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RallyCarDelta Gaming

@gameoverthirty.bsky.social
421 followers 140 following 3.4K posts

I work at a big corporate thing. I discuss the business of video games. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@RallyCarDelta Podcast: concisegamereviews.podbean.com Long Form Writing: gameoverthirty.com

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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 11h
Ace Combat 8 feels like the culmination of all the best parts of other Ace Combat games, while simultaneously reducing the tedium of certain mission types. I don't know if I have a favorite game in the series, but AC8 would be what I consider on the top half of the list.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I've been consistent since Asha Sharma took the EVP spot at #Xbox... This does not look like a sale. Instead, it looks like a serious attempt to revamp the business into something more flexible / viable / operable in the modern video game market (circa 2022 and later).
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
For those interested, Wolverine debuted 7th on the US PlayStation engagement tracker (Circana). I don't place a lot of weight on the engagement trackers these days (lack of movement), but Wolverine has been a talking point as of late.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Had a great time talking about the organizational moves at #XBOX with ILP. There was a lot to cover in this one. Pull up a chair and stay awhile.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
WARDOGS is reporting 3M copies sold. However, with these kinds of numbers the curse of early access becomes very real. At 3M sales, there is an immense amount of pressure on the studio to start treating the game like a released product instead of "early access."
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Since many of you probably refuse to log into X, here's my most recent #XBOX article in two images. OK. Three images. What is going on Arkane Lyon?
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I haven't posted here in a while, and obviously there's been additional news on #XBOX (and other things). Here's a catch-up thread: My article on X regarding the second round of XBOX layoffs / restructuring. I will eventually repost it to my website. x.com/GameOverThir...
x.com
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Hooded Horse's CEO posted about something that I've also noted on my own Steam homepage: Discoverability changes are improving visibility to all types of games. I can vouch for the "personal calendar" increasing my click rate on games of almost any variety. www.linkedin.com/posts/tim-ho...
linkedin.com
Steam recently made a fundamental change to indie game discoverability. Simon Carless reported it in his newsletter a few days ago: "Spotting smaller Steam games getting more front page referrer...
Steam recently made a fundamental change to indie game discoverability. Simon Carless reported it in his newsletter a few days ago: "Spotting smaller Steam games getting more front page referrer traf...
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This is just one component of the plan to re-monetize the already existing console user base. Obviously, they aren't collecting a payment from end users, but rather advertisers. The end result is the same: Sony generates another revenue stream based on the console user. variety.com/2026/tv/news...
variety.com
Sony TV Chief Keith Le Goy on Why PlayStation 5 FAST Channels Are Set Up for Success: 40-50 Million People ‘Incredibly Engaged With That Platform’
Sony struck synergy gold last month with the introduction of “Live TV on PS5,” an offering of more than 100 free ad-supported video channels.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
CESA (Japan) released a preview of their games industry report. 85% of those participating reported using gen A.I. (63% regular use). This is a significant increase over the previous year, where it was reported at 51%. The exact use was not specified. automaton-media.com/en/news/over...
automaton-media.com
Over 85% of Japanese game developers use generative AI in game development, 2026 CESA survey shows. An increase from last year’s 51% - AUTOMATON WEST
CESA is the organizer of Tokyo Game Show.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
This is exactly what I would expect to be the case with this type of service. Unless content is a serious problem, the leading driver will be cost. I'd argue all three platforms have done their best to make sure content isn't the primary reason for cancelling.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I am pleased to announce that I partnered with @lordsgamingnet.bsky.social for my latest long form article. They offered me a landing place for it and I'm pleased to announce it is live over at LOG. lordsofgaming.net/2026/09/the-...
lordsofgaming.net
The Biggest Threat to “AAA” Game Development is Operational Cost, not Budgets - Lords of Gaming
Ballooning budgets are often blamed for the high cost of video games, but that's not the core problem. Instead, we need to look at operational cost.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
1/ Blizzard's "early" announcements of new Starcraft and Diablo games isn't all that different from previous major title announcements. D4 was announced in late 2019 and released in 2023. Starcraft 2 was announced in 2007 and released in 2010.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
1/ In regards to EA possibly being merged with Savvy... I do not know how true this is, but on paper it makes sense. It might make it more difficult to divest EA in the future, but that is unlikely to be a concern right now. That's the wrong question to be asking anyway...
