The Remaster That Stole the Spotlight, Indie Breakouts & Game Pass Strategy | GIES #39
In this episode of Games Industry Executive Summary, Casey, Dave, and Manu dive into one of the most surprising weeks in gaming. From Oblivion Remastered’s record-breaking comeback to the ever-expanding Game Pass strategy, we explore what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next.We also unpack the impact of Escape from Tarkov's Steam debut, a closer look at the Star Wars season in Fortnite, and the return of casual combat with a new Battlefield-inspired indie. Plus: market trends, hardware forecasts, and some spicy takes on mobile ecosystems. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:44 Oblivion Remastered: A Surprise Success11:02 The Value of Remastering Older Games21:22 Escape from Tarkov: The Steam Launch Impact26:44 Fortnite's Star Wars Season: A Permanent Experience?28:11 Heroes of Valor: A New Take on Battlefield Heroes28:30 The Legacy of Battlefield Heroes29:55 The Rise and Fall of Casual Gaming31:07 Innovations in Game Design: Rocket League Inspired Football33:27 Anticipating Major Game Releases35:34 The Future of Gaming: Trends and Predictions36:20 Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing and Market Impact39:39 Devolver Digital's Financial Insights41:33 Apple's App Store Practices and Legal Challenges43:46 Roblox's Regional Pricing Strategy46:19 Impact of Trade Wars on Gaming Hardware48:07 Ubisoft's Battle Royale Ambitions52:44 The Viability of Apex Legends in a Saturated Market🔗 Connect With Us🌐 Learn more about the Mighty Diamonds: www.mighty.diamonds🎙️ Subscribe to the Gies Podcast wherever you get your podcasts📰 Join the Gies Newsletter on Substack: giesweekly.substack.com📺 Subscribe to Gies on YouTube: youtube.com/@giesweekly👥 Connect with our hosts on LinkedIn:Casey Al-Kaisy: linkedin.com/in/caseyalkaisyDave Thier: linkedin.com/in/david-thier-10167415Manu Rosier: linkedin.com/in/emmanuelrosier
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Global Gaming Shift: Extraction Shooters, Rising Prices, Korean Indies & Missed Trends | Gies #38
Is the gaming industry undergoing a global shift? In this episode, we dive into the chaos and change sweeping across gaming in 2025. From the uncertain future of extraction shooters like Marathon and DMZ, to the surprising PS5 price hikes that have players buzzing, we're unpacking it all.Meanwhile, Korean indie developers are stepping into the spotlight — underfunded, overlooked, but incredibly talented. Could they be the future of innovation in games? And are big publishers like Sony and Nintendo missing key trends?We talk about business models, genre fatigue, pricing wars, and AI's rising influence on development. This is your weekly deep dive into the gaming industry’s identity crisis, from four perspectives around the world.Timestamps:00:00 Nintendo Returns: Big News or More Silence?06:21 Why Is the PS5 Getting More Expensive?21:15 PlayStation Plus: Value or Just Another Bill?25:26 Marathon and the Extraction Shooter Overload31:15 Are Extraction Shooters Already Dying?36:36 Can Football Games Be Fun Again?43:43 Mafia Franchise Comeback: Too Late or Perfect Timing?45:59 Why Strategy Games Are Making a Big Return48:26 Hollywood’s Obsession with Video Games55:47 Gaming and Film: The Next Power Combo?58:38 What’s Next for Game Platforms in 2025?59:58 Is the Economy Killing Gaming’s Growth?1:03:55 RPG Remakes: Nostalgia or Real Innovation?🔗 Connect With Us🌐 Learn more about the Mighty Diamonds: www.mighty.diamonds🎙️ Subscribe to the Gies Podcast wherever you get your podcasts📰 Join the Gies Newsletter on Substack: giesweekly.substack.com📺 Subscribe to Gies on YouTube: youtube.com/@giesweekly👥 Connect with our hosts on LinkedIn:Casey Al-Kaisy: linkedin.com/in/caseyalkaisyDave Thier: linkedin.com/in/david-thier-10167415Manu Rosier: linkedin.com/in/emmanuelrosierPatrick Rose: linkedin.com/in/patrickroseio/
Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 is already facing major backlash and the console hasn’t even launched yet. From shocking price tags to confusing hardware choices, fans are asking: Is Nintendo making its biggest mistake yet?In this episode, we break down:- Why some gamers may have to pay over $1,000 just to play- The controversy around “empty” cartridges and subscription-only features- Nintendo’s strange pricing strategy in global markets- Whether exclusives like Mario Kart World can save the console- And how this impacts the ongoing Console War between Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStationHave your thoughts changed on the Switch 2? Let us know in the comments, is it still a day-one buy for you?Plus: We also dive into the breakout indie hit Blueprints, the rise of social co-op games like Dead Rails, and what the Minecraft Movie teaches us about fandom in 2025.Timestamps:00:00 Intro & Gaming Trends Overview 02:07 Xbox’s Past vs Today’s Media Landscape 04:52 Switch 2 Pricing & Adoption Worries 10:02 Nintendo’s Game Card Confusion Explained 15:06 Do Physical Games Still Matter in 2025? 