Gaming Mondays #2: Disney Considering....Andrew Wilson?
Disney is once again at a crossroads as it prepares for the eventual departure of its legendary CEO, Bob Iger.
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Welcome to the second edition of "Gaming Mondays". The first edition was fun☻.
A huge shoutout to ALL SUBSCRIBERS from the first edition. As a thank you, we have put together a deeper look into what is currently happening. We step a bit away from the screens and step closer to the boardroom.
This one is going to surprise you. However, it is also longer. If it gets too long, try saving the post and coming back at a better time.
Let’s skip the preamble and get straight into what’s new this week. Ready? Let’s go.
Disney considering....EAs Andrew Wilson?
Disney is once again at a crossroads as it prepares for the eventual departure of its legendary CEO, Bob Iger. With recruiters from Heidrick & Struggles assisting in the search for external candidates, the company is reportedly considering Andrew Wilson, the chief executive officer of Electronic Arts (EA), as a frontrunner, alongside at least two other unnamed candidates identified by the search firm, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Bob Iger: The Legacy of a Visionary
Bob Iger’s tenure at Disney is the stuff of legends. Rising from humble beginnings in the ABC mailroom, Iger ascended to become one of the entertainment industry’s most influential leaders. Under his guidance, Disney reshaped its portfolio with transformative acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, breathing new life into the company’s storytelling legacy.
Iger also spearheaded the launch of Disney+, boldly propelling the company into the competitive streaming market. Despite initial challenges, Disney+ positioned Disney as a formidable player in direct-to-consumer content, reflecting Iger’s ability to adapt to shifting industry norms.
Navigating Unfinished Business
Iger’s return to the CEO role after a brief retirement highlighted his deep connection to the company and his desire to address lingering challenges. Navigating the pandemic’s fallout, including theme park closures and evolving audience preferences, Iger guided Disney through turbulent times. With recent signs of recovery, including an optimistic earnings report, his leadership leaves Disney on steadier ground. Yet, as his tenure nears its conclusion, the question of succession looms large.
Andrew Wilson: The Frontrunner for a Gaming-Driven Future
Among the names being considered to succeed Iger is Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts (EA). Wilson’s candidacy represents a potential strategic pivot for Disney, emphasizing gaming and interactive media as core to the company’s future. Under Wilson’s leadership, EA has become a powerhouse of immersive gaming experiences, with franchises like FIFA, Madden, and Apex Legends. His expertise in live-service gaming and monetization models aligns with Disney’s ambitions to evolve its brand into gamified experiences and the burgeoning metaverse.
Wilson’s possible appointment signals a recognition of the gaming industry’s dominance as a cultural and economic force. By potentially blending Disney’s storied intellectual properties with immersive platforms, the company could expand its reach into new, interactive territories.
A Philosophical Shift: Disney’s Legacy of Exploration
Disney’s potential pivot toward a gaming-driven future under Wilson mirrors a deeper truth about the company’s ethos. As Walt Disney once said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious—and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
This ethos of exploration has defined Disney’s journey for nearly a century. If Wilson assumes leadership, he could bring that same spirit to the gaming and interactive media spaces, where audiences don’t just consume content—they actively participate in it. Disney’s legacy has always been about storytelling, but under Wilson, it could evolve into something even more interactive and dynamic, ensuring the magic continues for generations to come.
Blizzard Possibly Working on a New Open-World Shooter
Blizzard Entertainment, the legendary studio behind World of Warcraft and Overwatch, might be gearing up for its next big move. The company has recently posted several intriguing job openings for an “unannounced project,” fueling speculation about what’s coming next. Based on the listings, it looks like Blizzard is exploring the exciting territory of an open-world shooter, which would be a significant departure from their existing catalog of games.
What We Know So Far
The job listings, which include roles like Senior Technical Designer, Senior 3D Environment Artist, and Associate Design Director of Innovation, give tantalizing hints about this secret project. One posting explicitly mentions the new game as an "upcoming open-world shooter," sparking widespread excitement in the gaming community.
