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Each week I compile a gaming industry insights newsletter that I publish broadly. Opinions are mine.
Hi, my name is Kenny Liu, and each week I compile a gaming industry insights newsletter that I publish broadly. Opinions are mine.
See more or subscribe at: https://tinyletter.com/kliuless
The Dark Side of the Video Game Industry
Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act recently aired "The Dark Side of the Video Game Industry," in which crunch dominates much of the discussion
While I agree that crunch is a prevalent issue in our industry, unfortunately I am less optimistic about unionization being the "silver bullet" solution to this hairy problem
Continuously improving hardware and software tools will make game development an increasingly accessible profession to anyone in the world no matter the discipline: art, design, engineering, etc.
Moreover, for years already game companies have contracted ever-increasing work abroad, and these outside developers have shown they are capable of evolving beyond just work-for-hire projects to innovate and self-develop their own successful titles as well
As distributed development becomes easier and international boundaries blur, unions will inherently wield less power as their influence likely will be confined by what they would only be able to enforce locally
Revenue Strategy & Growth
Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony to launch platform-wide rules on loot box disclosures
18% of all physical ESRB-rated games have received an 'in-game purchases' label
Psyonix removes paid, randomized crates from Rocket League
Epic Games commits to loot box transparency across portfolio
Behavioral Economics and Free to Play Games
HBR: How New Versions of Products Spread Differently Than Entirely New Products
Streaming
Twitch launches beta for all-in-one streaming app Twitch Studio
Discord is launching in-server streaming later this month with new 'Go Live' feature
Ninja off to strong start on Mixer, racking up 1mm free subscriptions since last week's deal announcement
Design
Casual Games are “Guilding Up”
Sean Murray calls No Man’s Sky Beyond the game’s “2.0” version
XR: AR / MR / VR
Apple lists AR/VR jobs, reportedly taps executive who finalizes products
Asia
Tencent, Nintendo to localize Switch games for China
NetEase targets Tencent with $725mm e-sports stadium in Shanghai
Huawei outsells smartphone rivals in China, tightens market grip amid U.S. spat
Tech / Entertainment
Benedict Evans: Netflix is not a tech company
Goldman Sachs et. al. invest $135mm in selfie app Facetune's parent company ($1bn valuation)
The Absurdities of 'Franchise Fatigue' & 'Sequelitis' (Or, What Is Happening to the Box Office?!)
Overtime
Best of EVO 2019
BBC: What's in a Game?
Noclip docuseries on Hitman
Roblox Hits 100mm MAU Worldwide
AIAS interviews Kim Pallister, Intel's Chief Segment Architect for Gaming
Nexon to fully acquire stock in Embark Studios, whose founder will drive Western development
Related: Layoffs at Nexon America as two California-based offices are closed
Annapurna exploring bankruptcy protection
[KL: Really hoping Annapurna Interactive stays afloat as I've been a huge personal fan of their titles]
How Polio Inspired the Creation of Candy Land
Kind Words, "the most moving game of the year"
The great escape: In a chaotic world, escape rooms make sense
ESPN, ABC pull Apex Legends tournament show in wake of mass shootings
Related: Walmart Removes Violent Video Game Signage, Still Sells Guns
Animoca Brands buys Quidd for up to $8mm as it moves into blockchain collectibles
‘Halo’ Series at Showtime Casts Six, Including Natascha McElhone, Bokeem Woodbine
California Police Are Sharing Facial Recognition Databases to ID Suspects
Postmates expects to land first-ever permit to test sidewalk delivery robots in San Francisco
See more or subscribe at: https://tinyletter.com/kliuless
LinkedIn: @kliuless
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