DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (TTWO.O) on Wednesday rounded off a strong March quarter for the sector that saw its three major players post net bookings growth of between 11% and 66%. The company said "NBA 2K23", "Grand Theft Auto V" and "Grand Theft Auto Online" were some of the top contributors to its net bookings growth in the reported quarter. The company forecast net bookings of more than $8 billion for next year, which was above analysts' estimates. "It (the GTA VI release) would be a watershed moment for the category of open-world games," said MoffettNathanson analyst Clay Griffin. "Tens and tens of millions of units would be sold immediately, and a new or completely refreshed GTA: Online would redefine what a modern 'metaverse' really looks like."

Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) constituent Cisco Systems Inc's (CSCO.O) shares fell 4.3% in premarket trading after it said a large backlog of products weighed on demand for new orders from customers. Shares of Walmart Inc (WMT.N) rose 1.7% after the retailer raised its annual sales and profit targets, befitting from inflation-wary consumers trading down to cheaper groceries. ET, Dow e-minis were down 31 points, or 0.09%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 1.75 points, or 0.04%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 15 points, or 0.11%. Bath & Body Works Inc (BBWI.N) gained 13% after the beauty and skincare firm raised its annual profit forecast. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he welcomed and expected more investment from global chipmakers in the country.

☆ Take-Two stocks soars 13% after earnings come in mixed but guidance hints Grand Theft Auto 6 will be released in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Take-Two Interactive soared 13% on Thursday after the company offered strong guidance that suggests a 2024 release for Grand Theft Auto 6. While the company expects its fiscal 2024 net booking to be as much as $5.55 billion, it expects its fiscal 2025 net bookings to surge to more than $8 billion. Take-Two's fiscal 2024 year is in calendar-year 2023, while its fiscal 2025 year is in calendar-year 2024. Take-Two's Grand Theft Auto series has been wildly successful, with the 2013 release of Grand Theft Auto 5 driving lifetime unit sales of 180 million. Investors got a taste of what Grand Theft Auto 6 could look like after a massive data leak in September 2022 led to gameplay videos being posted online.

☆ Take-Two gains on gaming demand rebound, title delivery forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Tiyashi Datta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The company also said it expects to deliver 36 video game titles through 2025 and 2026, and forecast $8 billion in 2025 net bookings and over $1 billion in operating cash flow. Take-Two, however, did not make any announcements about its highly anticipated title "Grand Theft Auto VI". Its fourth-quarter adjusted sales grew 65% to $1.39 billion, compared with Wall Street's estimate of $1.34 billion, according to Refinitiv data. During an earnings call with analysts, Chief Executive Strauss Zelnick said Take-Two was assuming a continuation of the current challenging consumer backdrop within its forecast. Its annual adjusted revenue forecast between $5.45 billion and $5.55 billion came below Street's estimate of $6.07 billion.

☆ Take-Two beats adjusted sales estimates on higher gaming demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 17 (Reuters) - Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (TTWO.O) on Wednesday beat Wall Street estimates for fourth-quarter adjusted sales on strong demand for legacy titles "NBA 2K" and "Grand Theft Auto", sending the video game maker's shares up over 7% after the bell. Take-Two has established itself as one of the dominant players in the U.S. with strong sales from its successful video game franchises and a solid pipeline including titles "Grand Theft Auto VI" and "Star Wars Hunters". Fourth-quarter adjusted sales grew 65% to $1.39 billion, compared with Wall Street's estimate of $1.34 billion, according to Refinitiv data. However, its annual adjusted revenue forecast between $5.45 billion and $5.55 billion came below Street's estimate of $6.07 billion. Reporting by Tiyashi Datta and Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ YouTube recommended videos about guns, school shootings, and serial killers to researchers simulating accounts of young boys
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Aaron Mcdade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A new study on YouTube's recommendation algorithm found it pushed violent videos to children. Researchers from the Tech Transparency Project created four accounts for fictional nine and 14-year-olds. Accounts that watched recommended videos received hundreds more violent videos than the ones that didn't. For the following month, researchers tracked hundreds of videos recommended daily to the fictional children on YouTube's homepage. One of each pair of the accounts chose to watch at least 50 of the recommended videos, while the other accounts did not interact with the violent recommendations.

