Episode 78: Discord, Twitch, Trust and Safety (News Show)

Apr 10, 2021

Discord and Twitch are both grappling with the responsibility to keep their platforms safe after usership jumped during the pandemic. Also: 505 Games earnings (and Death Stranding’s strong PC performance), E3’s thin roster, and Nexus.gg’s creator-curated marketplaces.

TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:21] - E3 2021 plans start to emerge
• [00:07:43] - Nexus.gg teams up with Path of Exile for creature curated micro transactions
• [00:13:35] - M&A Minute
• [00:24:43] - Quick Hits
• [00:36:14] - Digital Bros earnings
• [00:39:53] - Twitch details new off-platform Trust & Safety enforcement
• [00:47:16] - Discord’s latest Trust & Safety transparency report is a deep data dive

NEW WRITING FROM VIRTUAL ECONOMY

 

• CD Projekt’s Pretty Words are Nothing Without Meaningful Culture Change - Manda

 

SOURCES

• E3 is going digital this summer, will return in person next year (Verge)
• Support Creators by Purchasing Armour Sets on Nexus (Grinding Gear Games)
• Digital Bros Half Year Financial Report at December 31st, 2020
• Discord Transparency Report: July — Dec 2020

M&A MINUTE

• Ubisoft acquires anti-cheat software developer GameBlocks (Gamasutra)
• EMBRACER GROUP COMPLETES THE ACQUISITIONS OF ASPYR, EASYBRAIN AND GEARBOX ENTERTAINMENT
• Play Ventures’ US$135M Fund II To Power Future Unicorns of Gaming
• Tripledot Studios raises $78 million (GamesIndustry)
• PLLAY Secures Additional $1 million in Funding
• Grid secures $10m in Series A funding (GamesIndustry)