The Weekly Download

Big Games Machine
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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.

  1. 6D AGO

    EA Sports FC commentator reveals EA used AI tools to record commentary lines in EA Sports FC 26

    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: EA Sports FC commentator gives permission for AI voice to record linesByteDance reportedly in talks to sell Moonton Technology to Savvy GamesHighguard developer was secretly backed by TencentHosted 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.videogameschronicle.com/news/ea-sports-fc-commentator-lets-ea-use-an-ai-version-of-his-voice-to-record-some-lines-its-revealed/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/bytedance-reportedly-in-advanced-talks-to-sell-mobile-legends-dev-moonton-technology-to-savvy-games-for-over-6bnhttps://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/highguard-developer-was-secretly-backed-by-tencent-report/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/devcat-opens-publishing-arm-to-support-cozy-and-wholesome-projectshttps://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/final-fantasy-7-remakes-nintendo-switch-2-release-was-from-a-technical-standpoint-only-possible-with-game-key-cards-director-naoki-hamaguchi-explains-why/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/videogames-are-losing-in-the-war-for-attention-analyst-says-many-of-the-industrys-biggest-markets-are-spending-less-time-on-gaming/

    43 min

  2. FEB 13

    What's next for Ubisoft after 1,000+ employees go on strike?

    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: Ubisoft workers strike in response to recent restructuringWildlight Entertainment has laid off "most" of its development team just two weeks after the launch of their hero shooter Highuard. Discord announces age verification will be required for all users from MarchHosted by industry experts James 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/at-least-1200-ubisoft-workers-strike-in-response-to-recent-restructuringhttps://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/02/most-of-highguards-dev-team-laid-off-just-two-weeks-after-live-service-shooters-launchhttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/discord-announces-age-verification-will-be-required-for-all-users-from-marchhttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/uwe-boll-is-making-his-own-new-house-of-the-dead-movie-and-wants-you-to-pay-for-it/1100-6538061/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/millions-more-watched-the-game-awards-2025-than-super-bowl-60-apparently/1100-6538099/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mewgenics-makes-back-its-budget-in-just-180-minutes/1100-6538080/?mc_cid=6654fac1de&mc_eid=UNIQID

    33 min

  3. FEB 6

    Could Google's AI-powered Project Genie be the future of video 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: Google unveils AI game engine called Project GenieValve delays the Steam Machine, citing rising RAM/SSD costs and global shortagesPS5 and Switch 2 both suffer decline in holiday sales despite positive outlookHosted 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.videogameschronicle.com/news/google-rolls-out-prototype-of-project-genie-an-ai-tool-which-generates-playable-worlds/https://www.eurogamer.net/game-companies-see-share-prices-plummet-following-the-launch-of-googles-very-limited-virtual-world-generator-project-geniehttps://www.theverge.com/games/873777/roblox-ai-world-models-real-time-dreaming-4d-creation-toolshttps://www.eurogamer.net/valve-admits-its-steam-machine-and-steam-frame-will-be-delayed-due-to-ram-and-storage-price-surgeshttps://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japans-nintendo-maintains-annual-operating-profit-forecast-2026-02-03/https://thisweekinvideogames.com/news/playstation-5-consoles-sales-hit-92-1-million-though-holiday-sales-decreased-in-2025/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/indie-publisher-pixel-doors-launches-with-a-recoup-first-mindsethttps://insider-gaming.com/console-sports-games-cant-escape-pc-growth/https://www.polygon.com/iron-lungs-movie-markiplier-box-office-delisted/

    42 min
  4. Why has Highguard faced so much backlash from gamers?

    JAN 30

    Why has Highguard faced so much backlash from gamers?

