Did Big Tech Just Screw Us?

The gaming industry is no stranger to disruption — but this week, the tremors are coming from all directions. From Amazon’s massive layoffs to Halo’s reboot, Battlefield’s new battle royale mode, and Pokémon’s latest comeback, there’s a bigger story here: what it means to stay relevant in a time where profits are up, AI is accelerating, and players demand more than recycled ideas.

At Player Driven Live, Greg Posner and Colan Neese are diving into the four major stories shaping this week in gaming.

Amazon Layoffs: Profits Up, Jobs Down

Amazon announced it will cut 14,000 corporate jobs, even as the company reports rising profits and doubles down on AI and cloud investments.

This is part of a wider trend across Big Tech: 61,000+ jobs cut in 2025 despite record revenues. For gaming, the implications are clear: if Big Tech continues to expand into our industry while simultaneously shrinking their workforces, we’re left asking — is this about innovation or efficiency at all costs?

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Halo: Combat Evolved Remake

Halo is back… again. The iconic Combat Evolved is being remade, sparking excitement and debate. Nostalgia is powerful, but how many times can you reboot a franchise before it starts to lose its soul?

This is more than just another remake — it’s a question of whether AAA studios are running out of fresh ideas or doubling down on proven formulas to keep players engaged.

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Battlefield 6 – RedSec Battle Royale Mode

EA has revealed RedSec, the battle royale mode for Battlefield 6. For a franchise that has struggled to keep its footing, this could be a fresh lifeline — or just another drop in an already oversaturated BR market.

The challenge? Differentiating Battlefield in a space dominated by Fortnite, Warzone, and Apex Legends.

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Pokémon’s Return

Pokémon is back in the spotlight, but fans are divided. Is this true evolution, or just the same formula repackaged?

With franchises like Pokémon, the stakes are higher — the nostalgia is strong, but modern players are demanding fresh takes, not just recycled content.

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Why It Matters for Gaming

What ties these stories together is the tension between nostalgia and innovation, profits and people, and tech giants vs. gaming communities.

Player Driven Live is where we connect the dots — exploring how these shifts impact studios, developers, and players who care about the future of gaming.

📅 Join us live this Thursday for the full discussion. Add your voice to the conversation → [Insert Link to Livestream/Event]