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Vertical Slice

@verticalslice.news

1K followers 2 following 42 posts

An independent, reader-supported trade publication serving game developers. We produce fearless reporting that inspires, informs, and interrogates. Get in touch: tips@verticalslice.news / contact@verticalslice.news www.verticalslice.news

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Reposted by Vertical Slice

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 11h

"A hotbed for predatory and exploitative activities:" Florida is suing Discord for allegedly enabling child abuse

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"A hotbed for predatory and exploitative activities:" Florida is suing Discord for allegedly enabling child abuse

The suit claims the platform intentionally markets itself to children and places them in harm's way.

Reposted by Vertical Slice

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 10h

Rockstar accused of rewarding 'moles' for spying on union members with additional time off

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Rockstar accused of rewarding 'moles' for spying on union members with additional time off

The Grand Theft Auto maker has been accused of union busting after firing over 30 employees in October 2025.

Reposted by Vertical Slice

Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 5h

OKAY. Here's how my first week as an independent journalist went down! I published 30 stories for Vertical Slice—including an interview with Ubisoft union workers on their fight against an RTO mandate and coverage of the Rockstar union busting tribunal in Glasgow. It was hard work, but rewarding!

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 6h

"When you pay for a game, you should own it:" U.S. lawmaker calls on FTC to guarantee ownership of digital games

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"When you pay for a game, you should own it:" U.S. lawmaker calls on FTC to guarantee ownership of digital games

Rep. Ritchie Torres claims his 'Power To The Players Act' would protect consumers in an increasingly digital age.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 8h

"Cease this madness now. Ubisoft can make great games only if the wellbeing of the people making them is taken into account" Assassin's Creed publisher Ubisoft wants all employees to work in-office five days per week, but unions in Milan and Montreal have mobilised in defiance

verticalslice.news

"This is your crisis, this is your failure:" Inside the global battle to preserve remote working at Ubisoft

Assassin's Creed publisher Ubisoft wants all employees to work in-office five days per week, but unions in Milan and Montreal have mobilised in defiance.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 8h

Physical version of Peak to launch with 'buddy code' so players can tumble into the abyss with a pal

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Physical version of Peak to launch with 'buddy code' so players can tumble into the abyss with a pal

Putting the 'friend' in 'friendslop.'

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 9h

Control Resonant makes 'strong start' after hitting 1 million sales in record time

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Control Resonant makes 'strong start' after hitting 1 million sales in record time

Remedy boss Jean-Charles Gaudechon said the launch 'shows what's possible' for the franchise.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 10h

Rockstar accused of rewarding 'moles' for spying on union members with additional time off

verticalslice.news

Rockstar accused of rewarding 'moles' for spying on union members with additional time off

The Grand Theft Auto maker has been accused of union busting after firing over 30 employees in October 2025.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 11h

"A hotbed for predatory and exploitative activities:" Florida is suing Discord for allegedly enabling child abuse

verticalslice.news

"A hotbed for predatory and exploitative activities:" Florida is suing Discord for allegedly enabling child abuse

The suit claims the platform intentionally markets itself to children and places them in harm's way.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 15/10/2026

"We are not going away:" Activision QA workers vote to authorise strike after two years of contract negotiations

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"We are not going away:" Activision QA workers vote to authorise strike after two years of contract negotiations

Members of AQAU-CWA are seeking wage increases, generative AI protections, and more—but feel Activision is stalling at the bargaining table.

Reposted by Vertical Slice

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

Former Disco Elysium devs invite players to become shareholders in their new studio Summer Eternal through a 'Players Non-Profit' "This non-profit will be the 'voice of the gamers' in an experimental attempt to formalise the community decision-making in game development."

verticalslice.news

Former Disco Elysium devs invite players to become shareholders in their new studio

Summer Eternal has established a 'Player Non-Profit' that will give customers a say in how the studio operates.