    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: Valve faces legal action in the UK over Steam prices Highguard’s controversial launch raises many questionsUbisoft announces redundancy programme as unions commit to strikesHosted by industry experts Tom and James, 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.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g1md0l23ohttps://www.vice.com/en/article/why-highguard-is-facing-so-much-backlash-from-players/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-launches-voluntary-redundancy-process-to-cut-200-jobs-from-paris-head-officehttps://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-it-s-time-for-real-accountability-ubisoft-unions-call-international-strike?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blueskyhttps://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/01/larian-ceo-swen-vincke-sticks-his-foot-in-it-again-thinks-game-reviewers-should-also-be-reviewedhttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/indie-dev-who-turned-to-social-media-to-lengthen-their-games-credits-ended-up-taking-300-hours-to-add-60000-names/

    38 min

  5. JAN 23

    Total Takeover: How Nintendo and the Switch 2 took over Japan’s console market

    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: Niko Partners’ 10 major trends to watch out for in 2026 Nintendo dominated Japan in 2025Ubisoft’s latest restructuring with studio closures and project cancellationsHosted 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://nikopartners.com/niko-partners-2026-predictions/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-switch-2-sells-37m-units-in-japan-in-2025-accounting-for-over-half-of-home-console-saleshttps://www.eurogamer.net/ubisofts-troubled-prince-of-persia-sands-of-time-remake-is-dead-as-publisher-kills-multiple-projects-closes-studios-and-orders-staff-back-to-the-officehttps://www.rockpapershotgun.com/it-is-out-of-the-question-to-let-a-boss-run-rampant-ubisoft-workers-strike-against-disastrous-cutbacks

    48 min

  6. JAN 16

    Stellar Blade director says AI is essential to compete with bigger developers and 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 headlines: Saudi Arabia's PIF to transfer $12bn in shares to Savvy Games GroupMerger and acquisition activity dropped to $500m in Q4 2025Stellar Blade director says AI is “essential” to compete with bigger studios as Games Workshop prohibits AI use in its productsHosted 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.pocketgamer.biz/saudi-arabias-pif-to-transfer-12bn-in-gaming-shares-to-savvy-games-group/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/aream-co-ma-activity-dropped-to-500m-in-q4-2025https://www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/games-workshop-says-its-senior-managers-arent-excited-about-ai-prohibits-its-use-and-laments-that-its-included-on-our-phones-or-laptops-whether-we-like-it-or-not/https://automaton-media.com/en/news/stellar-blade-director-says-using-ai-will-be-essential-for-competing-with-overwhelming-manpower-of-china-and-us-developers/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-first-lego-pokemon-sets-have-been-revealed-including-a-650-charizard-blastoise-and-venusaur-statue/https://www.eurogamer.net/forza-horizon-5-ps5-port-tops-5-million-sales-securing-300m-in-additional-sales-for-xbox

    37 min
  7. Xbox suffers "worst year on record" for console sales in the UK

    JAN 9

    Xbox suffers "worst year on record" for console sales in the UK

    The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry. In the first episode of 2026, we’ll be taking a look at some of the stories that could shape the industry across the next 12 months! This week's headlines: Xbox suffers "worst year on record" for console sales in the UKSony AI patent will see games play themselves if players are stuckUK games revenue rose 7.4% to hit £5.4bn in 2025Hosted 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 this week's stories: https://www.eurogamer.net/xbox-suffers-worst-year-on-record-for-console-sales-in-the-ukhttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-ai-patent-will-see-playstation-games-play-themselves-when-players-are-stuck/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/era-uk-games-revenue-rose-74-to-hit-54bn-in-2025https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/01/beyond-incredibly-dumb-the-internet-doesnt-like-people-sealing-up-graded-3ds-consoleshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmlnmnwzk2o

    42 min
  8. 2025: The Year AAA Faltered and AI Took Over the Games Industry

    12/19/2025

    2025: The Year AAA Faltered and AI Took Over the Games Industry

    The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry.  To mark the final episode of 2025, we wanted to take a look back at the year that was and tackle the year’s biggest stories, from the rise of generative AI to the explosion in UGC content and the troubles facing AAA studios. This Year’s Headlines: The rise of generative AI and the industry’s responseAnother year of layoffs, mergers, and major acquisitionsTriple A faltered as indies, and UGC exploded in popularityHosted by industry experts Jack and Megan, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the year 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

    37 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Big Games Machine
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Weekly Download
  • Show Website
    The Weekly Download