Piers Harding-Rolls
@piershr.bsky.social
Games Industry Analyst
Games research ampereanalysis.com
After comments? Pls reach out
Games research ampereanalysis.com
After comments? Pls reach out
Good to see my prediction that Switch Online would add new content for the Switch 2 launch was correct
GameCube games will be exclusive to Switch 2 and part of the Expansion Pack
Original predictions for the Switch 2 in the @gibiz.bsky.social analyst column
www.gamesindustry.biz/switch-2-fin...
GameCube games will be exclusive to Switch 2 and part of the Expansion Pack
Original predictions for the Switch 2 in the @gibiz.bsky.social analyst column
www.gamesindustry.biz/switch-2-fin...
April 3, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Good to see my prediction that Switch Online would add new content for the Switch 2 launch was correct
GameCube games will be exclusive to Switch 2 and part of the Expansion Pack
Original predictions for the Switch 2 in the @gibiz.bsky.social analyst column
www.gamesindustry.biz/switch-2-fin...
GameCube games will be exclusive to Switch 2 and part of the Expansion Pack
Original predictions for the Switch 2 in the @gibiz.bsky.social analyst column
www.gamesindustry.biz/switch-2-fin...
Re: US pricing for Switch 2, Nintendo was in between a rock and a hard place
No pricing during the stream as it was likely in flux, with a range in play
Even so, pretty sure N wouldn’t have expected 46% tariff imports from Vietnam
If they hold, might we see a US price increase in ‘26?
No pricing during the stream as it was likely in flux, with a range in play
Even so, pretty sure N wouldn’t have expected 46% tariff imports from Vietnam
If they hold, might we see a US price increase in ‘26?
April 3, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Re: US pricing for Switch 2, Nintendo was in between a rock and a hard place
No pricing during the stream as it was likely in flux, with a range in play
Even so, pretty sure N wouldn’t have expected 46% tariff imports from Vietnam
If they hold, might we see a US price increase in ‘26?
No pricing during the stream as it was likely in flux, with a range in play
Even so, pretty sure N wouldn’t have expected 46% tariff imports from Vietnam
If they hold, might we see a US price increase in ‘26?
Reposted by Piers Harding-Rolls
Ahead of the #Nintendo #Switch2 Direct later...
★ Switch 2 represents a $7bn-8bn games content opportunity over the next two years
★ Plus, a $1bn-2bn potential additional in-game spend opportunity per year~
Read: www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/nint...
#NintendoSwitch2 #NintendoSwitch
★ Switch 2 represents a $7bn-8bn games content opportunity over the next two years
★ Plus, a $1bn-2bn potential additional in-game spend opportunity per year~
Read: www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/nint...
#NintendoSwitch2 #NintendoSwitch
April 2, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Ahead of the #Nintendo #Switch2 Direct later...
★ Switch 2 represents a $7bn-8bn games content opportunity over the next two years
★ Plus, a $1bn-2bn potential additional in-game spend opportunity per year~
Read: www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/nint...
#NintendoSwitch2 #NintendoSwitch
★ Switch 2 represents a $7bn-8bn games content opportunity over the next two years
★ Plus, a $1bn-2bn potential additional in-game spend opportunity per year~
Read: www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/nint...
#NintendoSwitch2 #NintendoSwitch
Our comments and analysis on the Nintendo Switch 2 showcase and its implications
Key takeaways:
- 13m units in 2025. Price point of $450 not an issue
- Nintendo in more direct competition with Sony and MS
- growth opportunity rests on digital
www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/nint...
Key takeaways:
- 13m units in 2025. Price point of $450 not an issue
- Nintendo in more direct competition with Sony and MS
- growth opportunity rests on digital
www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/nint...
April 2, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Our comments and analysis on the Nintendo Switch 2 showcase and its implications
Key takeaways:
- 13m units in 2025. Price point of $450 not an issue
- Nintendo in more direct competition with Sony and MS
- growth opportunity rests on digital
www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/nint...
Key takeaways:
- 13m units in 2025. Price point of $450 not an issue
- Nintendo in more direct competition with Sony and MS
- growth opportunity rests on digital
www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/nint...
