The podcast dives into the intriguing world of gaming, analyzing Niantic's valuation and questioning the future of AR. Unity's earnings post-restructuring raise eyebrows, while PrizePix blurs lines between gaming and gambling. Hasbro Digital's surprising success and Steam Deck's impact on PCs ignite discussions, alongside Epic Game Store's strategy. The return of Overwatch loot boxes sparks nostalgia, and emerging mobile trends like Last War Survival and unique RPGs are unveiled. Plus, fake ads continue to shape the landscape!
Hasbro Digital's impressive 22% revenue growth highlights the ongoing popularity of Monopoly Go and its potential for additional revenue through related products.
Concerns over the longevity of smaller app stores, like Epic Games Store, arise from increased competition and decreased third-party revenue despite stable user engagement.
Rockstar's integration of user-generated content in GTA 6 signifies a shift towards interactive gaming experiences, presenting both creative opportunities and brand safety challenges.
Deep dives
Hasbro Digital's Success with Monopoly Go
Hasbro's digital gaming division reported significant growth, with a 22 percent increase in digital license gaming revenue, totaling $471 million for the year. Monopoly Go emerged as a leading contributor, generating $112 million, demonstrating the game's sustained popularity despite being in the market for a few years. However, there are questions about whether this revenue aligns with the game's success since it represents a small fraction of what could be expected from such a major hit. The discussion also highlighted the potential for increased revenues through additional products, such as board game sales related to Monopoly Go.
Challenges for the Epic Games Store
The announcement of Amazon's plan to discontinue its Android app store raised concerns about the survival of smaller app stores, including the Epic Games Store. Recent year-end analytics from Epic provided insight into user engagement, revealing stable monthly active users from 2023 to 2024, but a decline in third-party revenue share, which is a concern for its long-term health. Despite its current revenue being driven largely by Fortnite, there is apprehension regarding the store's ability to grow and compete against dominant players like Steam. Additionally, Epic's strategy appears to include a greater focus on exclusive Eastern RPGs to attract players, though its overall performance remains questioned.
The Future of User-Generated Content in GTA 6
Rockstar Games is reportedly planning to integrate user-generated content (UGC) into the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6, inviting top creators from platforms like Roblox to contribute custom experiences in the game. This strategy aims to create a more interactive environment but raises brand safety concerns due to the mature nature of the GTA universe, which may limit potential collaborations with certain brands. Discussions among industry experts suggest that while GTA has the potential to host a mature-focused UGC platform, the challenges of developing a competent and attractive system remain significant. Overall, it reflects a growing trend in gaming where user-generated content is increasingly emphasized, positioning GTA as a candidate for adult-oriented creative experiences.
Unity's New AI Ad Platform
Unity announced the introduction of a new AI ad platform named Vector, which received mixed reactions from industry experts. While the company reported a spike in stock prices after its announcement, this has raised concerns regarding the sustainability of its business strategy as analysts question if Vector can effectively compete with established players like AppLovin. Critics pointed out that the positive market reactions might be more about short-term trading than faith in Unity's long-term plans, citing issues related to the credibility of the new platform and its impact on current operations like IronSource. There's skepticism about whether Vector can deliver meaningful results given the complex landscape of advertising and monetization.
Game Studios Closing at Warner Brothers Discovery
Warner Brothers Discovery has decided to close three game studios and halt the development of several projects, including a Wonder Woman title, as part of a broader strategy to enhance profitability. This decision reflects a shift in focus towards major franchises like Harry Potter and Mortal Kombat, leaving many employees without jobs and signaling an uncertain future for Warner's interactive entertainment division. The executive transition within the company, including the departure of president David Haddad, has raised questions about the leadership's commitment to gaming amid competitive market pressures. Commentators noted that the closures highlight the challenges facing many traditional entertainment companies navigating the evolving gaming landscape.
With Miska back jet-set life, Eric is HOT about the newest RNG platform, while Phil wants to revisit Niantic’s $9B valuation and go shopping in the Epic Game Store. Jen explodes a new angle on Vector, but Eric isn’t buying the geometry. The crew fights the first war on Last War’s Fake Ads: get real or get rich?
To meet the Crew, check out our event in the weekly newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
01:19 Star Wars
03:36 Shilling and Advice
06:48 Niantic's Valuation and Exit
08:48 PrizePix and Gambling
11:44 Hasbro Digital's Success
16:04 Epic Game Store Analysis
23:03 GTA and UGC Potential
29:14 Steam Deck's Impact on the PC Market
30:17 Unity's Earnings & Vector
44:00 Warner Bros Studio Closures
45:50 Love and Deep Space: A Unique RPG
48:18 Last War Survival's Success
50:09 Fake Ads
57:33 Overwatch Loot Boxes Return??
58:45 Conclusion and Sign-Off
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode