Let's Play: Daily Gaming News

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -SAG-AFTRA national board approves tentative agreementSwitch 2 breaks Nintendo records, sells 3.5m units globally in four daysUbisoft trial witnesses testify to "being tied to a chair, forced to do handstands, and subjected to constant comments about sex"Follow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Epic CEO Tim Sweeney takes yet another victory lap after Apple's latest appeal fails: 'The long national nightmare of the Apple tax is ended'Nintendo Switch 2 consoles arrive damaged as retailer staples receipts on outer packagingCrit Award Round 2 VotingThe Friday Re:Play -State of Play | June 4, 2025 [English]ESA: 64% of Americans play games for more than an hour a weekElden Ring Nightreign sells 2 million copies on day one, as a patch for easier solo play is announcedFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -State of Play | June 4, 2025ESA: 64% of Americans play games for more than an hour a weekElden Ring Nightreign sells 2 million copies on day one, as a patch for easier solo play is announcedFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -FromSoftware and A24 to produce Elden Ring adaptationFTC drops case against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision BlizzardSummer Game Fest 2025: What new game announcements to expect and how to watchFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Xbox Series X will now cost $600 as Microsoft increases console and game pricesEA cuts another 200 jobs "in service of driving future growth", bringing total job losses to around 300Polygon has been sold to Valnet, with the majority of staff laid offFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -IGN joins the fight to keep AI out of journalism…or are they?Fallout creator says he was "ordered to destroy" source code that the studio has since "lost"Tim Cain - Game PreservationNexon wins the bidding war to make a new StarCraft as well as distribute a Blizzard mobile game that's being called 'Overwatch 3'Follow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -NGO files complaint against Ubisoft for data protection concerns and forcing "always online" connectionsApple and Meta have been fined a total of €700,000,000 for non-compliance with the EU Digital Markets Act. Which, in their billion-dollar world, is just chump changeSteam to launch new tags to help disabled players "search for games based on accessibility features"The Friday Re:Play -Bethesda has "no intention" to shut down fan-made Skyblivion modNintendo files request to subpoena Discord for Pokémon leaker identityIntel will reportedly fire fully 20% of its workforce and focus on 'engineering', a plan that sounds all too familiar at this pointFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Bethesda has "no intention" to shut down fan-made Skyblivion modNintendo files request to subpoena Discord for Pokémon leaker identityIntel will reportedly fire fully 20% of its workforce and focus on 'engineering', a plan that sounds all too familiar at this pointFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Some Discord users now need to scan their face or ID to view sensitive materialThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake is realConfirmed: Nintendo Switch 2 US pre-orders open next week, as accessories get a price hikeThe Friday Re:Play - A Minecraft Movie surpasses $550m globallyVideo game M&A activity rises to $6.6 billion in Q1 2025, driven by mobile acquisitionsNiantic is laying off 68 staff following the acquisition of its games business by ScopelyFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -A Minecraft Movie surpasses $550m globallyVideo game M&A activity rises to $6.6 billion in Q1 2025, driven by mobile acquisitionsNiantic is laying off 68 staff following the acquisition of its games business by ScopelyFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Influencer report highlights gender pay gap in sponsored content earningsNintendo Chooses Human Creativity Over AI in Game DevelopmentPC Players Spend More On Microtransactions Than Actual GamesThe Friday Re:Play -Nintendo says $449.99 price tag for Switch 2 was not affected by US tariffsA Minecraft Movie grosses $157m at US box office over opening weekendMichael Sarnoski reportedly attached to direct Death Stranding movieFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Nintendo says $449.99 price tag for Switch 2 was not affected by US tariffsA Minecraft Movie grosses $157m at US box office over opening weekendMichael Sarnoski reportedly attached to direct Death Stranding movieFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 – 4.2.2025ZeniMax union "overwhelming" votes to authorise strike if Microsoft contract negotiations break downSAG-AFTRA issues new agreements to permit members to work with students and game jamsCRIT Awards 2025Cloaks and Capes on ThreadsTabletop Talespinners