Why is it so expensive to make games in the United States?

Plus, Bethesda Game Studios workers form 'wall-to-wall union' at Microsoft, WB acquires MultiVersus dev Player First Games, and more - [Game Developer Daily](?sp_aid=124748&elq_cid=22018255&sp_eh=558b5bca28770e5056e8cfadd2bf9a5dda06ed0e24183b37db416422421c3bbf&utm_source=eloqua&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Gama_NL_Game%20Developer%20Daily_07.23.24&sp_cid=54426&utm_content=Gama_NL_Game%20Developer%20Daily_07.23.24&sp_eh=558b5bca28770e5056e8cfadd2bf9a5dda06ed0e24183b37db416422421c3bbf&elqTrackId=d1a3efabd8cd4ed0b15ed91f9a2c682d&elq=0f2f02f0c9774b29802358f371216a87&elqaid=124748&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=54426) July 23, 2024 — JUMP TO — [From Our Sponsors](#sponsors) | [Featured Blogs](#blogs) | [Top Job Postings](#job) | [Resource Center](#resources) [TOP STORIES] [Why is it so expensive to make games in the United States?]( It's becoming harder to sustainably run a game studio in the United States. What can be done to improve that? [Making A Splash: How Wuthering Waves' Characters Draw Players Into Its World]( The waves of fanart and appreciative posts by Wuthering Waves fans suggest that developer Kuro Games has crafted fetching characters. What makes them appealing? [WB acquires MultiVersus dev Player First Games]( Player First's debut game has done enough to impress WB to bring the studio into the fold alongside TT Games, Rocksteady and NetherRealm. [Bethesda Game Studios workers form 'wall-to-wall union' at Microsoft]( The new union consists of 241 developers. [The Halo TV show and Microsoft's Xbox strategy shared the same problem]( Spartans never die, they're just missing in action. [More Stories »]( [FROM OUR SPONSORS] [Live service developers are increasingly looking to buy rather than build]( This brand-new survey of live service developers around the globe covers all aspects of live service development in 2024 and sheds light opportunities and challenges live service developers should be aware of. [FIND OUT MORE]( [FEATURED BLOGS] [Making A Splash: How Wuthering Waves' Characters Draw Players Into Its World]( The waves of fanart and appreciative posts by Wuthering Waves fans suggest that developer Kuro Games has crafted fetching characters. What makes them appealing? [The Halo TV show and Microsoft's Xbox strategy shared the same problem]( Spartans never die, they're just missing in action. [Opinion: How will Project 2025 impact game developers?]( The Heritage Foundation's manifesto for the possible next administration could do great harm to many, including large portions of the game development community... [How to Ace Your Game Audio for an Alpha Launch]( No alpha gameplay is complete without a decent degree of sound design to draw players in and set high expectations for the game's full release. [Multiplayer devs should take a close look at Concord's Crew Builder system]( The beta for Firewalk Games' Concord shows off a surprisingly rich game mechanic. [More Blogs »]( [JOB LISTINGS FOR TODAY] Iowa State University: United States [Assistant Professor – Game Design]( [RESOURCES] [Mobile Kombat: Onslaught is being torched by NetherRealm after one year]( News of the mobile title's demise comes with reports of layoffs swirling. [Lightspeed Studios opens new facility dedicated to mocap and virtual production]( The new building is already being put to work with Lightspeed's upcoming RPG The Last Sentinel, which also brought on Troy Baker as its performance director. [Candlelight Games formed by ex-Pixelberry Studios devs]( The new studio is already developing its first project, and will echo its founders' previous work in being a 'character-centric ' narrative game. [Towers & Titans dev Rumble Games shut down in 'ruthless' pursuit of profits]( The 13-year studio was shut down without prior warning, and as staff were mourning the passing of their CEO, Mark Spenner. [SAG-AFTRA can now call immediate strike if game companies refuse AI protections]( The union is attempting to secure better wages, working conditions, and AI protections for voice actors and performers within the game industry. [Microsoft slams 'misleading' FTC claims over Xbox Game Pass price hike]( The Xbox maker has rubbished suggestions that Xbox Game Pass has become a 'degraded product.' [Upcoming ACMI interactive exhibition welcomes back a horrible goose]( A new exhibition at the Melbourne museum will show how Untitled Goose Game was cobbled together. [FTC says Microsoft has turned Xbox Game Pass into a 'degraded product']( The U.S. regulator claims Microsoft is 'exercising market power post-merger.' [More Resources »]( [Facebook]( [Twitter](gamedevdotcom?sp_aid=124748&elq_cid=22018255&sp_eh=558b5bca28770e5056e8cfadd2bf9a5dda06ed0e24183b37db416422421c3bbf&utm_source=eloqua&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Gama_NL_Game%20Developer%20Daily_07.23.24&sp_cid=54426&utm_content=Gama_NL_Game%20Developer%20Daily_07.23.24&sp_eh=558b5bca28770e5056e8cfadd2bf9a5dda06ed0e24183b37db416422421c3bbf) [Linkedin]( [YouTube]( This email has been sent to {EMAIL}. To understand how we use your personal information, please see our [Privacy Policy.]( You can unsubscribe from Game Developer communications by [clicking here.]( Brand c/o Informa Tech Holdings LLC | Registered in the United States with number 7418737 605 Third Ave., 22nd Floor, New York, New York 10158, USA [Informa Tech](