Tag: NewsGame+

  • Square Enix Announces Layoffs and Major AI Push

    Square Enix Announces
    Layoffs and Major AI Push

    October 12,2025

    In a move signaling a significant strategic shift, Japanese video game giant Square Enix recently announced a “fundamental restructuring” that includes widespread layoffs across its North American and European publishing divisions. This restructuring aims to consolidate development functions in Japan and streamline global operations.

    The company confirmed the cuts following a presentation to investors, noting the reorganization is designed to “strengthen global publishing capabilities and improving operational efficiency”.

    While the exact number of employees affected in the North American division remains undisclosed, reports indicate that 137 jobs are currently at risk in the UK. As part of this centralization effort, Square Enix is planning to close several overseas development studios and will shift toward consolidating its development capabilities back in Japan. The company also plans to reduce its HD Games publishing organization from 11 divisions down to just four.

    For Square Enix, this shift is expected to save a significant amount of cash, anticipating annual cost savings of over 3 billion yen (roughly $19.6 million).

    The AI Future: Automating QA

    The restructuring announcement came alongside a major technological pivot: a serious investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to boost productivity. Square Enix detailed plans to use generative AI technology to automate a huge portion of its development workload, setting an aggressive goal to automate 70% of QA and debugging tasks by the end of 2027.

    To achieve this, the company is collaborating with the Matsuo Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, focusing on joint research aimed at improving game development process efficiency through AI technologies. This move is part of a larger effort to “optimize resource allocation” and “improve developer efficiency”.

    Looking Ahead

    Square Enix acknowledged that the layoffs were an “extremely difficult decision,” made to best position the company for long-term growth. They stated they are committed to treating departing staff “with the utmost respect” and providing support during the transition.

    This restructuring confirms that the West will primarily be viewed as a distribution channel rather than a major development priority moving forward. For instance, core Western-managed IPs like Life Is Strange and Just Cause will now fall under a globally integrated structure.

    Despite the internal changes, Square Enix is still moving forward with releases, including the planned re-release of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on January 22 for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S.

    This whole situation feels a bit like watching a classic RPG party reorganize their inventory mid-dungeon. Square Enix is dropping weight (Western studios) and trying to level up a new skill (AI automation) in hopes of a much more efficient endgame.

  • news game+ November 02-08

    Amazon’s Mass Effect TV Show Set After Trilogy

    The long-rumored Mass Effect TV series is finally materializing, and Amazon’s adaptation will boldly go beyond Commander Shepard’s story.

    Set after the original trilogy, the show aims to explore the post-war galaxy without rehashing old ground or old heroes. Fans are cautiously optimistic (read: terrified) that the absence of Shephard means more freedom… and more room to mess things up. Meanwhile, BioWare’s new Mass Effect game remains in active development, though no release window has been confirmed.

    Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 Budget Revealed

    Turns out being undead doesn’t make you cheap. Analysts from Swedbank estimate the production cost of Bloodlines 2 at roughly 600million SEK (about $62 million USD) not including marketing. Considering its turbulent development history and studio changes, that figure makes sense… though players might still ask whether the game’s “humanity meter” now applies to investors.

    Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed to November 2026

    You can’t rush perfection, or apparently, Grand Theft Auto VI. Rockstar has pushed back the most anticipated game of the decade to November 2026, citing extended polishing time (and probably to avoid another employee burnout scandal).

    Fans have collectively sighed, booted up GTA Online, and resumed throwing bombs at each other.

    Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Delayed Beyond Early 2026

    The Captain America/Black Panther team-up game, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, has been delayed with no new release window. The game, set in WWII-era Parish, had players hyped for its dual-protagonist concept, but now we’ll be waiting longer to punch Nazis in high definition.

    Rockstar Games Cites Leaking as Reason for Employee Firings

    Rockstar Games confirmed that its recent layoffs — between 30 and 40 employees — were linked to internal leaks. The company told Bloomberg that employees had “breached confidentiality agreements,” which sparked both sympathy and skepticism online.
    Fans noted the irony of a company famous for crime simulators cracking down on information theft.