Reposted by Piers Harding-Rolls
New: Arcane was a critical hit, but not profitable for Riot. Sources say Riot didn't have a robust strategy to recoup Arcane's $250 million cost ahead of launch. Tencent and some employees questioned what it actually added to Riot's core games business. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Riot's $250 Million Netflix Show Was a TV Hit, Financial Miss
‘Arcane’ drew a big audience, but didn’t bring in enough gaming revenue
www.bloomberg.com
December 23, 2024 at 2:23 PM
New: Arcane was a critical hit, but not profitable for Riot. Sources say Riot didn't have a robust strategy to recoup Arcane's $250 million cost ahead of launch. Tencent and some employees questioned what it actually added to Riot's core games business. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Piers Harding-Rolls
Our annual analysts predictions feature is now live! Traditionally, Brendan always ran this the first day back but since I'm gone by the end of the month, I wanted to go a little early
Big thanks to @superhys.bsky.social @serkantoto.bsky.social @piershr.bsky.social @lisahanson.bsky.social et al
Big thanks to @superhys.bsky.social @serkantoto.bsky.social @piershr.bsky.social @lisahanson.bsky.social et al
Switch 2 (finally), GTA 6 to dominate, AI in game dev (again): Analysts predictions for 2025
Every year, we turn to a panel of trusted analysts to ask them what they see coming down the road, and ask them to asse…
www.gamesindustry.biz
December 23, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Our annual analysts predictions feature is now live! Traditionally, Brendan always ran this the first day back but since I'm gone by the end of the month, I wanted to go a little early
Big thanks to @superhys.bsky.social @serkantoto.bsky.social @piershr.bsky.social @lisahanson.bsky.social et al
Big thanks to @superhys.bsky.social @serkantoto.bsky.social @piershr.bsky.social @lisahanson.bsky.social et al
New PS5 Pro technical deep dive from Mark Cerny just dropped
I was lucky enough to catch this first hand - it’s a really interesting talk
Gives good insight into the future roadmap for PlayStation consoles - also closer collaboration with AMD!
blog.playstation.com/2024/12/18/p...
I was lucky enough to catch this first hand - it’s a really interesting talk
Gives good insight into the future roadmap for PlayStation consoles - also closer collaboration with AMD!
blog.playstation.com/2024/12/18/p...
PS5 Pro Technical Seminar reveals new in-depth details on console
SIE unveils collaboration with AMD to drive innovation in graphics and gameplay through ML-based technology.
blog.playstation.com
December 18, 2024 at 4:24 PM
New PS5 Pro technical deep dive from Mark Cerny just dropped
I was lucky enough to catch this first hand - it’s a really interesting talk
Gives good insight into the future roadmap for PlayStation consoles - also closer collaboration with AMD!
blog.playstation.com/2024/12/18/p...
I was lucky enough to catch this first hand - it’s a really interesting talk
Gives good insight into the future roadmap for PlayStation consoles - also closer collaboration with AMD!
blog.playstation.com/2024/12/18/p...
1 hr countdown to our next free webinar:
Unlocking the Attention Economy: How Media, Sports, & Gaming can drive consumer time & engagement
Useful data and insight to better understand the competition for consumer attention
Sign up at the link
register.gotowebinar.com/register/451...
Unlocking the Attention Economy: How Media, Sports, & Gaming can drive consumer time & engagement
Useful data and insight to better understand the competition for consumer attention
Sign up at the link
register.gotowebinar.com/register/451...
December 5, 2024 at 3:08 PM
1 hr countdown to our next free webinar:
Unlocking the Attention Economy: How Media, Sports, & Gaming can drive consumer time & engagement
Useful data and insight to better understand the competition for consumer attention
Sign up at the link
register.gotowebinar.com/register/451...
Unlocking the Attention Economy: How Media, Sports, & Gaming can drive consumer time & engagement
Useful data and insight to better understand the competition for consumer attention
Sign up at the link
register.gotowebinar.com/register/451...
Reposted by Piers Harding-Rolls
Reuters: Sony in talks to acquire Kadokawa, the Japanese media powerhouse behind the "Elden Ring" game, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Sony declined to comment. Kadokawa said it cannot comment.
www.reuters.com/markets/deal...
Sony declined to comment. Kadokawa said it cannot comment.
www.reuters.com/markets/deal...
November 19, 2024 at 6:11 AM
Reuters: Sony in talks to acquire Kadokawa, the Japanese media powerhouse behind the "Elden Ring" game, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Sony declined to comment. Kadokawa said it cannot comment.
www.reuters.com/markets/deal...
Sony declined to comment. Kadokawa said it cannot comment.
www.reuters.com/markets/deal...
