TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the latest news in the world of gaming. In today’s news: Sony cementing relationship with Epic Games via investment; Esports revenues set for decline as events cancelled; and Tencent latest interested party for Leyou.  Sony cementing relationship with Epic Games via investment Sony is investing USD$250m into Epic Games. According to the announcement, the investment “cements an already close relationship between the two companies”. “Amidst a rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape, the aim of this strategic investment is [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the latest news in the world of gaming. In today’s news: App Annie reports record gaming app downloads in Q2; CtW launches a campaign against EA’s pay practices; and a study shows that gaming fared better than other projects on Kickstarter during the height of COVID lockdown.   Q2 sees record-breaking app store downloads   Data and analytics firm App Annie reports that mobile gaming apps saw 14 billion downloads in Q2 – the highest number ever recorded. The [...]

In this featured episode of ‘Advertisers Watching Ads’ covered by TheGamingEconomy, Automated Creative Founder Tom Ollerton joined Penny Parnell, Creative Director at Not on the High Street; Jay Richards, Founder of Imagen; and Craig Fenton, Google’s Director of Strategy and Operations in the UK. They picked apart recent advertising campaigns from distinct sectors: video gaming, sociopolitical, and athletic wear, highlighting strengths and areas of improvement for each ad. Building anticipation for the biggest live concert in history This episode starts with [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Chushou TV shuttered; Microsoft tells developers not to charge for next-gen upgrades; and AppLovin appoints four executive team members. Chushou TV shuttered Chinese video game streaming platform Chushou TV has been shuttered as of 2nd July 2020 in the wake of claims that it has not paid streamers and influencer agencies for several months, with some providers owed up to CN¥5m (£569,000). The streaming market in China is [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Microsoft contemplating WBIE acquisition; Pokémon GO surpasses USD$3.6bn (£2.9bn) in revenue; and Dignitas partners with ExpressVPN. Microsoft contemplating WBIE acquisition Microsoft executives are contemplating the purchase of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) from AT&T, according to two anonymous sources speaking to The Information, in order to add to its suite of first-party studios. While IP such as Harry Potter and Batman (DC Comics) would have to subsequently be [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Ubisoft’s Maxime Béland resigns; Animoca Brands raises USD$4.1m (£3.3m); and Rockstar and VGD partner for AAA VR title. Ubisoft’s Maxime Béland resigns Ubisoft Vice President of Editorial Maxime Béland has resigned following allegations of sexual harassment and abusive behaviour. As well as Béland, Ubisoft has placed fellow editorial lead Tommy François on disciplinary leave pending further investigation, and has fired an unnamed individual from the company’s Toronto office [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Paradox Interactive acquires Playrion; Sony mulling offer for Leyou; and Tencent launches second US studio. Paradox Interactive acquires Playrion Stockholm-based developer-publisher Paradox Interactive has announced that it has acquired mobile studio Playrion for an undisclosed sum. Operating out of Paris, the acquired developer is best known for its Airlines Manager title, which has a player base of over 10 million since its release in 2014. Playrion becomes the [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Discord raises USD$100m (£80.5m); thousands of games removed from China iOS store; and Animoca Brands acquires GAMEE. Discord raises USD$100m (£80.5m) Voice and video chat platform Discord has announced that it has raised USD$100m (£80.5m) in funding from Index Ventures, valuing the San Fransisco-based firm at an estimated USD$3.5bn (£2.8bn). The investment will be used to support the implementation of new features and to support the platform’s expansion [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Apple terminating Arcade games for retention; PlayBrain raises USD$6m (£5m); and Mountaintop Studios formed. Apple terminating Arcade games for retention Apple Inc. is reportedly cancelling development contracts with partners for its Apple Arcade service as it seeks to improve customer retention on the fledgling platform. According to anonymous sources speaking to Bloomberg, Apple has been informing developers of certain in-production titles that their new titles lacked sufficient engagement, [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Starbreeze to raise SEK250m (£21.8m); GP Bullhound closes €125m (£114m) fund; KAT VR passes £1m crowdfunding for Walk C treadmill. Starbreeze to raise SEK250m Stockholm-based developer Starbreeze AB has announced that it intends to raise SEK250m (£21.8m) in a new issuance of class A and B shares, as a result of delays in finding a publishing partner for its upcoming Payday 3 title due to the Covid-19 pandemic. [...]