In this week’s gaming news breakdown, Mixer and Twitch continue the battle for top streamers, Ubisoft changed the release date of multiple AAA titles, and Bethesda expanded its foray into the mobile games market by acquiring Alpha Dog Games.

Mixer continues to prey on Twitch’s heavy hitters, strikes up contract with famous Counter-Strike streamer, Shroud
Michael Grzesiek, known as “Shroud” to his online fanbase, announced his departure from Amazon’s Twitch this week. Grzesiek broke the news on Twitter, stating he will be streaming exclusively on Microsoft’s Mixer from now on. Shroud, who is known for his Counter-Strike: Global Offensive content, didn’t disclose why he made the decision to jump platforms, but The Verge speculated that Microsoft offered the popular streamer a sound financial and terms of employment package. The outlet said, “[Shroud’s] move is proof that Twitch’s top talent isn’t as tied to the streaming service as people may have expected before.” CNN, PC Gamer, Kotaku, and more echoed The Verge’s speculations, noting that Microsoft is making headway in establishing its own pool of streamers, even if they are poached from other platforms.

Ubisoft delays release dates of several AAA titles after “disappointing” Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint sales
Watch Dogs: Legion, Gods & Monsters, and Rainbow Six Quarantine were amongst the titles that Ubisoft announced would be pushed back to 2020-2021 this week. The decision to delay the games comes after Ghost Recon Breakpoint, the company’s most recent release, fell short of projected sales goals. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot explained that the company released the game – which is a sequel – too early, reports Engadget, meaning the base game did not have the opportunity to establish a strong player fanbase before moving on to the next title. CNBC, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Verge stated that the delays will enable the studio to further enhance the titles as well as recover the company’s overall stock price, which fell by 20% this week. 

Bethesda expands its reach into the mobile games market, acquires Alpha Dog Games
After the release of Fallout Shelter and The Elder Scrolls: Blades, Bethesda is looking to expand its mobile games library by acquiring Alpha Dog Games, the Canadian studio behind MonstroCity: Rampage and Wraithborne. The acquisition “makes sense,” according to Polygon, as Alpha Dog Games is known for enticing real-time strategy and role-playing mobile games. In an official statement, Bethesda’s vice president of development Todd Vaughn said he was “impressed” by the studio’s “commitment to quality and depth of experience in mobile,” reports GameSpot, Android Central, and GamesIndustry.biz. Vaughn went on to say that the studio will produce “new exciting titles” for both iOS and Android devices, but plans or titles have yet to be disclosed.