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Nintendo is known for aggressively protecting its intellectual property through legal means, with a focus on patent enforcement. The company has taken action against Pocketpair Inc., the studio behind the game Palworld, alleging patent infringement related to game mechanics similar to those in Pokémon. Nintendo's legal tactics reflect its commitment to defending its character lineup and expanding its IP monetization efforts, including ventures into amusement parks, merchandise, and Hollywood. Past victories in patent disputes, such as settlements with Colopl Inc. and a court ruling against Mari Mobility Development Inc., demonstrate Nintendo's success in defending its IP rights. [Extracted from the article]

Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. is reducing its workforce and canceling titles due to rising costs and declining demand in the gaming industry. The company has moved some employees to "expulsion rooms" in a traditional Japanese approach to encourage voluntary resignations. Bandai Namco, known for games like Dragon Ball and Gundam, is facing pressure to cut costs and adjust to decreased user engagement post-pandemic. Other industry players, like Sony and Square Enix, have also made similar moves to address financial challenges. [Extracted from the article]

Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., a Tokyo-based gaming company, is cutting jobs and canceling titles due to rising costs and declining demand in the gaming industry. The company has been using a traditional Japanese approach to reduce staff by placing employees in "expulsion rooms" where they are given no work-related tasks, putting pressure on them to leave voluntarily. Bandai Namco has already moved about 200 employees to these rooms, and nearly 100 have resigned. The company's shares have declined, and it has faced challenges in adjusting to the post-pandemic drop in gaming time. [Extracted from the article]

Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., a video game publisher based in Tokyo, is cutting its workforce and using a traditional Japanese approach to reduce staff. Employees are being sent to "expulsion rooms" where they are given no work-related tasks, putting pressure on them to leave voluntarily. Bandai Namco has moved about 200 employees to these rooms since April, and nearly 100 have resigned. The company denies that it is trying to push employees out and states that decisions to discontinue games are based on comprehensive assessments. Bandai Namco, like its competitors, is facing pressure to cut costs and adjust to a drop in user engagement due to the pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft is cutting 650 jobs in its Xbox unit as part of cost-cutting measures and the integration of its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The layoffs will primarily affect corporate and supporting functions, and no games, devices, or studios will be affected. This comes after previous job cuts and studio closures, which have raised concerns among fans about Microsoft's commitment to exclusive content. The gaming industry as a whole has been facing challenges, with other major companies also cutting jobs and canceling projects. Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision in October, but the long-term success of the deal remains to be seen. [Extracted from the article]

Black Myth: Wukong, a Chinese action game based on the legend of the Monkey King, has sold 18 million copies in just two weeks, making it one of the fastest-selling games in the global gaming industry. The success of the game has resulted in significant financial gains for its earliest and largest investor, Daniel Wu, the founder of Hero Games. Wu's startup has been a long-time supporter of Game Science, the creator of Wukong, and has contributed a substantial amount of funding to the game's development. The game's success has garnered attention for both Game Science and Hero Games, as it demonstrates China's ability to produce high-budget games that rival those from the West. Wu believes that Wukong's success not only showcases China's game-making capabilities but also its ability to tell compelling stories with Chinese elements. Despite the game's achievements, Hero Games is still not profitable and is undergoing a transition from publisher to developer. Wu hopes that Wukong's success will inspire more games based on Chinese history and culture and encourage more console game development in China. [Extracted from the article]

Black Myth: Wukong, a Chinese-made game backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd., achieved remarkable success on its first day of release, becoming the second-most popular title ever on Steam. The action-adventure game, based on the Monkey King, garnered over 2.1 million concurrent players globally, surpassing the popularity of highly anticipated single-player games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring. This achievement is significant for China's gaming industry, which has faced regulatory scrutiny in recent years. The success of Wukong demonstrates the high-end development capabilities of Chinese game developers and their ability to compete globally. [Extracted from the article]

Black Myth: Wukong, a Chinese-made game backed by Tencent Holdings, has quickly become the fourth most popular game on Steam, surpassing the popularity of highly anticipated titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring. The game, based on the Monkey King, garnered over 1.4 million concurrent players shortly after its global debut. This success may signal a turning point for China's gaming industry, which has faced regulatory scrutiny in recent years. The game's release has generated significant buzz in China and has been praised for its high-quality development and potential to compete with Western studios. [Extracted from the article]

