Core Insights - Nintendo will return to Gamescom 2025, confirming its participation from August 20 to 24 in Cologne, Germany [1][3] - The absence in 2024 was speculated to be due to the development of the Switch 2, which is set to launch on June 5, 2025 [3] Company Developments - The Switch 2 will feature significant hardware improvements, including support for 4K output, ray tracing technology, and DLSS, while maintaining smooth performance in handheld mode [3] - Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will be backward compatible with Switch games, utilizing translation technology to ensure older games run on the new platform [3] Expected Showcases - Potential titles to be showcased at Gamescom 2025 include: - "Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze," expected to launch in July, featuring dynamic resolution technology [3] - "Drag X Drive," a new racing title set to demonstrate stable 60 frames per second performance [3] - "Pokémon Legends Z-A," aligning with the open-world exploration capabilities of the Switch 2 [3] - "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond," a long-awaited sequel likely to be a flagship title for the Switch 2 [3] - Third-party titles such as "Doom: Dark Ages" are also rumored to be available on the Switch 2, potentially surprising attendees at the event [3]

Group 1 - The mobile game "Honkai: Star Rail" has regained the top position in overseas mobile game revenue growth, with a 136% increase in overseas income, marking its highest revenue since the anniversary update [1] - The success of "Honkai: Star Rail" is driving growth in the upstream and downstream industries, providing opportunities for peripheral product manufacturers, live streaming platforms, and advertisers to expand their profit channels [1] - The overall investment value of the gaming industry chain is increasing, potentially attracting more capital inflow and promoting further industry prosperity [1] Group 2 - "GTA6" only entered substantial development in 2018, despite initial conceptual work starting after the success of "GTA5," indicating a long development cycle [2] - The high anticipation for "GTA6" suggests potential for significant sales and revenue growth upon release, which could positively impact the company's stock price [2] - However, the lengthy development period and uncertainties such as delays may create concerns among investors, potentially affecting short-term stock performance [2] Group 3 - The PS5 version of "Doom: Dark Ages" has experienced a "leak" prior to its official release, with players reportedly accessing the game early [3] - Early access to "Doom: Dark Ages" may reduce the purchasing impulse for the official release, potentially impacting initial sales figures [3] - The game has received favorable reviews on Metacritic, with scores of 86 for Xbox, 85 for PC, and 84 for PS5, indicating strong market interest [3]

Core Insights - Microsoft successfully completed the acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, marking it as one of the largest deals in the tech industry, but the relationship between the two companies remains contentious, with mixed opinions from the gaming community [1][2] - Blizzard is planning to re-enter the Chinese market in 2024, aiming to regain its player base by reintroducing beloved games and rebuilding trust with players through incentives [2][4] - Microsoft is shifting its strategy to focus on software revenue by making Xbox Game Studios titles available on multiple platforms, including PlayStation, indicating a significant change in its market approach [2][4] Company Strategies - Blizzard is working to restore its relationship with players by offering substantial benefits and reintroducing classic games to the market [2][4] - Microsoft is expanding its game offerings across platforms, as seen with titles like "Forza Horizon 5" being made available on PlayStation, showcasing its commitment to software revenue growth [2][4] - The announcement of "Sea of Thieves" coming to Blizzard's Battle.net indicates a strategic partnership between Microsoft and Blizzard to leverage each other's platforms for mutual benefit [4][6] Market Dynamics - The gaming industry is witnessing intense competition, with both Blizzard and Microsoft striving to capture larger market shares despite their established positions as industry giants [4][6] - The upcoming game "Uncharted Stars," developed by former Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime's new company, Dreamhaven, poses a potential threat to both companies, prompting them to act swiftly to protect their interests [8][11] - The unique gameplay mechanics and positive player feedback from "Uncharted Stars" suggest it could disrupt the market, leading to Microsoft's and Blizzard's proactive measures to counter its impact [25][24]