During the Developer_Direct show we previously told you about, details were released of five new TOP titles that will be released on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Game Pass and/or cloud later this year. Joe Scrabbles, Xbox Wire’s Editor-in-Chief, tells us the details around them on the Microsoft blog.

Joe, who along with fellow team members attended the show, shares with readers that during the show guests had the opportunity to visit the studios that created the games Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II and Ara: History Untold,.

The developers of the big name games in turn allowed attendees a glimpse into the workings of their creation.

Here’s what Joe Scrabbles has to say about the TOP games coming out this year

Avowed – launching in the fall of 2024

Game Director Carrie Patel shares details around gameplay in Obsidian’s upcoming fantasy action RPG – from the dynamic combat, to the thoughtful reactivity, to the “colorful, vibrant and strange” world in The Living Lands.

What you get from it is that Avowed continues Obsidian’s characteristic style of making games with deep themes and player choice at the forefront.

Avowed’s aim is to offer choice in combat as well. From gameplay director Gabe Paramo, we find out more about the game’s weapons and their variety – from melee weapons, guns and bows for long-range combat to magic wands. You’ll also have the option of changing gear.

Art director Matt Hansen makes it clear that The Living Lands is a mysterious island made up of extremely diverse regions that offer visually varied backgrounds and intriguing environments to explore. With secrets hidden in the regions, you’ll be introduced to deserts, verdant forests, volcanoes and more.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – launched on 21 May

Developer_Direct attendees get a behind-the-scenes look at the game’s studio in Cambridge to get a closer look at Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and meet some of the team, as well as learn more about work on the new title, which is in its final months of development.
The video talks more about Senua’s new journey, which takes her to Iceland, a ruthless country ravaged by myth and tyranny. The video gives a new glimpse into Senua’s experience of the world, seen through her eyes as someone experiencing psychosis. Senua’s violent battles that she fights are also in view of the audience.

We also find out details about what players can expect from the game’s story and how the spatial audio will immerse players deep into the world of Hellblade.

Ara: History Untold – Launching Fall 2024

Oxide Games executives give an all-new look at the game, and also share more details around the major features that will appear in Ara: History Untold.

During the show, viewers had the opportunity to learn more details around the system the game was developed with, as well as the unique approach to simultaneous moves and more.

A curious fact
Did you know that the Oxide Games studio partially includes former Civilization developers? Oxide Games has announced that the game will only be released for PC for the time being.

Visions of Mana – Launching Summer 2024

In a surprise appearance, Square Enix joined the show to present Visions of Mana, the first new mainline entry in the series in over 15 years, and its debut on Xbox platforms. Series producer Masaru Oyamada presented a sneak peek at the gorgeous new RPG, sharing gameplay and behind the scenes footage before its launch in Summer 2024.

Koichi Ishii – father of the Mana series and creator of many of its iconic monsters – discussed the implementation and design of the enemies in Visions of Mana, and introduced the adorable new animal companions, “pikuls” and explained the design process behind them.

Oyamada then shared some details regarding the game’s score and revealed that the tracklist for Visions of Mana contains 100 songs in total, including works from musical talent who worked on previous Mana games. Oyamada also shared details of the adaptive music system that allows seamless transition from map exploration to battles, demonstrating a snippet of the background music changing as you enter or leave combat.

Oyamada also revealed that in Visions of Mana, The Elementals will assist the player in battle in the form of specialized items, which will each have a different effect in combat. Combined with aerial combat that allows for weapons and magic to be used in mid-air, the combat is fast-paced and flexible.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Launching 2024

The official reveal of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was debuted during Developer_Direct with over 13 minutes of gameplay footage and developer insights. This new journey starring the legendary archaeologist comes from the award-winning team at MachineGames – the minds behind Wolfenstein: The New Order and Wolfenstein: The New Colossus – in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games and executive produced by Bethesda Game Studios’ Todd Howard.

On Thursday, Microsoft shares jumped 2%, bringing the tech giant’s market valuation to $2.903 trillion.

For Apple, the success is not so remarkable, on the contrary. While Microsoft was in the heyday of Thursday’s success, Apple’s market cap fell to $2.871 trillion as the stock dropped 0.9%. This decline is the first time since 2021 that the iPhone maker’s value is lower than Microsoft’s.

Microsoft’s joy at dethroning Apple from the top spot didn’t last long, however. As early as yesterday afternoon, Apple managed to reclaim its crown and a reversal occurred in which Microsoft’s valuation dropped again to $2.849 trillion.

The stock jump came shortly after Microsoft reported that its revenue rose 7 percent to $52.9 billion in the third quarter, beating analysts’ expectations, the company’s financial report showed. According to the report, the gains were mainly due to the Redmond, Washington-based company’s drive to integrate artificial intelligence technology into its cloud computing business.

The battle for the crown between the two tech giants continues, but which is the better?

