Top Stories

GDC Trends Report 2026: As use of generative AI rises, devs face "infrastructure problem" (2 min read)

GDC released its 2026 Trends report highlighting five key industry shifts: generative AI adoption for planning and routine tasks, growth in co-development partnerships, dual monetization in mobile gaming combining ads and in-app purchases, challenges securing funding and publishing deals, and evolving accessibility policies. Developers support AI as a planning tool but emphasize it should support rather than replace development. Co-dev is preferred over outsourcing for creative control, though competition for partnerships has intensified. (GamesIndustry.biz)

Wizards of the Coast writes to staff to explain "how union representation works" as studio prepares to vote to unionize (2 min read)

Wizards of the Coast sent a letter to staff ahead of a June 2 unionization vote with the CWA, warning that union representation could result in employees having "more, the same, or less" benefits than currently. The letter stated that collective bargaining outcomes are unpredictable and can take an average of 465 days, while suggesting direct communication with leadership is stronger than third-party representation. (GamesIndustry.biz)

Valve raises Steam Deck OLED prices by over 40% (1 min read)

Valve raised Steam Deck OLED prices by over 40%, with the 512GB model increasing from $549 to $789 and the 1TB model from $649 to $949. The company cited industry-wide component costs and logistical challenges, including ongoing RAM shortages that have caused intermittent availability in some regions. (GamesIndustry.biz)

Business & Finance

Report: Payment for some TheGamer staff now tied to per-article sessions (4 min read)

TheGamer has tied some staff writers' compensation to per-article session metrics, a shift from previous payment structures. The change affects how earnings are calculated for certain contributors at the gaming publication. (Game Developer)

Games & Releases

Activision Teases Imminent Call of Duty Modern Warfare Reveal With Video Showing Korean Setting (4 min read)

Activision teased an imminent Call of Duty Modern Warfare reveal via a live YouTube video showing a Korean urban setting. The video includes timestamps suggesting a June 7, 2026 reveal at Xbox Games Showcase. The new entry will not release on last-gen consoles. (IGN)

Fortnite's global iOS return reportedly reaches 3.4m downloads, marking an eight-year high (2 min read)

Fortnite's global iOS relaunch generated 3.4 million downloads in its first week, marking an eight-year high and nearly matching its 2018 launch week (3.7 million). Saudi Arabia led with 474,000 installs; daily peak installs reached 674,000 on May 23. (GamesIndustry.biz)

Culture & Community

Indie Dev Accuses Zenless Zone Zero Of Copying His Game Ouros: ‘It’s Basically The Same Game’ (4 min read)

Indie developer Michal Kamm accused HoYoverse of copying his puzzle game Ouros in a Zenless Zone Zero minigame. Both feature identical mechanics—bending a track to guide a ball through numbered targets—plus shared design elements like portals and hint systems. Kamm released Ouros in 2024; the ZZZ version appeared in a limited event last year. (Kotaku)

"It has done something useful for the world": how Ubisoft uses its games to create content for museums and TV (5 min read)

Ubisoft's SVP of new business Deborah Papiernik discusses how the company leverages its game research for museum exhibitions and educational content. The company creates Discovery Tours (free expansions or standalone titles) based on Assassin's Creed games, plus custom CGI films for museums at lower cost than traditional production. (GamesIndustry.biz)

gg! see you in game!

— james