Game industry business news

The race to integrate 2017’s hottest game mode into every online title under the sun is on. Crytek’s Warface is following in the footsteps of Epic’s Fortnite by adding a battle royale mode to the free-to-play shooter in its next update. In an even bolder act of brinkmanship, the map …

There’s no budging Activision’s Call of Duty: WWII from the top of the charts this week. Not only has the FPS clung onto its debut position, but it also posts the best week two sales for any game in the UK charts this year, beating previous record holder FIFA 18 …

Esports veteran Drew Holt-Kentwell has launched a new global esports agency named FTW Talent. Holt-Kentwell, who is a former competitive player and previously head of global esports at Razer, has launched the company with legal specialist Roger Quiles. The agency already has a roster of over 25 players, coaches, content …

The former head of esports at Beverly Hills talent agency WME:IMG has helped found a new development studio and media company that will exclusively concentrate on esports. Tobias Sherman has established the company, which goes under the name of Foundry IV, with Simon Abitbol and Lilia Russo. Sherman was also …

The maker of 2017 smash hit PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds has revealed its new title. It’s called Ascent: Infinite Realm, and bears no resemblance at all to its battle royale hit. Black Desert Online publisher Kakao Games has been named as its Western publisher, and has also invested in the studio. Vehicles …

In the world of games-as-a-service, sports titles seem like the ideal candidates for experimenting with new models that don’t rely on the traditional release structure. We already have a few examples of games that build from a base release, such as Hearthstone and League of Legends. We’re unlikely to ever …

A trial version of Star Wars Battlefront 2 is out now for EA Access and Origin Access, bringing with it confirmation of exactly what model EA has chosen for its controversial loot crate system. The game’s currency, Crystals, can be bought in the following volumes: 500 (£3.99), 1,000 (£7.99), 2,100 …

In this issue, we talk to Bandai Namco’s European VP of marketing and digital about his strategy for the old continent. Fresh off the success of Little Nightmares and a brand-new partnership with Dontnod, the publisher is now putting European games at the forefront, with the aim to become a …

Developer Respawn Entertainment has been acquired by publishing partner EA. Respawn was formed out of the ashes of Activision’s high-profile bust-up with former Call of Duty creators Infinity Ward. Founders Jason West and Vince Zampella left the studio in the wake of the turbulence, forming Respawn and signing a publishing …

The Japanese-based publisher hopes to increase its reach to female gamers with the acquisition