This last week in gaming: data rolled in regarding Genshin Impact’s insanely huge release, GameStop entered a strategic partnership with Microsoft, Game Informer shared their list of best games of the generation, and we received launch dates for Bugsnax and Ghost of Tsushima: Legends.
Industry News
‘Genshin Impact’ Has Had An Astonishing First Week After Launch
It is not unusual for gacha games to be both popular and profitable, but it is highly unusual for that to happen outside of Asia. But that’s exactly what Genshin Impact has accomplished in its first week after launch. Data is coming in for just how massive a hit Genshin Impact actually is.
Paul Tassi – Forbes: October 7, 2020
I wrote about Genshin Impact earlier for my Weekend Play, and the game is so much more impressive when you look at the financial numbers. It made $60 million on mobile since its release on September 28, with 58% of its revenue coming from outside its home country of China. This is unusual for a gacha game, where players can purchase randomized items using in-game currency (incentivizing players to spend real money). Keep in mind this data doesn’t even include the PC and PS4 performance!
GameStop Surges After Forming Strategic Accord With Microsoft
GameStop Corp. jumped as much as 27% after a strategic partnership with Microsoft Corp. gave investors fresh optimism that the video-game retailer can turn around its business. Under a multiyear agreement, GameStop will use Microsoft’s cloud services to handle business operations, including finance, inventory and e-commerce, according to a statement Thursday.
Nick Turner – Bloomberg: October 8, 2020
I’ve been curious how GameStop would recover considering that the industry is moving more towards digital goods and services. This move indicates they are pivoting towards e-commerce rather than brick-and-mortar retail.
Gaming Culture
Game Informer’s Best Games of the Generation
Here we celebrate the highest achievements of the current generation. It’s impossible to call out every great game on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC – though [we do] hand out additional accolades in our End-of-Generation Awards feature. But here, we’re singling out the best of the best; read on to see [ours] for the top contenders across various categories and genres. Whether you want to find a hidden gem you missed or just reminisce about your favorites, these are the games that shaped the generation.
Game Informer: October 2, 2020
I really like the categorical breakdown in this article, and I was excited to see many of my favorite games made this list! Breath of the Wild, God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, Dreams, Persona 5, and so many more here elevated the art form and made a huge impression on me as an individual.
Games I Love
Ghost of Tsushima’s multiplayer expansion launches October 16th with four-player raid on the way
Sucker Punch Productions’ excellent samurai PlayStation title Ghost of Tsushima will get its free multiplayer expansion, officially called Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, on October 16th, according to a new blog post from publisher Sony.
Nick Statt (@nickstatt) – The Verge: October 5, 2020
I’m extremely excited to play this multiplayer mode, and even more excited that it’s coming so soon. Only one more week! It’s free for anyone who owns Ghost of Tsushima.
Meet the voice cast of Bugsnax, launching on PS5 and PS4 November 12
I’m also very excited to talk a bit about our journey into finding the amazing voice cast of Bugsnax! We knew early on that we wanted a fully voiced game to truly get across all the things that make our characters funny, unique, and tragically relatable.
Kevin Zuhn (Creative Director, Young Horses) – PlayStation Blog: October 8, 2020
When the first Bugsnax Announcement Trailer dropped in June as part of the PS5 showcase, it immediately shot to the top as my most anticipated game for the next generation. It seemed like just the type of quirky and charming Adventure game that I would love. I’m very excited for the announcement that it will be a PS5 launch game!
The reason I linked the blog post announcing the voice cast is for the pictures of the actors in session. Each actor has their character biography printed on a stand in front with name, pronouns, and picture included. In one of the shots you can clearly see a character named Floofty with the pronouns They / Them / Theirs. Love the inclusivity!
Weekly Reads is a weekly Friday post sharing game industry articles I read throughout the week. Each post is a 5-minute read that covers no more than 5 articles. Subscribe to this blog or follow me on Twitter to receive notifications of new posts!
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