--- title: "June Recap: Executive Changes, Launch Data, and New Consoles" description: Major platform news, console transitions, and launch data highlight Weeks 23–25, as Switch 2 breaks records and next-gen Xbox and PlayStation plans emerge. image: https://blog.sparkers.com/hubfs/Blog_thumbnail-colors.png --- [![sparkers - your entertainment data companion](https://blog.sparkers.com/hubfs/web/session-sparkers2021/assets/img/logo.svg)](https://www.sparkers.com) - [Services](https://www.sparkers.com/services/market-insights/) - [Market Insights](https://www.sparkers.com/services/market-insights/) - [Cockpit](https://www.sparkers.com/services/cockpits/) - [Audiences Insights](https://www.sparkers.com/domains/audiences/) - [Advisory](https://www.sparkers.com/services/advisory/) - [GSD](https://www.sparkers.com/domains/gaming/) - [Blog](https://blog.sparkers.com/) - [People](https://www.sparkers.com/about/) - [About](https://www.sparkers.com/about/) - [Jobs](https://apply.workable.com/sparkers/) [Contact](https://www.sparkers.com/contact';%20?%3E) [News](https://blog.sparkers.com/tag/news) # June Recap: Executive Changes, Launch Data, and New Consoles Wednesday, 2 July 2025 [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.sparkers.com/news-mash-up-week-2325-25) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.sparkers.com/news-mash-up-week-2325-25) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.sparkers.com/news-mash-up-week-2325-25)        | ![micro 4](https://blog.sparkers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/News%20Mash-up/micro%204.png?width=134&name=micro%204.png) | ## **Top News Items**            **Industry News   - Weeks 23 -25,  2025**                            **( June 2 - 23 )** | | --- | --- | ## Console Transitions, Launch Data, and Industry Shifts: Weeks 23–25 Recap The first half of June saw major platform announcements, notable launches, and corporate restructurings that continue to reshape the global gaming market. ### **The 10th Console Generation is Coming** Both Sony and Microsoft have confirmed they are preparing their next-generation consoles. Xbox President Sarah Bond announced a **multi-year strategic partnership with AMD** to co-engineer silicon for future devices, including consoles, handhelds, and cloud hardware. Microsoft also revealed plans for “the next generation of graphics innovation” leveraging AI for deeper visual quality, while maintaining compatibility with existing Xbox libraries. Sony’s Hideaki Nishino confirmed that planning is underway for the **next-generation PlayStation**, although details remain undisclosed. Notably, the PS5 ecosystem has become Sony’s **most profitable console generation**, generating **$136B revenue and $13B operating profit** in five fiscal years — surpassing PS4 lifetime revenue achieved over seven years. ### **Nintendo Switch 2 Breaks Records** Nintendo’s Switch 2 became the **fastest selling console launch in history**, selling **3.5 million units in its first 4 days**. For context, the original Switch sold 2.7M units in its first month in 2017, while PS5 reached 4.5M units in three months. In Japan alone, Switch 2 lifetime sales already surpassed the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 Digital Edition. Nintendo forecasts **15M units sold by March 2026**, achieving 25% of this target in the launch window. Switch 2’s custom Nvidia GPU with RT and Tensor cores enables **10x graphics performance vs. Switch**, supporting DLSS upscaling and ray tracing. Analysts note strong early sales despite the higher $450 price point (vs. $300 for Switch 1), while long-term consumer spending remains sensitive to economic shifts. ### **Executive Changes and Corporate Restructuring** Embracer Group co-founder Lars Wingefors stepped down as CEO, becoming Executive Chair. New CEO Phil Rogers inherits a company that reduced its workforce by **1800 employees over the past year**, broke up its gaming division into three entities, and lost a $2B investment deal. Embracer’s share price has declined **-86% in 5 years**. ### **Game Launch Highlights** - **Dune Awakening (Funcom)** launched with **189K concurrent players** on Steam and surpassed **1M units sold**, exceeding launch numbers of Funcom’s previous title, *Conan Exiles*. Steam user reviews are “Very Positive” with an 80% Metacritic rating. - **Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)** saw player counts spike to an all-time Steam peak of **28K concurrent players**following the *Andor* S2 finale, *Revenge of the Sith* cinema re-release, Fortnite Star Wars event, and Game Pass addition. - **Rematch (Sloclap)** reached **1M unique players on day one**, supported by Game Pass. - **Street Fighter 6 (Capcom)** surpassed **5M copies sold** with its Switch 2 release, on track to become the series’ best-selling title. ### **Industry Challenges and Cancellations** - **Bungie’s Marathon** delayed indefinitely following negative playtest feedback and asset copyright issues. - **MindsEye (Build a Rocket Boy)** received poor reviews for gameplay, prompting Sony to offer refunds (similar to Cyberpunk 2077 PS4). First-week tracked retail sales reached **18K units**; the publisher is laying off **20% of staff (100 employees)**. - **EA** cancelled its Black Panther game and shut down Cliffhanger Studios, affecting **300 employees**. ### **Other Notable Updates** - **Sega** accidentally published lifetime sales data for 11 major titles, revealing *Persona 5 Royal* at **7.25M units** and *Sonic Frontiers* at **4.57M units**. Sega is also opening a new store in Shibuya near Capcom’s flagship location. - **Tencent** acquired a **16% stake in Arrowhead Games** for $80M; Arrowhead developed *Helldivers 2*, PlayStation’s fastest-selling game. - **US video game actors** ended a year-long strike over AI usage. The new deal includes **+24% wage increases**, AI transparency and consent requirements, and enhanced health and safety protections. - Finally, ChatGPT lost to a **1977 Atari 2600** playing chess. From console hardware transitions to AA launches and executive changes, the industry continues to navigate rapid change — with consumer demand shaping performance across platforms. **✨Curious how these platform shifts and title launches align with your strategy?✨** Our role is to deliver neutral, clean, weekly real-market data, so that decisions are based on facts, not assumptions. 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