Exploring the Pros and Cons of Licensed Games and the Ongoing Challenges in Games Journalism

The newest installment of the GamesIndustry.biz Microcast is now available for download, providing a concise overview of the most significant news from the past week. This episode delves into the world of video game adaptations, sparked by Devolver's introduction of Big Fan Games, a publishing label focused on independent developers working with licensed and established intellectual properties. The discussion covers the unpredictable market for these games, which have varied greatly in terms of scope and quality over the years, often not generating the expected profits for publishers. The potential for independent developers to successfully work with major IPs is also explored. Additionally, the episode touches on other recent headlines, including Epic Games' lawsuit against Google, the closure of Play Magazine, the discontinuation of HoloLens, and the upcoming mobile release of Palworld. Furthermore, in the 'What Do The Numbers Mean?' segment, Chris analyzes the early sales performance of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The episode can be streamed via the embedded player, downloaded as an audio podcast, or subscribed to through various platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, and more. It is also available on the GamesIndustry.biz YouTube channel and via a dedicated playlist. The episode was edited by Alix Attenborough.