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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
Business
Elodie Games raises $5 million for crossplay co-op games
[KL: Huge congratulations to Christina and David! I had the pleasure of working with Christina at Riot for several years, and she is one of the most talented designers I know. If you're looking for a new, exciting opportunity, keep an eye on them!]
EA planning "broad-based model" to publish 14 games next fiscal year
Nintendo's latest subscription model is attached to Fire Emblem Heroes
Toadman Studios, Sold Out, and Petrol join forces as Enad Global 7
Creative
Dan Houser departs Rockstar Games
The sweet spot of asymmetric design
Mark Brown: The Core Mechanics of Shovel Knight
Designing DOOM Eternal's New & Classic Demons
Designing the simulation of the wild and wonderful Planet Zoo
"It Feels Like We Made 10 Games:" Kentucky Route Zero at the End of the Road
Exploring new frontiers of color with The Outer Worlds
Fundamentals of Game Animation: Feel
PC / Console
Steam: 2019 Year in Review [KL: 95mm MAU]
EA still lukewarm on bringing its portfolio to Switch
Nintendo president confirms no Switch Pro in 2020
Related: 30% of Switch Lite owners already owned a Nintendo Switch
PlayStation sales drop 20%, but PS Plus is smoothing the next-gen jump
Rod Fergusson leaves Gears and The Coalition to run Diablo for Blizzard
Related: How Gears of War's Studio Head Earned His Reputation as the "Closer"
Wizards of the Coast reveals new studio headed up by BioWare veterans
"Unlike previously announced games endeavours -- which leveraged the considerable heft of properties like Dungeons & Dragons or Magic: The Gathering -- this new studio is working on an original science-fiction IP"
Nvidia launches RTX-based GeForce Now cloud gaming service for $5 per month
"​Rather than set up its own library of cloud games, Nvidia is enabling players to access their Steam libraries with GeForce Now, so they can play those games anywhere they want"
Mobile
Ubisoft acquires free-to-play mobile dev Kolibri Games
Supercell backs new mobile studio formed by EA DICE veterans
Stellaris: Galaxy Command ends its time out, soft-launches on iOS and Android
Blog: Is the HyperCasual market still healthy and growing in 2020?
A Simple User Acquisition Template for Mobile Advertising
Esports & Influencers
The mass Twitch exodus: Why streamers are leaving
The (still) uncertain state of video game streaming online
Major esport organisations launch new team-owned CS:GO league
YouTube is using massive e-sports leagues to take on Twitch in big live-streaming bet
Hearo.Live launches esports viewing open beta and raises $1.8mm
Bowlero & Skillz bring mobile esports to bowling centers
Asia
EA is working with a partner to take Apex Legends to China
Nexon Korea grants game developers 6.8% raise in deal with union
Tech / Entertainment
Modl.ai closes $1.7m seed funding round to reduce playtest times using AI-driven player archetypes
Pinterest steps up e-commerce efforts with AR try-on
Ex-a16z Benedict Evans' presentation on Tech in 2020
NYT: "In 2019, we each spent $640 on digital subscriptions"
Overtime
Barclays introduces video games tax relief loans
Improbable acquires game hosting service company Zeuz
15 co-op games to play with your partner this Valentine’s Day
Xbox Adaptive Controller add-on turns power wheelchairs into joysticks
NYT: Collectors Are Spending Thousands on Video Games They Will Never Play
LA Times: Long hours and ‘a pile of white dudes’: Annual survey looks at game industry working conditions
First hands-on video of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip [KL: flip phones return]
NYT: ‘Parasite’ Makes Oscar History With Best Picture Win
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