Category Archives: Business

Business, Gaming, News, Nintendo

Nintendo announces Q3 2025 results and seems that expectations for Nintendo Switch 2 are being felt monetarily

Nintendo recently reported its Q3 financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2025, revealing a significant downturn in its financial performance. The company posted $1.10 billion in revenue, a notable decline from $1.70 billion a year ago. This 31.4% drop in revenue was accompanied by a decrease in earnings per share (EPS) from 117.45 yen to 110.40 yen.

Nintendo Switch Sales

One of the most striking aspects of Nintendo’s Q3 report was the 30.6% year-over-year decline in Nintendo Switch hardware sales, with only 4.82 million units sold during the quarter. This brought the total sales for the fiscal year to 9.54 million units, significantly lower than the previous year. The company has now revised its sales forecast for the Switch from 12.5 million units to 11 million units for the fiscal year.

Software Sales

Software sales also saw a decline, with 123.98 million units sold during the nine-month period, down 24.4% from the previous year. Despite the release of popular titles like The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Super Mario Party Jamboree, the overall software sales were not enough to offset the decline in hardware sales.

Nintendo Switch 2 Expectations

Amidst these challenges, Nintendo has announced plans to launch the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year. The new console is expected to rejuvenate the company’s hardware sales and reinvigorate its market position1. However, Nintendo has also flagged that Switch games may not be fully compatible with the Switch 2, which could impact consumer decisions.

The anticipation of the Switch 2 has led to a slowdown in sales of the original Switch, as consumers hold off on purchases in anticipation of the new console. This has resulted in Nintendo reducing its annual dividend forecast and net sales expectations for the fiscal year2. Despite these challenges, Nintendo remains optimistic about the potential of the Switch 2 to drive future growth.

Nintendo’s Q3 results highlight the challenges the company faces as it transitions to its next-generation console. While the decline in sales is concerning, the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 offers a beacon of hope for the company’s future. Investors and gamers alike will be closely watching how Nintendo navigates this pivotal period in its history.

Business, Games, Gaming, News

Electronic Arts Acquires TRACAB Technologies: A Game-Changer for EA Sports

Electronic Arts (EA) has recently announced its agreement to acquire TRACAB Technologies, a leader in advanced sports optical tracking and analysis solutions. This acquisition is set to revolutionize EA Sports’ approach to creating immersive and realistic sports experiences.

What is TRACAB Technologies?

TRACAB Technologies specializes in real-time data capture and analysis using advanced optical tracking technology. Their systems can track almost everything happening on the field or pitch at 60Hz per second, generating 600 million data points per game. This includes 65 unique data points per player and referee, capturing live skeleton data from 21 joints on each body on the pitch.

https://media.contentapi.ea.com/content/dam/eacom/videos/2025/02/ea-sports-realism-technology-article-sc2-16x9.mp4?_=1

Why is this Acquisition Significant?

  1. Enhanced Realism and Immersion: By integrating TRACAB’s technology, EA Sports aims to create lifelike animations and simulations that closely mimic real-world sports action. This will significantly enhance the realism and immersion of their games.
  2. Advanced AI and Machine Learning: TRACAB’s technology will enable EA Sports to harness advanced AI and machine learning models, powered by real-world volumetric data. This will lead to incredible advancements in gameplay and animation capabilities.
  3. Beyond Games: EA Sports envisions the EA SPORTS App as the leading interactive sports platform in the world. TRACAB’s technology will support this vision by providing near real-time insights for media broadcast teams, referees, players, coaches, and fans.
  4. Global Expansion: Currently available in Spain, the EA SPORTS App plans to expand globally, offering fans new opportunities to create highlights and predictive simulations.

The acquisition is expected to close in EA’s first fiscal quarter of FY26. With TRACAB’s cutting-edge technology and expertise, EA Sports is poised to accelerate groundbreaking new features in their games and the EA SPORTS App. This will not only enhance the gaming experience but also create more dynamic and engaging sports experiences for fans worldwide.

The acquisition of TRACAB Technologies marks an exciting new chapter for EA Sports. By leveraging TRACAB’s advanced tracking technology, EA Sports is set to push the boundaries of sports simulations, creating living, breathing simulations of sport that will captivate and engage fans like never before.

Business, Games, Gaming

The behind-the-scenes of the surprising restructuring at BioWare

BioWare has been working over the past few months to move employees to other teams at Electronic Arts (EA) that had open roles. Initially, dozens of BioWare employees were told they would temporarily be allocated to other EA projects following the launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

However, EA has now informed these employees that the transfers are permanent.

