The hottest Digital Markets Substack posts right now

Steam ranked top games by gross revenue in 2023 based on 'Platinum', 'Gold', 'Silver', and 'Bronze' tiers
Around 35% of the top revenue games in 2023 were new releases; games generally needed at least $20 million gross to make the rankings
Deep Rock Galactic saw increased sales in 2023, success with cosmetic DLC, and plans for spinoff games

Apple faces criticism for its response to new EU regulations on app distribution, causing backlash from developers and regulators.
The gaming industry is experiencing layoffs, with a significant number reported within January and concerns for the future.
The US Senate's Judiciary Committee held a combative hearing with tech CEOs, highlighting the need for better dialogue on social media impact and online safety.

Nationally, shutting down major darknet markets in mid‑2017 did not cause a spike in fentanyl deaths; instead the growth rate of synthetic opioid deaths slowed afterward, though it’s unclear if the shutdowns caused that change.
The impact varied a lot by state: most states showed deceleration but several showed acceleration, and a few states (notably Ohio) drove much of the national pattern, suggesting local factors matter more than a single national event.
Darknet market transactions plunged right after the shutdowns but recovered within about six months as users moved to other markets, so the disruption was short‑lived and shutdowns look like a temporary whack‑a‑mole fix.

Meta will restrict news access in Canada due to the passage of the Canada's Online News Act.
The Canada's Online News Act aims to ensure fairness in the digital news market by requiring platforms like Meta to negotiate commercial agreements and compensate news organizations.
Meta and Google are opposed to the legislation and are planning to limit news access before the law takes effect.

Superstars, like top artists or developers, have a significant impact on attracting consumers to platforms like music streaming services or app stores.
Offering exclusivity to superstars can give platforms a competitive edge by attracting more consumers and complementors, enhancing the network effect.
When platforms acquire superstars, the decision to withhold or license content to rivals affects market competitiveness and may impact exclusivity strategies.

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