This Week in Games
123 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsEric McConnell bringing you all the game industry news for the week
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Episodes
#123 - Ubisoft loses more execs, Sony invest into Epic and I will be on a short hiatus
July 12, 2020 20:39 - 36 minutes - 41.4 MBUbisoft axes 3 more executives. Sony makes a massive investment into Epic. I will be sharing my learnings over the last 2 ½ years. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://ubistatic19-a.akamaihd.net/comsite_common/en-US/images/pressrelease_downloadablemm_20200711_103822_20200711_pressreleaseen_tcm99-362812_tcm99-196733-32.pdf https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-07-08-manticore-games-launches-usd1m-...
#122 - What is Amazon Game Studios doing and are web portal games dead?
July 06, 2020 04:59 - 27 minutes - 31.4 MBKongregate effectively ends its web portal. Sexual assault allegations hit the fighting game industry. Amazon Game Studios pulls down it’s only live game. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://gamasutra.com/view/news/365842/COVID19_and_pivot_towards_game_development_lead_to_layoffs_at_Kongregate.php https://gamasutra.com/view/news/365787/Kongregate_shuts_off_game_submissions_as_Flashs_final_days_approac...
#121 - Microsoft abandons Mixer and a wave of allegations hits the game industry
June 29, 2020 20:35 - 25 minutes - 26.9 MBA large wave of allegations send ripples through the game industry. Twitch makes sweeping bans including one of their biggest streamers. Facebook acquires another top Oculus developer. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://gamasutra.com/view/news/365581/Report_Ubisoft_has_suspended_two_executives_accused_of_sexual_and_physical_abuse.php https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/365316/Ubisoft_deeply_concerned...
#120 - Epic Games mysterious fundraising and Google Stadia repricing woes
June 21, 2020 21:37 - 21 minutes - 24 MBApple is in hot water with loot box lawsuits and app store policies. Stadia hopes a reprice reinvigorates Stadia interest. Epic Games is fundraising again but for what? Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/06/13/apple-sued-for-allowing-apps-with-loot-boxes-onto-app-store https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/technology/apple-ios-facebook-gaming-app.html https://www.theverge.co...
#119 - Sony reveals the PS5 and is WB Games really worth $4 billion?
June 14, 2020 21:36 - 32 minutes - 35.6 MBSony drops a massive PS5 reveal. The Last of Us 2 makes us question modern game design. WB Games is reportedly looking for buyers at a pricy $4 billion. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NH4csfipes https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/11/21288494/sony-ps5-playstation-5-hd-camera-dualsense-charging-dock-pulse-accessories https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/6/12/21288535/the-last-...
#118 - Guest host Jenny Tai, DoP at Jam City, helps cover the Zynga-Peak Games acquisition and more
June 07, 2020 21:20 - 26 minutes - 27.4 MBDirector of Product at Jam City Jenny Tai is here to co-host. Zynga acquires Peak Games. Playtika plans a $10 billion IPO. Playrix acquires a PC game studio. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Guest-host Jenny Tai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennywtai/ Show Notes: https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/01/zynga-acquires-turkeys-peak-games-for-1-8b-after-buying-its-card-games-studio-for-100m-in-2017/#:~:text=Social%20gaming%20...
#117 - Loaded signs more Twitch exclusivity deals, Tencent takes a stake in a Japanese publisher
May 31, 2020 22:20 - 19 minutes - 21.8 MBTwitch signs more exclusivity deals, but from who. League of Legends is introducing in-game veiwerside advertisements. Tencent takes a large stake in a Japanese publisher. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/05/26/popular-streamers-summit1g-dakotaz-joshog-re-sign-with-twitch/ https://loaded.gg/ https://www.pcgamer.com/league-of-legends-is-about-to-get-in-game-ad...
#116 - Amazon Games actually releases a game and Magic Leap raises another massive round
May 24, 2020 19:18 - 23 minutes - 26.5 MBAmazon Game Studios abruptly releases a game. Take-two claims nearly 100 new game to be released by 2025. Magic Leap somehow raises a $350 million lifeline. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://www.reuters.com/article/esports-business-amazon-crucible/amazon-launches-first-big-budget-game-title-crucible-idUSFLM13S4tM https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-05-20-take-two-plans-to-release-93-full-tit...
