Vertical Slice
@verticalslice.news
An independent, reader-supported trade publication serving game developers. We produce fearless reporting that inspires, informs, and interrogates. Get in touch: contact@verticalslice.news
Valve sidesteps genAI concerns, Xbox hardware continues to wilt, and EA workers are over it - Headliner [30/10/26]
Valve sidesteps genAI concerns, Xbox hardware continues to wilt, and EA workers are over it - Headliner [30/10/26]
The biggest headlines, straight to your inbox.
verticalslice.news
"No matter what, you end up seeing Western creators apply a fantasy-driven filter rather than engaging with the region's contemporary social realities."
The importance of swapping 'culture as a paint colour' for 'culture as progression'
We sit down with The Arab League of Misfits developer Nazih Fares to learn how the project is challenging "orientalism in gaming."
verticalslice.news
"They cut off your access:" If generative AI is the future, why is EA capping its usage? Staff within the Battlefield and EA Sports FC publisher are being encouraged to use the tech—just, not too much
"They cut off your access:" If generative AI is the future, why is EA capping its usage?
Staff within the Battlefield publisher are being encouraged to use the tech—just, not too much.
verticalslice.news
The hard surfaces in Control Resonant go hard
The hard surfaces in Control Resonant go hard
Pylon gang rise up.
verticalslice.news
Hasbro accused of deploying "union avoidance tactics" by organising Wizards of the Coast workers "We are more than prepared to stand together and win our union election"
Hasbro accused of deploying "union avoidance tactics" by organising Wizards of the Coast workers
"We are more than prepared to stand together and win our union election."
verticalslice.news
"No matter what, you end up seeing Western creators apply a fantasy-driven filter rather than engaging with the region's contemporary social realities."
The importance of swapping 'culture as a paint colour' for 'culture as progression'
We sit down with The Arab League of Misfits developer Nazih Fares to learn how the project is challenging "orientalism in gaming."
verticalslice.news
"They cut off your access:" If generative AI is the future, why is EA capping its usage? Staff within the Battlefield and EA Sports FC publisher are being encouraged to use the tech—just, not too much
"They cut off your access:" If generative AI is the future, why is EA capping its usage?
Staff within the Battlefield publisher are being encouraged to use the tech—just, not too much.
verticalslice.news
Xbox hardware revenue down by 14 percent during Q1
Xbox hardware revenue down by 14 percent during Q1
Different quarter, same story.
verticalslice.news
Paradox sells simulation specialist Playrion to Trophy Games for €3.1 million
Paradox sells simulation specialist Playrion to Trophy Games for €3.1 million
The French mobile studio is best known for developing titles within the airline simulator genre.
verticalslice.news
Rockstar workers secure potentially historic union recognition vote "This is our moment to secure a window onto the decisions that shape our lives"
Rockstar workers secure potentially historic union recognition vote
"This is our moment to secure a window onto the decisions that shape our lives."
verticalslice.news
Responding to union concerns, Hasbro CEO says "the greatest form of job protection any team can have is to expand the business they're working on"
Responding to union concerns, Hasbro CEO claims expanding your employer's business is the "greatest form of job protection"
Wizards of the Coast workers are once again attempting to unionise. Once again, parent company Hasbro has not provided voluntary recognition.
verticalslice.news
The importance of swapping 'culture as a paint colour' for 'culture as progression' We sit down with The Arab League of Misfits developer Nazih Fares to learn how the project is challenging "orientalism in gaming"
The importance of swapping 'culture as a paint colour' for 'culture as progression'
We sit down with The Arab League of Misfits developer Nazih Fares to learn how the project is challenging "orientalism in gaming."
verticalslice.news
Hello! Do you have burning questions about how my first three(ish) weeks as an independent journalist have been going? Toss them over to chris.kerr@verticalslice.news and I'll do my best to answer in this week's Slice of Life newsletter (coming on Friday)!
"Morale has been terrible. The line we kept hearing is 'do less, better' but it just felt like we were doing the same amount with less people. Upper management was very excited about Claude and the possibilities of [generative] AI, much to the chagrin of my team."
