Episode 61: BioWare’s Leadership Shakeup and PAX’s Live Event Optimism (News show)

Dec 6, 2020

Event company ReedPop has announced ambitious dates for next year’s PAX shows. In an original report, we discuss exhibitor reactions to PAX Online, what went right and wrong, the price of exhibiting at PAX events, and what developers and publishers should consider when choosing which of the many events to allocate.

In this episode

• 1:28 - EG7 acquires three studios
• 6:35 - Phoenix Labs relaunches Dauntless and expands
• 9:25 - Fortnite: Season finale player count, cross-over success, and Crew subscription
• 21:30 - Microsoft opens up about Game Pass payments to developers
• 31:45 - Quick Hits
• 46:40 - Activision Blizzard reports $3 million in Call of Duty net bookings for past 12 months
• 50:48 - BioWare leadership shakeup
• 55:20 - Report on PAX Online, PAX 2021 dates, E3 plans, and what developers should consider when choosing which events to attend
  
  Links:
• EG7 Enters Into an Agreement to Acquire Piranha Games Inc.: https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/121645C48E654694 
• EG7 Completes the Acquisition of Big Blue Bubble: https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/E1F959FDA80E3F54
• EG7 enters into an agreement to acquire Daybreak Game Company and has secured debt financing and intends to raise equity: https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/7758700B9A777D34/
• Phoenix Labs Establishes New Montreal and Los Angeles Studios, Announces New Games in Development: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phoenix-labs-establishes-new-montreal-and-los-angeles-studios-announces-new-games-in-development-301183133.html
• MICROSOFT’S PHIL SPENCER ON LAUNCHING THE NEW XBOX AND THE FUTURE OF GAMES (The Verge): https://www.theverge.com/21611412/microsoft-phil-spencer-interview-xbox-series-x-launch-decoder-podcast
• Call of Duty Surpasses $3 Billion in Net Bookings Over Last 12 Months as Activision Ignites a New Business Model (PR Newswire): https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201204005140/en/Call-of-Duty-Surpasses-3-Billion-in-Net-Bookings-Over-Last-12-Months-as-Activision-Ignites-a-New-Business-Model
• BioWare’s Leadership Shakeup - Casey Hudson (https://blog.bioware.com/2020/12/03/from-casey-hudson), Mark Darrah (https://blog.bioware.com/2020/12/03/from-mark-darrah/), Laura Miele (https://blog.bioware.com/2020/12/03/a-message-from-laura-miele-chief-studios-officer-electronic-arts/), Christian Dailey (https://blog.bioware.com/2020/12/04/a-note-from-christian/)