#115 - Epic unveils Unreal 5 and Machine Zone is acquired by AppLovin
May 17, 2020 19:39 - 26 minutes - 29.8 MBEpic unveils the next generation of their famed game engine. Marking platform AppLovin swoops up mobile. Keywords Studios positions itself discounted acquisitions. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC5KtatMcUw https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/a-first-look-at-unreal-engine-5 https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/gta-v-free-epic-games-store-crashes-upcoming-games-leaked-22...
#114 - First look at the XBox Series X and analytics firm Sensor Tower sells stake to a PE firm
May 10, 2020 17:53 - 21 minutes - 24.7 MBXBox shows off first gameplay footage of the Series X. YouTube signs one of gaming’s biggest content creators. Sensor Tower gets a massive cash injection from the private equity space. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REwzQraW7K4 https://www.polygon.com/speedrun-quibi/2020/5/8/21252025/inside-xbox-series-x-assassins-creed-valhalla-halo-infinite https://gamasutra.com/view/new...
#113 - Tencent consolidates game streaming in China and Jagex finds a new home
May 03, 2020 19:40 - 23 minutes - 26.6 MBTencent makes its move to consolidate game streaming in China. A number of major eSports events have been delayed or canceled. Jagex, developers behind the long running MMO Runescape, has a new home. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://twitter.com/EVO/status/1256308529163452416 https://twitter.com/FNCompetitive/status/1255927727141593091 http://blog.dota2.com/2020/04/the-international-2/ https://gdcon...
#112 - Is Nintendo the next Disney? and Epic concedes to the Google Play Store
April 26, 2020 21:05 - 18 minutes - 21.2 MBIs Nintendo poised to take on Disney or Netflix, one hedge fund seems to think so. Epic concedes to the Google Play Store. Facebook aims at Twitch as it spinoffs Gaming into a separate App. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nintendo-valueact-exclusive/exclusive-valueact-eyes-nintendo-with-stake-of-over-1-1-billion-letter-idUSKCN2232VT https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ValueAct_C...
#111 - Professional sports turn into XBox Live and the ESRB attempts loot box damage control
April 20, 2020 01:28 - 20 minutes - 23 MBESRB puts a bandaid on loot boxes. Virtual NASCAR turns into XBox Live. Animal Crossing stirs up UGC controversy. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://www.comic-con.org/cci https://twitter.com/gamescom/status/1250815640400773120 https://www.esrb.org/blog/in-game-purchases-includes-random-items/ https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52269671 https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-04-17-the-curious-ca...
#110 - Sony invest big in Bilibili, Riot breaks Twitch records with Valorant
April 12, 2020 20:25 - 18 minutes - 22.6 MBSony unveils a sleek new PS5 controller. Riot breaks Twitch records but with the help of outside forces. Sony drops $400 million for a stake in one of China’s top video platform. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That Show Notes: https://blog.us.playstation.com/2020/04/07/introducing-dualsense-the-new-wireless-game-controller-for-playstation-5/ https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/8/21212567/valorant-riot-games-twitch-record-viewe...
#109 - IGN replaces E3 and Gearbox is accused of withholding bonuses
April 06, 2020 00:53 - 25 minutes - 29.7 MBThe BAFTA Awards held its annual award show digitally. E3 sets new dates as IGN tries to fill the 2020 void. Gearbox has been accused of withholding bonuses. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#108 - Has Epic Games become the most vertically integrated game company?
