Gaming industry riddled with layoffs, closures
The Big Picture
It seems like the games industry worldwide is set aflame with layoffs and closures, so it's sad news to report on one happening in our vicinity.
PlayStation Studios Malaysia is facing layoffs with around 20 staff targeted. Various sources, including a few from Kakuchopurei's side and a couple of posts on social media from the ex-staff, have confirmed that those from the art team and project management are getting laid off. Those affected received an email about the layoffs.
This is also affecting the rest of PlayStation, with key members in the main PlayStation studios like Oscar Diaz (Ryosuke) getting laid off in February. This may have a lot to do with numerous PlayStation live service games getting cancelled, possibly due to the results of last year's live service game Concord, which only had two weeks to stay active.
One wonders about the future of other game studios and asset makers like Passion Republic, Streamline, and Virtuos, as the world is experiencing video game industry shake-ups and cancelled overseas projects that require help from other countries.
Short Beats
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 has been made official. The remaster of the classic extreme sports game will be out for PC and current-gen consoles this July and will include Doom characters as new skaters.
Japanese gamers preferred domestic games to Western ones last year, according to a recent survey.
Monster Hunter Wilds is the fastest-selling Capcom game ever, according to Capcom. It also caused a shortage of Indian cheese naan in Japan due to the fact that players can eat the in-game version of that delicacy and how good it looks compared to the real deal.
There may not be a Last of Us Part 3, according to Naughty Dog president Neil Druckmann.
Analysts predict that Grand Theft Auto 6 may go on sale for US$100 per copy.
Sega is the top-ranking publisher with the most gaming hits of 2024, with an accumulated score of 325.5 points, according to Metacritic. This was followed by Capcom, which came in second with 323.1 points.
French game publisher Nacon made a bunch of game announcements, including a standalone expansion to RoboCop: Rogue City. Its upcoming horror adventure game Hell Is Us also has a release date.
Op-Eds
We played a few hours of the upcoming Western-made Japanese-style role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which made quite a splash with its debut trailer last year. Needless to say, we were impressed.
To celebrate International Women's Day, we talk about our favourite female fighting game characters in history.
Games Out This Week
Carmen Sandiego is a new entry in the long-running educational game series, now made and published by Gameloft. Adorn Carmen's signature red hat and play as the vigilante herself to navigate a world of espionage, utilise high-tech gadgets, and ultimately capture VILE. Out for PC, consoles, and mobile phones.
Split Fiction is the new co-op game from EA and Hazelight Studios. It stars two fiction writers who have to escape a virtual reality world that's a mashup between sci-fi and fantasy. Out for PC and consoles.
Knights in Tight Spaces is a turn-based tactical game that also features deckbuilding, alongside a stylish appearance. Control your environment, gather your party, and build your best knight deck to deal with outlaws and spooky foes. Out on PC via Steam.
Two Point Museum is an isometric simulation where you build the museum of your dreams. Find relics to display, educate and enlighten your visitors, and send your curators on expeditions to bring back more artefacts for display.
Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is the re-release of the PlayStation 1 classic Japanese role-playing games Suikoden and Suikoden II from Konami, where you gather 108 heroes to build your army and save the world. Out for PC and major consoles.
Recommended Viewing
While not completely game-focused, this video on how and why technology is getting worse sheds some light on why businesses associated with these innovations are still thriving.
This sizzle reel of the Game Developers Conference 2025 celebrates the games of its annual award show and the Independent Game Festival award ceremony, putting both big triple-A titles and small/solo indie projects in the same spotlight. It's a small comfort from this year's industry climate, to say the least.
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