.bsky.social has a great breakdown of remake definitions. Big fan of the term 'remakesters' (i.e. Metal Gear Solid Delta) in particular.
On remaking the wheel, 18/09/2025
Diving into our decades-old gaming libraries
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Did you catch @vitageorge.bsky.social's great piece about remakesters?
Well, why not re-view the piece at your leisure now?
*audible boos at the pun*
Well, why not re-view the piece at your leisure now?
*audible boos at the pun*
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
A happy Silksong release day to those who celebrate it.
In this week's @vgim.bsky.social, @vitageorge.bsky.social explores the story behind its release and how Silksong's shadow drop has posed problems for press and devs across the games biz.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/caught-in-...
In this week's @vgim.bsky.social, @vitageorge.bsky.social explores the story behind its release and how Silksong's shadow drop has posed problems for press and devs across the games biz.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/caught-in-...
Caught in Silksongโs web, 04/09/2025
How the industry is reacting to Team Cherryโs surprise Silksong shadow drop
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:15 AM
A happy Silksong release day to those who celebrate it.
In this week's @vgim.bsky.social, @vitageorge.bsky.social explores the story behind its release and how Silksong's shadow drop has posed problems for press and devs across the games biz.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/caught-in-...
In this week's @vgim.bsky.social, @vitageorge.bsky.social explores the story behind its release and how Silksong's shadow drop has posed problems for press and devs across the games biz.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/caught-in-...
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
This is an exceptionally long piece, but I've been researching the PayPro debacle and the campaign to #SaveSpeech and just how damaging the issue is to creators, players and games as culture.
Censorship is shit.
open.substack.com/pub/videogam...
Censorship is shit.
open.substack.com/pub/videogam...
No Mercy for censored games, 28/08/2025
How thousands of games with adult themes got caught in a censorship trap
open.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:37 AM
This is an exceptionally long piece, but I've been researching the PayPro debacle and the campaign to #SaveSpeech and just how damaging the issue is to creators, players and games as culture.
Censorship is shit.
open.substack.com/pub/videogam...
Censorship is shit.
open.substack.com/pub/videogam...
What is the secret to gamescomโs long running success? And whatโs been going down at arguably the biggest games event in the world?
@grapedosmil.bsky.social chats to the eventโs bigwigs and reports from the ground for your entertainment.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/gamescoms-...
@grapedosmil.bsky.social chats to the eventโs bigwigs and reports from the ground for your entertainment.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/gamescoms-...
Gamescomโs secrets to conference success, 21/08/2025
Plus: New Black Myth game, Silksong queues, and Microsoft question dodging
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 9:37 AM
What is the secret to gamescomโs long running success? And whatโs been going down at arguably the biggest games event in the world?
@grapedosmil.bsky.social chats to the eventโs bigwigs and reports from the ground for your entertainment.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/gamescoms-...
@grapedosmil.bsky.social chats to the eventโs bigwigs and reports from the ground for your entertainment.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/gamescoms-...
Psst! Want to know the big financial results from publicly traded games businesses but donโt want to read a load of PDFs or spreadsheets?
In this weekโs VGIM, sponsored by @modulate.bsky.social, @vitageorge.bsky.social analyses them all for YOU ๐ซต
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/game-indus...
In this weekโs VGIM, sponsored by @modulate.bsky.social, @vitageorge.bsky.social analyses them all for YOU ๐ซต
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/game-indus...
Game Industry Finance Cheat Sheet Summer 2025 Edition, 14/08/2025
Nintendo on the march, PlayStation makes its digital fortune, and Xbox struggles to strike the right tone
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
August 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Psst! Want to know the big financial results from publicly traded games businesses but donโt want to read a load of PDFs or spreadsheets?
In this weekโs VGIM, sponsored by @modulate.bsky.social, @vitageorge.bsky.social analyses them all for YOU ๐ซต
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/game-indus...
In this weekโs VGIM, sponsored by @modulate.bsky.social, @vitageorge.bsky.social analyses them all for YOU ๐ซต
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/game-indus...
