Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison speaks during the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles on October 9, 2025.AFP via Getty ImagesRupert Murdoch’s News Corp. has a major launch in the works: A West Coast offshoot of the New York Post, the company’s puckish tabloid that covers crime, scandal, and gossip with a blend of swagger and provocative headline puns. The early 2026 debut of The California Post will likely be the final journalistic hurrah for Murdoch, the 94-year-old press baron whose empire ...

In this articlePSKYWBDNFLXParamount Skydance CEO David Ellison speaks during the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles on October 9, 2025. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty ImagesThis isn't exactly what David Ellison had planned in September. Just a few months ago, the Paramount Skydance CEO sent a letter to the Warner Bros. Discovery board of directors arguing a combination of the two media and entertainment compani ...

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ben Mauro, the acclaimed concept artist and worldbuilder behind Halo Infinite, Call of Duty, Elysium, and The Predator, today announced the US release of HUXLEY: The Oracle. The book, serving as the narrative prequel to Mauro's expanding HUXLEY universe, has already reached #1 in Amazon's New Releases for Conceptual Art based on pre-orders alone. HUXLEY: The Oracle departs from the graphic novel format in the first book, adopting an immersive narrative art book format. ...

Market Performance & Trends - By 2010, Guitar Hero game sales reached $247 billion, while Rock Band sales hit $12 billion [1] - Call of Duty generated $1 billion annually by 2010, highlighting its significant market presence [1] - Guitar Hero's popularity declined sharply after initial success, suggesting market saturation [1] Consumer Behavior & Appeal - Guitar Hero and Rock Band had broad appeal, attracting non-video game players [2][3] - The games were universally appealing and easy for anyone to pick up and enjoy [3] - Despite initial popularity, the games were easy to put down and lacked long-term engagement [3] Product & Retail Dynamics - Guitar Hero controllers for the Wii were highly sought after due to the console's crossover appeal [5] - Secondhand Guitar Hero controllers remain consistently available and in demand [5][6] - Retailers like FYE sold video games and Guitar Hero controllers, indicating their market presence [4][5]

Core Insights - Netflix has entered into a partnership with Asmodee to adapt the popular board game "Catan" into film and television projects, reflecting a growing trend in the industry to leverage game adaptations for audience engagement [1][2]. Company Developments - The deal will involve an undisclosed number of projects, including both live-action and animated formats, produced in collaboration with key figures from Asmodee and Catan Studio [2]. - This partnership follows previous collaborations, including the release of a French-language film "Family Pack" in 2024 and board games based on Netflix shows like "Ozark," "Squid Game," and "Stranger Things" [3]. Industry Trends - The adaptation of video games into films and television has proven to be a financially viable strategy, with notable successes such as "A Minecraft Movie," which grossed over $423 million domestically, and "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," which earned more than $1.3 billion globally [5]. - Despite the financial success of some adaptations, critical reception has been mixed, with many films receiving low scores on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating challenges in translating video game narratives into compelling cinematic experiences [6]. Market Potential - "Catan" has sold 45 million copies since its release in 1995 and has been translated into over 40 languages, showcasing its widespread popularity and potential as a source for adaptation [4].

Core Insights - Microsoft is recognized as a leading technology company with a significant role in personal computing and cloud services, particularly through its Azure platform [1][2] - The company reported that 8.33% of its revenue in fiscal year 2025 came from its gaming segment, indicating growth potential in this area [2] - The recent price increase of Xbox Game Pass is expected to contribute positively to Microsoft's revenue growth [3][4] Financial Performance - Microsoft has a market capitalization of $3.9 trillion and generates most of its revenue from Azure, Microsoft 365, and Windows [2] - The company reported a nearly 16% year-over-year increase in net income to $101.8 billion and a similar increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $13.64 [14] - Total assets increased by 21% year-over-year to $619 billion, and net cash from operating activities rose nearly 15% year-over-year to $136.1 billion [14] Gaming Segment Developments - The Xbox Game Pass subscription service is undergoing a price increase, with Ultimate subscribers facing a 50% hike to $29.99 per month [3][4] - Microsoft is now the third-largest company in the gaming industry, following Sony and Tencent, bolstered by acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision [6] - Xbox gaming revenue rose by 10% year-over-year, with Xbox content and services increasing by 13% year-over-year [8] Market Sentiment and Analyst Ratings - Analysts maintain a consensus Moderate Buy rating for Microsoft, with a 12-month price target suggesting an 18% upside [10] - Institutional ownership is strong at over 71%, and short interest is low at 0.89% [10] - The company is expected to continue building on the momentum in its gaming segment, as indicated by the positive reception of its recent financial results [5][9]

