Industry Talk

Nintendo’s Patent Pushback

The Pokémon Company and Nintendo have never been shy about guarding their IP, but their latest legal manoeuvres against indie developer Pocket Pair are raising eyebrows across the gaming community, and not for the usual reasons. At the centre of the storm is Palworld, the wildly popular “Pokémon with guns” survival game. Nintendo claims the…

Microsoft’s Xbox Studio Reshuffle: What’s Really at Stake?

Microsoft has initiated a sweeping reorganisation of its Xbox Game Studios, closing The Initiative and cancelling high-profile projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild. This strategic pivot, couched in corporate speak as “prioritising the strongest opportunities”, is more than just internal restructuring. It’s a glimpse into the fragility of creative ambition when it collides with commercial…

Stop Killing Games: Why This Petition Could Change More Than Just Gaming

In an age where digital convenience is king, the gaming industry is quietly erasing its own history. Games you paid for, games you own, can vanish overnight. No refunds. No recourse. No preservation. That’s why over 900,000 people have signed the Stop Killing Games petition as of 3 July 2025, and why this movement matters…

Xbox Layoffs: Another Grim Chapter in a Year of Industry Turmoil

It’s happening again. According to mounting reports, Microsoft is preparing another wave of layoffs, this time targeting its Xbox division. Between 1,000 and 2,000 employees could lose their jobs, with entire studios at risk of closure. For a company that once championed “player-first” values, the ongoing pattern paints a different picture, one where profitability trumps…

Nintendo’s Switch 2 Crackdown: Anti-Piracy or Anti-Consumer?

Image – Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo has reignited controversy with its latest move to brick Switch 2 consoles that detect unauthorised third-party devices, specifically, the MIG Flash V2 cartridge. Touted as a tool for game preservation or homebrew use by some, the cartridge has now become ground zero in a sweeping wave of console bans.…

EA Shuts Down Cliffhanger Games: Impact on Black Panther

Image – Black Panther/EA Electronic Arts has once again made headlines for its corporate restructuring, this time shutting down Cliffhanger Games, the studio behind the upcoming Black Panther game. This unexpected closure has raised concerns about EA’s long-term strategy and its impact on creative independence in the gaming industry. The Rise and Fall of Cliffhanger…

Borderlands 4 Price Controversy: When Fandom Meets Corporate Tone-Deafness

Image – Borderlands 4/Gearbox The gaming industry has seen its fair share of pricing controversies, but Borderlands 4 has sparked a particularly heated debate. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford recently found himself in the crosshairs of frustrated gamers after suggesting that “real fans” would find a way to afford the game, potentially priced at £80. The…

Diablo 4: Monetization Over Gameplay? A Growing Concern

Image – Diablo 4/Blizzard Blizzard’s Diablo 4 has been under fire for its monetization practices since launch, but Season 8 has pushed player frustration to new heights. With £112 Berserk-themed skins, slow seasonal progression, and minimal gameplay improvements, many fans feel the game is prioritizing revenue over meaningful content. Season 8: The Breaking Point? Season…

AI Darth Vader in Fortnite Sparks Controversy

Image – Fortnite/Epic Games AI Darth Vader in Fortnite Sparks Controversy On May 16, 2025, Fortnite’s Galactic Battle event introduced an AI-generated Darth Vader, allowing players to interact with him via voice chat. While this was intended as a cutting-edge feature, it quickly became the center of controversy due to ethical concerns over AI voice…

Star Citizen Delays New Ship Upgrade Amid Pay-to-Win Concerns

Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) is once again under fire, this time for delaying its latest ship upgrade, Flight Blades, after intense backlash from players. The controversy stems from the fact that when Flight Blades were first introduced, they were only available for real money, ranging from £7.50 to £33—despite promises that they would also be…

Bungie’s Latest Plagiarism Scandal with Marathon

Bungie’s reputation for innovation has taken another hit with allegations of plagiarism surrounding its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon. Independent artist Fern Hook (4nt1r34l) has claimed that Bungie used her designs without permission, igniting widespread criticism from the gaming community. The Marathon Controversy Recent comparisons between Marathon concept art and Hook’s original work have surfaced online,…

Steam Hack Scare: What Really Happened?

This week, the gaming community was shaken by reports of a massive Steam data breach, allegedly affecting 89 million accounts. The claim, originating from a LinkedIn post, suggested that user data, including phone numbers and two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, was being sold on the dark web for a mere $5,000. Naturally, panic ensued. Was Steam…

Nintendo’s EULA Update: The Power to Brick Your Console?

Nintendo has long been known for its strict stance on piracy and modding, but its latest update to the End User Licence Agreement (EULA) has taken things to a new level. The company now explicitly states that it can render a console permanently unusable if it detects unauthorised modifications or piracy. What’s Changed? The updated…

Nintendo’s Aggressive Anti-Consumer Practices Continue

Nintendo and its legal team are at it again! Their increasingly anti-competitive behaviour is becoming a defining trait of the company. Let’s start from the beginning. Nintendo has a clear disdain for competition. When faced with a superior product, do they innovate, push boundaries, and strive to prove their dominance? Do they take inspiration from…

Gaming Is in Trouble, And It’s Time to Talk About It!

Remember when buying a new game felt exciting? When studios actually cared about delivering unforgettable experiences rather than chasing trends? Those days feel further and further away. It has been years since I last reviewed anything, not because I haven’t been playing games, but because I never thought about doing one. However, given the way…