Among the roles, the Associate Design Director of Innovation stands out, describing the position as “the vision holder and owner of key strategic innovations.” This strongly suggests Blizzard is aiming to bring something fresh to the open-world shooter genre, potentially leveraging their expertise in polished, character-driven experiences.
A StarCraft Revival or Something Entirely New?
Long-time Blizzard fans might recall whispers of a StarCraft shooter circulating for years. Industry insider Jason Schreier recently shared insights in his book on Blizzard’s 30-year history, revealing that the studio was actively developing a StarCraft game at one point. Could this open-world shooter signal the revival of that project, or is Blizzard taking aim at an entirely new IP?
If this project ties into the StarCraft universe, it would mark a significant expansion of the franchise, which has remained largely dormant aside from remasters of the original games. An open-world shooter set in the gritty, space-faring StarCraft universe could be a game-changer, offering players the opportunity to explore its vast, war-torn galaxy in an unprecedented way.
Blizzard’s Legacy and Challenges
Blizzard has long been synonymous with genre-defining titles, from Diablo to Overwatch. However, recent years have been tumultuous for the company, marked by corporate upheaval and controversies. A successful new IP or bold evolution of an existing franchise could be the perfect way for Blizzard to regain its footing and reassert itself as a leader in the industry.
An open-world shooter would represent a bold leap for a studio known for immersive worlds, deep lore, and competitive gameplay. With an expansive setting, this new project has the potential to merge Blizzard's storytelling strengths with the open-world exploration that has captivated players in games like Destiny 2 and Cyberpunk 2077.
Why This Matters
The timing couldn’t be better for Blizzard to enter the open-world shooter market. With FPS games increasingly evolving into vast, story-rich universes, Blizzard’s expertise in creating unforgettable characters and intricate worlds positions them uniquely to deliver something groundbreaking.
Pokémon TCG Pocket: A New Obsession in the Making
It’s been just a week since I started playing Pokémon TCG Pocket, and I can confidently say this might be one of the most exciting projects in Pokémon’s digital history. For someone who grew up with Pokémon cards but drifted away, this digital revival feels like reconnecting with an old friend. Only this time, it’s more dynamic, competitive, and addictively accessible.
A Strategic Playground
What instantly grabbed me about Pokémon TCG Pocket is its depth. Unlike other digital card games that lean heavily into randomness or overly simple mechanics, this game strikes a balance. Every match feels like a calculated dance of strategy, luck, and quick adaptation. Whether building decks around heavy hitters like Mewtwo or experimenting with quirky combinations using Bulbasaur, every decision counts.
Much like Blizzard’s Hearthstone, Pokémon TCG Pocket manages to lower the barrier to entry while offering layers of complexity for seasoned players. This accessibility makes it easy to dive in but hard to master, ensuring I’m hooked for the long run.
Events that Keep You Coming Back
The game doesn’t just rest on the appeal of its core mechanics; it constantly keeps things fresh with events. This December, players can tackle the Venusaur Battle Event, featuring progressively challenging decks built around Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur. Rewards like Shinedust, promo packs, and XP sweeten the deal, but the real thrill is mastering each challenge.
For collectors like me, the Magnemite and Bulbasaur Wonder Pick event starting December 6 adds another layer of excitement. Hunting for special edition cards feels reminiscent of tearing open physical booster packs back in the day, except now I can do it anywhere. The Emblem Event is yet another clever touch, adding a social flair as players compete to showcase their profile bling.
Arcane’s Budget Backlash: Marc Merrill on Why It Was Worth Every Penny
Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill has no patience for those raising eyebrows over Arcane’s jaw-dropping $250 million budget. In a series of candid remarks, Merrill dismissed criticism as "silly" and offered a rare glimpse into the strategic mindset behind the League of Legends animated series that’s redefining what’s possible for video game adaptations.