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
If that really is the Fairgames / Break In trailer... I'm just going to say that I am not in the target demographic. 😄 I'll leave it at that.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
My high-level takeaway is that MSFT agreed with most of the union line items that won't truly raise base cost significantly, and can be overridden by announced layoffs. Minimum salaries came up to meet new baselines, but MSFT avoided a significant operational cost increase.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Bottom line on something like this? It's great. I have my criticism of Keighley's end of the year advertising program, but if he wants to team up with Cerny to fund young game designers, great. I like Cerny's idea of "paying it forward." www.gamefile.news/p/nova-games...
gamefile.news
Exclusive: Two of gaming’s biggest names are making a big investment in gaming’s future
Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley are spending time and big money to launch a fellowship program for game design graduates. They hope the program will gain industry support for years to come.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Capcom announced their new #Onimusha title sold over 1M units on launch day alone. Good start for an IP that hasn't been used in many years. If sales continue, Capcom will have another consistent catalog title on their hands. www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/n...
capcom.co.jp
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Sells Over 1 Million Units on Launch Day!– Total series sales surpass 10 million units driven by this first new title in 20 years – | Press Release | CAPCOM
Capcom Co., Ltd. (Capcom) today announced that worldwide sales of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the latest title in the series, have surpassed 1 million units on the first day of its release. Driven by ...
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Over-specialization is not just a problem in games. It can impact any industry, at any time, especially during cost-out cycles. The games industry is especially vulnerable, though, due to the nature of game development.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
The likely reason some Xbox Game Pass users are receiving an email about their cloud usage NOT changing is due to regional consumer laws. In select regions, consumer protection law restricts the ability of providers to reduce service for the duration of an active payment.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
1/ As it says in the announcement, most people won't be impacted by a limit to #XBOX cloud gaming hours. (Article says 4% of users.) This is relatively standard practice for these methods of consumption. Charge the most extreme usage at a higher rate. news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
news.xbox.com
Upcoming Changes to XBOX Cloud Gaming
Beginning in November, we’re changing how cloud gaming is included with XBOX Game Pass.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
1/ Sony is rolling out (another) TV service on the #PS5. This one is "free" and supported by ads. What is driving this? What might be the strategy? Why now? blog.playstation.com/2026/08/31/l...
blog.playstation.com
Live TV on PS5 launches today, bringing free ad-supported TV to PS5 players in the U.S.
Includes content from Amazon MGM Studios, Crunchyroll, FOX, NBCUniversal, NFL Channel, UFC, and more.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
State of Decay 3 will continue to be offered in #Xbox Game Pass, along with most other major platform storefronts (no Switch 2 version): news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
news.xbox.com
State of Decay 3: Closed Beta Playtests Will Open the Game to Even More Players This Year
State of Decay 3's closed beta playtests are coming before 2026 wraps up. Learn more about what's next and sign up now for your shot at surviving early.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
1/ Modern browsers are generally capable of running 3D rendered worlds, but the use case never took off in a meaningful way. Do I believe this is going to usher in a new era of browser gaming? Eh, not really. That said, it's something interesting. www.gamesindustry.biz/entity-raise...
gamesindustry.biz
Entity raises $5.8 million to build browser-based "console-quality" gaming platform
Irish startup Entity has raised $5.8 million (€5 million) in seed funding to build a browser-based gaming platform it s…
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The price of a product should, and will, reflect market demand. Arguing over the $80 price ($100 for the premium version) of #GTAVI is pointless. The price will drift towards market acceptance. If GTAVI does ridiculous numbers at $80+, the launch price was "correct" (for lack of a better term).
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
My summary of why #Xbox probably ended data sharing with Circana: TLDR: It serves no tactical purpose and whatever benefit they received back isn't valued (anymore).
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Microsoft stopped sharing data with Circana. Honestly, I don't blame them. Obviously, I'd welcome more sales data (I enjoy talking about the business), but I can understand why (at this point in time) Xbox sees little value in sharing sales data.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Circana US July 2026 video game industry sales numbers: The month comes in down 10% compared to July 25. This pushes the full year down approximately 2% overall YTD. Mobile down Hardware down General content down Basically flat QaQ. Black Op 2 re-release instantly became a year best seller.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
1/ Assuming this is true, it would be the standard business playbook (remove the live service cost). We saw the exact same thing happen to Towerborne. IF this is true, it would not surprise me in the least. #HorizonHunters saw a ton of negativity around the game, not to mention market realities.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Nexon gives us a window into the market performance of EA's FC Online and FC Mobile. Nexon is the regional publisher, thus they report on the engagement of the title. Q2 2026 did not see World Cup activity translate into engagements. pdf.irpocket.com/C3659/xoA3/t...
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Remedy published their H1 2026 financial report (January - June 2026). Overall, it is a down half-year for the company as they are between releases and marketing is ramping up for #ControlResonant. April - June had negative operating cash flow. storage.googleapis.com/inderes-widg...
storage.googleapis.com
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Nintendo is buying and holding a ton of inventory, likely to hold off additional Switch 2 price hikes (or slow them down). Full explanation in images. Source: www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2026/...
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
What is (likely) next for EA: youtube.com/shorts/_m4PC...
