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☆ AMD shares fall as forecast fails to impress despite strong AI growth
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

AMD shares are up about 20% so far in 2024, although rivals such as Nvidia and Broadcom have had much greater gains during the same period, driven by the increasing demand for AI chips. AMD is the second-largest vendor of data center graphics processing units, or GPUs, which are used to train and deploy large generative AI models. AMD's AI chips are reported in its data center segment, which more than doubled on an annual basis to $3.5 billion in total sales. Overall data center revenue was up 122% year over year. AMD's gross margin expanded to 54%, which the company said was because of higher data center revenue.

Persons: Lisa Su, Su Organizations: Devices, AMD, Nvidia, Broadcom, Microsoft, Windows, Sony PlayStation

The last time we saw the PS5 Slim reduced to this price was in early August, and early June before that. The PS5 Slim (with disc drive) has been available for less in the past from third-party vendors, but we can't verify their reliability. The best Amazon Prime Day PS5 dealsSony PS5 Slim $449.00 $499.00 Save 10% The PS5 is one of the best consoles thanks to its powerful hardware, exclusives, and 4K Blu-ray drive. The only difference between the PS5 Slim with or without a disc drive is, indeed, the disc drive. That said, you can buy an external disc drive for the PS5 Slim Digital Edition to add disc functionality.

Persons: Slim Organizations: Business, Sony PlayStation, Amazon, Deal, NBA, PS5, Sony, Slim Locations: Amazon

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow Sony Playstation became the world's best-selling game consoleSony's PlayStation has won over the loyalty of millions of gamers worldwide, and industry experts cite its video game content library as one of the primary reasons why. Sony Interactive Entertainment is just one player in the $280+ billion gaming industry, but its PlayStation 2 hold's the industry's title for best-selling console ever. Watch the video to see how Sony built its gaming empire.

Organizations: Sony, Sony Interactive Entertainment

☆ How Sony's PlayStation has rivaled Microsoft and Nintendo in the console wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Ryan Baker | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's been three decades since the Sony PlayStation first brought to life some of the video game industry's most beloved franchises. The gaming console expanded into the U.S. a year later in 1995. "We went into markets where video gaming had never really been a thing. Most recently, Microsoft's $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition presented a major threat to Sony's long-standing gaming business. Watch the video to learn more about the story of Sony's PlayStation and to hear what is next for the company.

Persons: It's, Jim Ryan, Ryan, Shawn Layden, Layden, Carolina Milanesi Organizations: Sony PlayStation, Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation, Nintendo, Sega, Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide, Sony Music, Sony Electronics, Activision Blizzard, Activision, Microsoft, Sony Locations: Japan, U.S, Europe, Italy, Spain

☆ Millennials having fewer kids could be a drag on the economy for the next decade
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

At the current trajectory, that's set to weigh on the economy for the next decade or more. AdvertisementMillennials aren't having as many kids as previous generations, and that fact could end up dragging down economic growth for more than a decade. "What you're talking about is these birth rates dropping very, very low levels, which over the course of time has huge impacts on the economy," Pomeroy said. The impact of millennials having fewer kids will likely be worse than the impact of aging boomers — and the most dire consequences could come 10-15 years from now, Pomeroy estimated. The most important thing to encourage people to have more kids might be a cultural shift in how we talk about children, Buchholz says.

Persons: Millennials, —, James Pomeroy, Pomeroy, Todd Buchholz, …, boomers, Buchholz, That's, DINK, " Buchholz, it's Organizations: Service, Centers for Disease Control, White House, Medicare, Social Security, CNBC, Sony PlayStation Locations: China, Japan, Russia

☆ Microsoft will bring four Xbox games to other companies' consoles
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Phil Spencer, CEO of gaming at Microsoft, speaks during the company's Xbox event ahead of the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on June 10, 2018. Microsoft said on Thursday that it will release four of its video games on competing consoles. Microsoft completed the acquisition of prominent video game publisher Activision Blizzard for over $75 billion in October. Many Xbox fans expressed frustration on social media, speculating that Microsoft will give up trying to keep exclusive games on its console in the future. Earlier this week, The Verge reported that games such as Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment and Sea of Thieves would be coming to non-Microsoft consoles.

