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☆ EU antitrust regulators to assess impact of Microsoft's UK Activision remedy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard logo in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Aug 22 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators will examine whether Microsoft's (MSFT.O) proposal to sell its non-EU cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment (UBIP.PA) in a bid to gain UK approval for its Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O) bid will affect its concessions to the European Commission. "We are closely following the developments in the UK and assessing the impact this may have on the commitments accepted by the Commission," a spokesperson for the European Union executive said in an email. The EU competition enforcer cleared the deal in May after Microsoft agreed to licence popular Activision games such as "Call of Duty" to rival game streaming platforms for 10 years. Reporting by Foo Yun CheeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Foo Yun Chee Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, REUTERS, Rights, Ubisoft Entertainment, European Commission, Commission, European Union, EU, Thomson

☆ Microsoft Offers British Regulators Changes to Activision Deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Adam Satariano | More About Adam Satariano | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Why It Matters: The offer aims to address concerns over cloud gaming. Under the new terms, Microsoft will give Ubisoft control over licensing deals for cloud gaming services for 15 years. This is aimed at preventing Microsoft from launching titles exclusively on its own cloud streaming service, called Xbox Cloud Gaming. But Microsoft scored a major victory in May, when the European Union approved the deal. The British regulator said it would issue a decision by Oct. 18, the date that Microsoft has set as a deadline to complete its deal with Activision.

Persons: Microsoft’s, Sarah Cardell, ” Organizations: Markets Authority, Microsoft, Ubisoft, Cloud Gaming, Activision, Sony, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, European Union Locations: U.S

☆ Microsoft offers to sell cloud streaming rights to Activision games to Ubisoft to seal takeover with U.K. regulator
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMicrosoft offers to sell cloud streaming rights to Activision games to Ubisoft to seal takeover with U.K. regulatorMicrosoft has submitted a new takeover proposal for Activision Blizzard to the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority. Under the revised deal, Microsoft will transfer the cloud streaming rights for all current and new Activision PC and console games released over the next 15 years to Ubisoft. CNBC's Arjun Kharpal reports.

Persons: CNBC's Arjun Kharpal Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, U.K, Competition, Markets Authority

☆ Microsoft gives ground on streaming in bid to remove UK block on Activision deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Olesya Dmitracova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Microsoft has made a major concession to UK authorities in a bid to remove the last remaining regulatory obstacle to its huge takeover of Activision Blizzard. The restructured deal, announced by the UK Competition and Markets Authority Tuesday, follows a decision by the CMA to block the acquisition on its original terms. A US federal court also said in July that it would not block the deal from closing. The transaction was valued at $69 billion at the time, making it one of the tech industry’s largest deals. Activision Blizzard is one of the world’s biggest video game developers, producing games such as “Candy Crush,” “Call of Duty,” “World of Warcraft” and “Overwatch.”

Persons: Sarah Cardell, ” Cardell, Candy, ” Organizations: London CNN, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, European Union, Ubisoft Entertainment, UK Competition, Markets, CMA, Ubisoft —, Economic, Ubisoft, Activision Locations: United Kingdom, Paris

☆ Ubisoft Q1 net bookings down 8.7% on lack of new games releases
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 20 (Reuters) - French video game producer Ubisoft (UBIP.PA), maker of the blockbuster "Assassin's Creed" franchise, on Thursday posted a 8.7% decline in net bookings in its first quarter, blaming a lack of new games releases. Net bookings in the April-June period fell to 267.7 million euros ($298.35 million), Ubisoft, which had guided for 240 million, said in a statement. The family-run firm, which has been dogged by game cancellations and delays in recent years, confirmed its targets for the 2023/24 finance year and said it expects second-quarter net bookings to increase to 350 million euros. Sales in the first quarter fell 9.2% to 288.9 million euros. ($1 = 0.8973 euros)Reporting by Dina Kartit and Pierre John Felcenloben, editing by Kirsti KnolleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ubisoft, Dina Kartit, Pierre John Felcenloben, Kirsti Organizations: Ubisoft, Thomson Locations: Paris

☆ Read the 20-page pitch deck that startup Anzu used to raise $48 million to help place ads in video games
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Anzu helps brands place their ads in video games. The company raised $48 million to build out its executive suite and hire staff. Inserting ads into video games — like as a billboard in a car-racing game — is increasingly enticing to advertisers hoping to message hard-to-find Gen Zers. The company raised a $20 million round last year, bringing its total to $85 million. "After proving the model with mobile games and casual games, we're moving into AAA games," Benedy said.

