Opinion
A Tale of Two Markets
Japan in 2016: The world's most lucrative and vibrant mobile market is an uneasy bedfellow for a beloved but troubled console sector
Rob Fahey (Page 16)
Opinion
The mobile market in 2016 may portend major instability ahead
Pokemon Go was the only outsider title to top the charts, in another year defined by stagnation and the inexorable rise of East Asian publishers
Opinion
Facebook seeks to reignite the social spark
Instant Games is a clever, brilliant technology; but that alone won't be enough to restore the former kingpin of social gaming to a position lost five years ago
Opinion
Weak AAA launches are a precursor to industry transition
As top games under perform, the industry must prepare to shift with consumer behaviour
Opinion
Nintendo's plan to overturn mobile gaming
Super Mario Run may be Nintendo's effort, in concert with Apple, to overthrow F2P dominance of the smartphone market
Opinion
Square Enix and Capcom march towards contrasting futures
Is Capcom's traditionalism or Square's rapid evolution the best survival strategy?
Opinion
Titanfall is a victim of chest-beating pride
EA's decision to launch Titanfall 2 between two bigger, more established FPS franchises defies commercial sense
Opinion
Microsoft blows open the VR race with a quiet bombshell
It's not about Scorpio; competitively priced, cross-compatible headsets will finally give the PC a VR platform that can compete with Sony's PSVR
Opinion
Switch targets Japan's TV-less youth
One explanation for PS4's soft performance in Japan is low ownership of HDTVs among young people. Is Switch the answer?
Opinion
Xbox surges as Microsoft's gamble pays off
It's only a first step in denting Sony's lead, but the success of Xbox One S proves Scorpio's early announcement was a good strategy - and reignites the console war
Opinion
The merits of Star Citizen's development openness
Chris Roberts and his team take a lot of flak for the delays to their ambitious game, but their openness has earned the forgiveness of core fans
Opinion
Is PSVR Sony's quietest launch ever?
PSVR launches next week, but it's a quiet affair compared to Sony's usual bombastic launches. Why is the company holding fire?
Opinion
Influx of capital into eSports will force it to grow up
Traditional sports owners and executives getting into eSports will herald huge changes to the culture and business of the sector
Opinion
VR: There will be blood
The diversity of software already out there for VR is proof of a bubble; variety is great, but even if VR succeeds overall, many creators will be left behind
Opinion
TGS 2016: Mobile takes a back seat
The Tokyo Games Show remains a local, not international, showcase - but console games are back at the top of the menu
Opinion
Nintendo raises the banner for premium mobile gaming
A latecomer to a battle that was lost some time ago, Nintendo is choosing to champion premium games on mobile over the ubiquitous F2P model
Opinion
Evolving the PS4 - and the Console Business
The launch of PS4 Pro was muted - Sony is walking cautiously on unfamiliar territory. How this plays out will decide the future of the console business
Feature
ID@Xbox courts Japan's Indies
Despite Xbox's commercial failure in Japan, Chris Charla is enthusiastic about the prospects for local indie developers on the platform
Feature
NX' first task is to avoid Wii U's pitfalls
Reggie Fils-Aime's diagnosis of Wii U's failures is accurate, but these mistakes reflect deep problems with Nintendo's approach
Opinion
Mobile has become an indie-hostile market
Sky-high barriers to entry have made mobile into a space no indie creator or small studio should even consider
Feature
Facing Down the Online Mob
As hype and expectations for major games spiral out of control, hate campaigns and death threats have become an occupational hazard for game creators
Opinion
No Man's Stream: Leaks Mar an Indie Milestone
Ignorance or cynical self-interest; there's no other explanation for broadcasting hours of footage of a leaked, unfinished game
Opinion
Beware the Pokemon Go Bandwagon
The phenomenal success of Niantic's game is driving developers, IP holders and venture capitalists towards mobile AR, but most of those bets won't pay off
Opinion
Nintendo's Roller-Coaster Week
The success of Pokemon Go contrasts with tough financials and NX uncertainty, highlighting the rough road ahead for the company
Opinion
Microsoft rolls the dice in a huge Xbox gamble
A slump in Xbox hardware sales is to be expected before the One S arrives, but the company's next results will show whether Scorpio has taken a longer-term toll