The Debrief, July 2025

Microsoft bloodbath, UK Video Games Council announced and Switch 2 game sales dominate July

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• Microsoft slashes headcount across its games business

• UK Video Games Council launches, before co-chair gets mired in controversy

• Newzoo breaks down Switch 2 third-party sales data

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Hello VGIM-ers,

If you were relieved to hear that I wasn’t writing any newsletters this summer, I’ve got some bad news for you.

The Debrief has returned with its usual summary of the top news, big policy developments, major business deals, delicious data and compelling cultural commentary to wrap up a dramatic month in games.

And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s a special bit of news in the Insider Track about an online version of Ask George where you’ll get to join me and other Insiders for a chit-chat on Friday 8th August.

But, my friends, you can only read below the paywall line if you become an Insider. And there are two ways you can do that.

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Simply share VGIM after hitting the button below, and you’ll be on the road to Insider status before you know it.

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Or, you can become an Insider by buying a membership during our summer sale.

You can become a member of VGIM for just £25 (or £3 a month), provided you sign up using the special discount code below before 1st September.

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Oh and if now isn’t the right time for you to join the Insider Club, then never fear. Here are all of this month’s free Video Games Industry Memos for you to read in one place.

• The Kojima Conundrum, 03/07/2025 - Tom Regan

• Introducing the UK Video Games Council, 10/07/2025 - George Osborn

• Let’s get physical, physical (games), 17/07/2025 - George Young

• The Game Scout’s Secrets - 24/07/2025 - George Young

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Note: The Debrief was amended on Saturday 26th July to direct readers to two public statements associated with the first story of the Playing Politics piece for the purposes of balance.