☆ Inside Mark Zuckerberg's new ambitions for metaverse gaming, an area likely 'safe' from layoffs coming this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Gaming in Reality Labs is now seen as "safe" for workers as new layoffs begin. Gaming within Meta's Reality Labs division is getting more attention and resources as the company continues to reorganize during what Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg dubbed the "Year of Efficiency." Increased focus on gaming from Reality Labs is a shift for Zuckerberg. Besides gaming, Zuckerberg and Bosworth have publicly commented on the importance of AI at the company, with the metaverse taking a backseat. Meta now recognizes internally that traditional gaming is the most likely path to gaining financial ground with Reality Labs, one of the people familiar noted.

☆ New data shows car thefts are on the rise — here's how auto insurance can help
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Elizabeth Gravier | Jason Stauffer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

The NICB recommends drivers check to make sure their car insurance policy is up to date, but don't assume that your policy will cover your stolen car. You'll need comprehensive coverage to cover theftWith the exception of New Hampshire and Virginia, every state requires you to have a car insurance policy to drive. One of CNBC Select's top picks, Farmers Insurance, makes coverage cheaper with 22 discounts on car insurance. Take steps to prevent auto theftEven if you do have comprehensive coverage, having your car stolen isn't ideal. While you can take steps to prevent car theft, you'll need to have comprehensive coverage if you want theft to be covered.

☆ AI-generated audio of Joe Biden and Donald Trump trashtalking while gaming is taking over TikTok
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Allegra Rosenberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

On TikTok, faked audio created by AI of Joe Biden and Donald Trump gaming has become a hit meme. But the ease with voice AI can be used for jokes also shows how easy it is to fake convincing quotes. The Biden Cinematic UniverseOn the @bidenandfriends TikTok account, "Sleepy Joe" plays Minecraft and other video games with his best (and worst) buddies. Other political and celebrity figures pop up in various installments, but the core trio of Trump, Biden, and Obama seems to persist across the lore. "I remember when people thought AI would kill us all, but this is how we use it," commented one TikTok user.

☆ Jim Cramer says Activision Blizzard is a buy, but wait on Take-Two Interactive
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In this article ATVITTWO Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTwatch nowCNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday said Activision Blizzard is better positioned in the short term than rival Take-Two Interactive. Activision BlizzardLoading chart..."I think Activision Blizzard is on fire right here. I almost hope the Microsoft merger falls apart as soon as possible, so that you'll get a better buying opportunity," he said. Shares of Take-Two Interactive rose about 7.9% Tuesday, making a comeback after falling Monday on a quarterly revenue miss. Cramer noted that the company's warning of shifting consumer behavior due to tough macroeconomic conditions was worrisome.

☆ Tech CEOs screwed up, and it's time to hold them accountable
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Matt Weinberger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I'm Matt Weinberger, deputy editor of Insider's tech analysis team, filling in for Diamond Naga Siu. Is it time for CEOs to start losing their jobs? Ed Zitron argues for Insider that the thousands of tech workers who lost their jobs in recent months are actually just taking the fall for the real problem in Silicon Valley — CEOs who aren't up to the task of leadership. He praised the CEOs of Apple and Intel for recently taking pay cuts as their companies hit tougher times. Late Friday afternoon, a federal jury officially ruled that the Tesla CEO's infamous "funding secured" tweet didn't harm shareholders, making him not liable for damages.

