Gaming Updates: Activision Blizzard, Inc. (ATVI)’s Innovative Effort, Zynga Inc (ZNGA)’s Underperforming Games & Electronic Arts Inc. (EA)’s Pronouncement

Editor’s Note: Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI), Zynga Inc (NASDAQ:ZNGA), Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA), Nintendo Co., Ltd (PINK:NTDOY)

The Biggest Threat To Activsion Blizzard (Seeking Alpha)
Over the last couple of years, F2P games (free to play games) have become a lot more popular, and while this trend isn’t receiving much attention in the broader public, it is in my opinion a very alarming threat for an established gaming company such as Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI). ATVI has become a multibillion dollar company by profiting from popular “pay-to-play” games such as “Call of Duty,” “Starcraft,” “Diablo” and the subscription-based “World of Warcraft.

Mark Pincus

ATVI’s Skylanders SWAP Force for Nintendo 3DS (Zacks)
The publishing division of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) recently revealed that it is making a special effort to add the innovative “dynamic swapability” play pattern to the well-known Nintendo 3DS hand-held system. Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) will introduce the feature this fall along with the launch of Skylanders SWAP Force for Nintendo Co., Ltd (PINK:NTDOY) 3DS.

Zynga’s Spooky Cool Labs launches Hit It Rich: Casino Slots on Facebook (InsideSocialGames)
Zynga Inc (NASDAQ:ZNGA) may have recently halted its push into real-money gaming, but the company’s line of digital casino offerings has expanded with the launch of Hit it Rich: Casino Slots on Facebook. The game comes from Spooky Cool Labs, which Zynga acquired in June specifically for the purpose of building social casino games.

Electronic Arts Inc. : Female Fighters Join EA SPORTS UFC Roster; Mark First Ever Appearance in a UFC Video Game (4-Traders)
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) today announced that EA SPORTS? UFC will feature playable female fighters for the first time ever in a UFC videogame. This groundbreaking moment is headlined by UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and top bantamweight contender Miesha Tate, the historic inaugural female coaches on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.