Network on ThreadsFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -User research workers at Activision unionizeTencent invests $1.25bn in new Ubisoft subsidiary focused on Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow SixNintendo Direct 3.27.2025 – Nintendo SwitchThe Friday Re:Play -Game Informer returns after being shut down by GameStopUnited Videogame Workers union launches at GDC 2025 in partnership with CWAUVW-CWA WebsiteESA launches Accessible Games Initiative to improve visibility of accessibility featuresFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Game Informer returns after being shut down by GameStopUnited Videogame Workers union launches at GDC 2025 in partnership with CWAUVW-CWA WebsiteESA launches Accessible Games Initiative to improve visibility of accessibility featuresFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -SAG-AFTRA remains "frustratingly far apart" from major game companiesAcclaim relaunches, led by CEO Alex JosefScopely acquires Pokémon Go developer Niantic in deal worth $3.5bnFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Checking in to let everyone know this podcast isn't dead. We've just had unintended things pop up in both Nate's and Aaron's personal lives over the last little while. Follow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Palworld's developer gives staff day off after Monster Hunter Wilds causes 'a series of mysterious reports from many employees that they may feel unwell'Pokémon Presents | 2.27.2025.Unions slam Bobby Kotick's claims that Activision Blizzard harassment reports were "fake"The Friday Re:Play -US game spending fell 15% to $4.5bn in January 2025 | US Monthly ChartsWarner Bros. is closing three game studios and canceling Wonder WomanTwitch reckons cheating while livestreaming is a "low severity" violationFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -US game spending fell 15% to $4.5bn in January 2025 | US Monthly ChartsWarner Bros. is closing three game studios and canceling Wonder WomanTwitch reckons cheating while livestreaming is a "low severity" violationFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Everything announced at the PlayStation State of Play February 2025Take-Two CEO says AI could increase employment and productivity, as long as IP isn't infringedE3 organiser ESA launches new event called ‘iicon'Follow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Rooster Teeth returns from the dead, under the ownership of one of its original foundersSteam adds warning flagging potentially abandoned early access gamesUK government says it won't change the rules on publishers taking videogames offline after selling them: 'We have no plans to amend existing consumer law on digital obsolescence'Follow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -ESA warns Trump tariffs will bring "significant harm" to US developers and playersThis year's Grammy winner for best video game soundtrack has been announcedDestiny 2 is the latest game to feel the SAG-AFTRA strike as it warns Heresy will be missing an unknown chunk of voiced dialogueFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Dr Disrespect's Midnight Society is shutting down and its FPS is canceledGenerative AI art made without human "creativity" cannot be protected by copyright lawsThat's all folks - another Warner Bros. live-service bites the dustThe Friday Re:Play -Ubisoft announces studio closure as it lays off 185 staffVideo Game History Foundation's long-awaited digital library will be available next weekSquare Enix condemns Final Fantasy 14 "stalking" mod and threatens legal actionMicrosoft in talks to buy TikTok, US president saysFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Square Enix condemns Final Fantasy 14 "stalking" mod and threatens legal actionThe IOC says 'discussions are still ongoing,' but it sounds like the first-ever Olympic Esports Games may be delayed, possibly until 2027Microsoft in talks to buy TikTok, US president saysFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Ubisoft announces studio closure as it lays off 185 staffVideo Game History Foundation's long-awaited digital library will be available next weekFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth hit the most concurrent Steam players of any single-player Final FantasyFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -GDC Survey: 41% of devs affected by layoffs in 2024EA revises FY2025 and Q3 guidance due to underperformance across two franchisesPS5 dinosaur horror game is skipping a PC release to avoid ‘sexualized mods'The Friday Re:Play -Destiny responds to accusation of illegally sharing woman's private imagesLink to Donate to Pxie's Legal Fund Cognosphere to pay $20m to settle FTC complaint on Genshin ImpactWill GTA 6 cost £80? Report says there's industry "hope" Rockstar will usher in another game price riseFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Destiny responds