Reposted by Vertical Slice

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 15/10/2026

EA chief people officer Mala Singh retires, marking the first C-suite departure following Saudi buyout In an email obtained by Vertical Slice, Singh said she is stepping down to spend more time with her family. EA has already lined up her replacement.

verticalslice.news

EA chief people officer Mala Singh retires, marking the first C-suite departure following Saudi buyout

In an email obtained by Vertical Slice, Singh said she is retiring to spend more time with her family. EA has already lined up her replacement.

Reposted by Vertical Slice

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

Do you want Vertical Slice to report on a pressing issue? Here's how you can help.

verticalslice.news

Do you want Vertical Slice to report on a pressing issue? Here's how you can help.

Fearless reporting does not happen in isolation.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 15/10/2026

"I didn't leave my corporate gig because I'm a sicko who loathes the idea of a plump pension and adores filing tax returns. I stepped down because I firmly believe we must do better."

verticalslice.news

What is quality video game journalism worth to you?

Invest in fearless reporting or watch it vanish.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 15/10/2026

IWGB says Rockstar exec just gave the "green light" for collective action as union busting tribunal continues

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IWGB says Rockstar exec just gave the "green light" for collective action as union busting tribunal continues

Rockstar's head of publishing Jenna Kolbe said workers "will have a union" if they choose that path. Now, the IWGB has issued a response.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 15/10/2026

"This is your crisis, this is your failure:" Inside the global battle to preserve remote working at Ubisoft The Assassin's Creed publisher wants all employees to work in-office five days per week, but unions in Milan and Montreal have mobilised in defiance

verticalslice.news

"This is your crisis, this is your failure:" Inside the global battle to preserve remote working at Ubisoft

Assassin's Creed publisher Ubisoft wants all employees to work in-office five days per week, but unions in Milan and Montreal have mobilised in defiance.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 15/10/2026

EA chief people officer Mala Singh retires, marking the first C-suite departure following Saudi buyout In an email obtained by Vertical Slice, Singh said she is stepping down to spend more time with her family. EA has already lined up her replacement.

verticalslice.news

EA chief people officer Mala Singh retires, marking the first C-suite departure following Saudi buyout

In an email obtained by Vertical Slice, Singh said she is retiring to spend more time with her family. EA has already lined up her replacement.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 15/10/2026

Ubisoft has proposed voluntary layoffs across three German studios, hours after moving to shutter Ubisoft RedLynx and carving through Ubisoft Singapore

verticalslice.news

Ubisoft proposes voluntary redundancies across German studios

Game File reports the French publisher is hoping to cut around 100 people loose.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 15/10/2026

House House isn't releasing Big Walk on Xbox in solidarity with Palestine The studio is boycotting Microsoft's video game platform over the company's ties to the Israeli military, which the United Nations states is committing genocide in Gaza

verticalslice.news

House House isn't releasing Big Walk on Xbox in solidarity with Palestine

The studio is boycotting Microsoft's video game platform over the company's ties to the Israeli military, which the United Nations states is committing genocide in Gaza.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

Wizards of the Coast refuses to voluntarily recognise unionising D&D and Magic The Gathering workers The U.S company has previously been accused of discouraging union activity

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Wizards of the Coast refuses to voluntarily recognise unionising D&D and Magic The Gathering workers

The U.S company has previously been accused of discouraging union activity.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

Annual 'Supporter' subscriptions are proving popular this week! They're one of the best ways you can support our journalism while unlocking comments, newsletters, and securing access to all of our reporting in the long term. Purchase yours right now with a limited-time 33% discount!

verticalslice.news

Limited-time launch sale now on!

A honking 33% discount for new paid subscribers? Go on then.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

Epic says it vibe-coded the new Epic Games Launcher because "programming is hard"

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Epic says it vibe-coded the new Epic Games Launcher because "programming is hard"

The first version of the vibe-coded launcher is apparently "light on features."

