Episode 61: BioWare’s Leadership Shakeup and PAX’s Live Event Optimism (News show)

Event company ReedPop has announced ambitious dates for next year’s PAX shows. In an original report, we discuss exhibitor reactions to PAX Online, what went right and wrong, the price of exhibiting at PAX events, and what developers and publishers should consider when choosing which of the many events to allocate. In this episode 1:28 - EG7 acquires three studios 6:35 - Phoenix Labs relaunches Dauntless and expands 9:25 - Fortnite: Season finale player count, cross-over success, and Crew subscription 21:30 - Microsoft opens up about Game Pass payments to developers 31:45 - Quick Hits 46:40 - Activision Blizzard reports $3 million in Call of Duty net bookings for past 12 months 50:48 - BioWare leadership shakeup 55:20 - Report on PAX Online, PAX 2021 dates, E3 plans, and what developers should consider when choosing which events to attend Links: EG7 Enters Into an Agreement to Acquire Piranha Games Inc.: https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/121645C48E654694  EG7 Completes the Acquisition of Big Blue Bubble: https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/E1F959FDA80E3F54 EG7 enters into an agreement to acquire Daybreak Game Company and has secured debt financing and intends to raise equity: https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/7758700B9A777D34/ Phoenix Labs Establishes New Montreal and Los Angeles Studios, Announces New Games in Development: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phoenix-labs-establishes-new-montreal-and-los-angeles-studios-announces-new-games-in-development-301183133.html MICROSOFT’S PHIL SPENCER ON LAUNCHING THE NEW XBOX AND THE FUTURE OF GAMES (The Verge): https://www.theverge.com/21611412/microsoft-phil-spencer-interview-xbox-series-x-launch-decoder-podcast Call of Duty Surpasses $3 Billion in Net Bookings Over Last 12 Months as Activision Ignites a New Business Model (PR Newswire): https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201204005140/en/Call-of-Duty-Surpasses-3-Billion-in-Net-Bookings-Over-Last-12-Months-as-Activision-Ignites-a-New-Business-Model BioWare’s Leadership Shakeup - Casey Hudson (https://blog.bioware.com/2020/12/03/from-casey-hudson), Mark Darrah (https://blog.bioware.com/2020/12/03/from-mark-darrah/), Laura Miele (https://blog.bioware.com/2020/12/03/a-message-from-laura-miele-chief-studios-officer-electronic-arts/), Christian Dailey (https://blog.bioware.com/2020/12/04/a-note-from-christian/)