A Mario Movie Sequel / Activision's New Union / Apple's EU Troubles / Toys x Games

In this week's Roundtable, the squad dives into the exciting news of a greenlit sequel to the Super Mario Brothers movie, with production once again helmed by Illumination. We speculate on the potential for spinoffs and the broader implications for video game adaptations. The conversation then shifts to Microsoft's landmark recognition of Activision Blizzard's 600-person union, which focuses on quality assurance employees, sparking a debate on whether this will pave the way for more unions across the gaming industry. We also dissect the implications of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) coming into effect, Apple's aggressive moves, and what this means for the future of app distribution. Lastly, we delve into Mattel's newly announced co-development deal, spurred by the recent success of the Barbie movie, that pushes the company deeper into mobile game development. We end by pondering whether this marks a new trend for toy companies leveraging their IP in the digital gaming space. Join us for all the latest games business news with Tammy Levy, Dave Elton, and host Devin Becker.

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.