We truly believe that there could be value that we can bring from the Web3 features and community - M.J Wong, Co-founder/CEO, Moonveil Entertainment

Hey there!

🎉 But we have so much more:

Unity lost US advertisers after the Runtime Fee, but saw some recovery.

King is using AI in Candy Crush Saga, but only in some aspects of the game. And the original map of Fortnite will be back in Season 5, launching in just a few days.

Don’t forget to check some of the games releasing this week, at the end of this newsletter.

Hit the start button, here we go:

Welcome to The Power-Up #31

Biz Reel

🥹 Quantum Error, a PS5 horror game set to release on 3rd November, has already covered its development costs through pre-orders alone. TeamKill Media, the game's developer, expressed gratitude for the pre-order support, ensuring subsequent sales will be pure profit.

📉 Rovio reported a 5.6% drop in Q3 2023 revenue, post Sega's acquisition of 97.7% of its shares. Despite some declines, the company saw positive growth in key metrics and is exploring synergies with Sega for future enhancements.

👎 Unity's controversial Runtime Fee led to a 15% decline in US advertisers. However, after revising the fee and leadership changes, the company saw recovery, ending the month with a 9% increase in US advertisers compared to the previous month.

💰 Tencent subsidiary Aceville acquired approximately two million shares in game developer Shift Up for $58.8 million, increasing its stake to 24%. This move comes after Wemade divested all its shares in Shift Up, capitalizing on the developer's success with its game, Goddess of Victory: Nikke.

Round-Up

🎅 Sony has resolved supply chain issues, anticipating a significant boost in PS5 sales this holiday season, with the global marketing head predicting it as one of their "strongest seasons." The recent release of Spider-Man 2 and upcoming redesigned PS5 models are expected to drive sales further.

💵 Fortnite's in-game currency, V-Bucks, has seen a 12.5% price increase due to "economic factors like inflation." Amid rising costs in gaming, Epic Games recently laid off over 800 staff, facing criticism for its financial strategies.

👌 Sony prioritizes quality in its PS5 exclusives, with much behind-the-scenes effort ensuring top-tier games. Various studios under the PlayStation Studios banner consistently produce highly-rated titles, showcasing a unified dedication to excellence.

🤖 King is utilizing AI to enhance the player experience in Candy Crush Saga, focusing on personalizing gameplay based on user behavior. While AI tools streamline some game development aspects, CTO Steve Collins emphasizes that it won't replace the complex processes and creativity involved in producing such a game.

Game Central

🗾 Fortnite's original map is returning in the upcoming season, with a launch date set for November 3, 2023. This decision follows several in-game hints and speculations among players about revisiting older chapters.

🔪 Insomniac's Wolverine game is set in the same universe (Earth-1048) as their Spider-Man titles, as confirmed by Spider-Man 2 director Bryan Intihar. The connection raises the possibility of shared references between the games.

🤿 Dave the Diver has been released on Nintendo Switch after its successful PC launch. The game, which has already attracted over a million players, combines underwater exploration with managing a sushi bar.

🧐 Capcom is set to release an "unannounced major title" by March 2024, as hinted in a recent Q&A document. Fans speculate that this could be a new Monster Hunter game, but no official details have been provided yet.

🚀 Some of the games launching this week:

• October 31 - Head Bangers: Rhythm Royale (Switch), Jusant (PS4/5, Xbox One/S/X, PC), Little Goody Two Shoes (PS5, Xbox S/X, Switch, PC), Silent Hill: Ascension (iOS, Android), The Foglands (PS5, PSVR2), ou Will Die Here Tonight (PC)

• November 1 - The Bed We Made (PS5, PC)

• November 2 - Achilles: Legends Untold (PS5, Xbox Series S/X, PC), Phantom Galaxies (PC), PowerWash Simulator VR (Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest Pro), RoboCop: Rogue City (PS4, Xbox S/X, PC), Thirsty Suitors (PS4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Switch, PC), The Talos Principle 2 (PS4/5, Xbox S/X, PC)

• November 3 - DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing (PS4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Switch), Quantum Error (PS5, Xbox S/X, PC), Jumanji: Wild Adventures (PS4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Switch, PC), Warcraft Rumble (iOS, Android), WarioWare: Move It! (Switch)

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Stay powered-up until next time.

Bobby & Andrei