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

Former Disco Elysium devs invite players to become shareholders in their new studio Summer Eternal through a 'Players Non-Profit' "This non-profit will be the 'voice of the gamers' in an experimental attempt to formalise the community decision-making in game development."

verticalslice.news

Former Disco Elysium devs invite players to become shareholders in their new studio

Summer Eternal has established a 'Player Non-Profit' that will give customers a say in how the studio operates.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

"A past version of you is reflected back at you in the terrible code you made, or the artwork you now hate to look at, or that jump feature you thought was good but actually hated making. If that process gets abdicated to a machine for one-shot prompts, that introspection and consideration is lost."

verticalslice.news

"A perpetually self-feeding meat grinder:" The futile search for developers who adore the latest prompt-gobblers from Unity and Google

We asked developers to weigh in on the latest generative AI platforms from Google and Unity and heard nothing but disbelief and despair. So, who is this for?

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

Landmark Rockstar union busting tribunal will now conclude in November—over a month later than expected

verticalslice.news

Landmark Rockstar union busting tribunal will now conclude in November–over a month later than expected

The high-profile legal battle between Rockstar and 31 fired union members will now rub shoulders with the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

Do you want Vertical Slice to report on a pressing issue? Here's how you can help.

verticalslice.news

Do you want Vertical Slice to report on a pressing issue? Here's how you can help.

Fearless reporting does not happen in isolation.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 14/10/2026

RedLynx, one of the studios behind "extraordinary" Star Wars Outlaws port, is being shuttered by Ubisoft The French publisher has confirmed it will also be laying off 70 people at its Singapore studio

verticalslice.news

RedLynx, one of the studios behind "extraordinary" Star Wars Outlaws port, is being shuttered by Ubisoft

Ubisoft has confirmed it will also be laying off 70 people at its Singapore studio.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 13/10/2026

After taking plaudits for killing Copilot on consoles, Xbox launches new division to tinker with mysterious "new technologies" Generative AI? Only if you whisper it.

verticalslice.news

After taking plaudits for killing Copilot on consoles, Xbox launches new division to tinker with mysterious "new technologies"

Generative AI? Only if you whisper it.

Reposted by Vertical Slice

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 13/10/2026

"A perpetually self-feeding meat grinder:" The futile search for developers who adore the latest prompt-gobblers from Unity and Google

verticalslice.news

"A perpetually self-feeding meat grinder:" The futile search for developers who adore the latest prompt-gobblers from Unity and Google

We asked developers to weigh in on the latest generative AI platforms from Google and Unity and heard nothing but disbelief and despair. So, who is this for?

Reposted by Vertical Slice

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 12/10/2026

Did we mention we're running a limited-time launch sale? Nab 33% off a monthly/yearly 'Supporter' subscription until November 9, 2026. Back quality independent journalism and save yourself some money. It's a classic win-win.

verticalslice.news

Limited-time launch sale now on!

A honking 33% discount for new paid subscribers? Go on then.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 13/10/2026

"If you're not following Unity news and have no idea what Unity Spark is, the email doesn't make it clear it's AI. I'm firmly against AI and I won't use Unity Spark ever, so I am not okay with them using my assets for this."

verticalslice.news

Unity opting Asset Store creators into new generative AI platform by default

"I'm firmly against AI and I won't use Unity Spark ever, so I am not okay with them using my assets for this."

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 13/10/2026

A disaster for developers: Charting the rapid erosion of Xbox Game Studios Three years after Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, we look back at the trail of destruction that followed

verticalslice.news

A disaster for developers: Charting the rapid erosion of Xbox Game Studios

Three years after Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, we look back at the trail of destruction that followed.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 13/10/2026

"Journalism demands reporters ask the tough questions and look beyond the PR buzzwords. Even if that means they might be put on the Naughty List by companies that have become far too comfortable with the idea of this profession being an invite-only affair."

verticalslice.news

What is quality video game journalism worth to you?

Invest in fearless reporting or watch it vanish.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 13/10/2026

"A perpetually self-feeding meat grinder:" The futile search for developers who adore the latest prompt-gobblers from Unity and Google

verticalslice.news

"A perpetually self-feeding meat grinder:" The futile search for developers who adore the latest prompt-gobblers from Unity and Google

We asked developers to weigh in on the latest generative AI platforms from Google and Unity and heard nothing but disbelief and despair. So, who is this for?

