The Weekly Download

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Ready to level up your knowledge of the video game industry? Welcome to The Weekly Download, the definitive weekly podcast on the video games industry, brought to you by Big Games Machine. Join industry veterans Tom and Alex as they use their expertise and industry knowhow to help you speedrun through the last seven days in gaming. We cover everything: massive mergers, studio shake-ups, indie success stories, and the latest strategic plays from the biggest studios. If it's shaping the future of gaming, you'll find the lowdown here.

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33 recent

June 12, 2026Episode 3343 min

Massive layoffs are set to hit Xbox as Ubisoft closes studios and reduces global headcount

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. This week's story:Switch 2 sales drop in Japan following big surge ahead of cost revisionsXbox is reportedly planning major layoffs for the fourth year in a rowUbisoft conducts more layoffs + closes Winnipeg and Belgrade studiosHosted by industry experts, Tom and Alex, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.gamesindustry.biz/switch-2-sales-drop-87-in-japan-following-surge-ahead-of-cost-revisionshttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-is-reportedly-planning-major-layoffs-as-sharma-tells-staff-we-need-to-reassess-our-priorities/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/yet-more-layoffs-reported-at-ubisoft-this-time-in-san-francisco

May 29, 2026Episode 3234 min

Genshin Impact developer invests $14.6 BILLION into AI for games

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. This week's headlines:HoYoverse to invest up to $14.6bn in AI for in-house toolsMicrosoft to pay $250M to Activision Blizzard shareholdersPayment for some TheGamer staff is now tied to per-article sessionsHosted by industry experts, Tom and Yaz, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.gamesindustry.biz/hoyoverse-to-invest-up-to-146bn-in-ai-for-in-house-toolshttps://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-payment-for-thegamer-writers-now-tied-to-per-article-sessionshttps://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/microsoft-to-pay-250m-to-settle-lawsuit-filed-by-aggrieved-activision-blizzard-shareholdershttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/most-of-bungies-staff-were-reportedly-unaware-of-the-decision-to-end-active-development-on-destiny-2-until-it-went-publichttps://news.instant-gaming.com/en/articles/19739-paralives-has-sold-250-000-copies-in-eight-hourshttps://automaton-media.com/en/news/two-japanese-men-arrested-over-alleged-213k-usd-pokemon-card-heist-targeting-delivery-vehicle/

May 22, 2026Episode 3134 min

Sony Officially ENDS Single-Player PC Ports!

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry.This week’s headlines:Sony won't be bringing any more single-player games to PCNintendo denied touchscreen-specific patent in Pocketpair fightWizards of the Coast ends partnership with Giant SkullHosted by industry experts, Alex Beech and Yaz Brookes, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sony-wont-be-bringing-any-more-single-player-games-to-pc-says-playstation-studios-bosshttps://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-pocketpair-palworld-touchscreen-patenthttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/wizards-of-the-coast-ends-partnership-with-giant-skullhttps://www.gamesradar.com/games/adventure/lego-batman-legacy-of-the-dark-knights-metacritic-score-makes-it-the-best-rated-lego-game-ever-knocking-the-skywalker-saga-off-its-perch-after-4-years/https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-expanded-its-workforce-by-over-200-employees-in-the-past-year-with-further-plans-for-upsizing/https://automaton-media.com/en/news/krafton-says-it-was-actually-able-to-raise-birth-rates-among-its-employees-through-60k-usd-per-newborn-incentive-and-other-measures/

May 15, 2026Episode 3051 min

Capcom Breaks Profit Records as Digital Sales Surge to 93%!

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. This week's headlines:Psychonauts and Kiln studio Double Fine votes to unioniseShift Up breaks from Sony to self-publish Stellar Blade 2Capcom just sold more games than in any year in its historyHosted by industry experts, Tom Heath and Alex Beech, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.eurogamer.net/psychonauts-kiln-studio-double-fine-votes-to-unionisehttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/stellar-blade-studio-shift-up-breaks-from-publishing-partner-sony-for-high-quality-self-publishinghttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/capcom-just-sold-more-games-than-in-any-year-in-its-history/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/05/physical-game-fans-beware-digital-downloads-hit-an-astonishing-85percent-on-ps5-ps4-last-quarterhttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/mouse-pi-for-hire-publisher-playside-recoups-all-expenses-since-april-launchhttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-is-getting-a-real-life-treasure-hunt-with-a-prize-worth-half-a-million-dollars/

May 8, 2026Episode 2958 min

Xbox Kills AI Assistant ‘Copilot’ on Consoles & How Important are Exclusives?

