WaperStudio restructuring leads this edition: Ubisoft plans to close RedLynx and cut Singapore jobs, while Funcom is narrowing its focus and replacing its CEO.
Game industry8 items
Supercell will also shut down Squad Busters in December.
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Ubisoft plans RedLynx closure and Singapore cuts affecting over 120 jobs
Ubisoft has proposed closing Trials developer RedLynx and downsizing Ubisoft Singapore as part of its ongoing restructuring. The decisions would affect more than 120 jobs across the two studios, including 70 in Singapore.
Why it matters: The cuts show Ubisoft's cost-reduction programme reaching both an established franchise studio and a major production hub.
Funcom restructures around Conan Exiles and Dune: Awakening; CEO to leave
Tencent-owned Funcom has begun restructuring to focus solely on live operations for Conan Exiles and Dune: Awakening, affecting an unspecified number of staff. CEO Rui Casais will leave at year-end after 11 years leading the developer.
Why it matters: The narrower operating focus and leadership change mark a significant reset for the studio.
Supercell sets December 14 shutdown for Squad Busters
Supercell will shut down Squad Busters on December 14, 2026, following its May 2024 global launch. The game will leave the App Store and Google Play on December 1, with installed copies playable until the servers close.
Why it matters: The shutdown ends a globally launched Supercell title after roughly two and a half years.
Epic says its new Games Launcher was built using AI coding
Epic says it used AI-assisted "vibe coding" to build a new Epic Games Launcher, aiming to make it faster than Steam. The company describes the launcher as light on features but confirms it includes a shopping cart.
Why it matters: Epic is applying AI coding to its storefront software, making performance and feature completeness important tests of the approach.
RimWorld 1.7 replaces Unity with an in-house engine
RimWorld has moved from Unity to its own Waylith Engine with version 1.7, according to GameFromScratch. The simulation game originally launched in 2018.
Why it matters: The change is a notable example of an established game replacing its underlying engine years after release.
Miniclip launches AdSurge as a standalone mobile advertising company
Miniclip's AI-powered advertising platform AdSurge has launched as a standalone company serving third-party game publishers. It combines user acquisition and ad monetisation, initially targeting mobile games funded primarily through in-app advertising.
Why it matters: AdSurge extends Miniclip's internally developed advertising technology into a service for other publishers.
Follow-ups2
Drake Star reports $2.4 billion in Q3 gaming acquisitions
Gaming M&A totalled $2.4 billion across 45 deals in Q3 2026, according to Drake Star. Private funding exceeded $1.6 billion across 106 rounds, with gaming AI and tools attracting more than 80% of that funding.
Why it matters: The funding breakdown highlights how heavily private investment is concentrating in AI and tools.
Google Play adds competitive Sprints and Sidekick clip sharing
Alongside its previously announced Game Finder, Google Play is adding timed competitive Sprints and clip-sharing through its Sidekick overlay as part of a broader discovery and social feature rollout.
Why it matters: The additional features give developers more ways for players to discover games and share activity within Google's ecosystem.