Skill Up
@skillup.bsky.social
YouTube sellout https://linktr.ee/skillupyt Business only: [email protected]
Our team are devastated by this news. Patrick was an incredibly kind, generous and talented person. He truly loved this industry, and was so excited to cover it every day. His passion and enthusiasm were infectious. Just a huge loss. Our thoughts are with his family now. RIP Patrick, and thank you.
Patrick Dane, longtime games and entertainment journalist and News Editor at This Week in Videogames, has died in a motor vehicle accident. He was 34 years old.
Patrick Dane, This Week in Videogames News Editor, Dies
Patrick will be remembered for his passion and enthusiasm for his work and the games industry, and as a cherished colleague and friend.
thisweekinvideogames.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Our team are devastated by this news. Patrick was an incredibly kind, generous and talented person. He truly loved this industry, and was so excited to cover it every day. His passion and enthusiasm were infectious. Just a huge loss. Our thoughts are with his family now. RIP Patrick, and thank you.
Vince Zampella was the absolute best to ever do it. Literally. His impact across publishers, studios, franchises and genres was unmatched. Commercially and creatively he was an absolute juggernaut. A tremendous loss for this industry, and to those who were close to him. Rest in peace.
December 22, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Vince Zampella was the absolute best to ever do it. Literally. His impact across publishers, studios, franchises and genres was unmatched. Commercially and creatively he was an absolute juggernaut. A tremendous loss for this industry, and to those who were close to him. Rest in peace.
I think a lot of the discussion around AI isn't specific enough or informed enough, and that's why this piece from @edmondtran.bsky.social is so useful and important. These are actual concept artists spelling out in clear, unambiguous terms why Gen-AI is not only unhelpful, it's a nuisance.
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder
“The ‘early ideation stages’, when worlds are being fleshed out by writers and artists, are literally crucial to the development of a game’s vision,” said one artist.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I think a lot of the discussion around AI isn't specific enough or informed enough, and that's why this piece from @edmondtran.bsky.social is so useful and important. These are actual concept artists spelling out in clear, unambiguous terms why Gen-AI is not only unhelpful, it's a nuisance.
If Rockstar really is union busting, they cannot be allowed to get away with it. Every ounce of pressure matters, and having the British PM weigh in is probably not something Rockstar's executives saw coming: thisweekinvideogames.com/news/uk-prim...
UK Prime Minister Calls Rockstar Firings "Deeply Concerning"
Scottish Labour MP Chris Murray said Rockstar didn't "reassure me they are following employment law and I share concerns about union busting"
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:37 PM
If Rockstar really is union busting, they cannot be allowed to get away with it. Every ounce of pressure matters, and having the British PM weigh in is probably not something Rockstar's executives saw coming: thisweekinvideogames.com/news/uk-prim...
But do be optimistic about improvements to anti-cheat compatibility: thisweekinvideogames.com/news/valve-a...
Valve Addresses Steam Machine Anti-Cheat Concerns, Says It's Working Towards Support
Valve has spoken about potential anti-cheat issues on the Steam Machine which uses SteamOS and is not compatible with certain anti-cheats
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:06 PM
But do be optimistic about improvements to anti-cheat compatibility: thisweekinvideogames.com/news/valve-a...
Also, don't expect it to come bundled with Half Life 3: thisweekinvideogames.com/news/valve-s...
Valve Says No Chance Of New Game Bundled With Steam Machine
A Valve developer has shot down the possibility of the company's new Steam Machine being bundled with a new Valve game like Half-Life 3.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Also, don't expect it to come bundled with Half Life 3: thisweekinvideogames.com/news/valve-s...
Don't expect the Steam Machine to console-priced: thisweekinvideogames.com/news/steam-m...
Steam Machine Price Will Be Close to PC of Similar Performance, Says Valve
Valve has spoken about its approach to the Steam Machine's price point, saying it expects a cost equivalent to the PC components inside it.
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Don't expect the Steam Machine to console-priced: thisweekinvideogames.com/news/steam-m...
