In The News
A multitude of game developers and a composer have been accused of sexual assault, The Verge’s Andrew Webster reports. “Many of the accusations are years old — in some cases, more than a decade,” Webster writes. Allegations have been levied against Skyrim composer Jeremy Soule by Nathalie Lawhead in a post titled “Calling out my rapist.” Zoe Quinn accused developer Alec Holowka of abuse following Lawhead’s post. After Quinn, developer Adelaide Gardner alleged “Luc Shelton, a programmer at British studio Splash Damage, of sustained psychological and physical abuse two years ago.” Continued allegations against other developers came out from Mary Kenney of Insomniac Games.
A motion for contempt has been filed against Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, GameSpot’s Richard Wakeling writes. “Wade Callender, Gearbox’s former legal counsel, filed a motion on Tuesday in Dallas County (Texas) district court for contempt and requested sanctions against Gearbox, alleging ‘discovery abuse’ and failure to produce certain court-ordered documents.”
Ready has raised “$5 million in funding,” VentureBeat’s Dean Takahashi reports. “Bitkraft Esports Ventures led the round with participation from new investors Comcast Ventures and Eldridge Industries. Ready defines hyper-casual games as simple tap games where the player can control gameplay with no more than two tap gestures.”
Unfold Games is offering to donate “all of the money generated via Epic Games Store sales to charity — but only if Epic agrees to a non-exclusivity deal,” GI.biz’s James Batchelor reports. “Los Angeles-based indie Unfold Games made this pledge via Twitter responding to Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, who said the firm is ‘happy to see DARQ succeed’ on Steam.”
LCG Entertainment acquired Telltale Games, Takahashi reports. “Los Angeles-based LCG Entertainment will operate under the Telltale Games name. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed.”
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is opening a new San Diego studio, VentureBeat’s Mike Minotti writes. “This location will focus on making free-to-play mobile games. Tom Casey, the current vice president and studio head at WB Games Boston, will lead this San Diego team. He will also keep his roles at Boston.”
The Mortal Kombat movie secured roles for Raiden and Shang Tsung.
Interviews: Epic Games’ Tim Sweeney (The New York Times), Triple Topping’s Astrid Refstrup (GI.biz).
Extra Esports News:
Formula 1 drivers “Rubens Barrichello and Juan Pablo Montoya have invested in Millennial Esports, the company behind World’s Fastest Gamer,” Motorsport’s Josh Suttill reports. They will “take on ‘ambassador and special advisor roles’ within the company.”
Partnerships:
Ninja is partnering with Adidas, the popular streamer announced yesterday. You can watch the video here.
Mogul and SARENA are partnering, ESI’s Laura Byrne reports. “The deal will assist Mogul in expanding into the Middle Eastern esports market.”
OUT: Dota 2 player Fade retired.
Rainbow 6 player Redeemer retired.
Interviews: Teams.gg’s James Duffield (ESI).