Epic Games Inc. is launching a new mobile storefront after a four-year legal battle with Apple Inc. and Google over their app-store practices. The CEO, Tim Sweeney, expects the mobile versions of popular games like Fortnite to attract gamers on Android devices worldwide and iOS products in the European Union. Epic Games has spent "hundreds of millions of dollars" fighting against the tech giants' app store practices, which charge companies up to a 30% fee on sales and make it difficult for consumers to access alternative stores. Despite recent regulatory moves in the EU, game developers are still concerned about the cumbersome steps to complete a transaction outside of the Apple universe. [Extracted from the article]

Epic Games Inc. is launching a new mobile storefront after a four-year legal battle with Apple Inc. and Google over their app-store practices. The CEO, Tim Sweeney, expects the mobile versions of popular games like Fortnite to attract gamers on Android devices worldwide and iOS products in the European Union. Epic Games has spent "hundreds of millions of dollars" fighting against the tech giants' app store practices, which charge companies up to a 30% fee on sales and make it difficult for consumers to access alternative stores. Despite recent regulatory moves in the EU, game developers are still concerned about the cumbersome steps required to complete transactions outside of the Apple universe. Epic Games plans to draw in mobile players with free games and is working with third-party mobile app stores to launch games on mobile. [Extracted from the article]

Resorts World Las Vegas, a prominent property on the Las Vegas Strip, has been accused by the Nevada Gaming Control Board of catering to individuals with ties to organized crime. The board filed a 31-page disciplinary complaint stating that the resort welcomed individuals with suspected or actual connections to illegal bookmaking, federal felony convictions related to illegal gambling businesses, and organized crime. The complaint also mentioned that some of these individuals were under contract with Resorts World. The resort, owned by Genting Group, has not yet responded to the allegations. [Extracted from the article]

The founders of the Midnight Society video-game studio faced a crisis when allegations of sexting a minor were made against popular YouTuber and co-founder Guy Beahm, also known as Dr Disrespect. Despite the controversy, the studio remains on track to release their first title, Deadrop, in the fourth quarter of 2024. The game is a free-to-play shooter with a unique vertical playing field. The founders acknowledge the risks of relying on online personalities for promotion but remain optimistic about the game's success. Beahm has since been removed from the project, and the studio is focused on ensuring the game appeals to a wide audience. [Extracted from the article]

Genting Group Chairman Lim Kok Thay has expressed openness to developing integrated casino resorts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the country considers legalizing gambling. While a casino-only development in the Middle East region is unlikely, Genting is interested in working on an integrated resort (IR) project in the UAE, leveraging its experience in non-gaming offerings. The UAE recently established a federal body to regulate the gaming industry, but gambling is currently prohibited under Islamic law. Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah have emerged as potential locations for casinos, with the UAE's casino market projected to surpass that of Singapore in terms of revenue. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft plans to launch its own mobile game store in July, providing an alternative to Apple and Google's app stores. The store will initially feature Microsoft's own games, such as Candy Crush Saga, and will later open up to other publishers. Microsoft aims to create a store that is accessible across all devices and countries, allowing users to carry their library, identity, and rewards with them. This move comes as tech giants, including Apple and Google, face scrutiny over their fees and control of digital storefronts. [Extracted from the article]

The Manor Lords video game, developed by a small independent studio in Poland, has sold over a million copies and has become a top seller on the Steam distribution platform. This success is seen as a positive development for the Polish computer entertainment industry, which has recently faced challenges with lackluster releases. The country's largest studio, CD Projekt SA, also experienced success with its game Cyberpunk 2077, despite initial glitches that affected the company's share price. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft recently laid off 1,900 employees from its gaming division, including many from the recently acquired video game developer Activision Blizzard. The layoffs came shortly after Microsoft reported its strongest revenue growth since 2022. The acquisition of Activision Blizzard was seen as a significant move for Microsoft in the gaming industry, but the recent layoffs and cancellation of a Blizzard game called "Odyssey" have raised concerns. There are also predictions of unionization efforts in the gaming industry and further consolidation of the industry, potentially involving companies like Ubisoft or EA. Additionally, there is speculation about Saudi Arabia's interest in the video game market as part of its efforts to diversify its economy. [Extracted from the article]

Shares in Tencent Holdings Ltd. and other Chinese tech stocks have rebounded despite signs that Beijing is attempting to address the backlash against new gaming regulations. Feng Shixin, a top official overseeing China's gaming industry, has been removed from his position, which is seen as a response to the release of draft rules that caused investor concern. The National Press and Publication Administration, the gaming watchdog, has pledged to review controversial mandates, including a cap on in-game spending. However, some investors remain cautious due to the unpredictable regulatory environment in China. [Extracted from the article]

