Mat Piscatella
Reporting and statements that mention Mat Piscatella.
Latest coverage
Ubisoft reportedly cancels life-simulator project Alterra
Ubisoft has reportedly cancelled its life simulator project, codenamed Alterra, with affected employees being reassigned to other projects. The game, described as an Animal Crossing-style title with voxel creation, had been in development for about 18 months at Ubisoft Montréal. This cancellation follows Ubisoft's recent introduction of a Creative House structure and other cost-cutting measures, including the discontinuation of three other games and studio closures.
"Not surprising at all" - analysts see Xbox Game Pass price cut as inevitable shift that will drive subscription growth in 2026
Analysts believe Microsoft's decision to cut the price of Xbox Game Pass and remove Call of Duty as a day-one offering was an expected move due to the franchise's limited impact on subscription growth. While opinions differ on the effect on Call of Duty's revenue, the price reduction is seen as a positive step that should help subscriber numbers grow. This strategic shift is viewed as commercial pragmatism rather than a fundamental change in Microsoft's approach to its gaming services.
These New Releases Gave Game Spending A Much-Needed Boost In March
US video game spending reached $5.3 billion in March, a 12% increase year-over-year, driven by new releases like Crimson Desert, MLB The Show 26, and Pokemon Pokopia. Hardware spending also saw a significant 69% jump, with the Nintendo Switch 2 leading sales, followed by the PlayStation 5.
Years later, Starfield tops the US sales chart again, but all is not as rosy as it seems
Starfield has topped the US sales chart again following its release on PlayStation 5, marking its second time leading sales since its initial launch. Despite this achievement, sales figures on PS5 are considered lukewarm compared to PC and Xbox, with players also reporting significant bugs and glitches that have required hotfixes. Analysts suggest the game may have barely broken even on its decade-long development cycle.
Starfield Tops Weekly US Sales Charts Despite 'Disappointing' Early Estimates
Starfield has topped the US sales charts for the week ending April 11th, with the PlayStation 5 version accounting for 95% of its full-price sales. This achievement comes despite earlier estimates suggesting lower worldwide sales for the port. The game's debut was strong, outselling titles like MLB The Show 26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, marking its first time leading weekly sales since its original release in 2023.
Starfield "was the best-selling video game of the week" in US for first time in nearly 3 years, reports analyst, despite Bethesda's rough PS5 port of the RPG
Despite a rocky launch and criticism regarding its PlayStation 5 port, Starfield achieved the best-selling video game status in the US for the week ending April 11th. Analyst Mat Piscatella reported the strong sales figures, which occurred around the same time as the release of the Free Lanes update and the Terran Armada DLC.
Arc Raiders and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 help show "mid-price is the new sweet spot" for games, analysts…
Analysts at Newzoo identify the $30-$50 price range as the new sweet spot for PC and console games, citing titles like Arc Raiders and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as examples of successful mid-priced releases. This trend emerges as the overall cost of gaming increases, with players seeking better value between indie and premium $70 titles.
PS5-försäljningen rusade inför prishöjningen
Following Sony's announcement of global price increases for PlayStation consoles, US sales of the PlayStation 5 hardware saw a significant surge, reaching their highest point of the year during the week ending April 4th. The price hike, which took effect on April 2nd, has led to increased hardware sales compared to the previous year.
PS5 sales spike as players raced to beat global price rises
US spending on PlayStation 5 hardware saw a significant spike as consumers rushed to purchase consoles before global price increases took effect. Sony Interactive Entertainment cited economic pressures for the price hikes, which followed a period of declining PS5 unit sales despite overall financial growth.
PlayStation 5 sees massive sales spike in the US, beating 2026 records so far as eager consumers rush to beat RAM crisis price hikes
US sales of the PlayStation 5 surged following Sony's announcement of upcoming price increases due to global economic pressures and component shortages. The spike in sales for the week ending April 4th has surpassed the rest of the year's sales so far. These pressures are also impacting other hardware markets, including PC RAM and potentially delaying the PlayStation 6.
