In The News
SuperData is out with a “digital games market: February 2019” report. “Consumers spent $8.2 billion on digital games across console, PC and mobile in February, up 2% compared to February last year.” Mobile was up 9%. Hearthstone saw “its largest year-over-year decline ever this month” and NBA 2K19 “in-game spending is up an estimated 42% compared to NBA2K18.”
GameStop announced George Sherman as its “chief executive officer and member of the board of directors, effective April 15, 2019.”
Epic Games claims “there are now 85 million registered users of the Epic Games Store on PC—and, according to user surveys from August 2018 and January 2019, 40 percent of them report not having Steam,” PC Gamer’s Andy Chalk writes.
Valve’s planning Steam updates for an events page and its library. “The new design surfaces games players have recently played at the top, and a second highlighted area focuses on games in your library with recent title updates. The rest of the library is displayed below with a gallery of Netflix-style box art,” Game Informer’s Matt Bertz reports.
Sales:
Stardew Valley has claimed the title of “best-selling indie game on the Switch,” GI.biz’s Matthew Handrahan reports. “Nintendo confirmed that the popular farming sim is the best-selling indie game globally on the Switch.”
Devil May Cry 5 has surpassed 2 million copies sold, director Hideaki Itsuno revealed at GDC, according to VentureBeat’s Mike Minotti.
Extra Esports News:
Luminosity Gaming may be acquired by Aquilini GameCo, Esports Insider’s Adam Fitch reports. “Aquilini GameCo Inc. has raised $25,000,200 in hopes of acquiring Toronto-based esports organisation Luminosity Gaming through a reverse takeover of J55 Capital Corp … If Aquilini GameCo. is successful with the reverse takeover of J55 Capital Corp., Luminosity Gaming could become a publicly-tradable asset on the Toronto Stock Exchange.”
Partnerships & Sponsorships:
Razer and Tencent are partnering “on mobile hardware and software optimization, along with potential services,” TEO’s Andrew Hayward reports.
Nissan is partnering with OpTic Gaming and FaZe Clan, Fitch writes. “Nissan will act as a jersey sponsor for both of its new partners, and team members from both organisations will have access to Nissan vehicles for branded content across digital and social platforms.”
Newegg and HyperX signed a branding deal where Newegg will “have its branding displayed at Allied Esports’ HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas. The two companies will also develop and host co-branded esports events at the venue,” Hayward reports.
IN: Ilya “Lil” Ilyuk, David “MoonMeander” Tan and Pittner “bOne7” Armand joined Flying Penguins.
OUT: EHOME’s Jiang “天命” An is taking a break.
Mineski released Johan “pieliedie” Åström and Kim “Febby” Yong.
Happy birthdays Joona “Serral” Sotala and James “Firebat” Kostesich!Official Call of Duty®: Black Ops 4 Zombies — Ancient Evil Trailer