Asian equities slipped, following a decline in US stocks and Treasuries as the risk-on sentiment on Wall Street faded, particularly in the tech sector. The dollar maintained its gains. South Korea and Australia saw their benchmarks fall over 1% after reaching their highest levels since mid-2022 in the previous session. Chinese tech stocks are in focus after a top official overseeing the gaming industry was removed, potentially signaling a shift in policy. Traders are now awaiting the release of the latest Fed minutes, with expectations of a hawkish tone. Bitcoin hovered around $45,000 after reaching this level for the first time in almost two years. [Extracted from the article]

Beijing has removed a top official, Feng Shixin, who oversaw China's gaming industry, following a backlash against new regulations that caused an $80 billion drop in major tech stocks. Feng lost his position as head of the publishing unit of the Publicity Department, which runs the gaming regulator, due to the release of the regulations before Christmas. The National Press and Publication Administration, the gaming watchdog, has since pledged to review its more controversial mandates, including a cap on in-game spending. Despite some recovery, Tencent Holdings Ltd. and NetEase Inc. remain down about 5% to 10% from before the holidays. [Extracted from the article]

China's new regulations on video game spending had a significant impact on global stock markets. Prosus NV and Naspers Ltd. both experienced significant declines in their stock prices, as they hold stakes in Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. Tencent itself saw a 12% drop in its stock price. The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index, which tracks US-listed Chinese stocks, also declined. The regulations aim to limit in-game rewards that encourage excessive spending or playtime, leading to concerns of a broader crackdown on the gaming industry in China. Prosus's stock performance is closely tied to Tencent, and the company has been reducing its stake in Tencent over the past year. The decline in Chinese equities this year has further widened the performance gap between US and Chinese stocks. [Extracted from the article]

China's new regulations on video game spending have had a significant impact on global stock markets. Prosus NV and Naspers Ltd., both with holdings in Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd., experienced significant declines in their stock prices. Tencent itself saw a 12% drop in Hong Kong, while the Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index declined by 2.4%. The regulations aim to limit in-game rewards that encourage excessive spending, raising concerns about further crackdowns in the mobile gaming industry. The performance gap between US and Chinese equities has been notable, with Chinese equities underperforming. [Extracted from the article]

Tencent Holdings Ltd. and other major Chinese online companies experienced an $80 billion selloff after the surprise announcement of new gaming regulations by China's top gaming regulator. The regulations aim to curb practices that encourage excessive spending and time spent online, including caps on player spending, bans on rewards for frequent log-ins, and restrictions on content that violates national security. The vague and unexpected nature of the regulations has caused confusion and concern among industry players and investors, who fear that further measures targeting the sector may follow. This crackdown on the gaming industry is part of a broader campaign by the Chinese government to rein in the power and expansion of the private sector. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft is hoping that Mena Kato, a former PlayStation executive, can help them gain a foothold in the Japanese gaming market. Kato played a key role in building Sony's PlayStation into a dominant force in the industry. Now, she is tasked with selling the Xbox to studios that are loyal to Sony and Nintendo. Despite the Xbox's limited success in Japan, Kato believes there is room for a third player to grow. She will be working closely with local creators and spearheading new initiatives to bridge the gap between Japan and the rest of the world. Microsoft sees the potential for partnerships with Japanese publishers, as the company offers access to game fans in emerging countries through Windows PCs. Kato acknowledges that negotiations with partners will not be easy, but she is determined to make the Xbox more relevant in Japan's gaming industry. [Extracted from the article]

Tencent Holdings Ltd. has unveiled its new open-world adventure game, Last Sentinel, developed by its California-based studio, Lightspeed LA. The game is set in a dystopian future Tokyo and has been in development for four years. Last Sentinel is part of Tencent's efforts to create new intellectual property and expand globally. The game's creative team is led by Steve Martin, a veteran of the gaming industry who has worked on popular titles like Grand Theft Auto. Tencent has been actively acquiring gaming assets and talent from around the world to complement its existing portfolio. [Extracted from the article]

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is planning to cut hundreds of jobs in its gaming division and wind down its Nuverse brand, signaling a major retreat from the gaming sector. This move comes as ByteDance failed to gain market share from its rival Tencent, which dominates the gaming industry in China. ByteDance is also considering selling Shanghai Moonton Technology Co., a studio it acquired for $4 billion in 2021. Despite its efforts, Tencent remains the leader in the gaming industry, benefiting from its all-in-one messaging service WeChat and its acquisitions of foreign gaming assets. [Extracted from the article]

