Mike Futter
@futterish.fsquared.biz
Lead Producer, Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator, Dir of Ops and Publishing, Causeway Studios. Founder of F-Squared LLC, consultant, co-host of @VirtualEconCast.com. Author, The GameDev Business & Budgeting Handbooks
Mike@fsquared.biz
michaelfutter.com
Mike@fsquared.biz
michaelfutter.com
Chicken tagine for our last dinner of the @causewaystudios.com leadership retreat!
November 17, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Chicken tagine for our last dinner of the @causewaystudios.com leadership retreat!
Reposted by Mike Futter
Remember if you truly despise GenAI and its outputs you need to put a lot more time celebrating and lifting all the artists not using it and trying there best and learning. Share their art like that art and just talk about the stuff you like and enjoy. Don’t let the anger of GenAi stop that.
November 16, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Remember if you truly despise GenAI and its outputs you need to put a lot more time celebrating and lifting all the artists not using it and trying there best and learning. Share their art like that art and just talk about the stuff you like and enjoy. Don’t let the anger of GenAi stop that.
Reposted by Mike Futter
Specifically the interaction with the cultural fund destroys trust: with players, with government orgs, with communities, and partners. Trust like that isn’t easily rebuilt. If you farm out a cultural touchstone to machines, what are you saying about the people who play your games?
Vote with your wallet. Send the message that this is simply unacceptable. And I hope the German government rakes them over the coals for taking 6M Euros from a cultural fund and then using AI localization.
It’s one Eff You after another to players and now cultural institutions.
It’s one Eff You after another to players and now cultural institutions.
Ubisoft admits AI-generated loading screen "slipped through" into final build of Anno 117: Pax Romana
www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-admi...
www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-admi...
November 16, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Specifically the interaction with the cultural fund destroys trust: with players, with government orgs, with communities, and partners. Trust like that isn’t easily rebuilt. If you farm out a cultural touchstone to machines, what are you saying about the people who play your games?
Vote with your wallet. Send the message that this is simply unacceptable. And I hope the German government rakes them over the coals for taking 6M Euros from a cultural fund and then using AI localization.
It’s one Eff You after another to players and now cultural institutions.
It’s one Eff You after another to players and now cultural institutions.
Ubisoft admits AI-generated loading screen "slipped through" into final build of Anno 117: Pax Romana
www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-admi...
www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-admi...
November 16, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Vote with your wallet. Send the message that this is simply unacceptable. And I hope the German government rakes them over the coals for taking 6M Euros from a cultural fund and then using AI localization.
It’s one Eff You after another to players and now cultural institutions.
It’s one Eff You after another to players and now cultural institutions.
Norman Rockwell was Antifa
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Norman Rockwell was Antifa
Thanks to @kyleor.land for asking for my thoughts on the Steam Machine. I wrote him a huge book (sorry, Kyle!) and this is such a thoughtful piece with multiple perspectives.
arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/...
arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/...
Are you ready for a $1,000 Steam Machine? Some analysts think you should be.
Tariffs, component volatility, and Valve’s tolerance for losses all lead to uncertainty.
arstechnica.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Thanks to @kyleor.land for asking for my thoughts on the Steam Machine. I wrote him a huge book (sorry, Kyle!) and this is such a thoughtful piece with multiple perspectives.
arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/...
arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/...
This is wild. If Ubi goes private like EA or is acquired by another industry player, we sink further into the depths of consolidation hell.
Ubisoft just postponed its earnings report and halted the trading of its shares. Unclear why at this point but could indicate a major announcement related to the company.
November 13, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This is wild. If Ubi goes private like EA or is acquired by another industry player, we sink further into the depths of consolidation hell.
Yup. Let's go.
November 13, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Yup. Let's go.
Oh man. This makes the Tencent / Light of Moritram case SOOOOO much more interesting.
The Verge: Sony and NCSoft are developing Horizon Steel Frontiers, a new MMO designed specifically for mobile
Players take the role as machine hunters in a region called Deathlands (Arizona/New Mexico inspired) to take down machines with other players and compete with rival tribes
Players take the role as machine hunters in a region called Deathlands (Arizona/New Mexico inspired) to take down machines with other players and compete with rival tribes
November 13, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Oh man. This makes the Tencent / Light of Moritram case SOOOOO much more interesting.
Reposted by Mike Futter
it's always the ones you most suspect
November 12, 2025 at 11:28 PM
it's always the ones you most suspect
Great choices. I love Marissa Marcel!
