In The News
Sony Europe is heading to court over its refund policy. “The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) alleges that, from September 2017, Sony Europe refused to offer refunds for any games that had been downloaded, or if more than 14 days had passed since purchase,” GI.biz’s Haydn Taylor reports. “According to the ACCC allegations, Sony Europe also claimed it does not have to provide refunds…”
Colin Bundsch, a former designer at Rockstar Games, alleged to Kotaku’s Jason Schreier that vice president of product development Jeronimo Barrera “groped him, asked Bundschu to sit on his lap, and rubbed his inner thigh area. These allegations about events from 2014 are being made public for the first time today, but in the days after the incident allegedly happened, Bundschu filed a report to Rockstar’s human resources department and told at least four other people.” Rockstar reportedly found Bundsch’s allegation to be unsubstantiated at the time.
A roundup of yesterday’s Pokémon Company press conference can be found here. Announcements includes things like Pokémon HOME, Pokémon Sleep and Pokémon Masters.
Blizzard Entertainment co-founder Mike Morhaime will “receive the 2019 Honor Award at the Gamelab Barcelona event in Spain,” VentureBeat’s Dean Takahashi reports.
Gamescom is expanding “the event East with a new convention to serve the Asian market,” GI.biz’s James Batchelor reports. “Gamescom Asia will take place from October 15 to 18, 2020 and will be held at the Suntec Singapore Convention Center.”
Dauntless zipped past 6 million players for its first week.
WeQ acquired Booster Studios, “which it has renamed WeQ Studios,” GI.biz’s Brendan Sinclair writes. “WeQ has said the studio will continue to create its own hyper-casual games, as well as offer its publisher and player acquisition services to other developers.”
EA and Steve Aoki are partnering “on an in-game event in the Need For Speed: No Limits free-to-play mobile game,” Takahashi writes.
OUT: King co-founder Riccardo Zacconi is stepping down as CEO.
Extra Esports News:
In another twist for the potential sale of Infinite Esports, the company apparently owes a $20 million promissory banknote that’s due Friday. “According to a source, Infinite Esports completed a deal with a banking company for USD $20 million in the form of a promissory note,” Amanda Zelauskas reports. “If the debt is not paid by May 31, 2019, the bank will take the LCS spot and other entities described on the note. It is alleged that Rodriguez and Chaney offered a ‘laughable’ amount considering there is already a $20m bill on the brand’s tab.”
PEAK6 Investments has acquired Evil Geniuses, Esports Insider’s Adam Fitch writes. “As part of the acquisition, Nicole LaPointe Jameson will assume the role of CEO of the organisation. Jameson previously worked in the strategic capital branch of PEAK6 Investments.”
Partnerships:
Dignitas and Caffeine are partnering, TEO’s Andrew Hayward reports. “The companies will produce original series based on Dignitas’ Rocket League and women’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive teams.”
FlyQuest and teaRIOT are partnering, Fitch reports. “Joining forces with the organisation as its official energy drink, teaRIOT will activate the partnership through branding, live events, and content integration.”
IN: Streamer Jack “CouRage” Dunlop joined 100 Thieves.
OUT: Sam Jarvis is no longer with DarkZero Esports’ Rainbow 6 team.