# AJS News - Youtuber to PRISON over Review?, Oblivion Layoffs, Ubisoft CEO B.S., Zelda and Link Cast! Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyu1RmtcXnc Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/lyu1RmtcXnc Generated: 2025-07-21T20:11:33.003+00:00 --- ## 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. **Context:** AJS News, hosted by Angry Joe and Alex, delivers a bi-weekly gaming news update, covering controversial industry practices, new game announcements, and legal issues. The hosts frequently express strong opinions on topics like microtransactions, live service games, and corporate decisions, often criticizing major publishers like Ubisoft and Nintendo for perceived anti-consumer practices and poor game development choices. The episode highlights ongoing debates about game preservation, intellectual property rights, and the future of the gaming industry. ## Detailed Analysis This AJS News segment delves into several critical developments in the gaming industry, beginning with the alarming case of an Italian YouTuber, "Once Were Nerds," who faces potential imprisonment and a substantial fine for reviewing retro gaming handhelds, highlighting Nintendo and Sony's aggressive copyright enforcement and sparking a discussion on consumer rights, particularly in the EU where console bricking for piracy is prohibited. The hosts then pivot to entertainment news, confirming the casting for the live-action Zelda movie and the progression of Netflix's Assassin's Creed TV show, expressing skepticism about the latter's potential focus on the "Abstergo" storyline over historical periods. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Ubisoft, with the CEO dismissing a petition to preserve games by claiming "nothing is eternal" and a new Tencent-backed subsidiary, overseeing major IPs like Far Cry and Assassin's Creed, being placed under the leadership of the current CEO's son, an individual with a background in NFTs and AI gaming, raising concerns about future game quality. Further criticism is leveled at Ubisoft's financial report, which controversially states that microtransactions "make the player experience more fun" by enabling faster progression, despite the hosts arguing these "timesaver" options are designed to alleviate intentionally grindy base games. The segment concludes with news of a new Ghost Recon live service game with NFTs, the layoff of 300 employees from the studio behind the Oblivion Remastered, and the shutdown of another live service title, Steel Hunters, reinforcing the hosts' skepticism about the current state and direction of the gaming industry. ### Legal & Copyright Controversies - An Italian YouTuber, "Once Were Nerds," was raided by police and faces up to three years in prison and a $17,000 fine for reviewing handheld devices with preloaded retro games, accused of violating Italian copyright law (Article 171) related to Nintendo and Sony material - Nintendo's aggressive anti-piracy efforts are highlighted, but the EU has clarified that Nintendo cannot "brick the entire console" for pirated cartridges, only prevent access to pirated software or online services, unlike the US. ### Ubisoft's Corporate Decisions & Player Experience - Ubisoft CEO dismissed the "stop killing games" petition, arguing "support for all games cannot last forever" and refusing to provide access to games after server shutdowns, which is criticized as a "straw man" argument - A new Tencent-backed subsidiary, controlling major IPs like Far Cry and Assassin's Creed, will be led by the current CEO's son, an individual with a background in "NFT and AI gaming stuff," raising concerns about future game quality - Ubisoft's annual financial report claims microtransactions "make the player experience more fun" by allowing personalization or faster progress, despite criticism that these "timesaver" options are designed to alleviate intentionally grindy base games. ### New Game Announcements & Industry Trends - Actors for the live-action Zelda movie have been found, with a release date of May 7, 2027, and discussion on the success of the Mario movie despite a simple story - Netflix is moving forward with a live-action Assassin's Creed TV show, with Robert Patino and David Weiner (from Halo TV show) as producers, but concerns exist about a potential focus on the "Abstergo" storyline over historical settings - A new Ghost Recon game is confirmed as a "first-person shooter" and a "live service affair with NFTs," raising skepticism given the poor performance of other live service titles. ### Live Service Game Failures & Industry Layoffs - The mech live service shooter "Steel Hunters" is shutting down in October due to low revenue, serving as another example of live service game failures - The studio reportedly working on Oblivion Remastered and Metal Gear Solid projects is laying off 300 people, despite their perceived success, highlighting ongoing industry layoffs. ### Upcoming Releases & Host Opinions - Soulframe, the fantasy successor to Warframe, is aiming for a 2025 launch, with alpha sign-ups recently available - Upcoming game releases include Robocop DLC, Fantastic 4, Happy Gilmore, Killing Floor 3, Wu Chang, Mafia 3 (August 8), and Metal Gear Solid Delta (late August) - The hosts express strong negative opinions on Ubisoft's practices, the prevalence of live service games, and the perceived decline in game quality, often advocating for simpler, well-designed games without excessive monetization.