Sony CFO Explains Scarce Supply On Semiconductors To Constrain Production For PlayStation 5

While many fans of both console platforms, primarily Xbox & PlayStation, continue to argue about the benefits of both systems for the start of a new console generation, there are somethings that does not remain to exclusive to either hardware. Although games and services is what divides both devices, both units share similarities in the terms of availability as the two are difficult to acquire virtually anywhere. In that, both Microsoft alongside Sony cannot meet the demand of its consumer base prior to the release of their consoles and surely entering 2021 as well. And in actuality, that is anticipated to remain well until the halfway mark of this year. AMD CEO Lisa Su recently disclosed that it would be a handful of months until required silicon for consoles and even PCs can be replenished. In particular for Sony’s PlayStation 5, the firm issued in a statement transcribed by Ars Technica that the supply on semiconductors is what withholds the company from manufacturing more systems efficiently enough. It is difficult for us to increase production of the PS5 amid the shortage of semiconductors and other components. We have not been able to fully meet the high level of demand from customers [but] we continue to do everything in our power to ship as many units as possible to customers who are waiting for a PS5. Hiroki Totoki, Sony Chief Financial Officer Surprising enough is that the issue at hand for Sony happens to be an expertise that the firm is recognized for producing. In a statement from Microsoft in May 2019, it announced to be collaborating with Sony in providing its Azure cloud services in response for Sony to offer its own in-house components and silicon. But now, Sony faces a larger issue as the PlayStation 5 is expecting a slowdown in production for the next couple of months. As per Sony’s latest earnings call, the PlayStation company issues that it aims to increase production with a projection to manufacture roughly 7.6 million units in the coming fiscal year. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you still trying to get yourself a PlayStation 5? Source: Ars Technica
Will Esports Wagering Take Off in the US?

Despite being in its formative stages, the global Esports industry is pulling in annual revenues of $1.1 billion, with analysts predicting a six-fold growth over the next six years. Currently, North America accounts for 40% of the market, and so far, over one hundred US high schools have started Esports programs. Scholarships for those who achieve excellence in this field are available, as The University of California Irvine is one of many higher-education institutions that offer them for gaming prodigies. So, the question is not if Esports will take off in the US, but when will it become competitive with regular sports? There is no doubt that the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018 provided this industry a boost. It allowed states to regulate sports betting, and post-legalization, sports betting in Indiana and other places surged in popularity. One of the crucial aspects as to why this occurred is online sportsbooks accepting Esports bets. Subsequently, the ability to wager on these events also contributed to the growth of video gaming. Estimates claim that out of the projected worldwide 295 million eSports viewers in 2023, 46 million will be US residents. However, that is still less than a third of the numbers generated by live sports. In a decade, the Esports figure will be far more competitive due to the rise of platforms such as YouTube Gaming and Twitch. Recent Trends in US Esports In the past few years, franchised leagues have become the norm in North America. They allow pro teams and organizers to work together and create money-making opportunities for both sides. Such a trend in this field first appeared in China. In this model, an organizer offers spots to specific teams to participate in its league. Each one comes with a price. Once a member, sponsorship deals and advertising support from the organizer become available. An example of this in traditional sports is the NHL, and in the Esports sphere is the North American NA League of Legends Championship Series. Another hot trend is emphasizing live events. Casuals mostly play online, but premier tournaments happen in-person. Such events help teams better market themselves to audiences. Massive brands are also gaining a foothold in this sector. MasterCard and State Farm are two notable brands that sponsor US Esports Leagues in the US. All this has led to initiatives that aim to change laws, which would better regulate this industry around the country. Most-Played Esports Games in the US It may come as a surprise, but Counter-Strike is the most popular pro team game in the US. More than 140 professional squads specialize in this first-person shooter. They have taken home close to $6 million playing it. Blizzard’s Overwatch is the second most popular team game in North America. The overall earned prize money on it in the US is slightly higher than that made on Counter-Strike. When looking at individual US players, Blizzard’s StarCrat II dominates, with over 240 professionals that have earned $1.6 million playing it on a competitive level. However, the money king is Dota 2 as earnings-wise, it crushes the competition in both individual and team play. Dota 2 teams have earned six times more than Counter-Strike ones.
Expect More Production Sometime In June For Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Discloses

