This week saw the long-awaited showdown between the FTC and Microsoft, as the U.S. Government seeks an injunction to prevent the Activision acquisition. Also; new studios opening amidst an otherwise grim labor report, the latest Circana U.S. spending report, and more.
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TIME STAMPS
- [00:01:17] – Circana U.S. Video Game Spending Report for May 2023
- [00:19:41] – Twitch Partner Plus
- [00:27:05] – Investment Interlude (With a Big Conversation about the Microsoft/Activision FTC Hearing)
- [00:57:42] – Quick Hits
- [01:03:12] – Labor Report
SOURCES
- Introducing the Partner Plus Program | Twitch
- How many Twitch partners are actually eligible for Partner Plus? | Streams Charts
- IATSE Launches Gameworkers.org, First-Ever Video Game Industry Study | IATSE
- EMBRACER GROUP ANNOUNCES COMPREHENSIVE RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM | Embracer Group
- Danish studio Kiloo Games lays off staff before July closure | Game Developer
- Season developer Scavengers Studio hit with “massive layoffs” | Game Developer
- Hi-Rez Studios lays off employees in company restructuring | Game Developer
- Niantic Organizational Update | Niantic
- Daedalic Entertainment closes development department | Games Wirtschaft
INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
- Focus Entertainment taps Ubisoft veterans to establish Carpool Studio | Game Developer
- PCF GROUP SA (22/2023) Conclusion of a production and publishing agreement with Microsoft Corporation – report 22/2023 | Interia Biznes
- Krafton opens new studio, ReLu Games, to develop deep learning titles | Game Developer
- Scopely acquires Scottish mobile developer Tag Games | Game Developer
- Order re: Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction | FTC
- Sony says it wouldn’t share PS6 details with Microsoft-owned Activision | Eurogamer
- Microsoft considered acquiring Bungie and Sega to bolster Xbox Game Pass, internal emails show | The Verge
- Sega is not open to acquisitions, following speculation around Microsoft bid | GamesIndustry
- Canada regulator says Microsoft-Activision deal “likely” to harm competition | GamesIndustry
- UK court blocks request to delay CMA and Microsoft trial | GamesIndustry