Industry News
In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.
Associations
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Canadian Associations
Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) | ESAC is the voice of Canada’s entertainment software industry. It works on behalf of its member companies so that Canada remains a great place to innovate, create, and publish video games. The National Impact breaks down the number of studios in each province along with the number of jobs supported by the industry and economic impact. More details can be found on Canada’s Video Game Industry.
Canadian Games Studies Association (CGSA) | The CGSA is an organization dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of digital games. Its primary goal is to support the work of Canadian researchers, graduate students, artists, game designers, programmers, theorists, and others working in the field. Check out Loading: The Journal of the Canadian Game Studies Association, a forum dedicated to publishing original and interdisciplinary research about everything from the culture of the industry to educational approaches to the development of new games.
International Associations
Entertainment Software Association (ESA) | ESA is the voice of America’s video game industry. It facilitates information and communications support to help its members promote the American video game industry, their products, and the positive impact that video games can have on society.
International Game Developers Association (IDGA) | The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is the world’s largest nonprofit membership organization serving all individuals who create games. IDGA also lists local chapters here.
Women in Games International | Women in Games International has been committed to investing our expertise and resources to highlight and celebrate women making an impact in the global games industry. They advance economic equity in the video gaming industry through their programs.
Magazines & Trade Journals
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Game Developer | Video game magazine known for providing online resources for aspiring and professional game developers.
Game Informer | Game Informer collects features, podcasts, videos, and release lists about the latest and most hotly anticipated games in the industry, providing a resource for gamers and for industry professionals alike.
IND13 | Video game magazine with a focus on independent game development. Ideal for independent video game developers and fans of independent games that want the latest news and articles related to independent gaming, businesses, start ups and more.
Retro Gamer | For devoted fans of the genealogy and evolution of video games, Retro Gamer is a British magazine, published monthly worldwide. It is the first commercial magazine to be devoted entirely to the subject.
GamesIndustry.biz | A premier source for developers, designers, and others in the video game industry, GamesIndustry.biz delivers global video game news and talks about underreported aspects of the industry.
MCV | UK trade magazine that focuses on the business aspects of the video game industry. MCV caters to a wide audience including indie game developers, retailers, and video game studios.
Consultant & Other Websites
Full Indie | Volunteer organization by and for independent game developers working in Vancouver, BC. Ideal for independent developers looking for access to local talent, contacts, and resources, as well as constructive feedback from peers.
PocketGamer | Video game website that focuses on mobile, portable, and handheld games. Provides industry news and insights on mobile gaming.
MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.
PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.
Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.
Blogs & Discussion Forums
Blogs
Lost Garden | Containing readable and thoughtful essays on game design, theory, art, and the business of design by the Chief Creative Officer at Spry Fox, this game design blog will offer industry professionals know-how and connection. Check out the Worth Reading section.
Designer Notes | Billed as Soren Johnson’s game design journal, this blog (and podcast) collects knowledge and tips from both independent and mainstream game designers on a variety of game design topics.
The Game Design Roundtable | The Game Design Round Table is by game designers, for game designers. They explore the art and craft of game design from the perspective of tabletop, digital, and role-playing games. Currently, they have two series: Designing Thematic Games, which draws on the knowledge of many different game designers and developers, and a series with Soren Johnson of Designer Notes.
That Video Game Blog | That Video Game Blog is staffed by a team of more than 20 experts, bringing you unbiased game reviews, editorials, and commentary on video games and the industry.
Touch Arcade | 49% of Canadians say they play on their mobile devices daily. Touch Arcade brings gamers and industry professionals alike the most complete source of content on iOS related gaming to capture this huge demographic.
Into Indie Games | Into Indie Games, run by gamers passionate about indie game development and play, is packed full of the latest independent game studio development news from around the globe, with reviews, previews, and release lists.
Niche Gamer | Started by Brandon Orselli, hobbyist, activist, and game design student graduate, Niche Gamer discusses lesser-known games and the underbelly of the gaming industry.
Gematsu | Straightforward and uncomplicated in its prose style, Gematsu is the most popular video game blog focusing on Japanese games. It was founded in 2008 by Sal Romano, and it’s a great source for video game news and information for those who love Japanese game titles.
Podcasts
Coffee with Butterscotch: A Game Development Podcast | A comedic podcast hosted by award-winning video game studio Butterscotch Shenanigans, best known for the hit game Crashlands. Hosts talk about how video games are developed, shipped, and sold, present their takes on building a small company from scratch, and discuss an all-time favorite topic of game designers: creative problem solving.
Building the Game | Join Jason Slingerland and his fellow game design friends on this weekly podcast, as they discuss the ins and outs and ups and downs of being a game designers in a documentary style.
Game Dev Advice | “30-year game industry veteran John "JP" Podlasek interviews game designers, programmers, producers, artists, arcade owners, writers, CEOs and others about game development. Experienced or aspiring game developers alike will find useful, thought-provoking, and sometimes funny advice from others in the game industry.”
Game Dev Unchained | This podcast presents a huge backlog on a wide variety of topics, all concerning practical, financial, and creative aspects of the game industry. Their episodes are essential for those interested in game design.
Discussion Forums
GameDev.net | A resource for game development with forums, tutorials, blogs, projects, portfolios, news, and more.
TIGSource Forums | An active community founded in 2005, TIGSource stands for The Independent Games Source. The forums are categorized into community, developer, jobs and player.
Unreal Engine | Unreal Engine is built by developers, for developers, with fair terms for all. The forums also hosts an international section with forums in various languages providing users the opportunity to learn from others.
Unity Discussions | A place for you to ask questions, discuss, help others, and get help from peers regarding Unity development.
TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.