Absolutely essential viewing from @chrisbratt.bsky.social on Rockstar’s sackings, which appear to be the single most flagrant example of union busting in the history of the videogames industry. Rockstar has provided absolutely zero evidence to support any of their claims. youtu.be/c9nOwjeznjI?...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Absolutely essential viewing from @chrisbratt.bsky.social on Rockstar’s sackings, which appear to be the single most flagrant example of union busting in the history of the videogames industry. Rockstar has provided absolutely zero evidence to support any of their claims. youtu.be/c9nOwjeznjI?...
Oof
Sony CFO Lin Tao has elaborated on the company's decision to take an "impairment loss" against Bungie and Destiny 2.
"...due to the changes in the competitive environment, the level of sales and user engagement have not reached the expectations we had at the time of the acquisition of Bungie."
"...due to the changes in the competitive environment, the level of sales and user engagement have not reached the expectations we had at the time of the acquisition of Bungie."
Destiny 2 Hasn't Reached Sony's Expectations For Bungie Acquisition, Says CFO
CFO Lin Tao said that Destiny 2 had "not reached the expectations we had at the time of the acquisition of Bungie."
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Oof
Callous is a strong word but I do get where he's coming from. Obviously Team Cherry have the right to shadow drop a date, but given their blast radius it might have been better had other games (particularly smaller ones) had more heads up thisweekinvideogames.com/news/hell-is...
Silksong Release Date Surprise Was "A Little Callous", Says Hell Is Us Lead
"As the 'GTA 6 of indie'... to shadow drop something like this is a little callous," said creative director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête.
thisweekinvideogames.com
September 13, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Callous is a strong word but I do get where he's coming from. Obviously Team Cherry have the right to shadow drop a date, but given their blast radius it might have been better had other games (particularly smaller ones) had more heads up thisweekinvideogames.com/news/hell-is...
Idk tbh - definitely going to play it but not sure about a review yet. A lot dropping this month.
September 5, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Idk tbh - definitely going to play it but not sure about a review yet. A lot dropping this month.
Oh we eating good this weekend. Review on the 25th of September #ghostofyotei
September 5, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Oh we eating good this weekend. Review on the 25th of September #ghostofyotei
Not long now. In just a short time we'll finally be playing it (Garfield Kart 2 - All You Can Drift).
September 4, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Not long now. In just a short time we'll finally be playing it (Garfield Kart 2 - All You Can Drift).
Such a great write up from @superdonk.bsky.social. He's a long time Skate enjoyer and honestly, his perspective is so illuminating since I only really remember the series for its funny bails. There's was so much more to it, and it seems as though big chunks of that stuff is missing in the reboot.
Our resident cool guy @superdonk.bsky.social has spent a good amount of time in EA's live-service Skate reboot.
Sounds like it's in top shape mechanically, but the weirdly soulless wrapper sits at odds with the traditional vibes of the series (and culture).
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/ea-s...
Sounds like it's in top shape mechanically, but the weirdly soulless wrapper sits at odds with the traditional vibes of the series (and culture).
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/ea-s...
EA's Skate Reboot Is Disappointingly Corporate (but the Skating Is Great)
The Skate reboot feels at odds how the series has historically represented itself, but the actual skateboarding is the best it's ever felt.
thisweekinvideogames.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Such a great write up from @superdonk.bsky.social. He's a long time Skate enjoyer and honestly, his perspective is so illuminating since I only really remember the series for its funny bails. There's was so much more to it, and it seems as though big chunks of that stuff is missing in the reboot.
Man I know I'm bias AF but damn - this is such a great write up.
September 4, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Man I know I'm bias AF but damn - this is such a great write up.
About 3ish weeks now.
September 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
About 3ish weeks now.
I've spoken to or heard from about 12 creators in our space atm - all reporting the same thing, with the same timing. Something is up. No question at all.
September 3, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I've spoken to or heard from about 12 creators in our space atm - all reporting the same thing, with the same timing. Something is up. No question at all.
