Best of GamesIndustry.biz — October 2025

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   GamesIndustry.biz·32w

   ESA: 48% of video game players are women

   A global survey of 24,216 weekly gamers across 21 countries reveals that 48% of video game players worldwide are women, with women outnumbering men in 10 countries. Mobile devices are the preferred gaming platform at 55% overall, particularly among women at 64%. Players cite fun, stress relief, and mental stimulation as primary motivations, while 77% believe gaming improves creativity and 76% say it enhances problem-solving skills. Half of respondents report that gaming has directly contributed to their professional or educational development through technical or behavioral skills.

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   GamesIndustry.biz·32w

   Why Relic Entertainment wants to make games more quickly

   Relic Entertainment's CEO discusses the studio's transition to independence after being sold by Sega, focusing on strategies to reduce game development cycles. Key approaches include rapid prototyping (4-week sprints), stricter scope control, maintaining a unified game engine across projects, and leveraging AI for workflow efficiency rather than core development. The studio aims to release games more frequently while managing the balance between production costs, player expectations, and market realities in a maturing games industry.

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   GamesIndustry.biz·31w

   The Drifter wins Game of the Year at Australian Game Developer Awards 2025

   Powerhoof's point-and-click adventure game The Drifter won Game of the Year at the 2025 Australian Game Developer Awards, along with awards for art, narrative, and sound design. Massive Monster received Studio of the Year, while Witch Beam's Tempopo won for music and accessibility. Epic Games' Antony Reed was honored with the Adam Lancman Award for industry advocacy, and Adelaide developer Aiden Gyory received the Rising Star Award for community support and education initiatives.

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