Rajen Kishna’s Post

XDefiant in the growing long list of F2P games being shut down after struggling to gain traction. Could we be seeing a return to premium models over the coming years as studios and publishers restructure teams? F2P requires massive resources to feed the pipeline to now what is an incredibly trained audience that wants content weekly and of a certain quality thanks to the amazing work of Riot and Epic. Only a few can maintain this and then it comes at a huge cost (financially and personally). Publishers are for certain seeing the benefits to a lower pricing entry to off set production with a committed pipeline through battle passes or DLC. But with the sheer number of games launching weekly on Steam and others it’s so hard to know what will hit and miss. The stakes are higher than ever. I hope the folks at Ubisoft are moved to other projects and this is not another massive headcount cut this close to the holidays. Good luck! https://lnkd.in/ecg2S5Zr

I love ❤️ Unreal Engine; Epic Games is a studio 🎙 I aspire to work with, even if I disagree with some of the business dealings and aspects that Tim Sweeney engages in, primarily layoffs and limiting work from home. I am excited about #UnrealFest, which will start September 30th in #Seattle. Still, the cost of the whole experience is exceptionally high for the state of the economy and the video game industry. Well, in retrospect, it's still way cheaper than #GDC, mind you. I am still very grateful that most panels will be live-streamed at 9 AM Pacific on YouTube or Twitch. https://lnkd.in/eVezk9Hc https://lnkd.in/eJ9nG42p I still can't shake the feeling that such a high price point contradicts the fundamentals of democratizing technology, which is one of my core values. Regardless of wealth, we still need an open event to come together as an industry. Lord knows how important GDC is to me and how much I love the event, but it is not the #Gamedev hub it used to be some years back. What I am trying to say is, "that if there is such an ideal event for developers, and wealth isn't a barrier to entry, Epic could be the company to do so. Thanks to their astronomical finance capital and how it would increase their value with new up-and-coming developers using or switching to #Unreal5. But that's me looking from the outside in.

“Gaming is dead!!! 😱😱😱” Really?! Then why does Epic have 628 posted roles on their career site? Why does Amir’s resource site have 12,000+ roles listed? Gaming is not dead! It is shifting. It is resetting. It is re-skilling. It is evolving. Want to be successful in Gaming…want a life-long career in Gaming? It’s easy. Be adaptable. Be resilient. Be tenacious. FYI: Epic’s career site: https://lnkd.in/g3W69kGd #ResumeIsKing

I agree with Mark Cox's post, but what intrigues me is why XDefiant was built in the first place. If you have played the game, you know that nothing ever really felt polished or complete; the target audience wasn't clearly defined or targeted, and it felt very much like the game was made to be a competitor in the first-person shooter arena without bringing anything new, exciting or unique to the table. So many games are being created that ride the coattails of others' success without bringing a better or unique experience. No one asked or wanted a FPS set in the Ubisoft universe, and it was an odd mashup of characters that felt very disconnected. As a player, I never felt a connection to the game. It was very much "just another shooter." Having a connection with a game is what allows it to have an extended life span. No one I played the game with felt any connection with it, nor did they feel enticed to play it any further. An interesting trend I've been seeing is a rise in game devs/studios that include community early in its life cycle. They still build towards their ultimate goal, but having those communities makes the player base feel more connected with the game and that they were part of its development. The future of gaming is much more community-centric, with deeper connections to its player base. XDefiant had none of this and brought lackluster gameplay, a recipe for disaster.

Happy Friday everyone! It's almost time for the epic Vetro Summer Games! This year promises to be a blast with Team Perm facing off against Team Temp, Team Education, and Team Compliance. The competition is fierce, but who will reign supreme? Here's a breakdown to help you decide: Team Perm: Known for their creativity and resourcefulness, they might pull off some unexpected wins! Team Temp: They're scrappy and energetic, always ready to give it their all. Watch out for their bursts of speed! ⚡️ Team Education: The strategic minds of the bunch, they'll likely come prepared with winning tactics. Team Compliance: Don't underestimate their dedication and focus! They could be a dark horse in this race. **Who are YOU placing your bets on? Let us know in the comments below! ** #VetroSummerGames #TeamSpirit #FriendlyCompetition #vetro #vetrorecruitment

Just read that Sandrine Caloiaro has left Ubisoft as their chief portfolio officer, someone with more than 10 years with the company! Wonder how this will affect the company as they are already struggling with layoffs, game sales, and production. Senior staff leaving the company means more room for improvement or is it signs of more internal problems? Thoughts? Article link below if you'd like to read more! https://lnkd.in/gbiitWn4

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The Gaming Industry’s Disconnect Is Costing Millions 💸 🚨 6,000+ gaming industry layoffs in 2023 alone. Declining profits and player dissatisfaction are hitting studios hard. And it’s no mystery why: there’s a growing gap between what developers deliver and what players expect. 👉 Take Battlefield 2042. Critics gave it decent scores, but players tanked it to 2.3/10 on Metacritic. The disconnect is loud, and it’s driving players—and their wallets—away. But here’s the fix: building genuine, two-way communication with players. 67.4% of gamers feel more connected to brands through communities like Discord than on social media. This isn’t just an engagement strategy—it’s survival. 💡 Brands like Larian Studios get it. They listened to players during Baldur’s Gate 3’s early access, refining the game in real-time. The result? A masterpiece loved by critics and fans alike. The message is clear: listen to your players, or lose them. How is your studio closing the gap with your players? Let’s discuss. 💬

I'm a bit late to the discussion on IGN Entertainment's acquisition of the Gamer Network. Seeing IGN Entertainment acquire the Gamer Network hits close to home for me. I grew up getting my gaming news and guides from mid-level publishers like Eurogamer and VG247. This consolidation trend is troubling, especially considering the layoffs and reduced editorial diversity that often follow. With my experience at ReedPOP, a subsidiary of Reed Exhibitions, I have insider knowledge of the dynamics at play. Reed should have invested more in these publishers because they didn't fit into the broader B2B portfolio strategy. This oversight has contributed to the consolidation we're witnessing now, where a few major entities control most of the gaming news landscape, pushing out smaller, independent voices. #GamingNews #IndustryTrends #Consolidation https://lnkd.in/eEDx-bfJ

Ubisoft has leveraged Zuora's monetization suite to expand and optimize its Ubisoft+ and Rocksmith+ subscription services, efficiently managing significant increases in user traffic and customizing billing experiences during new game launches. Ubisoft’s collaboration with Zuora underscores the significance of advanced subscription management systems like Zuora—and similarly, Billsby—in facilitating growth and enhancing direct customer engagement in competitive markets. #Ubisoft #Zuora #SubscriptionServices #GamingIndustry #TechInnovation #GlobalExpansion #Monetization #BillingSolutions #Billsby #billingsoftware #getstartednow #subscriptions