Jason Schreier’s recent article for Bloomberg reports that BioWare has undergone significant restructuring, reducing its workforce to under 100 employees. This change follows the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and as the studio focuses on the next Mass Effect game. Many employees have been permanently transferred to other Electronic Arts projects, a move that hasn’t been well-received by all.

The decision was influenced by the financial update that Electronic Arts reported to its investors previous to their earning release, that titles like the latest Dragon Age, fell short on holidays sales’ expectations.

Reportedly, the restructuring has not been well-received by all employees. Several employees are reportedly unhappy with the permanent transfers and the overall reduction in staff and while it some point of view, it is better than just being layoff, the main thing is on how thing went from temporary to permanent.

And added to the mix that if BioWare needs more staff, the previous staff needs to reapply to job listing and not ask a direct transfer.

And meanwhile, BioWare plans to staff back up once the next Mass Effect game gets further into production. The studio is currently focusing on this highly anticipated project, which is expected to be a major release but according to Schreier’s sources, the development is barely at the midpoint between preproduction and full production.

Which raises the question… how a understaffed gaming studio can handle a big AAA game development and expects not repeat the mistakes and haste decision?

I will purposely bring as a notorious example, Anthem, a great game but with poorly post-launch support and some other details that can be discussed in a future editorial and/or YouTube video.

BioWare, once known for ambitious role-playing games like Dragon Age and the original Mass Effect trilogy, has faced challenges with recent projects. The studio’s last two major releases, Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem, were met with mixed reviews and criticism from both fans and critics.

Business, Games, Gaming, News

Q3 2024 for Konami is official in middle of Metal Gear Delta: Snake Eater 3 release’s expectations

Konami Group Corporation recently announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, covering the period from April to December 2024. The company reported impressive growth across its business segments, with a notable increase in revenue and profit (numbers converted on US dollar equivalents).

  • Revenue: $2.00 billion, up 22.8% year-on-year.
  • Business Profit: $560 million, up 38.7% year-on-year.
  • Operating Profit: $557 million, up 45.5% year-on-year.
  • Profit for the Period: $410 million, up 41.8% year-on-year.

The strong performance was driven by the success of titles such as Silent Hill 2 and eFootball, which exceeded sales expectations and contributed significantly to the company’s digital entertainment segment.

Now Konami expects to end the fiscal year in March with $2.66 billion in revenue, $696 million in business profit, and $645 million in operating profit. This is significantly higher compared to the previous prediction of $2.45 billion, $597 million, and $545 million respectively.

Only time will tell if Konami nails that outlook.

Expectations for Metal Gear Solid Delta 3: Snake Eater

One of the most anticipated releases from Konami is the remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, now titled Metal Gear Solid Delta 3: Snake Eater. This remake has generated a lot of excitement among fans and industry experts alike.

Here are some of the key expectations for the game:

  1. Camouflage System Remastered: The original game’s camouflage system was a standout feature, allowing players to blend into their surroundings. Fans are hoping for an even more immersive and visually enhanced version in the remake.
  2. Better Movement: The original game’s movement mechanics were somewhat clunky, and players are looking forward to smoother and more responsive controls.
  3. Refined Close-Quarters Combat (CQC): The melee combat system in the original game was considered one of its weaker points. The remake is expected to feature a more refined and satisfying CQC system.
  4. Improved Survival System: The survival elements of the game, such as hunting and crafting, are expected to be enhanced to provide a more engaging experience.

Konami’s Q3 2025 financial results showcase the company’s strong performance and growth potential. With the highly anticipated release of Metal Gear Solid Delta 3: Snake Eater, fans and investors alike have high hopes for the future. The success of this game could further solidify Konami’s position in the gaming industry and drive even greater financial success in the coming quarters.

Business, Gaming, News

Apple star its Fiscal Year 2025 with Record-Breaking Earnings and Gaming Performance

Apple recently announced its Q1 2025 earnings, revealing record-breaking revenue of $124.3 billion, a 4% increase year-over-year. The company also reported a net quarterly profit of $36.3 billion, with earnings per share (EPS) reaching $2.40, up 10% from the previous year. This marks Apple’s best quarter ever, driven by strong sales across its product and services lineup.