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 13/10/2026

"Tell these execs exactly what the city thinks of union-busters:" IWGB to stage rally with Rockstar bosses set for questioning at employment tribunal

verticalslice.news

"Tell these execs exactly what the city thinks of union-busters:" IWGB to stage rally when Rockstar bosses arrive for questioning at employment tribunal

The Grand Theft Auto maker has been accused of firing over 30 workers for engaging in trade-union activity.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 13/10/2026

"Funding is uncertain and discovery is hard:" Xbox and Toge Productions veterans launch marketing and publishing agency Joyous Node

verticalslice.news

"Funding is uncertain and discovery is hard:" Xbox and Toge Productions veterans launch marketing and publishing agency

The advisory agency claims "too many studios are expected to figure it all out as they go."

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 13/10/2026

Epic Games is retooling for "maximum AI acceleration" seven months after laying off 1,000 workers

verticalslice.news

Epic Games is retooling for "maximum AI acceleration" seven months after laying off 1,000 workers

His comments coincided with a Bloomberg report that indicates the company is pushing staff to leverage "AI first" workflows.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 12/10/2026

Another launch day post! Vertical Slice is introducing The Repository, an expanding collection of free design docs and pitch decks submitted by generous developers, publishers, and investors. Fans of @outerloopgames.bsky.social, @kitfoxgames.com, and @outersloth.com will want to check this out!

verticalslice.news

Welcome to The Repository: A burgeoning (totally free) treasure trove of dev documents

Sharing is caring.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 12/10/2026

Did we mention we're running a limited-time launch sale? Nab 33% off a monthly/yearly 'Supporter' subscription until November 9, 2026. Back quality independent journalism and save yourself some money. It's a classic win-win.

verticalslice.news

Limited-time launch sale now on!

A honking 33% discount for new paid subscribers? Go on then.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 12/10/2026

Nintendo has "no plans" to ditch physical media, which still accounts for 45.4 percent of total software sales There's a key metric behind Nintendo's decision to stand by physical releases (for now).

verticalslice.news

Nintendo has "no plans" to ditch physical media, which still accounts for 45.4 percent of total software sales

There's a key metric behind Nintendo's decision to stand by physical media (for now).

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 12/10/2026

We're huge believers in transparency, which means it's only right that we're honest about what Vertical Slice needs to sustain and grow. Here's our founder @kerrblimey.bsky.social with all the details.

verticalslice.news

What do sustainability and growth look like for Vertical Slice?

From a self-funded independent outlet to a sprawling media empire? Here's an honest look at what Vertical Slice needs to survive and expand.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 12/10/2026

Last week, Warner Bros. Games and Paramount Games were merged under the Skydance Games banner. According to an exit email penned by outgoing WB Games. boss JB Perrette and obtained by Vertical Slice, the division is now "incredibly well positioned for the coming years."

verticalslice.news

Warner Bros. Games and Paramount Games merged under Skydance

Epic's former Fortnite creator economy architect and overseer, Tony Driscoll, will lead the new-look video game division.

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 12/10/2026

Unpacking developer calls out indie game festival for ousting them as a sponsor over "Zionist" allegations "No one bothered to check whether the accusation was true."

verticalslice.news

Unpacking developer calls out indie game festival for ousting them as a sponsor over "Zionist" allegations

"No one bothered to check whether the accusation was true."

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 12/10/2026

NEW: Unity is automatically opting Asset Store creators into supporting its generative AI platform, Unity Spark, via a process called 'itemisation.' One dev told Vertical Slice the process should be "opt-in instead of opt-out" and said they are firmly against genAI.

verticalslice.news

Unity opting Asset Store creators into new generative AI platform by default

"I'm firmly against AI and I won't use Unity Spark ever, so I am not okay with them using my assets for this."

Vertical Slice @verticalslice.news · 12/10/2026

Hello! Welcome to Vertical Slice, a new trade publication hellbent on producing fearless video game reporting that informs, inspires, and interrogates. We're fully independent. No ads. No corporate owner. No conflicting interests. But that means we need to ask an important question...

verticalslice.news

What is quality video game journalism worth to you?

Invest in fearless reporting or watch it vanish.