Description

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:

• Valve faces legal action in the UK over Steam prices 
• Highguard’s controversial launch raises many questions
• Ubisoft announces redundancy programme as unions commit to strikes

Hosted by industry experts Tom and James, 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.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g1md0l23o
• https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-highguard-is-facing-so-much-backlash-from-players/
• https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-launches-voluntary-redundancy-process-to-cut-200-jobs-from-paris-head-office
• https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-it-s-time-for-real-accountability-ubisoft-unions-call-international-strike?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky
• https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/01/larian-ceo-swen-vincke-sticks-his-foot-in-it-again-thinks-game-reviewers-should-also-be-reviewed
• https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/indie-dev-who-turned-to-social-media-to-lengthen-their-games-credits-ended-up-taking-300-hours-to-add-60000-names/