The Tap: Gaming News of the Week
- GPU: Shipments of GPU's plummeted 34% year-over-year in Q2, according to Jon Peddie Research. Market penetration of discrete GPUs, however, is expected to hit 30% in the next five years. Nvidia lost a bit of market share, with Intel and AMD both gaining slightly.
- PC/Mobile Gaming: Valve developers seemed to indicate that the Steam Deck was only the start and that successors will build on its success, according to VGC. Potential changes include a focus on streaming, battery life, and overall broadening its appeal to more than just hardcore gamers.
- Mergers & Acquisitions: UK regulators have signaled that they would be inclined to take a more thorough look at Microsoft’s record $69 billion acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. They cited concerns over game exclusivity weakening competitors during the next console generation launch, as well as Game Pass weakening rivals. In its responses, Microsoft seems unfazed and confident the deal with go through.
- Mergers & Acquisitions: Chinese conglomerate NetEase announced its purchase of developer Quantic Dreams, known for its story-driven games like Heavy Rain. For the studio, it's a deal that it hopes will allow it to stay competitive as the industry consolidates. For NetEase, it's a chance to release games different from its normal fare as it tries to break into the North American market.
- Streaming: Meta will retire its Facebook Gaming app on October 28 after a two-year run on iOS and Android, according to Eurogamer. The app allowed users to watch Facebook Gaming streams, which they will be able to do so in the main Facebook app going forward. Meta insists it is still dedicated to its streaming platform, which faces stiff competition from Twitch and YouTube.
