Top Stories

Embracer to spin off major video game franchises and studios (4 min read)

Embracer Group announced plans to spin off major video game franchises and studios as part of a broader restructuring strategy. The company will separate key properties into independent entities to streamline operations and improve financial performance following previous layoffs and studio closures across its portfolio. (Game Developer)

Valve overhauls tag system on Steam to improve game discoverability (2 min read)

Valve overhauled Steam's tag system, introducing 17 new classifications and eliminating 28 existing tags. Removed tags include 'NSFW' and 'Mature,' which overlapped with descriptive options like 'Gore,' 'Violent,' and 'Sexual Content.' Valve also eliminated subjective tags such as 'Well-Written' and 'Masterpiece' due to inconsistent application, plus niche tags like 'Drama' and 'Ambient' that applied to few products. (GamesIndustry.biz)

The rumours were true: Kingdom Come studio is working on an RPG set in Tolkien's Middle-earth (6 min read)

Warhorse Studios, developer of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, confirmed it is developing an RPG set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The project was previously rumored. No release date, gameplay details, or additional specifics about the game's scope or setting within Middle-earth have been announced. (PC Gamer)

Business & Finance

Pokémon Go 2 is out, but Niantic has big plans under new owner Scopely (7 min read)

One year after Scopely's $3.5 billion acquisition of Niantic, the company's games president Ed Wu says a Pokémon Go sequel isn't planned, preferring to expand the existing community-focused title instead. (GamesIndustry.biz)

Wizards of the Coast ends partnership with Giant Skull (2 min read)

Wizards of the Coast ended its publishing partnership with Giant Skull, cancelling an action-adventure Dungeons & Dragons game. Hasbro said it remains open to future proposals from the studio. (GamesIndustry.biz)

Studios & People

Former Housemarque game director launches new studio Cosmic Division (3 min read)

A former Housemarque game director has launched Cosmic Division, a new independent game studio. The move represents another notable departure of senior talent to form independent ventures in the current market. (Game Developer)

Games & Releases

'Our ambitions are as big as the Wii:' How the Nex Playground is targeting the global market (7 min read)

The Nex Playground, a new gaming device, is targeting the global market with ambitions comparable to the Wii's reach. The company is pursuing a platform strategy aimed at broad consumer adoption. (Game Developer)

AI/Tech & Tools

Steam killed its 'RPGMaker' user tag yesterday, and impacted devs are unexpectedly happy about it (6 min read)

Valve removed the 'RPGMaker' user tag from Steam, improving discoverability for games built with the engine by allowing them to be categorized by genre instead. Affected developers responded positively to the change. (PC Gamer)

What happened when one game writer tried making a game in 30 days with Godot (13 min read)

A game writer documented their experience developing a game in 30 days using the Godot engine, providing practical insights into the tool's capabilities and workflow for rapid prototyping and indie development. (Game Developer)

Policy & Labor

Sony is being sued for alleged tariff 'double recovery windfall' (4 min read)

Sony faces a lawsuit alleging it improperly benefited from tariff refunds, claiming a 'double recovery windfall.' The suit challenges how the company handled tariff-related financial adjustments. (Game Developer)

gg! see you in game!

— james