Persons: Phil Spencer, Spencer, Indiana Jones, We've Organizations: Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo, Indiana, Xbox, PlayStation, Bethesda Softworks, ZeniMax Media Locations: Los Angeles, Bethesda, Pentiment

☆ AMD shares fall as first-quarter forecast comes in light
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

AMD reported fourth-quarter earnings on Tuesday that were in line with analyst expectations, while the company's revenue beat estimates, but AMD offered a first-quarter forecast that fell short of expectations. It said that its data center revenue would be flat as server chip declines would be offset by AI GPU sales. Net income in the fourth quarter was $667 million, or $0.41 per share, versus $21 million, or $0.01 per share a year ago. AMD gave a positive update on its AI chips sales. Data center, which includes server CPUs and AI chips, rose 38% on an annual basis to $2.28 billion in sales.

Persons: Lisa Su, It's Organizations: AMD, Nvidia, Data Center, Microsoft Xbox, Sony Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S

☆ These 11 Videogames Make Working Out Actually Fun
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Sam Sanders | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

GAME ON In ‘Beat Saber,’ your hands become lightsabers that you use to slash neon arrows as they fly towards you in rhythm with popular music. Photo: Beat GamesWE OFTEN ASSOCIATE videogames with lethargy—a group of snackers sitting around a screen. Enter: so-called “Exergames,” a portmanteau of “exercise games,” which make movement part of the play, so that even working out can be fun. Some titles of the genre can be played on your phone, great for novice gamers who aren’t ready to invest in a gaming console. The best, however, usually require controllers that can track motion—as with the Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation 5.

Persons: — Organizations: European, of Investigation, Health, Education, Nintendo, Sony PlayStation

☆ 12 Video Games Releasing This Fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Jason M. Bailey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It has been such a fruitful year for video games that you couldn’t blame someone for wanting a light fall lineup to finish titles like Tears of the Kingdom and Baldur’s Gate 3. For better or worse, this season is stacked with AAA releases, long-awaited sequels and promising independent games. (Some games will be available before their official launch dates because of early-access programs.) (Sept. 19; PC, Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox Series X|S)LIES OF P This is not Disney’s Pinocchio. (Sept. 19; PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)

Persons: Johnny Cage, Belle Organizations: AAA, Nintendo, Sony PlayStation, Microsoft, Xbox

Through September 4, select Sony 4K TVs are $150 off when bundled with a PlayStation 5. It's an excellent deal for shoppers looking for both a quality TV and powerful gaming console. For even more savings on new displays and gaming gear, check out our roundups of the best TV deals and best PS5 deals. Save $150 with these limited-time Sony TV and PS5 bundle dealsEach Sony 4K TV below qualifies for a $150 discount when purchased with a PS5 console. Sony A80L OLED 4K TV with PS5 consoleAmazon83-inch77-inch65-inch55-inchSony X90L LED 4K TV with PS5 consoleAmazon85-inch75-inch65-inch55-inchSony X93L Mini LED 4K TV with PS5 consoleAmazon85-inch75-inch65-inchSony PlayStation 5Sony

Persons: we've Organizations: Sony

☆ ‘Gran Turismo’ Review: From Game Controller to Steering Wheel
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Kyle Smith | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Archie Madekwe Photo: Sony PicturesThe auto-racing drama “Gran Turismo,” based on the Sony PlayStation game and released by Sony’s Columbia Pictures, makes much of a concept I’d never heard before: “to podium.” It means to finish in the top three, and according to a crusty coach, only those “who podium” get to celebrate with champagne. Does the team that finishes second in the World Series dive into the Veuve Clicquot? Previous to this picture, finishing second or lower was commonly known as “losing,” but I suspect “Gran Turismo” is signaling modest ambitions both for its protagonist and itself: It would be content to be dubbed the third-best sports-underdog movie of the year.

Persons: Archie Madekwe Organizations: Sony, Turismo, Sony PlayStation, Sony’s Columbia Pictures

☆ Sony shares slide after earnings highlight concern about games, sensors
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Sam Nussey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Operating profit slid 31% and comments by Sony executives over demand for its games and image sensors units also sparked concern. Despite an easing of those snarls, Sony said sales of were below expectations in the April-June quarter. It is targeting sales of 25 million units for the full year. Sony sold 3.3 million PS5 units in quarter. Adjustment to procurement by smartphone manufacturers is having a large impact in the second quarter, Sony said.

