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Patch Notes logo via Game Developer / Photograph via Xbox
I am once again in my DnD hole. As was perhaps utterly predictable, the ‘one shot’ I ran a few weeks ago has snowballed into an entire, continent-spanning campaign and I’m sat here eagerly awaiting the arrival of my very own Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual so I can learn how to torment my players with even more panache.
Attempting to construct a cohesive, multi-session narrative while accounting for the nebula of possibilities that might arise when the party inevitably decides to stray from my grand design has given me a newfound appreciation for the work of writers and narrative designers. This stuff is brutally hard. Thankfully, it’s also wickedly fun.
As much as I’d love to tell you all about what I have in store, I suspect at least at couple of my players might be reading this. So, I’ll leave you with the week’s headlines instead. That said, please do feel free to hit me up on Bluesky if you have any essential tips for new DMs. I’m all ears.
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Dead by Daylight studio Behaviour Interactive confirms layoffs
via Game Developer // Canadian studio Behaviour Interactive has laid off an undisclosed number of workers just a few weeks after acquiring 7 Days to Die developer The Fun Pimps. The company indicated the job cuts will largely impact its external development team.
Xbox is slashing the price of Game Pass
via Game Developer // Microsoft has lowered the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass less than six months after some pesky rascal called—*squints at screen*—Microsoft increased the price of the subscription service. Wait a minute…
Gamers Sue Nintendo To Get Tariff Money Back
via Aftermath // Two Nintendo customers are suing the Switch 2 maker for allegedly profiting from tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. The duo claim Nintendo of America benefited from both tariff refunds issued by the Supreme Court and price increases designed to offset tariffs at the expense of consumers. Both claim Nintendo should be ordered to dish out tariff refunds to people who were made to pay more for hardware impacted by those price hikes.
Union workers take legal action against Build A Rocket Boy over alleged privacy violations
via Game Developer // MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy is facing legal action over allegations that it violated the privacy of workers by installing surveillance software on their work devices without their consent. Separate legal claims filed against the studio also accuse it of mishandling a redundancy process that took place in 2025. UK union IWGB is leading the fight against the company.
Related:Nintendo is increasing the price of the Switch 2 in South Korea
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie earns $747 million at the global box office
via Deadline // Critics have suggested the latest Super Mario flick is anything from middling to quite terrible, but that hasn’t stopped it from earning almost $750 million at the global box office. All of that moolah means The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie have now pulled in over $2 billion worldwide. Money talks.
Newly-launched Ivors Composers Awards will honor video game composers
via Game Developer // The Ivors Academy is launching a new award ceremony that will be entirely dedicated to composers, including those plying their trade in the video game industry. The event will specifically celebrate British, Irish or UK-resident composers, letting them compete for the very same accolade that has been handed out to legends like John Barry, Brian Eno, and Debbie Wiseman.
Ottawa warned about rise of pedophiles and violent extremists on Roblox
via The Logic // The Canadian federal government is concerned that Roblox is attracting extremists and abusers looking to target children. A Public Safety Canada briefing obtained by The Logic said the platform has become an “entry point where vulnerable children and youth are targeted by malicious actors,” and suggested the abundance of user-generated content on Roblox poses “unique vulnerabilities and risks.” Roblox continues to implement new safety measures and parental controls in a bid to protect young users.
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Xbox rethinking approach to exclusivity and explains ‘daily active players’ will be its new north star
via Microsoft // An internal memo shared by Xbox leaders Asha Sharma and Matt Booty details a new vision for the future of Microsoft’s video game brand. “The model that got us here won’t be the one that takes us forward,” the message states, while noting that Xbox will be reevaluating its approach to exclusivity and doubling down on attracting daily active players.
About the Author
Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com
Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton.
