I work at a big corporate thing. I discuss the business of video games. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RallyCarDelta Podcast: https://concisegamereviews.podbean.com/ Long Form Writing: https://gameoverthirty.com/https://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mtykdnjmz22xState of Decay 3 will continue to be offered in #Xbox Game Pass, along with most other major platform storefronts (no Switch 2 version): https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/08/26/state-of-decay-3-closed-beta-playtests/26 Aug 2026 14:31 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtykdnjmz22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mtx66zmeg22x1/ Modern browsers are generally capable of running 3D rendered worlds, but the use case never took off in a meaningful way. Do I believe this is going to usher in a new era of browser gaming? Eh, not really. That said, it's something interesting. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/entity-raises-58-million-to-build-browser-based-console-quality-gaming-platform26 Aug 2026 01:21 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtx66zmeg22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mtwbpqffis2pThe price of a product should, and will, reflect market demand. Arguing over the $80 price ($100 for the premium version) of #GTAVI is pointless. The price will drift towards market acceptance. If GTAVI does ridiculous numbers at $80+, the launch price was "correct" (for lack of a better term).25 Aug 2026 16:51 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwbpqffis2phttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mtmceh4g6s25My summary of why #Xbox probably ended data sharing with Circana: TLDR: It serves no tactical purpose and whatever benefit they received back isn't valued (anymore).21 Aug 2026 17:36 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtmceh4g6s25https://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mtkgpvcl3k2gMicrosoft stopped sharing data with Circana. Honestly, I don't blame them. Obviously, I'd welcome more sales data (I enjoy talking about the business), but I can understand why (at this point in time) Xbox sees little value in sharing sales data. [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 Aug 2026 23:49 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtkgpvcl3k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mtjn45pfuc2wCircana US July 2026 video game industry sales numbers: The month comes in down 10% compared to July 25. This pushes the full year down approximately 2% overall YTD. Mobile down Hardware down General content down Basically flat QaQ. Black Op 2 re-release instantly became a year best seller. [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 Aug 2026 16:11 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjn45pfuc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mtgvl3e4pk2e1/ Assuming this is true, it would be the standard business playbook (remove the live service cost). We saw the exact same thing happen to Towerborne. IF this is true, it would not surprise me in the least. #HorizonHunters saw a ton of negativity around the game, not to mention market realities.19 Aug 2026 14:04 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtgvl3e4pk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mtd7u55iyc2eNexon gives us a window into the market performance of EA's FC Online and FC Mobile. Nexon is the regional publisher, thus they report on the engagement of the title. Q2 2026 did not see World Cup activity translate into engagements. https://pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/xoA3/tx0r/AreA/nNQB.pdf18 Aug 2026 02:57 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtd7u55iyc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mstxluarac2yRemedy published their H1 2026 financial report (January - June 2026). Overall, it is a down half-year for the company as they are between releases and marketing is ramping up for #ControlResonant. April - June had negative operating cash flow. https://storage.googleapis.com/inderes-widgets-prod-assets/remedy/attachments/d9d408ef-5549-44b3-b384-7ac084760344/remedy-h1-2026-half-year-financial-report.pdf12 Aug 2026 01:20 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mstxluarac2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3msl4cnhpys2zNintendo is buying and holding a ton of inventory, likely to hold off additional Switch 2 price hikes (or slow them down). Full explanation in images. Source: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2026/260806e.pdf08 Aug 2026 12:50 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3msl4cnhpys2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mshljwoqjc2uWhat is (likely) next for EA: https://youtube.com/shorts/_m4PCPgSfrs?is=eDYnaSvwiK4pZTXB07 Aug 2026 03:12 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mshljwoqjc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3msf6fkv2qs22Capcom published the Q&A session from July 28, 2026. In that session, they were asked about the shrinking physical games market. Their response: "Approximately 90% of our unit sales are digital. We do not anticipate a significant impact at this time." https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/data/pdf/explanation/2026/1st/explanation_2026_1st_02.pdf06 Aug 2026 04:12 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3msf6fkv2qs22https://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3msempoq7ok2qThe dual president promotions at EA make sense, at least on paper. I don't want to read too much into it, but my instincts tell me it's generally reflective of the core strategy that we'll see from EA over the next few years. https://www.ea.com/news/our-next-chapter05 Aug 2026 22:55 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3msempoq7ok2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mscby7jnbs2d1/ The consortium of investors who purchased EA do not have a history short term destruction of assets. Taking out the money that they did, regardless of the $20B they placed on EA, would have been extremely foolish if they planned on destroying the company.05 Aug 2026 00:38 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mscby7jnbs2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3msca222gms2d1/ The nonsense "hot takes" about EA were one of the driving reasons for me to create a Twitter account back in 2017. Now they are a private company. They were in a strong cash position as of the last quarter. https://www.ea.com/news/ea-announces-completion-of-acquisition05 Aug 2026 00:03 