In The News
David Brevik, former president of Blizzard North and creator of Diablo, did not hold back about his feelings on Diablo, Fortnite and Blizzard during a (potentially drunk) Twitch Stream.
“Oh my god. Fortnite is making a fucking shit ton. Overwatch isn’t Fortnite. Why have you wronged us?” He laments.
Brevik then proceeds to speak as if he is still a Blizzard executive: “‘Okay, we’re going to get rid of the profit sharing program. We don’t like this. We don’t like the fact that low-level employees make decent money at Blizzard. We’re going to get rid of this program because we need more profits to increase our stock price and improve our shareholders and the elite 1% of the company. And so, therefore, you don’t like this very much Mike Morhaime? Well too fucking bad. You’re gone. Now, we pass it and we get more profits and more money in my pocket motherfucker for your work.”
The Reddit discussion thread is here.
Entertainment Software Association announced beginning plans for E3 2019. Vice President of Media Relations and Event Management Dan Hewitt said in a press release that “this year’s E3 will include an expanded presence for burgeoning video game sectors, including esports and the independent video game development community.”
Sony will not be in attendance for 2019, for the first time in the show’s 24-year history. Here is a portion of its statement to Variety’s Brian Crecente: “We have decided not to participate in E3 in 2019. We are exploring new and familiar ways to engage our community in 2019 and can’t wait to share our plans with you.’”
Nvidia’s stock took a tumble of 15% “in after-hours trading after it reported third fiscal quarter earnings (ended October 28) that missed Wall Street’s targets,” VentureBeat’s Dean Takahashi reports. “Nvidia came in with revenues of $3.18 billion and GAAP earnings per share of $1.97 and non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.84.”
Hedge funds are abandoning EA. “At least nine funds exited their stakes in Electronic Arts in the period ended Sept. 30, more than any other tech stock that wasn’t an acquisition target,” Bloomberg’s Catherine Larkin reports. “At least seven hedge funds trimmed their positions in EA, which also topped the list of tech stocks excluding deal scenarios.”
PlayStation 4 sales passed 86.1 million as of its 5th birthday.
THQ Nordic acquired “the Expeditions series, and it is working with the franchise’s Danish developer Logic Artists on a third installment in the PC tactical-role-playing games,” VentureBeat’s Mike Minotti writes.
Supercell invested “€5 million into Everywear [Games],” GI.biz’s James Batchelor writes.
Magic Leap is introducing Independent Creator Program.
Getcha Assassin’s Creed wine here.
Tech Time Gaming Lounge, the new PC gaming center in the D.C. area, is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 30 at 2:30 p.m. ET, according to a press release.
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Extra Esports News:
Virtus.pro unveiled their new logo in celebration of their 15-year anniversary.
USC Esports announced “the USC Esports Union (ESU), its first official collegiate esports program, during the annual USC Conquest Event,” Variety’s Brittany Vincent reports.
OUT: Panda Global released “former Evo champion Lee “Infiltration” Seon-woo … after allegations of domestic violence in South Korea,” ESPN’s Jacob Wolf reports.
Partnerships:
Turtle Beach and Los Angeles Laker Josh Hart are partnering, according to a press release. It’s a multi-year deal with Turtle Beach becoming Hart’s official audio partner and producing “content highlighting the power and benefit of using high-quality audio equipment.”
HyperX “has expanded on its relationship with Allied Esports to include naming rights for the HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas,” TEO’s Max Miceli reports.
Superliga ABCDE and Burger King are partnering, Esports Insider’s Melany Moncav reports.
Rainbow Six Esports and PayPal are partnering, Esports Insider’s David Hollingsworth writes. “The partnership will run from November 2018 until November 2019.”
Street Fighter III 3rd Strike player Kenji Kuroda “was arrested for allegedly committing indecent acts this February against a high school girl. He’s been arrested again for another alleged incident that happened last year,” Kotaku’s Brian Ashcraft reports.
Interviews: Jessica Blevins (CNBC).
Happy birthday Han “aLive” Lee Seok, Steffen “Lillekanin” Hovmand and Kyle “dizzkidboogie” Athayde!