에 대한 최신 뉴스 Sega Sammy Holdings (OTC:SGAMY) 주식

Sega Sammy Holdings

Sega Sammy Holdings was established as a holding company in 2004, when video game developer Sega and pachislot and pachinko vendor Sammy merged. The company currently derives majority of its sales revenue from entertainment content and its pachislot and pachinko machine business, which contributed 68% and 24% of total revenue in fiscal 2023, respectively.

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베데스다 게임 스튜디오(Bethesda Game Studios)는 미국 통신노동자협회(CWA) 산하에 노조를 결성하여, 최초의 마이크로소프트 소유 게임 개발업체가 되었다.

MS 소유의 베데스다 게임 스튜디오, CWA 산하의 노동조합 결성

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바이든 행정부는 미국 전역의 12개 지역 기술 허브를 강화하기 위한 5억 400만 달러의 자금 패키지를 공개했다. 캘리포니아 의원들은 인공 지능(AI) 회사들에 엄격한 안전 규정을 부과하는 법안에 투표할 예정이다. 이 법안에 대해 메타 플랫폼스(NASDAQ:META) 및 알파벳(NASDAQ:GOOGL) 등을 포함한 주요 기술 거대기업들이 강력하게 반대하고 있다.

주간 주요 소비자 기술 뉴스: 에픽 게임즈, 애플과 메타, 엔비디아, 테슬라 (6월 30일-7월 5일)

SEGA SAMMY HLDGS S/ADR by Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.

Sega Sammy Holdings Inc

Sega Sammy Holdings Inc ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>) has confirmed that a new Virtua Fighter title is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming">currently in development.</a>
The announcement came from Justin Scarpone, Sega's global head of transmedia, during a recent <a href="https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/why-sega-is-reviving-classics-like-shinobi-and-jet-set-radio-across-games-film-and-tv/">interview</a> with VGC, where he discussed the company's ongoing efforts to revitalize its iconic legacy franchises.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41557225/segas-sonic-x-shadow-generations-sells-one-million-units-on-launch-day">Sega&#8217;s Sonic x Shadow Generations Sells One Million Units On Launch Day</a>
In a conversation about the revival of several classic Sega titles, Scarpone said: "So we have a suite of titles in development right now that fall into that legacy bucket, which we announced last year at The Game Awards; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39582716/sega-announces-open-world-crazy-taxi-a-next-gen-multiplayer-experience">Crazy Taxi</a>, Jet Set Radio, Streets of Rage, Shinobi, and we have another Virtua Fighter being developed." 
&#8220;And so all that's very exciting. And then in certain instances, we're also doing animation series, or live-action films to augment that and be part of those roadmaps,&#8221; he added.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Long-Awaited Return For Virtua Fighter</h3>
Virtua Fighter, first released in 1993, has been a cornerstone of the fighting game genre, known for its deep, technical mechanics and its focus on precision. 
The franchise has cultivated a dedicated following, though its presence in the gaming landscape has waned in recent years. Fans have had to make do with its appearances as a mini-game in Sega's Yakuza series and the 2021 re-release of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown. Apart from these, the series has never seen a full-fledged mainline release in over a decade.
With the announcement of a new Virtua Fighter, many are speculating whether Sega is planning to deliver Virtua Fighter 6, potentially bringing the franchise back to the forefront of competitive fighting games. Virtua Fighter 5, first launched in 2006, is often cited as one of the greatest fighting games of all time, with its emphasis on technical depth and balanced gameplay.
As Scarpone noted, Sega is not just focused on reviving games through digital releases; some of its classic franchises are also expanding into other forms of media to complement their gaming roadmaps.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/08/40264221/segas-q1-2024-102-5m-in-video-game-sales-stand-out-despite-revenue-drop">Sega&#8217;s Q1 2024: $102.5M In Video Game Sales Stand Out, Despite Revenue Drop</a></li>
</ul>
Image courtesy: SEGA.

Sega Revives A Combat Classic: Will Virtua Fighter 6 Be The Next Big Game?

Sega Sammy Holdings Inc &#8211; ADR&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>) new game, Sonic x Shadow Generations, sold one million units on its launch day, Oct. 25. This figure includes sales across multiple platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming"> and PC. </a>
The game is a remake of the 2011 title, Sonic Generations, and has attracted attention in the gaming community.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/11/35600654/i-want-sonic-to-surpass-mario-says-sega-executive">&#8216;I Want Sonic To Surpass Mario,&#8221; Says SEGA Executive</a>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS has already surpassed 1 Million copies sold! Thank you all for your continued and endless support. <a href="https://t.co/XuTm4WViJv">pic.twitter.com/XuTm4WViJv</a>
&mdash; Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonic_hedgehog/status/1849903760920777074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">A Dual Gameplay Experience</h1>
Sonic x Shadow Generations combines elements from the original game with new content. Players can enjoy gameplay featuring both Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic, along with a new adventure starring Shadow. 
The official synopsis says: &#8220;Sonic x Shadow Generations is a title that combines two games: Sonic Generations, where players can enjoy speedrunning various stages with Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic, enhanced with new elements, and Shadow Generations, a completely new game featuring the dark hero Shadow racing through dynamic environments.
&#8220;The story begins as a mysterious creature called the Time Eater creates distortions in time and space, setting off separate adventures for Sonic and Shadow. Players can look forward to a high-speed action-adventure with distinct gameplay experiences and narratives,&#8221; the description continues.
The success of Sonic x Shadow Generations follows another recent achievement for Sega. The Atlus-developed RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio also sold one million copies on its launch day. 
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/04/38174401/paramount-aims-for-sonic-movies-to-reach-avengers-level-status-says-producer">Paramount Aims For Sonic Movies To Reach &#8216;Avengers-Level&#8217; Status, Says Producer</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Entertainment

Global

Sega's Sonic x Shadow Generations Sells One Million Units On Launch Day

Video game retailer GameStop Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) faced concerns over the growth of digital games taking away from physical games and the company's business model. 
The company may have a new strategy by offering a place to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming">buy retro video games.</a>
What Happened: Best known <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40589742/gamestops-second-meme-surge-fails-to-draw-2021s-retail-investor-crowd-sec-data-shows">as a meme stock</a> these days, GameStop could have a new method to help boost sales in the current and future quarters.
The physical video game retailer announced it is converting several locations into retro gaming retailers to put an emphasis on older video game consoles, games and accessories, tapping into the growing nostalgia of gamers with finding and playing old video games.
&#8220;The classics are back. New retro GameStops are now spawning near you," GameStop <a href="https://x.com/gamestop/status/1828560010160546142">tweeted</a>.
A picture shared by the retailer highlighted consoles from Nintendo Co (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTDOY#OTC">NTDOY</a>), Sony Group Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Sega (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>).
The consoles highlighted are:
<ul>
<li>Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)</li>
<li>Super Nintendo (SNES)</li>
<li>Game Boy</li>
<li>Game Boy Advance</li>
<li>Nintendo 64</li>
<li>Nintendo GameCube</li>
<li>Nintendo DS</li>
<li>Nintendo Wii</li>
<li>Nintendo Wii U</li>
<li>PlayStation</li>
<li>PS2</li>
<li>PS3</li>
<li>PS Vita</li>
<li>Sega Dreamcast</li>
<li>Sega Genesis</li>
<li>Sega Saturn</li>
<li>Xbox</li>
<li>Xbox 360</li>
</ul>
The consoles were released between 1985 and 2012 and are among the most well-known gaming consoles of the past few decades with some portable and others meant for use with televisions.
The GameStop <a href="https://www.gamestop.com/retro-store-locator">website </a>has a tracker to see the nearest Retro Store to a customer&#8217;s location.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/exclusives/24/07/39603613/exclusive-top-10-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-in-first-half-2024-where-do-nvidia-tesla-pala">EXCLUSIVE: Top 10 Most Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro In First Half 2024 – Where Do Nvidia, Tesla, Palantir, GameStop Rank?</a>
 Why It's Important: While gamers can buy retro video games on Amazon or auction websites like eBay, there may be something about going to a physical store and purchasing the items. There is also the feeling of getting your hands on a physical game and being able to go home and play it instead of waiting days for the mail to arrive.
The GameStop website shows old classics like Super Mario Bros available for sale. Older games in franchises such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Pokemon and Zelda are shown on the website.
GameStop recently announced it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40157546/gamestop-shuts-down-game-informer-magazine-lays-off-entire-staff-report">was shutting down</a> Game Informer magazine and laying off the staff, a move that didn't sit well for the gaming community.
The hope for GameStop here could be to get more older video game fans into stores as it struggles with new consoles switching to digital-only models and gamers downloading digital games.
GameStop will report second-quarter financial results after market close on Sept. 10 with the potential for investors and gamers to hear more details on the new move. 
GME Price Action: GameStop stock is up 7.89% to $21.46 on Thursday versus a 52-week trading range of $9.95 to $64.83. GameStop stock is up 27% year-to-date in 2024.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/08/40225079/roaring-kitty-loses-thousands-of-x-followers-after-going-silent-on-gamestop-chewy">Roaring Kitty Loses Thousands Of X Followers After Going Silent On GameStop, Chewy</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Courtesy 1take1shot via Shutterstock

