This week saw the long-awaited showdown between the FTC and Microsoft, as the U.S. Government seeks an injunction to prevent the Activision acquisition. Also; new studios opening amidst an otherwise grim labor report, the latest Circana U.S. spending report, and more.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:17] - Circana U.S. Video Game Spending Report for May 2023
• [00:19:41] - Twitch Partner Plus
• [00:27:05] - Investment Interlude (With a Big Conversation about the Microsoft/Activision FTC Hearing)
• [00:57:42] - Quick Hits
• [01:03:12] - Labor Report

SOURCES

• Introducing the Partner Plus Program | Twitch
• How many Twitch partners are actually eligible for Partner Plus? | Streams Charts
• IATSE Launches Gameworkers.org, First-Ever Video Game Industry Study | IATSE
• EMBRACER GROUP ANNOUNCES COMPREHENSIVE RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM | Embracer Group
• Danish studio Kiloo Games lays off staff before July closure | Game Developer
• Season developer Scavengers Studio hit with "massive layoffs" | Game Developer
• Hi-Rez Studios lays off employees in company restructuring | Game Developer
• Niantic Organizational Update | Niantic
• Daedalic Entertainment closes development department | Games Wirtschaft

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Focus Entertainment taps Ubisoft veterans to establish Carpool Studio | Game Developer
• PCF GROUP SA (22/2023) Conclusion of a production and publishing agreement with Microsoft Corporation - report 22/2023 | Interia Biznes
• Krafton opens new studio, ReLu Games, to develop deep learning titles | Game Developer
• Scopely acquires Scottish mobile developer Tag Games | Game Developer
• Order re: Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction | FTC
• Sony says it wouldn't share PS6 details with Microsoft-owned Activision | Eurogamer
• Microsoft considered acquiring Bungie and Sega to bolster Xbox Game Pass, internal emails show | The Verge
• Sega is not open to acquisitions, following speculation around Microsoft bid | GamesIndustry
• Canada regulator says Microsoft-Activision deal "likely" to harm competition | GamesIndustry
• UK court blocks request to delay CMA and Microsoft trial | GamesIndustry