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Capcom published the Q&A session from July 28, 2026. In that session, they were asked about the shrinking physical games market. Their response: "Approximately 90% of our unit sales are digital. We do not anticipate a significant impact at this time." www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/d...
capcom.co.jp
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
The dual president promotions at EA make sense, at least on paper. I don't want to read too much into it, but my instincts tell me it's generally reflective of the core strategy that we'll see from EA over the next few years. www.ea.com/news/our-nex...
ea.com
Our Next Chapter
This announcement was shared with Electronic Arts employees by our CEO Andrew Wilson.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
1/ The consortium of investors who purchased EA do not have a history short term destruction of assets. Taking out the money that they did, regardless of the $20B they placed on EA, would have been extremely foolish if they planned on destroying the company.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
1/ The nonsense "hot takes" about EA were one of the driving reasons for me to create a Twitter account back in 2017. Now they are a private company. They were in a strong cash position as of the last quarter. www.ea.com/news/ea-anno...
ea.com
EA Announces Completion of Acquisition by PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners
EA Positioned to Accelerate Creativity and Innovation to Shape the Future of Entertainment Consortium Brings Long-Term Capital, Sector Expertise and Strategic Support to Advance EA’s Next Chapter
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
1/ What happened at Lightspeed LA isn't all that different than what we saw with all of the other 2019-2021 ramp-ups that eventually died out: Instead of focusing on something that was reasonable in scope, they team tried to build a "AAA" game that was scoped like Grand Theft Auto.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
My only complaint about #Halo Campaign Evolved is that is that it should run better than what it does on PC, especially on modern hardware using medium settings (Ultra 9 275HX + 5070Ti Laptop). The graphical options that can be changed with text file should be in the game menu.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
1/ Focusing on #Minecraft makes logical sense, especially if you understand how the modern version works (compared to what Minecraft used to be). That focus will almost certainly involve expanding reach and doubling down on UGC. www.cnbc.com/2026/07/30/m...
cnbc.com
Microsoft's Xbox chief lays out plan to pass rivals on margin by 2030 in memo to employees
Microsoft's gaming unit wants to invest in its Minecraft franchise and expand through partnerships, including in China.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Once again, Andrew Wilson's compensation package is making headlines. As I've talked about before, most of it is in restricted stock units (not raw cash). He wasn't paid $38M, and the Battlefield layoffs had nothing to do with his bonus. youtube.com/shorts/3wSPI...
youtube.com
EA did not pay Andrew Wilson 38 million dollars. #battlefield6 #gamingnews #investors
YouTube video by RallyCarDelta Gaming
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The industry needs studios like Double Fine. We need interesting, weird, and niche, ideas. Let's also understand that Xbox money allowed them to increase headcount, and for the most part, do their thing. Going independent means slimming down cost.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Capcom delivered another strong quarter for Q1 FYE March 27. Back catalog sales set a record. PC unit sales continue to be transformative for the company. Presentation Link: www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/d...
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The TLDR on this... It's fair to suggest new development models (we all have our ideas), but where the industry lands will be a result of the economics. The economics will effectively force the model, the model can't be forced on top of the economics. www.gamesindustry.biz/after-half-a...
gamesindustry.biz
After half a decade of job losses, there is no "business as usual" | Opinion
The bloodletting has changed the industry permanently, and more significantly than at first appears - a new way forward must be found
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The #XBOX outage on July 27 was not caused by a third party provider. It was an internally shared MSFT service.
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
June 2026 Circana US video game market numbers: - June sales down 21% YoY due to Switch 2 launch in 2025. - Total year sales now flat to 2025 (-1%). - Interesting note: Xbox hardware sales double versus June 2025. Full thread:
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Hasbro cancelled several video game projects and is now focusing on the products they believe have the best chance for success. Sound familiar? It's the playbook that we see every time a company over-extends into game production. investor.hasbro.com/static-files...
investor.hasbro.com
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
1/ Netflix delivered an "in-line" report for Q2 2026. Their #gaming comments were mostly focused on their new cloud strategy (cloud based TV games) and the new kids app. FIFA World Cup and Unhinged were the most successful cloud app debuts. s22.q4cdn.com/959853165/fi...
s22.q4cdn.com
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Paramount + Warner Bros merger halted for at least 14 days while a state coalition seeks a preliminary injunction. s3.documentcloud.org/documents/28...
s3.documentcloud.org
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RallyCarDelta Gaming @gameoverthirty.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Midgar Studios is shutting down. The studio was known to combine French and Japanese style, art, and culture. Edge of Memories was set to release this year, but I assume is now cancelled. They previously worked on Hover and released the JRPG, Edge of Eternity. www.linkedin.com/posts/sandst...
linkedin.com
Today, Midgar Studio comes to an end. This is not the message I had hoped to write. I had hoped to come back here and announce that we had found an acquirer. Unfortunately, the court has now… | Jéré...
Today, Midgar Studio comes to an end. This is not the message I had hoped to write. I had hoped to come back here and announce that we had found an acquirer. Unfortunately, the court has now ordered...
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