GDC Festival of Gaming Returns to San Francisco (Gaming Information Roundup)

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) revealed plans for its revamped GDC Festival of Gaming, which can welcome the gaming trade again to San Francisco from March 9 to March 13, 2026.

The occasion will convey collectively recreation makers, publishers, traders, founders, technologists, toolmakers, entrepreneurs, educators and press for a full week of studying, networking and actions. Built on the legacy of the unique Game Developers Conference, the debut of GDC Festival of Gaming coincides with the occasion’s fortieth version.

The five-day pageant can even function nightly actions and choices for everybody from all facets of the trade.

Speed networking occasions, workshops, content material programming, particular person classes with executives and innovators, speaker collection, social mixers, concert events, gaming award ceremonies and extra might be included within the week lengthy pageant.

“In a time of great change, we can build walls or build bridges and the game industry has always thrived by coming together,” GDC government director of innovation and progress Mark DeLoura stated in an announcement. “The GDC Festival of Gaming strengthens those connections, celebrating creativity and supporting everyone who brings games to life, from napkin sketch to global launch.”

Registration is at the moment open at gdconf.com.

See extra gaming information from this week within the roundup beneath.

GAME CANCELLATIONS/STUDIO CLOSURES

Electronic Arts will shut down “The Sims Mobile” subsequent January, seven years and greater than 50 updates after the sport launched.

“First, we want to say thank you,” the “Sims Mobile” workforce stated in a blog posted to the EA website Sunday. “The Sims Mobile and The Sims community as a whole are full of creativity, kindness, and imagination. You’ve amazed us with your stories, builds, and Sims. We’re proud to have shared this journey with you, and as a token of our appreciation, we’ve prepared a few surprises as we head into TSM’s final chapter.”

Before the sport is sundown on Jan. 20, EA is rolling out one closing replace for “The Sims Mobile” within the coming months. The first a part of the replace launched Monday. However, “The Sims Mobile” was delisted from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store on Tuesday, so it’s not obtainable for brand new downloads, just for customers who have already got “The Sims Mobile” put in or have beforehand downloaded it.

“The Sims Mobile” shutdown comes on the heels of EA asserting will probably be going from a publicly traded firm to a privately held. The buyout deal, valued at $55 billion, is with a number of traders, together with private-equity corporations Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. 

“The Sims” franchise as a complete continues to be alive and effectively at EA, with a brand new replace for “The Sims 4” launched in September and ongoing plans for a brand new “Sims” recreation that may discover on-line multiplayer options.

NEW RELEASES

“Jurassic World Evolution 3” launched Tuesday from Frontier Developments in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences throughout PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S.

Per the official description for the title, “players can delve into a game franchise first that brings adorable juvenile dinosaurs and a comprehensive breeding system, take on an epic global campaign that spans multiple stunning locations around the world, and shape their parks like never before with powerful creative tools.”

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The Sandbox has unveiled “San Junipero,” a brand new simulated expertise based mostly off of Netflix’s “Black Mirror” episode of the identical title. The expertise might be launched on Oct. 22 to play on PC and Mac. 

Players will immerse themselves by a first-person, interactive journey the place unforgettable areas, mind-bending themes of simulated actuality and emotional twists await. Players can even be given the chance to satisfy key characters Kelly and Yorkie, work together with them throughout timelines and resolve whether or not they’re able to turn into a everlasting resident of the digital afterlife.

EVENTS

iam8bit will rejoice its twentieth anniversary with an artwork exhibit open to the general public on Saturday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov. 9, situated at Studio 8, 614 E twelfth St. in Los Angeles.

Per the gaming and media firm, “In the last two decades, iam8bit has become a tastemaker at the intersection of games, art, and music, marking three original games published, 300+ albums and millions of records pressed. To commemorate this milestone, iam8bit is reopening the doors to its artistic roots with a gallery exhibition that celebrates both its origin story and its ongoing influence on the art and games landscape.”

PARTNERSHIPS

Sports Interactive has teamed with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and NWSL Players’ Association (NWSLPA) to include the leagues into “Football Manager 26.” “FM26” is ready to launch on Nov. 4. 

“We are delighted to have the NWSL and NWSLPA onboard as headline licensing partners for the debut of Women’s Football in FM26,” stated Miles Jacobson, Studio Director at Sports Interactive. “Throughout our multi-year project to introduce Women’s Football, we’ve maintained that we want to do it properly. This meant having the biggest world licences on board and the NWSL alongside the athletes who bring it to life is undoubtedly one of them. “I can’t wait to see the stories our fans write as they get to test their skills in the NWSL for the first time.”