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. This week's headlines:Exclusive games are still the biggest draw of consolesEA closes FY26 with "record" performance thanks to Apex Legends and Battlefield 6 Xbox CEO confirms it's "winding down" Microsoft Copilot on mobile and ending it on consoleHosted by industry experts, Tom Heath and Alex Beech, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/exclusive-games-are-still-the-top-reason-for-playing-on-console-survey-suggests/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ea-closes-fy26-with-record-performance-thanks-to-battlefield-6-and-apex-legendshttps://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/xbox/microsoft-finally-admits-everyone-hates-copilot-xbox-ceo-confirms-its-winding-down-copilot-on-mobile-and-ending-it-on-console/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/assassins-creed-is-being-adapted-for-theatre-by-a-former-cirque-du-soleil-director-offering-two-hours-of-parkour-across-several-erashttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/build-a-rocket-boy-reportedly-hit-with-more-layoffs

May 1, 2026Episode 2854 min

Greedfall Developer Spiders Shuts Down & Resident Evil Turboboosts Capcom Earnings

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. This week's headlines:Capcom raises FY25 outlook following Resident Evil: Requiem boost Magic: The Gathering Arena developers are unionisingNacon’s collapse claims first closure as Greedfall studio confirms it ‘no longer exists’Hosted by industry experts, Tom Heath and Alex Beech, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.gamesindustry.biz/capcom-raises-fy25-outlook-following-boost-from-resident-evil-requiemhttps://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/magic-the-gathering-arena-devs-seek-to-unionise-to-deliver-genai-and-layoff-protectionshttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nacons-collapse-claims-first-closure-as-rpg-studio-confirms-it-no-longer-exists/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-japanese-retailer-is-trying-to-stop-pokemon-card-scalpers-by-making-them-take-a-test-first/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/atari-acquires-emulation-studio-implicit-conversions

April 24, 2026Episode 2742 min

Xbox drops Game Pass prices & Switch 2 sales surge in the US!

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. This week's headlines:Microsoft cuts Game Pass pricing and removes CoD as a day-one titleKoei Tecmo revises earnings forecast following strong start to 2026US hardware sales rose 69% in March, primarily thanks to the Switch 2Hosted by industry experts, Tom Heath and Alex Beech, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.eurogamer.net/xbox-drops-game-pass-prices-call-of-duty-exits-day-onehttps://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-pokopia-nioh-3-performed-so-well-koei-techmo-revised-earnings-forecasthttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/us-hardware-sales-rose-69-in-march-2026-following-strong-switch-2-performance-us-monthly-chartshttps://automaton-media.com/en/news/hello-kitty-and-kuromi-company-sanrio-announces-in-house-game-brand-sanrio-games-ten-titles-planned-for-release-in-the-next-3-years/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/capcom-says-pragmata-is-off-to-a-strong-start-with-1-million-sold-in-its-first-two-days/

April 17, 2026Episode 2649 min

Is Game Pass too expensive? Xbox’s new CEO Asha Sharma says YES!

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. This week's headlines:Xbox is considering shaking up Game Pass and its approach to exclusive gamesOver 50% of PC revenue comes from games outside the Top 20Hytale copycat launches on eShop, original developers are set to take legal measuresHosted by industry experts, Tom Heath and Alex Beech, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-boss-reportedly-says-game-pass-has-become-too-expensive-for-playershttps://www.purexbox.com/news/2026/04/xbox-is-having-very-big-discussions-about-exclusivity-says-reporterhttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/newzoo-more-than-half-of-pc-revenue-comes-from-games-outside-the-top-20https://automaton-media.com/en/news/misleading-hytale-sandbox-rpg-copycat-game-launches-on-nintendo-store-original-developers-taking-legal-measures/https://automaton-media.com/en/news/indie-publisher-says-offering-a-paid-game-for-free-for-4-days-brought-in-250000-in-revenue-on-steam-the-key-is-dlc/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/mmo/defunct-mmo-studio-founder-allegedly-spent-kickstarter-funds-on-private-chefs-antiques-and-tcgs/

April 10, 2026Episode 2543 min

Slay The Spire 2 Crushes AAA competition on Steam & Netflix Launches Kids Game App

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. This week's headlines:Slay the Spire 2 was March's biggest-selling game on SteamNetflix launches dedicated app for kids gamesPeak co-developer Landfall launches publishing labelHosted by industry experts, Tom Heath and Alex Beech, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.eurogamer.net/slay-the-spire-2-beats-crimson-desert-and-resident-evil-requiem-as-marchs-biggest-selling-game-on-steamhttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/netflix-launches-dedicated-app-for-kids-gameshttps://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/peak-co-developer-landfall-might-finance-your-next-indie-gamehttps://www.gamesradar.com/games/action/hideo-kojima-put-low-roar-in-the-death-stranding-games-because-he-thinks-gamers-need-more-culture-in-their-lives-i-believe-that-is-the-role-entertainment-is-meant-to-play/https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/playstation-reveals-new-initiative-the-playerbase/

April 3, 2026Episode 2445 min

Rec Room is shutting down & could Disney buy Epic?

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. This week's headlines:Rec Room, once valued at $3.5B, is shutting down later this yearDisney is reportedly keen on buying Epic Games, but may be waiting for the right opportunity to make the moveEidos-Montréal announces 124 job cuts with studio head David Anfossi departing after 19 yearsHosted by industry experts, Tom Heath and Alex Beech, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-downloadLinks to today’s talking points:https://www.geekwire.com/2026/rec-room-shutting-down-seattles-3-5b-social-gaming-platform-says-it-cant-make-the-business-work/https://www.ign.com/articles/disney-reportedly-keen-on-buying-fortnite-developer-epic-games-but-waiting-for-right-momenthttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/eidos-montreal-announces-124-job-cuts-studio-head-david-anfossi-departs-after-19-years-at-developer