Persons: Issei Kato, Serkan Toto, Atul Goyal, Sam Nussey, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Sony PlayStation, REUTERS, Sony, PlayStation, Kantan, Jefferies, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Sony shares slide after weak Q1
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

FILE PHOTO-An employee of the consumer electronics retailer chain Bic Camera works at the promotion display for the Sony PlayStation 5 game console and its gaming softwares in Tokyo, Japan, November 10, 2020. Picture taken November 10, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File PhotoTOKYO, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Shares in Japan's Sony (6758.T) fell 6% in early trading in Tokyo after the entertainment conglomerate reported a 31% slide in operating profit in the April-June quarter due to lacklustre performance at its movies and financial divisions. Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Issei Kato, Sam Nussey, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Sony PlayStation, REUTERS, Sony, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Sony Q1 profit tumbles as movie business disappoints
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Sam Nussey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Issei Kato/File PhotoTOKYO, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Japan's Sony (6758.T) on Wednesday said first-quarter profit tumbled due to weaker performances from its movies and financial businesses. In April-June, operating profit slid 31% to 253 billion yen ($1.8 billion), in line with estimates. Profit at its movies division plunged by two-thirds due to lower sales for television content as well as higher marketing costs after the company released more films in theatres. Once a consumer electronics giant, the conglomerate has transformed itself to focus more on entertainment, developing movies, music and games. Sony has said it expects to sell 25 million PlayStation 5 consoles this financial year, in what would be a record for a PlayStation device, following the easing of supply chain snarls.

Persons: Issei Kato, Zelda, Sam Nussey, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Sony PlayStation, REUTERS, Sony, Nintendo, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Sony PlayStation 5 console sales pass 40 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Sam Nussey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, July 27 (Reuters) - Sony Group Corp (6758.T) has sold more than 40 million PlayStation 5 consoles, its gaming division said on Thursday, citing the easing of supply chain problems. "It took months for supply chains to normalise so we could have the inventory to keep up with demand," Sony Interactive CEO Jim Ryan wrote in a blog post. "Now PS5 supply is well-stocked and we are seeing that pent up demand finally being met." The Japanese tech and entertainment conglomerate has said it expects to sell 25 million PS5 units this year, which would be a record for any PlayStation device. Sony's latest console is closing the gap with the PS4 console, said Piers Harding-Rolls, analyst at Ampere Analysis.

Persons: Jim Ryan, Piers Harding, Sam Nussey, David Goodman Organizations: Sony Group Corp, Sony Interactive, Ampere Analysis, Thomson Locations: TOKYO

☆ Call of Duty to remain on Playstation following Activision Blizzard Microsoft merger
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Microsoft (MSFT) has signed an agreement with Sony (SNE) to ensure “Call of Duty” remains available on PlayStation after Microsoft (MSFT) closes its $69 billion Activision Blizzard (ATVI) merger, the tech giant said Sunday. The agreement could resolve long-standing complaints by Sony that the merger — which aims to make Microsoft the third-largest video game publisher in the world — threatens competition. “We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and @PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard,” said Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s Xbox head, in a tweet. On Sunday, Microsoft did not disclose the duration of the agreement with Sony. Last week, Microsoft won two successive court victories when a federal district court and a US appeals court declined to temporarily block the merger from being consummated.

Persons: Sony didn’t, ”, Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s, we’ve, Brad Smith, Satya Nadella, Jacqueline Scott Corley, “ Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, Sony, PlayStation, Activision, Activision Blizzard, ” Sony, Nintendo, Nvidia, “, Sony PlayStation, Federal Trade Commission

Game enthusiasts and industry personnel walk between the Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation exhibits at the E3 trade show on June 16, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Sony has signed a binding agreement with Microsoft to keep Call of Duty on its PlayStation gaming consoles after closing the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft said on Sunday. "We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard," Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said on Twitter Sunday. Regulators around the world had expressed significant concern about Microsoft's power over the gaming market if an Activision acquisition was approved. The deal does something to ameliorate those concerns, although Microsoft and Sony aren't disclosing the duration of the agreement.

