Can Godot dethrone Unity, X screws advertisers, GameInformer farewell – Games Growth with Upptic

Delve into a range of hot topics shaking up the gaming and tech worlds. From strategic investments in the game engines space to legal battles in the advertising realm, this episode is packed with discussions that will both entertain and inform.

Marvel Snap Developer Invests in W4 Games: A Bet on Godot

Second Dinner, the developers behind the hit game Marvel Snap, has made a significant investment in W4 Games, a company formed by prominent contributors to the open-source game development platform Godot. This partnership aims to create the largest game ever produced on Godot, a platform that has gained attention as a viable alternative to Unity and Unreal.

The implications of this move, particularly in light of the Unity runtime fee controversy that erupted in September 2023, should not be understated. When Unity abruptly shifted its fees in September 2023, many developers began seeking alternatives. Godot, with its permissive MIT license and open-source nature, rose to prominence at this time as one of the few real competitors to Unity. While Unity has walked back some of its most controversial fee changes, the interest in more alternatives to Unity remains.

Second Dinner’s investment could potentially attract more developers to the Godot ecosystem. By lending their reputation and resources, Second Dinner could help solidify Godot’s position as a major player in the game development world, especially as more developers look for alternatives to Unity and Unreal.

X Sues Advertisers: A Legal Gamble

In a surprising turn, X (formerly known as Twitter) has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in Texas against several major advertisers, including Unilever, CBS, and Mars – as well as the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM). The lawsuit alleges that these entities conspired to withhold billions in advertising revenue following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform in October 2022. X claims that GARM coordinated an advertiser boycott, which significantly impacted the platform’s revenue.

The effectiveness of suing advertisers to win back their business is questionable at best. While we at Games Growth with Upptic are bullish on X as an advertising platform (partly due to the exit of so many advertisers), this lawsuit could further damage the platform’s reputation and deter future business.

There are also broader implications to this legal battle – particularly in the context of free speech and the role of advertisers in supporting or boycotting platforms based on their content. While Games Growth with Upptic questions the merits of “brand safety” – advertisers should still be free to do what they want with their ad dollars.

GameStop Shutters GameInformer: End of an Era

In a nostalgic moment, Games Growth with Upptic reflects on the closure of GameInformer, the longest-running gaming magazine in the U.S., after 33 years of publication. Owned by GameStop since 2000, the magazine was a staple in the gaming community, known for its in-depth reviews and industry insights. It was even the third-largest magazine in the U.S. by readership in 2012.

Warren reminisces about the days when receiving a new issue of GameInformer was a highlight of his month, marking the end of an era for gaming journalism. The closure of the magazine is seen as part of GameStop’s broader cost-cutting measures, as the company struggles to adapt to the changing retail landscape.

The hosts also discuss the evolving role of GameStop, which has transformed from a video game retailer to a seller of trading cards, collectibles, and other geek culture items. Despite its challenges, GameStop remains a fascinating case study in the resilience of brick-and-mortar retail in a digital age.