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is planning to cut hundreds of jobs in its gaming division and shut down its Nuverse brand, marking a significant retreat from the gaming sector. The move comes as ByteDance failed to compete with Tencent, the dominant player in the gaming industry. ByteDance is also considering selling Shanghai Moonton Technology Co., a studio it acquired for $4 billion in 2021. Despite its efforts, Tencent remains the leader in the gaming sphere, benefiting from its all-in-one messaging service WeChat and its acquisitions of foreign gaming assets. [Extracted from the article]

ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, is considering selling its gaming studio Shanghai Moonton Technology Co. in order to streamline its operations and focus on core businesses. ByteDance acquired Moonton in 2021 for about $4 billion. The studio is behind the popular game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Discussions are still in the early stages and the deal size target is unknown. ByteDance has been cutting its game creation and publishing teams as it shifts its focus to e-commerce. If a sale is made, it would be ByteDance's biggest retreat in the gaming industry. Moonton, founded in 2014, is best known for its battle arena game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which has gained popularity in Southeast Asia. However, it has struggled to compete with Tencent and its subsidiary Riot Games in the larger e-sports arena. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Nintendo Co. raised its forecast for the fiscal year ending March on expectations it can sell more games to existing Switch owners. Movie in April may provide a tailwind for Nintendo's software library and hardware sales, as the company also launched a new game in the Mario franchise recently. [Extracted from the article]

Platform companies should be more insulated from risks of disruption posed by artificial intelligence, and will in fact likely become the primary means for distributing AI tools, analysts led by Matthew Cost wrote in a note. (Bloomberg) -- Game platforms including Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox and Sony Group Corp.'s PlayStation will be "the most clear-cut beneficiaries of AI adoption in the game industry", according to Morgan Stanley. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The United Arab Emirates has established a federal body to regulate the gaming industry, potentially paving the way for the legalization of gambling in the Gulf country. The move comes a month after Wynn Resorts, which is building a $3.9 billion gaming resort in the UAE, said it expects to "soon" obtain a license. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Executives and politicians across the world worry about the havoc that next-generation artificial intelligence will wreak on industries from finance to health-care. The video game industry is among the first to feel the full brunt of AI because it's largely digital - encoded in an AI-readable language and created by software engineers well prepared to use, adapt and improve new computing tools. [Extracted from the article]

Sega, whose 60-year-old name is synonymous with the beginnings of the videogame industry, maintains a close relationship with Xbox-maker Microsoft but will remain within Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., co-Chief Operating Officer Shuji Utsumi told Bloomberg News. (Bloomberg) -- Sega Corp. dismissed speculation it may be the target of acquirers including Microsoft Corp., as the studio behind Sonic The Hedgehog stressed it intends to remain part of a bigger Japanese entertainment conglomerate. [Extracted from the article]

Pressure had been mounting on Microsoft as it lobbies at home and in Europe to convince watchdogs to clear the deal - one of the 30 biggest acquisitions of all time. (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp.'s $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard Inc., suffered a hammer blow after Britain's antitrust watchdog vetoed the gaming industry's biggest ever deal, saying it would harm competition on the cloud. [Extracted from the article]

The Competition and Markets Authority said its concerns couldn't be solved by remedies such as the sale of blockbuster title Call of Duty or so-called behavioral remedies involving promises to permit rivals to offer the game on their platforms, according to a statement Wednesday. (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp.'s $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard Inc., suffered a hammer blow after Britain's antitrust watchdog vetoed the gaming industry's biggest ever deal, saying it would harm competition on the cloud. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. handed in formal antitrust commitments to European Union watchdogs probing its $69 billion plan to buy Activision Blizzard Inc., putting the onus on Britain's merger watchdog to deliver a potentially decisive ruling on the deal. Britain's CMA last month suggested Microsoft may need to divest Call of Duty, one of the most lucrative game franchises in the world, but Microsoft president Brad Smith has made clear this would be a dealbreaker. [Extracted from the article]

Pressure has been mounting on Microsoft as it battles multiple fronts at home and in Europe to convince watchdogs to clear the deal, the company's largest ever and one of the 30 biggest acquisitions of all time. (Bloomberg) -- The European Commission extended its review of Microsoft Corp.'s $69 billion plan to buy Activision Blizzard Inc. to May 22 after the software maker formally offered remedies to allay concerns the deal could hamper competition in the gaming market. Britain's antitrust watchdog last month suggested Microsoft may need to divest Call of Duty, one of the most lucrative game franchises in the world, but Microsoft president Brad Smith has made clear this would be a dealbreaker. [Extracted from the article]

