Join independent journalists and industry decision-makers at GamesBeat NEXT, returning to San Francisco November 2–3. The event brings together 500 executives, founders, investors and tech leaders shaping the $200 billion interactive economy for candid discussions on gaming, entertainment, technology and AI, plus executive networking and opportunities to build partnerships and close major deals.
Welcome to another GamesBeat weekly roundup! This time, Nintendo reveals new Fire Emblem games, the PlayStation 4 wins December, and we look at the upcoming strategy game Halo Wars 2.
Enjoy, and have a great weekend!
Pieces of flair and opinion
- The DeanBeat: 10 predictions for games in 2017
- Did Nintendo’s Switch reveal set the new console up for success? GamesBeat decides
- Here’s a closer look at Nintendo Switch’s game cards
- Hearthstone’s Jade Golem mechanic used to be a lot different
- Hearthstone’s Hunter class was was once in a different Mean Streets gang
News
- Epic Games’ Tim Sweeney to receive lifetime achievement award at GDC
- Nintendo Switch projected to easily outsell the Wii U
- Talking Tom maker Outfit7 confirms it has been sold to United Luck Consortium for $1 billion
- Tehran will host its first regional Middle East game conference
- U.S. gaming industry earned $30.4 billion in 2016, up from 2015
- 2016 NPD: Call of Duty No. 1, Battlefield No. 2 on 2016’s list of best-selling games
- December 2016 NPD: Final Fantasy XV shows it has a new recipe for franchise’s sales
- ModDrop hopes to reignite interest in the Torchlight games through mods
- Silicon Studio adapts Graphine’s texture software for console, PC, and VR development
- Ubisoft hires an Oscar winner for The Division movie: Traffic’s Stephen Gaghan
- XCOM 2’s Long War 2 fan mod is now available for PC
- Fig raises $7.8 million to expand game crowdfunding platform
- DigiLens raises $22 million to make ‘eyeglass-thin’ augmented reality displays
- HTC launches $10 million VR fund to promote the planet’s sustainability
- Nintendo reveals new Fire Emblem games for Switch, 3DS, and mobile
- EA Play goes to Hollywood as the publisher further distances itself from E3
- Resident Evil 7 gets Play Anywhere support for Xbox One and PC
- Exploration-based puzzle game Solo seeks funding on Fig
- Genvid releases interactive streaming for esports broadcasts
- Former Techland COO starts a new game studio in Poland
- PAX South will host NGE’s Overwatch Winter Premiere Live Finals
- MIT launches Play Labs to help AR, VR, and AI startups get off the ground
- MMOne unveils commercial version of insane giant simulator arm for wild VR rides
- GAConf event to tackle how to make games more accessible to everyone
- Nintendo’s next Direct presentation focuses on Fire Emblem
- LGBTQ-friendly dating game Kitty Powers’ Matchmaker is coming to PS4 and Xbox One
- Survios to launch Raw Data game in virtual reality arcades
- Patches is Hearthstone’s most-played card since Mean Streets of Gadgetzan released
- Valve boss Gabe Newell will hold Reddit AMA this week
- ZeniMax doubles-down in statement against Oculus VR as trial begins (update)
- 505 Games unveils original Steam game Quarantine
Mobile and social
- Super Mario Run drops from U.S. top 50 grossing iOS apps (update)
- Tapjoy: Mobile games are more engaging and fun than social networks
- Clash of Clans maker Supercell hacked; 1 million forum accounts compromised
- Pokémon Go fights poverty with 17 PokéStops at the World Economic Forum
- Sensor Tower: Q4 game revenues grew 70%, downloads up 33%
- Halo Wars 2 inspires a social media strategy game on Twitter
- Decluttr: Pokémon Go makes $2,412.19 in a minute
- Pokémon Go generated revenues of $950 million in 2016
- App Annie: Worldwide app downloads grew 15% and revenue soared 40% in 2016
- Angry Birds maker Rovio opens new game studio in London
Previews, reviews, and interviews
- How Creative Assembly tried to make Halo Wars 2 more accessible on Xbox One
- Halo Wars 2 shows how The Creative Assembly is adapting its PC chops for consoles
- Blitz mode turns Halo Wars 2 into a furious multiplayer fray
- Halo Wars 2’s 2-vs.-2 mode speeds up real-time strategy multiplayer for consoles
- Nintendo Switch hands-on: Intriguing tech comes with some concerns
- How Digital Extremes built Warframe into a free-to-play sci-fi juggernaut
- Hypersuit promises to let you fly through virtual reality
- The State of Hearthstone: How Mean Streets of Gadgetzan changed everything — and where it goes next