Sherbytes: Industry News Megathread, v.1

[rikwebb]

Tencent are looking to buy the exclusive Video Game rights to Dungeons and Dragons as Larian couldn't afford it when offered the chance

Tencent Reportedly Seeking to Purchase Dungeons & Dragons Video Game Rights From Hasbro (UPDATED)

UPDATE: A Wizards of the Coast spokesperson provided the following statement to ComicBook.com, refuting the initial report: “We regularly talk to Tencent and enjoy multiple partnerships with them across a number of our IPs. We don’t make a habit of commenting on internet rumors, but to be clear...

comicbook.com

A bombshell report claims that a Chinese media company is seeking to purchase the iconic Dungeons & Dragons brand, or at least some part of it, from Hasbro. Speed Daily, a Chinese media site, is reporting that Tencent, a Chinese conglomerate company that owns Riot Games and has ownership shares in Epic Games, Fatshark Games, and several other game companies, is looking to purchase the Dungeons & Dragons IP from Hasbro or alternatively is seeking to purchase some kind of exclusive rights to make Dungeons & Dragons video games.

Per the report, Hasbro reached out to Larian Studios about potentially acquiring the Dungeons & Dragons IP after the success of Baldur's Gate 3. While Larian had insufficient funds for a transaction, it served as an intermediary between Hasbro and Tencent, as Tencent is a minority investor in Larian Studios. The report notes that Hasbro is pursuing the acquisition because of the company's recent struggles, which has led to operating losses and job cuts across the company.

 

[SakurabasEar]

She's actually overqualified to be President of Blizzard. Her taking this position is actually a downgrade to her previous one. Though this is a test from the board of directors to see if she can turn Blizzard around.

Problem people seem to having is that her origins arent through game development. So expect Blizzard fanboys to start posting that Steve Jobs clip.

Its okay, blizzard doesn't make many video games anyways

 

[rikwebb]

Devolver Digital's CEO has stepped down with immediate effect and has been replaced by one of the Co-founders

Devolver Digital’s CEO has stepped down ‘with immediate effect’ | VGC

Douglas Morin will be replaced by the publisher’s co-founder and former CEO…

www.videogameschronicle.com

Morin joined the publisher and developer in 2020 as chief of staff, and was appointed CEO in 2021.

The company has now stated that Morin has stapped down, however, "as part of planning for Devolver's long-term growth and development".

Morin will replaced by Harry Miller, a Devolver co-founder who had served as the company's CEO in the past.

In an official statement, Miller said: "On behalf of the Board and everyone at Devolver, I would like to thank Douglas for his significant commitment and achievements at Devolver in the last four years.

"Douglas' energy, leadership and determination were critical to our IPO and programme to build our infrastructure as a listed company, culminating in the exciting System Era acquisition.

"I am excited by the opportunity to step back into the CEO role. It's an incredible pleasure and honour to continue to work with Devolver's fantastic and talented team, building out a strong pipeline of fun and creativity, and of course delivering on our long-term growth strategy."

 

[rikwebb]

Looks like the co-founders of Supermassive Games have left the company

Supermassive Games’ co-founders have left the company | VGC

Pete and Joe Samuels have stepped down to “cheer from the sidelines”…

www.videogameschronicle.com

The co-founders of Until Dawn and The Quarry studio Supermassive Games have stepped down from the company.

As spotted by Game Rant, the announcement was made recently on the studio's LinkedIn page, with a message paying tribute to co-founders Pete and Joe Samuels.

"After 15 amazing years, we say goodbye to our founders," the message reads. "Pete and Joe – thank you for creating the Supermassive Games story that we will continue to write.

"Your Supermassive legacy will live on. We all wish you both the very best of luck in your next chapter!"

 

[GtehMVP]

I've noticed a few new games releasing at $93-ish Cdn (base game) before tax on Steam, when did this start happening lol.

 

[Madmick]

95% of Studios Are Reportedly Developing or Maintaining Live Service Games - News​

95 percent of video game studios are developing or maintaining a live service game, according to the 2023 Game Development Report from Griffin Gaming Partners spotted by GamesIndustry.

The report surveyed 537 studios from around the world and found that 66 percent of developers "agreed that live services are necessary for long-term title success." It also states that development on traditional games takes two to three years, while live service games take over five years.

"Multi-year game development forms production processes and pipelines that are intended to deliver a few key milestones in what is essentially a waterfall process. Production in live services, however, is a constant state of planning & adjusting game parameters to enhance player experience while designing and deploying new features to add new player value," reads the survey.

The report says live service developers would rather have faster content releases.

"Across the industry, live service teams reported their ideal production schedules as weekly to biweekly for live ops cadences and biweekly to monthly for game content updates. In the context of game development, which typically spans multiple years, live service production schedules are moving at breakneck speed."

So don't expect the buggy releases to stop anytime soon. The GAAS model has devoured the industry completely.

 

[rikwebb]

Looks like the next COD game is going open world for its campaign, Raven are handling this one with Treyarch doing MP + Zombies

EXCLUSIVE - Call of Duty to Embrace Open World Campaigns in Black Ops Gulf War and Beyond

This year, Call of Duty is set to embrace an open-world campaign in Black Ops Gulf War, Insider Gaming has learned.

insider-gaming.com

This year, Call of Duty is set to embrace an open-world campaign in Black Ops Gulf War, Insider Gaming has learned.

