Video Games
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Netflix Ups Longterm Debt by $2 Billion
Netflix Oct. 21 announced that it intends to offer, subject to market and other considerations, about $2 billion worth of bonds to institutional buyers. The interest rate, redemption provisions, maturity date and other terms of each series of notes will be determined by negotiations between Netflix and the initial purchasers. Netflix said it intends to use the … Continue reading “Netflix Ups Longterm Debt by $2 Billion”
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Transactional Movie Marketing: How Big is Your Fan Base?
On Oct. 15, AMC Theatres — the world’s largest movie exhibitor — launched “AMC Theatres On Demand,” a transactional platform enabling its A-List members to purchase or rent studio (notably Paramount, Lionsgate) movies in the home on their retail release. Key to AMC’s push into home entertainment, is the exhibitor’s leverage of its 19-million Stubs … Continue reading “Transactional Movie Marketing: How Big is Your Fan Base?”
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NPD: September Video Game Sales Drop 8%
Sales of video game hardware and software continued their monthly decline, with September revenue down 8% to $1.27 billion compared with $1.39 billion from the previous-year period, according to new data from The NPD Group. “Year-to-date spending across tracked video game hardware, software, accessories, and game cards has fallen 6% when compared to 2018, to … Continue reading “NPD: September Video Game Sales Drop 8%”
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Nintendo Switch Game Console Tops 15 Million Unit Sales in North America
Nintendo continues to spearhead the sluggish North American video game industry as market rivals Microsoft and Sony ready next-generation consoles launches a year from now. Nintendo Oct. 17 disclosed it has sold 15 million Switch and Switch Lite consoles in North America since the device’s bow in 2017. The console has sold another 10 million … Continue reading “Nintendo Switch Game Console Tops 15 Million Unit Sales in North America”
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German Synagogue Shooter Live-Streamed Killings on Amazon’s Twitch Video Game Platform
Amazon-owned Twitch has confirmed that the suspected shooter near a synagogue in Halle, Germany, that left two people dead, live-streamed the event on the video game streaming platform. A suspect has been arrested in what German police called an anti-Semitic attack that occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Twitch confirmed that … Continue reading “German Synagogue Shooter Live-Streamed Killings on Amazon’s Twitch Video Game Platform”
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Sony PlayStation 5 Video Game Console Launching for 2020 Winter Holidays
Sony Oct. 8 disclosed its next-generation PlayStation video game console will be named PlayStation 5 and debut in time for the winter holidays in 2020. Sony, which first announced the pending console in April, along with Microsoft’s Xbox, are integral to the success of the video game industry. The 2020 debut means the gaming industry … Continue reading “Sony PlayStation 5 Video Game Console Launching for 2020 Winter Holidays”
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Google Bows $4.99 ‘Play Pass’ Video Game Platform
Google Sept. 23 announced the launch of “Play Pass,” a $4.99 monthly service offering access to more than 350 apps and video games. All games are free of ads and upfront payments. Subscriptions include a 10-day free trial. For a limited time (12 months), Play Pass costs $1.99/month, then $4.99/month thereafter. Play Pass apps and games … Continue reading “Google Bows $4.99 ‘Play Pass’ Video Game Platform”
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Nintendo Switch Lite Launches
Nintendo has launched Nintendo Switch Lite, which is cheaper and lighter than the original Switch, as well as a new Switch game, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. “The introduction of Nintendo Switch Lite gives people the choice of a Nintendo Switch system that best fits their needs and personal play style,” said Nick Chavez, … Continue reading “Nintendo Switch Lite Launches”
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NPD: August Video Game Sales Declined Double Digits
Retail sales of video games and hardware continue to suffer in an age of online gaming and lack of new-edition consoles. The NPD Group reported that overall game sales fell 18% in August to $666 million, compared with $812 million in the previous-year period. Through Aug. 31, total game spending for the year is down … Continue reading “NPD: August Video Game Sales Declined Double Digits”
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GameStop to Close 200 Underperforming Stores, With More to Follow
Following a nightmarish fiscal quarter, GameStop said it plans to shutter upwards of 200 underperforming stores nationwide, with more closures to follow. CFO James Bell disclosed the move during the retailer’s Sept. 10 fiscal call that followed a second quarter (ended Aug. 3) that saw the company post a net loss of more than $400 … Continue reading “GameStop to Close 200 Underperforming Stores, With More to Follow”
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Nintendo Offering 12-Month Switch Online Membership with ‘Tetris 99’ Game
Nintendo Switch device owners can now pick up a new bundle at select retailers that includes the Tetris 99 game and a 12-month membership to Nintendo Switch Online at $29.99 SRP. Launched last year as competition to PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live, the standalone Switch Online membership is normally $19.99, which includes access to multiplayer … Continue reading “Nintendo Offering 12-Month Switch Online Membership with ‘Tetris 99’ Game”
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GameStop Stock Continues Rollercoaster Ride Following ‘Big Short’ Vote of Confidence
Shares of fiscally challenged video game retailer GameStop rose almost 5% in pre-market trading Aug. 26 as Wall Street attempts to come to grips with last week’s vote of confidence from a major investor. GameStop may be the world’s largest video game retailer with nearly 9,000 locations, but in an era of online gaming and … Continue reading “GameStop Stock Continues Rollercoaster Ride Following ‘Big Short’ Vote of Confidence”