Known for its sports and Star Wars games, Electronic Arts released few major titles in the second half of 2022 outside of yearly entries to its FIFA, NHL and Madden NFL series. (Bloomberg) -- Electronic Arts Inc. shares slumped after the video game maker gave a disappointing outlook for the current quarter due to a six-week delay in the release of its next highly anticipated Star Wars game. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Electronic Arts Inc., the video game publisher behind franchises such as FIFA, gave a forecast for net bookings in the fiscal fourth quarter that fell short of analysts' estimates as the company's holiday releases failed to offset a broader decline in gaming revenue. After tense licensing negotiations with the soccer organization, Electronic Arts is discontinuing the brand name of the world football governing body and launching EA Sports FC in 2023. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Another veteran executive is leaving Amazon.com Inc.'s video game division, which has struggled to produce big hits since it launched a decade ago. John Smedley, who has three decades of experience in the industry and ran the Amazon Game Studios office in San Diego for six years, told staff Wednesday that he's stepping aside. "John is a game industry legend, and we're grateful for his contributions to Amazon Games over the past six years", an Amazon spokesperson said. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Tencent Holdings Ltd. joined a rally in Asian gaming stocks Thursday after China green-lit its latest clutch of blockbuster titles, reinforcing hopes Beijing is easing a crackdown on the world's largest mobile gaming arena. Ma's outburst unnerved observers accustomed to his even-keeled handling of Asia's biggest social media and gaming company, raising concerns Tencent was in for another tough year. [Extracted from the article]

Ma's outburst unnerved observers accustomed to his even-keeled handling of Asia's biggest social media and gaming company, raising concerns Tencent was in for another tough year. (Bloomberg) -- Tencent Holdings Ltd. joined a rally in Asian gaming stocks Thursday after China green-lit its latest clutch of blockbuster titles, reinforcing hopes Beijing is easing a crackdown on the world's largest mobile gaming arena. [Extracted from the article]

Meta is spending billions of dollars each year on its metaverse and VR project, and its Meta Quest 2 is widely regarded as the best VR headset on the market. The games industry veteran said in his resignation note that he'd long been frustrated by the poor operational efficiency of Meta's VR endeavor, which he never felt adequately able to influence in the right direction. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co. agreed to a 10-year deal to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo gaming platforms, signaling a willingness to share one of the game industry's most important titles at a time of growing consolidation in the industry. Read more: Microsoft Is Ready to Fight for $69 Billion Activision Deal Spencer remains confident that Microsoft's Activision takeover will be approved by regulators, with the company setting a timeline of getting that deal done by the end of its fiscal year, which is in June. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co. agreed to a 10-year deal to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo gaming platforms, signaling a willingness to share one of the game industry's most important titles at a time of growing consolidation in the industry. Outside of Sony's objection to the Activision acquisition, Microsoft has seen "a lot of support from the industry", he added. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co. agreed a 10-year deal to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo gaming platforms, signaling a willingness to share one of the game industry's most important titles at a time of growing consolidation in the industry. Read more: Microsoft Is Ready to Fight for $69 Billion Activision Deal Spencer remains confident that Microsoft's Activision takeover will be approved by regulators, with the company setting a timeline of getting that deal done by the end of its fiscal year, which is in June. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Macau's six casino operators won new licenses to continue running their businesses in the city, as a firm linked to Genting Group failed in its attempt to gain entry to the major gaming hub. While the final contracts will stipulate how much operators need to invest in developing the overseas market and non-gaming sectors, as well as specific projects, in a force majeure, some of the contract terms and conditions could be temporarily waived, Cheong said. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Hangzhou, a China hubs for tech startups, pledged 100 million yuan ($14 million) in annual funding for video gaming and esports amid indications that a government crackdown on those industries has eased, the South China Morning Post reported, citing a municipal government announcement. The country's semi-official gaming industry association declared the video-game addiction problem among minors was "basically solved", the English newspaper said. [Extracted from the article]

The PIF has been building stakes in video game makers and e-sports firms over the past two years, turning to the Japanese market just as a weaker yen has made investments more affordable. (Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund took a 5.01% stake in Nintendo Co., its third investment in a Japanese games company as the industry consolidates. [Extracted from the article]

The PIF, as the $500 billion fund is known, has been building stakes in video game makers and e-sports over the past two years. (Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund reported a 5.01% stake in Nintendo Co., according to a filing to Japan's Finance Ministry, adding to investments in the country's games industry. [Extracted from the article]