NTDOY

Sony Group Corporation American Depositary Shares

SONY

GameStop Converts Stores To Retro Retailers To Help Gamers Find Old Nintendo, Sega, Game Boy, PlayStation, Xbox Consoles

Raven Software, known for its contributions to the Call of Duty franchise, is making headlines again—this time, not for its gaming achievements, but for a legal battle with its parent companies, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>).
Employees at Raven Software, who established the first union within Activision Blizzard in 2022, have lodged a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Game File <a href="https://www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-partner-showcase-raven-activision-union?open=false#%C2%A7item-call-of-duty-union-say-activision-is-dragging-its-feet-on-contract-talks">reported.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/03/37603491/600-activision-qa-workers-vote-to-form-largest-us-video-game-worker-union-yet">600 Activision QA Workers Vote To Form Largest US Video Game Worker Union Yet</a>
The complaint alleges refusal to bargain, bad faith bargaining, changes in terms and conditions of employment, and retaliation against concerted activities.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Promising Start Turns Sour</h3>
Claude Cummings Jr., president of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), said: "After Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, our members were optimistic that they would progress quickly to a first contract at Raven Software. Unfortunately, that has not happened."
The CWA, under which Raven Software&#8217;s employees organized their union, initially supported Microsoft&#8217;s acquisition, hoping it would usher in a &#8220;new day for workers at Activision Blizzard.&#8221; 
However, the union&#8217;s recent complaint suggests that the honeymoon period is over, with the workers now facing significant challenges in securing the labor rights they fought for.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Microsoft's Response And Ongoing Negotiations</h3>
In response to the complaint, a Microsoft spokesperson stated: &#8220;We are committed to negotiating in good faith,&#8221; but details on the specific grievances remain scarce, as the CWA has declined to elaborate on the allegations. The NLRB&#8217;s decision on the case could take time, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations.
This dispute is part of a broader trend of labor activism within the video game industry. The past year has seen a surge in unionization efforts and labor actions across several studios. 
For instance, Bethesda Game Studios, another Microsoft-owned company, recently became the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39895529/bethesda-game-studios-unionizes-under-communication-workers-of-america">first within the corporation</a> to form a union, covering a wide range of roles from artists to programmers. 
Similarly, Sega of America&#8217;s union, part of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>), successfully ratified a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/07/33191001/sega-of-america-workers-officially-unionize-following-successful-vote">contract earlier this year.</a>
And, in related news, Paris-based Spiders studio announced plans on Wednesday to strike just weeks before the release of its upcoming game, Greedfall 2.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/40035765/sag-aftra-calls-video-game-strike-over-ai-concerns">SAG-AFTRA Calls Video Game Strike Over AI Concerns</a></li>
</ul>
Cover image made with AI using Dall-E.

Raven Software Files Labor Complaint Against Activision Blizzard, Microsoft; Alleges Bad Faith Bargaining

Sega Sammy Holdings Inc (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>) reported its financial results for the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year, revealing a mixed performance with notable strengths in its video game segment, despite an overall decline in<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/02/37045228/sega-issues-financial-warning-over-sluggish-holiday-sales"> net sales. </a>
The results for the three months ended June 30, 2024, indicate a company navigating challenges but finding success in its core entertainment offerings, GamesIndustry.biz <a href="https://www.gamesindustry.biz/segas-1025m-full-game-sales-help-offset-overall-decline">reported.</a>
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39582716/sega-announces-open-world-crazy-taxi-a-next-gen-multiplayer-experience"> Sega Announces Open-World Crazy Taxi: A Next-Gen Multiplayer Experience</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Video Game Sales Shine Amidst Decline</h1>
Sega&#8217;s Entertainment Contents division, which encompasses video games, toys and animation, emerged as a bright spot in the company&#8217;s financials.
This segment reported net sales of 72.7 billion yen ($493.3 million), marking a significant 34% increase compared to the same period last year. 
Within this division, full-game sales saw an impressive growth of nearly 40%, generating 15.1 billion yen ($102.5 million). This growth is a testament to the sustained demand for Sega's gaming products, particularly as the company managed to sell 5.9 million units, albeit slightly below expectations.
Key contributors to this performance included back catalogue titles, which brought in 11.2 billion yen ($76 million). Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance was highlighted as a standout performer, moving 500,000 units. 
Meanwhile, new releases, including the highly anticipated Unicorn Overlord and the remastered Persona 5 Royal, also made substantial contributions to the bottom line.
However, the company noted that while full-game sales were robust, they did not quite meet internal expectations. Sega pointed to the strong yen&#8217;s impact on foreign sales as one of the factors influencing these results.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Pachislot And Pachinko: A Struggling Segment</h1>
In contrast, Sega's pachislot (Japanese slot machines) and pachinko (mechanical game that is used as an arcade game and for gambling) businesses struggled significantly during the quarter. Net sales in this segment plummeted by 43% year-on-year to 28.8 billion yen ($195.8 million).
The company attributed this decline to the comparison with the previous year, which saw the release of the highly successful Smart Pachislot Hokuto No Ken.
Despite the downturn in this traditional segment, Sega's leadership remains optimistic about the future, particularly in light of its growing focus on the digital and interactive entertainment space.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Sega&#8217;s Strategic Moves And Future Prospects</h1>
Sega's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/04/31821155/angry-birds-maker-confirms-talks-with-sega-over-tender-offer">acquisition of </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/04/31821155/angry-birds-maker-confirms-talks-with-sega-over-tender-offer">Rovio</a>, the Finnish developer behind the globally successful Angry Birds franchise, has begun to pay dividends, contributing positively to the company's video game segment. The 706 million euro acquisition, completed in August 2023, is part of Sega&#8217;s broader strategy to strengthen its mobile gaming presence, particularly in Western markets.
Looking ahead, Sega is banking on a robust lineup of releases to sustain its momentum in the Entertainment Contents division. Upcoming titles include Sonic X Shadow Generations and the free-to-play spin-off Sonic Rumble, both expected to capitalize on the enduring popularity of the Sonic franchise. 
Additionally, the company is set to launch a new IP from Atlus, Metaphor: ReFantazio, which is generating considerable anticipation.
The holiday season is also poised to boost Sega&#8217;s fortunes with the release of the third Sonic The Hedgehog movie on Dec. 20, 2024. The previous films have been commercial successes, and the company expects this installment to drive further interest in the Sonic brand across multiple platforms.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/01/36874052/sega-workforce-shake-up-61-employees-face-layoffs-while-there-is-union-opposition">SEGA Workforce Shake-Up: 61 Employees Face Layoffs While There Is Union Opposition</a></li>
</ul>

