© Photos from top left to bottom right: Bjoern Weinbrandt, Bytro Labs, Scherer and Nordhaus GmbH, Jan-Marius Komorek Business Gamecity Hamburg Finalises Programme for Portside Game Assembly The programme for the Portside Game Assembly is taking shape. Short presentations on the topics Mining for Your Next Gem, Games Are Made by People and From Dev to Dev are planned. There will also be four round tables and an opening keynote by Benjamin Laulan from Evil Empire. On By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
© © Maicon Douglas Business gamescom latam 2025 Attracts Over 131,000 Visitors The second edition of gamescom latam was also a resounding success. Visitor numbers rose significantly, and planning for 2026 has already begun—a date has already been set. Visitors to this year's gamescom latam were able to admire the exhibition stands of renowned exhibitors such as Nintendo, Niantic, By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney / Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy and Communications Officer at Xsolla © Epici Games / Xsolla Business US Court Ruling: Apple Can No Longer Charge for Out-of-App Purchases An important decision has been made in the Apple vs Epic case. Apple is no longer allowed to take commissions on purchases made outside of apps (web shops). Developers can now redirect players from their games to web shops in the USA. Both Epic Games and Xsolla are pleased with By Marcel Kleffmann • 3 min read
emptyvessel Game Director Emanuel Palalic © Ncsoft / emptyvessel Business Ncsoft Makes Strategic Equity Investment in US Studio emptyvessel As part of its publishing initiative, Ncsoft has made a strategic equity investment in US studio emptyvessel. This injection of funding will help drive the development of the cyberpunk squad-based tactical shooter Defect. Korean publisher and developer Ncsoft has announced that it has made a strategic equity investment in Austin, By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
Games Lift Incubator 2025 © Jan-Marius Komorek Business Applications Open for Games Lift Incubator 2025 Gamecity Hamburg launches the application phase for the Games Lift Incubator 2025. Games studios and developers can apply until 10 June. Five teams will receive €15,000 in funding and more. Until 10 June 2025, interested games studios and developers can apply to participate in the Games Lift Incubator 2025 By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
The Valnet Gaming Group © Valnet Business Valnet Acquires Polygon From Vox Media Valnet's gaming portfolio continues to grow. Following the acquisition of FextraLife earlier this year, the company has now acquired Polygon. The takeover is accompanied by layoffs. Valnet, a global digital publishing and media investment company, has acquired gaming publication Polygon from Vox Media. Polygon will join Valnet' By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
CEO Satya Nadella / CFO Amy Hood © Microsoft Business Microsoft Reports Strongest Xbox Q3 to Date, Outlook Remains Positive Microsoft's gaming division had its best Q3 ever, driven by growth in Xbox Game Pass, Call of Duty and Minecraft. Xbox ended the quarter as the top publisher by pre-orders and pre-installs on both Xbox and the PlayStation Store. In the third quarter of FY2025 (January to March By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
© Microsoft Business Microsoft Increases Prices for Xbox Consoles and Games Prices for Xbox consoles and controllers are being increased worldwide. In Europe, Microsoft is raising the price of Xbox consoles by 50 euros. Some first-party games releasing this holiday season will also be more expensive. Effective 1 May, Microsoft has adjusted recommended retail prices for consoles and controllers worldwide. " By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
© Figuya and Konsolenkost Business Figuya and Konsolenkost Transform Some Former GameStop Sites Into New Store Concept Figuya X Konsolenkost Retail is taking over several former GameStop Germany locations. With a new concept that combines gaming, anime, and community life, the first store is set to open on 10 May in the City-Galerie Augsburg. The concept behind Figuya X Konsolenkost Retail GmbH blends gaming and anime in By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
© Koelnmesse Business Gamescom Congress Calls for Submissions for 2025 The deadline for submitting topics for this year's gamescom congress is 18 May. The congress sees itself as a central platform for highlighting the opportunities that games offer for business, society, culture and science. It is one of the established traditions at gamescom: on the Thursday of the By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
SNK's upcoming Fatal Fury game was prominently through the entire event, taking up most space on the WrestleMania fighting stage. © WWE Network Business The State Connection Behind WrestleMania 41s Biggest Gaming Ad Saudi Arabia's has been criticised for sportswashing efforts in esports before. But the monarchy is using its integrated gaming and esports ventures to lever influence in other entertainment branches as well, as recently seen at the biggest wrestling event of the world. A guest article by Pascal Wagner. By Pascal Wagner • 5 min read
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 / The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered © Sandfall & Kepler / Bethesda Business Two Role-Playing Games Dominate the Weekly Steam Charts The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered beats even Counter-Strike 2 in the weekly Steam charts. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 also has a strong launch and benefits from positive word-of-mouth. Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered shadow drop made a huge impact on the weekly Steam charts (by By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
