Disney/Epic Partnership will be Major Industry Growth Driver

Disney/Epic Partnership will be Major Industry Growth Driver

On February 7, The Walt Disney Company announced they were investing $1.5 billion in Epic Games as part of a multiyear project to create open games and an entertainment universe.  DFC expects this to be a core driver of one of the biggest new growth areas for the video game industry. Overview The $1.5 billion investment from Disney is the latest in a long line of companies investing in Epic.  China giant Tencent owns a 40% stake in Epic from a 20.....
2023 Sees the Video Game Industry in Transition

2023 Sees the Video Game Industry in Transition

So far 2023 has been a stagnant year for the video game industry.  DFC Intelligence forecasts that worldwide revenue for PC and console games will remain flat for the year at $74 billion.  However, from a strategic perspective the industry is undergoing a remarkable business model transition. As large publishers focus on live services there is growing potential for smaller publishers and developers. Living Games Redefine Launch Strategies Heading in.....
Game Subscription Services in the Metaverse Era

Game Subscription Services in the Metaverse Era

After a protracted government approval process the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard looks like it should go through by the end of the year.  This will place Microsoft in possession of some of the most most successful IP in the video game industry heading into 2024.  However, while Activision content helps Xbox become more competitive with Sony, it does not give Microsoft a significant long-term advantage given evolving industry trends.  Video games are heading towards a single .....
Global Video Game Audience Reaches 3.7 Billion

Global Video Game Audience Reaches 3.7 Billion

The latest DFC Intelligence report shows the number of global video game consumers has soared to 3.7 billion. This is closing in on nearly half of the global population as video games become ubiquitous. The new numbers were reported as part of the latest release in the DFC Video Game Consumer Segmentation service. The reality is the overall number of video game consum.....
Video Game Hardware Forecasted to Reach $135 Billion

Video Game Hardware Forecasted to Reach $135 Billion

It has always been a great irony that, as video game software has gone digital, spending on hardware to play games has soared.  Unlike other entertainment industries, video game hardware is definitely not a commodity.  DFC Intelligence forecasts that global spending on video game hardware will grow from $82 billion in 2021 to $135 billion in 2026.  This includes console systems, PC hardware used for games and accessories such as controllers, headsets, gaming keyboards an.....
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series: Is This the Last Generation of Video Game Console Systems?

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series: Is This the Last Generation of Video Game Console Systems?

As a new generation of game consoles launches many observers are again wondering if this will be the end of the console era. In other words, as games go online, will game hardware, like many consumer electronics products, become a commodity? This question has been asked for years, but now takes on new importance given the strategy of companies like Microsoft that increasingly view game offerings as part of a hardware agnostic service. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X will be in sh.....
Microsoft Throws a Hail Mary with Xbox Series S

Microsoft Throws a Hail Mary with Xbox Series S

The rumors about a watered-down digital only version of the upcoming Microsoft Xbox Series X have been going on for quite some time. In the past few days the details about the system, originally known as Project Lockhart, started to catch fire. Finally, on Tuesday September 8, Microsoft officially announced the rumors were true and a new system the Xbox Series S would launch November 10, 2020. The Xbox Series S will launch at the bargain price of $299. However, the Xbox Series S featur.....
North American Video Game Publisher Values Soar 43% During COVID-19

North American Video Game Publisher Values Soar 43% During COVID-19

According to the latest analysis from DFC Intelligence, the market value of the leading console video game publishers in North America grew 43% in the six months from the end of February to the end of August.  This highlights a record five years of growth for the major North American video game publishers. The new DFC report is part of a series that looks at major players in the video.....