AJS News - Youtuber to PRISON over Review?, Oblivion Layoffs, Ubisoft CEO B.S., Zelda and Link Cast!

Quick Overview

An Italian YouTuber faces up to three years in prison and a $17,000 fine for reviewing handheld devices preloaded with retro games, sparking debate on copyright law and Nintendo's aggressive anti-piracy measures, while Ubisoft's CEO dismisses a "stop killing games" petition and the company's new subsidiary, controlling major IPs like Far Cry and Assassin's Creed, will be led by the CEO's son, an NFT and AI gaming enthusiast.

Key Points: An Italian YouTuber, "Once Were Nerds," faces a maximum fine of "$17,000 and three years in prison" for violating Italian copyright law (Article 171) by reviewing handheld devices with preloaded retro games, specifically citing Nintendo and Sony material. The EU has clarified that Nintendo "cannot brick the entire console" if users put a pirated cartridge in, only prevent access to pirated software or online services, unlike the US where bricking is possible. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot dismissed the "stop killing games" petition, stating "support for all games cannot last forever" and refusing to provide access to paid-for games after server shutdowns, which critics call a "straw man" argument. A new Tencent-backed Ubisoft subsidiary, controlling major IPs like Far Cry and Assassin's Creed, will be run by the current CEO's son, who has a background in "NFT and AI gaming stuff." Ubisoft's annual financial report claims that monetizing games with microtransactions "makes the player experience more fun" by allowing personalization or faster progress, despite claiming players can enjoy games in full without spending more. A new Ghost Recon game is confirmed as a "first-person shooter" and a "live service affair with NFTs," raising concerns given the failure of other live service titles like Steel Hunters, which is shutting down in October. The studio behind the Oblivion Remastered and Metal Gear Solid projects is reportedly laying off 300 people, representing "only 7% of the workforce" but still a significant number despite the studio's success.