March 29, 2020 20:59 - 22 minutes - 27.1 MBEpic makes big waves as it moves into publishing. GameStop continues to its massive decline in sales. Stadia reaches out to the indie community for content. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#107 - IGF and GDC Awards plus fundraising galore
March 22, 2020 22:58 - 24 minutes - 28.2 MBIndies took over the IGF and GDC Awards. Next-gen consoles hold strong to their Q4 2020 release windows. This was a week dominated by fundraising news. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#106 - E3 is canceled, GDC Online kicks off and Unreal and Unity make art acquisitions
March 16, 2020 22:45 - 22 minutes - 27 MBE3, the industry’s biggest conference, is officially canceled. GDC Online kicks off today on Twitch. Unity and Unreal both make critical art acquisitions. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#105 - Stadia opens LA studio as GeForce Now loses more publisher libraries
March 08, 2020 23:15 - 17 minutes - 21.4 MBGoogle pouches top talent from Sony to lead new LA studio. Australia eyes loot box regulation. GeForce Now loses another top publisher. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#104 - COVID-19 hits GDC and the game industry, Roblox raises an impressive Series G
March 02, 2020 00:32 - 27 minutes - 35.2 MBCOVID-19 and its impact on the game industry. An update on GDC. Roblox raises a giant fundraising round from powerful investors. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#103 - GeForce Now gaming woes and HQ Trivia official shuts down
February 24, 2020 02:26 - 29 minutes - 36.9 MBMore troubling update from Nvidia’s GeForce Now service. Kickstarter employees decide to unionize. We say goodbye to the phenomenon that was HQ Trivia. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#102 - DICE summit and Tim Sweeney's roast of the industry
February 17, 2020 08:14 - 18 minutes - 23.2 MBTim Sweeney tells off half the game industry, in Epic fashion. Activision-Blizzard pulls the plug on GeForce Now. The most untitled game wins big at the DICE Summit Awards. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#101 - Nvidia enters cloud gaming and Rockstars loses a leg
February 11, 2020 19:13 - 23 minutes - 28.8 MBNivida launches their bet on the cloud gaming market. The second part of the Rockstar trinity leaves as Dan Houser departs the studio. An AI startup raises a hefty seed round in hopes of disrupting gaming QA. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#100 - The 100th episode, Blizzard upsets nostalgic fans, Dauntless developer gets acquired
February 02, 2020 23:28 - 26 minutes - 32.6 MBIt’s the 100th episode of This Week in Games. Dauntless developer Phoenix Labs gets acquired by a digital service company. Blizzard earns the lowest Metacritic user score in history. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#99 - Activision-Blizzard teams up with Google and more mobile studio acquisitions
January 27, 2020 05:34 - 24 minutes - 29.2 MBActivision-Blizzard signs a multi-year deal with Google. Major mobile game studios acquisitions go down. The world’s most valuable startup is rumored to enter games. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#98 - Sony skips E3, Valve saves VR and Epic fights online trolling
January 20, 2020 00:17 - 14 minutes - 18.6 MBDetails of Nintendo’s new interactive theme park are revealed. Epic Games Store combats review bombing. The Valve Index could spark VR’s 2020 comeback. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#97 - EA and DICE tapping Respawn, Tencent is giving Platinum Games independence
January 13, 2020 03:52 - 16 minutes - 20.3 MBEA taps Respawn for new DICE studio leadership. Alienware unveils a Switch inspired PC. Tencent is injecting cash into one of Japan’s top developers. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
#96 - Celebrating 2019 and the podcast 2-year anniversary
January 06, 2020 07:27 - 30 minutes - 36.1 MBCelebrating 2019's biggest news, acquisitions and games. 2019 had some big shifts and big whimpers and we crown the best games of the year. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
12.29.2019 - The decade in review
December 30, 2019 01:22 - 30 minutes - 36.6 MBThe 2010's had so much to offer from indie games, eSports, Games as a Service, art games, Twitch, Kickstarter, AR, VR and more. I'll be covering everything that made the last 10 years transformative in the game industry. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
12.22.2019 - Acquisitions galore as Google, Facebook and more make Christmas purchases
December 23, 2019 01:51 - 19 minutes - 23.3 MBStadia purchases its first AAA game studio. Facebook buys its way into cloud gaming. An eSports platform raises a hefty series A. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
12.15.2019 - The Game Awards and Microsoft Scarlett's big reveal
December 15, 2019 22:28 - 15 minutes - 19.3 MBThe Year’s Biggest Award Show went down this week. Twitch goes on the offensive against rival streaming platforms. Microsoft releases the first glimpse of what Scarlett is. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
12.8.2019 - Magic Leap's downfall and Microsoft's two console strategy
December 08, 2019 20:50 - 28 minutes - 34.3 MBThings are getting worse at AR giant Magic Leap. Rumors of Microsoft’s two console strategy surface again. Nintendo and Tencent are launching a Chinese Switch much sooner than you think. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
12.1.2019 - Google poaches Ubisoft leadership and Valve kills an innovative piece of hardware
