Playing video games is ‘good for mental wellbeing’, says new study by Oxford University

Not just one of the fastest growing means of entertainment, video gaming could be beneficial for your mental health, too. This is the conclusion of a new study from Oxford University in which academics worked with gameplay data for the first time.

The study focused on two games: Nintendo’s Animal Crossing and EA’s Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville. The study found that those who played more games generally reported better wellbeing.

The study was one of the first to be done using actual playtime data: the team at Oxford were able to link up psychological questionnaires with the records of time spent playing games. Previous studies focused on self-reported time playing, which is often inaccurate.

“This is about bringing games into the fold of psychology research that’s not a dumpster fire,” said Andrew Przybylski, the lead researcher on the project.

At the start of the project, Przybylski was surprised at how little data gaming companies had about their players, and how little hard data had been used in previous studies analysing the harms and benefits of gaming.

The study, says Przybylski, “shows that if you play four hours a day of Animal Crossing, you’re a much happier human being, but that’s only interesting because all of the other research before this is done so badly.”

Of course, both Animal Crossing and Plants Vs Zombies are online multiplayer titles. Given the current pandemic and social distancing measures, there seems to be an obvious argument for the social nature of these games helping players with their mental health during this challenging time.

Przybylski also makes it clear that this study does not mean there aren’t negative aspects to games too. “I’m very confident that if the research goes on, we will learn about the things that we think of as toxic in games,” Przybylski said, “and we will have evidence for those things as well.”

On that note, the study contrasts “intrinsic” enjoyment (playing a game because you enjoy it) with “extrinsic”, such as playing a game because you feel bullied into it, either by players or the game’s mechanics.

Blue Planet Software renames as Tetris and secures raft of 18 global partners for the video game brand

Blue Planet Software Inc., known by video game and merchandise licensees worldwide as the sole agent for the Tetris brand, has changed its company name to that of the iconic brand that it represents: Tetris.

The move has been made in order to strengthen its global positioning and recognition just as it unveils a slate of 18 new and returning merchandise partners, spanning apparel and footwear to decor, debit cards and stationery.

The expansive line up of new licensees showcases the continued growth of the brand’s lifestyle offering, enjoyed by audiences around the world.

“Just as the Tetris brand has evolved over the past 36 years, so have we,” said Maya Rogers, president and CEO of Tetris. “We have long recognized that our broad, global network of video game and merchandise licensees and licensing agents mostly identify our company by the name Tetris.

“Therefore, we decided to make it official. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to deliver great, innovative games, lifestyle products and experiences to fans, including the many new partners we’re announcing today – only now you’ll know us simply as Tetris.”

Kicking off with the global market partnerships, Tetris has secured new deals with the likes of Loot Crate and its curated collections of Tetris apparel and accessories, Natur Food Ventures and Tetris branded functional gummies that will launch in Europe and the US and Canada in 2021, OppoSuits for a 2021 collection, Pinfinity for collectable Tetris pins enhanced with AR technology to reveal animation, music, and exclusive content, and Retro-Bit, a portable retro game gaming device.

These are joined by North American partnerships in Buffalo Games & Puzzles’ new board games, Card.com’s series of Tetris pre-paid online debit cards, Mad Engine’s Tetris t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, accessories and more, Open Road Brand’s wall decor, magnets, and more, and Pollard Banknote’s Tetris themed instant lottery scratch tickets.

Across Europe, Blokken, the popular Benelux quiz show which features a Tetris core element is kicking off its 27th season, Diakakis Imports has new Tetris themed back to school gear and activity sets in Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, Ermoda is debuting a range of Tetris apparel for men, women, and kids, Fizz Creations is launching Tetris keychains, Hunter Price has teased new lifestyle products coming to the UK and Ireland in 2021, and MadLab is bringing a larger than life Tetris arcade experience to Zaragoza in Spain this October.

Asia completes the line up with Tetris Mini playable keychain devices courtesy of Gametech, and fashion and home accessories hitting Japan next year from Moritoku.

Earthworm Jim lands on retro gaming platform Antstream Arcade in Interplay Entertainment partnership

Earthworm Jim! From the soil he did crawl and onto the retro games platform Antstream Arcade he now falls, thanks to a new licensing deal with Interplay Entertainment.