Asia

Earnings

Markets

Sega's Q1 2024: $102.5M In Video Game Sales Stand Out, Despite Revenue Drop

Bethesda Game Studios has become the first Microsoft-owned game developer to fully unionize under the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39298491/cwa-charges-microsoft-supplier-lionbridge-with-unfair-layoffs-of-unionizing-qa-testers">Communication Workers of America (CWA). </a>
The union, consisting of 241 developers, includes artists, engineers, programmers and designers, marking a significant shift in the industry's labor dynamics, IGN <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/bethesda-game-studios-microsoft-game-studios">reported.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/05/38678051/microsofts-xbox-closes-4-video-game-studios-in-bethesda-restructure">Microsoft&#8217;s Xbox Closes 4 Video Game Studios In Bethesda Restructure</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">A Unified Voice</h1>
The union was officially confirmed after 241 developers either signed a union authorization card or expressed their desire for unionization through an online portal. 
This milestone follows the unionization of Bethesda Game Studios Montreal in late June and approximately 300 quality assurance workers within Zenimax, Bethesda's parent company.
&#8220;We, a majority of developers at Bethesda Game Studios Dallas, Rockville, and Austin, are ecstatic to announce the formation of our union with @CWAUnion,&#8221; the group announced on X (formerly Twitter). &#8220;Together as #OneBGSUSA, we advocate for the betterment of every developer at BGS, setting the new standard for our industry.&#8221;
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Negotiations Ahead</h1>
With Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) recognizing the union, the next step involves negotiating a contract.
Senior system designer Mandi Parker highlighted the significance of this development in a press release: &#8220;It is clear that every worker can benefit from bringing democracy into the workplace and securing a protected voice on the job. We're thrilled to get down to brass tacks and win a fair contract, proving that our unity is a source of real power to positively shape our working conditions, our lives, and the company as a whole.&#8221;
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Industry-Wide Implications</h1>
Unionization is increasingly becoming a trend in the gaming industry as workers seek protections against issues like mass layoffs. Earlier this year, Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. &#8211; ADR&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>) union ratified a contract, and Activision&#8217;s quality assurance workers also formed a union.
Microsoft has previously indicated it would not obstruct a potential union at Activision Blizzard, a stance that evidently extends to Bethesda Game Studios as well.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/05/38791690/xbox-exec-sarah-bond-addresses-microsofts-studio-closures-its-always-extraordinarily-hard-to-make-">Xbox Exec Sarah Bond Addresses Microsoft&#8217;s Studio Closures: &#8216;It&#8217;s Always Extraordinarily Hard To Make Decisions Like That&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using photos from Shutterstock.

Bethesda Game Studios Unionizes Under Communication Workers Of America

Steve-O, the daring stunt performer and star of &#8220;Jackass,&#8221; shared that he was compensated $100,000 for his role in Sega Sammy Holdings Inc's (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming">NFL 2K5. </a>
<a href="https://www.gamespot.com/videos/steve-o-has-never-played-the-jackass-game-star-players/2300-6464586/">Speaking</a> with GameSpot, Steve-O disclosed the exact figure for his involvement in the game, where he was featured as a celebrity coach alongside other personalities like Carmen Electra, David Arquette, Funkmaster Flex and Jamie Kennedy. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39779849/gaming-industry-revenues-to-hit-307-billion-by-2027-analysis">Gaming Industry Revenues To Hit $307 Billion By 2027: Analysis</a>
NFL 2K5, featuring Terrell Owens as its cover athlete, marked the final installment in Sega&#8217;s football series, which had been a formidable competitor to EA&#8217;s Madden NFL franchise in the early 2000s. 
Launched at a competitive price of $20, significantly lower than the standard $50 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox games at the time, NFL 2K5 received critical acclaim.
Reflecting on his involvement, Steve-O recounted: &#8220;For sure they reached out to me. It&#8217;s so funny that I went to promote this video game on the Howard Stern show. They paid me very well to do that. In 2004, I think it was exactly $100,000 they paid me to do that.&#8221; 
Interestingly, Steve-O&#8217;s foray into video games wasn&#8217;t limited to NFL 2K5. He also appeared in Tony Hawk's Underground 2, where he rode a mechanical bull instead of a skateboard. Despite the elaborate nature of this cameo, it earned him a comparatively modest $5,000. &#8220;I think this one was wildly more popular, but who&#8217;s gonna not do that, you know?&#8221; Steve-O said.
&#8220;Jackass was really good at not paying us that much,&#8221; he added, referencing the Jackass: The Game, which, despite its association with the popular TV show and film series, did not bring substantial earnings for its stars.
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Photo: Joe Seer via Shutterstock

Guess How Much Steve-O From 'Jackass' Made From His NFL 2K5 Cameo

The Biden administration has unveiled a $504 million funding package aimed at bolstering 12 regional technology hubs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/07/39592660/biden-administration-pumps-504m-to-boost-ai-chip-innovation-in-tech-hubs" rel="noreferrer noopener">across the United States</a>.
California lawmakers are set to vote on a bill that would impose stringent&nbsp;safety regulations on artificial intelligence companies. The bill is being fiercely opposed by tech giants, including&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) and<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39589481/meta-google-slam-californias-ai-safety-bill-say-it-will-make-the-ecosystem-less-safe-mark-zuckerberg" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39589481/meta-google-slam-californias-ai-safety-bill-say-it-will-make-the-ecosystem-less-safe-mark-zuckerberg" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alphabet Inc </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39589481/meta-google-slam-californias-ai-safety-bill-say-it-will-make-the-ecosystem-less-safe-mark-zuckerberg" rel="noreferrer noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>)</a>.
Gaming
Epic Games is advancing its plans to relaunch &#8220;Fortnite&#8221; on its own iPhone app store for EU users by submitting the Epic Games Store and the updated Fortnite app <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39567248/fortnite-could-return-back-to-apple-iphone-as-epic-moves-to-reintroduce-game-via-eu-alternative-app" rel="noreferrer noopener">to Apple for notarization</a>.
Sega Sammy Holdings Inc (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>), renowned for its iconic gaming franchises, recently unveiled groundbreaking plans for the future of Crazy Taxi <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39582716/sega-announces-open-world-crazy-taxi-a-next-gen-multiplayer-experience" rel="noreferrer noopener">and other beloved series</a>.
Capcom ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCOEY#OTC">CCOEY</a>) officially confirmed the development of &#8220;Resident Evil 9&#8221; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39602070/capcom-confirms-development-of-resident-evil-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">was underway</a>.
Microsoft Corp.&#8217;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) Xbox Game Pass&nbsp;subscribers have an exciting lineup to look forward to, with Wave 1 offerings spanning various <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39604435/get-ready-for-xbox-game-pass-july-2024-journey-to-the-savage-planet-tchia-more" rel="noreferrer noopener">genres and&nbsp;platforms</a>.
Xbox Game Pass&nbsp;subscribers have an exciting lineup to look forward to, with Wave 1 offerings spanning various genres and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/xbox" rel="noreferrer noopener">platforms.</a>
Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39603546/why-some-games-run-better-on-ps5-despite-xbox-series-xs-power-advantage-according-to-experts" rel="noreferrer noopener">Why Some Games Run Better On PS5 Despite Xbox Series X&#8217;s Power Advantage, According To Experts</a>
Smartphones
The deadline for&nbsp;Apple Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus users to claim a&nbsp;portion of the $35 million settlement fund established after a class-action lawsuit regarding audio issues <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39568912/apple-iphone-settlement-deadline-extended-users-get-extra-time-to-file-claims-to-get-up-to-349" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">has been extended</a>.
Despite initial discussions in March, Apple has reportedly declined&nbsp;Meta Platforms&#8217; proposal to incorporate its AI chatbot, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39564817/apple-rejects-metas-ai-integration-proposal-ex-employee-accuses-iphone-maker-of-chemical-exposure-an" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Llama, into the iPhone</a>.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39564985/apples-ai-initiatives-impress-analysts-meta-eyes-apple-intelligence-arm-holdings-ceo-on-rapid-growth" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple&#8217;s AI Initiatives Impress Analysts, Meta Eyes Apple Intelligence, Arm Holdings CEO On Rapid Growth Of AI And More: This Week In AI</a>
Apple&#8217;s&nbsp;closest rival in the smartwatch space,&nbsp;Samsung Electronics, has introduced its new Exynos W1000 chipset that can help the next generation Galaxy Watch last twice as long as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/apple-watch-series-9" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Watch Series 9</a>.
Apple&nbsp;is reportedly set to secure an observer role on the board of&nbsp;ChatGPT-parent&nbsp;OpenAI,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/07/39611089/top-apple-executive-phil-schiller-to-join-openai-board-as-observer-giving-iphone-maker-equal-status" rel="noreferrer noopener">matching the position of&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/07/39611089/top-apple-executive-phil-schiller-to-join-openai-board-as-observer-giving-iphone-maker-equal-status" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>.
Technology
The European Union (EU) is reportedly gearing up to charge&nbsp;Meta Platforms with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39569000/metas-pay-or-consent-model-to-draw-charges-from-eu-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">breach of its digital regulations</a>.
South Korea&#8217;s&nbsp;SK Group, the parent company of&nbsp;Nvidia Corporations&#8217;&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) chip supplier&nbsp;SK Hynix, has announced plans to amass 80 trillion won ($56 billion) by 2026. The funds will be primarily directed towards investments in artificial <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39575498/nvidia-suppliers-parent-company-pledges-56b-investment-in-ai-chip-tech-by-2026-as-competition-from-s" rel="noreferrer noopener">intelligence (AI) and semiconductors</a>.
Elon Musk
Tesla, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)&nbsp;and&nbsp;SpaceX&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;reacted to an old video of AI &#8220;Godfather&#8221;&nbsp;Geoffrey Hinton&nbsp;that artificial intelligence <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39590277/elon-musk-reacts-to-an-old-video-of-ai-godfather-geoffrey-hinton-saying-that-artificial-intelligence" rel="noreferrer noopener">has passed the Turing Test</a>.
Elon Musk&nbsp;has shared a glimpse of the resources invested in the development of&nbsp;his AI chatbot,&nbsp;Grok. Musk recently disclosed that the upcoming version of his AI chatbot, Grok 3, will be trained on a massive <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39594885/elon-musk-reveals-the-staggering-amount-of-nvidia-h100-gpus-that-will-be-used-to-train-xai-chatbot-g" rel="noreferrer noopener">100,000&nbsp;Nvidia H100&nbsp;chips</a>.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39569675/palantirs-peter-thiel-says-its-very-strange-that-most-money-in-ai-is-being-made-by-only-one-company" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palantir&#8217;s Peter Thiel Says It&#8217;s &#8216;Very Strange&#8217; That Most Money In AI Is Being Made By Only One Company: &#8216;…Which Silicon Valley Doesn&#8217;t Even Know Much About Anymore&#8217;</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

