Krafton Partners with Pocketpair to Bring Palworld to Mobile
Krafton, the publisher best known for PUBG, has partnered with developer Pocketpair to bring its popular monster-catching survival game Palworld to mobile platforms. Under the agreement, Krafton’s subsidiary, PUBG Studios, to “faithfully reinterpret and implement the main fun elements of the original for the mobile environment.” The collaboration is part of Krafton’s broader strategy to diversify its mobile game portfolio, leveraging Palworld’s unique gameplay to reach a wider audience beyond its traditional battle royale offerings.
Hi-Rez Studios Announces Layoffs Amid Reorganization and Focus on Smite 2
Hi-Rez Studios, the developer of Smite 2 and Paladins, has layoffs as part of an internal reorganization aimed at ensuring the company’s long-term success. CEO Stewart Chisam confirmed that the job cuts, which will disproportionately affect marketing, publishing, and cosmetic content teams, come as the studio refocuses its efforts entirely on Smite 2. The layoffs follow a comprehensive review of Hi-Rez’s strategy, which will prioritize gameplay development over monetization features. Chisam acknowledged the “real human impact” of the decision and took personal responsibility, calling it a “heartbreaking” but necessary move for the company’s future.
Ubisoft Delayed Assassin’s Creed Shadows Only After Months of Internal Pressure From Developers
Ubisoft’s decision to delay Assassin’s Creed Shadows to February 2025 came after months of internal pressure from its development team, who had been advocating for more time to refine the game’s quality and address cultural accuracy concerns raised by the Japanese community. While management initially resisted extending the timeline, the push gained urgency following the disappointing launch of Star Wars Outlaws, which exposed the risks of rushing major releases. Developers cited the need to fix bugs, improve gameplay mechanics, and ensure historical authenticity.
Nintendo Targets YouTube Channels Over Emulated Content Amid Crackdown on IP Violations
Nintendo against popular YouTube channel Retro Game Corps, which reviews handheld devices capable of emulating classic Nintendo games. The channel, with over half a million subscribers, had showcased emulated titles from discontinued consoles like the NES, SNES, and Wii U, prompting Nintendo’s action as part of its ongoing effort to protect its intellectual property. In response, channel owner Russ announced he will no longer feature Nintendo games in his reviews, citing concerns over potential legal repercussions and acknowledging that he must “adjust accordingly” to avoid further strikes or legal action.