Why are there so many video game showcases? And how do the people who put them together choose the games that go into them?
@grapedosmil.bsky.social asked Chris Thomas, Jake Tucker and Dom Peppiatt for answers and, by Jove, did he get some
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/why-are-th...
@grapedosmil.bsky.social asked Chris Thomas, Jake Tucker and Dom Peppiatt for answers and, by Jove, did he get some
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/why-are-th...
Why are there so many video game showcases?, 31/07/2025
Or, why there were 30+ events with 7070 games for you to watch this Summer
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
July 31, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Why are there so many video game showcases? And how do the people who put them together choose the games that go into them?
@grapedosmil.bsky.social asked Chris Thomas, Jake Tucker and Dom Peppiatt for answers and, by Jove, did he get some
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/why-are-th...
@grapedosmil.bsky.social asked Chris Thomas, Jake Tucker and Dom Peppiatt for answers and, by Jove, did he get some
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/why-are-th...
Psst! What is a game scout looking for when they're scoping the next hit game? And how can you pitch yourself perfectly to a publishing scout?
@vitageorge.bsky.social chats with Chris Wright from @fellowtraveller.games in this week's VGIM ๐
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/the-game-s...
@vitageorge.bsky.social chats with Chris Wright from @fellowtraveller.games in this week's VGIM ๐
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/the-game-s...
The Game Scoutโs Secrets, 24/07/2025
Fellow Traveller tell us how publishers discover the indie-credible
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com
July 24, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Psst! What is a game scout looking for when they're scoping the next hit game? And how can you pitch yourself perfectly to a publishing scout?
@vitageorge.bsky.social chats with Chris Wright from @fellowtraveller.games in this week's VGIM ๐
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/the-game-s...
@vitageorge.bsky.social chats with Chris Wright from @fellowtraveller.games in this week's VGIM ๐
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/the-game-s...
Did you know that you can get a month of free VGIM Insider access by sharing the newsletter with three new readers?
Go on, you know you want to ๐
Go on, you know you want to ๐
I'm not always a vain man, but @vgim.bsky.social is only nine subscribers away from crossing the 5,000 email subs mark.
So if you like the newsletter, think it's a great read for anyone into Those Them Video Games and could give it a share, I'd be a happy chappie.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
So if you like the newsletter, think it's a great read for anyone into Those Them Video Games and could give it a share, I'd be a happy chappie.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
Video Games Industry Memo | George E. Osborn | Substack
The business and politics powering video games. Click to read Video Games Industry Memo, by George E. Osborn, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
July 21, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Did you know that you can get a month of free VGIM Insider access by sharing the newsletter with three new readers?
Go on, you know you want to ๐
Go on, you know you want to ๐
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
This week's @vgim.bsky.social saw @vitageorge.bsky.social chat with @toadsanime.lostincult.co.uk of @lostincult.co.uk about the future of physical games in our evermore digital age.
CONTENT WARNING: very attractive game boxes contained within
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/lets-get-p...
CONTENT WARNING: very attractive game boxes contained within
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/lets-get-p...
Letโs get physical, physical (games), 17/07/2025
Lost in Cult's punt on physical games for a digital age
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 9:51 AM
This week's @vgim.bsky.social saw @vitageorge.bsky.social chat with @toadsanime.lostincult.co.uk of @lostincult.co.uk about the future of physical games in our evermore digital age.
CONTENT WARNING: very attractive game boxes contained within
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/lets-get-p...
CONTENT WARNING: very attractive game boxes contained within
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/lets-get-p...
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
Our own @toadsanime.lostincult.co.uk chatted to @vitageorge.bsky.social for @vgim.bsky.social, discussing all things EDITIONS & physical games.
Thank you for your time and for shining a light on our work ๐
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/lets-get-p...
Thank you for your time and for shining a light on our work ๐
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/lets-get-p...