What's New In the Consumer Tech World Last Week? News That You Should Know (June 30 - July 5, 2024)

Sega Sammy Holdings Inc (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>), renowned for its iconic gaming franchises, recently unveiled groundbreaking plans for the future of Crazy Taxi and other beloved series. 
In a developer-focused interview<a href="https://automaton-media.com/en/news/new-crazy-taxi-title-will-be-an-open-world-massively-multiplayer-aaa-game-according-to-sega/"> translated</a> by Automaton, Sega&#8217;s producer Kenji Kanno dropped exciting details about Crazy Taxi&#8217;s anticipated reboot.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/01/36874052/sega-workforce-shake-up-61-employees-face-layoffs-while-there-is-union-opposition">SEGA Workforce Shake-Up &#8211; 61 Employees Face Layoffs While There Is Union Opposition</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Crazy Taxi&#8217;s Leap Into An Open-World Future</h3>
Kenji Kanno described the upcoming Crazy Taxi as a &#8220;large-scale, open-world, massively multiplayer driving game,&#8221; leveraging the cutting-edge Unreal Engine. 
Kanno stressed Sega&#8217;s commitment to preserving Crazy Taxi&#8217;s signature thrill while integrating groundbreaking multiplayer dynamics and expansive open-world exploration. 
&#8220;The new Crazy Taxi retains the essence of the original while introducing exciting new elements,&#8221; Kanno affirmed. Reports hint at a sprawling theme park-inspired map and nods to the U.S. West Coast, promising a fresh yet familiar experience for fans, according to Automaton.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Game Awards 2023: A Platform For Rebirth</h3>
Sega made headlines at The Game Awards 2023 with its ambitious lineup of nostalgic comebacks. Alongside returning classics like Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, Golden Axe, and Streets of Rage, the announcement of Crazy Taxi&#8217;s reboot stood out, setting the stage for a thrilling revival.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/11/35600654/i-want-sonic-to-surpass-mario-says-sega-executive">&#8216;I Want Sonic To Surpass Mario,&#8221; Says SEGA Executive</a></li>
</ul>
Image courtesy of Sega <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/71230/Crazy_Taxi/">via</a> Steam.

Sega Announces Open-World Crazy Taxi: A Next-Gen Multiplayer Experience

Production has begun on &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/angry-birds">The Angry Birds Movie 3</a>.&#8221; 
Rovio Entertainment Corporation, SEGA Sammy Holdings (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>), and Prime Focus Studios <a href="https://www.rovio.com/articles/the-angry-birds-movie-3-is-in-production/">broke</a> the news; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming"> </a>DNEG Animation will handle the animation for the film, which also involves One Cool Group, Flywheel Media, and Dentsu.
The new movie continues the adventures of Red and Chuck, with actors Jason Sudeikis and Josh Gad returning to voice the characters, respectively.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/06/32767414/amazon-expands-angry-birds-franchise-with-angry-birds-mystery-island-series-on-prime-video-">Amazon Expands Angry Birds Franchise With &#8216;Angry Birds Mystery Island&#8217; Series On Prime Video And Amazon Kids+</a>
The first two films in the franchise grossed over $500 million worldwide and performed well on streaming platforms, setting high expectations for this installment.
John Rice, known for &#8220;Angry Birds&#8221; and &#8220;Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe,&#8221; will direct the film. 
Thurop Van Orman, who wrote &#8220;Angry Birds 2&#8221; and &#8220;Adventure Time,&#8221; will write the screenplay and serve as an executive producer alongside Toru Nakahara. The production team also includes producers John Cohen, Dan Chuba, and Carla Connor.
"The Angry Birds brand knows no bounds," said Alexandre Pelletier-Normand, CEO of Rovio Entertainment. "An all-new Angry Birds adventure shows how the stories we create in our games can seamlessly transition to film. We're excited to dive back into the vibrant Angry Birds world with our new partners."
Meanwhile, Shuji Utsumi, President and COO at SEGA, noted the company's transmedia strategy. "The upcoming Angry Birds Movie 3 perfectly aligns with our strategy and offers a great opportunity to bring the charm of the Angry Birds brand to fans globally."
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/12/36246558/this-acclaimed-video-game-is-getting-an-a24-live-action-film-adaptation">This Acclaimed Video Game Is Getting An A24 Live-Action Film Adaptation</a>
Image courtesy of Rovio Entertainment.

Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad Return For 'The Angry Birds Movie 3' As Production Kicks Off

Music has always been a crucial part of video games, enhancing immersion and adding <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/03/37428368/universal-music-pulls-4-million-songs-from-tiktok-tells-artists-they-simply-do-not-value-yo">depth to virtual worlds. </a>
Think about it: from the catchy Super Mario Bros. theme to the unforgettable Tetris melody, some video game tunes are as iconic as the games themselves. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/05/39008146/gamers-ditch-strategy-too-worn-out-by-social-media-to-think-deeply-study-shows">Gamers Ditch Strategy: &#8216;Too Worn Out By Social Media To Think Deeply,&#8217; Study Shows</a>
Over the years, game music has evolved to include full orchestral scores and cinematic compositions. But there&#8217;s another powerful type of video game music that's been making waves since the &#8217;90s: the licensed soundtrack.
The idea of using popular songs in video games took off in 1982 with Journey&#8217;s chiptune version of "Don't Stop Believin'" for the Atari 2600 game.
By the early &#8217;90s, with home consoles like Sega Sammy Holdings Inc&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>) CD and Sony Group Corp.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>) PlayStation, games began incorporating high-quality audio tracks.
Titles like &#8220;Twisted Metal: Black&#8221; (2001) with The Rolling Stones&#8217; "Paint It Black," and &#8220;Red Dead Redemption 2&#8221; featuring D'Angelo's "Unshaken," exemplify how licensed music can elevate a game&#8217;s impact.
Curious about which games nailed it with their soundtracks? Rolling Stone <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming-lists/best-video-game-soundtracks-1235005941/lollipop-chainsaw-2012-1235012615/">recently ranked </a>the 25 best licensed gaming soundtracks of all time. Let's dive in and see if your favorites made the list.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Rolling Stone's Top 25 Licensed Gaming Soundtracks:</h1>
25. Lollipop Chainsaw (2012)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Cherry Bomb," Joan Jett &amp; The Blackhearts</li>
</ul>
24. Crazy Taxi (1999)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: Arcade, Dreamcast</li>
<li>Song to stream: "All I Want," The Offspring</li>
</ul>
23. Bioshock Infinite (2013)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, OS X</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Fortunate Son," by Jessy Carolina (covering Creedence Clearwater Revival)</li>
</ul>
22. Forza Horizon 5 (2021)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: Xbox Series X&#x7C;S, Xbox One, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Heat Waves (Shakur Ahmad Remix)," Glass Animals, Shakur Ahmad</li>
</ul>
21. Midnight Club: Los Angeles (2008)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Kicking and Screaming," The Presets</li>
</ul>
20. Watch Dogs 2 (2016)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Blockbuster Night Part 1," Run the Jewels</li>
</ul>
19. The Last of Us Part II (2020)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 4</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Take On Me," Ashley Johnson (Covering a-ha)</li>
</ul>
18. Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (1990)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: Arcade, Sega Genesis, Master System</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Smooth Criminal" (Sega Genesis version; Michael Jackson)</li>
</ul>
17. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Gloria," Laura Branigan</li>
</ul>
16. Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Johnny Guitar," Peggy Lee</li>
</ul>
15. Def Jam Vendetta (2003)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: GameCube, PlayStation 2</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Party Up," DMX</li>
</ul>
14. SSX on Tour (2005)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House," LCD Soundsystem</li>
</ul>
13. Saints Row 2 (2008)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Street Justice," MSTRKRFT</li>
</ul>
12. Rock n' Roll Racing (1993)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Paranoid" (Instrumental, originally by Black Sabbath)</li>
</ul>
11. Need for Speed Unbound (2022)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X&#x7C;S, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Shittin Me," A$AP Rocky</li>
</ul>
10. Burnout 3: Takedown (2004)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox</li>
<li>Song to stream: "My Favorite Accident," Motion City Soundtrack</li>
</ul>
9. Gran Turismo 2 (1999)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Now Is the Time (Millenium Mix)," The Crystal Method</li>
</ul>
8. Brütal Legend (2009)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Goliaths Disarm Their Davids," In Flames</li>
</ul>
7. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360</li>
<li>Song to stream: "A.D.H.D," Kendrick Lamar</li>
</ul>
6. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (2021)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X&#x7C;S, Nintendo Switch, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "The Final Countdown," EUROPE</li>
</ul>
5. Hotline Miami (2012)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Vengeance (The Return of the Night Driving Avenger)," Perturbator</li>
</ul>
4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "B.Y.S.," Gang Starr</li>
</ul>
3. Life Is Strange (2015)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Mt. Washington," Local Natives</li>
</ul>
2. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (1999)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Superman," Goldfinger</li>
</ul>
1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
<ul>
<li>Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows</li>
<li>Song to stream: "Working for the Weekend," Loverboy</li>
</ul>
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/05/38900608/gta-5-surpasses-200-million-copies-sold-only-two-games-have-outsold-it">GTA 5 Surpasses 200 Million Copies Sold: Only Two Games Have Outsold It</a>
Photo: Shutterstock.