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3msca222gms2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3ms6vtrfgck2d1/ What happened at Lightspeed LA isn't all that different than what we saw with all of the other 2019-2021 ramp-ups that eventually died out: Instead of focusing on something that was reasonable in scope, they team tried to build a "AAA" game that was scoped like Grand Theft Auto.03 Aug 2026 16:22 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms6vtrfgck2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3ms47ugp5m22dMy only complaint about #Halo Campaign Evolved is that is that it should run better than what it does on PC, especially on modern hardware using medium settings (Ultra 9 275HX + 5070Ti Laptop). The graphical options that can be changed with text file should be in the game menu.02 Aug 2026 14:44 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms47ugp5m22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mrxiln6gps2x1/ Focusing on #Minecraft makes logical sense, especially if you understand how the modern version works (compared to what Minecraft used to be). That focus will almost certainly involve expanding reach and doubling down on UGC. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/30/microsoft-xbox-asha-sharma-2030-plans.html31 Jul 2026 17:37 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrxiln6gps2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mruprqkjhc2cOnce again, Andrew Wilson's compensation package is making headlines. As I've talked about before, most of it is in restricted stock units (not raw cash). He wasn't paid $38M, and the Battlefield layoffs had nothing to do with his bonus. https://youtube.com/shorts/3wSPIUl7aiE?is=CPt2aalHCOq7Mv8Q30 Jul 2026 15:07 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mruprqkjhc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mrqmilqpg22oThe industry needs studios like Double Fine. We need interesting, weird, and niche, ideas. Let's also understand that Xbox money allowed them to increase headcount, and for the most part, do their thing. Going independent means slimming down cost.28 Jul 2026 23:58 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrqmilqpg22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mrpkzbzzos2bCapcom delivered another strong quarter for Q1 FYE March 27. Back catalog sales set a record. PC unit sales continue to be transformative for the company. Presentation Link: https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/data/pdf/explanation/2026/1st/explanation_2026_1st_01.pdf28 Jul 2026 13:59 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrpkzbzzos2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mrohugicgc27The TLDR on this... It's fair to suggest new development models (we all have our ideas), but where the industry lands will be a result of the economics. The economics will effectively force the model, the model can't be forced on top of the economics. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/after-half-a-decade-of-job-losses-there-is-no-business-as-usual-opinion28 Jul 2026 03:30 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrohugicgc27https://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mrohr5lbmk27The #XBOX outage on July 27 was not caused by a third party provider. It was an internally shared MSFT service.28 Jul 2026 03:28 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrohr5lbmk27https://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mrauuguw6c2oJune 2026 Circana US video game market numbers: - June sales down 21% YoY due to Switch 2 launch in 2025. - Total year sales now flat to 2025 (-1%). - Interesting note: Xbox hardware sales double versus June 2025. Full thread: [contains quote post or other embedded content]22 Jul 2026 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrauuguw6c2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mraknnpjkc2sHasbro cancelled several video game projects and is now focusing on the products they believe have the best chance for success. Sound familiar? It's the playbook that we see every time a company over-extends into game production. https://investor.hasbro.com/static-files/72d34d76-438d-4a35-bdc1-6c243889db0a22 Jul 2026 14:42 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mraknnpjkc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mr56c6xygk261/ Netflix delivered an "in-line" report for Q2 2026. Their #gaming comments were mostly focused on their new cloud strategy (cloud based TV games) and the new kids app. FIFA World Cup and Unhinged were the most successful cloud app debuts. https://s22.q4cdn.com/959853165/files/doc_financials/2026/q2/FINAL-Q2-26-Shareholder-Letter.pdf21 Jul 2026 06:23 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr56c6xygk26https://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mr4rr2sysc2fParamount + Warner Bros merger halted for at least 14 days while a state coalition seeks a preliminary injunction. https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/28497890/judge-order-tro-paramount-wb.pdf21 Jul 2026 02:39 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr4rr2sysc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mr4mtyy7rc23Midgar Studios is shutting down. The studio was known to combine French and Japanese style, art, and culture. Edge of Memories was set to release this year, but I assume is now cancelled. They previously worked on Hover and released the JRPG, Edge of Eternity. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sandstorm21_today-midgar-studio-comes-to-an-end-this-share-7484924298852331520-eYkD/?skipRedirect=true21 Jul 2026 01:11 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr4mtyy7rc23https://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mr22agxsac2oXbox Game Pass helped me find my GOTY candidate. PBA Pro Bowling 2026. The only thing I'm joking about is GOTY, because that's a ridiculous concept that has no meaning in video games. However, this is game is great.20 Jul 2026 00:33 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr22agxsac2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/gameoverthirty.bsky.social/post/3mqxneqfgck2uThere is no world where ALL single player games (from the Xbox studios group) becomes a console exclusive. Even considering Matthew Ball said they want a "framework," drawing the line at single player would be financially foolish. https://www.gamesradar.com/games/xbox-return-to-console-exclusivity-report/19 Jul 2026 01:37 +0000at://did:plc:ipklmcujwlmchuj7knvnde4j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqxneqfgck2u