With Arcane’s second and final season wrapping up, the show has already secured its place in history as the most expensive animated series ever made. Yet, Merrill argued that when evaluated on a per-minute basis, its cost pales in comparison to animated films from industry juggernauts like Pixar or Illumination. “The market for high-quality, adult-focused animation didn’t exist before Arcane,” Merrill said. “Hollywood has a hard time getting their head around why we would do this.”
Investing in Art, Not Shortcuts
Merrill didn’t shy away from defending Riot’s spending choices, emphasizing that the bulk of the budget was allocated to the creative talent behind Arcane. “Anyone complaining about the development budget being high is actually complaining about us paying talent,” he said, highlighting the animators, voice actors, sound designers, and composers who hand-crafted every frame to meet Riot’s exacting standards.
According to Merrill, 80% of the budget went directly to character animation, with each frame painstakingly hand-animated to achieve Arcane’s signature look. For Merrill, this investment wasn’t just about delivering a show—it was about raising the bar for animation as a medium. “Arcane points to the value of higher budgets and what they make possible,” he argued.
A Bold Gamble in Uncharted Territory
Critics may balk at the staggering cost, but Arcane stands as a testament to Riot’s long-term vision. By placing art and quality above quick returns, the studio has expanded the perception of what game-related media can achieve. Merrill acknowledged Riot’s lack of Hollywood experience, sharing how early missteps, like losing $5 million during a failed collaboration with the Russo brothers shaped their approach. Yet, he maintained that the results speak for themselves: Arcane has captivated audiences far beyond Riot’s existing fan base, carving out a new space for sophisticated, mature animation.
We'll see.
Roblox Introduces New Safeguards Amid Abuse Concerns
This one is rather important for the future of the industry because the standard set by Roblox will be standard the majority of platforms will operate at. In response to rising concerns about child safety, Roblox has announced a series of measures aimed at protecting its youngest users. The popular gaming platform, which boasts 89 million users as of last quarter, is tightening its messaging and content policies for players under 13, emphasizing parental involvement and stricter content controls.
Parental Oversight and Messaging Restrictions
One of the most significant updates is a new requirement for parental consent before users under 13 can send direct messages. This change marks a step toward ensuring young users interact only within approved boundaries. Roblox will now allow parents to remotely manage their child’s account, including viewing friend lists, setting spending limits, and managing screen time.
Additionally, children under 13 will only be able to access public broadcast messages within games or experiences, reducing the risks associated with unsupervised one-on-one communication.
Enhanced Content Controls
Roblox is overhauling its age-based content labels, introducing descriptors such as "Minimal" and "Restricted" to better communicate the type of material users can expect in games. The platform is also refining access:
Users under nine can only play games rated "Minimal" or "Mild."
Those under 13 are barred from accessing unlabeled experiences.
Restricted content will remain locked until users verify their age and are at least 17 years old.
These changes are designed to prevent young players from stumbling into harmful or inappropriate environments.
Addressing a Troubled Past
Roblox’s enhanced safety measures come as the company continues to face scrutiny over abuse allegations. In August, Turkey blocked access to Roblox amid investigations into user-generated content leading to potential abuse. A 2022 lawsuit also accused Roblox of facilitating the exploitation of a minor, citing cases of financial and sexual abuse.
These incidents have cast a shadow over the platform’s otherwise impressive growth, highlighting the challenges of moderating a user-generated content ecosystem.
A Commitment to Safety
By implementing these new safeguards, Roblox aims to rebuild trust among its community, particularly parents concerned about their children's online safety. These steps, while overdue, signal the company’s acknowledgment of its responsibility to protect vulnerable users while maintaining its place as a leading platform for creative and social gaming.
While these measures are promising, they represent only the beginning of what must be an ongoing effort to balance accessibility with safety.
That's all for now. Yes, that was a lot.
See you next time.