Twitch Increases Tier 1 Subscription Prices in the US

Twitch has sparked controversy among its smaller creators by announcing a price hike for Tier 1 subscriptions in over 30 regions, including the United States and New Zealand. Starting July 11, the cost of a Tier 1 subscription will rise from $4.99 to $5.99, a 20 percent increase. Twitch justifies this move by claiming it aims to "help creators build and grow their communities worldwide," though the specifics of how this price hike will achieve that remain unclear.

This decision follows similar price adjustments earlier this year in regions like the United Kingdom and Canada. Despite Twitch's assurance that the revenue share for creators—ranging from 50 to 70 percent depending on their Plus Program tier—will not change, many users and creators are skeptical. They argue that higher subscription costs will lead to a decline in subscribers, particularly affecting smaller creators who rely on a broad base of support.

The community's backlash is fueled by the perception that the increase will harm more than help, especially as Twitch continues to grapple with financial challenges. CEO Dan Clancy has acknowledged the company's financial struggles, including recent shutdowns in markets like Korea. As Twitch seeks ways to bolster its revenue, this price hike seems intended to address those fiscal woes, despite the dissatisfaction it has generated among its user base.

Dark Souls Set to Receive Original Manga

Praise the sun! Dark Souls fans have a reason to rejoice as the English version of its original manga series, Dark Souls: Redemption, is set to hit the shelves. Previously available only in French, this official spin-off will now be globally localized by Yen Press, following its initial release by Mana Books. The first volume is scheduled for release on August 27, with preorders opening soon. The English edition will retail at $15 USD and $19.50 CAD, with the cover design expected to resemble the French version.

Dark Souls: Redemption presents an original story by Julien Blondel, with art by Shonen. The narrative follows a nameless woman awakened from a tomb into a desolate world, accompanied by a protector bound by honor. They face numerous threats, including the enigmatic Gray Cinders and a colossus born of death, as they embark on a perilous journey that will determine the fate of their land.

Blondel, although relatively unknown in the manga industry, has notable writing credits, including the comic book adaptation of the Elric fantasy series. His work on Redemption adds to the legacy of Dark Souls in book format, joining the ranks of Elden Ring's gag manga, Bloodborne's graphic novels, and Sekiro's side story.

With the upcoming release of Dark Souls: Redemption, fans eagerly anticipate how this new story will resonate within the community.

Take-Two Defends the 12-Year Wait for GTA 6

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has defended the extended wait for Grand Theft Auto 6, emphasizing that the interval has been filled with substantial content releases from Rockstar. Speaking at a TD Cowen conference in New York, Zelnick highlighted that since the release of GTA 5, Rockstar has launched "massive amounts of content," including the immensely popular GTA Online and Red Dead Redemption series.

Zelnick explained that Rockstar has not been idle during the 12-year gap between GTA 5 and the upcoming GTA 6. Instead, the company has successfully transitioned into the live service market, continuously updating and expanding GTA Online, which has developed into a thriving ecosystem. He also pointed out that Rockstar's Red Dead series has sold about 65 million units, with Red Dead Online maintaining its success and ongoing improvements.

The discussion about the release frequency of Rockstar games arose when the panel host queried Zelnick on the issue. He assured that Rockstar is not lacking resources but has strategically focused on live service games, which offer continuous updates and long-term engagement with players. Zelnick's comments suggest that Take-Two is satisfied with Rockstar's output during this period, despite the long wait for a new GTA installment.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for release in autumn 2025 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with a potential PC version possibly in the works. Given the current approach, fans should not expect a faster turnaround for GTA 7 once GTA 6 hits the shelves.

The Sandbox and Upland Partner to Enhance Metaverse Experiences

The Sandbox and Upland have joined forces to promote cross-ecosystem engagement, introducing new opportunities for community creation and interactive gameplay within the metaverse. This collaboration will establish each company's presence within the other's platform, combining their virtual worlds in a unique and innovative way.

Sebastien Borget, COO and co-founder of The Sandbox, stated that this partnership marks a significant step towards enhancing digital interaction, providing creators and players with new ways to connect and innovate across platforms. As part of the partnership, Upland will build its headquarters within The Sandbox, while The Sandbox will create a neighborhood in one of Upland’s virtual cities. This initiative aims to boost user interaction and expand opportunities for creators and players across both platforms.

To celebrate this collaboration, a joint design competition will be launched, encouraging content creators to design for the Upland HQ or create voxel-styled structures for The Sandbox's plot in Upland. This competition will showcase the creativity of both communities. Initially, The Sandbox will distribute virtual properties of its neighborhood in Upland to its LAND owners. Additionally, the Upland community will have opportunities to win SAND tokens and NFTs by completing tasks in The Sandbox, fostering cross-platform engagement.