PS5 Sales Soared In The US, And There Is A Pretty Obvious Reason Why
PlayStation 5 sales in the US saw a significant surge in the week ending April 4, driven by an impending price increase on April 2. This price hike, the latest in a series of increases for Sony's console, contributed to a doubling of overall hardware sales compared to the previous year. Other companies like Microsoft and Nintendo have also implemented price adjustments for their consoles and games.
PS5 Had Strongest Hardware Sales Week in the US in 2026 Ahead of Price Hikes
US sales of PlayStation 5 hardware reached their highest point of 2026 in the week ending April 4th, driven by impending price increases. This surge in hardware spending nearly doubled the previous year's figures for the same period. Sony implemented worldwide price hikes for its PlayStation hardware starting April 2nd, affecting the base PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal.
Crimson Desert Ranks in the Top 20 for Total Weekly Active Players on Consoles in the US
Crimson Desert has maintained strong player engagement on consoles in the US nearly three weeks after launch, with players averaging significant hours per week. The game ranks in the top 20 for total weekly active players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and has sold over four million copies.
Crimson Desert players average over 20 hours a week in the open-world game, blowing away almost everything else on…
Crimson Desert players are averaging over 20 hours per week, with US players on Xbox averaging 20 hours and PlayStation players averaging 22 hours in the week ending March 28. This playtime places Crimson Desert as the top game on Xbox and second on PlayStation for average weekly hours per active user, according to Circana's Mat Piscatella. The game also saw a significant increase in total weekly active users across both platforms.
PS5, PS5 Pro’s Price Hikes Might Lead to PS6 Costing 50 Percent More, Say Analysts
Industry analysts predict that recent price hikes for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro could lead to the PlayStation 6 costing up to 50 percent more. Factors such as US economic policies, rising component costs, and market volatility are cited as reasons for the anticipated increase, potentially normalizing $1,000 console prices.
'$1,000+ Consoles Could Become the Norm': PS6's Price Touted to Touch Four Figures
Industry analysts predict that the PlayStation 6 could launch with a price tag of around $999.99, making four-figure consoles the new norm. Factors such as global economic conditions, inflation, and component shortages are contributing to the potential price increase for next-generation hardware.
PS6 and Xbox Project Helix "will start at a 50% higher price" than PS5 and Xbox Series X, predict analysts following Sony price hike – and $999 "is not impossible"
Analysts predict that the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix will launch at significantly higher prices than current-generation consoles, potentially reaching $999. This projection follows Sony's recent price increase for the PlayStation 5, with experts citing economic factors and a shift towards console gaming becoming a luxury expenditure.
The PS5 Price Hike Was Inevitable, But What Comes Next?
Sony has announced a second price increase for the PlayStation 5, citing global economic pressures and increased component costs. Industry analysts like Mat Piscatella and Piers Harding-Rolls suggest these price hikes are likely to continue through 2030 and may push consumers towards cheaper gaming options like mobile or PC. Competitors like Microsoft and Nintendo are also facing similar pressures, with Nintendo not ruling out a price increase for the upcoming Switch 2.
Record Sales, Declining Stock Prices, Production Decreases: Is Switch 2 A Massive Success Or Not?
Despite record-breaking sales in the US, Nintendo is reportedly cutting Switch 2 production by 30% due to weaker-than-expected overseas demand and holiday sales. Analysts suggest this is a calculated move for inventory stabilization amidst challenging macroeconomic conditions, rather than a sign of failure. The console's success is attributed to strong initial demand and titles like Pokemon Pokopia, but future growth may depend on major first-party releases and strategic pricing.
PS5 Price Increase Confirmed By Sony Amid Market Pressures
Sony has announced a global price increase for the PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal, citing global economic pressures. The new prices, effective April 2, 2026, will see the standard PS5 rise to $649.99 and the PS5 Pro to $899.99. Industry analysis suggests gaming hardware is increasingly purchased by affluent households, with average hardware prices rising significantly.
