Final Fantasy VII Remake Turns Classic 1990s Game Into a Billion Dollar+ Product

Final Fantasy VII Remake Turns Classic 1990s Game Into a Billion Dollar+ Product

On April 10, Square Enix released Final Fantasy VII Remake. This game was based on the 1997 hit PlayStation title. Rereleasing classic titles is not new. However, what Square Enix is doing with Final Fantasy VII Remake is taking a historic franchise and making it into a billion dollar plus product. Upon its release, Final Fantasy VII was seen as a key driver for the first PlayStation system. At the time Square, along with then competitor Enix, had the best-sel.....
Video Game Technology Soars as People Communicate Online

Video Game Technology Soars as People Communicate Online

Times of trouble can bring major societal changes that often last well beyond the return to normality. During the COVID-19 crisis, video game usage is soaring as games become a primary leisure time activity by default. More importantly games are functioning as a communication tool for people to get together. In an effort to understand potential long-term terms, DFC Intelligence has been talking with several companies that are leaders in this front. We see oppo.....
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X Release Full Specs

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X Release Full Specs

While the world is battling coronavirus, gamers received a little excitement last week when both Sony and Microsoft released more detailed specs for their video game console systems.  In this battle of the engineers, the Xbox Series X specs arguably came out on top.  However, long-term DFC still believes the PlayStation 5 will be the best-selling system. For the hardware announcements, marketing and PR departme.....
Steam Workshop Drives User Generated Content

Steam Workshop Drives User Generated Content

As part of its latest research into user-generated content (UGC), DFC has been interviewing gamers across the spectrum. Some of our most surprising findings have come from teenage girls. This surprisingly sophisticated user base clearly prefers Steam over Electronic Arts.  In large part this is driven by the Steam Workshop. Today’s game market consists of so many distinct markets and user types it is crucial to talk to many types of users. DFC is doing research on UGC and open-world.....
When Will We Officially See the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X?

When Will We Officially See the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X?

The year is young, but we are already looking towards the upcoming holiday season. There has been a continuing drought in terms of new big-ticket games being released. Right now, it looks that the launch of new console systems this fall may not see much in the way of new product. This begs the question, do the new console systems even need games to be successful? Of course, that is a rhetorical question and the answer is of course the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X need games. However.....
Activision Blizzard Removes Games from GeForce Now

Activision Blizzard Removes Games from GeForce Now

Last week Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI) released its annual results for 2019.  Revenue was down over 2018, but the stock had a nice increase.  This week ATVI announced it would remove its games from the newly launched GeForce Now streaming service.  So, what is up with Activision? In 2019, Activision revenue was $6.5 billion versus $7.0 billion for 2018.  Net income in 2019 was $1.5 billion versus $1.8 billion the previous year.  However, the week after th.....
Major Video Game Announcements at CES 2020

Major Video Game Announcements at CES 2020

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is always the first show of the New Year.  This is an event more about the future than what is actually currently going on in the marketplace.  CES 2020, held in Las Vegas January 7 to January 10, was no exception. The video game industry rarely pays much attention to CES.  However, this is a show about hardware and there are always some goofy gadgets looking to take the game world by storm.  CES shows that Sony, Microsoft and Nin.....
Where are the Video Games for Holiday 2019?

Where are the Video Games for Holiday 2019?

The last three months of the year have historically been make or break time for the video game industry.  However, as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One slowly decline, 2019 is different. New offerings for the end of 2019 are sparse. Thankfully, in today’s market, the investment community has a better understanding of long-term industry trends.  There is surprisingly little panic. The latest DFC Intelligence brief l.....