You Won't Believe The Best Gaming Soundtrack Ever: Rolling Stone's Top 25 Revealed

Lara Croft, the iconic heroine of the Embracer Group ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBCRY#OTC">EBCRY</a>) Tomb Raider series, has been hailed as the most legendary character in gaming by the BAFTA Gaming Awards, edging out beloved icons like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming">Mario and Sonic. </a>
In a recent <a href="https://www.bafta.org/games/most-iconic-game-character-of-all-time">poll</a> by BAFTA, where over 4,000 votes were cast, Croft emerged as the clear favorite.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/08/34031282/from-tombs-to-warfare-lara-croft-debuts-in-call-of-duty-crossover">From Tombs To Warfare: Lara Croft Debuts In Call Of Duty Crossover</a>
Since her debut in 1996&#8217;s Tomb Raider for the Sega Saturn, Croft captivated audiences across various mediums, from video games to film adaptations and even live immersive experiences in London.
In the rankings, Nintendo ADR&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTDOY#OTC">NTDOY</a>) Mario ranked second, Hitman&#8217;s Agent 47 in third, Sega Sammy Holdings Inc &#8211; ADR&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>) Sonic the Hedgehog secured fourth place, followed by LittleBigPlanet&#8217;s Sackboy in fifth, and Pac-Man in sixth. 
Link from The Legend of Zelda claimed the seventh spot, while Master Chief and Kratos battled it out for eighth and ninth place, respectively. 
A surprise contender, Baldur&#8217;s Gate 3&#8217;s Shadowheart, clinched the 10th spot despite the game&#8217;s recent release.
The remaining entries on the list include some expected names, such as Sony Group Corp.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>) The Last of Us&#8217; Ellie and Crash Bandicoot, alongside others that raised eyebrows. 
However, one thing remains clear: Lara Croft&#8217;s top position is universally acknowledged as well-deserved.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/22/03/26051368/10-best-selling-video-game-franchises-of-all-time-tetris-call-of-duty-super-mario-and-more">10 Best-Selling Video Game Franchises Of All Time: Tetris, Call Of Duty, Super Mario And More</a>
Image created with photos from Unsplash.

EBCRY

This Is The Most Iconic Character In Gaming, Surpassing Mario, Hitman, Sonic, Says BAFTA Gaming Awards

Sega Sammy Holdings Inc - ADR (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgamy#OTC">SGAMY</a>) issued a financial warning due to disappointing sales during the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming">crucial holiday season of 2023.</a>
The company attributed the downward revision of its sales and profit forecast to &quot;weak sales&quot; of new games released in the third quarter of the financial year, <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/sega-issues-financial-warning-after-sluggish-sales-of-sonic-superstars-endless-dungeon-and-total-war-pharaoh">reported</a>&nbsp;IGN.&nbsp;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/01/36874052/sega-workforce-shake-up-61-employees-face-layoffs-while-there-is-union-opposition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SEGA Workforce Shake-Up: 61 Employees Face Layoffs While There Is Union Opposition</a>
Sega highlighted &quot;sluggish&quot; sales of titles like &quot;Sonic Superstars,&quot; &quot;Endless Dungeon,&quot; and &quot;Total War: Pharaoh&quot; during the holiday season.
The company also incurred losses linked to an inventory write-down, which were&nbsp;&quot;in response to these sales conditions.&quot;
&quot;As a result of these factors, etc., both sales and ordinary income are expected to be lower than previous forecast,&quot; the company said in a statement.&nbsp;
Sales struggles were particularly notable in Europe and the United States, where Sega cited a plateau in market expansion due to economic challenges like inflation.
Despite the success of recently released games like &quot;Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth&quot; and &quot;Persona 3 Reload,&quot; Sega doesn&#39;t anticipate these titles, nor the upcoming &quot;Unicorn Overlord,&quot; to offset the overall lower sales and profits for the financial year.
The company acknowledged the impact of competitive titles, notably &quot;Super Mario Bros. Wonder,&quot; which launched shortly after &quot;Sonic Superstars.&quot;
Sega announced ongoing structural reforms in its European game development business, including the cancellation of projects like &quot;Hyenas&quot; and a review of the medium-term lineup. This restructuring also involves management changes.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/11/35600654/i-want-sonic-to-surpass-mario-says-sega-executive" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#39;I Want Sonic To Surpass Mario,&quot; Says SEGA Executive</a>
Image credits:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/es/g/inbj">IB Photography</a>&nbsp;on Shutterstock.

Penny Stocks

Sega Issues Financial Warning Over 'Sluggish' Holiday Sales

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) has responded directly to the&nbsp;Federal Trade Commission&#39;s (FTC) claims regarding layoffs following the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/activision-blizzard">acquisition of Activision.</a>
The FTC blasted Microsoft&#39;s 1,900 layoffs, saying they contradicted earlier assurances made <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2210077-microsoftactivision-blizzard-matter">during the antitrust trial</a>.
However, Microsoft rebutted, stating that Activision had already planned significant job cuts before the merger, and criticized the FTC&#39;s assertions as &quot;incomplete and misleading,&quot; The Verge <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23768244/ftc-microsoft-activision-blizzard-case-news-announcements">reported</a>.
Microsoft clarified: &quot;Activision was already planning on eliminating a significant number of jobs while still operating as an independent company.&quot;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/02/37016355/gaming-industry-layoffs-crash-bandicoot-studio-toys-for-bob-grapples-with-office-closure" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gaming Industry Layoffs - Crash Bandicoot Studio, Toys For Bob, Grapples With Office Closure</a>
The filing also noted that Activision&#39;s pre-existing layoff plans aligned with industry trends impacting the gaming sector. This aligns with layoffs announced by other gaming companies like Sega Sammy Holdings Inc (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgamy#OTC">SGAMY</a>) and CI Games, reflecting wider industry challenges.
Microsoft had previously stated that the layoffs were due to identifying overlaps and the need for a sustainable cost structure. This was reiterated in Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer&#39;s memo accompanying the initial announcement of the company&#39;s 1,900 layoffs within its gaming department last month.
Furthermore, the tech giant asserted in the court filing its readiness to reverse the acquisition. <a href="https://gamerant.com/microsoft-activision-layoffs-ftc-complaint-official-response/">As per</a> Game Rant, a company representative clarified that the deal allows for divestment from Activision if necessary, although such a scenario is deemed unlikely.
The FTC&#39;s objections primarily concern antitrust matters rather than workforce protections, making it questionable whether recent layoffs across Activision subsidiaries would affect court approval of the acquisition.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/02/37013590/gamestops-tweet-adds-fuel-to-panic-over-xboxs-future-whats-next-for-the-brand" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GameStop&#39;s Tweet Adds Fuel To Panic Over Xbox&#39;s Future: What&#39;s Next For The Brand?</a>
Image credits:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/es/g/DailyFX">CryptoFX</a>&nbsp;on Shutterstock.