Rewinding back a couple of months to the launch of the Xbox Series X & Xbox Series S, acquiring either of these namely consoles was a difficult task. And now entering February, the same issue is still afoot as many fans looking to transition to the latest iteration from Microsoft is still left unavailable at most major retails and storefronts alike. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer did comment ending 2020 that production will face an increase upon entering the following year. He stated, “it’s really just down to physics and engineering. We’re not holding them back: we’re building them as fast as we can. We have all the assembly lines going.” However, when a broad increase in availability is coming is still left undetermined. But upon speaking with The New York Times, Microsoft head of Investor Relations Mike Spencer shares that the expected abundance of consoles is to begin by sometime in June. The scarcity of these units happens to fall victim to the lacking silicon being manufactured so production can overtake the demand of the consumer. It is not just Xbox that faces this issue as also PC components are running scarce alongside the same GPUs required for PlayStation 5 production is also at a decline currently. As per AMDs recent fiscal year earnings report, CEO Lisa Su discloses that the shortage of needed silicon and other hardware is to remain until the second half of 2021 – that looks to align with the statement from Spencer as well. Already, we see the hole in production as Nintendo Switch remains the top selling system for this holiday season. From gamesindustry.bix head Christopher Dring, the handheld hybrid outsold Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 in the short period. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you waiting for more Xbox systems to be produced? Source: The New York Times
Required Silicon Faces Shortage For Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC To Remain Until Latter Half Of 2021, AMD Tells

As many are familiar with the ongoing scarcity of next-generation consoles to purchase currently, there is a reason for that. From what you might expect, the COVID-19 pandemic has crippled production for silicon & component manufacturers like AMD from properly producing enough hardware for its partners upon leading to the past holiday season – henceforth the shortage. And, of course, Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5 met the edge of that blade upon this holiday season with each system’s respective release and further as Christmas shopping swelled in the market. But while both Sony alongside Microsoft sold its available stock virtually upon release, it promises to rebound that in 2021. Xbox lead Phil Spencer promised more production entering 2021 in an year-ending interview back in December. However, it is not simple as upping production. According to the AMD CEO Lisa Su, shortages for the required silicon for gaming consoles and even PC components are to remain until the halfway mark of 2021. Transcribed by Tom’s Hardware, it is projected that the latter half of this year will face a definitive transition in major production for the silicon and ultimately bring more gaming systems. In AMD’s fiscal year earnings report, it is issued that highlighted components such as its Zen 3 Ryzen CPUs, and RX 6000 series graphics cards are to be victim of this shortage. Additionally, Su does go on to disclose that low-end PCs are also to be affected by this as other silicon as well is also involved as demand fails to cease. In a recent earnings call issued by Sony earlier this week, the firm also shares to promise upping production entering the new year. “We are currently on track to meet our sales goal for the fiscal year of more than 7.6 million units, but we have not been able to fully meet the high level of demand from customers,” the firm writes. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you still trying to get your hands on any of the mentioned hardware? Source: Tom’s Hardware
Netflix Orchestrates Tomb Raider Anime Series Casting The Witcher Prequel Executive Producer To Write The Script

