With the pandemic still hanging on, a new report corroborates and expands on news we broke in December: E3 is going digital (and it won’t be cheap). Also: EA buys Glu Mobile, Epic scores Kingdom Hearts, CD Projekt hit with a ransomware attack, NPD for January 2021, and more.

TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:07] - Skybound is partnering with Striking Distance Studios
• [00:07:02] - After being locked out of Google accounts, Terraria dev cancels Stadia port
• [00:16:07] - Epic Games settles with teen cheater and EGS news
• [00:22:25] - CD Projekt ransomware attack
• [00:28:54] - Quick Hits
• [00:40:41] - SAG-AFTRA approves influencer contract
• [00:45:43] - Riot sued over CEO’s alleged misconduct and harassment
• [00:50:42] - EA purchases Glu to bolster mobile portfolio and talent
• [00:54:17] - NPD Report for January 2021
• [01:01:29] - E3 is going digital

SOURCES

• Skybound Entertainment Partners With Striking Distance Studios on Upcoming Survival Horror Game The Callisto Protocol: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210209005433/en/
• Andrew Spinks on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Demilogic/status/1358661840402845696?s=20
• Epic Games Ends Fight With Teen Over Fortnite Cheat Codes (Law360): https://www.law360.com/ip/articles/1353296/epic-games-ends-fight-with-teen-over-fortnite-cheat-codes-?nl_pk=73c14053-a66c-4f92-a446-aa4ed6d290d1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ip
• CD Projekt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CDPROJEKTRED/status/1359048125403590660?s=20
• Niantic’s Black Developers Initiative: https://nianticlabs.com/beyond-reality/black-developers-initiative/
• Safe in Our World Community Developer Training: https://forms.monday.com/forms/8aaaa04a6935c351ad15811a818aba26?r=use1
• Riot Games CEO Sued for Sexual Harassment By His Former Assistant (Vice): https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5b3zm/riot-games-ceo-sued-for-sexual-discrimination-by-his-assistant
• Electronic Arts to Acquire Glu Mobile, Creating a New Global Leader in the Largest and Fastest Growing Gaming Segment: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210208005854/en/Electronic-Arts-to-Acquire-Glu-Mobile-Creating-a-New-Global-Leader-in-the-Largest-and-Fastest-Growing-Gaming-Segment
• EA's Andrew Wilson talks about the Glu acquisition (GamesIndustry): https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-02-09-andrew-wilson-glu-interview
• Virtual Economy Episode 61 re E3 2021 digital plans and PAX Online problems: http://virtualeconcast.com/podcast/episode-61-biowares-leadership-shakeup-and-paxs-live-event-optimism-news-show/
• E3 pushes forward with plans for a digital 2021 event (VGC): https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/e3-pushes-forward-with-plans-for-a-digital-2021-event/
• SAG-AFTRA Approves New Influencer Agreement (Backstage): https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/sag-aftra-approves-new-influencer-agreement-72636/