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The Weekly Download

The Weekly Download

Hosted by Big Games Machine

Episodes

47

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-GB

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.

Listen to episodes

48 recent
October 16, 202642 min

No More Written Code? Epic’s AI-first Push Intensifies & Xbox Labs is Announced

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: Epic's Disney project reportedly shifts to 'AI-First' development Ubisoft to reduce workforce across Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Mainz as part of "proposed voluntary departure plan" Ubisoft is also closing Trials developer RedLynx Xbox Announces Xbox Labs, a new team aimed at experimenting with "emerging ideas" Rockstar says its next game won’t take another eight years to make Hosted by industry experts, John 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.gamedeveloper.com/programming/no-more-hand-written-code-epic-s-disney-project-reportedly-shifts-to-ai-first-development https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-to-reduce-workforce-across-dusseldorf-berlin-and-mainz-as-part-of-proposed-voluntary-departure-plan https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-closing-trials-developer-redlynx-and-cutting-jobs-in-singapore-studio https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/xbox-announces-xbox-labs-a-new-team-aimed-at-experimenting-with-emerging-ideas/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/rockstar-says-its-next-game-after-grand-theft-auto-6-wont-take-another-eight-years-to-make/

October 9, 2026Episode 4741 min

$110B WB Mega-Merger & RuneScape AI Scandal

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: Paramount and Warner Bros combine gaming divisions following merger Some of Star Wars Zero Company’s devs have been un-furloughed Unity unveils a web-based AI game creation platform RuneScape studio pulls trailer and says partner broke its anti-AI rule 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://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/paramount-and-warner-bros-combine-gaming-divisions-following-companies-us-110-billion-merger-report/ https://aftermath.site/star-wars-zero-company-bit-reactor-workers-furlough/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/unity-unveils-a-web-based-ai-game-creation-platform https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/runescape-studio-pulls-trailer-says-a-partner-broke-its-anti-ai-rule-without-its-knowledge-and-its-happened-before/

October 2, 2026Episode 4648 min

Steam Crushes Console in New Market Report on Premium Game Revenue

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: PC and Console premium revenue in H1 26 grows 5%, hitting $30B for first time 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://sensortower.com/report/gaming-deep-dive-premium-pc-console/download

September 25, 2026Episode 4546 min

Activision Takes Over Halo amid major Xbox Restructures and Ninja Theory closure!

T he 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 lays off 260+ jobs amid major restructuring of studio portfolio PC and PlayStation unit sales in Japan rose 13% during H1 2026 Messy Roblox lawsuit includes salaries paid in Robux and ownership disputes Steam has already generated $15B in gross revenue 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://aftermath.site/xbox-layoffs-halo-obsidian/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sensor-tower-pc-and-playstation-unit-sales-in-japan-rise-13-to-21m-during-h1-2026-led-by-resident-evil-requiem https://aftermath.site/tower-defense-simulator-roblox-lawsuit/ https://alineaanalytics.substack.com/p/steam-has-already-generated-15b-in

September 18, 2026Episode 4438 min

Longtime IGN Hosts Fired & Mindseye Studio Closes

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: New IGN layoffs hit multiple departments and long-time hosts Apple is reportedly developing iPhone game controllers Mindseye developer Build a Rocket Boy faces new layoffs and potential closure Sega and Netflix announce partnership to develop Crazy Taxi, Sonic, and Stranger Than Heaven adaptations 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://kotaku.com/sources-ign-layoffs-hit-multiple-departments-and-long-time-hosts-2000734361 https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/apple-reportedly-developing-iphone-game-controllers/ https://www.polygon.com/mindseye-developer-build-a-rocket-boy-layoffs-studio-shutdown/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sega-and-netflix-announce-partnership-to-develop-crazy-taxi-sonic-and-stranger-than-heaven-adaptations

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/

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