David Lee
Reporting and statements that mention David Lee.
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Draft of new EU law proposes sweeping restrictions on online games
The EU Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, which would introduce significant restrictions on online games sold within EU territories. These proposed rules aim to curb excessive use by minors, restrict communication between users, and increase transparency on in-game currencies and lootboxes. Separately, Nex Playground announced securing $150 million in funding as its active console sales surpass one million units, with plans for international expansion.
Nex Playground announces $150m in new funding as hardware sales pass one million
Nex Team has secured $150 million in Series E funding, co-led by Baillie Gifford and BAI Capital, as sales of its Nex Playground active console surpass one million units. The company's subscriber base has grown sevenfold in 18 months to nearly one million. The new funding will support international expansion, inventory, and go-to-market initiatives, with former Niantic CFO Jeff Shouger and executive Bing Gordon joining the team.
"Every major publisher has approached us to review their old Kinect and Wii catalogue" - Nex Playground is spoilt for choice as its international rollout continues
Nex Playground, a family-friendly micro-console, is expanding globally, with Germany being its next major market. The company has sold over a million units and is seeing strong subscription attach rates. Nex Team is actively reviewing older Kinect and Wii titles for potential revival on its platform, alongside new partnerships with Sega and Bandai Namco for Pac-Man and Sonic Forces: Rival Rush.
Nex Playground maker secures over $150 million to expand globally
Nex, the company behind the controller-free Nex Playground console, has secured over $150 million in financing to support its global expansion. The active play system has sold over 1 million units and is targeting Europe and Asia. The company also appointed Jeff Shouger as its new CFO.
Executives from EA and Tencent to speak alongside Netflix, Sony, and Disney at FT Business of Entertainment summit
The Financial Times Business of Entertainment Summit in Los Angeles will feature executives from Electronic Arts and Tencent Games alongside leaders from Netflix, Sony Pictures, Disney, and TKO Group. The event in September will focus on the forces reshaping the entertainment industry, including media dealmaking, franchise ecosystems, AI, and content monetization.
A Kinect game that debuted in 2013 has been revived in the year of our lord 2026
Nex Playground announced the revival of Freefall Racers, a motion-controlled game originally released for Xbox 360 and Kinect in 2013. The updated version will feature full-body flying gameplay and enhanced controls optimized for the Nex Playground console, available through its Play Pass subscription service.
"We have secured our components for this year" – Nex Playground hopes to avoid any further AI-related price rises
Nex CEO David Lee and president Thomas Kang have secured components for the Nex Playground console for the remainder of the year, aiming to avoid further price increases driven by AI infrastructure demand. The motion-controlled console, which proved popular in the US, is launching in the UK and Ireland with a focus on curated games via a subscription service and a cautious approach to online multiplayer.
Nex Playground preview & interview – a new kind of video game console
The Nex Playground, a motion-controlled gaming console, is set to launch in the UK after finding unexpected success in the US. The device, which functions similarly to the Xbox Kinect, offers a library of family-friendly games and utilizes AI for improved motion tracking. Nex CEO David Lee discusses the console's subscription model and its focus on the underserved market of young children.
Time to re-Kinect? Sell-out family console Nex Playground is about to release in the UK and Ireland
The Nex Playground, a family-focused console utilizing camera-based motion controls, is set to launch in the UK and Ireland in late June after achieving significant success in the US. Pre-orders are now open, with the console priced at £269 and requiring a subscription for full game library access. Nex aims to address parental concerns about children's screen time and exposure to mature content.
Nex Playground available for pre-order in UK and Ireland at £269
The Nex Playground, an AI-powered active play system, is now available for pre-order in the UK and Ireland for £269. The console includes five starter games, with access to over 60 additional titles via subscription passes. Nex Team president Tom Kang highlighted the console's focus on trust, safety, and active play for families, aiming to provide a solution for parental concerns about screen time.
Exclusive: 'We're not a compliant organization, we're a leading organization' — How Nex's kid-friendly console aims to be ahead of the UK's Online Safety Act
Nex is preparing for the UK's Online Safety Act 2023 with its new Nex Playground console, designed for children aged three to 12. The company emphasizes its commitment to Trust and Safety from day one, with features like on-device AI processing for privacy and a locked-down operating system. Nex aims to lead the industry in compliance rather than just meeting requirements, contrasting with measures being implemented by Microsoft and Sony for their respective consoles.
The Nex Playground is getting a price hike because of the memory crisis
Nex is raising the price of its Nex Playground console from $249 to $299 starting April 1, 2026, due to a global memory and storage component shortage exacerbated by AI infrastructure demand. CEO David Lee stated the company can no longer sustainably absorb the rising costs. Other companies like Valve and Nintendo are also facing pressures from the crisis, with potential impacts on their hardware pricing and supply.
