U.K. CMA Narrows Scope of Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Purchase

U.K. CMA Narrows Scope of Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Purchase

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued updated provisional findings to narrow its scope of review in the proposed Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard.  The new findings reach the provisional conclusion that overall the transaction will not result in a substantial lessening of competition for console gaming in the U.K. market This new finding d.....
Take-Two Acquires Zynga in Major Move Into Mobile Games

Take-Two Acquires Zynga in Major Move Into Mobile Games

One week into 2022 we have our first major video game acquisition as Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) intends to acquire mobile game publisher Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA). The acquisition will be another attempt by a console game publisher to enter the mobile game space. The big three North America console video game publishers, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), Activision Blizzard (NA.....
Does Netflix Have a Winning Strategy for Video Games?

Does Netflix Have a Winning Strategy for Video Games?

Last week Netflix announced its intention to enter the video game market. The general reaction was best described as “here comes another clueless media company looking to throw money away chasing games.” However, there are signs Netflix may be pursuing a more strategic approach to the game space that is worth watching. Large media companies going after the video game market tend to look at what is successful and try and copy that success. The problem with video games is tha.....
Latin American Gamers Love Steam, Twitch and YouTube

Latin American Gamers Love Steam, Twitch and YouTube

Latin American video games are a big deal.  Consumers in Latin America are really into video games.  However, taxes and fees can make game hardware costs prohibitive.  This is why Latin America could be a leader in streaming services.  DFC Intelligence recently conducted a survey of gamers in North America, Europe, and Latin America.  The results among consumers in Latin America are encouraging .....

E3 2018 Roundup Part 2: Looking to the Future, New Consoles and the Netflix of Video Games

This our E3 2018 Roundup Part 2.  In part one we looked at: The strength of AAA games in a world of free-to-play products The controversial issue of loot boxes The top games for the second half of 2018 and early 2019 This second part of our E3 2018 Roundup will focus on: A look at each of the major game publishers Highlights from the major console manufacturers inc.....

Xbox One Now $50 Off

JUNE 1, 2016 • Just as it dropped $50 off the price of an Xbox One bundled with selected titles during promotions during the holidays and last March, Microsoft Corp. has done so once again, “for a limited time.” The move puts 500GB Xbox One bundles at $299, with the 1TB models going for $319. Titles in the promotion include: Gears of War: Ultimate Edition Bundle, Name Your Game Bundle, Quantum Break Bundle, Rainbow Six Siege Bundle, Rise of the Tomb .....

Disney Ditches Game Publishing

MAY 11, 2016 • The Walt Disney Co. announced that it was exiting the business of game publishing, as well as discontinuing its Disney Infinity Toys-to-Life franchise. Moving forward, the entertainment conglomerate will no longer self-produce or publish digital games on any platform in favor of licensing IP under its control to third-party game studios. To facilitate the withdrawal from game publishing, Disney is taking a one-time $147 million charge for the seco.....