Gaming Mondays #3: Sony’s Power Play, League of Legends leak, Everything is an Xbox.
Sony has opted to buy their future, while everything is now an Xbox.
Gm gm,
Welcome to our third edition of “Gaming Mondays”. This week is an exciting one as gaming giants have signalled huge moves for the end of 2024.
Let’s just get right into this one.
Why Sony’s Latest Acquisitions Are More Than Just Business Deals
So, Sony has opted to buy their future. With whispers of a potential acquisition of Kadokawa Corporation, which owns gaming powerhouse FromSoftware, and its recent spree of strategic purchases, Sony is cementing its place in the world of entertainment. But what’s really at play here? Let’s peel back the layers.
Kadokawa and FromSoftware
For gamers, FromSoftware needs no introduction. This is the studio that brought us Elden Ring, a game so impactful it redefined open-world design. Imagine Sony owning that creative brain trust outright. Yes, Sony already holds the Bloodborne IP, but Bloodborne isn’t Elden Ring. The latter sold 13.4 million copies in just five weeks—doubling what Bloodborne achieved in its lifetime.
Kadokawa’s 12% revenue from gaming might sound modest, but it contributes a staggering third of its operating profits. For Sony, acquiring Kadokawa is about more than FromSoftware, it is a chess move to dominate multiple spheres. Kadokawa’s anime, film, and media empire could bolster Sony’s entertainment ecosystem, potentially integrating PlayStation’s IPs into films and series with seamless synergy.
This deal, however, isn't without challenges. Japan’s labor protection laws could make restructuring Kadokawa’s sprawling, less-profitable divisions an intricate dance. However, that may be a selling point for Kadokawa, given that shutting down less profitable sections of their operation becomes impossible or extremely expensive under Japanese labor laws.
FromSoftware Beyond Bloodborne
Here’s the kicker: while fans dream of Bloodborne 2, Sony might have a different vision. Elden Ring 2 or even a brand-new IP could generate the kind of returns that make executives salivate. If this acquisition goes through, expect Sony to prioritize projects that maximize FromSoftware’s reach. Multiplatform or not.
What About the Console Wars?
If you think this acquisition is just a jab at Microsoft, think again. Sure, Microsoft has been snapping up studios like Infinity Stones, with Activision Blizzard being the most notable feather in its cap. But Sony’s focus is transformative. By leveraging Kadokawa’s expansive media portfolio, Sony is blending verticals, merging anime, gaming, and streaming into one potent cocktail.
Other Recent Acquisitions: Building the Bigger Picture
Sony’s aggressive acquisition of Firewalk Studios earlier this year signals its intent to dominate live-service gaming. Meanwhile, snapping up audio tech innovator Audeze enhances immersion for PlayStation users. And let’s not forget its forays into streaming tech with iSIZE, which could revolutionize how gamers experience remote play.
These are deliberate steps toward an all-encompassing entertainment ecosystem. By owning both the tools and the content, Sony positions itself as the playing field itself.
Let’s just hope someone ends up finishing Bloodborne 2, because honestly, we’re tired of waiting.
The Sandbox Token Skyrockets
The $SAND Rally: A Testament to Resilience and Metaverse Potential
If a green candle caught your eye, you’re not alone. Over the past three days, $SAND soared from $0.30 to a robust $0.75-$0.80, driven by the reawakening of the GameFi and Metaverse narrative. Whether you see this as a fleeting surge or the start of something bigger, one thing is certain: this moment is fueled by relentless effort during the bear market, when the spotlight was elsewhere.
But let’s break down what’s been happening with not just $SAND but with its ecosystem’s backbone: LAND.
LAND Market Dynamics: A Quiet Revolution
The surge in $SAND’s price has had ripple effects on The Sandbox’s virtual real estate market:
🔹 Floor Price Soars: Secondary market LAND prices shot up by over 50%, with transaction volumes climbing 33%. The average sale now sits at 0.15 ETH.
🔹 A Supply Shock Emerges: $SAND’s price surge has outpaced LAND’s floor price. At current rates, LAND on secondary markets is 30% cheaper (priced in $SAND) than LAND sold at primary market rates. To level this imbalance, LAND prices would need to climb to 0.22 ETH.
🔹 Scarcity Signals: Below 0.2 ETH, only 90 LANDs are listed—a stark contrast to Saturday, when more LANDs sold in one day than this figure.
As $SAND becomes more valuable, LAND ownership becomes an increasingly attractive—and scarce—asset.
Owning LAND: More Than Virtual Real Estate
Being a LAND owner in The Sandbox is a membership into one of the most vibrant NFT communities. With over 25,600 unique owners, this ecosystem champions creativity, education, and user-generated content (UGC) monetization.
Your LAND is a canvas for experiences, commerce, and connection. It’s where the Metaverse narrative comes to life, not in abstract theories, but in interactive, profitable engagement.
To the Doubters: Look at the Work Behind the Scenes
For those questioning whether The Sandbox has life beyond the last bull run, consider this:
🔹 Partnership Power: The Sandbox continues to announce major brand collaborations monthly.
🔹 User Growth: The platform has quietly expanded to 6+ million global users, a feat achieved through consistent onboarding and global outreach.
🔹 Global Reach: With operations in numerous countries, The Sandbox isn’t confined to one market—it’s a decentralized, global hub.
This momentum wasn’t handed to us—it’s been earned through innovation, consistency, and the support of a passionate community.
A Final Word on Momentum
Whether you’re a believer in the metaverse or a skeptic, the numbers and the community don’t lie. The $SAND rally is about price action; it’s a reflection of the foundation built during the lean times.
League of Legends Leak
League of Legends Leak: Viktor’s Arcane-Inspired Evolution
League of Legends may soon see a fan-favorite Champion, Viktor, step into a new light. According to recent leaks, Riot Games appears to be planning a visual and gameplay rework for the mechanical mastermind, aligning his character more closely with his portrayal in Arcane. This is a deliberate bridge between the League of Legends universe and the Netflix phenomenon that has captivated audiences worldwide.
The Viktor Rework: From Classic Champion to Arcane Icon
Riot Games has a history of revisiting its legacy Champions, modernizing them to meet current gameplay and visual standards. Characters like Skarner, Dr. Mundo, and Teemo have all undergone reworks to stay relevant. However, this rumored Viktor rework marks a distinct shift. it’s about modernization and synergy between League of Legends and its multimedia extensions.
The leak, shared by LeagueOfLeaks on Twitter, hints at major gameplay changes and a visual overhaul that mirrors Viktor’s appearance in Arcane. This update will reportedly include an Arcane-themed skin for Viktor, possibly tying his aesthetic and narrative more deeply into the beloved animated series.
The Arcane Effect: Breathing New Life into League of Legends
Since its debut in 2021, Arcane has redefined how a game-to-screen adaptation can succeed. It snagged accolades like the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy for "Outstanding Animated Program" and "Best Adaptation" at The Game Awards 2022. Now, with Season 2 already nominated for 2024's "Best Adaptation," Riot Games seems keen to keep the momentum alive by bringing Arcane’s impact back into its flagship game.
Arcane didn’t just expand League of Legends’ lore—it reshaped it. Characters like Vi, Jinx, and Caitlyn have seen their stories deepened and their in-game appearances refreshed with new skins inspired by the series. The upcoming Viktor update is poised to continue this trend, merging Arcane’s narrative depth with League of Legends’ gameplay intricacies.
What Could Viktor’s Rework Entail?
While specific gameplay details remain under wraps, the rework could leverage Viktor’s Arcane persona to introduce innovative mechanics that emphasize his transformation into the “Machine Herald.” Fans speculate that his abilities might better reflect his augmented nature and scientific ambitions, possibly drawing parallels to his animated counterpart's evolution in Arcane.
Additionally, the leak revealed that Teamfight Tactics’ 13th set, Into the Arcane, will feature Viktor and Mel, further tying the rework to Arcane’s broader narrative. Riot’s dedication to integrating the series into both League of Legends and its spin-offs demonstrates the studio’s commitment to a unified, multimedia universe.
What do you think about Viktor’s potential rework? Could this be the start of a wave of Arcane-inspired updates?
Xbox Cloud Gaming Revolutionizes Access: Streaming Owned Games
Xbox has made a groundbreaking update to its Cloud Gaming service, allowing players to stream titles they already own in their library, bypassing the need for downloads. Previously limited to Game Pass, this shift transforms Xbox into a platform that prioritizes accessibility and convenience. With 50 titles now available for streaming through Game Pass Ultimate, the move is a game-changer for players looking to save storage space and jump into gaming seamlessly.
This update couldn’t come at a more critical time, as the industry pivots toward cloud-centric solutions. By reducing reliance on hardware and making games playable across devices, Microsoft is strategically positioning itself to lead in the all-digital future. The potential savings on console production, paired with a focus on enhancing cloud infrastructure, could redefine profitability for Xbox while offering a more versatile experience for gamers.
As PlayStation tests its own cloud initiatives, the competition intensifies. Xbox’s head start with a broader and more flexible ecosystem signals a future where consoles might become secondary to the service itself. With this move, Microsoft is being clear.
That is all for now.
See you next time.