Video Game Industry Update: Pragmata Sales Surge, Subnautica Franchise Grows, Project Zomboid Major Update - July 29, 20

Key points

• •Several classic and popular games are expanding their platform availability this week: the 1986 Doraemon Famicom game is launching globally on PS5, and the Korean RPG DragonSword: Awakening, which sold over 200,000 copies on Steam, is getting a PS5 version, broadening their reach to console audiences.[Push Square][Push Square]
• •Capcom is seeing a strong shift toward digital sales, forecasting 95% of future sales to be digital after having sold 22 million digital copies this quarter, dwarfing physical sales of 1.6 million. Their action game Pragmata has exceeded 2.5 million copies sold, leading to discussions about a likely sequel.[GamesRadar+][Destructoid][GamesRadar+]
• •Microsoft's Xbox division has faced significant financial struggles recently, reporting over $1.6 billion in losses this quarter and a $1.7 billion revenue decrease last year. In addition, Xbox is reportedly losing money on each console sale due to an AI-driven RAM shortage, which is impacting overall profitability.[GamesRadar+][Kotaku][Destructoid]
• •Multiple studios are undergoing restructuring and layoffs: Double Fine cut roughly 25% of its staff (23 employees) after separating from Microsoft, and Lightspeed LA announced significant layoffs on Last Sentinel after the game missed internal expectations, illustrating ongoing challenges in game development.[GameSpot][Kotaku]
• •Project Zomboid released its largest update, Build 42, which adds new gameplay elements including animals, basements, and deeper crafting mechanics while ending support for incompatible saves. This update marks a meaningful evolution of the survival game.[GamesRadar+][PCGamesN]
• •Krafton is capitalizing on strong performance from Subnautica, with Subnautica 2 selling over 5 million copies in 22 days, prompting plans to develop it into a franchise. Krafton's Q2 revenue surged 94.9% to $889.1 million, driven largely by Subnautica and PUBG, with operating profit rising 67% to $283.1 million.[Eurogamer][GamesIndustry.biz]
• •The multiplayer mod for The Last of Us has reached a major milestone ahead of a planned September launch, signaling strong community involvement and anticipation for expanded multiplayer experiences in the franchise.[PC Gamer]
• •Anticipation builds for future titles and accessories with Senran Kagura Project N’s reveal stream planned this week ahead of its release later this year, Polyphony Digital partnering with Moza on a licensed Gran Turismo 7 sim racing setup for PS5, and new GTA 6 information expected soon, possibly with a reveal in August.[Siliconera][GamesRadar+][GameSpot]

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