The Game Business Show

In this edition of The Game Business Show, we chat with Obsidian's Marcus Morgan and Justin Britch to discuss the studio's impressive output, its iterative, RPG-like approach to development and how it's managed to launch three games (Avowed, Grounded 2 and The Outer Worlds 2) in one year. We also find out how the studio hopes to keep staff happy so they stay for 20 years or more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's edition of The Game Business Show, we're joined by Embark CEO Patrick Soderlund. The former EA boss is launching a new shooter IP this week called Arc Raiders, and despite huge competition from Battlefield and Call of Duty, early signs are very, very positive that it's going to enjoy an impressive launch. In this chat, Soderlund talks about how Arc Raiders has managed to cut through, what the team learned from their last game (2023's The Finals), and how they're trying to make games 100X faster than anyone else. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's bumper edition of The Game Business Show, we are joined by Circana game boss Mat Piscatella, who gives us his take on a better-than-expected year for video game sales in the US.Plus, we interview GDC chief Mark DeLoura, where we discussed some of the big changes taking place at the conference this year. We also spoke about the challenges of hosting the event in the US, and how he felt about big companies skipping GDC this past year. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today’s edition of The Game Business Show, Chris speaks to Nicolas Doucet, the studio head of Astro Bot developer Team Asobi. The studio is known for its close involvement in the creation of PlayStation consoles, so Chris asks Nicolas for his views on the role of consoles, and what makes PS5 different to what has come before.The two also chat about Team Asobi’s skill at making incredible games quickly, and Doucet’s personal history with building games for family audiences. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this episode, Chris Dring and MobileGamer.biz editor Neil Long look at Nintendo’s return to mobile games, with some exclusive data on how the company has performed in this space so far. The two also dive into the recent challenges at Build A Rocket Boy, Remedy’s profit warning and Supercell’s concerns about potential EU regulation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's The Game Business Show, we chat with the leaders of GOG (formerly Good Old Games) to discuss the retro games scene, the increasing competition, the problems it's faced with its Preservation Program, the ageing gaming audience and why players crave the OG versions of classic titles. Enjoy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's edition of The Game Business Show, Chris is joined by two guest hosts: Lisa Cosmas Hanson (President and CEO of Niko Partners) and Daniel Ahmad (director of research and insights at Niko Partners), who both share an abundance of data and insights into what is really going on in the Chinese video game market. The three also chat about what former FTC Chair Lina Khan had to say about Xbox, the layoffs at Funcom, and Ubisoft’s new Saudi Arabian-backed Assassin’s Creed DLC. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week’s special edition of The Game Business Show, we speak to some of the leaders behind the launch of PlayStation 1 in Europe, including former bosses Chris Deering and Jim Ryan, developers Martin Alltimes and Juan Montes, PR and marketing veterans Glen O’Connell, Alan Welsman and Geoff Glendenning, and Namco’s Jackie Plumeridge. Listeners can receive extra content at www.thegamebusiness.com and you can find out all about it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

On this week’s The Game Business Show, Chris is joined by analyst, author and all-round nice guy Joost van Dreunen to discuss the shock acquisition of EA and what it means on a political level. They also discuss Xbox's decision to raise the price of Game Pass Ultimate by 50%. And we dive into the numbers to get a sense of who might win between Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this edition of The Game Business Show, we dive into video game release dates, featuring the latest stats from Newzoo. We also welcome the data firm’s director of market intelligence Emmanuel Rosier onto our Show.Rosier shares his views on where the industry may be going wrong when it comes to setting dates, and we also chat about Epic Games’ Fortnite monetisation U-turn, the Xbox price rises, and the rebrand of GDC. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's interview edition of The Game Business Show, we speak to new Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy where we discussed the firm's efforts to rescue its main RuneScape product. We also chatted about the incredible success of Old School RuneScape, the firm's surprise shadow drop for RuneScape Dragonwilds, the state of the game market, secret Jagex hit Scum and more! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

