The Weekly Download

Hosted by Big Games Machine

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Aug 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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43 recent

September 11, 2026Episode 4342 min

Capcom Revives Classic IPs & Blizzard Workers Win Historic Union Deal!

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: Blizzard union workers ratify historic contract covering 1900 employees European game developers are more concerned that AI will pressure them to work faster rather than take their job Capcom says it will focus on reviving dormant IPs after Onimusha: Way of the Sword's breakout launch Hosted 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: Links to today’s talking points: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/blizzard-union-workers-ratify-historic-contract-covering-1-900-employees https://www.gamesindustry.biz/european-game-developers-are-more-concerned-that-ai-will-pressure-them-to-work-faster-rather-than-take-their-job https://www.gamesindustry.biz/capcom-says-it-will-focus-on-reviving-dormant-ips-after-onimusha-way-of-the-swords-breakout-launch

September 4, 2026Episode 4245 min

GTA 6 Showcase Breaks Netflix & Sony Faces $7.8M Lawsuit

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: Sony faces lawsuits over PlayStation Store disclosures and establishing a digital game monopoly Bit Reactor furloughed "many of its workers" ahead of Star Wars Zero Company’s launch CD Projekt Red sees profit climb 37% in H1 2026 GTA 6: An Extended Look got 31.1M Netflix views and topped charts in most countries Hosted 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: Links to today’s talking points: https://www.polygon.com/sony-playstation-lawsuit-digital-game-monopoly/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/bit-reactor-furloughed-many-of-its-workers-in-the-weeks-before-star-wars-zero-companys-launch https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/investors/result-center/?accounting-year=2026 https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/netflix-says-gta-6-an-extended-look-got-31-1-million-views-and-topped-its-charts-in-nearly-every-country/

August 28, 2026Episode 4130 min

Xbox’s Disc-to-Digital Program & Ubisoft’s Community-led Dev Plans!

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: Xbox to let players convert physical discs into digital games Ubisoft debuts Player Council platform to expand early development feedback Global games market predicted to generate $213.9bn in 2026, up 6.1% YoY Hosted 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: Links to today’s talking points: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-to-let-insiders-convert-physical-game-discs-into-digital-entitlements-later-this-month , https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-opens-up-on-future-of-physical-games-for-next-generation-console-project-helix http://www.gamasutra.com/business/ubisoft-debuts-player-council-platform-to-expand-early-game-development-feedback https://www.gamesindustry.biz/newzoo-global-games-market-to-generate-2139bn-in-2026-up-61-yoy

August 21, 2026Episode 4037 min

$1000 Next-Gen Consoles & 80% of Gamers Stop Buying New 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 story: Bain & Co: Research shows only one in five players seek out new titles Launching PS6 and Xbox Helix at $1,000 could lead to a nearly 40% drop in sales over five years, analyst warns Hosted 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/4yyVI75 Links to today’s talking points: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/bain-co-research-shows-only-one-in-five-players-seek-out-new-titles https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/launching-ps6-and-xbox-helix-at-1000-could-lead-to-a-nearly-40-drop-in-sales-over-five-years-analyst-warns/

August 14, 2026Episode 3936 min

The Weekly Download: GTA VI’s Netflix Paywall & Square Enix Thanks Switch 2 Success

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: Rockstar puts GTA VI extended look trailer behind Netflix paywall Supermassive Games is laying off up to 75 staff to ensure sustainability Square Enix Q1 profit soars following FF7: Rebirth launch on Switch 2 and Xbox Saber Interactive denies replacing writer with ChatGPT on its new driving game Hosted by industry experts, Alex 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/4yyVI75 Links to today’s talking points: https://www.ign.com/articles/if-youre-not-a-netflix-subscriber-you-definitely-should-be-take-two-boss-teases-grand-theft-auto-vi-an-extended-look https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/dark-pictures-anthology-studio-supermassive-games-is-laying-off-up-to-75-staff-to-ensure-sustainability/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/square-enix-q1-profit-soars-following-final-fantasy-7-rebirth-launch-on-switch-2-and-xbox https://www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/saber-interactive-denies-replacing-writer-with-chatgpt-on-its-new-driving-game-but-says-it-will-use-ai-as-the-number-of-passengers-in-the-game-is-infinite/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-says-the-elder-scrolls-6-is-incredible-as-bethesda-protesters-put-up-giant-rat-outside-building/

August 7, 2026Episode 3847 min

Roblox Loses $70B In Market Value as Nintendo Profit Surges in 2026!

