David Rosen, co-founder of Sega and a pivotal figure in the arcade and home video game industry, has died at age 95. He played a key role in establishing Sega's dominance in arcades and its efforts to compete in the home console market, notably with the Master System and Mega Drive, and was instrumental in shaping the company's innovative approach and marketing strategies. Rosen's influence extended from Japan to global markets, leaving a lasting legacy in the gaming world.
Josh Fairhurst, co-founder of Limited Run Games, announced he is stepping down as CEO and will focus on new opportunities, after a decade of leading the company known for physical game releases and collaborations with major gaming brands. He plans to support the company as a fan and partner while passing leadership to bring fresh ideas for its future.
The NES, celebrating 40 years, revolutionized the home video game industry with innovations like the D-Pad, hosting the first Super Mario game, and implementing lockout technology to prevent poor-quality games, solidifying Nintendo's global dominance.
The article discusses the impact of ongoing layoffs in the video game industry on artists, highlighting challenges such as reduced projects, lower pay, hostile environments, and the rise of AI. Many artists are diversifying their skills, exploring traditional art forms, or shifting to smaller companies and alternative careers to cope with industry instability and layoff fatigue, emphasizing resilience and adaptability in a changing landscape.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of 'Call of Duty' and founder of Respawn Entertainment, died at 55 in a fiery car crash on Angeles Crest Highway. Known for his contributions to major video game franchises, he was remembered as a generous and friendly person by neighbors. The incident involved a red Ferrari crashing into a barrier and catching fire, with further details pending from authorities.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise and influential figure in the video game industry, died at 55 in a car crash on Angeles Crest Highway. He was also a co-founder of Respawn Entertainment and led DICE LA, contributing to major franchises like Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Battlefield. EA and industry organizations mourn his loss, recognizing his profound impact on modern gaming.
Vince Zampella, a prominent video game developer and head of Respawn Entertainment, was killed in a car crash on Angeles Crest Highway. He was known for his work on the Call of Duty franchise and other popular games like Titanfall and Apex Legends. The crash involved a single vehicle that veered off the road, resulting in the deaths of Zampella and a passenger. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
Hideo Kojima credits Super Mario Bros. as the game that inspired him to enter the industry, believing it demonstrated the potential for video games to surpass movies, after playing it extensively in college.
Battlefield 6 is projected to be the best-selling game of 2025 in the U.S., surpassing Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which, despite strong launch month sales, has seen a decline compared to previous Black Ops titles and is affected by its launch into Game Pass. The overall game sales in November 2025 were weak, marking the worst November since 1995.
Former Call of Duty developer Glen Schofield expresses sadness over the decline of Activision and EA as dominant publishers, but sees an opportunity for new industry leaders to emerge and continue the legacy of growth and talent development.
Glen Schofield, founder of Sledgehammer and former EA and Activision developer, reflects on the decline of these major publishers, describing it as bittersweet but hopeful that new leadership will continue to push the industry forward. He reminisces about the intense, passionate culture at both companies and expresses gratitude for their role in his career, despite the industry's ongoing changes.
Rockstar Games delayed GTA VI and fired 31 employees, allegedly for sharing confidential information, amid accusations from a UK union of union-busting after the layoffs. Rockstar denies the union-busting claims, stating the firings were due to breaches of confidentiality, highlighting ongoing tensions around unionization in the gaming industry.
Despite a significant stock decline following the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI to November 2026, most analysts remain optimistic about Take-Two's long-term prospects, citing strong earnings, high revenue potential, and strategic timing of the release, with many recommending investors hold or buy the stock.
Bad Brain Game Studios, founded by former Ubisoft developers, is shutting down on November 17 due to lack of funding after Netease withdrew support, marking another setback for Western-focused game studios in China.
Research shows that game remakes generally attract more players and generate higher consumer spending than remasters, with the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered being a notable exception due to its popularity. Remakes tend to be more costly and time-consuming but allow for modernized gameplay, while remasters are quicker and cheaper but may retain outdated elements. The trend indicates a strong consumer preference for remakes, especially for popular IPs.
