The Game Business Show

Xbox divided over its future, and do people even buy physical PlayStation games? 02.07.2026 59min

In today’s The Game Business Show, we discuss how people at Xbox are feeling about these imminent cuts and changes. Plus, we analyse PlayStation’s decision to end disc production.And our guest is Midwest Games CEO Ben Kvalo, who has a vision for a more sustainable future for video game makers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Seven things you probably didn’t know about Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin 30.06.2026 1h 2min

In this special edition of The Game Business Show, we tell the story of Jason Rubin, the man who co-founded Naughty Dog, tried to save THQ, and then attempted to establish virtual reality at Oculus and Meta. Not only did we speak with Jason, but also numerous other industry legends and friends. We think it’s a pretty special session, filled with fascinating stories and insight. We hope you enjoy it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Why did PlayStation buy Bungie in the first place? – The Game Business Micro 29.06.2026 16min

In this free version of The Game Business Micro (it's usually only for paid subscribers), we discuss how we ended up with this situation at Bungie, plus what to make of the Xbox price hike. More at www.thegamebusiness.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Retailer warns of GTA console stock shock. Plus, why is Russian propaganda still on Steam? 25.06.2026 1h 1min

It’s a bumper edition of The Game Business today. We discuss the Steam Machine and whether there will be enough stock of game consoles this Christmas. Plus, we hear all about a new $50 million games fund aimed at ‘visionary creators.But our main chat is with George Osborn, who is the author of the new book Power Play: Video Games, Politics and the Battle for Global Influence. He joins us to discuss his findings around Saudi Arabia, China, Russia and more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Fans were so angry about a Command & Conquer mobile game that it changed EA 23.06.2026 34min

In this episode, it's another recording from The Game Business Live. We speak to Laura Miele, the president of EA Entertainment, to discuss how a Command & Conquer mobile game changed the company, the story behind bringing Skate, Dead Space and EA College Football back, single-player games, The Sims movie and lots more.The interview was conducted ahead of EA's acquisition by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (plus other funds), which Miele could only really touch upon (but we did ask). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Why does Xbox need a brutal reset? 18.06.2026 50min

This week on The Game Business Show, we are joined by Lucy James talking about her newsletter lookingfor.game (which is a sister publication to TGB). We also share some new stats about Summer Game Fest 2026 and how it boosted the media. But of course, the big conversation is on the expected cuts at Xbox. Enjoy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Can PlayStation’s Housemarque repeat the FromSoftware story? 16.06.2026 31min

We are joined by Housemarque studio head Ilari Kuittinen and brand director Mikael Haveri who discuss how to make their games appeal to more people, the experience of being part of PlayStation, and the transition from small indie to AAA team This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

The Big Matthew Ball Interview: “The console market is not dying” 11.06.2026 40min

This edition of The Game Business Show is with Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball, recorded on stage at The Game Business Live.In this candid conversation with the Xbox leader, Ball shares the thinking and vision behind console exclusives, the frightening DRAM crisis, China, in-game advertising, streaming, working with Asha Sharma and the future of his famous industry reports. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

The new Paramount Games isn’t like the old Paramount Games 09.06.2026 39min

Today, we speak to the all-new Paramount Game Studios and its creative lead Shawn Kittelsen. In this fun conversation, we chat about the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin game, its horror Star Trek adaptation Shadow Frontier, building original IP, AI scepticism, 'cost effective AAA', whether the impending Warner Bros deal will change things. Plus, we touch upon Avatar Legends and... Jackass. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

The console war returns – The Game Business Micro 08.06.2026 11min

It's The Game Business Micro, the Summer Game Fest special.The Micro is usually for paid subscribers, but for this week we're making it free for all. It is a quick run through of the big stories of the last week, complete with some exclusive data and analysis.Today, we chat Xbox's return to exclusivity, 007: First Light's impending profitability, the success of Summer Game Fest and more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Call of Duty ‘at risk’ from GTA 6, EA set for World Cup boost, and Switch 2 hits UK milestone 04.06.2026 49min

This week on The Game Business Show:- Amanda White and Jon Gibson of Iam8bit discuss the 'biggest yet' Summer Game Fest Play Days event, which starts on Saturday.- Samantha Lester of ICHI Worldwide tells us all about building trailers for events like SGF.- Our guest host is analyst Piers Harding-Rolls from Ampere, who is sharing with us a whole load of exclusive data around the impact of GTA 6 and the FIFA World Cup- Plus, Nintendo Switch 2 hits a new UK sales milestone, and reaction to PlayStation's State of Play This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Embracer CEO: I hope trust in us is improving 02.06.2026 45min