The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. Hosted 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 weekly industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4yyVI75 Links to today’s talking points: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/microsoft-confirms-increased-xbox-prices-in-the-uk-and-europe https://www.eurogamer.net/ea-aquisition-55-complete-saudi-arabia-jared-kushner-private https://www.dexerto.com/roblox/roblox-loses-70-billion-in-value-as-company-blames-lack-of-viral-games-3395064/ https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/nintendo-q1-operating-profit-jumps-151-beating-analyst-estimates-2026-08-06/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-is-reportedly-putting-warning-labels-on-ps5s-about-decision-to-ditch-discs/

July 31, 2026Episode 3739 min

Game Layoffs Surge 78% in 2026 & EA CEO Gets $38M Payout

This week's story: Layoffs will affect 14,259 people by the end of 2026 Subnautica and PUBG drive Krafton Q2 revenue up 94.9% EA boss awarded $38.6M after a year of franchise success, studio layoffs, and GenAI adoption Bethesda Union accuses Fallout developer of violating Canadian labour laws Hosted by industry experts, Tom and John, 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 weekly newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4yyVI75 Links to today’s talking points: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/new-data-suggests-layoffs-will-affect-14259-people-by-the-end-of-2026-up-78-from-first-forecast-of-the-year https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/subnautica-2-is-responsible-for-kraftons-record-second-quarter-performance-despite-the-messy-legal-battle-and-accusations-of-sabotage/ https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/ea-boss-awarded-38-6m-after-year-of-franchise-success-studio-layoffs-and-genai-adoption https://www.eurogamer.net/generative-ai-100-percent-japanese-online-game-developers https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/bethesda-union-accuses-fallout-developer-of-violating-canadian-labour-laws/

July 24, 2026Episode 3634 min

Only 7 PS5 Games Sold 100K Discs In 2026 & Nintendo Faces Tariff Lawsuit

This week's story: Nintendo says it has no legal duty to pass tariff refunds on to consumers June 2026 spending in the US slumps following Switch 2's record launch Disco Elysium and Zero Parades studio ZA/UM to lay off staff Only seven PS5 games have sold 100K+ disc copies in the US this year Hosted 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/4yyVI75 Links to today’s talking points: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-says-it-shouldnt-have-to-pay-back-players-if-it-gets-tariff-refunds-from-the-us-government/ https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3mraew23qqc2s https://www.gamesindustry.biz/32-workers-at-zaum-laid-off-following-release-of-zero-parades-for-dead-spies https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/only-seven-playstation-games-have-sold-more-than-100000-physical-copies-in-the-us-this-year-analyst-says/ https://gamehistory.org/e3-history/

July 10, 2026Episode 3549 min

Sony Kills Physical Games & Xbox Fires 3,200 and Sells Off 4 Studios!

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: Sony announces it will end physical disc production by January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles Microsoft confirms 3200 layoffs alongside four studio divestments in major shakeup for Xbox Hosted 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-download Links to today’s talking points: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/physical-disc-production-ending-in-january-2028-for-new-games-releasing-on-playstation-consoles/ https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/07/06/resetting-xbox/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/original-switch-console-lineup-to-be-discontinued-in-europe-by-mid-february-2027 https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/video-game-history-foundation-calls-on-the-esa-to-find-a-way-to-legally-preserve-digital-only-games-for-research/

June 19, 2026Episode 3438 min

Xbox Studio Closures & Rockstar's Ongoing Legal Crisis

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: Compulsion Games, Double Fine and Ninja Theory are all at risk of closure EA launches new advertising platform for brands Tribunal rules against Rockstar's request to amend ongoing legal dispute Hosted 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-download Links to today’s talking points: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-is-reportedly-considering-closing-south-of-midnight-studio-compulsion-games-with-double-fine-and-ninja-theory-also-allegedly-at-risk https://www.eurogamer.net/ea-advertising-ads-in-game-content-integrations https://www.eurogamer.net/gta-6-rockstar-legal-dispute-blacklisting-claims https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/nintendo-japan-issues-switch-2-purchase-conditions-to-combat-scalpers/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/epic-reveals-unreal-engine-6-is-integrating-ai-models-so-developers-can-reduce-tedious-work/