To save you a click, the list is:
Ambrosio
Minsky
Two of Everything
Caddy Shack 2: The Legend of Curly's Gold
Ambrosio
Minsky
Two of Everything
Caddy Shack 2: The Legend of Curly's Gold
Pope Leo has shared his four favorite movies of all time, as the Vatican prepares to host dozens of actors and directors in a “World of Cinema” gathering on Saturday at his official residence. See which films made the pope's list. nyti.ms/4p3exK9
November 12, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Great choices. I love Marissa Marcel!
Happy Proof He's a PDF day!
November 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Happy Proof He's a PDF day!
Reposted by Mike Futter
Jeffrey Epstein in 2018: "i know how dirty donald is."
November 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Jeffrey Epstein in 2018: "i know how dirty donald is."
First of all, Bobby Kotick is notoriously not a video game player.
Secondly, either is Elon Musk.
Secondly, either is Elon Musk.
November 12, 2025 at 3:56 PM
First of all, Bobby Kotick is notoriously not a video game player.
Secondly, either is Elon Musk.
Secondly, either is Elon Musk.
Reposted by Mike Futter
A reminder that the President, an adjudicated rapist, a fraud, grifter, murderer, and felon, is also a pedophile.
November 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
A reminder that the President, an adjudicated rapist, a fraud, grifter, murderer, and felon, is also a pedophile.
Reposted by Mike Futter
November 12, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Reposted by Mike Futter
Following the launch of Arc Raiders, it’s important to assume that whichever CEO who talks about the extensive application of AI across the industry is talking total fucking bullshit.
Following the launch of Arc Raiders – and the ongoing debate regarding the use of generative AI – Nexon CEO Junghun Lee has said "it's important to assume every game company" is using the technology
www.gamesindustry.biz/nexon-ceo-sa...
www.gamesindustry.biz/nexon-ceo-sa...
Nexon CEO says "it's important to assume every game company is using AI" following Arc Raiders debate
Junghun Lee says "AI has improved efficiency in both game production and live service operations" at publisher
www.gamesindustry.biz
November 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Following the launch of Arc Raiders, it’s important to assume that whichever CEO who talks about the extensive application of AI across the industry is talking total fucking bullshit.
I think this read is the one that baffles me the most about AI-pilled execs. It’s the ultimate telling on themselves and they don’t even see it.
Every exec forcing AI on creatives is *screaming* that they just do not care about the quality of their company’s experiences.
Every exec forcing AI on creatives is *screaming* that they just do not care about the quality of their company’s experiences.
i know theyre trying to be funny or whatever, but it's such a self-dig as well. whenever execs push AI onto their creative studios I cant help but think-- this is your standard? your standard for excellence is to drivel out the dopiest bullshit? you think this is good enough? you're fucked.
November 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I think this read is the one that baffles me the most about AI-pilled execs. It’s the ultimate telling on themselves and they don’t even see it.
Every exec forcing AI on creatives is *screaming* that they just do not care about the quality of their company’s experiences.
Every exec forcing AI on creatives is *screaming* that they just do not care about the quality of their company’s experiences.
Reposted by Mike Futter
Apple's brand marketing history, Our Users Are
-Revolutionary visionaries (80s)
-Like Picasso, Einstein "think different" (late 90s)
-Cool creatives (iMac/iPod)
-Successful, high status (iPhone to iWatch)
-Unprepared bad workers, office loser, can't read/write one line emails (Apple Intelligence/AI)
-Revolutionary visionaries (80s)
-Like Picasso, Einstein "think different" (late 90s)
-Cool creatives (iMac/iPod)
-Successful, high status (iPhone to iWatch)
-Unprepared bad workers, office loser, can't read/write one line emails (Apple Intelligence/AI)
November 10, 2024 at 3:37 PM
Apple's brand marketing history, Our Users Are
-Revolutionary visionaries (80s)
-Like Picasso, Einstein "think different" (late 90s)
-Cool creatives (iMac/iPod)
-Successful, high status (iPhone to iWatch)
-Unprepared bad workers, office loser, can't read/write one line emails (Apple Intelligence/AI)
-Revolutionary visionaries (80s)
-Like Picasso, Einstein "think different" (late 90s)
-Cool creatives (iMac/iPod)
-Successful, high status (iPhone to iWatch)
-Unprepared bad workers, office loser, can't read/write one line emails (Apple Intelligence/AI)
Reposted by Mike Futter
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm - AUTOMATON WEST
In an interview following the launch of ARC Raiders, the CEO of Embark Studios' parent company Nexon shares his views on AI.
