Dead Space and Callisto Protocol veteran Glen Schofield says he’s “100% behind AI” for game development. In a new interview, he likened today’s AI moment to the arrival of Photoshop and motion capture - tools that initially spooked creatives but ultimately raised the bar. That stance lands amid a real adoption curve: the latest GDC survey notes 52% of studios already use gen-AI tools, even as curiosity cools and some companies push back...
Australia’s video game sector is shaking off a decade of “not serious” snubs and stepping into a bona fide growth era. With the federal Digital Games Tax Offset (DGTO) in place, state top-ups accelerating investment, and headline projects (hello, Carmen Sandiego) proving the talent pipeline, the country is fast becoming a credible destination for global studios - and a stronger launchpad for local ones. Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and how studios can capitalise right now...
As of August 29, 2025, Tokyo-based developer Yuke’s will complete its acquisition of Aquaplus - and its music arm F.I.X. Records Inc. - for ¥783.52 million ($5.3 million USD). This strategic deal significantly bolsters Yuke’s long-term vision by not only adding essential in-house publishing capabilities but also enriching its portfolio with a storied visual-novel IP catalog, which has garnered a dedicated fan base over the years. The integration of Aquaplus' unique storytelling and artistic flair will complement Yuke’s existing action-game expertise, enabling the company to diversify its offerings and appeal to a broader audience...
As of July 31, 2025, QingCi Games, one of China's leading game developers, has officially established its international studio, UltraPlayers, right in the heart of Melbourne’s bustling CBD. This significant move underscores Victoria’s ever-growing reputation as a global hub for digital games innovation and investment, enhancing Melbourne’s standing in the international gaming landscape...
As of July 2025, the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) has officially launched Game On Australia, an innovative new resource aimed at boosting Australia's local game development industry. The new website serves as a one-stop platform to assist local studios in accessing funding opportunities, while showcasing Australian gaming creativity to a global audience...
Apple’s recent decision to delist the indie visual novel Wheels of Aurelia from the App Store has sparked renewed debate about digital preservation, platform power, and the cultural value of video games. The move has been criticised by the game’s developer, Santa Ragione, who argues that Apple is undermining games as legitimate cultural works by enforcing vague and punitive policies...
As development costs climb across the industry, Nintendo is taking a proactive step: investigating shorter game development cycles. During a recent investor Q&A, company president Shuntaro Furukawa explained that this approach is one of several ways the company hopes to maintain creative output while offsetting the growing financial burden of next-gen development - especially with the launch of the powerful Nintendo Switch 2...
Microsoft has confirmed the closure of its first-party Xbox studio The Initiative, along with the cancellation of Perfect Dark, Everwild, ZeniMax’s MMO Blackbird, and other unannounced projects. This move is part of a broader layoff wave affecting 4% of Microsoft’s global workforce, with over 15,000 job losses in 2025 alone despite the company reporting record profits. The cuts send a strong message about the challenges facing AAA development - even with the backing of one of the world’s most powerful tech firms...
Veteran game designer Masahiro Sakurai - creator of Kirby and the Super Smash Bros. series - has sounded a clear alarm: the AAA model of game development is becoming "unsustainable." In a recent interview with ITMedia, translated by IGN, Sakurai argued that the ballooning scale and workload of modern game development are forcing studios - and the industry - to rethink how games are made. At the heart of his proposed solution? Generative AI...
The NSW government has just announced a landmark $380 million investment into the screen and digital games sector, with game developers set to benefit from an expanded rebate program and new industry representation. This move signals growing confidence in the state’s ability to compete as a serious player in the global games economy...
