76-77-79 SOTN Gaming LSB 2020_muk.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 22/09/2020 19:33 Page 76
STATE OF THE NATION: GAMING
The
Inset: Interest in the Call of Duty and Crash Bandicoot franchises has surged, with multiple new categories expected to be at retail in 2021.
big game
The video games sector has thrived during lockdown, with the large number of players – both existing and new – also translating into demand for consumer products. LSB powers up to find out more.
Growth for major franchises Activision and its European agent, Tinderbox, have revealed new partnerships across Europe for its core video game franchises, Call of Duty and Crash Bandicoot. Following the success of Call of Duty Mobile (with more than 150m installs since launch) and the free-to play console title Call of Duty: Warzone - which achieved 75m downloads since March - the brand is now truly established as an all yearround property at retail with apparel & gifting placement across specialist, mass and fashion. To coincide with the next main release, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, new partnerships have
been secured with FCSI and Dixons for gaming chairs; Nacon for a gaming controller; and Halantex for homeware, with existing partners developing bespoke product for launch this year across multiple retailers. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time launches in October on PS4 and Xbox and is the first original game in the franchise for over a decade. Following the recent success of the remastered Crash Bandicoot games - which enjoyed strong sales in consumer product across multiple categories - the licensee base has been expanded, with new ranges based on the game launching to retail from AW20 which includes Nano Blocks construction, YouTooz vinyl figures, Abysse for homeware and high-end fashion from Bricktown. Strong collections from existing partners will also be continued.
PlayStation 5 details revealed
Left: Two versions of the PS5 will launch in the UK on November 19.
Sony has revealed details on the eagerly anticipated PlayStation 5 console. There will be two versions of the new hardware – a top end machine (£449) and a digital edition (£360) – with both launching on November 19 in the UK and November 12 in the US, Japan and Australia. Key titles teased during a special virtual event in September included Final Fantasy XVI, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and a sequel to God of War, Ragnarok. In addition, there was a first look at the much tipped Harry Potter spin-off, Hogwarts Legacy. The role-playing game will be a cross platform release in 2021.
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020