Articles by Rob Fahey - Page 2
Rob Fahey, Contributing Editor
Rob Fahey is a former editor of GamesIndustry.biz who spent several years living in Japan and probably still has a mint condition Dreamcast Samba de Amigo set.
Recent articles by Rob Fahey
Sony's studios continue their winning streak
The success of the PS4's excellent first-party experiences belie the commercial challenges single-player titles still face
Battle Royale threatens a repeat of the MOBA bloodbath
With around a dozen Battle Royale titles set for release by the end of this year, developers need to be realistic about their chances of wresting market share from PUBG and Fortnite
Finding the PC game consumers of tomorrow
As smart devices replace PCs in homes and bedrooms, Steam Machines - or something like them - could play a key role in securing the market's future consumers
Blockchain is games' new tech obsession
Early tech adoption is part of the essence of the games industry - but proposals to integrate blockchain into companies' businesses, not just their games, should give us pause
For Ubisoft it's goodbye Vivendi, hello Tencent
China's largest technology company, Tencent, is taking on 5% of Ubisoft - continuing its progress into becoming by far the largest game company most gamers have never heard of
Is a degree in games the best way into the industry?
The number of students studying game-related subjects in the UK has doubled in just a few years; while some established courses are great, students still need to be cautious about their choices
What would Trump's trade war mean for the games business?
The high-profile summit on game violence is a paper tiger; the industry should take the opportunity to persuade the President on trade issues instead
Can Metal Gear survive?
With weak sales, bad word of mouth and almost zero marketing support, Konami's first attempt at a post-Kojima Metal Gear suggests a tough road ahead for the franchise
Nintendo's disappointing year on mobile
Smartphone games are proving to be a challenge for Nintendo - and the problems are more basic than a failure to embrace F2P
Learning to love older games
The recent boom in remastered games isn't just business as usual; it signifies an underlying shift in how consumers value older games
Planning for the end of the one-hit wonder
The mobile gaming landscape is filled with giant companies living off the back of a single, enormous hit title - but how many are planning effectively for when that title starts to decline?
Capcom's hunt for a global audience
Monster Hunter was perhaps the best example of a “big in Japan” game - until Capcom's persistence and confidence finally paid off this week
Microsoft's new weapon in the console war
Adding new games to Xbox Game Pass at launch is a bold move that says more about Microsoft's determination to keep hard on Sony's heels than its long-term strategy
The heavy cost of toxic work culture
Regardless of the truth of the allegations of harassment and toxicity at Quantic Dream, many in the industry will have found the claims all too familiar
Japan's return to growth is good news for everyone
After a decade of decline, Japan's console market growth challenges the long-standing idea that the smartphone sector was responsible for its woes in the first place
Regulators eye game monetisation in 2018
Controversy over monetisation of games isn't going away, and it's likely to reach the corridors of government sooner rather than later
2017: Celebrating the bright spots
It may not have been a superb year overall, but expectations were defied and challenges overcome with creativity and passion in 2017
Brexit's shadow looms over 2018
A lack of recognition of the games industry's needs from government have created concerns over hiring and trade that will continue into next year
Pushing the trolls back under the bridge
Dealing with abusive behaviour and trolling in games is an old problem, but rarely has the issue been so serious, or the responses so lacking, as in 2017
EA trips up on the path from Product to Service
Consumer annoyance over micro-transactions doesn't change the fact that every major publisher is shifting business model wholesale in that direction
Disney flexes its muscle over Star Wars and Marvel
The IP powerhouse values protecting that IP over any business relationship - as firms working on those properties would do well to remember
Chasing the local optimum
Data-led strategies have left many companies trying to squeeze revenue from the same small but lucrative market segment - it's not an approach with a bright future
Softly, softly: The Xbox One X Launch
The most powerful console ever built has an understated launch week - but Microsoft's strategy makes sense, and signals that it's in this game for the long haul
The Trouble with Trailers
Developers have learned to deal with violence and difficult themes intelligently and respectfully in recent years - it's time for marketing teams to catch up
The economics of single-player games
As many top studios focus on multiplayer, service-based games, does the business case for narrative-driven single-player titles still add up?