Research Summary
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the key developments in the gaming industry during Week 37 of 2023. It covers major headlines, fundraising announcements, and content from independent creators. Topics range from Netflix’s two-pronged approach and Nintendo’s discontinuation of Mario Kart Tour, to Roblox’s alternative to phone calls and Microsoft’s Xbox Mastercard. The report also includes insights into the gaming market trends, the metaverse, and Web3 gaming landscape.
Key Takeaways
Major Headlines
- Netflix’s Two-Pronged Approach: The report mentions Netflix’s new strategy, but does not provide further details. This could indicate a shift in Netflix’s business model or content strategy.
- Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour Discontinuation: Nintendo has decided to discontinue Mario Kart Tour. The reasons behind this decision and its potential impact on the gaming community are not detailed in the report.
- Roblox’s Alternative to Phone Calls: Roblox is offering an alternative to phone calls, suggesting a new communication feature or platform. The specifics of this offering are not elaborated in the report.
Fundraising Announcements
- Mythical Protocol’s $6.5M Funding: Mythical Protocol has raised $6.5M for Riftstorm, an action-shooter rogue-like game with cross-play between mobile, console, and PC. The funding round included several investors, indicating strong support for the project.
- Animoca Brands’ $20.0M Funding: Animoca Brands has raised $20.0M for the Mocaverse project, which aims to bring together the entire Animoca Brands ecosystem through Mocaverse NFTs.
- Nazara’s $49M Funding: Nazara has secured $49M in funding, which it plans to use for further investments, particularly in acquiring games and sports media companies.
Content from Independent Creators
- Deconstructor of Fun’s Insights: Deconstructor of Fun shared insights on the gaming market trends and the need to rethink the “Game of the Year” award for mobile.
- GameDev Reports’ Updates: GameDev Reports provided updates on mobile games in the US, China, and Japan for August 2023, and noted the return to growth of the Japanese mobile gaming market in 2023.
- Naavik’s Survey: Naavik conducted a survey on the Web3 gaming landscape, indicating a growing interest in blockchain and cryptocurrency in the gaming industry.
Actionable Insights
- Monitor Netflix’s Strategy: Keep an eye on Netflix’s new two-pronged approach to understand its potential impact on the streaming and gaming industries.
- Assess the Impact of Mario Kart Tour’s Discontinuation: Evaluate the implications of Nintendo’s decision to discontinue Mario Kart Tour on the gaming community and the company’s future strategy.
- Explore Roblox’s New Offering: Investigate Roblox’s alternative to phone calls to understand its potential benefits and applications in the gaming industry.
- Understand the Potential of Web3 Gaming: Analyze the Web3 gaming landscape and the potential opportunities it presents for game developers and investors.