    Pokémon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension DLC Announced

    Get ready to bend space-time. Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension launches next month, bringing Level 100+ Pokémon battles and new regions within Hyperspace Lumiose. Trainers are already hoarding Ultra Balls and caffeine.

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Free to Play Weeknd

    Warhorse Studios gave players a free trial of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II on November 6, letting fans of medieval realism test-drive its refined combat and stunning worldbuilding. Reviews so far? “Like Skyrim, but you can’t shout people off cliffs.”

    PlayStation State of Play Announced for Japan/Asia

    PlayStation surprised fans with a regional State of Play event focusing exclusively on Japanese and Asian developers. Expect updates from Capcom, Bandai Namco, and a few curveballs from indie studios that keep reminding the West that yes, 2D still rules.

    Cloud Streaming Now Available on PlayStation Portal

    Sony finally flipped the switch: cloud streaming is live on the PlayStation Portal. Players can now stream PS5 games from the cloud — even if someone else is using the console. Marriages everywhere are about to be tested.

    Dispatch Sells Over 1 Million Copies

    Move over, The Boys. Dispatch, the superhero office sim where you juggle egos, powers, and HR disasters, sold 1 million copies in just 10 days. Critics call it “the funniest burnout simulator since The Stanley Parable.”

    Magic: The Gathering x Avatar: The Last Airbender

    The crossover nobody saw coming but everyone wanted: MTG x Avatar. The new “Allied Forces” set introduces elemental heroes, iconic locations, and stunning card art that’ll drain wallets faster than a Fire Nation raid.

    Anime Rhythm Game Unbeatable Delayed Hours Before Launch

    In a twist worthy of its title, Unbeatable was delayed just hours before release. The anime-inspired rhythm game, once hyped as “a love letter to music and rebellion,” will now launch in December 2025. Developers apologized, saying they “refuse to drop a beat until it’s perfect.”

    Nintendo Switch 2 Sales Exceed 10 Million Units

    Nintendo’s newest console continues its record-breaking run, surpassing 10 million units sold. Critics praise its performance boost and backwards compatibility, while scalpers praise it for paying their rent.

    Fantastic Pixel Castle Studio Facing Closure

    The studio behind the ambitious fantasy MMO Fantastic Pixel Castle may be shutting down after losing funding from NetEase. Founded by a former World of Warcraft lead in 2023, the project showed promise — but in this economy, not even dragons are recession-proof.

    Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Will Feature a New Conclusion

    The Dragon Quest VII remake will feature an all-new ending, giving returning fans a reason to start their 60-hour journeys all over again. (And yes, you can still name your protagonist “Butts.”)

    Hands-On with Mewgenics

    Hands-on previews of Mewgenics describe it as “equal parts adorable, deranged, and brilliant.” The long-awaited game from the creators of The Binding of Isaac mixes tactical strategy with chaotic genetics — and somehow, it works.

    Persona Life 2026: Awakenings US Shows Announced

    Persona fans, rejoice! The Persona Live 2026: Awakenings concert tour is finally coming stateside — but only for two shows in Los Angeles. Expect stylish visuals, impossible ticket queues, and a sea of people wearing Joker masks in 90°F heat.

  • EA Games $55B Buyout Deal Raises Red Flags

    EA’s $55B Deal Raises Red Flags

    In a year already bursting with industry shakeups, record-breaking launches, and AI discourse hotter than a GPU running Starfield on ultra, Electronic Arts has managed to grab center stage, and not in the good way.

    On October 15th, EA confirmed it had entered into a $55 billion acquisition agreement with a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), along with U.S.-based Silver Lake Partners and Affinity Partners, the latter being a private equity firm founded by Jared Kushner. If your eyebrows just shot up, you’re not alone.

    The deal instantly became one of the largest buyouts in gaming history, placing EA’s value higher than many film studios, and signaling an unmistakable shift in how money, politics, and play are intermingling in the modern gaming landscape.