This is the latest development for Antstream, the games streaming platform that specialises in retro and throw back video game titles. It follows the firm’s recent deal with Bandai Namco and will see popular titles such as Earthworm Jim and Descent become available for gaming fans of a certain vintage across the globe.

With all games streamable over any 4G connection or better and on multiple smart devices, having access to some of the most celebrated titles from the world’s leading games and entertainment brands strengthens Antstream’s position as the de facto retro game streaming company.

For monthly subscription, gamers will be able to play Antstream’s growing library of licensed classics and curios, as well as enjoy the chance to participate in a wide range of global tournaments and leaderboards.

Steve Cottam, CEO at Antstream, said: “Interplay is one of the most iconic and well- respected games publishers and developers, so this deal is hugely important for Antstream.

“Following other high-profile partnerships we have signed, and with more deals in the pipeline, we are clearly demonstrating the strength of our position in the gaming market and the huge growth potential that cloud-based streaming services creates.”

Herve Caen, CEO of Interplay Entertainment, added: “It is always great to partner with a company which is clearly leading the way in gaming and, in this instance, retro gaming. Antstream Arcade is on track to doing just that, substantiated by its strong vision and having a solid understanding and passion for the industry. We are very much looking forward to what this collaboration will deliver.”

Hit video game Fall Guys makes serious play for licensing as Devolver appoints Fée Heyer as Head of Licensing

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for – the hit battle royale video gaming title Fall Guys is making a serious play for the licensing space as IP owner Devolver Digital appoints Fée Heyer to lead the games publisher’s licensing efforts.

An industry expert and former Dunlop Sports Licensing Manager, Heyer will lead the firm’s efforts in bringing the multi-million selling hit multiplayer party video game title to licensing as the company’s Head of Licensing.

Heyer brings a deep understanding of the trends and strategies within the sector from more than 15 years of experience spanning consumer products and brand extensions across video games, lifestyle and sports brands, working on rights acquisition, brand development and business affairs.

“I am delighted to join Devolver and Mediatonic to assist them in finding the right partners for what is starting to look like a phenomenon rarely seen before,” Heyer said. “I have been bowled over by the collaborative approach Mediatonic & Devolver have chosen to apply to this partnership and I’m excited to be putting Fall Guys on the licensing map.”

Devolver Digital co-founder Graeme Struthers added: “I am over the moon that Fée has joined us to help lead the charge on Fall Guys, not least because it means we now have somebody that actually knows what they’re doing with regard to licensing.”

ZAG launches new Games and Interactive Experiences division with gaming’s Elinor Schops in VP role

The award-winning independent animation studio, ZAG has launched a new Games and Interactive Experiences division in a move to develop new gaming experiences and interactive opportunities across mobile, PC, online, console games, VR and AR, video and mobile apps. The division will develop new concepts for all properties under the ZAG Heroez label.

Leading the new operation will be Elinor Schops who takes on the role of vice president in order to lead an all star team of creatives from her base in Israel. Schops will report directly to Julian Zag, executive vice president, global operations art ZAG.

ZAG’s first official global mobile game for Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir was released in April 2018 and ranked the number one game in 39 countries with 100 million downloads to date.

“Following the huge success of the first Miraculous game, as well as the phenomenal presence of the brand online with over 20 billion views on YouTube, establishing the ZAG Games & Interactive Experiences division has been an important strategic goal for us, especially in managing the requests from gaming companies worldwide,” said Julian Zag.

“We are thrilled to have found the ideal executive in Elinor to lead this new division and the talented team we are building, while bringing her extensive expertise across entertainment, music, media and mobile fields to this new important role. With a renowned reputation as a ‘Startup Nation’ and a major global player in the gaming industry cross platforms, Israel is a perfect location to launch this new endeavor to manage game development for our phenomenal award-winning stable of brands.”

Schops added: “Gaming has become a tremendous multi-billion-dollar industry globally, and I am thrilled to lead this new division to maximize all of the untapped potential in this arena with ZAG’s amazing catalog of hit properties to develop unforgettable gaming experiences for fans all over the world.”

Schops will drive new opportunities for the company’s key brands under the  ZAG Heroez label, including the flagship brand Miraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir.   

