Mat Piscatella
@matpiscatella.bsky.social
Senior Director and Video Game Industry Advisor at Circana. Formerly of Activision and Warner Bros Games. I helped get one of your favorite games greenlit.
Pinned
Upcoming U.S. video game market results from Circana:
Coverage Month - Public Release Date
Dec (Nov 30 - Jan 3) - Jan 22
Jan (Jan 4 - Jan 31) - Feb 20
Feb (Feb 1 - Feb 28) - Mar 18
Mar (Mar 1 - Apr 4) - Apr 22
Apr (Apr 5 - May 2) - May 20
Digital Data Sharing Participating Publishers:
Coverage Month - Public Release Date
Dec (Nov 30 - Jan 3) - Jan 22
Jan (Jan 4 - Jan 31) - Feb 20
Feb (Feb 1 - Feb 28) - Mar 18
Mar (Mar 1 - Apr 4) - Apr 22
Apr (Apr 5 - May 2) - May 20
Digital Data Sharing Participating Publishers:
"The company has informed some users in the UK they may be part of "an experiment" with Persona, an age verification vendor whose investors include Peter Thiel, co-founder of ICE's premier surveillance provider, Palantir."
Cool cool cool coolcool
Cool cool cool coolcool
"Impossibly, despite its attempts to pacify the ensuing outcry by issuing a clarification that merely some users will be required to submit to its child detection matrix, Discord has managed to make the rollout of its global age assurance policy seem even grimier."
Oh, good: Discord's age verification rollout has ties to Palantir co-founder and panopticon architect Peter Thiel
Discord is "experimenting" with an age authentication vendor whose major investors include Thiel's Founders Fund.
www.pcgamer.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:22 PM
"The company has informed some users in the UK they may be part of "an experiment" with Persona, an age verification vendor whose investors include Peter Thiel, co-founder of ICE's premier surveillance provider, Palantir."
Cool cool cool coolcool
Cool cool cool coolcool
This is exactly what I was trying to say earlier this week.
When looking purely at launch engagement Highguard did as well or better than any game like it can reasonably be expected to reach.
If Highguard's launch couldn't even buy the team a month to figure it out what are even doing here.
When looking purely at launch engagement Highguard did as well or better than any game like it can reasonably be expected to reach.
If Highguard's launch couldn't even buy the team a month to figure it out what are even doing here.
Unsure if my mildly provocative headline here perfectly communicates my point, but my intent is just to dislodge the idea that the baseline level of success a new FPS can expect is anything more than what Highguard has seen. Budget and time-spent don't seem to change the equation.
Highguard didn't flop
Most games aren't massive hits, but publishers, developers, and investors remain exceedingly hopeful that they'll be the exception.
www.pcgamer.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:04 PM
This is exactly what I was trying to say earlier this week.
When looking purely at launch engagement Highguard did as well or better than any game like it can reasonably be expected to reach.
If Highguard's launch couldn't even buy the team a month to figure it out what are even doing here.
When looking purely at launch engagement Highguard did as well or better than any game like it can reasonably be expected to reach.
If Highguard's launch couldn't even buy the team a month to figure it out what are even doing here.
Where the hell is a new Mario Super Sluggers
February 13, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Where the hell is a new Mario Super Sluggers
Not sure when I bought Kena: Bridge of Spirits but it was there in the library so now I guess I'm playing Kena: Bridge of Spirits?
It's very pretty! There are pikminish little guys! Seems like a pretty straightforward kind of game and I'm into it.
It's very pretty! There are pikminish little guys! Seems like a pretty straightforward kind of game and I'm into it.
February 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Not sure when I bought Kena: Bridge of Spirits but it was there in the library so now I guess I'm playing Kena: Bridge of Spirits?
It's very pretty! There are pikminish little guys! Seems like a pretty straightforward kind of game and I'm into it.
It's very pretty! There are pikminish little guys! Seems like a pretty straightforward kind of game and I'm into it.
The game scored a 10 on condescensioncritic dot com.
Mewgenics co-creator Edmund McMillen has defended the inclusion of cameos from people viewed by some as controversial, saying he "understands we live in a time where a meow from someone who has different beliefs as you is scary and frustrating, confusing and controversial." https://bit.ly/465d9Qn
February 13, 2026 at 4:21 PM
The game scored a 10 on condescensioncritic dot com.
Reposted by Mat Piscatella
Facebook plans to put facial recognition in its glasses and they think we’re too stupid to fight back.
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Facebook plans to put facial recognition in its glasses and they think we’re too stupid to fight back.
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
The real game awards show for everyone, especially those who have complained about The Game Awards not really being about game awards.
Less than 2 hours away from the 29th Annual #DICEAwards!
Watch along live: www.youtube.com/live/5zAPvhm...
