I think our job in running Xbox is to deliver on the things that a majority of customers want. Right now, a majority of customers are buying games digitally – Phil Spencer, CEO, Microsoft Games

Hey there!

🎉 But we have so much more:

Phil Spencer wants physical media.

And guess what? The Elden Ring DLC is set to spice up our summer, while Skull and Bones... well, let's just say it's not exactly sailing smooth seas.

Oh, and Sea of Thieves will come to PlayStation in April. 

Now let’s start:

Welcome to The Power-Up #75

Game-Up

⛵️ Sea of Thieves sets sail for PlayStation 5 with a launch date of April 30th, while Pentiment and Grounded also prepare for their PlayStation debuts.

🏃 Also, Hi-Fi Rush is set to launch on PS5 on March 19. 

🕷️ Spider-Man 2 update, coming on March 7, adds new suits, New Game Plus, and a $5 charity skin bundle supporting Gameheads. Update includes gameplay enhancements, Photo Mode improvements, and accessibility features.

🎮 Nintendo's February Partner Showcase unveils Xbox titles Pentiment and Grounded for Switch, alongside the return of Endless Ocean and an expanded Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. Additionally, the showcase highlighted a remastered Epic Mickey, the revival of the original Star Wars: Battlefront games, and a variety of other upcoming titles set to enrich the Switch's diverse game library.

💍 Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC launches June 21, 2024, with preorders and a Collector's Edition available. First gameplay trailer was released, highlighting new content and features.

Round-Up

🦄 Tales of Arise surpasses 3 million sales, bolstered by recent expansion and Xbox Game Pass inclusion. It is the fastest-selling in the Tales series and it continues to perform well.

🏢 Prison Architect 2 release is delayed to May 7, 2024, for further optimization. Double Eleven promises enhanced gameplay experience with extra development time.

💿 Phil Spencer reaffirms Xbox's commitment to physical media, highlighting that Microsoft's gaming strategy accommodates both physical and digital formats based on consumer demand. 

🎮 Sony is testing PS VR2's PC compatibility, aiming for support within the year. This move, anticipated by the VR community, promises to expand the device's game library beyond PlayStation exclusives.

☠️vSkull and Bones grapples with fewer than 1 million players, counting free trial participants, facing backlash over its $70 pricing.

🚀 Palworld reaches 25 million players, despite scrutiny and AI development discussions.

Biz-Up

💿 A report suggests Sony will manage Disney's physical media, promising the support for 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD releases. This unconfirmed partnership could signify ongoing support for physical formats in the gaming and entertainment industries.

📈 Racing games led 2023's app install growth with a 61% increase, while action games dominated in downloads and playtime. Mobile game ATT consent rates climbed to 39%, reflecting a positive trend in user engagement and industry growth.

📈 Gaming M&A soared to $76.7bn in 2023 with 147 deals, notably boosted by Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Investment in the gaming sector dropped by 69% to $4.4bn across 616 transactions, marking a seven-year low.

🧱 Thunderful, the Swedish game development company that created Lego Bricktales, reported a loss of $59 million in 2023, attributed to a 57% drop in profits in Q4.

Industry Level-Up

😔 Thunderful initiates a restructuring plan to save SEK 90-110 million ($8.7 - $10.7 million) annually, correcting past overspending by cutting over 100 jobs. Full impact is expected in the second half of 2024 after a year marked by a 4.6% decline in net revenue and a SEK 609 million ($58.9 million) loss.

😔 Gameloft lays off 38 employees in Lviv (Ukraine) office, due to market conditions. An unspecified number also will be let go in Toronto, impacting staff with varying lengths of tenure.

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

Bobby & Andrei