Letโs get physical, physical (games), 17/07/2025
Lost in Cult's punt on physical games for a digital age
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
July 17, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Our own @toadsanime.lostincult.co.uk chatted to @vitageorge.bsky.social for @vgim.bsky.social, discussing all things EDITIONS & physical games.
Thank you for your time and for shining a light on our work ๐
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/lets-get-p...
Thank you for your time and for shining a light on our work ๐
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/lets-get-p...
The UK has a brand new video games council to chat to Government about how to grow the industry. But who is on it and whatโs it planning to do?
@georgeosborn.bsky.social chatted to itโs new co-chair to find out.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/introducin...
@georgeosborn.bsky.social chatted to itโs new co-chair to find out.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/introducin...
Introducing the UK Video Games Council, 10/07/2025
For King and Country (not the game developer, obviously)
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com
July 10, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The UK has a brand new video games council to chat to Government about how to grow the industry. But who is on it and whatโs it planning to do?
@georgeosborn.bsky.social chatted to itโs new co-chair to find out.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/introducin...
@georgeosborn.bsky.social chatted to itโs new co-chair to find out.
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/introducin...
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
Another year, another fantastic @vgim.bsky.social Business Breakfast.
A big hand to @gamespress.com for sponsoring and to @ansiblecomms.com, @dandawkins.bsky.social and @mattreyn.games for the games media chat.
And a really big thank you to all the attendees - great to see you there!
A big hand to @gamespress.com for sponsoring and to @ansiblecomms.com, @dandawkins.bsky.social and @mattreyn.games for the games media chat.
And a really big thank you to all the attendees - great to see you there!
July 9, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Another year, another fantastic @vgim.bsky.social Business Breakfast.
A big hand to @gamespress.com for sponsoring and to @ansiblecomms.com, @dandawkins.bsky.social and @mattreyn.games for the games media chat.
And a really big thank you to all the attendees - great to see you there!
A big hand to @gamespress.com for sponsoring and to @ansiblecomms.com, @dandawkins.bsky.social and @mattreyn.games for the games media chat.
And a really big thank you to all the attendees - great to see you there!
Welcome to a gloriously rebranded Video Games Industry Memo.
Bask in our clean, modern and fully initialed logo, which is pronounced Vee-gym for the pedants out there.
Bask in our clean, modern and fully initialed logo, which is pronounced Vee-gym for the pedants out there.
July 8, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Welcome to a gloriously rebranded Video Games Industry Memo.
Bask in our clean, modern and fully initialed logo, which is pronounced Vee-gym for the pedants out there.
Bask in our clean, modern and fully initialed logo, which is pronounced Vee-gym for the pedants out there.
Reposted by Video Games Industry Memo
Good, pretty well balanced article. I am extremely wary of anyone in the industry being labelled an auteur for a whole host of reasons, chiefly because it simultaneously puts them on a pedestal (not everything they do is 'good') and eliminates or downplays the work of others at their studios.
Do auteurs like Hideo Kojima increase the understanding of how we make games, or obscure it?
@grapedosmil.bsky.social headed to a star studded event in London to investigate
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/the-kojima...
@grapedosmil.bsky.social headed to a star studded event in London to investigate
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/the-kojima...
July 3, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Good, pretty well balanced article. I am extremely wary of anyone in the industry being labelled an auteur for a whole host of reasons, chiefly because it simultaneously puts them on a pedestal (not everything they do is 'good') and eliminates or downplays the work of others at their studios.
Do auteurs like Hideo Kojima increase the understanding of how we make games, or obscure it?
@grapedosmil.bsky.social headed to a star studded event in London to investigate
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/the-kojima...
@grapedosmil.bsky.social headed to a star studded event in London to investigate
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/the-kojima...
July 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Do auteurs like Hideo Kojima increase the understanding of how we make games, or obscure it?
@grapedosmil.bsky.social headed to a star studded event in London to investigate
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/the-kojima...
@grapedosmil.bsky.social headed to a star studded event in London to investigate
www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/the-kojima...