In The News
Nintendo is being sued over “Joy-Con drift,” a problem where users report “the controllers’ analog sticks registering non-existent input,” Engadget’s Jon Fingas reports. “Lawyers at Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith have filed a class action lawsuit in the US against Nintendo alleging that its sells Joy-Cons knowing they’re ‘defective.’”
Supercell pulled “its mobile games from iOS and Android in” Vietnam, VentureBeat’s Dean Takahashi writes. “Supercell cited ‘local regulatory issues’ as the reason for this action.”
Tencent:
Tencent is partnering with The Pokemon Company to “develop a new Pokemon game. The two companies announced the partnership today [Monday] and revealed that Tencent’s Timi Studio will lead development on the unannounced game,” IGN’s Matt Kim writes.
Tencent invested in Antstream Arcade, Gamasutra’s Chris Kerr reports. “Although the size of the Series A investment wasn’t disclosed, it’s still a notable deal for the platform given Tencent’s status as one of most high-profile players in China.”
Details for the Republic of Gamers Phone II have been released by Tencent and Asus, Takahashi reports. “The smartphone runs on Qualcomm’s flagship chip, the Snapdragon 855 Plus mobile platform.”
NetEase opened a Montreal studio “as part of a global expansion,” Takahashi writes. “The new studio is one of a number of investments that NetEase has made in the West.”
Sales:
Marvel’s Spider-Man is now the best-selling superhero game ever. Video game analyst Mat Piscatella tweeted the news. Spider-Man bumped Batman: Arkham City into 2nd place.
Tekken 7 has pushed past the 4 million copies sold mark.
Investment:
Microsoft invested $1 billion in “the AI research lab OpenAI, an investment that paves the way for future partnerships between the two companies and helps OpenAI move toward its goal of creating artificial general intelligence (AGI),” Gamasutra’s Alissa McAloon reports.
Google and Amazon are investing in Doppio, which specializes in “voice-controlled conversational games,” GI.biz’s James Batchelor reports. “The investments will enable the Portuguese studio to develop more titles, grow its team and continue to support debut release The Vortex.”
Game Seer Venture Partners has plans to “invest €10 million in promising game projects by 2022,” Batchelor reports. “The company is focusing on PC and console games targeting the core games audience.”
OUT: Blizzard Entertainment co-founder Frank Pearce is exiting the company.
Interviews: Michael Paixao (GI.biz), Techland’s Tymon Smektala (GI.biz).
Extra Esports News:
In Memory:
Esports commentator and former StarCraft pro player Geoff “iNcontroL” Robinson passed away suddenly aged 33 on Saturday.
Bryand “Krucial B” McIntosh passed away over the weekend at Defend The North. He “suffered a seizure on the tournament floor and passed away shortly after,” Game Informer’s Imran Khan writes.
Much-maligned Infinite Esports & Entertainment President Ryan “J” Musselman has “resigned from his post as the top executive of the OpTic Gaming and Houston Outlaws ownership group on Friday, sources familiar with his exit told” ESPN’s Jacob Wolf. “Musselman has been on the receiving end of social media abuse from OpTic fans, who have been critical of the team’s sale to Immortals.”
Dota 2’s The International prize pool surpassed $30 million.
Partnerships:
SNICKERS and NBA 2K League are partnering, TEO’s James Fudge writes. “An activation featuring the brand will take place during the league’s regular 2019 season broadcasts on various platforms.”
Tencent and NBA 2K League are also partnering, Esports Insider’s Laura Byrne reports. “The deal will see Tencent broadcast condensed versions of playoffs and finals games from the second season of the NBA 2K League across Tencent Sports, Tencent Video, and Tencent News.”
Pittsburgh Knights and Wiz Khalifa are partnering, Esports Insider’s Adam Fitch writes. “The rapper will bring his ‘expertise in creative direction, marketing, live events and entertainment’ to the organisation.”
UK Esports Awards and Jägermeister are partnering, Fitch reports. “Jägermeister will supply bespoke cocktails at the event, which takes place at Rich Mix in London on August 3rd.”
ESforce with Modern Pick are being merged, Fitch writes. “Russian company Mail.ru Group has revealed plans to merge its esports property ESforce with Singapore-based game publisher Modern Pick.”
BERTHOUD and CLAAS will field teams for the Farming Simulator League.
OUT: Evil Geniuses announced they will not be participating in the Call of Duty franchised league next year.
Interviews: ESL North America’s Paul Brewer (TEO), Intel Esports’ George Woo (TEO), Public School’s Max Osborne (HypeBeast).
Happy birthday Christoph “Cris” Gowitzke!