to accusation of illegally sharing woman's private imagesLink to Donate to Pxie's Legal Fund Cognosphere to pay $20m to settle FTC complaint on Genshin ImpactWill GTA 6 cost £80? Report says there's industry "hope" Rockstar will usher in another game price riseFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Nintendo Switch 2 officially revealedTencent and Guillemot family considering new venture with Ubisoft assets - reportSony has cancelled two more live service games, reportedly including a God of War titleRemembering David Lynch, and his wonderfully surreal PlayStation 2 advertsThe Friday Re:Play -Two weeks into 2025, three studios are already closing downThis year's AGDQ included someone speedrunning Elden Ring bosses with a saxophoneAGDQ 2025 ScheduleFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Two weeks into 2025, three studios are already closing downThis year's AGDQ included someone speedrunning Elden Ring bosses with a saxophoneAGDQ 2025 ScheduleNintendo will reportedly reveal Switch 2 this weekFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -TikTok's time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he 'opposes banning' itNew Square Enix policy aims to protect employees from toxic fansElden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I'm totally not fuming because PC players aren't invited to the party, or anythingElden Ring: Nightreign Closed Network Test RegistrationThe Friday Re:Play -Video Game Layoffs of 2024New Nintendo patent appears ahead of expected Switch 2 revealUS adds Tencent to list of firms allegedly connected to Chinese militaryDeadly fires in LA lead to office closures for major game studios as tens of thousands evacuateFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Deadly fires in LA lead to office closures for major game studios as tens of thousands evacuateUS adds Tencent to list of firms allegedly connected to Chinese militaryFormer Annapurna Interactive staff reportedly form company and acquire Private Division's portfolioFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Video Game Layoffs of 2024Mass Effect fans think this official image hints that Paragon/Renegade system is "absolutely returning"New Nintendo patent appears ahead of expected Switch 2 revealFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Steam Winter SaleSony to become largest shareholder of FromSoftware parent Kadokawa CorporationTencent directors step down from Epic Games' board after US Justice Department "expressed concerns"Follow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Geoph Keighly's 10th Annual Games AwardsZenimax Online Studios workers unioniseThe Friday Re:Play -EA has made 23 more of its accessibility patents free for any studio to useSteam hits a record 39 million concurrent users as Path of Exile 2 and Marvel Rivals continue to pull massive crowdsAlyssa Mercante v. Jeff Tarzia FTC starts issuing refunds to Epic Games users following settlementFortnite RefundsFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Alyssa Mercante v. Jeff Tarzia FTC starts issuing refunds to Epic Games users following settlementFortnite RefundsFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -EA has made 23 more of its accessibility patents free for any studio to useSteam hits a record 39 million concurrent users as Path of Exile 2 and Marvel Rivals continue to pull massive crowdsFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Ubisoft to sunset XDefiant in 2025, nearly 300 people affected by layoffsUbisoft reportedly discussing buyout options with TencentNintendo Switch eShop and online services are ending in China in 2026The Friday Re:Play - Dr Disrespect moves to Rumble, will head up its Rumble Gaming category2K Games' motion capture studio votes to unioniseRumors Are Flying Of A Possible PlayStation 5 PortableFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Dr Disrespect moves to Rumble, will head up its Rumble Gaming category2K Games' motion capture studio votes to unioniseRumors Are Flying Of A Possible PlayStation 5 PortableFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Google to sell Chrome AND be banned from re-entering the browser market for five years, recommends US Department of JusticeGame investment and M&A deals pull ahead of 2023 at $10.38bn for Q1-Q3Steam Season Pass policy updated, warns developers must be "ready to clearly communicate" DLC contentThe Friday Re:Play -SAG-AFTRA announces new agreement for video game localisationSony is reportedly in talks to acquire FromSoftware owner KadokawaThe Game Award Nominations: ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth' Slices Its Way To Leading Seven Nominations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -SAG-AFTRA announces new agreement for video game localisationSony is reportedly in talks to acquire FromSoftware owner KadokawaThe Game Award Nominations: ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth' Slices