Despite being the first U.S. company to achieve a $3 trillion market value in 2022, Apple has faced challenges due to declining iPhone sales, a significant contributor to its profits. This downturn has led to a drop in the company’s stock price, falling below the historic $3 trillion milestone. Despite entering the competitive AI market, Apple has not experienced the same stock surges driven by AI-related developments, contrasting with the success observed in companies like Microsoft.

Several major tech players, including Google, Amazon, and Meta, have strategically boosted their stock values by unveiling plans to develop AI-powered chatbots or incorporating AI technology into their products and operations, as reported by the Motley Fool. According to findings from the stock research platform Wall Street Zen, companies that disclosed AI initiatives witnessed an average stock price increase of 4.6%, while those that did not mention AI only saw a 2.4% uptick.

Hock Tan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadcom, said,

“Building upon our proven track record of successful M&A, this transaction combines our leading semiconductor and infrastructure software businesses with an iconic pioneer and innovator in enterprise software as we reimagine what we can deliver to customers as a leading infrastructure technology company. We look forward to VMware’s talented team joining Broadcom, further cultivating a shared culture of innovation and driving even greater value for our combined stakeholders, including both sets of shareholders.”

Raghu Raghuram, Chief Executive Officer of VMware, added:

“VMware has been reshaping the IT landscape for the past 24 years, helping our customers become digital businesses. We stand for innovation and unwavering support of our customers and their most important business operations and now we are extending our commitment to exceptional service and innovation by becoming the new software platform for Broadcom. Combining our assets and talented team with Broadcom’s existing enterprise software portfolio, all housed under the VMware brand, creates a remarkable enterprise software player. Collectively, we will deliver even more choice, value and innovation to customers, enabling them to thrive in this increasingly complex multi-cloud era.”

Tom Krause, President of the Broadcom Software Group, said:

“VMware has long been recognized for its enterprise software leadership, and through this transaction we will provide customers worldwide with the next generation of infrastructure software. VMware’s platform and Broadcom’s infrastructure software solutions address different but important enterprise needs, and the combined company will be able to serve them more effectively and securely. We have deep respect for VMware’s customer focus and innovation track record, and look forward to bringing together our two organizations.”

Michael Dell, Chairman of the VMware Board, commented on the deal:

“Together with Broadcom, VMware will be even better positioned to deliver valuable, innovative solutions to even more of the world’s largest enterprises. This is a landmark moment for VMware and provides our shareholders and employees with the opportunity to participate in meaningful upside.”

The transaction is expected to add approximately $8.5 billion of pro forma EBITDA from the acquisition within three years post-closing. Pro forma for each company’s fiscal year 2021, software revenue is expected to account for approximately 49% of total Broadcom revenue.

Transaction Details and Path to Completion

Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, VMware shareholders will elect to receive either $142.50 in cash or 0.2520 shares of Broadcom common stock for each VMware share. The shareholder election will be subject to proration, resulting in approximately 50% of VMware’s shares being exchanged for cash consideration and 50% being exchanged for Broadcom common stock. Based on the closing price of Broadcom common stock on May 25, 2022, the total $138.23 per-share consideration represents a 44% premium to the closing price of VMware common stock on May 20, 2022, the last trading day prior to media speculation regarding a potential transaction, and a 32% premium to VMware’s unaffected 30-day volume weighted average price (VWAP). Upon closing of the transaction, based on the outstanding shares of each company as of the date hereof, current Broadcom shareholders will own approximately 88% and current VMware shareholders will own approximately 12% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.

Michael Dell and Silver Lake, which own 40.2% and 10% of VMware shares outstanding, respectively, have signed support agreements to vote in favor of the transaction, so long as the VMware Board continues to recommend the proposed transaction with Broadcom.

In connection with the transaction, Broadcom obtained commitments from a consortium of banks for $32 billion in new, fully committed debt financing.

Broadcom expects to maintain its current dividend policy of delivering 50% of its prior fiscal year free cash flow to shareholders. Broadcom expects to maintain an investment grade rating, given its strong cash flow generation and intention to rapidly de-lever.

The transaction, which is expected to be completed in Broadcom’s fiscal year 2023, is subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, including approval by VMware shareholders.

The merger agreement provides for a “go-shop” provision under which VMware and its Board of Directors may actively solicit, receive, evaluate and potentially enter negotiations with parties that offer alternative proposals during a 40-day period following the execution date of the definitive agreement, expiring at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on July 5, 2022. There can be no assurance this process will result in a superior proposal. VMware does not intend to disclose developments about this process unless and until its Board of Directors has made a decision with respect to any potential superior proposal.

Broadcom Second Quarter 2022 Results and Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Business Outlook

In a separate press release issued today, Broadcom reported results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2022, ended May 1, 2022, and provided guidance for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2022.