On today’s episode of The Game Business Show, we reunite with Stephen Totilo, the man who guest-hosted on our first ever episode. And this time, we discuss retro games, the latest Nintendo Direct and the future of video game consoles. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Game Business Show, we speak to two former Sega studios: The real-time strategy experts Relic Entertainment, and the 4X strategy developer Amplitude. In both of our short charts with the two CEOs, we discuss their journey to independence, the challenges and opportunities in the strategy space, and their ambitions for the future. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week’s edition of The Game Business, we tackle the legislation that is forcing developers to introduce age verification and other measures into its games, and how that is impacting studios. To help us understand all that, we’ve enlisted the help of media, tech and IP legal veteran Isabel Davies (currently plying her trade at Wiggin), who joins us as this week’s Guest Host.Davies and Chris also chat about ‘dark patterns’, Capcom’s console concerns, the blockbuster success of Hollow Knight: Silksong, and a whole lot more. Including the news that we are doing another live show, this time in London. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's edition of The Game Business Show, Atari CEO Wade Rosen talks about the challenges of making retro games a success in 2025, the state of the classic games market, building sequels to classic games, and the firm's journey to profitability This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's slightly different News/Analysis show, we invite video games job guru Amir Satvat to share statistics about the challenges in the video games jobs market. We discuss the industry's move away from North America, the rise of AI, the decline in remote working, the role of unions and, erm, Nintendo. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week on The Game Business Show, Chris talks to two leaders from MachineGames - Jens Andersson and Pete Ward - about the unique culture within the Swedish developer. They discuss the firm's love of making Quake and Doom maps, what to consider when building for Game Pass, and all the things they discovered while making the first actually good Indiana Jones adventure in decades This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week on The Game Business Show, we discuss the biggest themes and games from Gamescom 2025, utilising data from Fancensus, Game Discover and Press Engine. And Chris is joined by Ampere Analysis games boss Piers Harding-Rolls to dive into the numbers.Elsewhere, Chris speaks to Bloober Team CEO Piotr Babieno on the growing horror genre, and his grand designs for Nintendo.Plus, we ask indie publishers about the number of smaller teams fleeing the launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Today's The Game Business Show is one we put on in front of a live audience at Gamescom 2025, and specifically The Keywords Studios Supercharged Summit. In this episode, we discuss announcing games, the value of game events, the state of the media, supporting communities, building assets and the future of video game marketing. We are joined by four experts. PR veteran and Indigo Pearl founder Caroline Miller, media investor and Eurogamer founder Rupert Loman, CD Projekt's VP of PR Michał Platkow-Gilewski and head of studio at creative agency ICHI Worldwide Samantha Lester. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of The Game Business Show, we discuss Opening Night Live and speak to Xbox about its two new handhelds. We are joined by Eurogamer editor-at-large and RPG Site founder Alex Donaldson to discuss the new game reveals, and Digital Foundry founder Richard Leadbetter to chat about the handhelds. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

