Destiny 2popularity.reportOof, this is a bad one. While we only really ever have access to Steam data for most games, including Destiny 2, that’s changed with popularity.report/@richdestinyapp. Now, we have a granular look at the entire scope of Destiny, including the full history of the game and the console population as well. Or at least some approximation of it, and it certainly aligns with the past data we have had.What seems to be happening is that the situation with Destiny 2 is as dire as it’s ever b ...

Core Insights - Destiny 2 is experiencing a significant decline in player engagement following the release of The Final Shape, with a notable drop in both peak and average player counts [4][6][9] Player Engagement Metrics - The peak player count for the launch of Edge of Fate was 108,000, while the recent Ash and Iron update peaked at 54,000, indicating a more than 50% drop in player engagement [4][5] - Average peak player counts during season launches were around 200,000, with lows at approximately 85,000. Post-The Final Shape, average peaks dropped to around 85,000 and lows to about 40,000 [7] Content Production and Workforce - The company is producing at least 50% less content than in previous years, attributed to layoffs and a reduced workforce, which is also estimated to be down by 50% [8] - The shift to two smaller expansions per year is expected to lower production costs, but it remains uncertain if this will align with the declining player counts [8] Financial Viability - The profitability of Destiny 2 is in question, as the player count has significantly decreased, raising concerns about whether the game can remain viable under current conditions [6][9] - Increased microtransactions have not compensated for the reduced content offerings, leading to a potential mismatch between costs and player engagement [8]

Summary of Sony Group Corporation's Earnings Call Company Overview - **Company**: Sony Group Corporation - **Focus**: Entertainment business, including games, music, film, and TV programs - **Key Strategy**: Shift towards entertainment, leveraging IP expansion and innovative technologies Core Points and Arguments Strategic Direction - Sony has shifted its business direction significantly towards entertainment, which now accounts for approximately 61% of consolidated sales [1][2] - The long-term creative entertainment vision aims to deliver content through creativity and technology, fostering synergies among various businesses [2] Financial Performance - **FY24 Results**: - Consolidated sales (excluding financial services): ¥12,043.9 billion - Operating income: ¥1,276.6 billion - Record highs in both sales and operating income [9] - **FY25 Forecast**: - Projected sales: ¥11,700 billion - Operating income: ¥1,380 billion, with a potential impact of ¥100 billion from U.S. tariffs [11] Segment Performance - **Game and Network Services**: - Continued growth in PlayStation 5 user base and revenue from services like PlayStation Plus [2][12] - FY24 sales increased by 9% year-on-year to ¥4,670 billion [12] - **Music Segment**: - FY24 sales increased by 14% to ¥1,842.6 billion, with a focus on global market expansion [13] - **Film Segment**: - Anticipated recovery with new titles and a strong IP lineup, including upcoming Spider-Man films [4] - **Anime Growth**: - Crunchyroll's subscriber base has grown to over 17 million, with expectations for continued growth in the anime market [5][6] Technological Innovations - Investment in content creation technologies, including imaging solutions and real-time VFX, to enhance entertainment experiences [7][8] - Focus on mobile image sensors and their evolving capabilities to meet market demands [8] Challenges and Risks - Anticipated impact of U.S. tariffs on profitability, with proactive measures being taken to mitigate risks [11][19] - Ongoing monitoring of economic conditions, particularly employment trends in the U.S. as indicators of potential growth deceleration [25] Future Outlook - Continued emphasis on cross-business collaborations to enhance content creation and distribution [4][5] - Plans for strategic investments and acquisitions in high-growth markets, particularly in music and anime [3][5] Shareholder Returns - A share buyback facility of ¥250 billion and an increase in dividends planned for FY25 [17][18] Other Important Content - The financial services segment is undergoing a spin-off, with implications for future financial reporting [10][15] - The company is exploring location-based entertainment (LBE) as a means to enhance consumer engagement [21][22] - The potential for further business segment spin-offs is acknowledged but not currently planned [26] This summary encapsulates the key points from Sony Group Corporation's earnings call, highlighting the company's strategic focus, financial performance, segment insights, technological advancements, challenges, and future outlook.