The Broadcom Board of Directors also has authorized a new share repurchase program to repurchase up to $10 billion of its common stock through December 31, 2023. This new share repurchase authorization is in addition to the share repurchase program authorized in December 2021, under which Broadcom may repurchase the current remaining $3 billion of common stock through December 31, 2022. Repurchases under the new share repurchase authorization may be made through a variety of methods, including open market or privately negotiated purchases. The timing and amount of shares repurchased will depend on the stock price, business and market conditions, corporate and regulatory requirements, alternative investment opportunities, acquisition opportunities and other factors. Broadcom is not obligated to repurchase any specific amount of shares of common stock, and the share repurchase program may be suspended or terminated at any time.

The company is undergoing a revamp. GameStop is asking select game developers and publishers to list NFTs on its marketplace when it launches later this year, the WSJ report said.

The retailer has hired more than 20 people to run the unit which is building an online hub for buying, selling and trading NFTs of virtual videogame collectibles such as avatar outfits and weapons.

GameStop launched its NFT website last year and has been inviting creators to join the platform.

However, while Microsoft is still at its $2.5 trillion, Apple has reached the $3 million mark. When it comes to some other companies, Google, along with Amazon and Tesla are at a market valuation of more than $1 trillion.

Apple has tripled its value for only four years. Four years ago, the company reached the $1 trillion mark. A CBS report says that in August 2020, the company reached the $2 trillion marks.

According to the report, Tim Cook’s vision is the main reason for this growth. In his opinion, the company should focus on its services rather than its hardware. The interesting part is that now, the services of Apple are worth $1.5 trillion which is exactly half of the company’s total value.

BofA Securities is acting as the sole underwriter for the offering.

The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being offered by the selling stockholder.

An automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (including a prospectus) relating to these securities became effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Offering is being made solely by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Musk has sold a total of $9.85 billion in Tesla stock this month, including the $6.9 billion he sold the week of Nov. 10 and another $1.9 billion he sold on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16. 

Musk and his trust still hold more than 169 million shares in the company.

Tesla’s shares fell 15.4% the week ended Nov. 12, marking the worst week for Tesla stock in 20 months after Musk began selling shares. Shares of Tesla were up about 1% on Wednesday afternoon.

“If you want to buy assets right now, it’s too complicated. Even just accessing those markets is complicated. It takes you several days to register and verify your account. After that, you have to send money. And then, there are minimum amounts.”

Lydia and Bitpanda offer fractional shares in French, European and American companies.The clients can buy precious metals, such as gold, platinum, silver and palladium. They can also invest in bitcoin, Ethereum and dozens of other crypto assets.

The Shares Co-Founders and the CEO Benjamin Chemla, a serial entrepreneur with a track record that includes co-founding Stuart in 2015, have assembled 34 experienced scaleup veterans to-date. They are ready to launch Europe’s first fully integrated social and investing app in less than a year. In addition to accelerated product development, Shares will quickly go-to-market in a highly regulated industry. They will comply with requirements that include KYC, AML and MAR. The startup will use its recent fundraise to continue to scale at pace on a mission to empower users with tools that open doors to first-time investors and increase financial inclusion.

Shares is creating a new investing app category where anyone, including new investors can start conversations, network and learn from friends and experts as a community – together in a one-stop shop with all their portfolio management needs. The Shares app will democratise investing with a serious finance platform that inspires confidence for any user to build their own successful portfolio.

Shares combines the functionality of a consumer investment app with the wisdom of online forums, where members can buy stocks, react to the market in real-time, start conversations with friends and access curated expert advice in one place. It enables community and private Chat to network, learn, track friends and grow individual portfolios from the app.

Benjamin Chemla describes the product as an “entirely new category of fintech investing platform that resonates with today’s investors. We founded Shares, ‘investing made social’ for investors who prioritise user experience and community first, and also expect a serious platform to build their portfolio.” He added:

“Building Shares wouldn’t have been possible without the seasoned team of scaleup experts we’ve assembled across the business to achieve this product, in record time, without sacrificing quality. There is still untapped market opportunity in this high-growth fintech space and Shares is uniquely positioned as Europe’s first social and investing app to fast become a leader in the industry.”

Shares’ seed round raised $10 Million USD, pre-product from Singular, Valar Ventures, André Mohamed, Co-Founder of Freetrade and others who share the view of the market opportunity for a unified platform that combines investing, social and expert advice into one app. James Fitzgerald, Founding Partner at Valar Ventures and VC supporter of Shares said:

“Valar invested in the team at Shares with confidence in their ability to overcome the technical challenges and execute the project in a matter of months to get to market. Congratulations to Shares for executing the launch of Europe’s first social-focused investing app – a feat of engineering, finance and regulatory know-how.”

Shares has become international, representing 10 nationalities based across three offices in Paris, London and Krakow so far. Shares’ VC & Angel investors include Singular, Valar Ventures, Global Founders Capital and Red Sea Ventures to date. Their business advisors are currently André Mohamed, Co-Founder of Freetrade, Didier Vallet, ex Deputy CEO of Société Générale, Chris Adelbach, Managing Partner of Outrun Ventures & UKBAA Angel Investor of the Year, and Ryan McKillen, Founding Team of Uber.