Highlights

Nintendo announces the Nintendo Switch (OLED model) (link)

• A brand-new trailer from Nintendo has revealed the latest iteration of the Switch platform, known as the Nintendo Switch (OLED model), with a launch slated for this October
• Notable improvements from previous models include a larger seven-inch OLED screen, an adjustable stand for tabletop mode, a new dock with a wired LAN port, enhanced audio, and 64GB of internal storage
• The Nintendo Switch (OLED model) will launch on October 8^th, 2021

Pokémon GO has accumulated $5B from player spending, according to Sensor Tower (link)

• A report from Sensor Tower estimates that Pokémon GO has generated $5B in revenue from player spending since its release in July 2016, with the latest $1B being earned in the last seven months
• Sensor Tower also estimates that Pokémon GO’s revenue is up 34% YoY in 2020, and up 130% over the same period in 2017

The Xbox Game Pass app has generated 14M lifetime downloads, according to Sensor Tower (link)

• A report from Sensor Tower estimates that Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass app has generated an estimated 14M lifetime downloads via the App Store and Google Play
• Sensor Tower also estimates that the Xbox Game Pass app has been installed 2.5M times in 2021 alone, with 1.8M of that number originating via Android
• The Xbox Game Streaming app, only available on Google Play, has reportedly generated 3.2M downloads to-date

Roblox strikes deal with Sony Music to bring more artists to the platform (link)

• Roblox and Sony Music Entertainment have entered a partnership to bring Sony Music’s artists and their music into Roblox through various mediums such as virtual concerts
• “With this new agreement, we look forward to expanding our successful partnership with the Roblox team to further unlock commercial opportunities at the intersection of music and gaming,” said Sony Music president of global digital business and US sales Dennis Kooker

M&A and Capital Raises

NFT Oasis creator Provenonce raises $4.4M to help VR creators reach the masses (link)

• The proceeds will be used to enable VR creators to reach the mass market via VR art galleries
• Provenonce is known for NFT Oasis, a platform that brings together NFTs, VR, and decentralized finance in a comprehensive platform to enhance artists’ creative freedom, business control, and financial success
• Select investors in the round include Brad Stephens, managing partner at Blockchain Capital, as well as Lemniscap and CitizenX Crypto Ventures

SciPlay acquires Om Nom: Run developer Koukoi Games (link)

• US-based SciPlay has acquired Finnish Social Mobile games studio Koukoi Games for an undisclosed amount
• Founded in 2015, Koukoi is known for co-developing Mobile Runner game Om Nom: Run alongside license holder ZeptoLab
• The title has generated over 30M downloads since its release in February 2020

Other

CD Projekt’s The Witcher: Monster Slayer launches this July (link)

• Poland-based CD Projekt has announced that the latest game in The Witcher franchise will be releasing globally on July 21^st
• The Witcher: Monster Slayer is a F2P location-based AR RPG, and will release simultaneously for iOS and Android, with pre-registration now being available on Google Play
• The Witcher: Monster Slayer is developed by Spokko, a subsidiary of CD Projekt

Codemasters CEO Frank Sagnier to step down four months after EA acquisition (link)

• EA has confirmed that Codemasters CEO Frank Sagnier will step down from his position at the end of July, alongside Codemasters CFO Rashid Varachia
• Codemasters will now become a part of EA’s Sport division, with current senior vice president of publishing Johnathon Bunney and senior vice president of product development Clive Moody to lead the Company

Electronic Arts announces the formation of Ripple Effect Studios (link)

• The studio, formerly DICE LA, is currently assisting in the development of Battlefield 2042 in addition to a separate, independent project
• Ripple Effect Studios will be led by Respawn founder Vince Zampella, who has previously worked on Shooters such as Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Apex Legends

FunPlus appoints Michael Tong as chief strategy officer (link)

• FunPlus has recently announced the appointment of Michael Tong, former NetEase director, as its new chief strategy officer
• Tong’s appointment is the latest in a string of high-profile personnel acquisitions from FunPlus, having previously hired game industry veterans Chris Petrovic and Wei Wang as chief business and creative officers, respectively

Minecraft becomes adults-only in South Korea (link)

• Minecraft players under the age of 19 will be unable access the title in South Korea due to new login requirements by Microsoft
• Microsoft recently informed players that they must use an Xbox Live account to access Minecraft, which has an age minimum of 19, in accordance with South Korean law

Riot Games brings back in-person attendance for the North American League of Legends Championship (link)

• Riot Games has recently announced that the League of Legends LCS Championship in North America will be held as an in-person esports event on August 28 and 29 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
• “We started seriously exploring the feasibility of an in-person LCS Championship experience earlier this year,” said Chris Greeley, Riot Games head of esports for North America and Oceania

Ubisoft Plans Assassin’s Creed Live Online Game Service (link)

• Ubisoft has revealed that an upcoming project codenamed Assassin’s Creed Infinity sets out to create a massive online platform that evolves over time
• Infinity will contain multiple historical settings with room to expand to others in the months and years following its debut

While individual games on the platform may differ in presentation and gameplay, each of the titles will be interconnected

Gaming Public Multiples