Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto expressed skepticism that any new IP could surpass Mario Kart's sales, emphasizing Mario Kart's enduring popularity and suggesting it may never be overtaken, though he acknowledged the potential for new successful IPs if they resonate with players.
Shigeru Miyamoto explains Nintendo's shift towards movies, emphasizing that while games become obsolete, IPs like Mario and Zelda remain memorable and enduring through films, which is why Nintendo is investing heavily in movie adaptations.
Sony has acquired a 2.5% stake in Bandai Namco for $464 million as part of a strategic alliance to expand their collaboration in the global market for Japanese content, anime, and gaming IPs, aiming to enhance fan engagement and create new entertainment opportunities.
Hasbro is considering selling its iconic "Dungeons & Dragons" (DND) IP due to financial struggles, with Tencent being a potential buyer. The negotiations are in early stages, and Larian Studios is acting as an intermediary. Hasbro's financial crisis has led to consecutive losses, prompting the potential sale of DND, which has seen success in video game adaptations. Tencent's interest in acquiring DND would provide the company with dominant control over the IP and help avoid issues faced with other licensed IPs.
Nintendo is reportedly in talks with three studios to work on its IP, seeking new partners and studios as the next generation of Nintendo hardware approaches. The company is known for collaborating with third-party teams and is now looking to expand its roster, with some of the best exclusives during the Switch generation being developed by external studios. While details about the studios involved are scarce, the move suggests an exciting future for Nintendo's IP and potential collaborations.
Microsoft's recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard has given them ownership of a vast catalog of game franchises and IPs. Some notable titles include Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Diablo, Guitar Hero, Hearthstone, Overwatch, Spyro, Starcraft, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Warcraft, and Zork. With Microsoft now in control, fans are hopeful for the revival of beloved franchises such as Tenchu and King's Quest, as well as the exploration of new possibilities for the Warcraft IP beyond World of Warcraft.
Jupiter Corporation, the developer behind the Picross series, has expressed difficulties in collaborating with Nintendo for a project to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Picross in 2025. Jupiter's managing director, Norichika Meguro, stated that it has become "more difficult than ever" to work through Nintendo's approval process. While Nintendo owns the 'Picross' name, the puzzle game systems are Jupiter's property. Jupiter has developed and published all Picross games on the Switch without input from Nintendo.
Merlin Entertainments CEO and Sony Pictures partnerships executive VP have expressed interest in creating more heavily branded attractions based on Sony's IP catalog, following the success of World of Jumanji. The companies are looking to capitalize on the trend of technology merging with IP and imagination in the location-based entertainment business. Sony's Ghostbusters franchise may also be tapped into for future attractions, and the company is exploring all of its IP content for potential theme park opportunities.
Atari has acquired "more than 100" console and PC titles from the 1980s and 1990s, including notable titles from the Bubsy, Hardball, and Demolition Racer series, as well as the trademark for the Accolade and GTI brands. The company plans to expand digital and physical distribution of the classic titles, create new games based on the IP, and explore brand and merchandising collaborations. CEO Wade Rosen teased that fans can look forward to seeing many of these games re-released in physical and digital formats, and in some cases, even ported to modern consoles.
Atari has acquired the intellectual property rights to over 100 PC and console games from the 1980s and 1990s, including Bubsy, Hardball, and Demolition Racer. The company plans to expand distribution, explore merchandising collaborations, and create new games based on these IP. Some classic games will also be ported to modern consoles. Atari demonstrated its ability to breathe new life into classic games with last year's Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration.
Atari has acquired over 100 PC and console titles from the 1980s and 1990s, including games from the Bubsy, Hardball, and Demolition Racer series, as well as the 1942: Pacific Air War, F-117A, and F-14 air combat series. The company plans to expand digital and physical distribution of the classic titles, create new games based on the IP, and explore brand and merchandising collaborations. Atari is also undertaking a multi-year effort to transform the company and expand its video game business, leveraging its large catalog of IP to release classic games and bring new, high-quality games to market.
Developer American McGee announced that the decade-long effort to make Alice: Asylum, the theoretical third game in the Alice series, has ended after Electronic Arts refused to fund or license the IP. McGee said he has "exhausted" every option to realize a third Alice game and will no longer try to raise funds for it. He also stated that he has reached an endpoint with game production in general and has no desire to be involved with any Alice-related development in the future.
Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann confirmed that the studio has chosen its next game, but did not reveal whether it was The Last of Us Part 3 or a completely different IP. Druckmann stated that the studio was moving on from the Uncharted franchise. The upcoming The Last of Us multiplayer game is Naughty Dog's next release, and more information will be shared later this year. The Last of Us Part 1 is set to launch on PC on March 28.