Core Viewpoint - Electronic Arts is focusing on the latest "Battlefield" title to restore the franchise's reputation and challenge the dominance of "Call of Duty" in the first-person shooter market [1] Group 1 - The new "Battlefield" title aims to address the shortcomings of its predecessor and regain player trust [1] - The company is positioning this release as a critical move to enhance its competitive stance against "Call of Duty" [1]

Core Points - A Delaware judge ruled that former Activision Blizzard officials, including CEO Bobby Kotick, must face a lawsuit alleging they shortchanged shareholders during Microsoft's acquisition of the company for $75.4 billion [1] - Shareholders, led by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden, accused Kotick of rushing the merger to secure his position and $400 million in change-of-control benefits, while also downplaying knowledge of sexual harassment issues at Activision [2] - The judge found sufficient allegations that Kotick manipulated the sale process to favor Microsoft, suggesting that Activision directors prioritized Kotick's interests over those of shareholders [3] - Claims against Microsoft for aiding and abetting the alleged breaches were dismissed, allowing litigation on a trimmed-down version of the complaint to proceed [4] Shareholder Allegations - Shareholders claimed the $95 per share takeover price was initially too low and became increasingly unfavorable as Activision's performance improved during the 21-month regulatory approval process [2] - Allegations included that Kotick's actions were motivated by self-interest, particularly regarding his job security and financial benefits [2][3] Legal Proceedings - The case is officially titled Sjunde AP-Fonden v Activision Blizzard Inc et al, and is being heard in the Delaware Chancery Court [5] - The judge's decision allows for litigation to move forward, focusing on the core claims against Kotick and other Activision directors [4]

Core Insights - Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox division announced a 50% price increase for its highest tier Game Pass subscription, raising it to $30 a month, indicating challenges in revenue generation from its streaming service [1][2][3] Pricing Strategy - The price hike reflects ongoing struggles to monetize the Game Pass service effectively, despite the inclusion of top titles like Call of Duty [2][3] - Xbox's Game Pass launched at $10 a month in 2017, offering over 100 older games, and later included new releases at no extra cost, which has led to internal controversy regarding revenue models [5][6] Revenue and Sales Impact - Xbox reportedly lost over $300 million in sales of Call of Duty on consoles and PCs last year due to the Game Pass model [3] - Subscription revenue across the industry increased by 16%, partly due to players accessing new titles on Game Pass, but many may have canceled after a short period, contrasting with traditional game ownership [9][12] Market Position and Competition - Xbox has struggled against competitors like Sony's PlayStation and Nintendo's Switch, which have developed exclusive titles that resonate with fans [4] - The acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion was aimed at enhancing Game Pass offerings, but the expected explosive growth has not materialized [7][12] Employment and Operational Changes - The gaming industry has faced challenges, leading to layoffs at Xbox, including 650 jobs cut in September 2024, following earlier reductions [11] - Microsoft CFO has urged Xbox to explore alternative profit-increasing strategies amid these challenges [11] Future Outlook - Xbox's Game Pass is now structured into three tiers: $10 for about 50 titles, $15 for 200 games, and $30 for over 400 games, including new releases on launch day [13][14] - The company aims to provide more flexibility and value to players, indicating a shift in strategy to accommodate varying consumer preferences [14]

Core Viewpoint - Electronic Arts (EA) has agreed to a $55 billion deal to go private, which could be the largest leveraged buyout in history. The acquisition involves Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners [1][15]. Financial Aspects - The deal represents a 25% premium over EA's current market valuation, which is considered reasonable when compared to similar transactions, such as Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard [15][16]. - The valuation is approximately a 20% premium relative to EA's trading multiples over the past seven years, indicating that the offer is aligned with market expectations [7][16]. - Analysts express skepticism about the financial merits of the deal, suggesting that the internal rate of return (IRR) calculations yield low to mid-single-digit returns, making it a questionable use of capital [5][6]. Strategic Considerations - The acquisition is seen as a strategic move by Saudi Arabia to expand its portfolio in the gaming industry, aligning with its broader ambitions in sports and entertainment [4][19]. - EA has historically struggled to penetrate markets outside of sports gaming, and there are expectations that the new ownership could address these shortcomings, particularly in mobile gaming [19][21]. - The timing of the bid is questioned, as it coincides with the upcoming release of Battlefield 6, which could influence market perceptions and demand a higher premium if successful [12][11]. Industry Context - The gaming industry is experiencing significant consolidation, with EA's acquisition leaving only one independent publicly traded video game publisher in the U.S., Take-Two Interactive [25]. - There is a belief that large corporate investors are better positioned to take risks in the gaming sector, leading to a trend of consolidation as smaller entities struggle to attract investment [27]. - The future of gaming is anticipated to shift towards connected TV and mobile platforms, with companies that can adapt to these changes likely to thrive [31].