Dmitry Morgulis’ Post

Sony is currently in talks to acquire Japanese media company Kadokawa. While Reuters focuses on Kadokawa's stake in company FromSoft as a major piece in the talks, it misses that Kadokawa owns a massive share of top Japanese light novels and manga franchises. Sony already has a near monopoly on the industry after its acquisition of Crunchyroll so this move would only exacerbate the issue and should be reason alone to deny it. Sony's recent anti-consumer moves with its PSN requirements for PC users, denying the 121 countries where PSN is unavailable the opportunity to enjoy these franchises, would further deny many consumers access to popular FromSoft and other Kadokawa-owned titles. This acquisition would be a major loss for consumers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eB2SgsrB https://lnkd.in/e32rS_rW

Gaming scoop for Reuters with Tokyo colleague Sam Nussey: Sony is in talks to acquire KADOKAWA Corporation, the Japanese media powerhouse behind the "Elden Ring" game, as the technology giant looks to add to its entertainment portfolio. The talks between the two sides are ongoing and, if successful, a deal could be signed in the coming weeks. Kadokawa's shares closed up 23% at their daily limit. Sony already has a 2% stake in Kadokawa and a stake in Kadokawa controlled FromSoftware, the developer of the hit fantasy action role-playing game. The critically acclaimed title is a collaboration between veteran game director Hidetaka Miyazaki and "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin. The game, which depicts an atmospheric world where players battle monsters and quest to repair the Elden Ring, has sold 25 million units and been widely acclaimed. https://lnkd.in/eSiRWu-7 #mergersandacquisitions #gaming

Fallout is the latest video game franchise to be adapted into a TV series following the success of The Last of Us, Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The Cyberpunk series saw CD Projekt Red’s sales revenue increase by 70% and Cyberpunk’s peak player count rise to 1 million. We are now seeing similar results across the Fallout franchise. Fallout 4 was originally released in 2015. However, sales in Europe have jumped by over 7,500% since the premier of the Prime Video Series according to Gamingindustrybiz. In fact, out of the top 10 games based on sales in Europe, 4 out of the 10 are Fallout titles. This popularity is also reflected when looking at live streaming platforms like Twitch. According to GEEIQ’s data platform, hours watched of Fallout 4 increased 6-fold in the past month to 2.23 million hours watched (screenshot attached). Not to mention Fallout is currently the number 1 trending series on Prime TV. This is just a small indication of the impact gaming has on pop culture and vice versa. There has never been a better time for brands to tap into gaming culture. Gaming can be used to engage untapped audiences your traditional social media platforms have yet to reach. To find out more about how your brand can tap into the next hype gaming moment drop me a DM!

New Post: Remedy Has Taken Back Control of the Control Series From 505 Games -Remedy Entertainment has acquired full rights to the Control series from 505 Games. The developer said it is now in the position to make better long-term decisions of Control’s franchise growth. “We will consider our options carefully, knowing that Control is considered an attractive franchise by many partners,” said Remedy CEO Tero Virtala in a... Remedy Entertainment has acquired full rights to the Control series from 505 Games. The developer said it is now in the position to make better long-term decisions of Control’s franchise growth.“We will consider our options carefully, knowing that Control is considered an attractive franchise by many partners,” said Remedy CEO Tero Virtala in a press release. “Condor and Control 2 have both progressed well in recent months and we expect these projects to reach their next development stages during the first half of 2024.”In the deal, Remedy paid 17 million euros, and now owns all of the rights to Control, Control 2, codename Condor, and all future games in the series. However, 505 Games will remain the publisher of the first Control game until the end of 2024 through a transition period.The 17 million euros figure represents the amount that 505 Games has paid for the development of Condor and Control 2 to date, including a minor premium. With the success of Control and Alan Wake 2, Remedy explained that it now can decide whether to self-publish Control 2 and Condor, or negotiate for better deals with a different publisher.Control 2 and Codename Condor were announced back in 2022, the latter of which is a multiplayer game set in the Control universe. Neither has a release date yet, but Control 2 has been confirmed to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X

aming firm Light & Wonder is expanding its lineup of online casino offerings through some new partnerships lately. In 2022 we reported the software provider’s acquisition of Plazido. L&W is also partners with live casino brand Authentic Gaming. Now the company’s ambitions are spreading far and wide with a series of new deals! The company has teamed up with a couple of game developers, RubyPlay and Everi Digital, to add over 170 new games to its platform—stuff like slots and other casino titles. These deals give Light & Wonder a bigger catalog to offer gambling sites it partners with globally. In another deal, Light & Wonder signed an exclusive agreement with a UK company called 1X2 Network to distribute 1X2’s games in Michigan. This will introduce 1X2’s slots, virtual sports, instant win games to the US for the first time, starting in Michigan but with plans to expand into more states soon. On the tech side of things, Light & Wonder is investing in a startup named Flows that has built a no-code platform that lets gaming companies automate processes without needing engineering talent. Flows even uses AI for voice-controlled building of products. Light & Wonder has already used Flows to roll out jackpot features faster and more efficiently. https://lnkd.in/dunMSFfd Light & Wonder #igaming #onlinecasino #gambling #gamingindustry