In this edition, The Game Business Show speaks to Embracer CEO Phil Rogers. We discuss the formation of new Embracer spin-off Fellowship Entertainment and what it all means. We find out what Amazon's decision to pull out of games has meant for Tomb Raider. And we chat development costs, M&A, AI, and winning back the trust of the industry.Enjoy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Take-Two: GTA 6 review scores are important 28.05.2026 53min

Today’s edition of The Game Business Show sees us dive into Grand Theft Auto 6, featuring comments from Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick and data from the ESA. We’re joined by Dan Dawkins, who is content director at media giant Future, and also runs the GTA 6 O’Clock newsletter and podcast, to chat through what we might expect from the blockbuster launch in six months. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

We interview Remedy’s new CEO: “Alan Wake and Control should have sold more" 26.05.2026 36min

In this edition of The Game Business Show, we have the first ever interview with Remedy CEO Jean-Charles Gaudechon.Gaudechon discusses the anxious reaction from fans to his appointment, and why it’s a good thing. Plus, we talk Control Resonant launching in the GTA year, Remedy’s reluctance around AI, the Asia opportunity, turning Alan Wake and Control into big commercial hits and lessons from FBC: Firebreak.Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

How do you announce a live service game in 2026? Plus, Nex Playground's global expansion 21.05.2026 51min

We have had lots of news this week. Including the story we broke yesterday around Xbox’s new leadership hires (featuring TGB regular Matthew Ball). Meanwhile, Embracer is being split in two. Indigo Pearl is merging with Fortyseven Communications. Sony isn’t releasing all of its games on PC anymore. The US market keeps growing… It’s all going on.Joining us on the Show, we have three interviews for you. We chat with Nex Playground CEO David Lee, the head of EA’s Capital Games studio Erik Larsen. Plus, we ask PR veteran Chase Colasonno the big question: how do you announce a live service game in 2026?Enjoy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Hasbro is spending $1bn making video games, and none of them are games-as-a-service 19.05.2026 22min

We are joined by Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks, who is overseeing a $1 billion investment into video games, including the development of major new D&D titles. In 2027, it will release ambitious sci-fi RPG Exodus and D&D action adventure Warlock. But it also has a successful licensing business, which in recent years has led to the likes of Baldur's Gate 3 and Monopoly Go.We speak to Cocks about its huge investment in games, why none of its first-party titles are live service projects, moving development outside of the US, how it is using AI... and Scooby Doo. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

Could AI bring investors back to video games? 14.05.2026 1h 6min

This week, we’re joined by two leading video game investors. First, we have David Gardner, one of the world’s most successful gaming VCs who backed Supercell, Unity and NaturalMotion. He speaks to us about the state of game investment, where it’s heading and what may cause it to come back.Then we welcome Hooded Horse and Griffin Gaming Partners’ Tim Bender, who shares details about a new $100m indie fund.Plus, we chat investor anxiety over Nintendo, Sega’s cancelled ‘Super Game’, Capcom’s results, Sony's AI push and a whole lot more. Enjoy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

PlayStation: “We have a responsibility to the whole industry” 12.05.2026 33min

Today on The Game Business Show, we speak to PlayStation's Christian Svensson, who oversees all third-party and second-party activity at the platform holder.We discuss getting games on PS5, how to get featured in State of Play and on PlayStation Plus, game funding, the rise of China and South Korea, new markets, and why the future for video games is actually very bright. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

‘GTA 6 players are in for a console price shock’ 07.05.2026 1h 5min

On this week’s The Game Business Show, Circana games boss Mat Piscatella returns to discuss the US games market, console price rises, Switch 2 sales, the role of exclusives, the Xbox Game Pass price cut and… Bluey. Plus, he reveals a change is coming for the US video game charts.In addition, Chris shares his views on the UK court case that could see PlayStation change its 30% commission fee it charges developers. And we run-through of the big news stories of the week.Enjoy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe

We talk 007, Amazon, Switch 2, Hitman and MindsEye with IO Interactive boss Hakan Abrak 05.05.2026 26min

In this week's edition of The Game Business Show, we are joined by Hakan Abrak, the CEO of IO Interactive and game director on 007 First Light.In our chat, we discuss Bond, the relationship with Amazon, support for Nintendo Switch 2, lessons from publishing MindsEye, the state of Project Fantasy and the future of Hitman. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thegamebusiness.com/subscribe