The Weekly Download

Big Games Machine
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Games
  • Updated Monthly

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. 3d ago

    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' developmentUbisoft to reduce workforce across Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Mainz as part of "proposed voluntary departure plan"Ubisoft is also closing Trials developer RedLynxXbox Announces Xbox Labs, a new team aimed at experimenting with "emerging ideas"Rockstar says its next game won’t take another eight years to makeHosted 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-developmenthttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-to-reduce-workforce-across-dusseldorf-berlin-and-mainz-as-part-of-proposed-voluntary-departure-planhttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-closing-trials-developer-redlynx-and-cutting-jobs-in-singapore-studiohttps://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/

  2. Oct 9

    $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 mergerSome of Star Wars Zero Company’s devs have been un-furloughedUnity unveils a web-based AI game creation platformRuneScape 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-platformhttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/runescape-studio-pulls-trailer-says-a-partner-broke-its-anti-ai-rule-without-its-knowledge-and-its-happened-before/

  3. Oct 2

    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 timeHosted 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

  4. Sep 25

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

    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 lays off 260+ jobs amid major restructuring of studio portfolioPC and PlayStation unit sales in Japan rose 13% during H1 2026Messy Roblox lawsuit includes salaries paid in Robux and ownership disputesSteam has already generated $15B in gross revenue this yearHosted 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-requiemhttps://aftermath.site/tower-defense-simulator-roblox-lawsuit/https://alineaanalytics.substack.com/p/steam-has-already-generated-15b-in

  5. Sep 18

    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 hostsApple is reportedly developing iPhone game controllersMindseye developer Build a Rocket Boy faces new layoffs and potential closureSega and Netflix announce partnership to develop Crazy Taxi, Sonic, and Stranger Than Heaven adaptationsHosted 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-2000734361https://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

  6. Sep 11

    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 employeesEuropean game developers are more concerned that AI will pressure them to work faster rather than take their jobCapcom says it will focus on reviving dormant IPs after Onimusha: Way of the Sword's breakout launchHosted 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-employeeshttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/european-game-developers-are-more-concerned-that-ai-will-pressure-them-to-work-faster-rather-than-take-their-jobhttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/capcom-says-it-will-focus-on-reviving-dormant-ips-after-onimusha-way-of-the-swords-breakout-launch

  7. Sep 4

    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 monopolyBit Reactor furloughed "many of its workers" ahead of Star Wars Zero Company’s launch CD Projekt Red sees profit climb 37% in H1 2026GTA 6: An Extended Look got 31.1M Netflix views and topped charts in most countriesHosted 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-launchhttps://www.cdprojekt.com/en/investors/result-center/?accounting-year=2026https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/netflix-says-gta-6-an-extended-look-got-31-1-million-views-and-topped-its-charts-in-nearly-every-country/

  8. Aug 28

    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 gamesUbisoft debuts Player Council platform to expand early development feedbackGlobal games market predicted to generate $213.9bn in 2026, up 6.1% YoYHosted 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-helixhttp://www.gamasutra.com/business/ubisoft-debuts-player-council-platform-to-expand-early-game-development-feedbackhttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/newzoo-global-games-market-to-generate-2139bn-in-2026-up-61-yoy

See All (48)

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
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Weekly Download
  • Show Website
    The Weekly Download