As the trend continues to form a larger pattern, Netflix further fuels the pipeline for more video game-oriented entertainment on its streaming platform. This past week, Sega alongside Netflix unveiled the previously leaked 3D animated Sonic the Hedgehog show, Sonic Prime. However, the firm still has plenty more it plans to capitalize on in the realm of video games heading forward. In a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Tomb Raider is said to receive an anime series. More interesting is that the project has already casted a writer – Tasha Huo. If not familiar, Huo is also the executive producer for the upcoming The Witcher prequel series, Blood Origin. Alike the anime, details on when both shows are still left unanswered currently. Huo alongside writing the script will also be an executive producer for the production as well being accompanied by dj2 Entertainment’s CEO Dmitri M. Johnson, Howard Bliss and Robinson, and Stephan Bugaj. The Hollywood Reporter relays that the coming anime will not hold any significance to the currently ongoing film series starring Alicia Vikander. In relations to Tomb Raider on the live-action realm of film, the sequel featuring the Ex Machina actress is left unscheduled for a box office release. Previously, the film was set to hit theater this March, but was pulled following rescheduling by Warner Bros. and MGM. For now, the motion picture is left undated as of this past October. Similarly to what we found with Tomb Raider recently, there is also another video game anime underway. In that, Variety reported Splinter Cell is expecting an anime series as well. John Wick Writer Derek Kolstad is told to be involved with two seasons scheduled for the unannounced series. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited to see Tomb Raider receive a anime adaptation? Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Report: Apple’s Mixed-Reality Headset Projected To Sell For $3,000 With 8K Displays

Last mentioned of the supposed Apple augmented reality headset, it was reported that the next innovation from the company that designed the iPhone will be planning to release the headset sometime in 2022. At the time of the information going public, The Information issued that the headset while recognized as a augmented reality device might also offer virtual reality capabilities – deeming the headset to being a mixed-reality headset altogether. Additionally, it was also told that the N301 model is also suspected to be accompanied by a separate device as well. Framed to be similar to sunglasses, the other prototype is told to be intended for longer use rather than the bulkier headset. The tech was said to release earlier, but 2022 is now entertained thanks to complications internally, the outlet shared. Now The Information is once again back with a new shipment of information in regards to the alleged headset. For starters, it corroborates with the previous report by verifying the 2022 release window. But now, the price of the headset has been gathered: $3,000. Being familiar with Apple in the past, it is not too surprising such a high value asked for its products. The publications does go on to clarify that the untitled headset is not a device intended for general consumption, but rather to be a competitor to the second iteration of Microsoft’s Hololens. Even more, images told to be a “late-stage prototype” for the device was collected by The Information and reveals the headset to be structured similar to traditional virtual reality hardware and covers the user’s eyes. But, what makes the tech stretch into the augmented reality realm is the built-in cameras to scan the user’s perimeter and track hand movements. Also utilizing LiDAR sensors already found in the iPhone 12 & iPad Pro, the headset can more accurately scale objects in real-world when projected using the device. Atop of that, the system is said to also incorporate 8K displays also. It will be interesting when Apple does decide on how to issue the device to the market once it is finally available. And if the previous rumor is true in the firm’s hands-on cooperation with Valve in developing the headset, the execution of the headset could be something that has yet to grace the market. You can read the initial report by heading here. Would you consider buying a Apple augmented reality headset? Source: The Information
Diablo IV & Overwatch 2 Releases Are Absent For 2021, Activision Blizzard Confirms In Recent Earnings Call

While annual installments for Call of Duty continue to roll out alongside the occasional new Hero or expansion for Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch or World of Warcraft respectively, the coming lineup of Activision Blizzard titles are surely something for fans to gather around. It was during the annual Blizzcon in 2019 that the titular developer unveiled both Overwatch 2 alongside Diablo IV to arrive later on. However, the team since its initial reveal on both project has failed to elaborate further on when players can expect to the games in their hands. Noted, Diablo does receive a monthly update in terms of development, but a clear launch window is still left very vacant. And seeing that Blizzcon Online is set to take place very soon, there is hope to learn more about both in the coming future. But, Activision Blizzard saved you the trouble of waiting in its latest earnings call. In that, it is evident upon discovering that the release date for both Overwatch 2 alongside Diablo IV are both absent from releasing in 2021. The firm does go on to disclose that while “significant progress” is being made on its internal projects, the two big hitters are not set for this year. As per what could arrive in the meantime, Activision Blizzard does go on to elaborate there is yet another remastered experience underway. Of course, context on the project is missing. In a previous report, it is disclosed that Vicarious Visions is working on a Diablo II remake after its merge into Blizzard Entertainment. The studio responsible for Crash Bandicoot N’ Sane Trilogy & Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 + 2 is now officially under the Blizzard banner. The team is told to not be helming future remastering projects following the transition. So, if not the Diablo II remake, then the game is possibly another entry altogether from another Activision entity such as Beenox or Toys for Bob. You can read the initial report by heading here. Are you planning to get Overwatch 2 or Diablo IV when they arrive? Source: Activision Blizzard
Sony Acquires Minor Stake In FromSoftware Parent Company Forming A Capital Alliance Between The Two Firms