☆ China’s video game makers come in from the cold as crackdown eases
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] The Tencent Games logo is seen on its game on a mobile phone in this illustration picture taken August 3, 2021. "We believe the approvals indicate a more benign regulatory environment for the China gaming industry," JP Morgan analysts wrote in a note on Wednesday. "With rich game supply, we are more positive on overall online game market growth during Chinese New Year, a traditional strong season for the China online game market." Whether the gaming market can return to form also depends on the recovery of the Chinese economy, which has been thumped by a surge in COVID infections. However, data shows China’s total gamer population remains stable, slipping just 0.33% in 2022 from 2021 to 664 million.

☆ Roblox shares sink after November update shows slowing growth
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Sofia Pitt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of Roblox were down 16% on Thursday after the gaming company released a November business update that showed slowing growth and a decline in how much it earns from its daily users. The company said estimated bookings were between $222 million and $225 million for the month. But, in November 2021, Roblox said estimated bookings during the same period grew 22% to 24% year over year. Roblox's average bookings per daily active user were between $3.92 and $3.97, down 7% to 9% from a year ago. Overall daily active users rose 15% from November 2021 to 56.7 million users but, last year, the company reported 35% growth.

☆ Crocs, Gatorade Fit, and Walmart-branded cream cheese are among the fastest-growing brands of 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Morning Consult compiled a list of the fastest-growing brands of 2022. The top three brands included Meta, Crocs, and Beats by Dre. Morning Consult's report ranks the fastest-growing brands of 2022. Consumers were also more willing in 2021 to try new brands, Moquin said. Different age groups had different favorite brands.

☆ Take-Two slumps as forecast cut deepens videogame industry gloom
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (TTWO.O) lowered its annual sales forecast on Monday, the latest videogame publisher to be hit by this year's dollar spike and a broader gaming industry slump. Take-Two, whose shares fell nearly 17% in extended trading, now expects full-year adjusted sales between $5.4 billion and $5.5 billion. Its prior view was $5.8 billion to $5.9 billion. Overall spending on mobile games is estimated to decline 2.3% in 2022, according to data analytics firm Sensor Tower, after a surge during the pandemic. Some of the pressure is expected to be offset by strong sales of "NBA 2K23" - the latest installment in Take-Two's popular basketball series.

☆ Take-Two deepens videogame industry gloom with forecast cut
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (TTWO.O) cut its annual sales forecast on Monday, the latest videogame publisher to be hit by this year's dollar spike and a broader gaming industry slump. Take-Two, whose shares fell nearly 15% in extended trading, now expects full-year adjusted sales between $5.4 billion and $5.5 billion. For the second quarter ended Sept. 30, Take-Two reported adjusted sales of $1.5 billion. The company's quarterly performance was supported by "NBA 2K23" - the latest game in Take-Two's popular basketball series - which has enjoyed solid demand since its early September launch. Reporting by Tiyashi Datta and Aditya Soni in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Take-Two stock tumbles after it cuts outlook
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Take-Two stock dropped more than 15% in extended trading on Monday after the company reported fiscal second-quarter 2023 results. It said its outlook in the current quarter and for fiscal 2023 would be lower than previously expected. Take-Two's net bookings primarily includes digital game sales or sales to wholesalers, as well as licensing fees and merchandise. "Our reduced forecast reflects shifts in our pipeline, fluctuations in FX rates, and a more cautious view of the current macroeconomic backdrop, particularly in mobile," Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said in a statement. Take-Two also owns mobile giant Zynga, known for "Words with Friends," after purchasing it for $12.7 billion earlier this year.

☆ 19-year-old who makes $10,000 a month from his video game side hustle: 'I never knew that writing could make me' so much money
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

During his senior year of high school, Arash Lahijani realized he could make money through an unusual side hustle: Writing backstories for video game characters. Arash Lahijani was a high school senior when he learned he could make money writing backstories for video game characters. Since then, he's earned $62,400 writing more than 400 character backstories for an online version of the video game Grand Theft Auto, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. Here's how Lahijani learned how to write video game character backstories and how he plans to grow his income through writing:How to write a video game backstoryLahijani says his writing skills aren't from English classes or extracurricular interests. Those same types of hooks now serve as the first and last sentences of his character backstories, he adds.