Watch along live: www.youtube.com/live/5zAPvhm...
February 13, 2026 at 4:00 AM
The real game awards show for everyone, especially those who have complained about The Game Awards not really being about game awards.
Reposted by Mat Piscatella
TONIGHT is the night for the 29th Annual #DICEAwards!
We hope you'll join us and co-hosts @gameovergreggy.bsky.social and @parallaxstella.bsky.social as we honor some of the best games from 2025!
Streaming live at 8pm PT @ign.com
Watch with us here: www.youtube.com/live/5zAPvhm...
We hope you'll join us and co-hosts @gameovergreggy.bsky.social and @parallaxstella.bsky.social as we honor some of the best games from 2025!
Streaming live at 8pm PT @ign.com
Watch with us here: www.youtube.com/live/5zAPvhm...
February 12, 2026 at 4:16 PM
TONIGHT is the night for the 29th Annual #DICEAwards!
We hope you'll join us and co-hosts @gameovergreggy.bsky.social and @parallaxstella.bsky.social as we honor some of the best games from 2025!
Streaming live at 8pm PT @ign.com
Watch with us here: www.youtube.com/live/5zAPvhm...
We hope you'll join us and co-hosts @gameovergreggy.bsky.social and @parallaxstella.bsky.social as we honor some of the best games from 2025!
Streaming live at 8pm PT @ign.com
Watch with us here: www.youtube.com/live/5zAPvhm...
No Knack 3 is some hot garbage.
But I did have to make sure the calendar didn't say June because that was quite a state of play.
But I did have to make sure the calendar didn't say June because that was quite a state of play.
Knack 3 or riot
February 12, 2026 at 11:13 PM
No Knack 3 is some hot garbage.
But I did have to make sure the calendar didn't say June because that was quite a state of play.
But I did have to make sure the calendar didn't say June because that was quite a state of play.
Konami be like
a group of people are sitting in front of a table with flowers on it .
ALT: a group of people are sitting in front of a table with flowers on it .
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Konami be like
More Neva is a very good thing. And out Feb 19th?!?! Neat.
February 12, 2026 at 10:30 PM
More Neva is a very good thing. And out Feb 19th?!?! Neat.
Knack 3 or riot
February 12, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Knack 3 or riot
"Internal feedback on Highguard prior to its reveal "was quite positive," Sobel wrote: There was, apparently, a widespread expectation that the game was a sure-fire hit."
Getting playtests and mock reviews done by external partners can be a really good idea.
Getting playtests and mock reviews done by external partners can be a really good idea.
Laid-off Highguard developer cuts loose on the reaction to the infamous Game Awards reveal trailer: 'We were turned into a joke from minute one'
Former lead technical artist Josh Sobel says false assumptions and ragebait were major contributors to Highguard's failure to connect with players.
www.pcgamer.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:25 PM
"Internal feedback on Highguard prior to its reveal "was quite positive," Sobel wrote: There was, apparently, a widespread expectation that the game was a sure-fire hit."
Getting playtests and mock reviews done by external partners can be a really good idea.
Getting playtests and mock reviews done by external partners can be a really good idea.
Thank Goodness You're Here! and Blippo+ are two of the absolute must-play modern video games, in my opinion.
Herdling is also fantastic.
Herdling is also fantastic.
Panic Publisher Sale via eShop. #ad https://ow.ly/oUPg50Yexhs
February 12, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Thank Goodness You're Here! and Blippo+ are two of the absolute must-play modern video games, in my opinion.
Herdling is also fantastic.
Herdling is also fantastic.
Reposted by Mat Piscatella
The live service game death spiral is a bleak one.
It's difficult to avoid and all but impossible to escape. Here's what the heads of Specter Divide (remember that) said about the dead game stench back in 2024.
kotaku.com/highguard-la...
It's difficult to avoid and all but impossible to escape. Here's what the heads of Specter Divide (remember that) said about the dead game stench back in 2024.
kotaku.com/highguard-la...
February 12, 2026 at 5:10 PM
The live service game death spiral is a bleak one.
It's difficult to avoid and all but impossible to escape. Here's what the heads of Specter Divide (remember that) said about the dead game stench back in 2024.
kotaku.com/highguard-la...
It's difficult to avoid and all but impossible to escape. Here's what the heads of Specter Divide (remember that) said about the dead game stench back in 2024.
kotaku.com/highguard-la...
"The dynamic reflects a deepening K-shaped recovery in the United States, with spending power concentrated at the top, and C-suites are keen on capturing that wealthier consumer...
The highest-earning 10% of households now account for nearly half of all U.S. consumer spending..."
The highest-earning 10% of households now account for nearly half of all U.S. consumer spending..."
