Can Microsoft Control PC Game Distribution?

Can Microsoft Control PC Game Distribution?

PC game sales soared in 2020 driven by Covid stay-at-home orders. Sales leveled off in 2021 and the latest DFC forecasts predict a slight decline in 2022. However, at $37 billion a year the PC game business is as strong as ever and is the most lucrative platform for a wide range of products. With the potential Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a major question is whether there will be a shakeup in PC software di.....
Microsoft Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Should Be Approved

Microsoft Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Should Be Approved

Going into the last part of 2022 it is looking like the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard (ATVI) will be approved. Microsoft has successfully framed the deal as a means of improving its competitive position in the PC game and console game spaces, an area where Microsoft has struggled against Valve and Sony. However, becoming more competitive in the video game business is not the primary consideration driving the acquisition. The reality is that acquiring ATVI is not about Mi.....
Few Major Video Game Releases for 2022

Few Major Video Game Releases for 2022

It is no secret that the upcoming video game release schedule is limited.  Many big titles have been delayed until 2023 and beyond.  Surprisingly this could be a good thing for the industry and the titles that are released could see record sales. Of course, COVID is once again the primary culprit for product delays.  Hardware shortages occurred almost immediately with the 2020 shutdown.  However, with software products that have a 2-year plus development cycle the i.....
PC Game Market Hits $37 Billion

PC Game Market Hits $37 Billion

After record sales for PC games in 2020, growth slowed in 2021.  Nevertheless, PC game sales are expected to remain at high levels in the coming years.  The PC has become a true cross-platform play for both console and mobile game manufacturers.  Going forward the line between game hardware platforms will become increasingly blurred even as a growing number of consumers own high-end PCs. In 2021, PC game sales were up 2% to $37 billion.  The .....
Subscription Services Drive Video Game Market Growth

Subscription Services Drive Video Game Market Growth

It is no secret that video game software delays will result in a weak holiday 2022 product lineup.  However, overall video game revenue in 2022 is expected to see continued growth without major new hits.  This is a sign of how the game industry has successfully moved to a games as a service model. In the latest DFC Intelligence market forecast 2022 software revenue from console and PC games .....
Capcom Announces Resident Evil 4 Remake

Capcom Announces Resident Evil 4 Remake

Capcom announced that Resident Evil 4 will release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on March 24, 2023.  The series has cumulative shipments of 125 million units since launching in 1996. Analysis The original Resident Evil 4 launched in 2005, so this is a remake.  In DFC surveys of horror video game fans resident Evil and Konami’s Silent Hill come out as fan favorites despite dating back to the 1990s. DFC believes that many .....
Take-Two Completes Zynga Acquisition

Take-Two Completes Zynga Acquisition

Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) announced it has completed its acquisition of mobile game developer Zynga.  The deal was announced in January 2022 and valued Zynga at over $12 billion. Analysis Zynga was an original pioneer of social games on Facebook.  The 2011 Zynga IPO was highly hyped.  At the time, DFC Intelligence was a critic of the high valuation.  Howeve.....
DFC Lowers 2022 Video Game Console Forecast

DFC Lowers 2022 Video Game Console Forecast

As the first quarter of 2022 comes to an end video game console shortages remain a major issue. Sales potential for both hardware and software has been limited and will remain as an issue throughout the rest of the year. While market growth is still expected, DFC’s forecasts have been lowered in expectation of limited supply. The latest DFC Intelligence forecasts expect 4% growth in the video ga.....