Over 150M products have been sold for the brand during the past three years. Seasons four and five of the number one ranked series are currently in production, as well as two big-budget animated specials to be available globally (except for Brazil and China) on Disney Channel and Disney+, plus a major $70M U.S. theatrical release.

Additionally, season three of the series launches this summer and fall around the world. Seasons one and two currently air in key territories, consistently ranking #1 in the U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Brazil and Mexico, and top-ranked in the U.S. on Disney Channel.

Power Players, which currently airs on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and in key territories across EMEA and Asia Pacific, is available for streaming on Netflix and available on France’s France Télévisions, Germany’s KiKa, Brazil’s Gloob, and Discovery Latin America.

A new toy line from Zag Lab and Playmates Toys for Power Players recently debuted in the US, with an international roll-out commencing this fall. ZAG’s newest property, Ghostforce, is currently in production for Disney Channel EMEA, TF1, and Discovery Kids Latin America.

Before joining ZAG,  Schops served as vice president of business development at CrazyLabs (formerly TabTale), a Top10 mobile casual and hyper casual game developer and publisher. Among other initiatives, she was responsible for establishing the casual IP business for the company, and for the planning and execution of the company’s B2B marketing strategy to expand the company’s reach and recognition, as well as to drive potential partners’ awareness, engagement and satisfaction.

Schops also worked at Israel’s leading sports, media and entertainment company ONE (part of Yedioth Achronoth group) and its subsidiary Mobile1, where she initiated and managed strategic partnerships. As an executive in the gaming industry, Schops initiated the first ever Women In Games event in Israel. She also established an online network and mentoring program for Israeli Women In Games.

Italian motorcycle brand MV Augusta revs up global licensing efforts with IMG

The Italian motorcycle brand, MV Augusta, has appointed IMG as its exclusive worldwide licensing representative in a move to expand its global presence through a new range of consumer products and partnerships. Its initial focus will be on apparel, motorcycle and fashion accessories, video games, and collectables.

Through the new multi-year partnership, IMG will work with MV Agusta to build a licensing programme focused on brand extensions and lifestyle products that reflect the company’s commitment to performance, quality, innovation and consumer engagement within local communities.

“IMG is the best possible partner for what we have in store for our fans around the world,” said Timur Sardarov, CEO MV Agusta Motor S.p.A.

“This strategic partnership accelerates the execution of our five-year expansion plan. MV Agusta has tremendous brand equity; it’s a truly beloved brand and an icon of design and technology in the motorcycling world. Working with IMG, the most authoritative and experienced specialist in the field, will help take MV Agusta to the next level as a lifestyle brand with a series of thoughtful, high-profile merchandising initiatives.”

Marcelo Cordeiro, associate vice president of licensing, IMG, added: “MV Agusta is an iconic Italian brand with a passionate consumer base who revere the brand for both its performance and design attributes. Amongst true motorcycle fans, its bikes are considered to be nothing less than motorcycle art.

“We intend to deploy IMG’s global reach and specialised licensing expertise in the automotive space to extend the brand into a range of consumer products through selective brand partnerships and collaborations.”

IMG named exclusive global licensing agent for video gaming’s smash hit Rocket League

IMG has been appointed as the exclusive global licensing representative for the popular Rocket League video game franchise. The move was made by the franchise owner, Psyonix in a partnership announced this week.

Billed as a ‘high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem’, with easy-to-understand controls and ‘fluid, physics-driven competition’, Rocket League has grown to become one of the most popular and recognizable video game brands worldwide. The new multi-year partnership will see IMG bring selective Rocket League consumer products to market.

It all coincides with the game’s fifth anniversary this month.

Matthew Primack, senior vice president of licensing, IMG, commented: “During a time of remarkable esports industry growth, Rocket League is one of the most popular games in the world.

“Rocket League’s combination of cars, adrenaline-fueled gameplay, competition, music and customisation gives us the perfect scope to build a creative and fun licensing programme that fans will love. We are looking forward to tapping into new territories and expanding the game’s global footprint through consumer products and collaborations.”

Categories being targeted will initially consist of apparel, toys, collectibles, accessories and innovative and creatively rich brand collaborations.

Winner or nominee of more than 150 “Game of the Year” awards, Rocket League is one of the most critically acclaimed sports games of all time. Annual esports events include the Rocket League Championship Series and Collegiate Rocket League.