Industry Insights: Apple Fees, Microsoft Layoffs, and the Future of Deus Ex

The newest installment of the GamesIndustry.biz Microcast is now available for download, with the video version coming soon. This episode begins with an examination of the recent Eidos Montreal layoffs and the cancellation of a new Deus Ex title, exploring the potential implications for the franchise's future and other affected franchises like TimeSplitters, whose fate is tied to the Embracer Group's restructuring efforts. The discussion then shifts to Apple's proposed compliance measures with the EU's Digital Markets Act, including the potential opening of iOS to third-party app stores, the introduction of new commission fees, and the complications this may pose for mobile developers and publishers seeking alternatives to Apple's systems. Lastly, the episode addresses Microsoft's announcement of 1,900 layoffs across its gaming divisions and the potential consequences for the various gaming sectors in which the company operates. The episode can be accessed via the embedded player, downloaded as an audio podcast, or subscribed to through platforms like Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, and more. Video versions are available on the GamesIndustry.biz YouTube channel and a dedicated playlist. The episode features music by Thomas Marchant and was edited by Alix Attenborough.