Games industry roundup: Why Introversion sold Prison Architect, blockchain's EverDreamSoft rethinks business, and Machinima shuts down
While PocketGamer.biz focuses on the world of mobile gaming, it's always a good idea to keep an eye on the trends, controversies and opportunities of other sectors.
To that end, each week we round up the hottest stories as selected by our expert editorial team across our network of sites that includes PCGamesInsider.biz, InfluencerUpdate.biz and BlockchainGamer.biz.
Looking for a mobile roundup? You can check out our Hot Five here.
Hottest stories
Over on PC, Introversion explains why it sold the Prison Architect IP, while Good Shepherd discusses the impact the increasing number of third-party marketplaces has on publishing.
In the blockchain games space, CryptoWars reveals its second tournament, and blockchain company EverDreamSoft announces a ‘freeze’ and rethink of business strategy.
In the world of influencers, Machinima has officially shut down leaving many content creators stranded, and Twitch says it will no longer advertise big streamers on smaller broadcasts.
#1: PC game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site PCGamesInsider.biz for the last week.
Why selling the Prison Architect IP is Introversion's road to future success
The simulation title might have provided the studio with stability but director Mark Morris says that the developer works best with its back against the wall
Good Shepherd: More storefronts means a publisher's role has to change (again)
The indie publisher's producer Lélia Peuchamiel talks platforms, indie publishing and games that put prestige before profit
Meet GameMaker Studio firm YoYo Games' new GM Stuart Poole
We chat to the man himself about GM2's launch, the future of the indie engine firm and when we'll hear more from its publishing label
What we learnt at Ludicious - Zürich Games Festival 2019
Storytelling to your strengths, politics and workers rights dominated the Swiss indie festival this year
Introversion has stepped away from Order of Magnitude, but the game's DNA lives on in next project
Title was announced in April 2018 but wasn't getting the team excited; new title "isn't a million miles away" from the sci-fi colony sim
#2: Blockchain game news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site BlockchainGamer.biz for the last week.
CryptoWars announces its second tournament
CryptoWars has used an interesting method of testing out the potential for its game and Loom’s blockchain. It has managed to do so by hosting a total of four tournaments in-game, which has already benefitted the team immensely.
Forest Knight is starting off the [Lunar] New Year with a giveaway
For those taking the time to celebrate the Lunar New Year, this week includes a lot of celebration.
EverDreamSoft announces ‘freeze’ and rethink of business strategy
An ‘unfavorable climate’ has set into the cryptocurrency and blockchain space, hitting blockchain projects hard at times. One of the unfortunate and more recent examples of this was EverDreamSoft, which has made an announcement to this effect.
Top performing blockchain games – January
With the new year here to wear down, we take a look at some of the blockchain gamings big performers.
Nimbus Interactive announces integration of Enjin into Containment Corps
Nimbus Interactive, the development company behind the PC Game, Containment Corps, gave an interesting announcement this week. The team announced through Steam that it will officially be joining the Enjin Multiverse, as well as leveraging the ERC1155 token standard.
#3: Influencer news and insights
Here are the five hottest stories from our sister-site InfluencerUpdate.biz for the last week.
Machinima shuts down and axes over 80 jobs in the process
Long-running YouTube MCN Machinima shuts down and axes over 80 jobs in the process. The YouTube channel belonging to the company has also been closed, and all of the videos made by its creators are lost.
Twitch will no longer advertise big streamers on smaller broadcasts
Twitch will no longer advertise big streamers on smaller broadcasts, after criticism frrom the community that said ads could affect the viewer figures of smaller broadcasts.
Kid safety crackdowns coming to Facebook, Instagram and more
Kid safety crackdowns are coming to social media after platforms including Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat are being forced by law to remove illegal content posted by users.
Viewers watched over 9.36 billion hours of Twitch in 2018
Viewers watched over 9.36 billion hours of Twitch in 2018, marking the platform's biggest year ever. YouTube Gaming and Microsoft’s Mixer platform also experienced a growth in viewership.
YouTube CEO acknowledges that the YouTube Rewind 2018 was "cringy"
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has admitted that the company did a poor job with last year's YouTube Rewind, stating that her own children described the video as "cringy".