Key Highlights from Apple’s Earnings Report:

  • Revenue: $124.3 billion (up 4% year-over-year)
  • Net Profit: $36.3 billion
  • EPS: $2.40 (up 10% year-over-year)
  • Services Revenue: $26.3 billion (up 13.9% year-over-year)
  • Mac Revenue: $9.0 billion (up 15.5% year-over-year)
  • iPad Revenue: $8.1 billion (up 15.2% year-over-year)
  • iPhone Revenue: $69.1 billion (down 0.8% year-over-year)
  • Wearables Revenue: $11.7 billion (down 1.7% year-over-year)

Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, highlighted the company’s success in integrating AI into its devices, which has helped maintain strong performance despite market challenges. The company’s new AI product, Apple Intelligence, has been a significant focus, although it has faced some criticism for inaccuracies.

Of course, this is a gaming blog, let’s focus on Apple Arcade’s Performance:

Apple Arcade, the company’s subscription-based gaming service, has seen impressive growth and positive reception. As of February 2024, Apple Arcade has 7% of gamers in the United States subscribed to the service. Some of the standout games on Apple Arcade include:

  1. Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm: A Zelda-like adventure game with immersive gameplay and excellent controller support.
  2. Sonic Racing: A kart racing game that runs smoothly at native resolution.
  3. Marble Knights: An isometric game with good performance and controller support.
  4. The Pathless: A visually stunning game with resolution issues but captivating gameplay.
  5. Asphalt 8: Airborne+: A highly impressive racing game with consistent 60 FPS performance.

Apple Arcade has been praised for its diverse library of games and the quality of its titles, making it a strong competitor in the mobile gaming market.

Despite its successes, Apple faces challenges, including declining phone sales in China and competition from domestic brands like Huawei. The company’s ability to navigate these challenges while continuing to innovate in AI and gaming will be crucial for its future growth.

Apple’s commitment to enhancing its gaming ecosystem through Apple Arcade and integrating AI into its devices positions the company well for continued success in the tech and gaming industries.

Business, Gaming, News

Capcom ended 2024 with a sudden stop on positive quarters

For those who has been following corporate news and mainly from Capcom, the Japanese veteran has been nailing good numbers in each earning report from the past 2 years, but of course and unfortunately, some things cannot last forever and this is what the latest earning can tell us.

Capcom released its consolidated financial results for the 9 months ending December 31, 2024 for its Q3 for the fiscal year 2024. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s performance and future outlook, revealing both challenges and opportunities ahead.

The creators of franchise like Megaman, Resident Evil, Street Fighter and other classics, reported net sales of 88.853 billion yen or around $573.08 million, a decrease of 16.3% compared to the same period last year. The operating income also saw a significant decline, dropping by 33.4% to 23.066 billion yen or around $149.84 million.

Despite these decreases, Capcom remains optimistic about its future performance, citing several key factors contributing to its resilience.

The Digital Contents segment, which includes home video games, experienced a slight decline in unit sales for new titles. However, the performance of catalog titles (excluding those released in the previous fiscal year) has steadily increased year over year2. The Arcade Operations business saw growth in existing stores, which were utilized as cooling shelters during hot weather, resulting in increased revenue and profit. The Amusement Equipments business launched two new models and sold 17,000 units as planned, benefiting from cost reductions through the procurement of common components.

Future Outlook

Capcom has maintained its full-year forecast, with expectations of increased sales and profit due to digital sales growth in the Consumer sub-segment. The company forecasts an earnings per share of ¥109.98 (US’ 71 cents) and a dividend of ¥36 (US’ 23 cents) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. Capcom aims for 12 consecutive years of operating profit growth, driven by the stability of Digital Contents and strong performance in the Amusement Businesses.

Key Takeaways

  1. Resilience Amid Challenges: Despite a decrease in net sales and operating income, Capcom remains optimistic about its future performance.
  2. Growth in Digital Sales: The company expects increased sales and profit due to digital sales growth in the Consumer sub-segment.
  3. Strong Performance in Amusement Businesses: The Arcade Operations and Amusement Equipments businesses have shown growth and resilience.

Capcom’s latest earnings report highlights the company’s ability to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the ever-evolving video game industry. With a strong focus on digital sales and continued innovation in its business segments, Capcom is well-positioned for future growth.

Business, Gaming, News, Xbox

How Microsoft and Xbox are doing reaching the half of fiscal year 2025?

Microsoft recently released its FY25 Q2 earnings report, revealing a mixed bag of results. The company posted a revenue of $69.6 billion, a 12% increase year-over-year. Net income also saw a significant rise, reaching $24.11 billion compared to $21.87 billion in the same quarter last year. The growth was primarily driven by the Intelligent Cloud segment, which saw a 20% increase in revenue to $25.76 billion.