EA workers decry mismanagement and corporate greed after mass layoffs
Current and former EA employees paint a bleak picture of daily life at one of the video game industry's most prominent publishers.
verticalslice.news
Former 343 Industries boss appointed president of Hasbro Digital Games and Wizards of the Coast
Former 343 Industries boss appointed president of Hasbro Digital Games and Wizards of the Coast
Dan Ayoub is taking charge at the Dungeons & Dragons maker.
verticalslice.news
Capcom delivers record H1 software sales thanks to catalog titles and brisk starts from Pragmata and Onimusha
Capcom delivers record software sales thanks to catalog titles and brisk starts from Pragmata and Onimusha
Resident Evil and Monster Hunter remain foundational for the Japanese publisher.
verticalslice.news
Xbox workers among 60,000 staff offered voluntary exit by Microsoft
Xbox workers among 60,000 staff offered voluntary exit by Microsoft
Don't call it a layoff.
verticalslice.news
"I don't want to work at this place anymore:" EA workers decry mismanagement and corporate greed after mass layoffs Current and former EA employees paint a bleak picture of daily life at one of the video game industry's most prominent publishers
"I don't want to work at this place anymore:" EA workers decry mismanagement and corporate greed after mass layoffs
Current and former EA employees paint a bleak picture of daily life at one of the video game industry's most prominent publishers.
verticalslice.news
Rockstar workers secure potentially historic union recognition vote "This is our moment to secure a window onto the decisions that shape our lives"
Rockstar workers secure potentially historic union recognition vote
"This is our moment to secure a window onto the decisions that shape our lives."
verticalslice.news
UK marketing agency Rune pivots to indie publishing with new Pythia Games label
UK marketing agency Rune pivots to indie publishing with new Pythia Games label
The company intends to support small teams and solo developers.
verticalslice.news
Kingdom Come and Lord of the Rings studio Warhorse targeted by cyberattack
Kingdom Come and Lord of the Rings studio targeted by cyberattack
Czech studio Warhorse described the situation as a "serious incident."
verticalslice.news
WB Games owner Skydance Corporation introducing five-day in-office mandate alongside 'Voluntary Buyout Program'
WB Games owner Skydance introducing five-day in-office mandate alongside 'Voluntary Buyout Program'
Head to the office, or head for the exit.
verticalslice.news
French union accuses Don't Nod of illegally targeting individuals during redundancy process
French union accuses Don't Nod of illegally targeting individuals during redundancy process
The company is purportedly saving management staff to facilitate a massive shift towards outsourcing.
verticalslice.news
Interior/Night studio director Charu Desodt appointed chair of BAFTA Games Committee
Interior/Night studio director Charu Desodt appointed chair of BAFTA Games Committee
Desodt takes over from Tara Saunders and will help steer the British arts charity's goals within the game industry.
verticalslice.news
"I don't want to work at this place anymore:" EA workers decry mismanagement and corporate greed after mass layoffs Current and former EA employees paint a bleak picture of daily life at one of the video game industry's most prominent publishers
"I don't want to work at this place anymore:" EA workers decry mismanagement and corporate greed after mass layoffs
Current and former EA employees paint a bleak picture of daily life at one of the video game industry's most prominent publishers.
verticalslice.news
Xbox workers among 60,000 staff offered voluntary exit by Microsoft
Xbox workers among 60,000 staff offered voluntary exit by Microsoft
Don't call it a layoff.
verticalslice.news
WB Games owner Skydance Corporation introducing five-day in-office mandate alongside 'Voluntary Buyout Program'
WB Games owner Skydance introducing five-day in-office mandate alongside 'Voluntary Buyout Program'
Head to the office, or head for the exit.
verticalslice.news
Report: Sony cutting jobs at Sucker Punch less than a year after declaring Ghost of Yotei a "major hit"
Report: Sony cutting jobs at Sucker Punch less than a year after declaring Ghost of Yotei a "major hit"
The Washington studio has released back-to-back blockbusters for PlayStation.
verticalslice.news
Key figures behind EA buyout accused of exchanging billions for political favours
Key figures behind EA buyout accused of exchanging billions for political favours
What do the Saudis and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner have in common? Quite a lot, it would seem.
verticalslice.news
Pitch Deck // Falcon Age "This was our first pitch as a way to establish the studio and we were also figuring out if we wanted studio investment or project funding and ultimately decided that project funding was the right fit for us as a team."
Pitch Deck // Falcon Age
Learn how Outerloop Games successfully pitched a high-concept VR title to publishers, funds, and investors.
verticalslice.news