News from Reuters is that Sony is in talks to buy Kadokawa Corp, ~70% majority owners of hugely talented FromSoftware (~14% already owned by SIE)
Kadokawa’s business extends into areas that fit pretty well into Sony’s broader business - anime, manga, TV, film
www.reuters.com/markets/deal...
Kadokawa’s business extends into areas that fit pretty well into Sony’s broader business - anime, manga, TV, film
www.reuters.com/markets/deal...
Exclusive: Sony in talks to buy media powerhouse behind 'Elden Ring', sources say
Sony is in talks to acquire Kadokawa , the Japanese media powerhouse behind the "Elden Ring" game, two sources familiar with the matter said, as the technology giant looks to add to its entertainment portfolio.
www.reuters.com
November 19, 2024 at 6:36 AM
News from Reuters is that Sony is in talks to buy Kadokawa Corp, ~70% majority owners of hugely talented FromSoftware (~14% already owned by SIE)
Kadokawa’s business extends into areas that fit pretty well into Sony’s broader business - anime, manga, TV, film
www.reuters.com/markets/deal...
Kadokawa’s business extends into areas that fit pretty well into Sony’s broader business - anime, manga, TV, film
www.reuters.com/markets/deal...
Reposted by Piers Harding-Rolls
Half-Life 2 is free to own on Steam (offer expires Nov 18th). The game is also updated for its anniversary https://buff.ly/48UyM5O
Free offer also includes Ep 1 & 2
Happy 20th to the GOAT FPS
Free offer also includes Ep 1 & 2
Happy 20th to the GOAT FPS
November 15, 2024 at 9:50 PM
Half-Life 2 is free to own on Steam (offer expires Nov 18th). The game is also updated for its anniversary https://buff.ly/48UyM5O
Free offer also includes Ep 1 & 2
Happy 20th to the GOAT FPS
Free offer also includes Ep 1 & 2
Happy 20th to the GOAT FPS
Reposted by Piers Harding-Rolls
Since people have been asking, I've created a "Background Radiation" Games Industry Starter Pack! The goal is a pack that gives you a good horizontal overview of the games industry and its surrounding fields - and the conversations happening there.
go.bsky.app/RxQCsKS
go.bsky.app/RxQCsKS
October 21, 2024 at 3:32 PM
Since people have been asking, I've created a "Background Radiation" Games Industry Starter Pack! The goal is a pack that gives you a good horizontal overview of the games industry and its surrounding fields - and the conversations happening there.
go.bsky.app/RxQCsKS
go.bsky.app/RxQCsKS
Reposted by Piers Harding-Rolls
I spoke to Neil Long of @mobilegamerbiz.bsky.social, Ampere's @piershr.bsky.social and Newzoo about the US court ruling opening up Google Play to rival stores - and why it might not actually make much difference
Experts say Google Play opening up in the US will have minimal impact
Earlier this week, US courts mandated that Google must – for a three-year period – open up its Play app store to allow …
www.gamesindustry.biz
October 10, 2024 at 2:56 PM
I spoke to Neil Long of @mobilegamerbiz.bsky.social, Ampere's @piershr.bsky.social and Newzoo about the US court ruling opening up Google Play to rival stores - and why it might not actually make much difference
September 20, 2024 at 8:28 AM
Had fun doing this!
This week's not-even-vaguely-micro Microcast is now live!
It's a full hour, as opposed to our usual 20-30 mins, but that's because we had a great discussion with @piershr.bsky.social about the PS5 Pro. Give it a listen!
It's a full hour, as opposed to our usual 20-30 mins, but that's because we had a great discussion with @piershr.bsky.social about the PS5 Pro. Give it a listen!
The PS5 Pro and Ubisoft's woes | Microcast
The latest bumper-sized edition of The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast is now avilable to download. This week, we are joine…
www.gamesindustry.biz
September 17, 2024 at 9:35 AM
Had fun doing this!
Reposted by Piers Harding-Rolls
For all the complaints about the $700 price tag, there *will* be people that buy the PS5 Pro - the question is how many? I spoke to Sam Naji, @matpiscatella.bsky.social, Rhys Elliott, Dr. @serkantoto.bsky.social and @piershr.bsky.social to gauge their expectations for Sony's expensive new console
How well will the PS5 Pro sell?