While certain bonds between developers and console manufacturers are fairly formal, some relationships spawn more than just a cordial acquaintance. In that, we witness full on franchises surface as a result of that. Such as Bungie with Microsoft to establish Halo as well as Ratchet and Clank from Insomniac Games with Sony, these outcomes are a direct result of long-manifested agreements between both entities respectively. As for FromSoftware, the team in the past has shown a likeness to Sony Interactive Entertainment which is apparent and proves to be beneficial even a decade later. As per Rectify Gaming’s Michael Merchant, he explains in his Demon’s Souls Remake review to be “the perfect game. He adds, “I enjoyed playing it so much and I applaud Bluepoint Games for sticking with the source material. […] This is the pinnacle of how a game remake should be.” Despite the endeavors between both firms, no legal pursuits followed aside from the occasional exclusive projects time and time again. But now in the most recent financial report from Kadokawa, FromSoftware parent company, the group is said to have given Sony a 1.93 percent stake in the firm as part of a new financial deal. You can view the slide in its latest report regarding the agreement by in the image below: “We believe that it is necessary to procure such funds in order not to miss potential investment opportunities and to solidify our ability to create IP based on our track record of creating rich and unique IP consisting of a diverse portfolio of books, movies, animations, games, and UGC platforms, both financially and financially,” Kadokawa tells. Exciting yes, but, it should be noted the new partnership established does not suggest new IPs are solidified as a result of the deal. As of yet, the most likeliest of projects to arise is the possible Bloodborne remaster that many industry pundits referenced previously in 2020. Howbeit, the capital alliance does not affect the near three decade relationship between the two. In Sony’s own earnings call issued this week, the firm does disclose its ambitions to pursue new investments for its gaming division. After the capital turnout in 2020 alongside the launch of PlayStation 5, Sony is eager to welcome new talent to its first-party network of teams. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you a fan of the PlayStation exclusive FromSoftware games? Source: Kadokawa
Recent Financial Report Shares Sony’s New Pursuit Towards “More Investments For Growth” In The Coming Fiscal Year

While Sony Interactive Entertainment in regards to its first-party network of studios for its most prominent releases, those developers are well-acquainted teams with the platform. Firms like Naught Dog, Sucker Punch Productions, and Santa Monica Studio are just a few that PlayStation is defined by in terms of its exclusive game studios. But concerning its most recent years, the PlayStation firm has been slack on welcoming new talent. Although it is not completely reliant to suggest Sony has refrained from making new studios or acquiring pre-existing one, it is evident its ambitions are pretty tame currently. Most noted, the console giant’s latest approach to new PlayStation teams comes from summer 2019 with the acquisition of developer, Insomniac Games. However, following the success of PlayStation 5 and the overall platform ecosystem, the company looks to be delving investments into first-party teams later ahead. Even when selling its next-generation console at a loss thanks to the ongoing complications in the market, overall capital return is in Sony’s favor. We plan to utilize the excess operating cash flow from this fiscal year as a source of future strategic investment going forward. Opportunities for investment, especially in the entertainment space, are steadily increasing and, during the period of our next mid-range plan, which will begin next fiscal year, we aim to make more investments for growth than we did during the current mid-range plan. For now, considering what Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to pursue next in terms of a new first-party studio is full speculation. While the team holds close ties with certain developers in the past, it is difficult to determine which development team is the likeliest candidate to be welcomed un the PlayStation Studios label next. In the same financial report that was issued this week, Sony also discloses the official numbers for PlayStation 5. The newest console currently sits at 4.5 million units and goes further to tell that Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is also sitting at 4.1 million across the current and last PlayStation system as well. You can read the full report by heading here. What teams do you hope to see be welcomed to team PlayStation in the future? Source: Sony