1/ Regarding #Returnal on PC thing (where it's recommended to have 32gb of RAM available)...

My contacts are telling me it *could* be that they didn't do a lot of re-engineering between the #PlayStation version and PC. 2/ What *might* be happening is that due to the way Returnal was designed, they are trying to load as much to system RAM as literally possible (basically everything remaining after windows and other programs).

Is this the right way to do it?

1/ The CMA has published "Market Participant A", which is largely a proponent of the MSFT + ATVI merger. There is heavy emphasis on the fact that the merger would actually benefit consumers with a wider array of access, options, and prices. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6391da18… 2/ You should read it yourself to get the best understanding, the "core" of the pro-consumer argument is as follows.

- Wider Choice
- Lower Cost for Consumer (in some ways, not all)
- No incentive for foreclosure

1/ Using Steam as a single measurement, #warhammer40k #Darktide appears to be off to a good start. Sales have been in the top revenue for a 3 weeks. Throw that #PCGamePass payment in there and Fatshark is likely pleased with results. 2/ There are reasons to buy Darktide on Steam, especially with multiplayer not working across digital storefronts. That said, there isn't much to the idea (today) that GP is eating into traditional sales. GP simply isn't in a phase where that kind of impact is appreciable.

1/ A bit of conversation about EA and #ActivisionBlizzard. This last quarter demonstrated just how important KING has been for ActiBlizz, especially as engagement has fallen on #CallofDuty and many Blizzard products (Diablo Immortal helped pad Blizzard up a bit). 2/ Don't get me wrong, I'm actually engaged with many Blizzard products and I play plenty of Call of Duty, but between launches, it is clear that much of the consumer market isn't as engaged as they used to be. So where does that leave Acti and Blizz?

1/ #Nintendo has released their quarter earnings for 3 months closing June 30, 2022. While sales revenue dropped YoY, the result is arguably reasonable for the current climate. Thanks to exchange rate changes, profit increased YoY, despite the previously mentioned results. 2/ An interesting note on HW versus SW sell-through: HW sell-through decreased, but #Nintendo experienced their second best first party sell-through for a first qtr since the launch of the #NintendoSwitch. Also note sales on Switch Sports.

1/ Let's take a look at some of EA's prepared remarks and take a deeper look at why their quarter bucked the industry "dip". The big hitters for EA: #FIFA, #F122, and #ApexLegends. Sounds like F1 has worked out better than expected. 2/ Where things get confusing to the outside reader is when it comes to accounting. Net Bookings represent a slight decline YoY, but because of how revenue is accounted for in GAAP, more of it [revenue] was financially booked this last quarter. This is normal BTW.

1/ Embracer Group posted earnings for their Q3 2021 (Oct - Dec 2021). By most metrics, it's a healthy quarter, with earnings coming in significantly higher YoY. Like other publishers, spending, headcount, and other metrics are up, cutting into margin. #gamingnews #investors 2/ Embracer is the "biggest" they've ever been, with 25 AAA titles in development (through 2026). Like other publishers, the influx of cash from the pandemic went to fueling future growth. They are also preparing for listing on Nasdaq Stockholm.

1/ I've seen this question on Twitter a lot today:
"Why is #Nintendo shutting down the #3DS and #WiiU eShops? Why can't they support it longer?"

While I can't answer for Nintendo, I've spent over 20 years in IT and I can add some insight to the conversation: 🧵 2/ The reality is, if most corporations could build "good will" and keep servers & infrastructure buzzing for a small fraction of the balance sheet they would do so. Unfortunately, that is likely not the case with this or other similar entities. #Nintendo

1/ *What does Bethesda Gain?* What is missing in a lot of these conversations is the advantage to #Zenimax (#Bethesda). Many people just view this as #Microsoft just gobbling up #Bethesda (because reasons) but we have to look at what the Zenimax studios gain from this. 2/ The obvious advantage that a #Zenimax studio now has is access to additional funding. Projects can now be funded at a level that might allow a studio to higher more people, or build out a game in the way they always wanted (but never could). #Bethesda #gaming

1/ The "story" of #BattlefieldV is complex. While it is obvious #EA & #DICE no longer see significant long term profit potential (vs opportunity cost) for #BFV, how we got to today is worth revisiting. My experience tells me this... 2/ From the beginning, it *appears* the long term goal of #BattlefieldV was to follow the "beats" of the war, from the early European conflict zones to the end, and at the same time, make #BFV something more personal & "customizable" that previous titles.

1/ #FinalFantasyVIIRemake, for as excellent as it might turn out, feels like the result of a product that doesn't have an end game plan. Given that we know the first installment of #FF7R barely scratches the surface of the story, but is a "full" AAA experience, concerns me. 2/ At the size of the "chunk" they have chosen for the first installment of #FF7R, how many more #games are required to tell the entirety of the #FF7 story? 8? 10? 12? Are they going to skip insignificant story bits as time goes on? We haven't been given the outline.

1/ While I'm obviously glad to see #games heading in the direction of "don't pay for the same game twice", I think a lot of people have misinterpreted the WHY and the HOW games work on #XboxSeriesX. XSX is an Xbox just like X1X is an Xbox... 2/ ...just like #XboxOne is an Xbox. While there are some technical differences, the XSX isn't the same transition as going from original Xbox to Xbox 360. The device is fundamentally an #Xbox family device...so of course you don't have to buy the same thing twice.

1/ Launched on December 20, 2011, #SWTOR (Star Wars The Old Republic) was a successful release, but soon found itself rapidly losing #MMORPG customers due to weak end game support and the mistake of opening too many servers at once. 2/ #Bioware quickly reformed the game into a F2P + Premium model that saw many people return or come back to the game casually. Those of us that stuck with it were treated to many years of high quality content and a ridiculous amount of story + #RPG content.