19:06 How Global Economics Impacts Console Launches 21:07 Console Supply Chains & Economic Uncertainty 30:29 Minecraft Movie: Fandom or Flop? 35:05 Nintendo & Polworld: Legal Fallout? 37:06 Hype or Hoax? Game Rumors Breakdown 40:17 Ownership, Shutdowns & the Industry Shift 44:02 Can Crowdfunding Still Save Games? 51:01 Early Access in 2025: Innovation or Illusion?🔗 Connect With Us🌐 Learn more about the Mighty Diamonds: www.mighty.diamonds🎙️ Subscribe to the Gies Podcast wherever you get your podcasts📰 Join the Gies Newsletter on Substack: giesweekly.substack.com📺 Subscribe to Gies on YouTube: youtube.com/@gies👥 Connect with our hosts on LinkedIn:Casey Al-Kaisy: linkedin.com/in/caseyalkaisyDave Thier: linkedin.com/in/david-thier-10167415Manu Rosier: linkedin.com/in/emmanuelrosier
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[SPECIAL REPORT] The State of PC & Console Gaming in 2025 | Gies #36
In this special Gies episode, the guys go through the Newzoo April 8th report "The State of PC & Console Gaming in 2025". Focusing on playtime analysis, the impact of cross-media on gaming, player engagement, and the trends in the gaming industry. They explore how players are becoming more selective, the significance of nostalgia in live service games, and the challenges of new game releases in a saturated market.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to the State of Gaming 202501:16 Playtime Analysis and Trends16:24 Impact of Cross-Media on Gaming Engagement22:38 Understanding Game Selection and Player Behavior39:45 The Shift in Gaming Economics43:00 Innovations in Gameplay and Game Design45:21 Recursive Nostalgia in Live Service Games56:39 The Reset Approach: Reviving Old Games01:01:26 Engagement Strategies in Live Service GamesConnect With Us:Learn more about the Mighty Diamonds at Mighty.DiamondsSubscribe to Gies Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe to Gies Newsletter on Substack Subscribe to Gies on YoutubeConnect with our hosts on Linkedin:Casey Al-KaisyDave ThierManu Rosier
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Switch 2: Game Changer or Disappointment? | Gies #35
The Nintendo Switch 2 is here... but is it a true game changer or just a pricey refresh?In this episode, we break down Nintendo's big reveal: the features, pricing, first-party titles, and hardware design. Our panel dives into what works, what doesn’t, and whether the Switch 2 lives up to the hype.Whether you're a lifelong Nintendo fan or a curious observer, this episode brings thoughtful, in-depth analysis you won’t find anywhere else.What we cover:- Who is the Switch 2 really for- Mario Kart World and its surprising mechanics- The $450 price tag and what it means for families and core gamers- Nintendo’s ecosystem strategy and third-party support- Does it compete with Steam Deck, PS5, or something else entirelyTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Overview of Nintendo Switch 202:59 Nintendo Switch 2 Features and Performance06:08 Market Positioning and Pricing Strategy09:09 Nintendo's Hardware vs. Software Focus12:01 Consumer Expectations and Game Pricing14:57 Third-Party Support and Game Library17:57 Launch Strategy and Market Predictions24:34 Nintendo's Pricing Controversy27:07 Innovative Game Concepts and Hardware Demos29:09 Excitement for Mario Kart World39:30 Game Sharing Features and Third-Party Reactions40:48 Anticipation for Donkey Kong Bananza44:09 Exploring From Software's New Direction45:59 Understanding PvPvE Mechanics46:51 Visual Design and Gameplay Expectations49:40 The Impact of Exclusive Titles on Platforms50:11 Roblox's New Advertising Strategy54:51 Live Service Games and Player Retention01:01:10 Ubisoft's Strategic Moves and Market ImplicationsConnect With Us:Learn more about the Mighty Diamonds at Mighty.DiamondsSubscribe to Gies Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe to Gies Newsletter on Substack Subscribe to Gies on YoutubeConnect with our hosts on Linkedin:Casey Al-KaisyDave ThierManu Rosier
Based on the Mighty Diamonds Games Industry Executive Summary Newsletter. This podcast is the video and audio version of the weekly news, where Casey Al-Kaisy, Manu Rosier and Dave Thier go a bit deeper and give context to the articles and links. Subscribe to get full access to the podcast, newsletter and GIES archive. mighty.diamonds
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