Persons: Zers, Axel Springer, Itamar Benedy, Anzu, Benedy, we'll Organizations: Emmis Corp, Simon Equity Partners, PayPal, Bandai Namco, AAA, Ubisoft, VR, Apple, Apple Vision Locations: Anzu

☆ Gamers meet Games in inaugural Olympic Esports Week
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Edgar Su | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Workers set up the venue for the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in Singapore June 19, 2023. Building on the Olympic Virtual Series, the Olympic Esports Week is part of a drive under IOC President Thomas Bach to remain relevant to young people and embrace technological advances. "We've launched the brand Olympic Esports, and Olympic Esports Week here in Singapore is the first ever - super excited about it." "But they're also sharing a lot of similar values, and the Olympic values, like friendship, respect and excellence are all part of both worlds. "In esports we can see the same synergies, we can see the same values, and this is what we want to see during this Olympic Esports Week."

Persons: Edgar Su SINGAPORE, Siti Zhwyee, wiling, Zhwyee, Thomas Bach, Vincent Pereira, We've, Pereira, they're, Edgar Su, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Workers, Olympic, REUTERS, Elite, Convention, Exhibition, Ubisoft, Reuters, International Olympic Committee, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Suntec, esports, Hangzhou

Xbox Game Pass vs. PlayStation Plus: GamesHorizon: Forbidden West is one of the latest high-profile games to hit PlayStation Plus. Horizon Forbidden West / SonyThe main selling points of Game Pass and PlayStation Plus are their Netflix-style libraries of downloadable games. Xbox Game Pass' recent day-one releases include the cooperative shooter Redfall, and the rhythm-based action game Hi-Fi Rush. Game Pass members get a 10% discount when buying games that are already on Game Pass, so you can always get a deal before a game leaves the service entirely. That 10% discount also applies to downloadable content and add-ons for Game Pass games, which aren't always included with the base version.

☆ The AI boom shakes up stocks, disrupts tech, and could be on the brink of its 'iPhone' moment
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Over the last several months, I've turned to ChatGPT for research, book summaries, and even pasta recipes. It was only in March that Bank of America strategists declared that AI was on the brink of its "iPhone moment," and that it was about to change the world forever. In the stretches he's referring to, stocks appreciated 15% on average, and inflation's also declined, something that would be welcome news for the Fed right now. The giant's quarterly iPhone sales slowed last quarter, and shareholders may have to brace for another snag. Apple's "base business is stagnating and its high-margin apps platform could be disintermediated by ChatGPT plugins," Wood said.

May 16 (Reuters) - French video game producer Ubisoft (UBIP.PA) posted the biggest operating loss in company's history on Tuesday but stuck to its guidance for the current financial year, citing a renewed focus on blockbuster titles. The maker of the hit "Rainbow Six" franchise posted a full-year non-IFRS operating loss of 500.2 million euros ($550.6 million), in line with a target announced in its January profit warning. The family-run firm has been dogged by game cancellations and delays in recent years, booking a writedown estimate of around 500 million euros in 2022 due to research and development expenses. The Paris-listed publisher confirmed its estimate for a full-year core profit of around 400 million euros, while forecasting first-quarter net bookings of around 240 million euros. ($1 = 0.9084 euros)Reporting by Victor Goury-Laffont and Enrico Sciacovelli; Editing by Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

LONDON, April 20 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Film and TV adaptations of video games have a chequered history. But Nintendo’s “Super Mario”, along with HBO’s “The Last of Us”, is flipping the script. Jefferies analysts estimate that the “Super Mario” movie could add $350 million to Nintendo’s operating profit – equivalent to around 8% of its total for the year ending March 2022. The success of recent adaptations may lead media giants like Walt Disney (DIS.N), Comcast and Netflix to wonder what other goodies lie in video game companies. Follow @olivertaslic on TwitterCONTEXT NEWS“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”, an animated film co-financed by Nintendo and Universal Pictures, was released in North America on April 5.

