Your Latest Game Industry News Round-Up #10. Scope out a few of the news stories from the game industry this week, hand-picked from across the world of games.
Sony Reveals the PlayStation 5 Hardware and Several Games
Source: Polygon
The long-awaited PlayStation 5 hardware reveal event, delayed due to the racial justice protests in the United States, took place on Thursday. We’re highlighting Polygon’s rundown on some of the key announcements:
“Major details about the PlayStation 5 were revealed on Thursday, including the design of the hardware — both the standard and discless Digital Edition models — as well as some of the games that will be available alongside Sony’s launch of the next-gen console this holiday season.”
Game Industry Events Delayed While Racial Justice Protests Continue
Source: Digital Trends
— Electronic Arts (@EA) June 5, 2020
“An increasing number of video game developers and publishers are responding to the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
This week, prominent gaming companies including Sony, Naughty Dog, and Electronic Arts, have all shared messages of hope and understanding, as people across the United States protest police violence and promote better treatment for Black Americans. Many of the companies are using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and calling on everyone to do their part to improve the treatment of people of color across the country.”
In its story, Digital Trends lists many of the statements the companies have made as well as the changes in schedule for the virtual events the companies had planned for June.
Itch.io 1,500 game bundle surpasses $5 million fundraising goal
Source: Polygon
“Indie gaming storefront Itch.io is currently offering arguably the best video game bundle in history: more than 1,500 games and counting for just $5, with all proceeds going toward the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Community Bail Fund. Now, the deal, called the Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality, has passed more than $5 million in proceeds for charity as of Thursday afternoon.
It’s more money than any of the biggest gaming corporations have thus far donated amid Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd, whose death at the hands of former Minnesota police officers has sparked worldwide outrage and a national reckoning on police brutality and racial justice”
Guerrilla Collective’s Perspective on Indie Game Development and Events iin 2020
Source: TSA
“(2020 has) been uniquely challenging for large companies, but also nigh on impossible for smaller publishers and indie developers to overcome. So they banded together for the Guerrilla Collective and create their own showcase, originally planned to take place last weekend, but now rescheduled to take place from 13th-15th June.
The Sixth Axis (TSA) remotely interviewed Fernando Rizo, CEO of Modern Wolf and one of the folks involved with Guerrilla Collective, to find out how the game industry may change with the mass cancellation of events this year.
Digital Games Conference Goes Live (and Digital) in Late June
Source: Arabian Business
The Middle East/North Africa (MENA)-focused Digital Games Conference will be held (virtually) on June 21-23. Check out the Arabian Business article for more details about what feature and focuses to expect from this event and who will be speaking and attending.
In May, Video Game Sales Continue to Soar
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Thanks in part to COVID-19 quarantines, the video game industry continues to flourish as we approach the summer:
“The U.S. video game industry remained strong in May, as both hardware and software sales soared and accessories sales set new records.
American consumers spent $977 million on consoles, video games, and accessories in May, NPD reported on Friday, a 52% year-over-year gain compared to the $642 million consumers spent in May 2019. Console sales were up 56% year-over-year to $235 million and video game sales skyrocketed by 67% to $438 million. Accessories revenue topped $304 million, a 32% surge year-over-year.”
Sega Revives Classic Mascot Character
Source: VentureBeat
If I were to say, “Sega’s rebooting a classic character, a long-time mascot of the company,” you might think of Sonic. In fact, a reboot is happening, but it involves a character from the before times of pre-Sonic Sega. Alex Kidd is the character Sega’s reviving for the upcoming Miracle World DX.
“Independent publisher Merge Games announced Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX during IGN’s Summer of Gaming event today. This is a remake of the first entry in the Alex Kidd franchise, which debuted in 1986 for the Sega Master system. It is going to come out for PC along with “Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation consoles,” according to IGN. Presumably, that means Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Do you have interesting news to share, or something coming up that would also fit into this regular feature? Let us know!
