We’re talking about executive pay again, as EA and Activision shareholders start to speak up about outsized compensation packages! We also discuss Halo Infinite’s delay and how Microsoft will adapt, the leaked Xbox Series X|S controller and release date, Warner Bros. layoffs as WBIE appears to be staying put, and 505’s unpopular decision to limit Control’s free next-gen upgrade to the new Ultimate Edition (leaving early adopters out in the cold).
[0hr:0min] Earnings discussion – Sega, Paradox, and Embracer Group
[0hr:41min] News discussion
[1hr:36min] BREAKING NEWS – Oh, and Epic created a payment structure for Fortnite to circumvent the App Store 30% platform fee. Apple banned Fortnite. Epic sued Apple for monopolistic practices. You know. No big deal.
- SegaSammy Q1 FY2021 Earnings: https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/presentation/presentation.do
- Paradox Q2 FY2020 Earnings: https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/en/interim-report-january-june-2020/
- For World of Darkness, the future of tabletop RPGs is increasingly digital (VentureBeat): https://venturebeat.com/2020/08/02/for-world-of-darkness-the-future-of-tabletop-rpgs-is-increasingly-digital/
- Embracer Group Q1 FY2021 Earnings: https://embracer.com/release/embracer-group-publishes-interim-report-q1-april-june-2020-operational-ebit-increased-249-to-sek-712-million/
- Xbox Series X Launches this November with Thousands of Games Spanning Four Generations (Xbox Wire): https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/08/11/xbox-series-x-launching-with-thousands-of-games/
- Microsoft’s new Xbox Series S console confirmed in leaked controller packaging (Verge): https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/9/21361157/microsoft-xbox-series-s-console-leak-controller-packaging
- DC Comics, DC Universe Hit By Major Layoffs (THR): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dc-comics-dc-universe-hit-by-major-layoffs-1306743
- These game writers made history by going on strike — and winning (Polygon): https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/11/21363817/lovestruck-voltage-entertainment-writers-strike-video-game-industry-unionization
- Introducing Control Ultimate Edition (505 Games): https://505games.com/introducing-control-ultimate-edition/
- Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store: https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21366438/apple-fortnite-ios-app-store-violations-epic-payments
- Epic Games, Inc. vs Apple, Inc.: https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/apple-complaint-734589783.pdf