Top Stories

Unity sunsetting Ads Network and divesting publishing label Supersonic (3 min read)

Unity is shutting down its Ads Network and divesting mobile publishing label Supersonic as part of its ongoing business restructuring. Both moves signal Unity's continued retreat from non-engine revenue streams. (Game Developer)

Donkey Kong Bananza has a big-brained approach to asset recycling (6 min read)

Donkey Kong Bananza's development team used a notable asset recycling strategy to reuse and repurpose game assets efficiently. The approach offers a practical model for studios looking to reduce production overhead without sacrificing visual variety. (Game Developer)

"We were there in the 80s for the crash, and this is definitely crashier." John and Brenda Romero reflect on the industry crisis (7 min read)

Romero Games shrank from 110 staff to 9 after a major publisher pulled funding mid-development last summer. John and Brenda Romero say they're continuing their co-op shooter at reduced scope, calling the current industry downturn worse than the 1983 crash. (Gamesindustry)

Business & Finance

Unity, the Game Engine Behind Titles Like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Peak, Beats Estimates in Q1 Financials (2 min read)

Unity expects Q1 revenue of $505M–$508M, beating its $480M–$490M guidance, with adjusted EBITDA of $130M–$135M — representing 58% year-over-year growth. A notable recovery two years after the Runtime Fee controversy nearly derailed developer trust. (IGN)

Nintendo tweaks Switch 2 software pricing to make digital copies more appealing (4 min read)

Nintendo is adjusting Switch 2 software pricing to make digital copies more attractive relative to physical editions. The change signals a continued platform push toward digital distribution, which affects how developers and publishers structure their pricing on the eShop. (Game Developer)

Studios & People

Meta sends more mixed signals about its future in VR with more layoffs at Reality Labs, while its director of games told GDC, "We've a lot going on – new hardware, new audiences, new games" (7 min read)

Meta reportedly cut 700 roles including positions at Reality Labs, even as its director of games told GDC the company's investment in Quest "remains very high" with new hardware and games planned. (GamesRadar)

It's brutal out there: Deus Ex and Unreal composer says he's submitted 50 resumes and gotten one interview in the last year (8 min read)

Deus Ex and Unreal composer Alexander Brandon says he's sent 50 resumes and landed just one interview in the past year. He notes even "legendary-status" veterans like Bungie's former head of audio are being pushed to contract work as full-time roles dry up. (PC Gamer)

Games & Releases

Ghost Of Tsushima And Yōtei’s Legends’ Co-op Modes Are Experiments According To Lead Designer (11 min read)

Sucker Punch lead designer Darren Bridges says both Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yōtei's free Legends co-op modes were internal experiments, not mandates from Sony. Player response to Tsushima's Legends drove the decision to build one for Yōtei. (GameInformer)

Extraction shooter Sand delayed from March as Ukrainian developer cites 'a difficult few months' with 'severe power outages and air alert disruptions' (5 min read)

Ukrainian studio Hologryph has delayed PvPvE extraction shooter Sand: Raiders of Sophie past its March target, citing power outages and air raid disruptions affecting development. No new release date has been set; a server slam test is planned in the interim. (PC Gamer)

AI/Tech & Tools

Why Microsoft's PC-focused Project Helix could offer a level playing field for indies | Opinion (6 min read)

Microsoft's Project Helix aims to unify Xbox and PC into a single build target, potentially eliminating console porting costs for indie studios. The GameMaker head argues this "build once, ship everywhere" model could meaningfully level the playing field against larger teams. (Gamesindustry)

Boomer Shooter Dev Calls For Nvidia Boycott Over DLSS 5 Generative Upscaling ‘Trained On Instagram Models And Epstein Memes’ (4 min read)

New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry and Dusk developer David Szymanski are urging developers to boycott Nvidia over DLSS 5's generative upscaling, which they argue overrides artists' work with AI. Nvidia has not disclosed what data DLSS 5 was trained on. (Kotaku)

Culture & Community

Valve Writer Chet Faliszek Calls Out Tim Sweeney Over Epic Layoffs (4 min read)

Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek publicly criticized Tim Sweeney via TikTok over Epic's 1,000-person layoffs, arguing the cuts destroy employee trust and reflect a shift away from caring about people and craft. (The Gamer)

gg! see you in game!

-james