In The News
A net neutrality vote is being forced in the Senate, NBC News’s Alyssa Newcomb reports. “Democrats in the Senate — and one Republican — took a step Wednesday toward saving net neutrality by forcing the U.S. Senate to vote on whether to overrule a Federal Communications Commission decision to undo open internet protections put in place under President Barack Obama.”
Revenue news:
Who’s the fairest of them all? Newzoo put out a report on “the top 25 public companies by game revenue in 2017“:
#1: Tencent at $18.1 billion.
#2: Sony at $10.5 billion.
#3: Apple at $8 billion.
GamesIndustry.biz’s Matthew Handrahan reports that “Nexon more than doubled its profits in Q1, and revenues rose 20 per cent to more than $800 million … In the quarter ended March 31 2018, Nexon earned ¥90.5 billion ($825 million) in revenue, up 21 per cent over the prior year.”
GamesIndustry.biz’s Brendan Sinclair reports that “Bandai Namco … [showed] gains across most of its business divisions, and overall growth driven primarily by its video game segment … Company-wide, net sales were up 9.4% to ¥678.31 billion ($6.19 billion), with operating profits up 18.6% to ¥75.02 billion ($680 million).”
Hiring and Firing news:
Microsoft is hiring for a new IP, Variety’s Steven Wright reports. “Microsoft is planning to hire a principal program manager to staff and run an unannounced studio in Santa Monica, Calif., according to a public job posting at the console manufacturer.”
Blind Squirrel Games laid off 13 employees after cancelling “‘an unannounced project,’” Gamasutra’s Emma Kidwell reports.
Eurogamer’s Wesley Yin-Poole reports that “Cheshire-based online video game shop Gameseek has gone into liquidation – leaving angry customers out of pocket.”
Team Dignitas “hired former NBC Sports esports manager Michael Prindiville as its new CEO,” ESPN’s Jacob Wolf reports.
Valve news:
Valve “announced a new app that allows Steam users to stream their game library to Android and iOS devices,” Game Informer’s Jeff Marchiafava writes. “Steam Link is set to launch sometime during the week of May 21 on the App Store and Google Play, and will work with compatible phones, tablets, and TVs.”
Rock Paper Shotgun’s John Walker reports on Campo Santo’s acquisition by Valve and how the staff are acclimating to both a physical move to Washington state and Valve’s culture.
GamesIndustry.biz’s Haydn Taylor writes that “Steam has removed all Acram Digital games from its storefront after receiving multiple reports of review manipulation.”
Sony, Microsoft and other companies slapped by the Federal Trade Commission have updated their warranties to comply, USGamer’s Matt Kim reports.
Partnership news:
The Esports Observer’s Trent Murray reports that “Qanba has become an official sponsor of the TEKKEN World Tour.”
Murray also writes that “DreamHack announced a partnership with Nordic power company Fortum.”
Cruisin’ esports is finally here, Dexerto’s Chantal Stewart-Jones reports. Once you’d had your fill of lackluster Piña coladas at the bar, Dream Cruises has set up a permanent “a 1700 square foot venue as part of its VR games centre, the ESC Experience LAB, aboard the 150,000-ton megaship the World Dream.”