Microsoft Gaming: A Closer Look

Microsoft Gaming, a division established in 2022, has become a major player in the gaming industry. The division oversees the production and sales of Xbox hardware, Xbox Game Studios, and services like Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming. With the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming now owns some of the most popular and highest-grossing media franchises, including Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Warcraft, Halo, Minecraft, and The Elder Scrolls.

Key Highlights from Microsoft Gaming’s Performance

  1. Revenue Decline in Xbox Hardware: Despite the overall growth, Xbox hardware revenue saw a steep decline of 29% compared to the previous quarter. This decline is notable as it includes data over the holiday period, typically a strong sales period for gaming hardware.
  2. Growth in Xbox Content and Services: On a positive note, Xbox content and services revenue, which includes Xbox Game Pass, grew by 2% over the quarter. This growth was likely bolstered by popular titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and continued support for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
  3. Publishing on Competing Platforms: Microsoft’s strategy of publishing its first-party titles on competing platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo has been a significant factor in the growth of Xbox services. Titles like Doom: The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2 are expected to be released on PlayStation simultaneously.
  4. Integration with Handheld PCs: Microsoft is working on integrating the Xbox and Windows gaming experience on handheld PCs, which may include improved integration of the Windows Store and PC Game Pass.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood have expressed optimism about the future of Microsoft Gaming. They expect Xbox content and services revenue growth to be in the low to mid-single digits, driven by first-party content and Xbox Game Pass. The company is also focusing on cost efficiency and innovation in AI infrastructure, which could further boost its gaming division.

Elsewhere for Microsoft

Intelligent Cloud Segment

  • Revenue: $25.76 billion, up 20% year-over-year.
  • Azure Growth: Azure and other cloud services revenue grew by 31%, although this was slightly lower than the 33% growth seen in the previous quarter.
  • AI Investments: Microsoft is heavily investing in AI infrastructure, committing to spend $80 billion this fiscal year. The company’s AI business has surpassed an annual revenue run rate of $13 billion, up 175% year-over-year.

Productivity and Business Processes

  • Revenue: $29.4 billion, up 14% year-over-year.
  • Microsoft 365: Continued strong performance, with significant contributions from Microsoft 365 Copilot and other productivity tools.

More Personal Computing

  • Revenue: $14.7 billion, relatively unchanged from the previous year.
  • Windows PC Sales: There was a notable increase in Windows PC sales, driven by demand for new hardware and upgrades.
  • Xbox Services: Despite a decline in Xbox hardware revenue, Xbox content and services revenue grew by 2%, supported by titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

Financial Highlights

  • Total Revenue: $69.6 billion, a 12% increase year-over-year.
  • Net Income: $24.11 billion, up from $21.87 billion in the same quarter last year.
  • Earnings Per Share (EPS): $3.23, beating expectations of $3.11.

Strategic Initiatives

  • AI Infrastructure: Microsoft is focusing on cost efficiency and innovation in AI infrastructure, including investments in small language models (SLMs) to reduce AI costs.
  • OpenAI Partnership: Microsoft and OpenAI have a new agreement through 2030, giving Microsoft access to OpenAI’s intellectual property and APIs for use within Copilot.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

  • ESG Commitments: Microsoft continues to invest in sustainability and social responsibility initiatives, aiming to balance operational discipline with environmental and social practices.

Microsoft’s FY25 Q2 earnings report showcases the company’s continued growth and strategic investments in key areas like cloud computing and gaming. While there are challenges, particularly in Xbox hardware revenue, the overall outlook remains positive, especially with the strong performance of Xbox content and services. Microsoft Gaming, with its diverse portfolio and strategic initiatives, is poised to play a crucial role in the company’s future success.

Business, Gaming, News

Warner Bros. Games CEO David Haddad Announces Retirement

Warner Bros. Games President David Haddad has announced his departure from the company after 12 years of leading the division. Haddad will remain in his role for the next three months to ensure a smooth transition and assist in finding his successor.

Haddad’s tenure at Warner Bros. Games saw the development and release of several iconic gaming franchises, including the successful Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy and the critically acclaimed Mortal Kombat series. However, the past year has been challenging for the company, with the disappointing performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributing to significant financial losses.

Despite these setbacks, Haddad expressed pride in his work and gratitude for his time with Warner Bros. Games.

I am so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together at Warner Bros. Games during my time with the company.

It has been an absolute pleasure working on and building our iconic gaming franchises, and I will continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of this talented team’s future endeavors.

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming and Games CEO and President JB Perrette praised Haddad’s contributions and noted that his departure was planned to coincide with a lighter release schedule, minimizing disruption to ongoing projects.