It won't be the first time that the series has seen an open-world eqsue campaign though, as the first glimpse of what such a campaign could look like was first explored with Modern Warfare 3 and its 'Open World Missions'. However, sources explained that unlike Modern Warfare 3, Gulf War's campaign has been built from the ground up, rather than using assets from previous entries.

Currently, the game's open world will see the player and their squad navigate the map more akin to that of Far Cry than anything we've seen before in the Call of Duty universe. Players will be able to utilize vehicles to get around, as well as using a fast travel system to get from one point to the next. Although the scope of how many linear missions there will be remains to be seen, sources confirmed that some linear missions will be integrated into the game.

The campaign, developed by Raven Software (multiplayer and zombies to be handled by Treyarch Games), will see the return of some Black Ops characters including Adler, who will be a part of your team.

 

[Gingerdead Man]

Looks like the next COD game is going open world for its campaign, Raven are handling this one with Treyarch doing MP + Zombies

EXCLUSIVE - Call of Duty to Embrace Open World Campaigns in Black Ops Gulf War and Beyond

This year, Call of Duty is set to embrace an open-world campaign in Black Ops Gulf War, Insider Gaming has learned.

insider-gaming.com

Modern Warfare 2019 was my goodbye to this franchise. Great game...and a sendoff in many ways for everything that's followed and coming.

 

[rikwebb]

Jason Schreier's next book is about Blizzard

 

[My Spot]

Hogwarts Legacy confirmed as the best selling game worldwide for 2023. So much for that "boycott."

 

[Gingerdead Man]

Respect:

 

[KaNesDeath]

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/07/disney-to-take-1point5-billion-stake-in-epic-games-maker-of-fortnite.html

Game development cycle will probably be 2'sh years with these type of games. So i give Sweeney six years before Disney forces him out as CEO.

 

[avenue94]

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/07/disney-to-take-1point5-billion-stake-in-epic-games-maker-of-fortnite.html

Game development cycle will probably be 2'sh years with these type of games. So i give Sweeney six years before Disney forces him out as CEO.

2 years would be very optimistic, even for a midrange title, these days. I can't see the pace being that fast, and it will be interesting to see how Disney adapts its production pipeline to a more unpredictable media.

 

[rikwebb]

Kadokawa (From Software Parent Company) have acquired the Developer Acquire who helped with the Octopath Traveler games

Kadokawa Corporation acquires ACQUIRE

Kadokawa Corporation has acquired Octopath Traveler series developer ACQUIRE from GungHo Online Entertainment, the company announced.

www.gematsu.com

Kadokawa Corporation has acquired Octopath Traveler series developer ACQUIRE from GungHo Online Entertainment, the company announced.

"To strengthen the ability to create IP in games as part of our game business strategy, we have made ACQUIRE Corp. into a wholly owned subsidiary," the company said in its earnings results for the three months ended December 31, 2023.

"By acquiring the company, which has produced million-seller hit titles, we expect to generate synergies with our existing game-related subsidiaries, strengthen our planning and development capabilities Groupwide, and enhance our lineup of console games."

 

[KaNesDeath]

2 years would be very optimistic, even for a midrange title, these days. I can't see the pace being that fast, and it will be interesting to see how Disney adapts its production pipeline to a more unpredictable media.

These are going to be generic games designed for children with Disney characters.

 

[rikwebb]

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/07/disney-to-take-1point5-billion-stake-in-epic-games-maker-of-fortnite.html

Game development cycle will probably be 2'sh years with these type of games. So i give Sweeney six years before Disney forces him out as CEO.

Pretty much the same amount Sony bought too ( granted they did it in two separate transactions).

 

[Gingerdead Man]

Funny thing, pricing a game right... *Looks at Ubi et al.



It’s probably just a coincidence that 2 of the best early success stories of the year happen to be $30 and $40 as opposed to $70 right? #Xbox #PlayStation

 

[rikwebb]

Embracer looks like to have cancelled 29 unannounced games between July and December last year

Embracer cancelled 29 unannounced games between July and December | VGC

Restructuring plans have also seen seven internal studios closed…

www.videogameschronicle.com

Embracer Group cancelled 29 unannounced games during a six-month period last year, the company confirmed on Thursday. During its first fiscal quarter ended in June, it had 153 unannounced games in development across internal studios and external studios it was financing. That number fell to 138 in its second quarter and to 124 in its third quarter ended in December. As of December, Embracer had 132 internal game studios, down from 139 six months earlier, and was working with 50 external development studios, down from 59.

 

[method115]

Embracer looks like to have cancelled 29 unannounced games between July and December last year

Embracer cancelled 29 unannounced games between July and December | VGC

Restructuring plans have also seen seven internal studios closed…

www.videogameschronicle.com

Damn had no clue they had so many games in development that’s insane.

 

[rikwebb]

Damn had no clue they had so many games in development that’s insane.

Yeah that total number is ridiculous