TWIG #317: Big Dream, Bigger Battlefield, and the Biggest Roblox M&A deal EVER
Feb 7, 2025
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The hosts dive into the chaotic gaming landscape, dissecting the major Roblox acquisition and the potential of Battlefield to attract dormant fans. Adam reveals his Multiversus thesis while Phil grapples with the woes of Battlefield. They debate the evolving role of AI in games, questioning whether it's a flop or just too soon to tell. With a mix of humor and critique, they challenge the gaming industry's metaverse narratives and spotlight the need for innovation in character design and player engagement strategies.
Matthew Ball's vision of the metaverse faces increasing criticism, as industry members grapple with its unattainability amidst evolving gaming landscapes.
BioWare's restructuring raises concerns about its identity and the future of Dragon Age, while hopes linger for a narrative-driven return in Mass Effect.
Vulodex's acquisition of Brookhaven illustrates a rising trend in Roblox M&A activity, emphasizing the need for enhanced user engagement and monetization strategies.
Deep dives
Resentment Towards Matthew Ball
There is notable resentment among some industry members towards Matthew Ball, especially regarding his views on the metaverse. Many express frustration over his seemingly unrealistic vision, which they've deemed a failure as the concept of a singular metaverse fails to materialize. Despite some individuals still supporting his ideas, the consensus points towards a growing criticism of his predictions and analyses in light of recent developments in the gaming landscape. The discussion emphasizes a desire for more meaningful feedback from Ball regarding the changes and failures observed in the industry.
Troubles at BioWare
The recent restructuring at BioWare has left a significant portion of the Dragon Age team displaced following the disappointing reception of their latest title. The cuts and reassignments reflect a broader struggle within the company, especially as they pivot resources primarily towards the development of the Mass Effect franchise. There's a prevailing sense of hope among commentators that the Mass Effect series can return to form if it focuses on high narrative quality instead of expansive open-world elements. However, concerns persist about whether the core essence of BioWare's identity remains intact amid these ongoing changes.
Shut Down of Multiverse
The multiverse gaming project, after attempting to relaunch, has permanently ceased operations, highlighting the challenges of sustaining interest in live service games. The analysis points to its struggle to attract and retain a solid player base compared to traditional one-on-one fighter games. Insights suggest that the complexity involved in 2v2 fighting games may have contributed to its downfall, as these games often fail to achieve the necessary mastery and balance that popular fighting titles possess. Factors such as design oversights and competition from well-established franchises have ultimately influenced its closure.
Dream Games and High Valuation Speculation
Dream Games is on a path to potentially increasing its valuation by seeking $2.5 billion in equity and debt, aiming for a jump to $5 billion. This financial maneuver, while impressive, raises concerns about the sustainability of such high valuations in the current market. Some analysts speculate that aggressively setting high valuations could complicate future exit opportunities, particularly given the volatility in mobile gaming. Despite this, Dream Games continues to show strong performance, leaving observers wondering about the long-term viability of such financial strategies.
Significant Roblox Acquisition
A significant acquisition in the Roblox developer arena was made by Vulodex, which bought the hugely popular game Brookhaven, boasting around 120 million monthly active users. This move signals a growing trend in Roblox M&A activity as developers seek to consolidate and enhance their game offerings. While the financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, speculation suggests it could be aimed at improving monetization strategies within the platform. This acquisition underlines the competitive landscape of Roblox, where maintaining user engagement and revenue generation is crucial for success.
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With Jen at a meditation retreat in California and Miska fully embracing his jet-set life, Eric reminds us just how wrong Matthew Ball got it.
Adam reveals the Multiversus thesis and argues that Battlefield has room to grab dormant fans and grow the market. Phil spews Battlefield tears and worries about Roblox’s value destruction.
They conclude by debating the AI integration in-games: flop or tbd?
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