In The News
Nintendo of America announced the Nintendo Switch Lite early Wednesday morning. It will be available September 20. Watch the announcement trailer here.
11.2 billion games were downloaded on iOS and Android in the second quarter, VentureBeat’s Dean Takahashi reports. “Games accounted for 35% of global downloads in the quarter, but they made up nearly 75% of consumer spend across iOS and Google Play,” AppAnnie reported. “Mobile apps overall had a record quarter in Q2 2019, with a total of 30.3 billion app downloads and nearly $22.6 billion in consumer spending across iOS and Google Play.”
Pokémon GO pulled in “an estimated $2.65 billion worldwide across the App Store and Google Play” in the 3 years since it launched. “Pokémon GO has surpassed the massively popular Candy Crush Saga and Clash Royale, which generated $1.86 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, in their first three years,” Sensor Tower reports.
A patent Microsoft filed for in 2017 has been published. It’s for “‘removable game controllers’ that could function akin to Nintendo’s Joy-Con controllers,” IGN’s Matt Purslow writes. “The patent itself is for a charging device, but the ‘removeable input modules’ the device charges are controllers that can be attached to a touch-screen mobile device.”
New Studios:
Adam Creighton founded a studio named Enduring Games, GI.biz’s Rebekah Valentine writes. He was formerly a co-owner of Panic Button. “Enduring Games is based in Austin, Texas and will focus on three activities: co-development, digital distribution for smaller developers, and original IP.”
Monolith Soft opened a new studio in Japan, GI.biz’s Matthew Handrahan reports. “It also has a studio in Kyoto, which has contributed to the development of Nintendo games since 2011.”
Million Victories has raised “over $1.4 million in funding toward its first title, mobile strategy game Million Lords,” Valentine writes.
OUT: Jaroslav Beck stepped down as Beat Games Studio’s CEO.
Interviews: Frontier Developments’ David Braben (GI.biz).
Extra Esports News:
Johanna Faries is officially the commissioner for Call of Duty esports. Previously the head of Call of Duty esports, she transitioned fully into the commissioner role. The Activision Blog did a brief interview with her, which you can find here.
Partnerships & Sponsorships:
Team SoloMid extended its partnership with Logitech G for another 3 years, Esports Insider’s Adam Fitch reports.
Corteva Agriscience joined Farming Simulator League as the head sponsor, TEO’s Andrew Hayward reports.
IN: Doug Barber joined 100 Thieves as vice president of brand and apparel.