☆ “Angry Birds” may finally have found right nest
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, April 17 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The winning trick of “Angry Birds” is to fire your slingshot at just the right angle to knock out the squadrons of enemy green pigs attempting to steal the birds’ eggs. Japanese gaming company Sega Sammy (6460.T) may have found that position. On Monday, Sega agreed to pay about 700 million euros in cash for Rovio Entertainment (ROVIO.HE), the maker of the “Angry Birds” franchise. The 9.25 offer price is a 63% premium to the closing price of Jan. 19, when rival suitor Playtika (8II.F)made a previous approach. Half the investors have preliminarily accepted the deal, and Rovio shares are near the offer price.

Xbox Game Pass vs. PlayStation Plus: GamesHorizon: Forbidden West is the latest high-profile game to hit PlayStation Plus. Horizon Forbidden West / SonyThe main selling points of Game Pass and PlayStation Plus are their Netflix-style libraries of downloadable games. That said, there are a handful of Game Pass titles that are only available on console or PC, not both. Game Pass members get a 10% discount when buying games that are already on Game Pass, so you can always get a deal before a game leaves the service entirely. That 10% discount also applies to downloadable content and add-ons for Game Pass games, which aren't always included with the base version.

REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniNEW YORK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The rights to stream "South Park," the popular animated comedy featuring foul-mouthed children, is the subject of a new lawsuit where Warner Bros Discovery Inc is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages from Paramount Global (PARA.O). The complaint said the defendants cemented their apostasy in August 2021 when Paramount's MTV unit announced an agreement to stream new "South Park" content on Paramount+, through season 30 in 2027. Warner said it now expects to receive only 14 of the 30 new "South Park" episodes it had been promised, including two "Pandemic Specials" that Paramount claims constitute season 24. The defendants also include MTV and South Park Digital Studios, a joint venture between Paramount, Parker and Stone. "South Park" was launched in August 1997 on Comedy Central, owned by Paramount.

☆ This Binance-backed Web3 gaming startup just raised $5 million. Check out the 13-slide pitch deck Unagi used to raise the seed round.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

French blockchain gaming company Unagi has raised $5 million in seed funding. French blockchain gaming startup Unagi has raised $5 million in seed funding as it looks to expand its offering. "It's been an interesting time with a lot of struggles for us as we arrived after the peak of the market," Guillemot, Unagi cofounder, told Insider. The $5 million fundraise was led by early-stage VC and game developer, Sisu Game Ventures. This latest fundraise, which follows a recent $4.3 million fundraise with Binance Labs, doubles the company's valuation to $37.2 million, Unagi said.

☆ Assassin's Creed maker Ubisoft reports Q3 net bookings in line with forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 16 (Reuters) - French video game producer Ubisoft (UBIP.PA) reported on Thursday net bookings of 726.9 million euros ($776.2 million) in its third quarter to the end of December, in line with its forecast. That was a drop of 2.6% year-on-year, however, with Ubisoft citing the impact of the macro-economic environment on the video game market and the company's performance. The gaming market is set to fall 4.3% in 2022, according to estimates from gaming market research firm Newzoo. The company stuck to January's guidance for an operating loss of around 500 million euros in its 2022-23 year. Ubisoft said its line-up for the next fiscal year would include Skull & Bones - first revealed in 2017 - Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.

☆ Ubisoft vows to get back to operating margin above 20% in medium term
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Enrico Sciacovelli | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 16 (Reuters) - French video game producer Ubisoft (UBIP.PA) said it would reach operating margin above 20% in the medium term, as it aims to shift its focus to major franchises and "long-lasting" live service games. "We anticipate that in the coming years, behind a very rich lineup, we progressively get back to above 20% operating margin in the medium term," Chief Financial Officer Frederick Duguet said in a call with analysts. Last year Ubisoft achieved an operating margin of 19.1%, compared to a 21.1% in 2020-21, as the pandemic kept people home and boosted sales. The company stuck to January's forecast for an operating loss of around 500 million euros in its 2022-23 year. That was a drop of 2.6% year-on-year, however, with Ubisoft citing the impact of the macro-economic environment on the video game market and the company's performance.

The video game industry also flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic as people increasingly turned to digital entertainment during lockdowns. However, video game music has not always hit all the right notes to be specifically recognized at the Grammys. But game music is breaking ground through technological innovation and new avenues for consumers to experience it. This includes live immersive video game concerts, video game scores across platforms like YouTube,Twitch, TikTok and Fortnite, remixes and collaborations, augmented and virtual reality and even eye-tracking technology. Collaborating with game developers and audio teams informs his ability to write music that can be smoothly integrated into a video game.

