Although the unveiling of the Digital Fairness Act dominated the headlines today, the day’s news had far more to offer than just gaming policy: from the management buy-out of Black Forest Games to PlayStation milestones and records set by Zelda and GTA VI.
Even if I make myself unpopular, dear readers,
the proposal for the Digital Fairness Act that has now been put forward does have a positive side. And I don’t mean, as I wrote on Monday, that the games industry in Europe is growing closer together. It is doing that, that’s true. However, the upcoming debate on the DFA will also mean that parts of the industry will have to take a critical look at themselves. Because, if we’re honest, the games industry tends to subordinate everything to profit maximisation, like any market-oriented industry is. Any form of regulation is perceived as an attack. Yet it is the role of policymakers to strike a balance between the interests of companies and those of consumers.
Of course, I agree with the trade associations regarding the European Commission’s current draft of the DFA: it overshoots the mark and fails to take real-life circumstances into account. It is right and important to push for changes here. Nevertheless, even as an industry, we should not forget or ignore the fact that there are numerous games where the content consists solely of colourful images designed to generate revenue through maximally optimised monetisation mechanisms. Games, where the fun of playing is not the main focus but is viewed as a necessary by-product of advertisement space and in-game-item-selling.
I, for one, hope that finally the legislative process will be as successful as it was during the ‘killer games’ debate in Germany in the 2000s. There, too, the debate began with calls for a total ban, but ultimately resulted in regulations that effectively protected children and young people whilst providing the industry with scope for action and legal certainty.
Here are the news of the day!
Your Stephan Steininger
As expected, the European Commission has presented its draft Digital Fairness Act, which is intended to safeguard consumer protection in the digital age. As expected, there has been a huge outcry in the games industry because the very core of the free-to-play business is set to be heavily regulated.
(Read more...)
by Stephan Steininger
THQ Nordic and Black Forest Games have reorganised. Following a management buyout of Black Forest Games, the two companies will continue working together on joint projects. Black Forest is also founding a new, independent studio group called Third Signal in partnership with Third Signal Ventures.
(Read more...)
by Marcel Kleffmann, Stephan Steininger
After a brief stint in Australia, Melanie 'Mel' Taylor - co-creator of Orwell - has truly come into her own as an independent game developer and narrative designer.
(Read more...)
by Marcel Kleffmann
The PlayStation 5 was released almost six years ago, and with its anniversary approaching, Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that over 100 million units of the console have been sold worldwide. Furthermore, it is reported that Haven Studios' GaaS title Fairgame$ has been cancelled.
(Read more...)
Both Aerosoft and 42 Bits Entertainment are receiving funding from the German Federal Government's Video Game Funding Programme for a joint project.
(Read more...)
Marcel Kleffmann
Due to be released on 19 November 2026, Grand Theft Auto VI is the most pre-ordered game in the history of the digital PlayStation and Microsoft Stores. Pre-loading is already underway. The game will also support Xbox Cloud Gaming.
(Read more...)
With sales of 5.2 million units in just four days, the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time achieved the best sales start of any Nintendo Switch 2 game, both in Europe and worldwide.
(Read more...)
The Embracer Group is starting optimistic in the second half of its financial year, as its Interim Q2 report is ahead of plans. The focus looking ahead is on Titan Quest II, which has sold 500K units in Early Access, as well as the February releases Metro 2039 and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.
(Read more...)
The PlayStation Hero Project will be participating at gamescom latam 2027. Tickets for industry professionals are also on sale for the Latin American edition of gamescom.
(Read more...)
Marcel Kleffmann
12.11. - 13.11.2026: The Games Forum Roma (Roma)
14.11. - 22.11.2026: Dutch Games Week (Breda)
17.11. - 18.11.2026: DevGamm Lisbon (Lisbon)
18.11.2026: DevGamm Awards (Lisbon)
18.11. - 21.11.2026: Play26 Festival (Hamburg)
21.11.2026: Card Galaxy Europe (Heidelberg)
21.11. - 22.11.2026: VIECC - Vienna Comic Con (Vienna)
26.11.2026: The Pre-Show (London)
27.11. - 29.11.2026: Milan Games Week (Milan)
28.11. - 29.11.2026: Be A Hero Gaming Zone at CCON | Comic Con Stuttgart (Stuttgart)
03.12. - 05.12.2026: Playtopia (Cape Town)
04.12. - 06.12.2026: PAX Unplugged (Philadelphia)
06.12. - 09.12.2026: Africa Games Week (Cape Town)
07.12.2026: Womenize! NRW Chapter (Cologne)
08.12.2026: Deutscher Entwicklerpreis (Cologne)
10.12.2026: The Game Awards (Los Angeles | 11.12.2026 at 01:30 CET)
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