US firms confront widening income gulf as wealthy spend, budget shoppers struggle
America's consumer economy is pulling in opposite directions, a gulf increasingly apparent in C-suite commentary, with premium brands profiting from well-off customers while value-focused firms battle...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:06 PM
"The dynamic reflects a deepening K-shaped recovery in the United States, with spending power concentrated at the top, and C-suites are keen on capturing that wealthier consumer...
The highest-earning 10% of households now account for nearly half of all U.S. consumer spending..."
The highest-earning 10% of households now account for nearly half of all U.S. consumer spending..."
Reposted by Mat Piscatella
Battleborn released in 2016, got updates for around a year or so, and the servers ran until 2021.
February 12, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Battleborn released in 2016, got updates for around a year or so, and the servers ran until 2021.
Highguard debuted in the top 10 in weekly active users on US Steam, was top 20 on both US PlayStation and Xbox (Circana Player Engagement Tracker week ending 1.31.26) and yet...
Highguard developer Wildlight Entertainment has seemingly laid off most of its staff:
"Unfortunately, along with most of the team at Wildlight, I was laid off today"
➡️ www.linkedin.com/posts/alex-g...
#Highguard
"Unfortunately, along with most of the team at Wildlight, I was laid off today"
➡️ www.linkedin.com/posts/alex-g...
#Highguard
February 11, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Highguard debuted in the top 10 in weekly active users on US Steam, was top 20 on both US PlayStation and Xbox (Circana Player Engagement Tracker week ending 1.31.26) and yet...
"Despite the fantastical Afrofuturistic setting... every artifact I stole currently exists in the real world...
I hated the feeling that this fantasy of stealing back the bones of venerated ancestors would be the closest thing to justice that my extended cultural family would ever get"
I hated the feeling that this fantasy of stealing back the bones of venerated ancestors would be the closest thing to justice that my extended cultural family would ever get"
Relooted Is A Big Black Middle Finger To History Controlled By White People:
Relooted Review: A Thrilling Heist Game Turns Crime Into Justice
Hear me out, what if it doesn’t belong in a museum?
kotaku.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:54 PM
"Despite the fantastical Afrofuturistic setting... every artifact I stole currently exists in the real world...
I hated the feeling that this fantasy of stealing back the bones of venerated ancestors would be the closest thing to justice that my extended cultural family would ever get"
I hated the feeling that this fantasy of stealing back the bones of venerated ancestors would be the closest thing to justice that my extended cultural family would ever get"
Circana projects 2026 US consumer spending on video game hardware, content and accessories to grow 3% vs 2025, to $62.8B.
This would break the current record high of $61.7B reached in 2021.
However, there are several factors that could wreak havoc on that outlook...
This would break the current record high of $61.7B reached in 2021.
However, there are several factors that could wreak havoc on that outlook...
Circana Forecasts a Transformative Year for Video Games in 2026
The 2026 U.S. video game market brings great opportunity — and risk
www.circana.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Circana projects 2026 US consumer spending on video game hardware, content and accessories to grow 3% vs 2025, to $62.8B.
This would break the current record high of $61.7B reached in 2021.
However, there are several factors that could wreak havoc on that outlook...
This would break the current record high of $61.7B reached in 2021.
However, there are several factors that could wreak havoc on that outlook...
Circana Player Engagement Tracker - US Top 10 Titles by Total Weekly Active Users (Not Concurrent) - W/E Jan 31, 2026
- Highguard debuted at #8 on US Steam. Ranked 15th on XBX and 16th on PS.
- Counter-Strike 2 reclaimed the top position on US Steam from ARC Raiders.
- Highguard debuted at #8 on US Steam. Ranked 15th on XBX and 16th on PS.
- Counter-Strike 2 reclaimed the top position on US Steam from ARC Raiders.
February 11, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Circana Player Engagement Tracker - US Top 10 Titles by Total Weekly Active Users (Not Concurrent) - W/E Jan 31, 2026
- Highguard debuted at #8 on US Steam. Ranked 15th on XBX and 16th on PS.
- Counter-Strike 2 reclaimed the top position on US Steam from ARC Raiders.
- Highguard debuted at #8 on US Steam. Ranked 15th on XBX and 16th on PS.
- Counter-Strike 2 reclaimed the top position on US Steam from ARC Raiders.
Reposted by Mat Piscatella
Uh oh.
Big uh oh.
Big uh oh.
Steam Deck OLED is all sold out in America store.steampowered.com/steamdeck
apparently still available in other countries
apparently still available in other countries
February 11, 2026 at 3:59 AM
Uh oh.
Big uh oh.
Big uh oh.
They say never meet your heroes. They are wrong, sometimes.
February 9, 2026 at 8:04 PM
They say never meet your heroes. They are wrong, sometimes.
Yeah Discord can go jump in a lake
February 9, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Yeah Discord can go jump in a lake