Influence

CodeDev (popularly known as “The Unreal Guys”), the specialist Unreal Engine co-development studio, today announced the appointment of industry adept Andy Norman as Chief Operating Officer (COO), as they aim to triple headcount in 2026.

Playruo, a professional cloud gaming solution for video game studios and publishers, has announced it has completed a €2.1 million funding round. Led by investment funds Kameha Ventures and Blast Club, this new funding round will accelerate the large-scale commercialisation of Playruo’s services:

The 2026 XDS Insights Report examines how external development partnerships are evolving as they become a core part of modern production pipelines. Based on input from 250+ industry professionals, the report shows an ecosystem moving beyond delivery risk and into a new phase shaped by coordination, governance, and long-term collaboration.

The Dave School of Digital Arts at Northbridge University has been named an Unreal Engine Academic Partner by Epic Games, recognizing the program’s leadership in training students for careers in real-time 3D production across gaming, film and simulation industries.

Limit Break, the leading mentorship scheme dedicated to championing diverse talent and creativity in the UK games industry, has announced the opening of applications for mentors and mentees for its 2026 program.

Hi – Matt here. I’m very excited to let you know that MCV/DEVELOP #1007 is now available: https://tinyurl.com/mcv1007 As it’s my first issue on the magazine, I just wanted to leave a personal note thanking everyone who came up trumps content-wise for the issue, everyone who sent me nice welcome …

The Playing for the Planet Alliance today unveiled “Beyond the Endgame: How Climate and Nature Enhance Game Narratives”, a new resource designed to help game studios integrate themes of climate, nature, and the environment into the worlds and stories they create. The guidance was commissioned by Playing for the Planet and produced by Context Collab (home of the Hollywood Climate Summit) and the Rewrite the Future project at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).

Second edition follows tangible business wins for attendees in 2025 Following a successful inaugural event that resulted in confirmed new partnerships and commercial deals for attendees, Games Meets Music returns for its second year with an expanded programme aimed squarely at developers, publishers and commercial leaders. Launched in 2025 to …

A free platform that matches developers, publishers and creators with charity initiatives and causes they care about – Cause+Select, a new web platform built to connect people and studios in games with charity campaigns has been announced and is now officially live in beta stage. The platform is completely free …

Richie Shoemaker has taken shore leave from steering the good ship Debug++ to talk with Catt Small, executive director of Game Devs Of Color