Microsoft Claps Back At FTC, Insists Activision Was 'Already Planning Significant' Layoffs

SEGA of America, part of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc - ADR (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgamy#OTC">SGAMY</a>) is set to lay off 61 employees on March 8, as revealed by an automated X&nbsp;bot sharing Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/07/33191001/sega-of-america-workers-officially-unionize-following-successful-vote">notices.</a>
<a href="https://insider-gaming.com/sega-to-layoff-61-employees/">According</a> to Insider Gaming, the Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS-CWA) union, actively opposing SEGA&#39;s plan to outsource QA and part of localization, expressed discontent on X.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/11/35835878/union-accusations-against-sega-alleged-threat-of-mass-layoffs-uncovered" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Union Accusations Against Sega: Alleged Threat Of Mass Layoffs Uncovered</a>
The union stated: &quot;Sega management announced their plan to outsource QA and part of localization in a move that would significantly impact our workforce. Today the layoff that will result in the loss of 61 jobs across these two departments was made public.&quot;
Despite the union&#39;s efforts, the layoffs are expected to negatively impact working conditions and game quality. It&nbsp;asserted: &quot;We believe will have a negative impact on the working conditions of those who remain with the company, and in the quality of our future games.&quot;
Furthermore, the union clarified&nbsp;through collective efforts it managed to save more than double the initially at-risk jobs and secured severance for temporary workers.
The union also highlighted the broader issue of mass layoffs in the gaming industry, stating, &quot;In the face of mass layoffs that continue to happen across gaming companies, we stand united and in solidarity with those affected.&quot;
SEGA of America has not responded to requests for comment, leaving uncertainty about whether the layoffs are connected to the company&#39;s earlier plan to phase out temporary employees by February, a move the union opposed.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/11/35600654/i-want-sonic-to-surpass-mario-says-sega-executive" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#39;I Want Sonic To Surpass Mario,&quot; Says SEGA Executive</a>
Photo:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/es/g/inbj">IB Photography</a>&nbsp;on Shutterstock

SEGA Workforce Shake-Up: 61 Employees Face Layoffs While There Is Union Opposition

Sega of America, part of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc - ADR (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgamy#OTC">SGAMY</a>), faced&nbsp;accusations of attempting mass layoffs in retaliation for employees&#39; unionization efforts, as detailed in an unfair labor practice complaint filed by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/23/04/31626539/activision-blizzard-faces-privacy-invasion-allegations-from-workers">Communications Workers of America.</a>
<a href="https://kotaku.com/sega-sonic-union-layoffs-persona-yakuza-1851026309">According </a>to Kotaku, the complaint alleged&nbsp;Sega forced employees into a meeting where they were informed of impending job offshoring to Japan and Europe, impacting about 40% of unionized staff, primarily in quality assurance and localization roles.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/07/33191001/sega-of-america-workers-officially-unionize-following-successful-vote">Sega Of America Workers Officially Unionize Following Successful Vote</a>
The Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS-CWA), formed earlier in the year and representing more than&nbsp;200 employees, received a proposal from Sega to phase out temporary workers by February 2024, breaching standard negotiation procedures with the union.
Instead of engaging in negotiations with the union, Sega directly informed employees of the layoffs in a mandatory meeting, potentially violating rules against bypassing union involvement. The downsizing would affect around 80 employees, which accounted&nbsp;for 40% of the entire group.
Despite the filing with the National Labor Relations Board, the resolution might not prevent imminent layoffs.
The situation happened&nbsp;amidst industry-wide cost-cutting measures, with gaming companies aiming to reduce expenses and downsize.
Meanwhile, the union demanded&nbsp;Sega to convert temporary positions to permanent ones and return to negotiations transparently and fairly.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/01/30470978/gaming-industry-workers-unite-a-look-at-unionizations-efforts-at-activision-blizzard-and-ot">Gaming Industry Workers Unite: A Look At Unionizations Efforts At Activision Blizzard And Other Publishers</a>
Photo:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/es/g/inbj">IB Photography</a>&nbsp;on Shutterstock.

Union Accusations Against Sega: Alleged Threat Of Mass Layoffs Uncovered

Each week, Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index">surface and warrant attention</a>.
Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance to uncover new information.
This index layers editorial commentary to help make sense of why these stocks should be of interest and whether investors or casual readers should watch them. Here is a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week of Nov. 10:
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/11/35705775/lillys-strategic-branding-move-for-weight-loss-drug-sets-stage-for-long-term-success-analyst">Lilly's Strategic Branding Move For Weight Loss Drug Sets Stage For Long Term Success: Analyst</a>
<ol>
<li>GAN Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GAN#NASDAQ">GAN</a>): The casino and sports betting technology company saw increased interest from investors after an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/11/35667472/why-online-gaming-platform-gan-shares-are-skyrocketing-today">acquisition of the company was announced.</a> Sega Sammy Creation, a unit of Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>), announced it will acquire the company for $1.97 per share in cash. The deal will go before shareholders at a special meeting to be held on March 31, 2024, with an expected close in the fourth quarter of 2024 if approved. Given the three months between now and the vote, the company could see interest from other parties. The acquisition of GAN could also lead to more M&amp;A in the online gaming space.</li>
<li>Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>): The Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) mining company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/11/35701484/bitcoin-miner-marathon-digital-is-surging-thursday-whats-going-on">saw shares trade higher</a> after reporting third-quarter results. The company reported revenue of $97.8 million, which was up year-over-year, but missed a Street consensus estimate of $99.70 million. Marathon saw revenue shoot higher with a 467% increase in Bitcoin production and the price of Bitcoin 32% higher in the quarter. The company produced 37.9 Bitcoin per day in the third quarter and sold 66% of the Bitcoin it produced in the quarter. Aside from earnings, Marathon shares have been volatile given the recent rise in the price of Bitcoin.</li>
<li>Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>): The pharmaceutical company saw increased investor interest after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/11/35680340/weight-loss-drug-competition-fda-approves-expanded-use-of-eli-lillys-blockbuster-tirzepatide-for-">announcing FDA approval</a> for expanded use of its Tirzepatide weight-loss drug. The drug is expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of the year and will come with a lower price point than other weight loss drugs from Novo Nordisk (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>).</li>
<li>Astra Space (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASTR#NASDAQ">ASTR</a>): The space company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/11/35702227/astra-space-stock-is-blasting-off-thursday-whats-going-on">saw shares trade higher</a> after founders Chris Kemp and Adam London announced a non-binding proposal to acquire the portion of the company they did not already own. The proposal price was $1.50 per share. The announcement comes after the company's board announced it was considering financing and strategic transaction proposals. Shares of Astra were up over 50% on the announcement, but still trade below the $1.50 offer price. Shares of the space company have traded between $0.62 and $11.10 over the last 52 weeks.</li>
<li>Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>): The cryptocurrency exchange platform saw increased interest from investors over the week. The company reported third-quarter<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/11/35579604/coinbase-q3-earnings-cryptocurrency-exchange-posts-revenue-beat-latest-bitcoin-ethereum-vo"> financial results</a>, with revenue beating analysts' estimates. Interest in Coinbase is likely due to the rise in the price of Bitcoin and increased optimism that Bitcoin ETFs will be approved in the coming months.</li>
</ol>
Check out the most recent Stock Whisper reports here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/penny-stocks/23/10/35350340/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">Oct. 20</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/10/35465096/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-abo">Oct. 27</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/11/35592717/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">Nov. 3</a></li>
</ul>
Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/feature/newsfeed/?gspk=bHVrZWphY29iaTUzNDg&amp;gsxid=tdEE0VrK8Jeg&amp;ref=lukejacobi5348" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;top market-moving stories here.</a>
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/11/35628289/biggest-short-squeeze-stocks-of-the-week-biotech-stocks-dominate-a-bitcoin-related-stock-moves-up">Biggest Short Squeeze Stocks Of The Week</a>

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Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