Persons: Activision Blizzard, Phil Spencer, Jim Ryan, Ryan, Brad Smith, divestitures Organizations: Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Sony, Microsoft, PlayStation, Activision Blizzard, Activision, Twitter, Regulators, Sony's PlayStation, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, EU, Markets Authority Locations: Los Angeles , California, San Francisco federal

☆ FTC to appeal Microsoft's deal to buy Activision Blizzard in merger agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday it would appeal a decision from earlier this week by a district court judge allowing Microsoft to close its $69 billion Activision Blizzard merger. The FTC had asked for a preliminary injunction while a separate legal challenge to the merger unfolds in the agency’s in-house administrative court. Tuesday’s decision paved the way for Microsoft to potentially finalize the deal with Activision in a matter of days, ahead of a July 18 contractual deadline. Alternatively, the companies could mutually seek to extend that timeframe. Consummating the deal would turn Microsoft into the third largest video game publisher in the world, after Tencent and Sony.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, “ Organizations: CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, FTC, Activision, Tencent, Sony, Sony PlayStation

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge ruled on Tuesday that Microsoft may go forward with its planned acquisition of videogame maker Activision Blizzard, turning aside antitrust enforcers' request for a preliminary injunction to temporarily stop the $69 billion deal. The FTC had originally asked the judge to stop the proposed deal, arguing it would give Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), maker of the Xbox gaming console, exclusive access to Activision (ATVI.O) games including the best-selling "Call of Duty." The deal would be the largest for Microsoft and the biggest in the history of the videogame business. The FTC's complaint had cited concerns about loss of competition in console gaming, as well as subscriptions and cloud gaming. And while much of the testimony in the recent trial focused on "Call of Duty," Activision produces other bestsellers like "World of Warcraft," "Diablo" and the mobile game "Candy Crush Saga."

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Douglas Farrar, we'll, Brad Smith, Bobby Kotick, Satya Nadella, Diane Bartz, Caitlin Webber Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, Britain's, Markets Authority, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Microsoft Corp, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo, Sony Group, Activision Blizzard, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: U.S, San Francisco

☆ Microsoft can close its Activision merger, federal judge rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A federal judge will not block Microsoft (MSFT) from closing its $69 billion deal to acquire video game giant Activision Blizzard, a defeat for US regulators who had asked for a temporary injunction while legal challenges to the merger unfold. Microsoft could potentially finalize the deal with Activision in a matter of days, ahead of a July 18 contractual deadline, or the parties could mutually seek to extend that timeframe. During a five-day hearing last month in federal court, Microsoft executives including CEO Satya Nadella testified that properties such as “Call of Duty” would not be restricted from competitors following the deal’s close. UK officials also previously moved to block the Activision merger in April, citing some of the same concerns the FTC raised in its case and triggering an appeal from Microsoft. “Microsoft and Activision have agreed with the CMA that a stay of the litigation in the UK would be in the public interest and the parties have made a joint submission … to this effect.”

Persons: ”, “, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Satya Nadella, Tuesday’s, Microsoft’s, “ We’re, Brad Smith, we’ve, Bobby Kotick, Meta’s, ” Douglas Farrar, we’ll, ” Smith Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, Activision, US, Court, Northern, Northern District of, Sony PlayStation, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Regulators, Nvidia, Nintendo, “, PlayStation, Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Markets, CMA Locations: Northern District, Northern District of California, ”, San Francisco

Activision shares surged 10% on the day, as the U.S. and Britain have been the two countries opposed to what would be Microsoft's biggest deal ever and the largest transaction in the videogame industry's history. Microsoft shares rose 64 cents to $332.47. Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. "It does seem like the Microsoft and the CMA could work out a deal within the next couple of weeks," said D.A. The FTC's complaint had cited concerns about loss of competition in console gaming, as well as subscriptions and cloud gaming.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, ”, Joost Van Dreunen, University's, Corley, Douglas Farrar, we'll, Dado Ruvic, Biden, Brad Smith, Franco Granda, Satya Nadella, Diane Bartz, David Shepardson, Jaspreet Singh, Aditya Soni, Chris Sanders, Caitlin Webber, Matthew Lewis David Gregorio, Muralikumar Organizations: Activision, Microsoft, Biden, U.S, Markets Authority, University's Stern School of Business, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Nintendo, Sony Group, FTC, Sony PlayStation, REUTERS, FOCUS Gaming, CMA, Davidson &, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, British, Britain, San Francisco, New, Washington, Bengaluru

