Derek Strickland

TL;DR: SEGA’s new president, Shuji Utsumi, aims to revitalize the brand by adopting a more aggressive strategy reminiscent of its 1990s and early 2000s heyday. Plans include reviving classic games like Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi, launching a new Virtua Fighter, and exploring a subscription service and Super Games category. SEGA’s new president wants to bring the spark back to the beloved games company and stop playing it so safe. VIEW GALLERY – 3

TL;DR: SEGA is considering entering the subscription market, inspired by services like Game Pass. This could involve launching its own service, potentially affecting its presence on existing platforms like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass. SEGA aims to monetize core fans directly but faces challenges like reduced software sales. Additionally, SEGA is developing a new market segment called Super Games. SEGA is currently mulling over whether or not it should enter the subscription market. VIEW

TL;DR: Sony has opted to invest in Kadokawa Corp by purchasing 10% of its stock for 50 billion yen, rather than acquiring the company outright. This strategic partnership aims to enhance collaboration in maximizing IP value globally. The decision aligns with Sony’s budget-conscious strategy, avoiding a costly buyout. Rather than buying Kadokawa Corp for multiple billions of dollars, Sony has chosen to invest in the manga giant instead. VIEW GALLERY – 3 IMAGES Sony will

TL;DR: In 2024, the global games market earned $184.3 billion, primarily from digital software and microtransactions, according to Newzoo. This figure is $3.4 billion less than initially forecasted. Digital revenue was $175.8 billion, while physical sales were $8.5 billion. Tencent led mobile game revenue with $8.2 billion. The worldwide games market pulled in $184.3 billion throughout 2024, driven primarily by digital software and microtransactions, analyst firm Newzoo estimates. VIEW GALLERY – 4 IMAGES Newzoo has

TL;DR: Xbox’s management changes suggest a focus on handheld gaming, with Jason Ronald promoted to Vice President of Next-Generation…and he’s attending an event for handhelds. Interesting! A new job promotion under Xbox’s management team could hint at a handheld-based future for Microsoft. VIEW GALLERY – 2 IMAGES Through a series of interviews, Xbox gaming CEO Phil Spencer has teased that Microsoft wants to make an Xbox handheld. There’s just two problems: Microsoft has a bad

TL;DR: Sony is leveraging AI and machine learning to enhance its PlayStation platform, focusing on innovations like PlayStation Spectral Resolution (PSSR) upscaling and hardware-base modifications in service of ML. Sony is all-in on machine learning technology, and wants to use AI and ML to help transform its lucrative PlayStation platform. VIEW GALLERY – 4 IMAGES Although it has a variety of top-tier studios that have sold tens of millions of games, Sony is a platform-holder

TL;DR: Sony’s 37-minute technical breakdown of the PlayStation 5 Pro, led by architect Mark Cerny, details the console’s advancements, including the PlayStation Spectral Resolution (PSSR) neural network. The PS5 Pro features a custom GPU redesign with increased Work Group Processors and enhanced Vector Registers, enabling AI-based upscaling without additional AI-specific hardware. Ever wonder how the PlayStation 5 Pro works? Sony gives us a hefty 37-minute technical breakdown on everything you’d want to know about the

TL;DR: Sony plans to acquire Kadokawa Corp., a major player in manga and anime, to enhance its multimedia empire. Analyst Suzuki Takahiro warns this could limit Kadokawa’s creative freedom and independence. While some employees are optimistic, hoping for leadership changes, concerns about the impact of consolidation remain. Sony has confirmed its intent to buy manga and anime multimedia giant Kadokawa Corp., but one Japanese analyst warns against the effects of this multimedia consolidation. VIEW GALLERY

TL;DR: CD Projekt has chosen Ciri as the protagonist for The Witcher IV, a decision made a decade ago. This choice, while causing some controversy, is supported by the studio’s belief in Ciri’s depth and potential for storytelling. Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon was always meant to be the descendant of the Witcher series, CD Projekt asserts. VIEW GALLERY – 2 IMAGES Ciri, not Geralt, is the star of The Witcher IV. For many, this isn’t

TL;DR: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is set to release on PC on January 23, 2025, via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Pre-orders offer a 30% discount, and a bundle deal includes both FF7 and its sequel for $69.99. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is coming to PC in early 2025, Square Enix has announced at The Game Awards 2024. VIEW GALLERY – 2 IMAGES While currently facing disappointing game sales, Square Enix could have an