☆ Analysts like this indie video game developer — with one bank saying it could soar over 200%
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Indie video game developer tinyBuild 's stock is set to go up by more than 200%, according to investment bank Berenberg. The analysts said the 2023 outlook for the London-listed company looked "very encouraging" following its record fourth-quarter earnings Monday. The consensus price target of six analysts covering the stock indicates a potential upside of over 70%, according to FactSet data. However, the Berenberg analysts think tinyBuild will likely deliver full-year earnings "firmly" within the consensus estimate of between $23 million and $26 million for 2022. Over the past two years, a lack of blockbuster titles has also meant there is pent-up demand for new games.

☆ Gaming’s winter of discontent bolsters M&A logic
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The holiday quarter is traditionally a bumper one for gaming groups, as punters stay home to play. As consumers and companies focus on “mega-brands”, smaller firms will struggle to attract staff, and match investment. Sony, for example, will need to bulk up in response to Microsoft’s (MSFT.O) $69 billion swoop on Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O). However, in a tougher environment, Guillemot will need to find some way to keep his hand on the joystick. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Ubisoft shares slump 20% after French video game maker warns on revenue
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Dominique Vidalon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Shares in Ubisoft (UBIP.PA) fell 20% on Thursday after the French video game maker warned on revenue and postponed the release of its game "Skull and Bones", prompting analysts to cut their estimates and price targets. Late on Wednesday, Ubisoft said that it was increasing its writedown estimate to 500 million euros ($538 million) from 400 million and cutting its full-year revenue target after ending 2022 with weaker-than-expected sales. Several analysts noted that another negative factor was a shift in the video game industry towards mega-brands and away from small and mid-tier games. They reiterated their "market perform" rating on Ubisoft and cut their price target to 22 euros from 34 euros. Reporting by Dominique Vidalon, Pitr Lipinski; editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten and Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Assassin's Creed maker Ubisoft sinks to more than seven-year low after slashing guidance, cancelling games
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The stock has since pared losses slightly and was last trading at around 20 euros, down 16% from the Wednesday close. In a trading update on Wednesday, Ubisoft lowered net bookings guidance for the third quarter of 2022 to 725 million euros, down from an earlier target of 830 million euros. The company forecast full-year net bookings would likely fall 10% after an earlier projection called for an increase of 10%. Ubisoft said Wednesday that it would depreciate around 500 million euros of capitalized research and development and narrow its focus to fewer titles. The company hopes to cut costs by about 200 million euros through a mix of targeted restructuring, divestment of "non-core" assets, and employee attrition.

☆ Ubisoft shares plunge after firm cuts full-year revenue forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailUbisoft shares plunge after firm cuts full-year revenue forecastCNBC's Charlotte Reed reports on Ubisoft's share price action Thursday. The French video game maker saw its shares tumble 21% after slashing its net bookings guidance for 2022.

☆ French video game maker Ubisoft increases writedowns and lowers targets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Mathieu Rosemain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Plans 200 million-euro cost cuts, staff reductionCuts quarterly, full-year sales targetsPARIS, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Ubisoft (UBIP.PA) is increasing its writedown estimate to 500 million euros ($538 million) and cutting its full-year revenue target after ending 2022 with weaker-than-expected sales, the French video game maker said on Wednesday. Ubisoft cited the deteriorating economy, marked by lower spending on non-essential goods, to explain the acceleration of the depreciation, previously targeted at 400 million euros. Duguet declined to elaborate on the size of the staff reduction, which will be made through attrition, the company said. Net bookings in the third quarter are now expected at 725 million euros, down from a previous estimate of 830 million euros. Ubisoft said it was targeting operating income of around 400 million euros for fiscal 2023-2024, after taking into account the less favourable economic environment.

☆ Ubisoft cancels three games and slashes targets, citing 'worsening macroeconomic conditions'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Tencent has increased its stake in French games maker Ubisoft, the company behind popular franchises like Assassin's Creed. Ubisoft canceled three unannounced games and slashed its full-year financial targets Wednesday, blaming "worsening macroeconomic conditions" that have plagued the video game industry. The French game publisher said it expects 2022 net bookings to come in at 725 million euros ($779.4 million), lower than an earlier target of 830 million euros. For the full year, Ubisoft said it expects its 2022 net bookings to fall 10%. Tencent invested 300 million euros in Guillemot Brothers Limited, taking a 49.9% stake in the family investment firm that owns 15% of Ubisoft.

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