December 01, 2019 21:25 - 21 minutes - 25.5 MBGoogle poaches Ubisoft leadership for its game studio. An eSports firm plans to IPO. Facebook acquires its biggest Oculus success. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
11.24.2019 - Valve says "Let there be VR" with a VR only Half-life title
November 24, 2019 21:36 - 21 minutes - 26.4 MBValve lights the VR world on fire with a new VR-only Half-life game. Stadia stumbles out of the gate to no one’s surprise. The game industry loses a legend with the passing of Brad McQuid. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
11.17.2019 - Stadia fumbles launch and Project xCloud picks up steam
November 17, 2019 20:06 - 17 minutes - 21.7 MBMicrosoft holds its annual X0 conference. Google makes Stadia’s launch as lackluster as possible. And VR has a mixed reality this week as two big stories drop. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
11.10.2019 - China restricts play and Niantic keeps AR on life support
November 10, 2019 22:36 - 20 minutes - 25 MBChina adds further restrictions on minor playtime. Niantic launches a creator program, but is it too late. Twitch loses another star as YouTube enters the streaming talent draft. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusiarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
11.3.2019 - Ubisoft rethinks 2020
November 03, 2019 21:54 - 19 minutes - 24.3 MBUbisoft delays 3 major titles due to missed earnings. The Modern Times Group is looking to float on the US stock exchange. Value shuts down money laundering in CS:GO for a second time. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
10.27.2019 - Tencent and Microsoft make big moves
October 27, 2019 23:33 - 20 minutes - 24.7 MBUK’s Children’s Commissioner takes regulation aim at loot boxes. Tencent takes majority stake Supercell. Mixer pouches another Twitch top dog. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
10.20.2019 - Google wakes up from its VR Daydream
October 22, 2019 06:34 - 15 minutes - 18.9 MBBlizzard bows to China in eSports political conduct. Riot announces new games for the first time in their 10 year history. Google decides to wake up from its Daydream and end its consumer VR hardware. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
10.6.2019 - A F2P world without loot boxes
October 08, 2019 06:28 - 12 minutes - 15.4 MBPsyonix explores a world without loot boxes. The Writers Guild Awards give the ol’ middle finger to game writers. Industry legend Raph Koster is getting back to his MMO roots. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
9.29.2019 - Facebook hires digital theme park attendees
September 29, 2019 18:43 - 21 minutes - 25.3 MBFacebook hires digital theme park employees. Gaming VC is alive and well as LVP raising $80 million. Is 2020 the year of AR board gaming? Maybe not. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
9.22.2019 - French court takes aim at Steam
September 22, 2019 22:27 - 20 minutes - 24.2 MBEU takes aim are digital games reselling. Riot release League of Legends concurrent numbers, yes they are impressive. A number of acquisitions, fundraising rounds and announcements. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
9.15.2019 - Apple, Nintendo and a Parliamentary report
September 15, 2019 20:18 - 18 minutes - 22.1 MBApple Arcade has its big announcement. The UK’s parliament deems loot boxes as gambling. Nintendo, does Nintendo and releases an eccentric peripheral. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
9.8.2019 - Call of Duty studio cycle drama
September 10, 2019 03:28 - 15 minutes - 19.5 MBShakeups at Activision as Call of Duty 2020’s lead studio is changed. Nexon’s employee union has a demonstration. Collegiate eSports consolidates with a major acquisition. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
9.1.2019 - Developers call out sexual abusers in the game industry
September 02, 2019 22:08 - 19 minutes - 23.9 MBDevelopers speak out against sexual assault in the workplace. Playtika acquires a top grossing studio. A pair of messenger and VR fund raising rounds close. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
8.25.2019 - Respawn vs Reddit
August 25, 2019 22:46 - 16 minutes - 19.8 MBRespawn shows us how not to do community engagement. Sony acquires one of last independent AAA studios. GameStop starts its pivot with a massive round of layoffs. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
8.18.2019 - THQ Nordic the sleeping giant
August 20, 2019 22:46 - 16 minutes - 20.4 MBTHQ Nordic has a massive week of acquisitions. Russian publisher My.Games announces a digital storefront. Activision Blizzard has a C-suite shuffle. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
8.11.2019 - FTC regulation and Presidential scapegoating
August 11, 2019 21:12 - 19 minutes - 23.8 MBFTC holds a public event on loot box regulation. President Trump offers up the game industry as a scapegoat. China may be the future destination for eSports. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
8.4.2019 - Taxes like a Rockstar
August 05, 2019 06:38 - 21 minutes - 25.7 MBRockstar Games comes under fire over corporate taxes. Fortnite pays out one of the most lucrative eSports events in history. We answer the question of how much an Overwatch league spot is worth. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That
7.28.2019 - Nin-tencent-do
July 28, 2019 18:14 - 23 minutes - 29.3 MBPokemon and Tencent team up for new titles. Rockstar skates around gambling regulation. We learn how much a League of Legends LCS spot is actually worth. Music by Proviant Audio: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Proviant_Audio/Welcome_Wilderness/Just_Like_That