Its Way To Leading Seven NominationsFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Microsoft interested in more M&A, Spencer saysThis year's Grammy nominees for best video game soundtrack have been announcedNew MIT study shows what you already knew about AI: it doesn't actually understand anythingFriday Re:Play -ZeniMax QA workers to strike over concerns about return to office mandate and outsourcingNetEase execs arrested for alleged money laundering and briberyPalworld developer reports Nintendo's suing over 3 Pokémon patents for only $66,000 in damages, but a videogame IP lawyer says fighting the lawsuit could mean 'burning millions of dollars'Kali Scales' and Robbie Landis' Podcast! Cloaks and Capes: A Dungeons and Dragons Podcast!Check out Cloaks & Capes and all the TTRPG stuff they offer at www.Patreon.com/CloaksandCapesFollow Robbie Landis on Threads @robbie_landis01 and Twitch at Twitch.tv/Robbie_LandisFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -ZeniMax QA workers to strike over concerns about return to office mandate and outsourcingNetEase execs arrested for alleged money laundering and briberyPalworld developer reports Nintendo's suing over 3 Pokémon patents for only $66,000 in damages, but a videogame IP lawyer says fighting the lawsuit could mean 'burning millions of dollars'Follow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -G/O Media Cuts Kotaku To The Bone As More Writers Are Laid Off‘Mass Effect' TV Series in the Works at Amazon From ‘Fast & Furious 9' Writer (EXCLUSIVE)Roblox is banning kids from unrated experiences and Social Hangout spaces in an effort to protect them from pedophilesFriday Re:Play -Meta's AR/VR Reality Labs division records further losses of $4.4 billionMicrosoft is asking for 30 of your American dollars to keep Windows 10 safe for a year after it's put out to pastureZelnick on Private Division sale: "Those projects were smaller, we're in the business of big hits"Over 60 classic Sega games are being delisted from digital storesFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Zelnick on Private Division sale: "Those projects were smaller, we're in the business of big hits"Nintendo confirms backwards compatibility on Switch 2Over 60 classic Sega games are being delisted from digital storesFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Meta's AR/VR Reality Labs division records further losses of $4.4 billionTwitch streams about "political and sensitive issues" including "reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights" now require a labelMicrosoft is asking for 30 of your American dollars to keep Windows 10 safe for a year after it's put out to pastureFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Ubisoft quietly launches ‘web3 competitive turn-based RPG'Actors union SAG-AFTRA signs an agreement with AI voice company EthovoxPath of Exile 2's early access release date delayed to DecemberFriday Re:Play -Microsoft CEO pay rises 63% to $79 millionSony shuts Neon Koi and Firewalk StudiosActivision Blizzard QA staff walk out over return to office mandateMicrosoft gaming revenue up 43% year-on-year due to Activision acquisitionFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Activision Blizzard QA staff walk out over return to office mandateMicrosoft gaming revenue up 43% year-on-year due to Activision acquisitionFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Microsoft CEO pay rises 63% to $79 millionUS Copyright Office rejects video game preservationists' request for DMCA exceptionsSony shuts Neon Koi and Firewalk StudiosFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Roblox scrambles to fight the 'pedophile hellscape' allegations with changes to pre-teen accounts that don't seem like enoughRoblox clashes with an 'activist short-seller' who's going after its share price with accusations that it's running a 'pedophile hellscape' and lying about user numbers2K's Californian Motion Capture Studio files for union electionFriday Re:Play -Ambitious Vault 13 mod remaking Fallout 1 in Fallout 4 engine has been canceledFallout season two filming begins a lot sooner than expectedNetflix has shut down its triple-A ‘Team Blue' studioSuper Smash Bros. creator started production on his next game in 2022Follow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Netflix has shut down its triple-A ‘Team Blue' studioSuper Smash Bros. creator started production on his next game in 2022Fake online reviews and false testimonials are now banned by America's FTCFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

.Today on Lets Play: Daily Gaming News -Ambitious Vault 13 mod remaking Fallout 1 in Fallout 4 engine has been canceledFallout season two filming begins a lot sooner than expectedSteam Deck won't have yearly refreshes because it's "not really fair to your customers", says ValveFollow Nate on Twitter @NateBenderama Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.