automaton-media.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 AM
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Reposted by Mike Futter
Reminder that I have a Starter Pack of all current and former Game Informer staff if you’re interested in following us. I don’t think I missed anyone, but let me know if I did, because I want to be all-inclusive and not leave anyone left out. go.bsky.app/Ea2R4VT
November 11, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reminder that I have a Starter Pack of all current and former Game Informer staff if you’re interested in following us. I don’t think I missed anyone, but let me know if I did, because I want to be all-inclusive and not leave anyone left out. go.bsky.app/Ea2R4VT
A significantly shorter listen than Part One.
We had a bunch to say about all of the labor issues hitting, including the big layoffs and scale-down at Amazon, Take-Two / Rockstar's union busting, Ubisoft's re-org, and more!
Thanks again to Andy Pan and @gregoryalderton.bsky.social for joining us!
We had a bunch to say about all of the labor issues hitting, including the big layoffs and scale-down at Amazon, Take-Two / Rockstar's union busting, Ubisoft's re-org, and more!
Thanks again to Andy Pan and @gregoryalderton.bsky.social for joining us!
The Second Part of Episode 200 (!!!) is LIVE!
Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show)
We're back with investments, quick hits, and a pretty gnarly labor report. Grab a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza and turn up the volume so you can hear over the crunch!
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show)
We're back with investments, quick hits, and a pretty gnarly labor report. Grab a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza and turn up the volume so you can hear over the crunch!
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
November 12, 2025 at 12:24 AM
A significantly shorter listen than Part One.
We had a bunch to say about all of the labor issues hitting, including the big layoffs and scale-down at Amazon, Take-Two / Rockstar's union busting, Ubisoft's re-org, and more!
Thanks again to Andy Pan and @gregoryalderton.bsky.social for joining us!
We had a bunch to say about all of the labor issues hitting, including the big layoffs and scale-down at Amazon, Take-Two / Rockstar's union busting, Ubisoft's re-org, and more!
Thanks again to Andy Pan and @gregoryalderton.bsky.social for joining us!
Reposted by Mike Futter
I think some ppl on this site need to take a moment, step back, and say aloud to themselves "If Dems cared, theyve have made Republicans do something that was obviously in their best interest to do" and contemplate a bit based on that framing why that outcome didnt come to pass.
November 11, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I think some ppl on this site need to take a moment, step back, and say aloud to themselves "If Dems cared, theyve have made Republicans do something that was obviously in their best interest to do" and contemplate a bit based on that framing why that outcome didnt come to pass.
Reposted by Mike Futter
I helped a friend build a platform for this back at the very start of AI. I consulted to give the games perspective cause hey! No more "Arrow to the Knee"!
But no. It sounds good til you explore it. Once you think it through it falls apart entirely, just crashes and burns.
But no. It sounds good til you explore it. Once you think it through it falls apart entirely, just crashes and burns.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has defended AI following Eurogamer's 2/5 Arc Raiders review, which criticised the game's use use of AI voice generation. "AI dialog generation + human personality and tuning could totally transform gaming," Sweeney said.
www.gamesindustry.biz/epics-tim-sw...
www.gamesindustry.biz/epics-tim-sw...
Epic's Tim Sweeney wades into the Arc Raiders AI row
"This technology increases human productivity in some areas by integer multiples"
www.gamesindustry.biz
November 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I helped a friend build a platform for this back at the very start of AI. I consulted to give the games perspective cause hey! No more "Arrow to the Knee"!
But no. It sounds good til you explore it. Once you think it through it falls apart entirely, just crashes and burns.
But no. It sounds good til you explore it. Once you think it through it falls apart entirely, just crashes and burns.
Reposted by Mike Futter
If your game has voice acting, then working with the voice actors is half of your writing process. It's not complete until you've heard it interpreted and reimagined by a voice actor. And they always reimagine it in ways that elevate the writing, in ways you never would have imagined yourself.
November 11, 2025 at 2:52 PM
If your game has voice acting, then working with the voice actors is half of your writing process. It's not complete until you've heard it interpreted and reimagined by a voice actor. And they always reimagine it in ways that elevate the writing, in ways you never would have imagined yourself.