🔥🔥🔥 GameOver: Execs on AI, Steam Sales, Politics on LI + Pokemon Go Liveops
I was told our hot takes are too soft. Is that right? Lol. I turn up the heat this week, but let’s not get too mean. Let me know if we should dial it back.
Hey, are you going to GDC?
Check out the events I participate in at the bottom of this post. On Monday, March 17, I will also host a dinner reception with Naavik. I’m reserving three spots for GameMakers readers. If you want to grab a spot, DM me!
1. Dumb Execs on AI
It's disgusting to me how so many dumb shit gaming execs are now jumping back onto the AI bandwagon after aggressively poo pooing it Q4 of last year. I have to say, game execs may be the dumbest in the world. And they just keep repeating buzz words like "the world is now going to be about agentic/MCP/memory/infinite context" blah blah blah without even fully understanding what they are talking about, just jumping onto a bandwagon or looking in the rearview mirror. It's like, motherfucker you just told me a few months ago that AI is over blown and over hyped. STFU. Lol.
Btw, I called AI’s impact on gaming even before ChatGPT back in Oct of 2022. I am happy to go out on a limb and make predictions.
Steam Sales Are Killing Indie Devs
You spend three years making your dream game, and then it gets slapped into a 90% off sale two months after launch. Congrats, you’re now making less than a mobile gacha game. Steam’s discount culture trains players to devalue games, making full-price launches almost impossible unless you’re a major studio. Indies need to stop relying on sales and start figuring out how to make money without waiting for Valve to save them.
3. Want to Get Fired? Keep Posting Politics on LinkedIn
Look, if you want to die on the hill of writing political manifestos on LinkedIn, at least make sure your resume is updated first. Nothing screams ‘high-risk hire’ like a timeline full of ideological warfare. You know who loves that? Absolutely no one in HR. Not your boss, not the recruiter scanning your profile, and definitely not the executive who just cut 200 people and doesn’t want to deal with your ‘resistance post.’ You want to change the world? Great. But LinkedIn is a networking site, not a debate club—and your dream job probably isn’t coming from a 37-comment flame war.
Top 5 Gaming News
Tencent Reportedly Developing Mobile Version of 'Elden Ring' (RADII) – Tencent is reportedly working on a mobile adaptation of the acclaimed game 'Elden Ring,' aiming to bring the console experience to mobile platforms.
Exploring Supercell's Mobile Gaming Empire (Cyprus Mail) – An analysis of Supercell's success, highlighting its decentralized development approach, data-driven testing, aggressive monetization strategies, and player-first philosophy.
'RuneScape' Surpasses $2 Billion in Lifetime Revenue (PocketGamer.biz) – The iconic MMORPG 'RuneScape' has achieved over $2 billion in lifetime revenue, reflecting its enduring popularity and successful adaptation to evolving gaming trends.
Cloud Gaming: Opportunity and Threat for Console Market (Verdict) – A report discussing how cloud gaming presents both opportunities for broader audience reach and threats to traditional console demand.
GameStop Closes 26 Locations Amid Financial Struggles (The Sun) – GameStop has closed 26 locations, reflecting a broader trend of reducing its global footprint. At its peak in 2015, the company had over 6,000 stores and $9 billion in annual sales, now reduced to around 2,900 stores in the US.
Top 5 AI x Gaming News
Philosophical Take on AI in Gaming Culture (Game Developer) - Explores how AI and technocapitalism shape game development, offering a cultural critique of industry trends.
AI-Driven Game Design Trends in 2025 (CGMag) - AI is transforming game development, with over 60% of studios using it for content generation, projecting market growth to $1.81 billion in 2025 from $1.47 billion in 2024.
AI Economic Models in Gaming Discussed (Game Developer) - CCP's economist hire for EVE Frontier explores AI's role in virtual economies, impacting game design and player interactions.
Over 30 'Apex Legends' Voice Actors Refuse AI Training Agreement (Yahoo Tech) – More than 30 voice actors from Apex Legends publicly refused to sign agreements that would allow their voices to train generative AI models, highlighting growing concerns in the industry over AI potentially replacing creative professionals.
AI in Game Testing Gains Traction (GameSpot) - AI is increasingly used for automated testing in game development, as seen in the release schedule for 2025, improving efficiency.
“In Pokémon GO, the Pokémon GO Tour: Unova – Global event kicks off on March 1, during which the Legendary Pokémon Black Kyurem and White Kyurem will appear in Raid Battles and elsewhere. You’ll also have a chance to encounter Victini and Shiny Meloetta. A new season begins in-game on March 4 that features the arrival of Kubfu and Urshifu, and don’t miss the promo code revealed during Pokémon Presents that grants a chance to encounter a Pokémon of your choice from a selection.”
What happened? See below…
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