Dirk Lueth, co-founder and co-CEO of Upland, highlighted that this collaboration supports their vision of the Open Metaverse, where players and assets move across platforms for a more immersive web experience. More details and a specific timeline for the partnership will be announced at Upland’s Genesis Week live event on June 7th, marking a significant step in digital collaboration and community engagement within the metaverse. This partnership underscores the potential for innovative cross-platform interactions that enhance user experience and foster a more connected virtual world.

Gresini Racing Launches Fan-Powered Sponsorship Program

Gresini Racing, in collaboration with MotoGP Guru and SPORTPASS, has unveiled a groundbreaking sponsorship initiative that offers MotoGP fans exclusive perks previously reserved for corporate sponsors. This innovative program allows MotoGP enthusiasts to purchase personal team sponsorship packages for €125, granting access to a range of exclusive benefits.

Jordan Fogerty, CEO of SPORTPASS, emphasized the program's significance, stating, "This is a world-first in sports; we have worked with Gresini Racing to bring the fans even closer to the team and the riders they support, using the latest technology to provide the security of ownership and value."

This fan-powered sponsorship initiative democratizes access to motorsport sponsorships, enabling fans to engage with one of the top MotoGP teams and riders. Benefits include VIP Paddock Experiences at the 2024 Grands Prix, name placement on the team's bikes and websites, invitations to exclusive events, Zoom calls with team members, special custom merchandise, and the chance to win a Ducati Panigale V4S, an official test bike used by Marc Marquez.

Gresini Racing's recent acquisition of eight-time world champion Marc Marquez has heightened anticipation for the team's performance in the 2024 MotoGP World Championship. Carlo Merlini, Commercial & Marketing Director of Gresini Racing, expressed excitement about the initiative, noting their loyal fan base and the team's commitment to making fan sponsorships available globally.

The program is made possible through the collaboration of SPORTPASS and MotoGP Guru, both of which have strong ties to motorsports. MotoGP Guru, a major sponsor of Gresini Racing since 2023, produces the official MotoGP Prediction Game and the MotoGP Guru Racing '24 mobile game. SPORTPASS, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, focuses on fan engagement and gaming platforms.

Square Enix's Symbiogenesis NFT Auction Success and Company Restructuring

Square Enix's venture into blockchain gaming continues to gain momentum as its latest web3 game, Symbiogenesis, successfully minted all 1,500 NFT characters during a three-day auction held from May 31 to June 2 on the Ethereum Layer 2 network Arbitrum One. Known for franchises like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, the Japanese publisher strategically utilized Arbitrum for cost-effectiveness, while earlier NFT characters were minted on Ethereum and other in-game assets on the Polygon network. Symbiogenesis is a narrative-driven adventure game featuring 10,000 collectible NFT characters unlocked progressively through new chapters, set on the last floating continent of a dying planet. Following the auction's success, the game is set to launch its second season. In April 2024, Square Enix partnered with Animoca Brands Japan to boost the global promotion of Symbiogenesis, leveraging Animoca's upcoming NFT Launchpad, Sorah. This blockchain initiative comes amid broader restructuring at Square Enix, which, despite a 4% year-over-year increase in net sales to $2.3 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, saw a 70% drop in profits due to $140 million in losses from canceled projects, leading to layoffs in its US and European offices. The success of Symbiogenesis's NFT auction underscores Square Enix's commitment to innovative gaming experiences despite recent financial setbacks.

Animoca Brands and Everest Ventures Group (EVG) Forge Strategic Alliance

Animoca Brands and Everest Ventures Group (EVG) have solidified their collaboration through a strategic partnership involving reciprocal investments in each other's ventures. This alliance aims to leverage the burgeoning blockchain economies across pivotal Asian markets, with a keen focus on driving practical applications and enhancing accessibility to web3 gaming experiences. Yat Siu, the chairman of Animoca Brands, lauded EVG's steadfast support and commitment, expressing excitement about expanding their partnership to bolster EVG's diverse projects, which hold considerable promise for widespread adoption.

Under the agreement, Animoca Brands will extend support to several upcoming EVG initiatives, including the OpenSocial Protocol, Zeek social bounty network, Legend of Aracdia RPG, and Last Odessey war battle simulator. In return, EVG will invest in various Animoca projects, including Darewise Entertainment's Life Beyond, Anichess chess game, Mocaverse membership NFT collection, among others.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, EVG is a driving force behind web3 mass adoption, boasting a global team of 300 and an extensive portfolio of innovative products, including Aspen Digital, Mugen Interactive, and LiveArt. Co-founded by CEO Allen Ng, EVG emphasizes the importance of tangible use cases and products in navigating the evolving market landscape.

Animoca Brands, renowned for its extensive portfolio of over 400 investments in web3 projects, is committed to advancing digital property rights and shaping the "open metaverse". With a focus on developing blockchain games and traditional products, Animoca Brands collaborates with global brands such as The Walking Dead and Power Rangers. Yat Siu underscores the company's dedication to empowering mission-aligned builders who share the vision of web3 and the open metaverse.