GAN Limited&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gan#NASDAQ">GAN</a>) shares are trading higher after the company agreed to be acquired by Sega Sammy Creation Inc.&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/23/11/b35664224/gan-announces-definitive-agreement-to-be-acquired-by-sega-sammy-creation" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">for $1.97 per share.</a>
The value represents a premium of 121% over the closing price of GAN&#39;s ordinary shares on November 7, 2023, the<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/m-a" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">&nbsp;last trading day before the date of this announcement.</a>
Sega Sammy Creation is a subsidiary of&nbsp;Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgamf#OTC" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">SGAMF</a>) (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgamy#OTC">SGAMY</a>), an international conglomerate operating in the entertainment, gaming, and resort businesses.
GAN said it will ask its shareholders to consider and vote to approve the merger agreement at a special meeting of shareholders to be held by March 31, 2024.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/11/35600654/i-want-sonic-to-surpass-mario-says-sega-executive" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">&#39;I Want Sonic To Surpass Mario,&quot; Says SEGA Executive</a>
&quot;Market share concentration in the U.S. B2C space, a slower than expected adoption of regulated online gaming in the U.S., along with changes to key customer contracts make the near-term operating environment challenging without ample capital resources,&quot; said Seamus McGill, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of GAN.&nbsp;
Sega Sammy has those resources, and GAN is a strategic complement to their existing gaming portfolio, according to the Interim CEO.&nbsp;
GAN expects the merger to close during the&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">fourth quarter of 2024.</a>
Upon completion of the merger, GAN will become a&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/acquisitions" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">wholly-owned subsidiary of SSC.</a>
&quot;We believe this all-cash offer, at a substantial premium to recent trading prices, is the value-maximizing path for our shareholders,&quot; McGill added.
Price Action:&nbsp;GAN shares are trading higher by 96.2% to $1.75 premarket on the last check Wednesday.

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Why Online Gaming Platform GAN Shares Are Skyrocketing Today

Sega Sammy Holdings Inc - ADR&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgamy#OTC">SGAMY</a>)&nbsp;executive Osamu Ohasi has set his sights high, expressing his desire to see<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/04/26644524/sonic-the-metaverse-how-sega-plans-to-launch-nfts"> Sonic the Hedgehog</a> surpass Mario <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/04/31844499/super-mario-bros-movie-reigns-supreme-in-2023-box-office-with-over-500m-in-sales">in terms of popularity.</a>
Ohasi, who currently manages SEGA&#39;s 2nd Business Department, responsible for the Sonic franchise, shared his ambitious vision in a recent <a href="https://www.sega.co.jp/recruit/episode/episode09/">interview</a> conducted by sega.co.jp and translated by NoisyPixel.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/06/33033155/microsofts-acquisition-ambitions-exposed-why-did-xbox-want-to-buy-sega" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Microsoft&#39;s Acquisition Ambitions Exposed: Why Did Xbox Want To Buy SEGA?</a>
&quot;Simply put, I want to surpass Mario. Sonic was a game originally developed to compete with Mario, and we have yet to achieve that. Because we respect Mario, my goal is to catch up to and surpass him,&quot; Ohasi said.
He continued: &quot;We want Sonic to be played all over the world, including Japan, just like Mario, and we want the movie to be a bigger hit than Mario. We also want to build a Sonic attraction in Universal Studios Japan. That is my goal as a Sonic lover.&quot;
Ohasi&#39;s enthusiasm and ambitions are undeniable, but achieving these objectives will be a formidable challenge. For instance, a basic comparison shows that the recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/08/33970399/barbie-vs-super-mario-bros-movie-which-one-will-claim-2023s-box-office-throne">Super Mario Bros. movie</a> grossed $1.36 billion at the box office, while the two <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/22/04/26559842/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-conquers-weekend-box-office-with-71m-ambulance-brings-in-8-5m">Sonic the Hedgehog movies</a> combined generated a total of $725 million.
In the realm of video game sales, Mario currently holds the title of the best-selling video game franchise of all time, with over 830 million copies of games sold globally.
Sonic Superstars, the latest Sonic game, is now available on various gaming platforms.
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/03/31302637/its-a-me-why-is-march-10-celebrated-as-mario-day">&nbsp;It&#39;s-A Me! Why Is March 10 Celebrated As Mario Day?</a>
Image credits:&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/es/@helloimnik?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash">Nik</a>&nbsp;on <a href="https://unsplash.com/es/fotos/juguete-super-sonico-sYVY_ZKwaxU?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>

'I Want Sonic To Surpass Mario," Says SEGA Executive

Capcom Co., Ltd&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ccoef#OTC">CCOEF</a>) COO&nbsp;Haruhiro Tsujimoto&nbsp;stated in an interview at Tokyo Game Show 2023 that the company would &quot;gracefully decline&quot; any potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/09/34874529/aaa-publishers-are-stuck-milking-franchises-created-over-decade-ago-phil-spencers-leaked-email">buyout offer from Microsoft Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ: </a><a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>).
During Microsoft&#39;s recent efforts to acquire Activision Blizzard Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/atvi#NASDAQ">ATVI</a>) for $69 billion, leaked documents&nbsp;showed a list of potential acquisition targets for the company, including Square Enix Holdings Co Ltd (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sqnxf#OTC">SQNXF</a>), Sega&nbsp;Sammy Holdings Inc - ADR (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgamy#OTC">SGAMY</a>), Nintendo ADR (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ntdoy#OTC">NTDOY</a>)&nbsp;and Capcom.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/08/33579855/capcoms-resident-evil-2-remake-becomes-franchises-best-selling-game-ever">Capcom&#39;s &#39;Resident Evil 2&#39; Remake Becomes Franchise&#39;s Best-Selling Game Ever</a>
When asked how Capcom would respond to an offer from the American gaming giant, Tsujimoto replied: &quot;I would gracefully decline the offer because I believe it would be better if we were equal partners.
&quot;I think there have been many [merger and acquisition] talks in the game industry. There was once a time we were a target, but rather than acquiring an outside company, we prefer organic growth,&quot; Tsujimoto said, <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/capcom-boss-would-gracefully-decline-any-microsoft-buyout-offer">according</a> to IGN.
He also emphasized Capcom&#39;s preference for developing talent in-house&nbsp;and revealed&nbsp;the Japanese company had&nbsp;&quot;no intention of acquiring companies.&quot;
During its presentation at the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/09/34800393/xboxs-tokyo-game-show-2023-recap-from-horror-to-rpgs-all-you-need-to-know">Tokyo Game Show,</a> Capcom provided enthusiasts with updates on various upcoming titles in its portfolio. These included announcements regarding games such as Dragon&rsquo;s Dogma 2, Exoprimal, Street Fighter 6&nbsp;and the forthcoming release of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/09/34872236/xbox-game-pass-price-hike-microsofts-phil-spencer-reveals-inevitable-increase">Xbox Game Pass Price Hike: Microsoft&#39;s Phil Spencer Reveals &#39;Inevitable&#39; Increase</a>
Photo:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/es/g/rafapress">rafapress</a>&nbsp;on Shutterstock.

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September videogame sales down 6% in the U.S., led by sharp drop in console spends

Sega (SGAMY) said its latest game "Sonic x Shadow Generations" has already sold 1M copies even though it just released October 25, IGN's Ryan Dinsd...

