© HTC VR-XR-MR HTC Lowers Prices for Vive Pro 2 Almost overnight, HTC has reduced the prices of the Vive Pro 2 complete system and standalone headset across Europe and the Middle East. However, even with the discount, the four-year-old product remains far from cheap. HTC has dropped the price of the Vive Pro 2 Full Kit by By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
The physical version of Kingdom Hearts 4 will be distributed by Bandai Namco Entertainment from 1 February 2025, like all other new releases from Square Enix. © Square Enix Publishing Square Enix and Bandai Namco Expand Distribution Partnership Square Enix is restructuring the distribution of its physical games in Europe, leaving Plaion, the current partner for Germany, out of the equation. Starting 1 February, Bandai Namco Entertainment will take over the distribution of Square Enix titles in Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, and the Nordics. This deal is By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
© SGF Business Summer Game Fest Gets a Side Event for Thought Leaders With just over five months to go, Geoff Keighley has announced the date for this year’s Summer Game Fest (SGF). The event will not only feature the usual Play Days but, for the first time, will also include a special gathering for industry thought leaders, curated by Christopher Dring. By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
Michael Metzger, Managing Partner, Drake Star © Metzger Business Michael Metzger: "The Games as a Service Market Is Evolving in Response to Market Saturation" Following the release of the Drake Star Global Gaming Report 2024, Michael Metzger, Managing Partner, provides further insight into expectations for this year, and also discusses the situation at Ubisoft and Electronic Arts, as well as Crypto Gaming and the current Games as a Service market. Global technology investment bank By Marcel Kleffmann • 4 min read
M&A Activity in 2024 - Drake Star Global Gaming Report 2024 © Drake Star Business G+ Drake Star: Gaming M&A Returns to Growth in 2024; Activity Expected to Increase By Marcel Kleffmann • 3 min read
The business initiation trip goes to Manchester and London, even if there is hardly any time for sightseeing © Pexels/Kris Schulze/Szymon Shields Business Trade Mission to UK Game Hubs Manchester and London Takes Shape Shortly after the election, a delegation of German games companies will visit the British gaming hubs of Manchester and London. The German participants have been confirmed, while British companies interested in meeting potential business partners from Germany are still welcome to register. The business matchmaking trip was launched in 2024. By Team GamesMarket • 1 min read
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, CEO of TIGA © TIGA Business TIGA Plans Conference During the London Games Festival The British Games Developers Association has announced its own business conference in London on 3 April, aimed at start-ups and founders in the British games industry. The event will take place during the London Games Festival, but is apparently not part of the LGF. The London Game Festival (LGF) By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
Farming Simulator VR © Giants Software Publishing Farming Simulator VR Announced by Giants Software This is hands-on virtual farming: Giants Software has announced Farming Simulator VR. The standalone game on Meta Quest will be available at the end of February 2025. It is the first VR game from Giants Software. Farming Simulator VR will be released on 28 February 2025 for Meta Quest By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read
CEO Satya Nadella / CFO Amy Hood © Microsoft Business Xbox Revenue Down Seven per Cent, but Game Pass Posts Record Sales Microsoft's Xbox division saw revenue fall by almost seven per cent year-on-year in the last quarter. While hardware sales are down, Game Pass, Call of Duty and cloud gaming are strong. Microsoft has released its financial report for Q2 FY25 (October to December 2024). The gaming By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
State Councillor Jana Schiedek and Senator for Culture and Media Dr. Carsten Brosda © Jan-Marius Komorek Business Senator's Roundtable 2025 and 20 Press Start: Start-up Grants in Hamburg One of the most important recurring events at the start of the year for Hamburg's games industry is the Senator's Roundtable, which once again provided an opportunity for open dialogue between industry and politics. 20 developers from Hamburg received the Press Start: Start-up Grant. On By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read
Dr Andreas Bareiß and Arne Braun, State Secretary for the Arts in Baden-Württemberg © MWK Baden-Württemberg Campus Dr Andreas Bareiß to Succeed Prof. Thomas Schadt in May The renowned Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg is on the verge of a generational change: Dr Andreas Bareiß will take over as director of the film academy, which also offers game design courses, on 1 May. Bareiß will succeed Prof. Thomas Schadt, who has headed the Filmakademie since 2005. The supervisory board By Stephan Steininger • 2 min read
A PlayStation account will also be optional for Marvel's Spider-Man 2. The game is due for release on PC on 30 January 2025. © Sony, Marvel Publishing Sony Drops Requirement for PlayStation Network Account on PC Recent PC releases from Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation Publishing) have required a PlayStation Network account. For two titles already released and two upcoming titles, this requirement will become optional. The recent PlayStation releases on PC required a PlayStation Network account, which was widely criticised by gamers, especially as the games By Marcel Kleffmann • 1 min read