Katie Eaton, Vice President of Consumer Products at National Women’s Soccer League, added: “Partnering with Football Manager 26 is an exciting moment for the NWSL and our fans. Bringing our clubs and players into FM is the latest innovative way that our league is meeting soccer fans where they are and bringing the NWSL to new audiences.”

“FM” followers can have the prospect to take cost of elite groups, uncover new expertise and compete on the highest stage. This deal will embody with official participant images, golf equipment logos and kits. 

EXECUTIVE SHUFFLES

Tero Virtala has stepped down as CEO of recreation growth firm Remedy. He served within the position since 2016 and can proceed to work for the corporate for an “agreed upon transition period,” per Remedy, as they seek for a brand new chief.

In the meantime, Remedy co-founder and chief product officer Markus Mäki will function interim CEO.

These modifications are efficient instantly as of Oct. 22.

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Katelynn Heil joins Voldex within the newly created place as the pinnacle of franchise administration, reporting to CEO and founder Alex Singer.

Heil will concentrate on constructing and scaling the Brookhaven IP in leisure, reside experiences, model collaborations and shopper merchandise. She will spearhead Voldex’s franchise growth technique by collaborating with the Brookhaven recreation workforce to develop ownable components, drive narrative and video content material methods and set up a world licensing program.

Additionally, Heil will form Voldex’s broader franchise growth roadmap by figuring out and cultivating future franchise alternatives throughout the corporate’s portfolio.

Before becoming a member of Voldex, Heil beforehand served as head of name advertising and franchise technique at Moonbug Entertainment.

TRAILERS

SEGA has unveiled the teaser trailer for the multiplayer arcade royale recreation “Sonic Rumble,” launching globally on Nov. 5. 

In “Sonic Rumble,” as much as 32 gamers compete towards one another in a mixture of high-octane impediment races, survival challenges, cooperative workforce battles and ring-collecting showdowns inside Dr. Eggman’s Egg Toy Land. Additionally, gamers can choose fan-favorite characters, customizable cosmetics and strategic talent choices.

“Sonic Rumble” will turn into obtainable on iOS, Android, and Google Play Games on PC and Steam.

Check out the teaser trailer for “Sonic Rumble” beneath.

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NEW PLATFORM RELEASES

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on Dec. 2 and can embody all content material updates launched for the reason that recreation’s launch.

The Nintendo Switch 2 model will permit gamers to benefit from the recreation from any location and likewise options contact display screen assist. Its growth pack, “Claws of Awaji,” is ready to reach subsequent yr. 

In the sport, gamers embark on a journey by Japan, taking up the twin roles of Naoe, a stealthy shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a strong samurai warrior. They can change between the 2 as they grasp their complementary playstyles, uncover their shared future and usher in a brand new period for Japan.

The Standard Edition of the sport could be bought for $59.99 on launch day both in a bodily version with a Nintendo Switch 2 game-key card or downloaded from the Nintendo eShop. The Premium Edition, which is digital solely, is $99.99.

The Nintendo Switch 2 model of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” will assist cross-progression throughout all platforms by Ubisoft Connect, making certain gamers can proceed their journey throughout platforms.

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” is at the moment obtainable on Ubisoft+, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Amazon Luna, Macs with Apple silicon by way of the Mac App Store, in addition to Windows PC by the Ubisoft Store, Steam and the Epic Games Store.

TECH

Starting on Oct. 23, a brand new reimagined and redesigned Amazon Luna is reside. Luna will convey greater than 50 video games to Prime members at no extra price and can embody GameNight time and a set of greater than 25 native multiplayer video games. 

“We know that 95% of Prime households include someone who loves games, but there’s not always a straightforward path for many of them to play,” stated Jeff Gattis, basic supervisor of Amazon Luna in an announcement. “Luna is purpose-built to remove the historical barriers to gaming. There’s no need to purchase costly, dedicated PC or console hardware. No downloads or installations required. And best of all, access is included within the same Prime membership enjoyed by more than 200 million paid members today.”

Included with Prime are recreation titles reminiscent of “Hogwarts Legacy,” “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,” and “TopSpin 2K25,” alongside a catalog of recent-release blockbusters, classics, indie video games, and extra.