Excited for Age of Empires Mobile? Here’s a solid interview from PocketGamer.biz with TiMi Studio Group sharing some of the context around the game and how it will be a new experience for the Age of Empires franchise. https://lnkd.in/gXXyaNvX #gamedevelopment #gamepublishing

When we talk about mobile games making a lasting impact, Pokemon GO stands out as a game that won millions of hearts! Since its release in July 2016, Pokémon Go has taken the Pokémon franchise to new heights with its innovative AR technology. Eric Araki, Pokémon Go's Country Manager for Brazil, echoes this sentiment. He shares that Pokémon Go has not only expanded the franchise but also created a passionate global community. Eric, who’s been with the Pokémon brand since the early 2000s, recalls the original games and the TCG, noting how Pokémon Go broadened fan engagement. He calls this evolution a “dream come true.” Eric highlights the competitive spirit in Latin America, with Brazil and Mexico boasting some of the world’s top players. However, he also notes security challenges, especially in cities like São Paulo. Despite this, the Pokémon Go community in LATAM remains resilient and vibrant. Niantic, Inc. recently announced the largest in-person event in the region for 2024, proving the game’s enduring popularity. Read full story: https://lnkd.in/gWC75KXm

Did you know Nintendo, the famous video game company, started as a small family business selling playing cards? But Nintendo didn’t have a nationwide distribution network. How did they make sure their playing cards reach every nook and corner of Japan? Nintendo found a product that was available virtually everywhere in Japan - tobacco! In 1907, Nintendo struck a deal with Japan Tobacco and Salt Public Corporation, a government entity that had a state monopoly over the tobacco industry. This move allowed it to sell its cards at cigarette shops all over Japan. When 22-year old Hiroshi Yamauchi became the third president of Nintendo in 1949, that's when the fate of the company changed. Yes, 22-year old. Hiroshi was ruthless, blunt and serious man. But he was also hungry for success. #business #startup #businessgrowth #businessstrategy #onlinebusiness #growthhacking #leanstartups

New Post: Remedy Has Taken Back Control of the Control Series From 505 Games -Remedy Entertainment has acquired full rights to the Control series from 505 Games. The developer said it is now in the position to make better long-term decisions of Control’s franchise growth. “We will consider our options carefully, knowing that Control is considered an attractive franchise by many partners,” said Remedy CEO Tero Virtala in a... Remedy Entertainment has acquired full rights to the Control series from 505 Games. The developer said it is now in the position to make better long-term decisions of Control’s franchise growth.“We will consider our options carefully, knowing that Control is considered an attractive franchise by many partners,” said Remedy CEO Tero Virtala in a press release. “Condor and Control 2 have both progressed well in recent months and we expect these projects to reach their next development stages during the first half of 2024.”In the deal, Remedy paid 17 million euros, and now owns all of the rights to Control, Control 2, codename Condor, and all future games in the series. However, 505 Games will remain the publisher of the first Control game until the end of 2024 through a transition period.The 17 million euros figure represents the amount that 505 Games has paid for the development of Condor and Control 2 to date, including a minor premium. With the success of Control and Alan Wake 2, Remedy explained that it now can decide whether to self-publish Control 2 and Condor, or negotiate for better deals with a different publisher.Control 2 and Codename Condor were announced back in 2022, the latter of which is a multiplayer game set in the Control universe. Neither has a release date yet, but Control 2 has been confirmed to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X

Mob Entertainment had a record-breaking 1H in 2024 thanks to the staggering number of Poppy Playtime sales. Ever since the arrival of the horror franchise in 2021, players worldwide have been fascinated with the toys and lore, leading to more and more people giving the game a go with each passing chapter. Well, it turns out that Deep Sleep contributed to the success in a huge way, thanks to a certain group of toys. In Poppy Playtime Chapter 3, the Smiling Critters debuted, and given how obsessed I am with them, I can absolutely believe how popular they are. It’s a morbid curiosity, an intriguing backstory, and excellent toy design that make you take notice of this group. In the first half of 2024, Mob Entertainment saw a 350% increase in merchandise sales on PoppyPlaytime.com, and it’s the Poppy Playtime Smiling Critters who led the charge. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d4W7PzdV For all the latest mobile, Nintendo Switch, and industry news, follow Pocket Tactics, the biggest mobile and Switch gaming site in the world! #mobile #gaming