No matter how things change, they still stay the same. Having spent years defending the games industry from sensationalist headlines around violence and age-ratings, I’ve spent a considerable chunk of my week celebrating the legitimacy of Esports, and its value to the UK.

Sloclap’s multiplayer football title Rematch has already reportedly drawn over 1 million unique players just 24 hours after launch, making it another overnight hit from a French studio following Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s success in March. But what is it about Rematch which is just so appealing to players - and can it finally challenge the hegemony of EA FC as the king of football games?

The world is full of strange takes. I saw someone on X taking objection to the fact governmental support for the UK games industry had been largely ignored by the media this week - themselves largely ignoring some rather significant developments elsewhere. While the news cycle has moved on - there’s still time to look at this and be cheerful that games’ elevation into general government consciousness has been secured.

Cannes Lions’ website modestly describes itself as the “world’s biggest celebration of history-making creativity”, but its representation of the games industry feels to me like anything but.

With the rise of handheld gaming once again in full swing, the upcoming Asus ROG Xbox handheld has one gamer feeling like it’s 1990 all over again. As Nintendo’s Switch 2 smashes records and Microsoft expands its Xbox ecosystem, the potential for a streamlined, Xbox-optimised Windows handheld could shake up the market. For portable play on planes, trains, and everywhere in between, this might just be a game-changer.

French studio Sandfall Interactive has stunned the industry with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—a boldly Gallic take on the JRPG that's become 2025’s breakout hit. Its unapologetic Frenchness helped, not hindered, its global success. With British-made Atomfall also thriving thanks to its national identity, the question now is: could cultural pride be the key to the next wave of games triumphs?

From midnight queues to celeb-filled launch parties, Will Guyatt wonders if the magic of a console launch still survives. With the Nintendo Switch 2 looming, leaks and overexposure risk spoiling the fun – but there’s still hope for surprises, strong titles, and a worthy follow-up to a much-loved handheld.

With MCM Comic Con 2025 just around the corner, Will Guyatt asks the question - do games events still matter?

Is the nature of 2025 US politics likely to affect the video games industry? Will Guyatt shares his take.

So far, that’s all we’ve seen of Grand Theft Auto VI and as least 12 seconds of that was a large purple VI with “coming 2025” beneath it. Were getting closer and closer to the mid point of 2025 and we’re still no clearer on when GTA VI drops - but that’s not stopping both gamers and the industry seemingly clearing the way to ensure nothing comes in the way of a visit to Leonida.

We all love a surprise, as long as it’s a good one, right? This week, gaming got its very own - with Bethesda confirming, revealing and releasing a remade Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in 24 hours, quicker than Craig David. So - it’s a “remaster”, but the rapid reveal and launch of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has captured the imagination of gamers in a way that other vintage returns have seemingly failed to do so.

On reading that semi-retired footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo was set to “star” in the forthcoming Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves game. Will Guyatt discusses the growing collaboration between celebrities and the games industry.

Will Guyatt discusses a bold wake-up call to the games industry highlighted by Netflix's Adolescence. The time for defensiveness is over. As public scrutiny returns with fresh force—fuelled by headlines, high-profile critiques, and real societal concerns—this rallying piece urges the industry to confront hard truths, reject complacency, and lead with accountability.

Will Guyatt examines the insights from Bastion's Times Are Changing report, which highlights the growing disconnect between game developers and the media outlets that have long championed their work.

The relationship between the industry and games media has never felt more strained than it does today. In our report, Times are Changing - we’ve spoken to some of the world’s leading games journalists to get their views on the future of games media and its role in the industry.

Will Guyatt reflects on how gaming has evolved from cheeky pixelated crushes to powerful platforms for connection, empathy, and escape. With new research revealing that today’s youth crave friendship, safety, and meaning over romance, this piece asks whether game narratives are keeping up with changing expectations.

Will Guyatt dives into the chaos of modern game discovery—and finds hope in an unexpected place. Powered by human insight rather than algorithms, Ludocene is a new platform likened to a dating app for games. Could it hold the model for better discoverability in the industry?

The 2024 edition of the Bastion G2M Annual Video Games Marketing Survey. A market report to capture and provide a snapshot of the challenges and opportunities marketeers across the video games industry face today.

To close off Pride Month, we interview Anne-Lou Grosbois-Favreau, Global Brand Manager at Square Enix and Star Limit Break Mentor who highlights the transformative power of diverse stories in games.

Sumo adapted its own in-house scheme to create, Evolve, a new programme available across the industry. Jenny Muhlwa, Learning & Development Partner Consultant at Sumo Group discusses the background to the initiative, the details of the course and what she hopes it can achieve.

A discussion with ReedPop’s Event Director Jennifer Martin on the return of live events post COVID.

Maria Sayans, CEO of ustwo games, speaks to Bastion about the award-winning studio’s unique approach to game development and recent success with Desta: The Memories Between.

An exclusive interview with Simon Bennett, founder of multi-BAFTA award winning British studio Roll7, makers of OlliOlli World and Rollerdrome.

We speak to Sam Barratt, the UN Environment Programme’s Chief of Youth, Education & Advocacy, about what games can do to fight climate change.