Best of GamesIndustry.biz — July 2024

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   GamesIndustry.biz·2y

   Why are Japanese developers not undergoing mass layoffs?

   Japanese developers have largely been spared from the mass layoffs affecting the global gaming industry due to strong employee protections and cultural factors. Major Japanese companies like FromSoftware, Konami, Capcom, and Nintendo are increasing wages and retaining staff, contributing to a stable and growing employment landscape. Factors include Japan's robust mobile gaming market, language barriers preventing outsourcing, and a shrinking workforce driving wage competition. These practices contrast sharply with the frequent layoffs seen in Western companies driven by short-term profitability goals.

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   GamesIndustry.biz·2y

   "I just dropped them an email" – How a small studio won over Netflix to make a Queen's Gambit game

   Jamie Brayshaw from Ripstone shared insights at Develop Brighton on how the studio successfully pitched and developed a Queen's Gambit game for Netflix. Despite tight deadlines, the studio leveraged its chess game expertise and bold pitching strategy. The project faced numerous challenges, including adapting Unreal Engine for mobile, addressing a diverse audience, and ensuring smooth first-time user experience. Continuous user testing was crucial in refining the game, which includes bite-sized puzzles alongside traditional chess gameplay.

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   GamesIndustry.biz·2y

   Ubisoft apologises for Assassin's Creed Shadows promotional materials that "have caused concern"

   Ubisoft apologized for promotional materials for Assassin's Creed Shadows that caused concern within the Japanese community. The company clarified that the game, like other titles in the series, is a work of fiction aimed at sparking curiosity about historical settings. Controversy has arisen over the depiction of samurai and the game's protagonist, Yasuke, a Black samurai from the Sengoku period, with a petition in Japan calling for the game's cancellation gaining over 94,000 signatures.

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   GamesIndustry.biz·2y

   Pokémon Sleep earns $100m in first year revenue

   Pokémon Sleep has achieved $100 million in revenue in its first year with 9.8 million downloads. Japan leads in user spending with $73 million, followed by the US with $15 million, and Taiwan with $4 million. Significant revenue peaks were noted during events, with the largest being $4 million during the 2023 holiday period.

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   GamesIndustry.biz·2y

   GTA 6 and the PlayStation 4 problem

   As the gaming industry looks forward to a possible rebound in 2025 with the launch of new consoles and economic recovery, the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is highly anticipated to be a major event. However, the transition from older consoles like the PlayStation 4 to newer ones remains a challenge, as many players continue to use their older hardware due to economic reasons and the popularity of live service games. The launch of GTA 6 may push players to upgrade, presenting both opportunities and challenges for developers and hardware manufacturers.

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   GamesIndustry.biz·2y

   How to survive until 2025 in the games industry

   Developers and business leaders offer strategies for surviving in the games industry until 2025, including seeking non-traditional funding, listening to advisors, pivoting business strategies, raising funds proactively, planning for failures, and forming external partnerships. Emphasis is also placed on leadership, maintaining team morale, focusing on existing games, and cautiously navigating new industry norms.

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   GamesIndustry.biz·2y

   Trends shaping the mobile gaming industry in 2024

   The mobile gaming industry in 2024 is shaped by several key trends including economic impacts on development, the growing importance of live operations, brand and IP collaborations, hybrid monetization models, and the use of artificial intelligence. Developers are focusing on creating engaging events, diversifying revenue streams, and leveraging AI for content creation. There is also a significant emphasis on adapting content for new markets and integrating nostalgic and self-care elements in games.

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