As part of our Gamescom coverage, we interview NCSoft boss Jeonghee Jin about the firm's two new shooters. Why is the MMO publisher expanding to new genres? And why one of the most competitive genres on the planet? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week's bumper edition of The Game Business Show is an interview with Glen Schofield, the acclaimed producer and director behind multiple Call of Duty games, Dead Space, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and more.In this interview, we discuss Glen's efforts to get a new AAA project signed, his concerns about the industry, and his mission to prove that the market for big games isn't dead. We also chat E3, AI, industry jobs, the making of Dead Space and the challenges he faced making The Callisto Protocol. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode of The Game Business Show, Chris is joined by host, podcaster, writer, producer and journalist Lucy James (GameSpot/FPS Podcast) as we preview Gamescom and speak with the event organisers. The two also look at the latest insights on European gamers. Plus, discuss the success of the Battlefield 6 data and what to make of Sony’s comments about moving away from being a hardware-centric business. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week on The Game Business Show, Chris speaks with Wizards of the Coast president John Hight and the CEO of Giant Skull Stig Asmussen to discuss D&D video games, and Wizards' plans to build out its own creative team, find new up-and-coming talent and become a major publisher of premium video games This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of The Game Business Show, Chris is joined by guest host (and publishing veteran) Simon Byron to discuss the return of RedOctane, including anecdotes from the launch of the original Guitar Hero. We also discuss the challenges of indie publishing, Green Man Gaming's new charity bundle project, plus the latest financial results. This episode includes an exclusive interview with the new RedOctane, plus a chat with Green Man Gaming. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this edition of The Game Business Show, we are joined by ProbablyMonsters CEO Harold Ryan as the company reveals its first two games after nearly nine years in business.But the games are nothing like what we'd expected from what was, at one point, one of the game's industry's most ambitious AAA start-ups.Chris speaks to Ryan about how the company has had to transform itself, undergo a series of painful layoffs, and completely rethink the games it is making. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week on The Game Business Show, Chris speaks to Geoffroy Sardin, the CEO of Pullup Entertainment, which is the company behind the likes of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and A Plague's Tale. During this interview, we learn the company is working on 50 projects, and not a single one is 'AAA'. We talk about the opportunities in the AA and indie space, and why niche doesn't have to mean small. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's episode of The Game Business Show, Chris speaks with the lead games analyst at Circana Mat Piscatella to discuss the latest US market results, the success of multi-platform releases, the launch of Switch 2, Xbox's U-Turn on software pricing, Ubisoft's financial results and a whole lot more This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's episode of The Game Business Show, Chris speaks with former Ready at Dawn studio head Ru Weerasuriya about his new studio, Atlantis. During the chat, the two discuss the state of the industry, the challenges behind launching a new studio in 2025, and they also dive into the history of Ready at Dawn, from its early PSP success with PlayStation, to its relationship with Meta and the VR industry. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's episode of The Game Business Show, Chris is joined by guest host Jacob Navok to discuss the future of video games in its new network era, and what that might mean for the entire industry. Plus, we discuss Roblox's new licensing program, the public row between Krafton and its studio Unknown Worlds, and King staff's belief that they've been replaced by AI This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Chris speaks to Zynga CEO Frank Gibeau, who provides insightful answers to a range of questions about the company and the future of mobile games. During this conversation, we cover the closure of Echtra Games, the decision to sunset Star Wars Hunters, the challenge of making PC and console games work in mobile, backing out of Web3, keeping a watchful eye on Discord and Telegram, Apple’s legal defeat at the hands of Epic, the (apparent) lack of growth in mobile, Zynga’s development process, what Gibeau learnt about acquiring companies from EA, the firm’s current stance on licensed games, and its relationship with new owner Take-Two. Plus lots more! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week, Chris visited the Develop:Brighton conference to meet up with old friend and colleague James Batchelor, where the two dive into the biggest games still to come out in 2025, using data supplied by Game Discover, IGN, Fandom and Fancensus.They also chat Xbox, Helldivers 2, Stop Killing Games and Nintendo’s plans to deal with rising dev costs. Plus, James shares his experience launching his first video game. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's episode of The Game Business Show, Chris revisits the last time Xbox looked to transform its business when it launched the Xbox 360 and took on PlayStation 3. Peter Moore, who helped run Xbox at the time, tells us how they approached the launch, including an epic E3, an MTV reveal and reacting to Sony's spoiler tactics This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this edition of The Game Business Show, Chris is joined by IGN's Rebekah Valentine to look at the US economy. Using data from Circana's Mat Piscatella, Rebekah and Chris discuss the impact tariffs, recessionary fears and rising prices will have on video game sales this year. Plus we spoke to ESA CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week, Chris sits down with Sega president and COO Shuji Utsumi to discuss his 30-year career in games, a resurgent Japan, the risks of focusing too much on nostalgia and why he believes in consoles. Plus, he shares the firm's ambitions in live-service games, and discusses the impact of the Sonic movie. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's edition of The Game Business Show, we speak with the CEO of Ukie, that's the UK games industry trade body, about the investment the UK Government is putting into games. Chris and guest host George Osborn from the Video Games Industry Memo discuss the news, plus we dive into the performances of some big games of June, including MindsEye, Splitgate 2, Rematch, Dune Awakening and Peak. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of The Game Business Show, Chris speaks to IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak to talk James Bond, Hitman, Nintendo Switch 2 and working with Build A Rocket Boy on MindsEye. We dive into the studio's prudent approach to making AAA single-player games, and we get some hints on how the team will develop 007 First Light in a similar way to Hitman. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week on The Game Business Show, Chris is joined by Post Games founder and host Chris Plante to discuss his new venture. We also share new market data for Nintendo Switch 2 around third-party games, we analyse the viewer numbers for Summer Game Fest, plus review some of the biggest stories from the past week. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week's episode of The Game Business Show was recorded in front of a live audience, and it is with Twitch CEO Dan Clancy, who discussed monetisation, the future of streaming in a TikTok world, the popularity of GTA on the service, the rise of mobile, and why they've ended exclusivity contracts with streamers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

