Game industry business news

Live-streaming service Twitch has vowed to be complete open about sponsored content and promotion. In a post on the firm’s blog VP of marketing and communications Matthew DiPietro said that any sponsored content will be clearly marked. This comes as Steam says that its users need to declare paid-for content …

Long-standing Japanese developer Westone Bit Entertainment is reportedly facing bankruptcy. An industry stalwart for almost three decades, Westone is best known as the creator of 1986 hit arcade side-scroller Wonder Boy, which was relaunched on the NES as Hudson’s Adventure Island, and the Monster World series, which was recently collated …

Former EA business development manager Olga Lazareva heads up new branch

Steam users must be open about paid-for recommendations according to the store’s updated terms and conditions. These have been updated for Steam curators. Now they read: If you’ve accepted money or other compensation for making a product review or for posting a recommendation, you must disclose this fact in your …

Mobile and free-to-play giant Tencent has been beating out AAA companies such as EA and Activision Blizzard in terms of game revenue, according to a new report. A recently published piece from Newzoo has the China-based corporation topping the 10 highest-grossing public game companies. EA and Activision Blizzard finished second …

2002 Game Boy Advance release Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance will land on Wii U’s Virtual Console later this month, Nintendo has announced. VG247 reports The game will arrive as a digital download on the North American eShop on October 16th. Nintendo revealed late last month that both Castlevania: Dracula X …

In-development space sim Star Citizen will enter the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest crowdfunded effort ever, lead developer Chris Roberts has announced. Roberts stated in a new post on Roberts Space Industries that the title will go into the record books "not as the largest crowdfunded game …

Stoic’s visually striking The Banner Saga has made the move from PC to iOS. The port of the successfully crowdfunded title is compatible with both iPhone and iPad and costs 6.99. The game is sadly probably not best known for either its gameplay or unique presentation but instead for the …

Nintendo characters are to start appearing on the packing of kids’ yoghurt snack Frubes as part of a new promotion. Nintendo UK will collaborate with food firm Yoplait to place characters such as Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser on the side of the company’s Petits Filous Frubes. Mario, Luigi, Toadette, …

Sony has released the TV ad that it will run next week ahead of the release of PS4 racer DriveClub. The ad follows a selection of gamers from around the world as they pledge allegiance to their club, by taking ‘The DriveClub Oath’,” the company says. Forming part of a …