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As recreation makes a comeback, a local arcade celebrates surviving the pandemic

May 15, 2023
"You go out there right now in our store and there's a community," said Jamie York, owner of Game Underground.
Jamie York says Game Underground was quiet during the pandemic — but quiet isn't good in his business.
Sarah Leeson/Marketplace

A UK regulator has blocked the Microsoft-Activision merger. But don't blame it on Brexit.

Apr 26, 2023
Some experts say the decision is rooted in the U.K.'s efforts to develop its own tech industry.
The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority said a merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard would hamper innovation and reduce choice for gamers.
Belinda Jiao/Getty Images

At the Federal Games Guild, video games and public policy play together

Feb 14, 2023
Want to balance the federal budget? A video game lets you do it. Elizabeth Newbury of the Federal Games Guild and Wilson Center explains.
"You're not going to get the same thing from reading a 25-page policy brief as you'll get from a game, but more people — I bet — will play my game," the FGG's Elizabeth Newbury says.
Courtesy Department of Education

Why more new video games now cost $70

Feb 10, 2023
Nintendo announced that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will retail for $69.99. Several video game publishers have been embracing the $70 price tag as the new standard for major releases.
Nintendo announced that it would price its highly-anticipated "Tears of the Kingdom" game at $70, a $10 increase from standard prices for new video games.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Nintendo of America

Video game industry's growth could drop a level or two

Jul 11, 2022
However, the slowdown in growth could also lead to a friendlier supply chain.
The video game industry experienced a boom during the pandemic.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Here's why Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard

Jan 18, 2022
Microsoft plans to spend nearly $70 billion for the video game maker, whose problematic workplace culture will present challenges.
Though Microsoft may be challenged to fix Activision’s workplace culture, the deal will give the software company more weight in the video game industry.
Rich Polk/Getty Images for Activision

Looking for a gift for the video gamer in your family? Good luck.

Dec 9, 2021
There's a gaming console shortage thanks to the computer chip shortage and high pandemic demand.
The video game industry experienced a boom during the pandemic.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

This video game company wants to make the industry safer for marginalized people

Sep 27, 2021
Kim Belair co-founded Sweet Baby Inc. to create a safe place in the game industry. Can the values behind the company scale up?
An image from Sable, a recently released game developed by Shedworks and written by Sweet Baby Inc. co-founders David Bedard and Kim Belair.
Courtesy Shedworks

Cyberpunk 2077. Hot. Mess. Discuss.

Dec 18, 2020
The much-anticipated video game was finally released. Now, refunds are being offered.
The release of Cyberpunk 2077 was much anticipated. Above, the Cyberpunk 2077 stand at a video game trade fair in Germany last year.
Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images

As more and more people download video games, what's the future for retailers?

Dec 8, 2020
Video game retailer GameStop reports third quarter earnings, but its business model may be getting old.
An 11-year-old boy plays Fortnite, on April 23, 2020, in South Pasadena, California.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images