During The Game Business Live, we held a panel featuring Wizards of the Coast president John Hight, Netflix Games general manager Lisa Burgess and AGBO's games boss Pete Wanat to discuss the way video games collaborate with TV shows, movies and other entertainment products such as D&D. We discussed everything from Peppa Pig to a swearing Darth Vader. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this week's episode of The Game Business Show, Chris goes hands-on with the new ROG Xbox Ally X and discusses why it might prove lucrative even if the sales numbers aren't huge. He speaks to IO Interactive's Hakan Abrak to discuss the new James Bond game 007 First Light. And we chat Nintendo Switch 2 sales figures. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

We speak to the boss of Epic Games about the threat of live-service games, offering more monetization options in Fortnite, using other people's data to train AI, how Epic Games Store can better take on Steam, Fortnite on iOS, the metaverse and more This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week on The Game Business Show, Christopher Dring speaks with Unity's Andrew Dennison and Konami's Richard Jones about the return of Survival Kids, the first game ever fully developed by Unity This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's episode of The Game Business Show, Chris discusses whether Mario Kart is enough to drive Switch 2 momentum by itself. Plus, we give our view on the EA closing Cliffhanger Games and cancelling that Black Panther project This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week, Chris chats to Ubisoft Reflections MD Lisa Opie on all sorts of subjects. The differences between working in TV and working in games, the role narrative can play in growing the industry, the need to develop soft skills for game workers, the commercial realities driving lay-offs in the business, the future of in-office working and getting Gen X and Gen Z to work together. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week, we look at the performance of Doom: The Dark Ages. We ask what happened to Call of Duty Warzone on Mobile. We discuss the sale of UK publisher Curve to Nazara Technologies. But mostly, we delve into game company financials, including the strong performance of the big Japanese games publishers This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In this episode, we catch up with Jason Kingsley, the CEO of Atomfall and Sniper Elite developer Rebellion. In this chat, we learn about the firm's unique approach to market research, the responsibility it has to not being reckless with game budgets, and what comes next after Game Pass hit Atomfall draws in 1.5m players. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

In today's episode of The Game Business Show, we look at Nintendo's cautious forecast for Switch 2, share estimates on what GTA 6's delay will mean for the games market in 2026, and discuss the growth opportunities in video games today, featuring Ampere games expert Piers Harding-Rolls This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

We caught up with media giants Fandom and Future, plus independent outfit RPG Site, to talk through the state of the video games media in this bumper 1-hour special. What is its future of games journalism? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

This week, Chris Dring is joined by MobileGamer.biz's Neil Long to discuss whether Call of Duty in Game Pass is working out for the game and for Xbox, What to make of GTA 6's delay, the Xbox price rises, celebrities earning big money from the Royal Kingdom ad campaign, and, of course, what developers should do after the Epic vs Apple ruling last week This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe