Connect with us

gaming

Are Fortnite-style branded collaborations the key to Overwatch 2’s future success?

Published

2 years ago

on

Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

It’s been a rough month for the launch of Overwatch 2. In the first few days of its release, Blizzard’s long-awaited sequel to the 2016 team-based shooter was plagued with connection issues, leaving millions of players unable to enter matches. While many of the problems relating to server issues have now been addressed, Blizzard now has another challenge on its hands: making enough sales from microtransactions to support the franchise’s move to a free-to-play model.

So far, that’s been pretty difficult. Overwatch 2’s recent Halloween event, Halloween Terror, introduced a variety of themed character and weapon skins into the game for the ‘discounted’ price of 2000 Overwatch Coins each, roughly the equivalent of $20. A legendary skin for the character Kiriko was available for 2600 Overwatch Coins, a discount on the original price of 3700 Overwatch Coins. As you might imagine, this is already causing upset amongst some players, especially as this year’s Halloween update removed the option to earn unlockable skins simply by progressing through the game.

Evidently, some players aren’t willing to spend over $20 for an alternative outfit for their character. However, we do know that players are more than happy to spend roughly the same price in other free-to-play games such as Fortnite to unlock characters from popular franchises, whether that’s Goku from Dragon Ball Z or Marvel’s Spider-Man. This is something that Jon Spector, Overwatch’s commercial leader and vice president at Blizzard, seems well aware of, according to a recent interview with GameInformer.

In the interview, Spector announced that while he isn’t a Fortnite player, he thinks it’s ‘super cool’ and ‘awesome’ to see branded collaborations such as Naruto appear in Fortnite.
“As we look at the Overwatch 2 space, those are things that we’re interested in exploring,” he says.

So, with Overwatch 2’s current monetisation strategies leaving a lot to be desired, could we see a shift towards branded collaborations as a core monetisation strategy rather than the traditional legendary and epic skins? Dropping the price of skins and embracing Fortnite-style collaborations would make a lot of commercial sense for Overwatch 2, especially as the company still seems torn on its pricing, according to a recent survey sent out to select players.

We know that Fortnite’s collaborations with the likes of Marvel, NFL, Nike and Ferrari have been hugely successful for Epic, largely due to the amount of revenue they generate from the sale of cosmetic items such as skins, emotes, banners and emoticons. As an example, the game’s collaboration with NFL resulted in 3.3 million NFL-themed skins being sold for $15 each in November and December 2018, according to leaked court documents from the Apple v Epic case. That’s nearly $50 million in revenue.

The big question now is how easily Overwatch 2 can replicate Fornite’s primary business model, and how well-suited these collaborations are for the Overwatch brand.

One of the biggest challenges facing Overwatch 2 is the fact it’s a hero-based shooter, with each hero boasting their own unique set of skills, traits and playstyles. As is often the case with team-based shooters, players often find themselves favouring specific heroes, whether that’s offensive heroes or defensive heroes that suit their preferred styles of playing.

This means Overwatch 2 will have to think carefully about how it rolls out branded collaborations. As an example, will a Marvel collaboration introduce special themed skins for every single hero in the game, or will it introduce a new limited-time character into the game? The introduction of any new character will have to be calculated carefully, so it doesn’t negatively impact the balance of existing characters.

It’s more likely that Overwatch 2 will introduce themed skins rather than new characters such as those seen in Dragon Ball Z. Depending on the popularity of the IP that Overwatch 2 pursues, I suspect players will be more susceptible to investing $15 or $20 into a skin that turns their favourite Overwatch hero into an alternative version of their favourite anime, film, TV or comic book characters, whether that’s Spider-Man, Darth Vader or one of The Transformers.

The hero-based mechanics of Overwatch 2 could also mean skins are only available for specific characters. While this might cause backlash amongst some fans at first, it could also open up alternative revenue streams. As an example, the style and appearance of the tank hero Reinhardt lends itself well to a Transformers skin. Players that don’t typically choose Reinhardt but are huge Transformers fans may be tempted to purchase a Transformers skin for him and start using him more. In turn, this could lead to a knock-on effect for players who go on to purchase Reinhardt’s wider cosmetic items.

There’s no denying that Overwatch 2 is a great game; the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. If Overwatch 2 continues to struggle with monetisation models, branded collaborations like those in Fortnite might be the answer to its future success. But taking an established franchise that previously carried a full-price retail tag and moving it over to a free-to-play model is no easy task.

Key considerations when choosing your target IP

If you’re a game developer looking to emulate Fornite’s IP success, there are a few things you need to consider before bringing IP into your game.

  • Don’t pick a target IP just because it’s a really popular brand or character. Look at your game and your players and ask yourself if it’s something that will resonate with them. For example, a clever partnership between The Walking Dead and State of Survival brought 20 million new players to the game. So a good understanding of your player demographics is a must. Be prepared to prove this to the license holders, too, as they’ll be just as interested to know if there’s any audience overlap.
  • It may sound simple, but make sure you do your homework. Different IP rights holders can have very different priorities and strict requirements for usage. Bigger properties, especially ones that are popular with children, can be especially stringent as its in the holders interests to carefully limit their use. So, it’s up to developers to demonstrate their ability to comply with them. Being prepared can give you a huge advantage, and help clear some of the initial screening phases and get in front of the right decision-makers.
  • There are more ways to integrate IP into your game than ever. So think carefully about your main goals, as simpler in-game items, like cosmetics and skins, are often much easier to negotiate with rights holders due to less complicated terms, plus, lighter development and creative costs can make them much quicker to roll out. FIFA 23 recently brought Apple TV’s Ted Lasso as well as Marvel cards to Ultimate Team, with these simple, smart deals opening the door for more collaborations in future.
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Finance

Vaulta and Ultra Embark on Strategic Partnership to Power the Future of Gaming and Finance

Published

11 hours ago

on

May 6, 2025

By

vaulta-and-ultra-embark-on-strategic-partnership-to-power-the-future-of-gaming-and-finance

Vaulta, a scalable operating system powering Web3 Banking with fast, low-cost transactions and seamless blockchain connectivity, today announces a strategic partnership with Ultra, the one-stop destination for gamers, publishers, and developers.

This financial and technical alliance positions Ultra as Vaulta’s gaming arm and marks the next phase of Ultra’s ambition to lead the gaming space.

Together, Vaulta and Ultra will accelerate the creation of a full-service platform where digital assets can be tokenized, traded, and monetized across games, all powered by a fast, low-cost, and interoperable infrastructure. In addition to tokenized assets, this platform will also support decentralized marketplaces, cross-game integrations, and metaverse banking. 

Gus van Rijckevorsel, CEO of Ultra, shared, “By 2030, the Web3 gaming market is expected to grow to $615 billion, outpacing both movies and TV exponentially and signaling a major shift in how consumers engage with their entertainment. To harness this potential, the gaming industry needs better infrastructure designed for publishers, developers, and gamers, and we’re here to deliver that. We’re laser-focused on creating the content and structural partnerships necessary to make Ultra THE gaming platform recognized by the gaming industry. Vaulta is a major brick on that path, and this partnership is a solid foundation on which we build the future of gaming and finance. And at the core of this lasting partnership is a mutual alignment on our long-term interests.” 

This partnership supports Vaulta’s mission to drive innovation in tokenization and real-world asset integration,” said Yves La Rose, founder and CEO of Vaulta Foundation. “Ultra’s advanced gaming platform paired with Vaulta’s financial and DeFi infrastructure will enable decentralized marketplaces, cross-game asset utilization, and metaverse banking solutions. Positioning Ultra as Vaulta’s gaming hub provides a gateway to Gaming and GameFi opportunities to our community. At the heart of our collaboration is a shared ambition to elevate digital assets to the standards of traditional finance, empowering users with new financial opportunities powered by Web3.”

Convictions behind this partnership

  1. A new definition of the modern player 

Gone are the days when “player” meant just someone holding a controller. Ultra recognizes three types of players: gamers, viewers, and content creators, each with unique behaviors, needs, and expectations. In partnership with Vaulta, Ultra is building critical infrastructure to fit this new reality and serve all three player groups.

  1. Every industry will have its own chain 

Finance has Vaulta. Gaming has Ultra. Both chains are purpose-built and interoperable, aligning deeply with the needs of their respective audiences. Ultra is not adapting general-purpose tech. It’s building the backbone of the gaming industry from the ground up.

  1. UOS will be THE gaming currency 

Ultra is committed to establishing $UOS as the default currency for in-game transactions, rewards, and monetization across titles, platforms, and services. Just as the dollar dominates oil, $UOS will define value in gaming.

  1. Access and consumption of games will change 

Similar to how Netflix revolutionized film and Spotify transformed music, Ultra envisions a shift in how people access and engage with games. Gamers deserve immersive platforms. Developers desire tools and reach. Publishers demand data and performance. Ultra is building a complete ecosystem that puts them all first.

  1. Crypto must be treated with the same standards as traditional finance 

That’s why Ultra partners only with chains like Vaulta, ones that treat crypto with the same expectations as fiat: prioritising trust, utility, and transparency. Real utility demands real accountability.

  1. AI will unlock the next layer of personalized gaming

AI isn’t just a feature, it’s a fundamental shift in how players should experience games. That’s why Ultra is embedding AI deeply into its ecosystem to serve three purposes: hyper-personalization, real-time gameplay guidance, and intelligent ecosystem interaction. Players won’t just play, they’ll be guided, supported, and understood.

Building the Infrastructure for the Next Era

As co-leaders in blockchain innovation, this partnership is fundamentally guided by a shared purpose to serve the future of gaming, combining Vaulta’s financial rails with Ultra’s user-first infrastructure. 

The partnership aims to radically upgrade the outdated backbone of the gaming industry, delivering ultra-fast transactions, scalable gaming experiences, improved security, and new tools for developers and publishers.

Ultra serves three core clients – gamers, developers, and publishers –  and everything it builds is made to serve their needs. Ultra is building a complete ecosystem that puts them all first. This partnership enhances that mission with sharper tools, smarter systems, and better outcomes for each. 

Technical Exchange Details

The partnership will provide Ultra with access to:

  • Vaulta Spring framework: enabling improved scalability and security alongside a smoother user experience for its platform

  • Vaulta Banking OS framework: Offering enhancements in transaction speed and asset management, while giving Ultra’s gaming ecosystem access to the multi-chain interoperability (IBC) environment 

In exchange, Ultra will provide Vaulta with:

  • Ultratest: A next-generation smart contract testing framework, which allows developers to launch faster and more securely

  • MSIG Signing Tool: A breakthrough in secure gaming transactions and digital ownership

  • Predicate System: Reduces gas fees to make blockchain gaming more affordable and accessible 

  • HSM Signing Code hardware: Secure hardware signing for private key management 

Broader Impact and What’s Next

This partnership isn’t just about technology exchange, it represents a broader alignment of values between two industry-first platforms. As blockchain adoption deepens across industries, Vaulta and Ultra are taking the lead in building the specialized infrastructure needed to serve real users at scale. The partnership unlocks new opportunities and standards for what’s possible in digital entertainment.

At the same time, it supports Vaulta’s broader goal of engaging directly with industry leaders to build the next iteration of global finance, through real use cases, real infrastructure, and real collaboration. More partnerships will follow in the coming weeks, all designed to unlock new use cases, drive innovation, and accelerate adoption across the digital economy.

This partnership follows Vaulta’s recent rebrand (previously EOS Network) and strategic alignment to Web3 Banking, and comes on the heels of key milestones in Ultra’s 2025 roadmap, including the closing of a $12 million round led by NOIA Capital and the key c-suite appointment of Maxime van Steenberghe as Ultra’s new COO. 

The post Vaulta and Ultra Embark on Strategic Partnership to Power the Future of Gaming and Finance appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Conferences in Europe

Portside Game Assembly announces talks and roundtables for June 27th’s premiere of the conference for indie game leaders

Published

2 days ago

on

May 5, 2025

By

portside-game-assembly-announces-talks-and-roundtables-for-june-27th’s-premiere-of-the-conference-for-indie-game-leaders
Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

Gamecity Hamburg is setting sail with the premiere edition of Portside Game Assembly – a dedicated B2B conference for international indie game leaders – taking place aboard a ship cruising Hamburg’s famous harbour on June 27. With a carefully curated program of keynotes, impulse talks, and roundtables, the conference offers a rare opportunity for studio directors and decision makers to connect in a focused and collaborative setting. Designed to spark fresh perspectives and actionable insights, the event brings together voices from acclaimed indie studios worldwide like Benjamin Laulan (COO & Co-Founder Evil Empire), Philomena Schwab (Founder Stray Fawn Studio), Søren Lundgaard (CEO Ghost Ship Games), Mauricio García (Studio Director The Game Kitchen), Kevin Zuhn (Creative Director & Co-Founder Young Horses Inc.), and more speakers. Tickets for the full conference experience, including a Networking Brunch and the Games Industry Party, are available at portsideassembly.com.

As the premiere of the Portside Game Assembly on June 27 is approaching, the laser-focused program for indie game leaders takes shape.

 

Keynotes, impulse talks and roundtables: This is the program

By offering a confidential setting for studio directors, the Portside provides value through relevant conversations and strategic networking, which is also reflected in the diverse yet focused conference program. These are some of the program highlights:

  • Keynote: Benjamin Laulan (COO & Co-Founder Evil Empire): The “Triple-i Initiative Deep Dive” keynote on how to create your own announcement space and talk directly to your audience when you can’t really relate to other existing showcases.

Impulse Blocks:Impulse Blocks consist of two to three impulse talks, all of which relate to an overarching topic, followed by an open discussion about the perspectives shown and an opportunity for participants to share their own experiences. The discussions will be moderated by Mariève Beauchemin (Programs Director & Co-Founder Indie Asylum) and Andreas Suika (Creative Director & Game Designer).

 

  • Mining for Your Next Gem – How to Decide which Games to Develop

A defining and crucial decision for every indie game studio is: what of the (probably many) game ideas should be pursued? Where should studios allocate their resources – and what game will help a studio prevail? Three speakers will share their approaches to these questions in 10-minute impulse talks:

    • Philomena Schwab (Founder Stray Fawn Studio): Game Idea Validation
    • Jonas Tyroller (Founder Grizzly Games): You Don’t Need a Hook
    • René Habermann (Director bippinbits): Don’t Ship the Wrong Game

 

  • Games Are Made by People – How to Foster a Good Company Culture

Founding and maintaining an independent game studio and managing a small to mid-size team comes with a lot of responsibility: from growing or having to downsize a team to maintaining a company culture where talent is nurtured, developed, and kept long-term.

    • Mauricio García (Studio Director The Game Kitchen): Keeping the Indie Mindset while Going Big
    • Kevin Zuhn (Creative Director & Co-Founder Young Horses Inc.): Hold Your Horses: Why Slow is How We Grow

 

  • From Dev to Dev – Why to Invest in Other Studios

More and more indie studios take the leap to market not only their own games but also put their resources and experiences on games from other developers. Two speakers will share their motivations and learnings from investing in games and studios that are not their own:

    • Søren Lundgaard (CEO Ghost Ship Publishing): Developer by Day, Publisher by Night
    • Christian Nyhus Andreasen (COO Fair Games): How to Lose 50% and Still Prosper – Angel Investment Lifestyle

 

Roundtables:

Roundtables have a more interactive concept than impulse blocks and encourage participants to discuss all aspects of the overarching question from the very beginning

  • Roundtable 1: Mobile Ports – When, Why & How? Moderated by Ali Farha (Senior Producer Star Stable Entertainment)
  • Roundtable 2: Stronger Together – Business Cooperations Between Indies. Moderated by Manny Hachey (Creative Director Positive Impact Games)
  • Roundtable 3: (Self-)Publishing – The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. Moderated by Sophie Atkin (Director & Founder Secret Sauce)
  • Roundtable 4: Longtail FTW – How to Make the Most out of Your Game. Moderated by Leonie Wolf (Associate Art Director Maschinen-Mensch)

The Portside Game Assembly website offers a detailed view on speakers, program topics and participating studios: https://portsideassembly.com/program/

The premiere of the Portside Game Assembly is supported by these great sponsors and partners: Photon and Twin Harbour Interactive!

 

Selection of already confirmed participants:

More than 60 studios from over 15 countries have already registered for the Portside Game Assembly conference on board the MS Princess. Besides already announced participants like Evil Empire, Stray Fawn Studio, The Game Kitchen, Toukana Interactive, Ghostship Publishing, and others, further acclaimed studios join the conference:

  • Digital Sun (Moonlighter, Cataclismo) / Spain
  • Keen Games (Enshrouded) / Germany
  • Young Horses Inc. (Bugsnax, Octodad) / USA
  • Gamious (Lake, Turmoil) / Netherlands
  • Color Gray Games (The Case of the Golden Idol) / Latvia
  • Massive Damage (Star Renegades) / Canada
  • Beam NG (BeamNG.drive) / Germany

Further participating studios can be found on the Portside Game Assembly.

The post Portside Game Assembly announces talks and roundtables for June 27th’s premiere of the conference for indie game leaders appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

gaming

The Only Tremor That Mattered: Indie Creativity Shook the Room The Very Big Indie Pitch!

Published

2 days ago

on

May 5, 2025

By

the-only-tremor-that-mattered:-indie-creativity-shook-the-room-the-very-big-indie-pitch!

The Very Big Indie Pitch (VBIP), a high-energy, speed-dating-style pitching competition held alongside Pocket Gamer Connects, returned to San Francisco for its second post-COVID edition. Developers had just five minutes to impress a room full of expert judges with their games: Refining their pitches and gaining invaluable feedback. But the biggest shock of the day wasn’t the earthquake that rattled the venue, but the sheer creativity and innovation on display from a diverse group of indie developers.

With over 100 entries spanning open-world adventures, fast-paced arcade games, and competitive multiplayer battlers, this year’s submissions covered an astonishing range of genres. The winners stood out for their bold, fresh takes on gaming:

  • The first place went to Hawk Shaw: Private Eye by Exit 73 Game with its point-and-click adventure game with unique artwork inspired by Pink Panther. The judges praised the well organised pitch and stylized pitch deck.

  • In second place came Purrfect Employee by Second Way Studios for its unique VR game concept where players act as a cat trying to cause chaos in an office while not losing one’s job. The joyful concept really impressed the judges.

  • In third place was Blocks for Babies by BunkSoft Interactive LLC a merge of Tetris and Doom made for a new and completely different mash-up of two classic games, proving that indie games continue to push boundaries.

 

The judges also praised NAME OF THE WILL for its stunning Hong Kong-style artwork and unique story as well as Detective Dotson. A unique storyline about a detective who wants to be a Bollywood star.

“The Very Big Indie Pitch had a fantastic showing this year!” Said Jupiter Hadley, The Big Indie Pitch lead and Staff Writer. “There were so many indie games, all taking the time to pitch their projects and see what our judges said. In the deliberation, the judges spent a lot of time giving positive feedback and commented on how strong this year’s showing was.”

The winning teams earned press packages, expert feedback from judges across PR, journalism, publishing, marketing, and live ops, and valuable industry recognition; giving their games a powerful visibility boost.

 “One of the things I liked best about the VBIP is it was a chance to “battle test” our deck,” said winner Greg Lane, Exit 37 Games.  “If you’re emailing it out to people, you never truly know if your deck is telling the story you intend. It was very exciting to have an event where you got to the heart of what the game is and could explain it in person.”

This year’s Very Big Indy Pitch combined Console, PC, Mobile and rare VR entries, showcasing the vibrant diversity of indie development. The earthquake may have been a fleeting surprise, but the aftershocks of creativity will be felt for a long time.

Steel Media and Big Indy Pitch are already gearing up to deliver even more developers and experts next time for even more insight and excitement.

“We loved doing the Very Big Indie Pitch! Not only was it a great challenge to pare down our pitch to the essentials, it also helped us prepare for a week of quick introductions and elevator pitches.” said Noah Ritz, BunkSoft Interactive LLC

The post The Only Tremor That Mattered: Indie Creativity Shook the Room The Very Big Indie Pitch! appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Trending