☆ The biggest takeaways from Microsoft's courtroom showdown with the FTC over Activision Blizzard
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +21 min

The impulse to expand Microsoft's gaming business on mobile devices at least in part inspired the Activision acquisition. The impulse to expand Microsoft's gaming business on mobile devices at least in part inspired the Activision acquisition. Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, wasn't happy with a Microsoft-generated list of Activision Blizzard games that would remain accessible on the PlayStation after the acquisition closes. Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, wasn't happy with a Microsoft-generated list of Activision Blizzard games that would remain accessible on the PlayStation after the acquisition closes. Activision Blizzard and Microsoft have agreed to terminate the deal if it's not done by July 18.

Persons: Satya Nadella, Phil Spencer, Spencer, James Weingarten, Weingarten, Jim Ryan, Sony, Ryan, Amy Hood, Bobby Kotick, Sarah Bond, Kotick, Amazon Weingarten, Bond, Tim Stuart, Nadella, Bernstein, Mark Moerdler, Hood, Stuart, it's, Jacqueline Scott Corley, she'll Organizations: Northern, Northern District of, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Sony, PlayStation, Mobile, Activision, Xbox, Zynga, Sega Sammy, Nintendo, Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Management, Sony Group, Amazon, Microsoft's Xbox, Bernstein Research, Symantec, Sony PlayStation Locations: U.S, Northern District, Northern District of California, San Francisco, cybersecurity, United Kingdom, FarmVille, Asia, Japan, Tokyo

The Federal Trade Commission on Monday applied for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction seeking to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard before the deal's July 18 deadline. If the deal falls apart, Microsoft might wind up owing Activision Blizzard a termination fee worth up to $3 billion. The FTC sued to block the acquisition in December 2022, choosing to bring the case before its internal administrative law judge. A hearing on the FTC's case will begin on Aug. 2, the agency said in Monday's filing. Regulators had originally felt that Microsoft might be able to prevent other companies from distributing Activision Blizzard games on other consoles other than Microsoft's Xbox.

Persons: Satya Nadella, it's, Brad Smith, Bobby Kotick, Smith, Jeremy Hunt, Jim Ryan, Lulu Cheng Meservey Organizations: Microsoft Corp, Bloomberg, Economic, Federal Trade Commission, Activision Blizzard, CNBC, FTC, Microsoft, Activision, Sony, Xbox, Competition, Markets Authority, Regulators, Sony PlayStation, Sony Interactive Locations: Davos, Switzerland, U.S

☆ E.U. Approves Microsoft’s $69 Billion Deal for Activision
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Adam Satariano | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

American and British regulators said Microsoft’s purchase of Activision would undercut this still-developing sector of the gaming industry before it had a chance to bloom. After negotiating the concessions with Microsoft, European Union officials said they concluded that the deal could go through, particularly because the cloud gaming market is still so small. In the European Union, PlayStation has a much larger market share than Xbox. Authorities also noted that Microsoft and Activision have a relatively small market share for mobile games, which accounts for about half of the overall video game market in European Union. The approval is a rare occasion where European regulators appear to be more accommodating to the tech industry than the United States.

☆ AMD revenue drops 9% as PC chip sales decline sharply
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

AMD reported first-quarter results on Tuesday that showed revenue dropping 9% on an annual basis. While earnings and sales beat Wall Street expectations, AMD's guidance for the current quarter was light and shares dropped over 3% in extended trading. AMD reported $739 million in sales in the category, a 65% decrease from $2.1 billion in sales during the same period last year. AMD management also said that the category is likely to grow in the current quarter. Last week, Intel, AMD's primary competitor in the PC and server chip markets, reported that its overall sales dropped 36%.

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