North America
Report
Bushiroad Announces Bushiroad EXPO 2026
Bushiroad Inc. announces the return of its global event series, Bushiroad EXPO 2026, expanding to 20 regions worldwide. The inaugural 2026 venues are Taipei, Bangkok, and Chicago, each slated to host exhibitions, stage events, trading card game (TCG) demo sessions, and merchandise sales. The expansion follows the successful 2024 and 2025 editions, indicating a strategic push to broaden international reach and fan engagement. The event will showcase Bushiroad’s diverse portfolio, including trading card games, console titles, music releases, stage performances, anime content, and related merchandise. While specific schedules and featured contents remain to be announced, the press release highlights a commitment to delivering a varied and immersive experience across multiple markets. The initiative reflects Bushiroad’s intent to strengthen its global presence, leveraging the popularity of its intellectual properties and community-driven events. The announcement is directed at fans and partners, underscoring gratitude for ongoing support and inviting participation in the expanded expo series.
Bushiroad
Report
Quality of Life in the Game Industry
The video game industry faces significant systemic challenges regarding workforce sustainability, primarily driven by the prevalence of excessive overtime and a lack of formal management training. Data collected from over 1,000 industry professionals across North America and Europe reveals that crunch time remains a standard operational practice rather than an emergency measure. Approximately 35 percent of developers work more than 65 hours per week during peak production periods, while nearly half of all respondents report working at least some unpaid overtime. These extended hours contribute to high rates of burnout, with the average industry tenure hovering around five years and a significant portion of the workforce planning to exit the field within a decade. Beyond the physical and mental toll of long hours, the industry suffers from a lack of standardized human resources practices and professional management. Many leads and directors are promoted based on technical proficiency or seniority rather than leadership capability, leading to poor project scoping and unrealistic scheduling. This mismanagement is exacerbated by compensation structures that often fail to provide overtime pay or adequate compensatory time off. While some studios have implemented flexible hours and improved benefits, these remain exceptions rather than the industry norm. The resulting instability disproportionately affects older workers and those with families, leading to a continuous loss of institutional knowledge as experienced talent departs for more stable sectors. Addressing these quality-of-life issues requires a fundamental shift toward data-driven project management and the adoption of sustainable development methodologies. Successful studios mitigate crunch by utilizing rigorous pre-production phases, maintaining realistic milestones, and fostering transparent communication between management and staff. Improving the work environment is not merely a matter of employee well-being but is essential for long-term economic viability. By reducing turnover and the associated costs of recruitment and training, companies can improve product quality and creative innovation. Establishing professional standards for work hours and management training is critical to transforming game development into a lifelong career path.
International Game Developers’ Association