Honestly this is my theory.
September 3, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Honestly this is my theory.
Their segment (and my discussions with plenty of other creators) is how I know I'm not crazy (and that YouTube are lying).
September 3, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Their segment (and my discussions with plenty of other creators) is how I know I'm not crazy (and that YouTube are lying).
I mean - that's possible, but only a TINY fraction of my audience was in the under 18 bracket, and I really doubt that the AI machine is getting it so wrong that it's wrongly age gating 30% of my audience.
September 3, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I mean - that's possible, but only a TINY fraction of my audience was in the under 18 bracket, and I really doubt that the AI machine is getting it so wrong that it's wrongly age gating 30% of my audience.
Idk what dial YouTube turned but they definitely did something. Viewership is inexplicably down around 30% for myself and many channels I watch/follow. I've never blamed the algorithm for anything in my 10 years on YT, but this is too obvious to ignore. Spoken to others who have noticed it, too.
September 3, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Idk what dial YouTube turned but they definitely did something. Viewership is inexplicably down around 30% for myself and many channels I watch/follow. I've never blamed the algorithm for anything in my 10 years on YT, but this is too obvious to ignore. Spoken to others who have noticed it, too.
Extremely excited to have @victoriatran.bsky.social on board as a monthly columnist, providing insight into the world of indie games development and community management. Fantastic first piece too, covering the plague of clone games that plagiarize the work of game makers.
So what's up with all those clone games on the App Stores and eShops and Robloxes of the world? Just how big of a problem are they?
Innersloth's @victoriatran.bsky.social gives us the lowdown in her new regular column, Indie Insight.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/indi... [PAYWALLED]
Innersloth's @victoriatran.bsky.social gives us the lowdown in her new regular column, Indie Insight.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/indi... [PAYWALLED]
The Endless Deluge of Clone Games - Indie Insight
What's up with those ripoffs and clone games littering marketplaces? Just how big of a problem are they? Victoria Tran gives us the rundown.
thisweekinvideogames.com
August 27, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Extremely excited to have @victoriatran.bsky.social on board as a monthly columnist, providing insight into the world of indie games development and community management. Fantastic first piece too, covering the plague of clone games that plagiarize the work of game makers.
This is how Zack Snyder should have marketed Man of Steel.
August 13, 2025 at 11:13 PM
This is how Zack Snyder should have marketed Man of Steel.
Played about 2 hours of the Battlefield 6 beta. Absolutely floored by how well it runs, how stable the netcode is, how excellent the maps are, how solid the gunplay/sound design is, how well classes/squads work. Could not be more of a contrast from the first impression of 2042 all those years ago.
August 7, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Played about 2 hours of the Battlefield 6 beta. Absolutely floored by how well it runs, how stable the netcode is, how excellent the maps are, how solid the gunplay/sound design is, how well classes/squads work. Could not be more of a contrast from the first impression of 2042 all those years ago.
Pretty big stuff out of Sony: an expected launch window for Marathon (this financial year), an announcement that Bungie will become a PlayStation studio in a more traditional sense, and acknowledgement of Sony's live-service blunders to this point.
Sony has addressed shareholders concerns regarding the delay of Marathon and its overall live-service strategy.
Said CFO Lin Tao: "It’s not entirely going smoothly, but from a longer-term perspective... you see that there has definitely been change."
thisweekinvideogames.com/news/sony-on...
Said CFO Lin Tao: "It’s not entirely going smoothly, but from a longer-term perspective... you see that there has definitely been change."
thisweekinvideogames.com/news/sony-on...
Sony On Marathon, Live-Service Strategy: "It's Not Entirely Going Smoothly"
Sony has addressed concerns regarding Marathon's delay and its broader live-service strategy during a shareholders meeting.
thisweekinvideogames.com
August 7, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Pretty big stuff out of Sony: an expected launch window for Marathon (this financial year), an announcement that Bungie will become a PlayStation studio in a more traditional sense, and acknowledgement of Sony's live-service blunders to this point.