From the reactions we've seen to the PS5 Pro's $700 price tag, it would be easy to think Sony's new console is dead on …
www.gamesindustry.biz
September 12, 2024 at 2:46 PM
For all the complaints about the $700 price tag, there *will* be people that buy the PS5 Pro - the question is how many? I spoke to Sam Naji, @matpiscatella.bsky.social, Rhys Elliott, Dr. @serkantoto.bsky.social and @piershr.bsky.social to gauge their expectations for Sony's expensive new console
I wrote some analysis on the PS5 Pro reveal here: www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/ps5-...
It looks at PlayStation's PS5 product strategy versus PS4, the pricing question, likely demand for PS5 Pro and covers other bits and pieces which weren't in the reveal #ps5pro
It looks at PlayStation's PS5 product strategy versus PS4, the pricing question, likely demand for PS5 Pro and covers other bits and pieces which weren't in the reveal #ps5pro
PS5 Pro: Sony pulls its ‘Pro’ strategy lever to engage PlayStation enthusiasts
Sony has confirmed the long-rumoured PlayStation 5 Pro will launch globally on November 7th at a price point of $699 in the US, €799 across Europe, £699.99 in the UK and ¥119,980 in Japan.
www.ampereanalysis.com
September 10, 2024 at 3:34 PM
I wrote some analysis on the PS5 Pro reveal here: www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/ps5-...
It looks at PlayStation's PS5 product strategy versus PS4, the pricing question, likely demand for PS5 Pro and covers other bits and pieces which weren't in the reveal #ps5pro
It looks at PlayStation's PS5 product strategy versus PS4, the pricing question, likely demand for PS5 Pro and covers other bits and pieces which weren't in the reveal #ps5pro
Reposted by Piers Harding-Rolls
Destiny is ten years old today, and the industry is still very much feeling its influence. But efforts to recapture its success are almost always in vain - I explore why with the help of @matpiscatella.bsky.social @piershr.bsky.social @ramiismail.com Michael Pachter and Rachel Weber
Why there will never be another Destiny
Ten years ago today, Activision published a new shooter from Halo developer Bungie: Destiny. Although 'a shooter' is pe…
www.gamesindustry.biz
September 9, 2024 at 3:08 PM
Destiny is ten years old today, and the industry is still very much feeling its influence. But efforts to recapture its success are almost always in vain - I explore why with the help of @matpiscatella.bsky.social @piershr.bsky.social @ramiismail.com Michael Pachter and Rachel Weber
Reuter’s Josh Ye reporting on ByteDance’s retreat from gaming
Follows a report that Moonton is for sale
TikTok owner looks to have lost appetite for exposure to ultra competitive sector
Will struggle to make back $4bn spent on Moonton (Saudi’s only chance?)
www.reuters.com/technology/b...
Follows a report that Moonton is for sale
TikTok owner looks to have lost appetite for exposure to ultra competitive sector
Will struggle to make back $4bn spent on Moonton (Saudi’s only chance?)
www.reuters.com/technology/b...
ByteDance says to restructure Nuverse in retreat from gaming business | Reuters
TikTok maker ByteDance plans to wind down its Nuverse gaming brand and retreat from mainstream video games, four people familiar with the matter said.
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2023 at 7:05 AM
Reuter’s Josh Ye reporting on ByteDance’s retreat from gaming
Follows a report that Moonton is for sale
TikTok owner looks to have lost appetite for exposure to ultra competitive sector
Will struggle to make back $4bn spent on Moonton (Saudi’s only chance?)
www.reuters.com/technology/b...
Follows a report that Moonton is for sale
TikTok owner looks to have lost appetite for exposure to ultra competitive sector
Will struggle to make back $4bn spent on Moonton (Saudi’s only chance?)
www.reuters.com/technology/b...
Roblox was the number 3 ranked title by monthly active users on PlayStation in October with 13.5m (45 markets)
Considering the average Roblox gamer, you won't be surprised to hear that a majority of those users were on PS4 (like Fortnite)
(Source: Ampere Games - Analytics)
Considering the average Roblox gamer, you won't be surprised to hear that a majority of those users were on PS4 (like Fortnite)
(Source: Ampere Games - Analytics)
November 16, 2023 at 2:38 PM
Roblox was the number 3 ranked title by monthly active users on PlayStation in October with 13.5m (45 markets)
Considering the average Roblox gamer, you won't be surprised to hear that a majority of those users were on PS4 (like Fortnite)
(Source: Ampere Games - Analytics)
Considering the average Roblox gamer, you won't be surprised to hear that a majority of those users were on PS4 (like Fortnite)
(Source: Ampere Games - Analytics)