"Game On" is The Fly's weekly recap of the stories powering up or beating down video game stocks.
XBOX SERIES S: On Tuesday, Microsoft (MSFT) confirmed the existence of a second next-generation console called the Xbox Series S, a cheaper and smaller alternative to the upcoming Xbox Series X. The company tweeted that the system will be available "soon" at a price of $299. The tweet confirmed earlier reports that that the Series S, which had not been officially announced by Microsoft, would launch alongside the Series X at a reduced price. According to GameInformer, both consoles will roll out on November 10, with the Series X reportedly priced at $499. Microsoft has confirmed previously that the Series X will launch in November, but has yet to confirm an exact date or price.
'FORNITE' IPHONE USERS: As Epic Games' legal dispute with Apple (AAPL) continues, Business Insider reported that Epic has said that the player base for "Fortnite" on iPhones has plummeted 60%. According to a new filing submitted to the court late on Friday, Epic, which claimed that Apple's actions will "wreak havoc on the existing Fortnite community," is still attempting to restore the game to the App Store while the two companies fight over whether Apple's rules on in-app purchases are legal. Investors in Epic include Tencent (TCEHY), KKR (KKR), Disney (DIS), and Sony (SNE).
MARIO CELEBRATION: Last Thursday, Nintendo (NTDOY) made a series of game and product announcements in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the release of the original "Super Mario Bros." in 1985. In a surprise Nintendo Direct, the company announced that "Super Mario 3D All-Stars," a collection of 3D games in the Mario franchise, will be arriving on the Nintendo Switch on September 18, 2020, while a port of Wii U title "Super Mario 3D World" will be coming to the Switch as well on February 12, 2021. In addition, Nintendo unveiled "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit," a game that allows players to control a physical toy kart driving through an augmented reality race course. The product will be out on October 16.
OTHER STORIES TO WATCH:
Microsoft
-7.93 (-3.70%)
Symbol now SONY
-1.46 (-1.88%)
Nintendo
+ (+0.00%)
Apple
-4.8 (-3.97%)
Tencent
+ (+0.00%)
KKR
-1.45 (-4.06%)
Disney
+3.18 (+2.41%)
Electronic Arts
-6.26 (-4.81%)
GameStop
+0.5 (+6.54%)
Chewy
+0.41 (+0.67%)
acquired by MSFT
-2.64 (-3.34%)
Take-Two
-7.61 (-4.71%)