The Weekly Download cover art

The Weekly Download

The Weekly Download

Written by: Big Games Machine
Listen for free

About this listen

Ready to level up your knowledge of the video game industry? Welcome to The Weekly Download, the definitive weekly podcast on the video games industry, brought to you by Big Games Machine.


Join industry veterans Tom and Alex as they use their expertise and industry knowhow to help you speedrun through the last seven days in gaming. We cover everything: massive mergers, studio shake-ups, indie success stories, and the latest strategic plays from the biggest studios.


If it's shaping the future of gaming, you'll find the lowdown here.

© 2026 The Weekly Download
Science Fiction
Episodes
  • Total Takeover: How Nintendo and the Switch 2 took over Japan’s console market
    Jan 23 2026

    The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry.

    This week's headlines:

    • Niko Partners’ 10 major trends to watch out for in 2026
    • Nintendo dominated Japan in 2025
    • Ubisoft’s latest restructuring with studio closures and project cancellations

    Hosted by industry experts Tom and Alex, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.

    Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

    Links to today’s talking points:

    • https://nikopartners.com/niko-partners-2026-predictions/
    • https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-switch-2-sells-37m-units-in-japan-in-2025-accounting-for-over-half-of-home-console-sales
    • https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisofts-troubled-prince-of-persia-sands-of-time-remake-is-dead-as-publisher-kills-multiple-projects-closes-studios-and-orders-staff-back-to-the-office
    • https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/it-is-out-of-the-question-to-let-a-boss-run-rampant-ubisoft-workers-strike-against-disastrous-cutbacks
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Stellar Blade director says AI is essential to compete with bigger developers and studios
    Jan 16 2026

    The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry.

    This week's headlines:

    • Saudi Arabia's PIF to transfer $12bn in shares to Savvy Games Group
    • Merger and acquisition activity dropped to $500m in Q4 2025
    • Stellar Blade director says AI is “essential” to compete with bigger studios as Games Workshop prohibits AI use in its products

    Hosted by industry experts Tom and Alex, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.

    Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox: https://bit.ly/big-games-machine-the-daily-download

    Links to today’s talking points:

    • https://www.pocketgamer.biz/saudi-arabias-pif-to-transfer-12bn-in-gaming-shares-to-savvy-games-group/
    • https://www.gamesindustry.biz/aream-co-ma-activity-dropped-to-500m-in-q4-2025
    • https://www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/games-workshop-says-its-senior-managers-arent-excited-about-ai-prohibits-its-use-and-laments-that-its-included-on-our-phones-or-laptops-whether-we-like-it-or-not/
    • https://automaton-media.com/en/news/stellar-blade-director-says-using-ai-will-be-essential-for-competing-with-overwhelming-manpower-of-china-and-us-developers/
    • https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-first-lego-pokemon-sets-have-been-revealed-including-a-650-charizard-blastoise-and-venusaur-statue/
    • https://www.eurogamer.net/forza-horizon-5-ps5-port-tops-5-million-sales-securing-300m-in-additional-sales-for-xbox
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Xbox suffers "worst year on record" for console sales in the UK
    Jan 9 2026

    The Weekly Download by Big Games Machine is your essential weekly speedrun through the biggest stories in the global video games industry.

    In the first episode of 2026, we’ll be taking a look at some of the stories that could shape the industry across the next 12 months!

    This week's headlines:

    • Xbox suffers "worst year on record" for console sales in the UK
    • Sony AI patent will see games play themselves if players are stuck
    • UK games revenue rose 7.4% to hit £5.4bn in 2025

    Hosted by industry experts Tom and Alex, we break down the most intriguing, complex, and vital developments of the week to keep you informed.

    Prefer your news in written form? Subscribe to our free newsletter for a concise, easy-to-digest summary of daily industry developments, delivered fresh to your inbox.

    Links to this week's stories:

    • https://www.eurogamer.net/xbox-suffers-worst-year-on-record-for-console-sales-in-the-uk
    • https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-ai-patent-will-see-playstation-games-play-themselves-when-players-are-stuck/
    • https://www.gamesindustry.biz/era-uk-games-revenue-rose-74-to-hit-54bn-in-2025
    • https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/01/beyond-incredibly-dumb-the-internet-doesnt-like-people-sealing-up-graded-3ds-consoles
    • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmlnmnwzk2o
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
No reviews yet