Sega says 'Sonic x Shadow Generations' already sold 1M units, IGN reports

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베데스다 게임 스튜디오(Bethesda Game Studios)는 미국 통신노동자협회(<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39298491/cwa-charges-microsoft-supplier-lionbridge-with-unfair-layoffs-of-unionizing-qa-testers">CWA</a>) 산하에 노조를 결성하여, 최초의 마이크로소프트 소유 게임 개발업체가 되었다.
241명의 개발자들로 구성된 이 노동조합에는 예술가, 엔지니어, 프로그래머, 디자이너가 포함되어 있으며 이는 업계 노동 역학에 상당한 변화를 가져오고 있다고 IGN가 <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/bethesda-game-studios-microsoft-game-studios">보도</a>했다.
관련 기사: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/05/38678051/microsofts-xbox-closes-4-video-game-studios-in-bethesda-restructure">마이크로소프트의 Xbox, 베데스다 구조조정으로 비디오 게임 스튜디오 4곳 닫아</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">통합된 목소리</h2>
241명의 개발자들이 노동조합 승인 카드에 서명하거나 온라인 포털을 통해 노동조합 가입 의사를 표명한 후 노동조합이 공식적으로 확인되었다.
이 이정표는 6월 말 베데스다 게임 스튜디오 몬트리올과 베데스다의 모회사인 제니맥스(Zenimax) 내 약 300명의 품질 보증 직원들이 노동조합을 결성한 데 따른 것이다.
"베데스다 게임 스튜디오 댈러스, 록빌 및 오스틴의 대다수 개발자들인 우리는 @CWAUnion과의 연합 결성을 발표하게 되어 매우 기쁘다"라고 이 그룹은 X(이전 트위터)에서 발표했다. &#8220;#OneBGSUSA로서 우리는 BGS의 모든 개발자의 발전을 옹호하고 업계의 새로운 표준을 설정한다.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">노동 계약 협상</h2>
마이크로소프트(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)가 이 노동조합을 인정한 후 다음 단계는 노동 계약 협상이 될 것이다.
선임 시스템 설계자인 맨디 파커(Mandi Parker)는 보도 자료에서 이러한 개발의 중요성을 다음과 같이 강조했다: "모든 근로자가 직장에 민주주의를 도입하고 직장에서 보호된 목소리를 확보함으로써 이익을 얻을 수 있다는 것은 분명하다. 우리는 어려운 문제를 해결하고 공정한 계약을 체결하여 우리의 단결이 우리의 근무 조건, 삶, 그리고 회사 전체를 긍정적으로 형성하는 진정한 힘의 원천임을 증명하게 되어 매우 기쁘다."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">업계 전반에 미칠 영향</h2>
근로자들이 대량 해고와 같은 문제로부터 보호를 추구함에 따라 노조 결성은 게임 산업에서 점차 추세가 되고 있다. 올해 초 세가 사미 홀딩스–ADR(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>)의 노동조합이 계약을 비준했고, 액티비전(Activision)의 품질 보증 직원들도 노동조합을 결성했다.
마이크로소프트는 이전에 액티비전 블리자드(Activision Blizzard)의 잠재적인 결합을 방해하지 않을 것이라고 밝혔는데, 이는 분명히 베데스다 게임 스튜디오에도 적용되는 입장이다.
다음 읽기: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/05/38791690/xbox-exec-sarah-bond-addresses-microsofts-studio-closures-its-always-extraordinarily-hard-to-make-decisions-like-that#">Xbox 임원 사라 본드, 마이크로소프트 스튜디오 폐쇄에 대해 언급: &#8216;그런 결정을 내리는 것은 항상 매우 어렵다&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
이미지: 샤터스톡의 사진을 사용하여 제작된 이미지입니다.
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바이든 행정부는 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/07/39592660/biden-administration-pumps-504m-to-boost-ai-chip-innovation-in-tech-hubs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">미국 전역</a>의 12개 지역 기술 허브를 강화하기 위한 5억 400만 달러의 자금 패키지를 공개했다.
캘리포니아 의원들은 인공 지능(AI) 회사들에 엄격한 안전 규정을 부과하는 법안에 투표할 예정이다. 이 법안에 대해 메타 플랫폼스(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) 및 알파벳(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) 등을 포함한 주요 기술 거대기업들이 강력하게 반대하고 있다.
게임 관련
에픽 게임즈(Epic Games)는 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39567248/fortnite-could-return-back-to-apple-iphone-as-epic-moves-to-reintroduce-game-via-eu-alternative-app" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">공증</a>을 위해 에픽 게임즈 스토어(Epic Games Store)와 업데이트된 포트나이트(Fortnite) 앱을 애플에 제출하여 유럽연합(EU) 사용자들을 위해 자체 아이폰 앱 스토어에서 &#8216;포트나이트(Fortnite)&#8217;를 다시 출시하려는 계획을 추진하고 있다.
상징적인 게임 프랜차이즈로 유명한 세가 사미 홀딩스(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGAMY#OTC">SGAMY</a>)는 최근 크레이지 택시(Crazy Taxi) 및 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39582716/sega-announces-open-world-crazy-taxi-a-next-gen-multiplayer-experience" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">기타 인기 시리즈</a>의 미래에 대한 획기적인 계획을 공개했다.
캡콤 ADR(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCOEY#OTC">CCOEY</a>)는 &#8216;레지던트 이블 9&#8217;의 개발이 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39602070/capcom-confirms-development-of-resident-evil-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">진행 중</a>임을 공식적으로 확인했다.
마이크로소프트(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)의 Xbox Game Pass 구독자들은 다양한 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39604435/get-ready-for-xbox-game-pass-july-2024-journey-to-the-savage-planet-tchia-more" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">장르와 플랫폼들</a>에 걸친 웨이브(Wave) 1 제품을 통해 기대할 수 있는 흥미로운 라인업을 보유하고 있다.
읽기: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39603546/why-some-games-run-better-on-ps5-despite-xbox-series-xs-power-advantage-according-to-experts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">전문가에 따르면 Xbox Series X의 강력한 이점에도 불구하고 일부 게임이 PS5에서 더 잘 실행되는 이유</a>
스마트폰 관련
애플(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)의 아이폰 7 및 아이폰 7 플러스 사용자들이 오디오 문제에 관한 집단 소송 이후 확립된 3,500만 달러 합의금의 일부를 청구할 수 있는 기한이 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39568912/apple-iphone-settlement-deadline-extended-users-get-extra-time-to-file-claims-to-get-up-to-349" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">연장</a>되었다.
3월의 초기 논의에도 불구하고 애플은 AI 챗봇인 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39564817/apple-rejects-metas-ai-integration-proposal-ex-employee-accuses-iphone-maker-of-chemical-exposure-an" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">라마(Llama)를 아이폰</a>에 통합하려는 메타 플랫폼스의 제안을 거부한 것으로 알려졌다.
관련 기사: <a href="https://kr.benzinga.com/news/%ec%a7%80%eb%82%9c%ec%a3%bc-%ec%a3%bc%ec%9a%94-ai-%eb%89%b4%ec%8a%a4-%ec%95%a0%ed%94%8c%ec%9d%98-ai-%ec%9d%b4%eb%8b%88%ec%85%94%ed%8b%b0%eb%b8%8c-%eb%a9%94%ed%83%80%eb%8a%94-%ec%95%a0%ed%94%8c/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">지난주 주요 AI 뉴스: 애플의 AI 이니셔티브, 메타는 애플의 AI에 관심, 앤트로픽 등</a>
스마트워치 분야에서 애플의 가장 가까운 라이벌인 삼성전자는 차세대 갤럭시 워치(Galaxy Watch)가 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/apple-watch-series-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">애플 워치 시리즈 9</a>보다 두 배 더 오래 지속되도록 도울 수 있는 새로운 엑시노스(Exynos) W1000 칩셋을 출시했다.
애플은 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/07/39611089/top-apple-executive-phil-schiller-to-join-openai-board-as-observer-giving-iphone-maker-equal-status" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">마이크로소프트의 입장에 맞춰</a> 챗GPT 모회사인 오픈AI 이사회에서 관찰자 역할을 확보할 예정인 것으로 알려졌다.
기술 관련
유럽연합(EU)은 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39569000/metas-pay-or-consent-model-to-draw-charges-from-eu-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">디지털 규정 위반</a>으로 메타 플랫폼스를 기소할 준비를 하고 있는 것으로 알려졌다.
엔비디아(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)의 칩 공급업체인 SK하이닉스의 모회사인 한국의 SK 그룹은 2026년까지 80조원(560억 달러)을 축척할 계획을 발표했다. 자금은 주로 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39575498/nvidia-suppliers-parent-company-pledges-56b-investment-in-ai-chip-tech-by-2026-as-competition-from-s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">인공 지능과 반도체</a>에 대한 투자에 사용될 것이다.
일론 머스크
테슬라(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)와 스페이스X의 CEO인 일론 머스크는 AI &#8216;대부&#8217;인 제프리 힌턴(Geoffrey Hinton)의 오래된 동영상에 인공 지능이 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39590277/elon-musk-reacts-to-an-old-video-of-ai-godfather-geoffrey-hinton-saying-that-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">튜링 테스트를 통과</a>했다고 반응했다.
일론 머스크는 자신의 AI 챗봇인 그록(Grok) 개발에 투자한 리소스를 간략하게 공유했다. 머스크는 최근 자신의 AI 챗봇인 Grok 3의 향후 버전이 대규모 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39594885/elon-musk-reveals-the-staggering-amount-of-nvidia-h100-gpus-that-will-be-used-to-train-xai-chatbot-g" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">100,000</a>개의 엔비디아 H100 칩에서 훈련될 것이라고 밝혔다.
다음 읽기: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39569675/palantirs-peter-thiel-says-its-very-strange-that-most-money-in-ai-is-being-made-by-only-one-company" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-google-interstitial="false">팔란티어의 피터 틸은 AI 분야에서 대부분의 돈이 오직 한 회사에서만 벌어진다는 것이 &#8216;매우 이상하다&#8217;고 언급</a>
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