☆ Top investors say it's foolish to ignore the value in tech stocks right now. What to buy and when
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +25 min

Schatz of Heritage Capital looks for what he calls "high-flier" or "second-tier" technology stocks severely battered this year but pushing higher. Playing defense When looking outside of big tech, investors may also want to consider looking out for more defense-focused names. His picks include IBM, which trades at just 14 times forward earnings and offers a sticky revenue base. Schatz of Heritage Capital looks for what he calls "high-flier" or "second-tier" technology stocks severely battered this year but pushing higher. His picks include IBM, which trades at just 14 times forward earnings and offers a sticky revenue base.

Why do so many industries treat voice actors poorly?!?" Rather than having a set salary, Hayhurst said, video game voice actors often have an hourly rate that’s agreed upon before they begin recording. Video game voice actors are eligible to be represented by the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. In 2017, SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement with video game companies, after a nearly yearlong strike by the union against video game producers, developers and publishers, Variety reported. In some cases, video game voice acting is more than delivering lines of dialogue in a booth.

☆ UK police arrest 17-year-old on suspicion of hacking
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterA hooded man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. Top U.S. fuel pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline has shut its entire network after a cyber attack, the company said on Friday. read moreRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe police could not confirm if the arrest was related to that investigation. In April, City of London Police charged two teenagers aged 16 and 17 in connection with an investigation into hacking. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Farouq Suleiman and Paul Sandle; editing by William James and Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Take-Two says hacker accessed 2K Games' help desk
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterGrand Theft Auto The Trilogy by Take-Two Interactive Software Inc is seen for sale in a store in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., February 7, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File PhotoSept 21 (Reuters) - Take-Two Interactive Software Inc said on Wednesday that a hacker had gained access to the help desk platform of its unit 2K Games and sent a malicious link to certain customers. The support account of 2K Games - the studio behind hit titles such as "NBA 2K" and "Borderlands" - will remain offline while it continues to address the issue, Take-Two said. "We will issue a notice when you can resume interacting with official 2K help desk emails," it added. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Laid-off Snap employees are fielding dozens of messages from TikTok, Facebook, and Netflix recruiters
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Jordan Parker Erb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Well now, some of those laid-off employees are having trouble keeping up with demand from recruiters — and some say they've received reachouts from more than 70 companies. Laid-off Snap employees describe "overwhelming" recruiter outreach. After the company laid off a staggering 20% of its staff, some former workers' inboxes are filled with messages from Facebook, Netflix, and TikTok recruiters. As former employees found themselves without jobs, some told Insider they've fielded dozens of messages from recruiters. What laid-off Snap employees told us.

☆ Wall Street ends choppy session higher with focus firmly on Fed
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( David French | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Focus will also be on new economic projections, due to be published alongside the Fed's policy statement at 2 p.m. A majority of the 11 S&P 500 sectors rose. read moreIndustrial stocks (.SPLRCI) rebounded 1.4% after a sharp drop on Friday, while banks (.SPXBK) gained 1.9%. Tech heavyweights Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) rose 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively, to provide the biggest boost to the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. read moreThe S&P 500 posted one new 52-week high and 28 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 29 new highs and 378 new lows.

☆ Uber says Lapsus$-linked hacker responsible for breach
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe logo for Uber Technologies is seen on a vehicle in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S., November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew KellySept 19 (Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc (UBER.N) said on Monday a hacker affiliated with the Lapsus$ hacking group was responsible for a cyber attack that forced the ride-hailing company to shut several internal communications temporarily last week. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe company said it was in close coordination with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice on the matter. The hacker had posted a message on the forum about seeking to "negotiate a deal" with the videogaming company. read moreRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Search resuls for: "Theft Auto"

25 mentions found