David has thoughtfully and purposefully chosen a time when our release schedule is lighter which will help minimize disruption to our ongoing projects and strategic plans and allow this team to smoothly prepare for its next record-breaking title.

As the search for Haddad’s successor begins, Warner Bros. Games continues to focus on its core franchises, including Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, the DC Universe, and Mortal Kombat. The company is also working on a Wonder Woman game at Monolith Productions, which is expected to be a major release in the coming year.

Haddad’s departure marks the end of an era for Warner Bros. Games, but it also signals a new chapter for the company as it looks to the future with fresh leadership and new opportunities.

Business, Games, Gaming, News

Pocketpair Ventures into the gaming publishing arena

Pocketpair, known for its imaginative and engaging games like Palworld and recently Overdungeon as a surprising new Nintendo Switch despite their lawsuit against Palworld allegedly patents violation, is now venturing into the publishing sphere.

The company has announced its formation of a new publishing business aptly titled Pocketpair Publishing.

Pocketpair Publishing aims to provide comprehensive support for indie game developers and small studios. This includes financial assistance, development aid, and much-needed publishing resources. A key aspect of their vision is to maintain a hands-off approach where they respect the creative autonomy and vision of the developers. They aim to support the creation and completion of dream projects without imposing strict conditions.

First Project Collaboration: Surgent Studios

Their first major project involves collaboration with UK-based Surgent Studios. Surgent Studios, known for the horror game Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, is set to release a new horror title. This standalone game, scheduled for 2025, is not a continuation of their previous work but promises to bring fresh narrative experiences to players.

According to Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios, the collaborative effort will focus on exploring a unique pattern in the entertainment industry through an unconventional and experimental horror game.

The following is what it has been shared to VGC by Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios.:

Both Surgent and Pocketpair are well-versed in taking risks.

We noticed a pattern in the entertainment industry, and Pocketpair has given us the opportunity to make a horror game about it. It will be short and weird, and we think players will be interested in what we have to say.

We’re still in earnest conversation about further projects set in the Tales of Kenzera universe, but this will be a standalone piece: a mile marker between where we’ve come from and where we’re going.

Also, the Head of Pocketpair Publishing, John “Bucky” Buckley added:

As the games industry continues to grow, more and more games find themselves struggling to get funded or greenlit. We think this is a real shame, because there are so many incredible creators and ideas out there that just need a little help to become incredible games.

We were instantly fascinated by Abubakar’s creative vision for a horror game on a topic he’s uniquely qualified to explore. The ultimate goal of Pocketpair Publishing is to find creators with a genuine passion for games and enable them to create fun, new experiences for gamers all over the world.

Business, Gaming, News, Playstation

Insomniac Games CEO Announces Retirement After Three Decades

Ted Price, the founder and president of Insomniac Games, announced his retirement after over 30 years with the studio. Price, who has been instrumental in creating beloved franchises like “Spyro the Dragon,” “Ratchet & Clank,” and “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” shared his decision to step down at the end of March 2025.

In his blog post, Price expressed his gratitude for the fulfilling career he has had and his confidence in the new leadership team. He introduced Chad Dezern, Ryan Schneider, and Jen Huang as the new co-heads of Insomniac Games, who will continue to lead the studio into the future.

Price also acknowledged the challenges faced by the team due to recent events, such as the LA wildfires, and praised the Insomniac employees for their resilience and dedication. He emphasized his commitment to supporting those affected and ensuring a smooth transition for the studio.

Therefore, last week, I felt comfortable announcing to the Insomniac team that after having been incredibly fortunate to enjoy such a fulfilling career in games, I’ll be retiring from the industry at the end of March. Today, I’m sharing this news more broadly.

I actually made this decision last year. For me, after over 30 years of leading Insomniac, I felt it was simply time to step aside and let others pave the way for our team. 

During the past year, I had the opportunity to work with the senior leadership team at Insomniac to create a succession plan that I know will provide the continuity, stability and strong leadership necessary to deliver more of what our fans cherish over the next several decades.

Ted Price founded Insomniac Games in 1994 as Xtreme Software, which was later renamed Insomniac Games in 1995. The studio’s first project was “Disruptor” for the original PlayStation, which didn’t perform well commercially.

In 2019, Insomniac Games was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment and became part of PlayStation Studios. This acquisition marked a significant milestone for the studio, solidifying its position within the PlayStation ecosystem.

Ted Price has been the president and CEO of Insomniac Games for over 30 years. Under his leadership, the studio has grown and produced numerous successful games.