    Follow the money… and the headlines

    On the surface, EA’s official press release painted the buyout as a “strategic partnership for accelerated innovation and global reach.” (Translation: we’re cashing in.) CEO Andrew Wilson, ever the diplomat, expressed enthusiasm for “new opportunities to elevate the player experience.”

    What he didn’t mention was the absolute maelstrom already brewing around this deal. The inclusion of PIF, Saudi Arabia’s $700 billion sovereign wealth fund, has triggered alarm bells from government officials, labor unions, and a very skeptical public.

    Congress isn’t having it

    Within 24 hours of the announcement, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal released a joint statement expressing “deep concern” over the national security implications of the deal, pointing directly at PIF’s role and questioning Kushner’s cozy ties to the fund. They cited risks of foreign influence, lack of transparency, and broader geopolitical implications. Oh, and they also formally requested answers from EA’s leadership. No big deal, just Congress poking around your loot box empire.

    And it’s not just politicians raising red flags.

    Workers push back… loudly

    EA’s employees, represented by the UVW-CWA labor union, publicly condemned the acquisition and called for immediate regulatory scrutiny. Their statement cited ethical objections to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and expressed concern over how little developers had been informed about the process before it hit the press.

    At a moment when unionization momentum is already gaining across the industry, the buyout feels like a lightning rod… or a powder keg, depending on how you look at it.

    Gamers, too, are lighting the fuse. Forums and social media are now flooded with hashtags like #BoycottEA and memes mocking the idea of “oil baron Ultimate Team packs.” One Redditor quipped, “At least now I understand why my Sims game was pushing luxury furniture so hard.

    Dead Space 4: The Unexpected Corpse Reanimation

    And just when you thought it couldn’t get weirder: Glen Schofield, creator of Dead Space and ex-CEO of Striking Distance Studios, has reportedly said he’s “already making calls” about developing Dead Space 4… for the new owners.

    According to Schofield, he believes he could save the consortium $30–40 million on the project, implying he’s offering a streamlined path to revive the dormant horror franchise without all that pesky corporate overhead. Because when a $55 billion buyout drops, who doesn’t dust off their old sci-fi corpse blender and pitch it as a value bundle?

    So…. what now?

    As of this writing, there are far more questions than answers. What happens to EA’s sprawling catalog of franchises (Battlefield, The Sims, FIFA (or EA FC), Apex Legends, Dragon Age, and more)? Will new leadership impact content, censorship, or the studio’s stance on monetization? Does this signal a deeper wave of international investment in U.S. studios, and if so, who’s next?

    For now, the industry waits. Regulatory scrutiny may delay the finalization of the deal, and if history tells us anything, those delays tend to get messy before they get resolved.

    But one thing is certain: this isn’t just a business transaction. It’s a massive turning point, not just for EA, but for how power, money, and creative control flow through the gaming industry.

    Min-maxing the gaming industry

    Gaming is no longer a niche market. It’s global, political, and wildly lucrative. So when your favorite game studio becomes the subject of congressional hearings and labor union press releases, it’s worth asking:

    Are we still talking about play? Or are we just watching capitalism speedrun itself?

    Sources

    “EA Announces Agreement to Be Acquired by PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners for $55 Billion.”
    Electronic Arts Press Release, October 15, 2025.

    Game World Observer.
    “Threat to National Security: U.S. Senators Concerned That a Saudi Fund Is Among EA’s Buyers.”
    October 16, 2025.

    PC Gamer.
    “Saudi Arabia’s Acquisition of Electronic Arts Faces Pushback from Game Developers.”
    October 16, 2025.

    Game Developer.
    “EA Employees and CWA Slam Saudi‑Led EA Buyout, Call for Regulatory Scrutiny.”
    October 16, 2025.

    Les Aventures Ludiques.
    “$55 Billion EA Sale Descends into Chaos as Workers and Lawmakers Fight the Saudi Takeover.”
    October 16, 2025.

    PC Gamer.
    “Dead Space 4? Glen Schofield’s Pitch to Save the Franchise for EA’s New Owners.”
    October 16, 2025.